METROPOLIS

Maintain Your Eyes to Seeing The World Miracles

2009-03-02T19:21:00.001-08:00

Eyes play a vital role as a window for us to see the world and for the world to see what’s hidden within us. Inside, components of microscopic and delicate parts are working hard each second to give us the miracle of vision. Here several tips to maintain a healthy of your eyes.

To maintain a healthy condition of your eyes, pay attention to several important points. When your eyes feel exhausted and itchy, that means your eyes need to have a rest. Take a 40-minute break from work that requires you to focus with your eyes, like working in front of computer. Take a walk for a while and look at distant objects.

Use sun glasses to protect your eyes from dangerous ultra violet rays when you are doing outdoor activities. Stop smoking because it could increase the risk of macular degeneration and optics nerve damage. In some cases where your eye disease is hereditary, share information to family members so that they can be checked and prevented immediately.

With regards to children, watch out of any other symptoms if they hold objects too closely when looking at them. We mush also heed their complaints of dizziness or headaches, or when they have difficulties concentrating, blink too much or rub their eyes.

Do not forget nutrition for the eyes. Increase consumption of vitamin A, C, E, zinc and carotene. These could be obtained from eating nuts, vegetable oils like olive oil, fish and dairy products. Also eat lots of fruits and vegetables like oranges, honeydew melon and broccoli. (Source from any refference eyes health and tips)

Hepatitis Symptom: Tips to Reduce Risk

2009-03-02T19:19:00.000-08:00

Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, fatty liver, alcohol-laden liver and liver cancer are diseases that attack many people. Hepatitis is not an ordinary disease. Hepatitis is actually a term used for every kind of inflammation in the liver. The causes vary, ranging from viruses to medication. It develops slowly, but consistently. It digresses to become liver cirrhosis or worse, liver cancer.

There are several types of Hepatitis virus: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. The people infected by Hepatitis A who recover will henceforth be immune to that virus. Symptoms of Hepatitis A usually disappear completely after 6 to 12 weeks. Infection caused by this virus will not develop into chronic hepatitis.

Hepatitis B is the most common among all cases of hepatitis. This type must be taken care seriously because 1 out of 10 people infected by Hepatitis B will never be normal again. In fact, they carry the Hepatitis B virus in their bodies even though in appearance, they might look as normal and healthy as anyone else. Hepatitis B can also lead to complications. For example, it could develop into chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver damage and liver cancer.

A person whose blood carries the Hepatitis C virus goes through 17-18 years before its symptoms emerge. It means that the virus is patiently lying low in one’s body for a very long period of time until the lever is detected to have been destroyed or not functioning normally.

The how can a person know whether he or she is carrying the hepatitis virus? How can it be prevented?

When there is a suspicion of a hepatitis problem, the most recognizable symptoms are eye balls and skin turning yellow, the urine turning a darker color while the faces turn light. Other symptoms would be fever, prolonged exhaustion, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.
It is not easy to avoid hepatitis. But, the risk of Hepatitis B could be brought down by not using shared needles or knives during processes like blood transfusion, acupuncture, drug abuse or body parts piercing, including tattooing. Also do not changing sexual partners because though condoms are used, it not guarantees 100% safety.

The medical check up every six months so that a physician can detect symptoms of liver cancer as early as possible. Do not consumption excessive salt. Salt should be avoided because it retains water in the body which can further accelerate liver damage. Do not smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages because they accelerate liver damage. Do not share food from the mouth (contact with saliva), such as tasting food or babies, and never offer to be a donor for blood, sperm or other parts when one is contaminated by this virus. (Source from any refferences health and medical)

Take advantage of the cigarette butts to Fashion Trends

2009-01-19T15:22:00.000-08:00

Quick View is not only beautiful mesmerize with the latest collection of clothing, but you can get in many ways. For example, using the materials used that are not used again.

As quoted from Femalefirst, Monday (19/1/2009), if you want to look fashionable, harmless utilizing used materials that are not used, such as cigarette butts.

This idea first emerged from the designer Alexandra Guerrero. He was inspired from the people who throw cigarette butts after smoked.

Alexandra and volunteers collect the cigarettes from the streets and sterilise them. They are then dried, separated and made into fabric. Toxins such as nicotine are removed.

Not only that, Alexandra The material left over is combined with wool to create the fabric used

"This project began as an idea for my thesis," she told the blog Cool Hunting. "We always wanted to do sustainable design but we didn't want to do something that was already seen, so we started thinking of a waste that was unnoticed and then we thought of cigarette butts."

So far hats, gloves, sweaters and blankets have been made. They can be purchased from the Mantis website.

A Lover's Call

2009-01-18T21:45:00.000-08:00

Where are you, my beloved? Are you in that little
Paradise, watering the flowers who look upon you
As infants look upon the breast of their mothers?
Or are you in your chamber where the shrine of
Virtue has been placed in your honor, and upon
Which you offer my heart and soul as sacrifice?

Or amongst the books, seeking human knowledge,
While you are replete with heavenly wisdom?

Oh companion of my soul, where are you? Are you
Praying in the temple? Or calling Nature in the
Field, haven of your dreams?

Are you in the huts of the poor, consoling the
Broken-hearted with the sweetness of your soul, and
Filling their hands with your bounty?

You are God's spirit everywhere;
You are stronger than the ages.

Do you have memory of the day we met, when the halo of
You spirit surrounded us, and the Angels of Love
Floated about, singing the praise of the soul's deed?

Do you recollect our sitting in the shade of the
Branches, sheltering ourselves from Humanity, as the ribs
Protect the divine secret of the heart from injury?

Remember you the trails and forest we walked, with hands
Joined, and our heads leaning against each other, as if
We were hiding ourselves within ourselves?

Recall you the hour I bade you farewell,
And the Maritime kiss you placed on my lips?
That kiss taught me that joining of lips in Love
Reveals heavenly secrets which the tongue cannot utter!

That kiss was introduction to a great sigh,
Like the Almighty's breath that turned earth into man.

That sigh led my way into the spiritual world,
Announcing the glory of my soul; and there
It shall perpetuate until again we meet.

I remember when you kissed me and kissed me,
With tears coursing your cheeks, and you said,
"Earthly bodies must often separate for earthly purpose,
And must live apart impelled by worldly intent.

"But the spirit remains joined safely in the hands of
Love, until death arrives and takes joined souls to God.

"Go, my beloved; Love has chosen you her delegate;
Over her, for she is Beauty who offers to her follower
The cup of the sweetness of life.
As for my own empty arms, your love shall remain my
Comforting groom; you memory, my Eternal wedding."

Where are you now, my other self? Are you awake in
The silence of the night? Let the clean breeze convey
To you my heart's every beat and affection.

Are you fondling my face in your memory? That image
Is no longer my own, for Sorrow has dropped his
Shadow on my happy countenance of the past.

Sobs have withered my eyes which reflected your beauty
And dried my lips which you sweetened with kisses.

Where are you, my beloved? Do you hear my weeping
From beyond the ocean? Do you understand my need?
Do you know the greatness of my patience?

Is there any spirit in the air capable of conveying
To you the breath of this dying youth? Is there any
Secret communication between angels that will carry to
You my complaint?

Where are you, my beautiful star? The obscurity of life
Has cast me upon its bosom; sorrow has conquered me.

Sail your smile into the air; it will reach and enliven me!
Breathe your fragrance into the air; it will sustain me!

Where are you, me beloved?
Oh, how great is Love!
And how little am I!

BY Khalil Gibran

Can Viagra improve your performance?

2009-01-14T16:54:00.000-08:00

Viagra may increase the 'performance' at the bedroom. But the blue pill can help football player action on the field? Gremio a Brazil football club trying to use it.

A doctor at a Brazilian football club is planning on giving a new meaning to feeling stiff after a match by plying his players with Viagra. Gremio quack Alarico Endres reckons the sex drug could be used to improve players’ performance in games at altitude. The doctor hinted he has a light bulb moment while perusing a dirty mag.

“Viagra increases and improves the blood circulation,” Endres explains.
“It therefore can improve the performances of players at high altitude."
“I had this illumination by reading a magazine, which wasn’t a medical one: so we decided to elaborate this topic with a scientific test, and now we shall also give an indication to the technical commission.”

Gremio team doctors planned to be trying method in the event Copa Libertadores when they need to visit Bolivia, where it has a height of 2500 meters above sea level.

Endres hope to use Viagra to the players Gremio may be realized, because until now the substances in the drug is not included in the black list of drugs that are prohibited in the world of sports. However, following a rise in sales for Viagra in 2008 Beijing Olympics ago, some experts began to do research to find out whether Viagra is completely free of doping elements.

Interest to try ?
See Video bellow for your refference

Football Viagra

Boxing Viagra

Maintain Your Friendship

2009-01-12T03:52:00.000-08:00

10 Points to Maintain Friendship

1. FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN GIVE TO A FRIEND, NOT WHAT YOU CAN GET OUT OF A FRIENDSHIP.
If being happy is your only motive for wanting someone to be your friend, then you are not being a real friend. Don't get caught up in keeping tabs on who has given most in the friendship. Give to your friends regardless of how much they give to you.

2. ENCOURAGE YOUR FRIEND.
Real friends inspire and push each other to be the best that they can be, rather than drag each other down. They are happy when other people achieve their goals.

3. BE WILLING TO FORGIVE.
Don't let hurt turn to grudge. This is one sure way to destroy a friendship. Forgive your friend and move on.

4. TACTFULLY POINT OUT THEIR MISTAKES.
This is one way to show concern for others. If you really care, you will tactfully point out a specific example for his own good. But once you've brought the problem to your friend's attention, don't harp on it all the time. Don't walk away from a friendship when you see some of your friend's faults. Be patient with a friend as he or she tries to change. Realize that nobody is perfect.

5. BE RELIABLE.
When you say you are going to be there, be there.

6. DON'T TRY TO CONTROL YOUR FRIENDS.
Real friendship does not mean you always have to be together. It may be tempting to have a fun person all to yourself, and feel threatened when your friend spends time with others. If you are afraid to let your friends out of your sight, you are probably afraid of losing them. Good friendship will endure time spent apart. You and your friends may learn to appreciate each other even more.

7. BE THERE FOR THE GOOD AND THE BAD TIMES.
Celebrate with them if your friends are excited about someth ing. But don't be there just for the good times. When your friend is upset about something, give them your full attention. Most of the time, what friends really need is a sympathetic ear, someone who understand their feelings.

8. LEARN TO ACCEPT PERSONALITY DIFFERENCES IN YOUR FRIENDS.
Be careful not to evaluate other people by how you react in a particular situation. Do not automatically take your friends' behaviour personally.

9. DON'T BE A BLABBERMOUTH.
Learn and be willing to keep each other's secrets.

10. DON'T LET ARGUMENTS DESTROY YOUR FRIENDSHIP.
Suppose you're having a discussion with a friend and after you've said what you think is true, they still disagree. Don't keep arguing until you get mad with each other. Just drop it. Your desire to win the argument may ruin your friendship.

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The Best and Worst Beverages for Weight Loss

2009-01-06T11:24:00.000-08:00

Skinny Sipping: Drink Pounds Away

Many of us watch what we eat but not what we drink when on a diet. That's a mistake. The average American gets a fifth of daily calories from beverages. Choosing the right drinks can tweak your metabolism, curb your appetite, and reduce your total calorie count. Which drinks are spoilers and which are helpers on the path to weight loss?

Spoiler: Soda
Every time you chug a bottle of soda, you're consuming hundreds of empty calories. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, carbonated soft drinks are the single biggest source of calories in the American diet. Switching to diet soft drinks is an obvious way to cut calories, but it's unclear whether this switch results in weight loss. In some people, diet soda may increase their sweet tooth

Helper: Water
Replacing carbonated soft drinks with water will cut hundreds of calories per day, and the benefits don't stop there. Drinking two glasses of water before a meal may encourage the stomach to feel full more quickly, so you don't eat as much. In addition, new research suggests drinking plenty of water may have a positive effect on your metabolism.

Jury's Out: Fruit Juice
Juice can have as many calories as soda, but it has far more to offer in the way of nutrients. This presents a dilemma -- you want the vitamins and antioxidants without all the extra sugar. The safest bet: Look for 100% fruit juice. Steer clear of juice drinks that have added sweeteners. Look for the percent of real juice, noted on the nutritional label. You can also slash calories by drinking water with a tiny bit of juice added.

Helper: Vegetable Juice
Vegetable juice is every bit as nutritious as fruit juice with about half the calories. A 12-ounce serving of tomato juice has 80 calories, compared to 160 calories for orange juice. Vegetable juice with pulp is also high in fiber and can help control hunger.

Jury's Out: Smoothies
Blend a banana, strawberries, and blueberries into a frothy smoothie, and you've got a delicious arsenal of disease-fighting vitamins and minerals. The homemade variety is best when you're counting calories, because you can control the ingredients -- skim milk and fresh fruit are all you need. Restaurant smoothies may contain ice cream, honey, or other sweeteners that boost the calorie count sky-high.

Jury's Out: Low-Fat Milk
Consuming calcium-rich foods may do a body good, but calcium probably won't help you lose weight, new research now reveals. Some earlier studies suggested calcium may prompt the body to burn more fat, but there's little evidence to support these claims. Depriving the body of calcium, on the other hand, has been show to trigger an increase in the production of fat cells. To get the benefits of calcium without consuming extra fat, stick to skim or low-fat

Spoiler: Energy Drinks
Sports and energy drinks are calorie bombs like soda. They may have more added nutrients, but you can find the same vitamins and minerals in low-calorie foods. People who are serious about losing weight should stay hydrated with water rather than sports drinks.

Helper: Black Coffee
When you need a shot of caffeine, coffee is a better choice than soda or energy drinks. Black coffee is calorie-free and rich in antioxidants. Studies have shown that consuming moderate amounts of coffee (about 3 to 4 cups a day) may improve mood and concentration, and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and several types of cancer.

Spoiler: Fancy Coffee
Once you add heavy cream, flavored syrups, and/or a snowcap of whipped cream, that innocent mug of black coffee becomes a minefield of fat and sugar. Specialty coffees can contain up to 570 calories per cup -- possibly more than an entire meal! If you don't like your coffee black, add a little skim milk and artificial sweetener to keep the calorie count low.

Helper: Green Tea
Green tea is another excellent choice when you're looking for a little caffeine. Not only is it calorie-free, some research suggests green tea extract may stimulate weight loss through the action of phytochemicals. These are plant-based compounds that may temporarily cause the body to burn more calories and melt fat. The benefit appears to last only a few hours, so it may help to drink green tea at least twice a day.

Spoiler: Cocktails
A shot of hard liquor has fewer calories than wine or wine coolers, but once you mix in soda or cream, watch out… An 8-ounce white Russian made with light cream has 715 calories. A less fattening option is to mix rum or vodka with diet soda.

Making Decisions as a Couple

2009-01-06T11:11:00.000-08:00

From The Peete's Oprah & Friends XM Radio show "Power Struggles in Marriage"

While some couples believe one person should "wear the pants" at home, psychologist Dr. Josh Klapow says learning how to make decisions as a couple is critical for the survival of your relationship. Get his 5 steps for making decisions together.

Decision-making can be challenging for anyone, but when a couple needs to make a collective decision, the challenge becomes greater, psychologist Dr. Josh Klapow says. The key is to recognize that the decision-making process is the same regardless of the type of decision, Dr. Klapow says. "Making decisions as a couple is not so much about what you decide on, but rather how you go about the process of making the decision," he says. "If you approach each decision with the same game plan, then over time, you will become experts at decision-making."

Dr. Klapow shares his five "smart" (set, monitor, arrange, recruit and treat) steps to collective decision-making.

Set a Specific Goal Make sure you are very specific about what you want, Dr. Klapow says. For example, a goal of saving money is not specific enough; however, saying that you want to save an extra $100 per month by automatic deduction from your paychecks to pay off your credit card is specific. "The more specific you are, the better," he says.

Monitor Your Discussion As you are discussing the decision at hand, make sure you are staying on track, Dr. Klapow says. "Very often couples will start discussing a goal and stray to some other topic, which can lead to frustration," he says. "If you notice yourself or your spouse getting off the subject, quickly come back to the specific goal."

Arrange the Situation for Success Decision-making doesn't work well when someone is tired, hungry, short of time or preoccupied with other activities. "Before you start the discussion, make sure each of you is in the right frame of mind and you have the time," Dr. Klapow says. If not, take a break from the discussion because it likely won't be productive.

Recruit Support from One Another A collective decision means that sometimes there will be a compromise, Dr. Klapow says. If you are going into the discussion to win, then you are not making a collective decision—you are fighting a battle, he says. "Remind each other that you are a team and that you are in it to win collectively, not necessarily individually," he says.

Treat Yourselves Decision-making can be one of the toughest challenges a couple faces, celebrate the success of a decision together. "A hug, a celebratory reward—anything that acknowledges that together you have accomplished this task—will help keep you motivated to make decisions together again," Dr. Klapow says.

When to Call the Doctor About Flu

2009-01-01T21:40:00.000-08:00

If you just came down with miserable flu symptoms, you may wonder when to call the doctor. Sooner is better than later in case your doctor thinks you would benefit from flu medications that can help shorten the duration of the flu.

What Are Common Flu Symptoms?

The first challenge is determining if you have flu symptoms. If you have these symptoms, give your doctor a call. Common symptoms of the flu include:

Fever (usually over 102 degrees)
Headache
Extreme tiredness
Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle aches
Nausea,
vomiting, and
diarrhea (much more common among children than adults)

In addition, if you've had the flu for a few days and then get worse, call your doctor immediately. These symptoms may indicate a secondary or bacterial infection with flu. Call your doctor if:

Your fever returns
Your fever lasts for longer than three days
You have difficulty breathing
You cannot stop vomiting and can't keep liquids down You wheeze when you breathe
Your flu symptoms are worsening each day

If you have a chronic medical condition such as heart disease, asthma, COPD, diabetes, or HIV/AIDS, it's important to call your doctor when the first flu symptoms appear as flu might increase the risk of serious problems associated with your chronic condition. For instance, if you have asthma and flu, you may need to boost your asthma medications and asthma inhalers to prevent an asthma attack. Your doctor can instruct you.

Also, seek emergency medical help if you or a loved one is extremely short of breath or has a severe headache or stiff neck.

What Flu Tests Will My Doctor Use?

Most of the time, a flu diagnosis is made by the person's symptoms. In some cases, your doctor may also run flu tests to make an accurate flu diagnosis. These tests usually involve taking a swab from your mouth and culturing this to identify the flu virus. Rapid flu tests may give your doctor results in about five to 30 minutes. Your doctor may prefer to use a rapid flu test before prescribing flu drugs, which must be taken within 48 hours of the first flu symptoms.

What Antiviral Drugs Will My Doctor Prescribe for the Flu?

According to the CDC, two flu antiviral drugs are recommended for use in the United States. These antiviral drugs are Tamiflu and Relenza.

Tamiflu is approved for prevention and treatment of flu in people 1 year old and older.
Relenza is approved to treat flu in people 7 years old and older and to prevent flu in people 5 years old and older.

Tamiflu and Relenza must be given within 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms. These flu drugs can decrease the duration of the flu by one day if used within this early time period. They are usually given for about five days.

Your doctor will determine if you can take antiviral drugs with a flu diagnosis, but you need to call your doctor as soon as you have flu symptoms for these drugs to provide a benefit.

WebMD Medical Reference

SOURCES: American Academy of Family Physicians: "Tips for Treating the Flu." American Lung Association: "Influenza Fact Sheet." Mayo Clinic: "Flu Shot: Your best shot for avoiding influenza." CDC: "Seasonal Flu: Key Facts About Antiviral Drugs and Influenza (FLU)."

Reviewed by Michael W. Smith, MD on December 20, 2007

Love Letter (Beatrice Cambell)

2009-01-01T21:30:00.001-08:00

George Bernard Shaw, an Irish dramatist, and 'Stella' (Beatrice Campbell, English actress), corresponded for 40 years.

18th November 1912
33 Kensington Square

No more shams -- a real love letter this time -- then I can breathe freely, and perhaps who knows begin to sit up and get well --

I haven't said 'kiss me' because life is too short for the kiss my heart calls for... All your words are as idle wind -- Look into my eyes for two minutes without speaking if you dare! Where would be
your 54 years? and my grandmother's heart? and how many hours would you be late for dinner?

-- If you give me one kiss and you can only kiss me if I say 'kiss me' and I will never say 'kiss me' because I am a respectable widow and I wouldn't let any man kiss me unless I was sure of the wedding ring --

Stella
(Liza, I mean).

Love Letter (Lady Shigenari)

2009-01-01T21:09:00.000-08:00

Considered the ideal Japanese hero, Lord Kimura Shigenari was the Governor of Nagato in the 16th century. In this letter, Lady Shigenari, sensing that her husband would soon be killed in battle, chooses to take her own life rather than continue the journey of life alone.

16th Century

I know that when two wayfarers 'take shelter under the same tree and slake their thirst in the same river' it has all been determined by their karma from a previous life. For the past few years you and I have shared the same pillow as man and wife who had intended to live and grow old together, and I have become as attached to you as your own shadow. This is what I believed, and I think this is what you have also thought about us.

But now I have learnt about the final enterprise on which you have decided and, though I cannot be with you to share the grand moment, I rejoice in the knowledge of it. It is said that (on the eve of his final battle) the Chinese general, Hsiang Yü, valiant warrior though he was, grieved deeply about leaving Lady Yü, and that (in our own country) Kiso Yoshinaka lamented his parting from Lady Matsudono. I have now abandoned all hope about our future together in this world, and (mindful of their example) I have resolved to take the ultimate step while you are still alive. I shall be waiting for you at the end of what they call the road to death.

I pray that you may never, never forget the great bounty, deep as the ocean, high as the mountains, that has been bestowed upon us for so many years by our lord, Prince Hideyori.

To Lord Shigenari, Governor of Nagato
From His Wife

Love Letter (Napoleon Bonaparte)

2009-01-01T20:49:00.000-08:00

Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) was born in Corsica. He became an army officer in 1785, and after rapid promotion, took command of the army of the interior in 1795. After a coup in 1799, Napoleon became first consul, and in 1804 emperor. Between 1804 and 1810 he consolidated his empire in Europe. In 1814, following defeat in Russia, he abdicated and was banished to Elba. In 1815 he resumed power, but was crushed at the Battle of Waterloo and exiled to St. Helena, where he died in 1821.

Here Napoleon Bonaparte Love Lattes :

Paris, December 1795

I wake filled with thoughts of you. Your portrait and the intoxicating evening which we spent yesterday have left my senses in turmoil. Sweet, incomparable Josephine, what a strange effect you have on my heart! Are you angry? Do I see you looking sad? Are you worried?... My soul aches with sorrow, and there can be no rest for you lover; but is there still more in store for me when, yielding to the profound feelings which overwhelm me, I draw from your lips, from your heart a love which consumes me with fire? Ah! it was last night that I fully realized how false an image of you your portrait gives!

You are leaving at noon; I shall see you in three hours.

Until then, mio dolce amor, a thousand kisses; but give me none in return, for they set my blood on fire.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Spring 1797

To Josephine,

I love you no longer; on the contrary, I detest you. you are a wretch, truly perverse, truly stupid, a real Cinderella. You never write to me at all, you do not love your husband; you know the pleasure that your letters give him yet you cannot even manage to write him half a dozen lines, dashed off in a moment! What then do you do all day, Madame? What business is so vital that it robs you of the time to write to your faithful lover? What attachment can be stifling and pushing aside the love, the tender and constant love which you promised him? Who can this wonderful new lover be who takes up your every moment, rules your days and prevents you from devoting your attention to your husband?

Beware, Josephine; one fine night the doors will be broken down and there I shall be. In truth, I am worried, my love, to have no news from you; write me a four page letter instantly made up from those delightful words which fill my heart with emotion and joy. I hope to hold you in my arms before long, when I shall lavish upon you a million kisses, burning as the equatorial sun.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Can a Magnetic Connection Cure Pain?

2008-12-28T08:00:00.001-08:00

Alternative Medicine
By: Lara Endreszl
Published: Sunday, 14 December 2008

As a kid, I had a bunch of little round magnets that were supposed to be glued onto the back of homemade refrigerator magnets. Instead I used to stack them up on the kitchen table and turn them around and around attracting and repelling the little discs for the sheer wonder of the power they held. Little did I know magnets have been widely used as an alternative method of treating pain from headaches and motion sickness to joint pain.

For centuries magnets have been used for various health purposes and were first used in stone form. Called lodestones, ancient Greeks used the magnetized stones as a way to cure certain ailments. To keep patients from bleeding, physicians used amber pills that were magnetized, as well as magnetic rings, to ease arthritis suffering. The Middle Ages found magnets being used against poison, gout, and the threat of baldness, as well as for pulling out objects containing iron (like arrowheads) and as an antiseptic for cleaning wounds.

Ancient healers thought that the blood contained magnetic energy and when it became low or displaced, the patient became ill. After the Civil War, magnets were put into clothing in order to reduce the need for doctors, which were hard to find. In the United States, magnets are still in use today, not so much in clothing to replenish deficiencies in the body, but for shoe insoles to stabilize painful foot symptoms, inside a mattress pad for general body well being, and inside discreet elastic bands to wear against pressure points (most common on the inside of your wrist) to ward off sickness from the sea, from altitude, or motion in genera—like a long car ride in the backseat.

Multiple conditions are said to be fought by manipulating the magnetic fields coursing through your body. Liver and kidney problems, back pain, and fibromyalgia are some of the major health concerns people look to magnets to solve.

Popular, yes, but healthy? No one can say for sure. Dr. Andrew Weil—renowned alternative medicine doctor and famous for being a specialist in giving practical health advice related to his field to public figures such as Oprah Winfrey—says the jury’s still out. Weil addresses their popularity and widespread use on multiple causes, but isn’t sure spending money on gimmicky magnets are worth your while in the long run, especially because there have been no previous studies confirming their positive results.

Weil says there are two main types of magnets, static and electromagnetic. Static magnets are like the ones I used to play with on my kitchen table which don’t change their magnetic field. These are the types that are usually associated with small adhesive patches and the elastic bands for cabin pressure and motion sickness and inside shoes and key rings and other devices said to “balance” out the body. Some people have claimed that these types of magnetic fields are able to help temporarily relieve pain associated with chronic back symptoms and can even give you a boost of energy throughout daily wear, but concrete research has yet to back those theories up.

On the other hand, electromagnets are often used in hospitals in devices like MRI machines using magnetic fields with an active electrical current, using radiation to help doctors see inside the body and sometimes speed up the bone-healing process. As recently as March, a medical journal published a paper that touts researchers’ findings that electromagnetic technology was able to reduce depression in people who didn’t respond to other methods of treatment. With all of these methods, more research always has to be done.

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) cites that science may find a way to propose the worth of magnets for the body and have conducted small trials using animals instead of humans. Possibilities are that magnets may be able to change nerve cell functions and block pain signals from getting to the brain, blood flow and oxygen transport can be increased thereby inducing body temperature to ailing areas of the body, and by balancing the rate of cell growth and death. With every type of medicine there are risk factors involved and a consultation from a doctor or natural healer would always be wise before starting any type of radical therapy.

Whatever type of medical theory you subscribe to, doctors and researchers alike warn to use your own judgment when applying magnetic fields to what ails you. Talk to your physician and rate the pros and cons. Whether or not this type of magnetic manipulation appeals to your common sense, I think we all have learned that magnets aren’t just for the refrigerator anymore.

Driving While Using the Cell Phone

2008-12-28T07:53:00.000-08:00

Natural Health
By: Nicki
Published: Friday, 26 December 2008

As a blind individual, one thing I will never be able to do is drive. However, I do ride with my mom and also with my friends at times. Mom is a very safe driver; she watches the road and never eats or talks on the cell phone while driving. But many other people do drive while distracted. One estimate held that cell phone distractions alone cause 2,600 deaths and 330,000 injuries in the United States every year. And, among teens, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death. That is why I am an advocate for a new device I read about recently that is aimed at cutting down on road deaths by preventing teenagers from talking on cell phones or text messaging while driving.

The device, invented by researchers at the University of Utah, is called Key2SafeDriving. It encloses an automobile key—one for each teen driver, or for any family member, and then connects wirelessly with each key user’s cell phone either through Bluetooth or RFID (radio-frequency identification) technologies.

To turn on the car engine, the driver must either slide the key out or push a button to release it. Then the device sends a signal to the driver’s cell phone, which places it in “driving mode” and a “stop” sign is displayed on the phone’s screen. While in the driving mode, the driver cannot use their cell phone to talk or send text messages, except for calling 911 or other pre-approved numbers, such as family members’ numbers. Incoming calls and texts are automatically answered with a message saying, “I am driving now. I will call you later when I arrive at the destination safely.”

Studies by other researchers at the university have shown that driving while talking on a cell phone is as dangerous as driving drunk. Several states have banned cell phone talk and texting while driving, especially for novice drivers. Co-inventor, Xuesong Zhou says that “at any given time, about 6 percent of travelers on the road are talking on a cell phone while driving. Also at any given time, 10 percent of teenagers who are driving are talking or texting.”

The university has obtained provisional patents and licensed the invention to a private company that is currently working to manufacture and commercialize it. If things go as planned, the company hopes see it on the market within six months and says the technology may be licensed to cell phone service providers to include in their service plans. The cost is estimated to be less than $50 per key, plus an undetermined monthly service fee.

Not only could this device improve driving safety, it could help parents get lower insurance rates. By using the system, you could prove that teen drivers are not talking while driving, which could significantly reduce their risk of getting into an accident.

The marketing company hopes to get automobile and insurance industry backing so that Key2SafeDriving data on cell phone use and non-use while driving can be collected and compiled into a “safety score” of sorts and sent to insurance companies monthly, which then could provide discounts to motorists with good scores.

I personally think it’s a wonderful idea and if I were a parent, I would want one for my teen. Actually, it wouldn’t be a bad idea if everyone in the family had one—just to keep things fair!

Coconut, Not Your Average Oil

2008-12-28T07:34:00.000-08:00

Natural Health
By: Lara Endreszl
Published: Sunday, 28 December 2008

When I have a little time on my hands, whether I am feeling stressed or bored or just in need of a task, I bake. One of my favorite ingredients to use is coconut. The rich sweet flavor, the soft chewy texture if it’s inside a baked good, and especially the nutty toasted crunch after it’s been baked and sprinkled over cakes, ice creams, or just about anything else you can think of. There are a lot of varieties of coconut sold at stores: flaked, whole, shredded, flour (good for people with wheat flour allergies), raw, unsweetened, dried, milk, and the most unusual type which I have been hearing about recently: coconut oil.
Claiming to be a “miracle cure” everyone has seemed to be raving about it from a new diet to an unbeatable moisturizer, Jennifer Aniston has supposedly been known to swear by it as well as professional international sports teams for multiple aspects of the oil's promising effects. Coconut oil promises a lot, but is it enough to withstand the dangers to your diet?

According to the Coconut Research Center based in Colorado, scientists are aware of the saturated fat content but are also aware of the more substantial positives found in the oil, like fiber, minerals, and vitamins. Used for centuries in Asian and Pacific cultures, they call it the “Tree of Life” for its many remarkable uses. Both food and medicine, coconut oil goes beyond what Americans describe as “dietary oil,” used to prepare foods and for taste without all the calories, dietary oil is a type of oil used for its natural fatty acids and often marketed as a weight loss supplement.
The researchers from the Center urge us to take another look at coconut oil, beyond its dietary purposes. Around the world, traditional alternative medicines have been using this oil to treat a myriad of symptoms and conditions, “asthma, baldness, bronchitis, bruises, burns, colds, constipation, cramps from menstruation, dysentery, earache, fever, flu, gingivitis, gonorrhea, jaundice, kidney stones, lice, malnutrition, nausea, rash, scabies, skin infections, sore throat, swelling, syphilis, toothache, tuberculosis, tumors, typhoid, ulcers, upset stomach, and wounds,” among others. In Western medicine, however, studies have shown that scientists have had some luck in proving coconut (in certain forms) may be a healing substance in the lab.

The possibilities are endless, from killing bacteria and parasites, to boosting the immune system and the body’s energy, acting as an antioxidant, as well as having a lower cholesterol content than other oils, it seems science knows something we don’t. A new study recently conducted and presented by Drs. Gilda Sapphire Erguiza, from the Philippine Children's Medical Center and Daniel Rauch, from the New York University Langone Medical Center, found that children diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia healed faster while on normal antibiotics when also given a dose of coconut oil according to their weight, though researchers have more to investigate as to why this effect took place.
On the opposite side of the crowd, nutritionists and the health-conscious weigh in on why coconut oil shouldn’t be a part of a regular diet. Just look at the numbers: Coconut oil has a whopping 117 calories per tablespoon and with the artery-clogging qualities of a saturated fat to boot. Coconut oil on its own has 87 percent saturated fat compared to a juicy burger that contains merely 38 percent. With most American diets already high in fats and saturated fats, adding additional oil on top of all the rest probably won’t be good for your overall health.

The fatty acids in foods are measured in length that tells of the danger to our bodies: short, medium, and long. Most fatty acids we consume are of the long variety and essentially it takes our bodies longer to break them down and metabolize within our system. Most of the long-chain varieties are what we consume—98 to 100 percent—from plants and animals daily. Coconut oil is medium-chain or known as MCFA. Some nutritionists warn about the high saturated fat content of coconut oil but advise to use caution and think about what we are substituting it for within our diet in order to keep a balance and keep our heart in check.

Whatever your choice, for or against the “miracle cure” of coconut oil, remember that everything even supplements and natural remedies should be used in moderation no matter how healthy they may seem and to always consult a doctor before trying anything new so as to prevent future complications. I always knew I loved coconut, but I didn’t know it could be for more than just taste.

Millions of older Americans use risky drug combos

2008-12-23T23:31:00.000-08:00

By LINDSEY TANNER, AP Medical Writer (yahoo news 24, Dec. 2008)

CHICAGO – At least 2 million older Americans are taking a combination of drugs or supplements that can be a risky mix — from blood thinners and cholesterol pills to aspirin and ginkgo capsules — a new study warns.

Among older men, the numbers are particularly alarming — one in 10 are taking potentially harmful combinations, according to the study.

The results aren't always disastrous, but older people are more vulnerable to side effects and drug-to-drug interactions. And patients need to know that just because lots of medicines and supplements don't require prescriptions doesn't mean they're harmless. Nor are some of these safe to take when you're prescribed other medications.

Experts say the take-home advice is to ask about any side effects of prescription drugs, and tell your doctor before taking other medicines.

The report showing just how many older people are using risky combinations comes from a study of nearly 3,000 interviews with people aged 57 to 85. The research, funded by the National Institutes of Health and University of Chicago, appears in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical Association.

It's well-known that as people age, their medication use goes up. But the study highlights the potential problems with some sobering statistics.

Ninety-one percent in this age group use at least one medication, often for heart disease and related problems. That translates to more than 50 million people. More than half use at least five remedies, including prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines or supplements.

Virtually every medicine can have side effects, and with so many being used by so many older adults, the potential for harm is high.

For example, warfarin, a potent prescription clot-fighting drug, was often taken with aspirin. Both increase the risk of bleeding, so the odds are even higher when both drugs are taken. The researchers said these risks also occur when warfarin is taken with garlic pills, which some studies have suggested can benefit the heart and help prevent blood clots.

Signs of bleeding problems include bruising easily, hard-to-stop bleeding from the gums or from cuts and blood in the urine.

Other commonly used and risky combinations included:

_Aspirin taken with over-the-counter ginkgo supplements, increasing chances for excess bleeding.

_Lisinopril, a blood pressure drug, taken with potassium, which combined can cause abnormal heart rhythms. Potassium is often prescribed to restore low levels of this important mineral caused by certain blood pressure drugs.

_Prescription cholesterol drugs called statins taken with over-the-counter niacin, a type of vitamin B that also lowers cholesterol. This combination increases risks for muscle damage.

"Patients need to know that while medications are often beneficial, they're not always safe," said lead author Dima Qato, a University of Chicago pharmacist. "If they need to self-medicate with over-the-counter or dietary supplements, they should definitely consult with their physicians or pharmacists."

The study relied on data from in-person interviews with 2,976 adults questioned about which medications they routinely used. The nationally representative survey was done between June 2005 and March 2006, and results were extrapolated to the general population.

The researchers assessed how many people routinely used at least two medications of any type known to have dangerous or even fatal interactions. The number totaled at least one in 25, corresponding to 2.2 million nationwide.

Those interviewed weren't asked if they'd ever had a bad reaction from taking those combinations. And the study didn't assess whether patients were taking medications inappropriately.

Dr. Jerry Gurwitz, chief of the geriatric medicine division at University of Massachusetts Medical School, said taking multiple medications, despite possible bad interactions, isn't necessarily a bad idea as long as patients are in close contact with their doctor.

"There are definitely many instances where if they're monitored carefully and there's good reason for using them, that they could be used safely," said Gurwitz, who wasn't involved in the study.

Prescription drugs were the most commonly used and nearly one-third used at least five prescription drugs.

Michael Cohen, a pharmacist and president of the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, called the study an important snapshot of medication use in older Americans. But as someone who takes at least five medications himself, Cohen said the widespread prevalence isn't surprising.

Cohen said his group recently launched a new Web site, http://www.consumermedsafety.org that will allow consumers to enter names of their medications to check for any potentially dangerous interactions.

___

On the Net:

JAMA: http://jama.ama-assn.org

Institute for Safe Medication Practices: http://www.ismp.org

Advices from Medical Specialist for Those Who Have Nasal Problem

2008-12-23T22:58:00.002-08:00

Alexander Chong

Aaron had a bad sinus infection after returning from oversea. He said he always had a sinus problems and rhinitis, but never asked advices from any medical specialist. This time, the infection was so bad that he had to consult ear, nose and throat specialist. This trip to the specialist is very valuable because the specialist gave him a lot of daily useful tips, which help him to recover from his infection and also teach him how to prevent infections in the future. According to him, the specialist not only gives him antibiotics but also advices how to avoid habits that will further irritate his nasal membranes. Added by Aaron are fragile and sensitive nasal membranes may be irritated by simple things such as sniffing and blowing the nose too hard, coughing too hard, rubbing nose and stuffing things such as tissues and hand�kerchiefs up to the nostrils. Other good habits that had been recommended by his specialist are getting enough sleep and emptying half the stomach before sleep to avoid refluxing (back up) stomach acids, which will irritate the nose membranes. Besides these, his specialist also told him that for a person who had flu (infection) should not dive and swim. This is because diving and swimming may cause the infection in the nose traveling up to the sinuses through the water, where this person swim in.

Nasal and sinus diseases caused by infections or allergies are the common symptoms that lead people to the consultation of ear, nose and throat specialist. According to ear, nose and throat specialist, airborne particles or air pollution from the environment can cause nasal and sinus diseases. However, for those who have family history of an allergic nose, they have higher possibility inheriting allergic disorders. Ear, nose and throat specialist noted that the people who came to see him mostly had symptoms such as runny nose, blocked nose, sneezing and sensitive nose, eyes and throat. Some of them may come with loss of smell. Specialist explained that if nose infections were left untreated or poorly handled, it can cause problems to the sinuses, eyes, throat and lungs. Cavities surrounding the nose are known as sinuses. Your sinus can be infected from a simple nose infection. Since the eyes are located close to the sinuses, it can be infected too. Specialist added that the lungs infection caused by the nose infection was the excessive mucous secreted from the nose flown into the throat and further gone deep into the lungs. However, by staying away from the allergen, which is a substance that triggers allergy, one person's nose allergies can be reduced.

According to specialist, to clean your nose by sniffing, blowing or picking your nose is not the right way when you had a flu or allergy. The following tips have been given by the specialist for you to care for your nose. The most common cause of nasal problems is allergy, which medical term is allergic rhinitis.

To get rid of the allergic triggered substances is the best way to prevent these symptoms. One of the allergic triggered substances is dust mites. Due to their occupying in mattresses, carpets and pillows, runny nose and sneezing in the morning are caused by them. Nevertheless, medications such as acaricides can be used to destroy dust mites. Besides this, dust mites can be kept away by using medication impregnated bed sheets. Once a week, put your bed sheets and pillows under that sun is a more economical way. Your bedroom has to be mopped and cleaned it using vacuum regularly. The load of dust mites can be reduced using these simple methods; however, it is not an easy task to totally eradicate dust mites. To check whether some of the common allergens out there are the cause of your allergy, you can take blood and skin tests to confirm it. Prevent the foods that cause your allergy for a period of time before retry them again if you have allergy to foods. Sometimes, some people allergies can be got over with time. If pets cause your allergy, try to remove them. Allergic reactions may be caused by fungus in the air-conditioning and ventilation vents. To solve this problem, just use fungicides, which are the chemicals that can kill fungus to clean the systems.

Bad habits such as sniffing, blowing or picking your nose will exasperate or extend the infection to surrounding organs during an infection period. Your symptoms may aggravate if you drink cold drinks. Therefore, you should take warm drinks instead of cold drinks. You should not blow your nose too hard when you have runny nose. Nose blocked is due to the swollen lining tissue inside the nasal cavity. Hence, blowing your nose hard is not going to clear the mucous. Moreover, it will cause the infection to go to the surrounding areas such as sinuses and ears. The proper way is sniffing gently to bring the mucous down to the throat and after that spit or cough it out from the mouth. You should not teach your children how to blow their nose if they don't know how to do it. So, if they have any discharge, just use handkerchief or tissue to wipe their nose gently. Mucous or phlegm should not be swallowed because it may cause irritation to your stomach.

Anybody can have nosebleeds at any age. Nosebleeds in children are mostly due to the damage of the blood vessels in the anterior part of their nose. This is due to their bad habit - like to pick at their nose. Apply pressure on the bleeding nostril for a few minutes and use the other nostril or mouth to breathe temporarily if you have nosebleed. Don't hold your head back because this will cause the blood drip down into your throat. Instead hold your head up straight and sit up. You may unaware that you are actually still bleeding if you hold you head back. This is because the blood dripping down through your throat but not trickling down from your nostrils. Consequently, it may cause a breathing difficulty because your airways may be blocked by the bleeding. Ice can be used to apply on your nose if the nosebleed doesn't stop. Nosebleeds in adults can be caused by infection or tumors in their nose. Other factors that will cause nosebleeds are high blood pressure and the hardening of the blood vessels in the nose. Both diseases are due to ageing. Therefore, you need to check with doctors to double confirm what is the problem with your nose if it is bleeding.

Alexander Chong Author of "How to cure your incurable nasal allergy without using any synthetic drugs, herbs and expensive devices". http://www.cure-nasal-allergy.com/article9.htm

2008-12-21T14:17:00.000-08:00

Many people will walk in and out of your life,
but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.

Deep As The Rose Is Red

2008-12-21T14:08:00.000-08:00

I'll give you my heart; I'll open it up,
Will you listen to its small still voice?
For soft and quiet my heart will speak
To the one I'll call my wife.

Did you hear it dear? Did you listen well?
Do you understand what it said?
For deep is the love that it speaks to you,
Deep as the rose is red.

So, take my heart and treat it well
And forever in this life,
Come walk with me, your hand in mine,
The one I'll call my wife.

- Melvin D. Sharrar -

Every Second Beat

2008-12-21T13:48:00.000-08:00

If I had a thousand pages,
I could never name them all,
The reasons that I love you,
For the list would be too tall.

I love you for the melody,
I hear within your voice.
The way your blue eyes hold me,
A captive, but by choice.

I love you for your gentle hands,
That melt away my pain.
I love you for your loving heart,
That made mine beat again.

I love you for your loving smile,
With which my old heart soars.
These are some of the reasons,
Every second beat is yours.

- Mark Liverance -

What's the Skinny on Your Skin?

2008-12-17T21:51:00.000-08:00

How to Keep it Healthy and Young

http://www.healthatoz.com/

Myriads of products on the market claim to make your skin look younger. But no anti-aging cream, exfoliating wash, European facial, age-defying makeup or herbal remedy is more powerful than the lifestyle steps every woman can take to keep her skin looking smooth and healthy for as long as possible.

Many people begin to develop fine lines around the eyes in their 40s. But any deep facial wrinkles that emerge before age 50 are generally attributable to the cumulative effects of sun exposure, cigarette smoking or both, according to cosmetic surgeons. This observation springs into dramatic relief when you compare the skin on your face and the backs of your hands to the relatively smooth, monotone skin of your buttocks.

To a lesser extent, yo-yo dieting, chronic exposure to wind and over-animated facial expressions may also contribute to premature skin aging.

Aside from Father Time, the only skin-aging factor beyond your control is genetics. If your grandmother and mother looked younger than their years, you and your children probably will, too, in middle age - particularly if you adopt a lifelong habit of using sunscreens, wearing wide-brimmed hats on sunny days, shunning tobacco and secondhand smoke, and avoiding yo-yo dieting and the other aforementioned risk factors.

Types of wrinkles

Dermatologists and plastic surgeons distinguish between two types of facial wrinkles: static and dynamic. Static wrinkles are always visible, even when all the facial muscles are resting. Static wrinkles tend to develop in skin that has thinned and stretched as a result of premature or natural aging processes.

Dynamic wrinkles occur in people of all ages, even young children. Sometimes called "laugh lines," dynamic wrinkles appear temporarily when a muscle contracts and causes the overlying skin to crease like an accordion. Dynamic wrinkles are seen only when you are smiling, raising your eyebrows or otherwise animating your facial expression.

How sunlight harms the skin

Think back to those golden summers of your youth. Like many pre-adolescent and teenage girls, you probably donned your bikini, slathered your body with baby oil and held those foil-covered sun reflectors under your chin in the quest for the perfect, golden tan.

No one told you that decades later your skin would pay the price for those sun-soaked days in the form of dryness, wrinkles, fine lines, liver spots and perhaps even skin cancer. Government health officials have estimated that half of a lifetime's worth of UV exposure occurs by age 18. One research study carried out in Australia found that people as young as 25 already had detectable photoaged skin on their face and the back of their hands--the parts of the body that are chronically exposed to UV radiation. Research indicates that about 90 percent of skin changes that begin in your 30s and 40s stem directly from "photoaging," or the cumulative effects of exposure to the sun's UV radiation.

Simply put, UV radiation - be it from the sun or a tanning bed - damages the DNA of skin cells. To make matters worse, the thinning of the Earth's protective ozone layer is believed to be amplifying UV radiation levels. It takes many years before enough microscopic damage accumulates to create wrinkles and other visible skin changes. Using sunscreens with a skin protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more will filter out most of these harmful UV rays. Even if you failed to use sunscreens in your youth, you can prevent further UV damage by using them religiously throughout the year, even on the ski slope.

During all outdoor activities, including gardening, playing sports, walking and jogging, as well as going to the beach, be sure to use a sunscreen that blocks both UV-A and UV-B radiation. Sunscreens work best when applied liberally to all exposed skin about 30 minutes before sun exposure and re-applied every few hours or after swimming or sweating. Don't miss the backs of your hands, and don't be fooled by an overcast day; UV light penetrates clouds and can still harm unprotected skin. Wearing a baseball cap or wide-brimmed hat in addition to your sunscreen offers an additional measure of protection.

How smoking ages the skin

It is well-known that cigarette smoking ages people on the inside by causing lung cancer, emphysema, heart disease and an array of other health problems. But fewer people realize that smoking also ages your appearance. Chemicals inhaled from cigarette smoke constrict tiny blood vessels in the skin, reducing the oxygen and nutrient supply to delicate facial tissues. Blood-vessel constriction lasts at least an hour after a cigarette has been snuffed out. Over many years of smoking, the oxygen and nutrient deficiencies cause skin to wrinkle prematurely and lose elasticity, the ability to "bounce back" after being stretched. It is not unusual for the skin of longtime smokers to exhibit a grayish pallor.

To make matters worse, repeatedly pursing your lips around a cigarette hastens the formation of fine vertical lines around your mouth. Squinting when smoke gets in your eyes can cause premature wrinkling of the eyelids.

Dieting and skin aging

Cyclical, significant weight loss and gain, also known as "yo-yo" dieting, stretches the skin, causing it to lose its elasticity and making it more vulnerable to wrinkling and sagging under the force of gravity. Try to stay within five or 10 pounds of your ideal weight and avoid fad or crash diets.

How facial expressions age the skin

In a sense, skin has a "memory." If it is repeatedly folded in the same way by muscle contractions, permanent static lines will eventually form. This is common in sailors who constantly squint to protect their eyes from wind and sun glare. It also can be true of people who smile broadly much of the time and those who scowl a lot. Wearing sunglasses outdoors is one way to prevent continuous squinting. Another is to become aware of undue tension in your facial muscles and to make a conscious effort to relax your face.

Ways to keep your skin looking young

In general, some of the same steps that keep you healthy on the inside--such as not smoking and maintaining a normal weight also can help keep you looking healthy on the outside. Here are some steps you can take to help your skin look younger longer:

Try to avoid sunlight between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV rays are the strongest.

Apply a sunscreen with SPF 15 or more on all exposed skin 30 minutes before going outdoors.

Re-apply sunscreen after swimming or sweating.

Do not sunbathe.

When at the beach, stay under a beach umbrella, but also use sunscreens since sunlight reflecting off the sand and water can harm unprotected skin.

Outdoors, wear wide-brimmed hats, long sleeves and pants.

Wear makeup (foundations and lipsticks) that has a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher.

Avoid tanning booths.

Don't smoke.

Wear sunglasses outdoors.

Use moisturizers to combat skin dryness.

Use moisturizing soaps.

Use a humidifier at home in winter when indoor air can be particularly dry.

Ask your dermatologist about topical tretinoin emollient cream. This FDA-approved product may slow or stop additional photoaging when used to treat existing photoaging.

Ask your dermatologist about alpha-hydroxy acid, which also may help reduce some visible signs of photoaging.

Aging and Insomnia Don't Go Hand-in-Hand

2008-12-17T21:40:00.000-08:00

http://www.healthatoz.com/

By Aliyah Baruchin, HealthAtoZ writer

It's said that the older people get, the less sleep they need. If you're having trouble sleeping at night or you wake up tired, you should know that insomnia isn't a normal part of aging.

As you age, your levels of growth hormone and melatonin (which control sleeping and waking) decline. This can make you go to sleep earlier and wake up earlier, sleep more lightly or wake up several times during the night.

Like younger adults, you still need seven to eight hours of sleep a night. Something besides normal aging may be causing your problem if:

You depend on pills to sleep
You haven't slept soundly in over a month
You often become sleepy at times when you should be alert (such as behind the wheel)

Common causes of insomnia in seniors
Several health conditions that affect older people can interfere with sleep, including:

Diabetes
Arthritis
Cancer
High blood pressure
Incontinence
Parkinson's disease
Alzheimer's disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Heart disease
An enlarged prostate

These conditions may cause breathing difficulties, frequent urination or pain that awakens you during the night. If you think an illness is causing your insomnia, talk to your doctor.

Sleep disorders
If you have sleep apnea, you may stop breathing at times during the night. Another condition, restless legs syndrome, causes an unpleasant sensation in the legs and an intense need to move them while lying down. If you think you have either condition, speak with your doctor.

Medications
Some medications can affect sleeping. These include:

Calcium channel blockers
Cardiovascular drugs
Beta blockers
Decongestants
Antidepressants

If this is the case, your doctor may recommend a different drug or ask you to take your medication at a different time of day. Remember to cut down on caffeine and nicotine, which can also interfere with sleep.

Other factors affecting sleep
The lifestyle changes and emotional ups and downs of aging can also affect sleep. If you're less active than you used to be, your body may not know it still needs just as much sleep. Getting more exercise during the day - at least two hours before bedtime - can help. So can getting at least two hours of bright-light exposure each day. This can come from the sun or from a light box, which your doctor can recommend. Don't nap for more than 20 minutes during the day, or you may have trouble falling asleep at night. If feelings of sadness or anxiety are keeping you awake, talk to your doctor. You may be suffering from depression or an anxiety disorder, both of which can be treated.

Remember that sleeplessness is not a normal part of aging. Simple changes and your doctor's suggestions can help you get the rest you need.

You Are My Forever Love

2008-12-16T15:35:00.000-08:00

Your friendship and love,
And all the wonderful things
That they bring into my life,
Are like nothing else
I have ever known.

My heart is complete
With the love we share,
And our love grows more
Beautiful each day.

I love you,
And as long as we are together,
I have everything I need.

You are with me always...
In a smile, a memory, a feeling
Or a moment we share.

You will always be
My Forever Love

- Uriel Consolo -

Dreams

2008-12-16T15:30:00.001-08:00

I dream of your touch while you are away,
I dream of your smile all through the day,
I remember the day,
You came into my life,
I dream of the day I will be your wife.

I dream of the day I can fall asleep next to you,
I dream of the day I can say I do.
To be your wife,
To be together for life,
Is a dream I have,
Every night.

- Jessica Ann Trimble -

Here are some basic, yet important kissing tips

2008-12-16T15:17:00.001-08:00

Great Breath - This is very important. Make sure you brush your teeth before going out on your date. There is nothing worse than kissing someone with bad breath. If your date consists of having something to eat before the actual kiss, make sure you have a mint on hand to take right after you finish eating. Don't take the mint just before the kiss or chew on gum. You don't want to have something in your mouth when you kiss.

Moist Lips - You want your lips to be slightly moist when you kiss. Run your tongue over your lips once before you kiss. Don't wear lip gloss because that tends to make the kiss too gooey. And don't wear a lot of lipstick unless you want your partner to wear it too after the kiss. Slightly moist lips makes it easier to move your lips over your partner's and gives both you and your partner a more pleasant experience.

Positioning - Stand close to your partner. As the two of you move closer together tilt your head slightly. If you can see which way your partner's head is tilting, tilt your head slightly in the opposite direction.

Close Eyes - Just before your lips meet, close your eyes. Some people prefer to leave their eyes open during the kiss. But until you know what your partner prefers, it is best to close your eyes.

Open Lips - Open your mouth slightly and place your lips over your partner's lips. Do not hold your breath! Breath through your nose. As your lips meet, press them gently over your partner's. You may wish to move your lips in a slow, circular motion or just leave them still over your partners.

Closed Lips - This is like the type of kiss you'd give your grandma or aunt. Instead of opening your mouth when your lips meet, keep them closed. This is also a good way of letting your partner know this is as far as it goes. It also makes a great hello/good-bye kiss or a great first time kiss if you're nervous.

French Kissing tips

2008-12-16T15:11:00.000-08:00

This is a guide to basic kissing, i.e. you learn the basics and get the basics right, then experiment and try different styles and more advanced techniques.

The basics

Brush your teeth, get a good bath, nicely groomed and clean and fresh, before meeting the other person. There's nothing worse than kissing the rear end of a garbage truck
Get into a comfortable position - you can't kiss if your back feels like it's gonna break. Suggestion - Sit side by side on a comfy sofa.
Hold your lover , firmly but gently - don't cause pain. Suggestion would be to hold the shoulders, the neck or gently on the side of the face, one side or both sides.
Move your faces closer. Don't bump noses. Suggestion would be the guy angle his face slightly so you don't bump noses.
Kiss gently, normal closed lips kissing, and close your eyes. Closing your eyes increases the sensations you feel, and also sets the mood.
Continue kissing gently. Get comfortable with simple closed lips, lip-to-lip kissing before going anywhere else.
If fine till here, tentatively, slowly and lightly draw your tongue across the other person's lips.
Chances are from here, if the other person lightly parts her tongue, slowly explore the other person's tongue in a light licking motion.
The tongue has a very sensitive surface, which is why tongue to tongue is the essence of french kissing.
After you've tried lightly licking the other person's tongue, you can try sucking on it, wrestling with it ( see if you can hold it to the floor of her mouth ) and other things like that.
Explore the other areas of the mouth. Especially the roof of the mouth. Lightly lick, or tickle the area with your tongue.
Don't bite. whatever you do, don't bite.
Don't swing your tongue round and round like a windmill. Explore lightly, don't drill your way through.
Breathe through your nose. Breathe through your nose. I say again, breathe through your nose.
Follow so far? You can lightly use your hands too, lightly rubbing the other person. Suggestions, along the waist, along the back, the arms, especially the inside of the arm, the neck, maybe running your fingers through her hair. Again, don't cause pain.
Continue kissing.

New Life

2008-12-15T21:38:00.000-08:00

I've been sitting around this life for years,
Not enough laughs and too many tears.
Trying to figure out where it all went,
These wasted years that I have spent.

Searching for something to go beyond,
Life's a stone skipping across a pond.
At the last skip, it hits with a splash,
Down the stone sinks, gone in a flash.

Pushing and pulling, it's tearing apart,
Poking and prodding an underused heart.
This dark velvet curtain that hides my soul,
Living this life has taken it's toll.

In a flash of bright light, the curtain is torn,
Tumbling down all tattered and worn.
Revealing new life, a child within,
Born free of hate, of suffering and sin.

Now my eyes see what has never been told,
Striving forth happy, confident and bold.
Into a world that's unfamiliar but friendly,
Into this new life my spirit will send me.

Living and laughing, loving it all,
I stood myself up and answered the call.
The darkness has gone, replaced by the light,
I gave up the darkness with hardly a fight.

I've been sitting around this life for years,
With laughter aplenty and hardly a tear.
Now I can see just where it all went,
Cherish every moment of this new life I've spent.
------------------------------------------------------------- by Paul Bodet

Rose Of Life

2008-12-15T21:37:00.000-08:00

by Ellie LeJeune

I am unfolding gently beneath
your loving touch
Becoming
I let wholeness breath my
petals free
Awareness
Sweet fragrant Spirit touching
senses into life
Wisdom
Giving beauty back to the universe
Knowing
Each petal, sweet miracle of life
Oneness
We are hues of color, yet one
in Spirits blossom

Let It Fall

2008-12-15T21:34:00.000-08:00

By Michael G

One more anti-hero worship
from the depths
of some enigmatic fool
that left the suburbs
for the open fields
of post modern flight from hell.
No, not from the quakes
or the rumblings of racism,
that stench we all tend
to want to get rid of,
but the fact that there
were just too many things wrong.
So off I went to the last
journey of my youth,
through the pubs and alleys
of Los Angeles that served
many nights of reckless talk
and the establishment be damned.
There goes Happy House, Scream
and all those open up at 10 pm
party houses, where you paid 5 bucks
to drink yourself to life,
and walk out Saturday morning at 6 am
like the kind demons we were.
And dance the pain that we had
kept for the week
and wonder what 30 would be like
and if the Virgin Prunes
were right about
"If I die I die".
But then, that love in your soul
the one that makes you write
and pour out those false indignities
that caress your heart and mind
for after all we've been through
stars have their moments and then they die.

Love Is ...

2008-12-15T21:27:00.000-08:00

Love is the greatest feeling,
Love is like a play,
Love is what I feel for you,
Each and every day,
Love is like a smile,
Love is like a song,
Love is a great emotion,
That keeps us going strong,
I love you with my heart,
My body and my soul,
I love the way I keep loving,
Like a love I can't control,
So remember when your eyes meet mine,
I love you with all my heart,
And I have poured my entire soul into you,
Right from the very start.

- Meghan -

Your Name

2008-12-15T21:26:00.000-08:00

I wrote your name in the sky,
but the wind blew it away.
I wrote your name in the sand,
but the waves washed it away.
I wrote your name in my heart,
and forever it will stay.

- Jessica Blade -

Never Have I Fallen

2008-12-15T21:25:00.000-08:00

Your lips speak soft sweetness
Your touch a cool caress
I am lost in your magic
My heart beats within your chest

I think of you each morning
And dream of you each night
I think of your arms being around me
And cannot express my delight

Never have I fallen
But I am quickly on my way
You hold a heart in your hands
That has never before been given away

- Rex A. Williams -

What I Love About You

2008-12-15T21:24:00.001-08:00

I love the way you look at me,
Your eyes so bright and blue.
I love the way you kiss me,
Your lips so soft and smooth.

I love the way you make me so happy,
And the ways you show you care.
I love the way you say, "I Love You,"
And the way you're always there.

I love the way you touch me,
Always sending chills down my spine.
I love that you are with me,
And glad that you are mine.

- Crystal Jansen -

An Entrapment

2008-12-15T21:22:00.000-08:00

My love, I have tried with all my being
to grasp a form comparable to thine own,
but nothing seems worthy;

I know now why Shakespeare could not
compare his love to a summer’s day.
It would be a crime to denounce the beauty
of such a creature as thee,
to simply cast away the precision
God had placed in forging you.

Each facet of your being
whether it physical or spiritual
is an ensnarement
from which there is no release.
But I do not wish release.
I wish to stay entrapped forever.
With you for all eternity.
Our hearts, always as one.

- Anthony Kolos -

A Special World

2008-12-15T21:10:00.000-08:00

A special world for you and me A special bond one cannot see It wraps us up in its cocoon And holds us fiercely in its womb. Its fingers spread like fine spun gold Gently nestling us to the fold Like silken thread it holds us fast Bonds like this are meant to last. And though at times a thread may break A new one forms in its wake To bind us closer and keep us strong In a special world, where we belong. - Sheelagh Lennon -

A Golden Chain

2008-12-15T21:09:00.000-08:00

Friendship is a Golden Chain,
The links are friends so dear,
And like a rare and precious jewel
It's treasured more each year...

It's clasped together firmly
With a love that's deep and true,
And it's rich with happy memories
and fond recollections, too...

Time can't destroy its beauty
For, as long as memory lives,
Years can't erase the pleasure
That the joy of friendship gives...

For friendship is a priceless gift
That can't be bought or sold,
But to have an understanding friend
Is worth far more than gold...

And the Golden Chain of Friendship
Is a strong and blessed tie
Binding kindred hearts together
As the years go passing by.

- Helen Steiner Rice -

The Gift Of Knowing You

2008-12-15T21:08:00.001-08:00

There are gifts of many treasures
For both the young and old,
From the tiniest little trinkets
To great boxes filled with gold.

But, put them all together
And they could not stand in lieu,
Of the greatest gift of all
The gift of knowing you.

When your times are filled with troubles
Sadness, grief, or even doubt,
When all those things you planned on
Just aren't turning out.

Just turn and look behind you
From the place at which you stand,
And look for me through the shadows
And reach out for my hand.

I will lift from you your burden
And cry for you your tears,
Bear the pain of all your sorrows
Though it may be for a thousand years.

For in the end I would be happy
To have helped you start anew,
It's a small price to pay
For the gift of knowing you.

- Dave Stout -

A Friend's Greeting

2008-12-15T21:05:00.001-08:00

I'd like to be the sort of friend that
you have been to me;
I'd like to be the help that
you've been always glad to be;

I'd like to mean as much to you
each minute of the day
As you have meant, old friend of mine,
to me along the way.

I'd like to do the big things and
the splendid things for you,
To brush the gray from out your skies
and leave them only blue;

I'd like to say the kindly things that
I so oft have heard,
And feel that I could rouse your soul
the way that mine you've stirred.

I'd like to give you back the joy
that you have given me,
Yet that were wishing you a need
I hope will never be;

I'd like to make you feel as rich as I,
who travel on
Undaunted in the darkest hours with you to
lean upon.

I'm wishing at this time that I
could but repay
A portion of the gladness that
you've strewn along my way;

And could I have one wish this year,
this only would it be:
I'd like to be the sort of friend
that you have been to me.

- Edgar A Guest -

The Miracle Of Friendship

2008-12-15T21:04:00.001-08:00

There is a miracle called Friendship
that dwells within the heart
and you don't know how it happens
or when it even starts.

But the happiness it brings you
always gives a special lift
and you realize that Friendship
is God's most precious gift.

- Jean Kyler McManus -

My Friends

2008-12-15T21:03:00.001-08:00

Standing by,
All the way.
Here to help you through your day.

Holding you up,
When you are weak,
Helping you find what it is you seek.

Catching your tears,
When you cry.
Pulling you through when the tide is high.

Just being there,
Through thick and thin,
All just to say, you are my friend.

- Brittani Kokko -

Friends meaning

2008-12-15T21:01:00.000-08:00

You are friendly, kind and caring
Sensitive, loyal and understanding
Humorous, fun, secure and true
Always there... yes that's you.

Special, accepting, exciting and wise
Truthful and helpful, with honest blue eyes
Confiding, forgiving, cheerful and bright
Yes that's you... not one bit of spite.

You're one of a kind, different from others
Generous, charming, but not one that smothers
Optimistic, thoughtful, happy and game
But not just another... in the long chain.

Appreciative, warm and precious like gold
Our friendship won't tarnish or ever grow old
You'll always be there, I know that is true
I'll always be here... always for you.

- Written and owned by Angela Lee Hillsley -

Friends

2008-12-15T21:00:00.001-08:00

There's nothing as nice as someone who shares,
your laughter, your secrets, your wishes and cares,
someone who's there through your good times and tears,
who stays by your side as your friend through the years.

I Love You Because I Can

2008-12-15T14:21:00.000-08:00

I Love You
I want to be with you,
Because,
I can see you,
I can feel you,
I can watch you...

I want to be with you,
Because,
I can touch you,
I can hug you,
I can kiss you...

I want to be with you,
Because,
I can laugh with you,
I can cry with you,
I can smile at you...

I want to be with you,
Because, I LOVE YOU..........

When we say goodbye

2008-12-15T14:10:00.000-08:00

When we say goodbye I feel empty.
I feel like I am nothing, but lonely.
When we say goodbye I realize
How much I love you and how much I care for you.
When we say goodbye, I realize what it would be without you.
I don't ever want to say goodbye,
I only want to say goodnight and see you in the morning.

Your Love for me is as

2008-12-15T14:09:00.000-08:00

Fresh as falling snow
Erotic as the golden Desert
Deep as the Ocean
Passionate as a Wild-Fire
Romatic as a Waterfall
Mysterious as the Stars above
Wild as the Jungle
Genuine as a rare Jewel
Sensational as the Wilderness
Charming as a Blossom
Beautiful, as Beloved by me
Desirable, It's for Eternity

For if I could love you more

2008-12-15T14:04:00.001-08:00

I’d become the rain
And gently wash over you
Cleansing your worries away.

I’d become the sun
Kissing you softly
Wrapping you in my warmth.

I’d become the storm
With nature’s power so pure
Exciting, enticing, and satisfying.

I’d become the breeze
Caressing you gently with whispers-
I Love You, I Do