one time or another suffer from this gum condition. Other suggest that as many as 80% of the population have at this very minute at least some symptoms of gingivitis. Whatever the true number, it's clear that the problem of gum disease is a chronic problem for many people.

There's a lot of gingivitis going around. Some estimates show that almost all adults will at one time or another suffer from this gum condition. Other suggest that as many as 80% of the population have at this very minute at least some symptoms of gingivitis. Whatever the true number, it's clear that the problem of gum disease is a chronic problem for many people.

To understand the problem we need to find the cause of the problem. With gingivitis, it's caused by bacteria in your mouth that feeds on plaque. Now a build up of plaque starts out soft and then hardens or calcifies on your teeth. It's that plaque material, along with microscopic food particles and bacteria that accumulate around the gum line causing irritation and gingivitis.

Gingivitis, although considered inflammation of the gum tissue, like many conditions has different levels of severity.

The first stages:

Gum Sensitivity. You may notice your gums may hurt a little when eating certain foods or when brushing.

Later Stages Common symptoms along with the first stage symptoms:

Bleeding gums. This can be a lot or a little but it almost always will include pain when brushing.

Substantial Pain: Your gums will hurt even when you're not eating.

How they look: Your gums will look inflamed and swollen in the areas where gingivitis has taken hold. It may even seem as if tissue torn and may look like an surface wound.

How they feel: Your gums will feel soft to the touch. They will feel mushy like instead of firm.

Receding gums: This last symptom is very serious. If gingivitis is allowed to continue, your gums will start receding away from your teeth. Gums that recede cause tooth loosening and loss.

The good news is that gingivitis is treatable and can be prevented to a large degree. Inflammation of the gums is then caused by plaque that builds up on your teeth. The answer is to remove the cause of the gum disorder and your gums will heal. The best way to eliminate this disease is through good dental hygiene. Brushing your teeth regularly and flossing between each tooth structure can keep the plaque buildup under control.

In the earlier stages of gingivitis, it's possible to reverse the condition with good dental care and mouthwash. The goal is to keep your mouth clean so the gums can heal. Brush your teeth, floss daily, use a mouthwash and if your gums aren't to swollen and sore, carefully brush the gums as well. This massaging stimulates the gum tissue and removes bacteria and any loose skin layers.

Abigail Franks writes on a variety of subjects which include family, travel, and business. For more information on Gingivitis and Teeth health visit the site at http://www.4-home-teeth-whitening.com/gingivitis.html

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Today, many people are choosing to do away with the bulky glasses and opt for the lighter, more convenient contact lenses. The problem is, with so many different advertisements on television, radio and the Internet; it can be difficult to determine where you should buy your contacts. While everyone offers a different price, they each include the statement that they are the cheapest option available to you. Is this true? Well, only you have the power to know the answer to the question. The answer will come to you, if you do your homework and research all of your contact lens purchasing options before settling on any one source.

So what are your cheapest contact lens options? Basically you can purchase your contacts from your doctor?s office, in an optical store or on the Internet. Which one is the best and cheapest? This is where you need to do your homework. In this article, we will do some of the homework for you, but you will need to make the ultimate decision.

The Doctors Office

Your doctor?s office will help you in all aspects of your contact lenses, from trying them on, learning how to fit them and much more. Additionally, you will have the peace of mind in knowing that you are receiving the best care possible. At first, you may think that your eye doctor is the most expensive of all your options. This may or may not be true. Some doctors are competitive in pricing and want your business. While they may be a little higher than some other options you are considering, you will likely get a lot for that price. For example, with the price the eye doctor charges, you probably get the contact lenses, the exam, office visits and lens care products.

An Optical Store

An optical store offers much the same services that your eye doctor does, except in less time and sometimes at a cheaper price. You can probably find an optical store such as the popular Lens Crafters and have everything ready for you in no time at all. Again the price of this would include the contact lens, the exam, office visits and eye care products.

The Internet

This may be the most cost-effective option for purchasing cheap contact lens. However cheap the contact lens may be, it is important that you have your guard up when exercising this option. The Internet makes getting your contacts easy, convenient and scary all at the same time. When shopping online, you will want to look for those web sites that are reputable, trustworthy and offers complete information about the company. There are several popular Interent contact lens sites that can provide cheap contact lens. Currently a handful of these sites can provide good nationally know products at competitive prices. Most usually keep a large inventory, so they are able to ship your order quickly.

Before choosing a company, make sure you check with the Better Business Bureau to ensure that the company is reputable. Also use a major search engine like Google or Yahoo to find reviews of that company, make sure they have customer service and test it out and that they have a return policy.

Michael Moody is a successful Webmaster and publisher of CheapContactLens.net. He provides information about various considerations regarding buying cheap contact lens that can be read on the Internet in the comfort of your own home.

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Typically assumed to inflict solely negative consequences, cholesterol is actually a necessary component of a healthy body. Cholesterol is a waxy substance in the blood, critical in the digestion of dietary fats, the building of cell walls and in manufacturing vitamins and hormones. One of the secrets to securing a healthy body, including a healthy liver, is to maintain an ideal balance of cholesterol levels.

If cholesterol levels are too high, a person is at risk for coronary artery disease, heart disease, a metabolic disorder or even liver disease. Embedded in vehicles known as lipoproteins, cholesterol is transported in the bloodstream to be used or excreted throughout the body. When these inhabitants of our blood become overpopulated, traffic jams can result, blocking subsequent blood flow in the vessels. Impeded circulation is a primary factor in most types of illness.

Cholesterol and the Liver Excessive cholesterol in the blood can deposit plaques along the vessels, contributing to the development of atherosclerosis, the hardening of the arteries. While atherosclerosis is a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes, it can also have negative consequences on the liver. The relationship between the liver and blood cholesterol is multi-faceted:

? Synthesis of bile acids ? Essential to the digestive process, the liver synthesizes bile acids from cholesterol. Bile acids emulsify dietary fat, allowing for its absorption in the intestines.

? Liver circulation - Liver disease, particularly cirrhosis, can lead to portal hypertension. Portal hypertension is the result of high blood pressure within the portal vein, where the blood enters the liver. When blood cannot flow easily through the liver, internal pressure increases, posing the risk of ruptured blood vessels. Cholesterol deposits may also contribute to decreased blood flow in the liver, further restricting the vessels that safely handle the liver?s duties.

? Removal of cholesterol ? High-density lipoproteins (HDL) help remove excessive cholesterol from the body by transporting it to the liver for its breakdown and excretion. As a diseased liver?s function decreases, do does its ability to remove excessive cholesterol from the blood supply.

What is Excessive Cholesterol? According to the American Heart Association, about 20 percent of the U.S. population has high blood cholesterol levels. When getting your cholesterol checked, there are four numeric values that come into play - total cholesterol, LDL (low-density lipoproteins), HDL (high-density lipoproteins) and triglycerides.

? Total Cholesterol ? A comprehensive measurement of the cholesterol in your blood, it is desirable to have a value less than 200 mg/dL. A person carries a borderline level of health risks if the total cholesterol is between 200-239 mg/dL, and is considered high risk if total cholesterol exceeds 239 mg/dL.

? LDL - This cholesterol is the primary cause of harmful fatty buildup in arteries. The higher the LDL cholesterol levels in the blood, the greater the health risk. Ideal LDL levels are below 100 mg/dL, while values exceeding 159 mg/dL carry a high risk of cardiovascular disease.

? HDL ? This form carries blood cholesterol back to the liver, where it can be eliminated. HDL helps prevent a cholesterol buildup in blood vessels. While values typically range from 40 to 60 mg/dL, an HDL under 40 mg/dL puts the individual at risk for cardiovascular disease. Studies suggest that high levels of HDL cholesterol reduce your risk of heart attack.

? Triglycerides - Triglycerides are the chemical form in which most fat exists in food as well as in the body. Triglyceride levels under 150 mg/dL are normal, while values exceeding 199 mg/dL carry a high risk of cardiovascular disease.

Due to the delicate balance of useful cholesterol and damaging cholesterol, most physicians rely on specific ratios of these four numeric values to determine healthy blood cholesterol.

Liver Benefits from Good Cholesterol Ratio The public is being increasingly educated on the various ways to maintain the best possible cholesterol levels. These include lifestyle modifications, such as smoking cessation, regular exercise, a diet high in fiber and low in saturated fat, as well as reliance on cholesterol lowering medications.

Awareness of cardiovascular risk by improving your cholesterol ratio will benefit not only your heart?s health, but also your liver?s health. While the heart muscle pumps blood throughout the body, the liver must cleanse the blood and extract ingredients critical to sustaining life.

Just as the heart and liver contribute to blood maintenance health, all of our organs and body systems work in unison to support the proper functioning of our bodies. Factors that affect one system will likely affect every other. So if optimal liver health is desired, then steps to increase HDL and decrease LDL and triglycerides are definitely called for.

References:
Henkel, John, Keeping Cholesterol Under Control, FDA Consumer Magazine, January/February 1999.
www.abouthypertension.info, Health Issues Associated with Hypertension, NCERx LLC 2006.
www.americanheart.org, About Cholesterol, American Heart Association, Inc., 2006.
www.liverdisease.com, Cholesterol and Liver Disease/Hepatitis, Melissa Palmer, MD, 2004.

This article was prepared for LiverSupport.com. Visit us to learn more about liver health.

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Did you know that around 40% of the times it is you who blow up your weight loss program? Don?t you believe it? It surely will sound incredible since you believe that you are taking utmost efforts to reduce weight and lose excess fat. But there are many things we do knowingly that deter us from our desired goal. In the following section we have named 10 common ways by which we ourselves destroy our weight loss campaign (check out where you went wrong). We have also given what needs to be done on these counts.

?Follow a strict dieting schedule:
A strict dieting schedule where individual promises to eat only a particular food group/groups is particularly difficult to stick to. So do not cut out entire food groups or decide intake of only one type of food.

?Emotional eating The more depressed you are, the more you eat. Are you one such type of person? The disorder you are suffering from is known as emotional eating. Deal with the disorder professionally or else you would continue adding more weight to your body. Also trying to engage in alternative activities will help deflect attention.

? Going it alone: Dieting is an onerous process, with the individual having to undergo many a rough patches during the period. Unless he has someone to discuss with and support him in his venture, he is susceptible to dither away from his goal, i.e. reduce weight. So have a good support system to ensure that there is someone to counsel you every time.

?Excessive fasting: It has always been a misconception associated with weight loss- stop eating and you will lose weight. Fasting, unless for a smaller span of time such as 24 hours is no solution to weight. Instead one begins to lose fewer calories as fasting period extends. Human body is programmed to react in such situation by slowing down the metabolism as it perceives the situation as famine.

?Skip the breakfast This is an extension of the myth discussed in the earlier paragraph. Skip breakfast and you consume lesser calories; so more weight loss. Is it true? No! At supper you eat more voraciously. So, no skipping of breakfast. Breakfast is an important meal of the day and gets metabolism going.

?Keep a food diary: A food diary is like a common budget. How much are you eating and how many calories do this produce is written on one side. On the other side is the standard written about the amount and food and calories that a normal healthy person is required. This will help get a real grasp of how one is faring in his weight loss program.

?Set realistic goals: The goals set by the dieter must be realistic. Unrealistic goals like cutting all soda from the present consumption of 2 liters a day is unachievable. They will largely affect the dieters? motivations to continue with dieting.

?Weight in every day: Some dieters are so very excited and impatient with their dieting program that they will weigh themselves everyday. Does weight loss program or dieting produce such instant results? No! Moreover, the changes in the person may not always be quantifiable. This is incorrect since it lowers the motivation.

?Exercise regularly but within limits: Exercise regularly everyday. But do not overdo the exercise. This will not produce muscles in a day. Nevertheless, there are risks of overuse injuries.

?Strictly deny your favorite dishes: You resolve to cut the consumption of your favorite dish. But your heart fails to forget it. Will you be able to stick to your resolution? No, there will enough frustration. Instead cutting the quantum of the dish gradually will help.

Rome was not built in a day. The same applies to your body. The changes will be perceived and visible with time, not overnight. So patience is the final answer.

Gauri Rajesh has been associated with the health care industry for long. She has a degree in pharmacy. In her leisure time, she writes informative articles on several topics dealing with general health care.

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In the history of fitness and aerobics, elliptical machines are the only aerobic products who made a breakthrough. Almost all gyms, fitness clubs and even homes have already acquired their own elliptical machines. Elliptical machines continue to be popular. Users and buyers of these machines even reached 2.8 million in 2005.

Why are elliptical machines popular? What do users get from them? There are many benefits that can be enjoyed by using an elliptical machine.

Elliptical machines are able to provide healthy bodies by maintaining a healthy bone density. Researches have shown that the bone density has an impact on how healthy the person would become. A person is healthy if he has a healthy bone density.

The exercises needed to maintain a healthy bone density include running, aerobics, weight lifting and exercises where the person remains on his feet. However, these activities may cause jarred bones, which is very dangerous.

With the elliptical machine, all exercises to maintain a healthy bone density can be performed. Using an elliptical machine, the person will be standing on his own feet on a platform wherein he will be bearing weight.

Stepping up and down the platforms causes pedaling with an oval movement. This is very similar to the movement done when walking or running. This only means that the elliptical machine is able to provide the same benefits people can get with these exercises. Plus, they do not experience harmful stress that can impact the bones and muscles.

Safety is ensured with elliptical machines. Using the machine will allow a person to perform exercises smooth and flowing. This minimizes the risk of being injured when performing workouts. The muscles are safe since the pressure is evenly distributed on all the muscles of the body. This will prevent the person from stressing and harming a certain muscle group.

Elliptical machines were also proven to provide workouts best for the cardiovascular system. This is because of the many movements that can be made using the machine. All the muscles of the body are working which is good for maximizing the cardio impact in the body.

Many people would like to maintain a healthy body or even lose weight the easier way. However, they would not like to risk the benefit they can get in doing harder exercises. With the elliptical machines, users are able to do exercises the easy way without sacrificing the amount of weight they would lose.

Many manufacturers have developed elliptical machines and incorporated high technology with them. Many were designed to provide natural motion of body when using the machine. They may be priced higher than other aerobic products but people can be assured that the physical benefits they would like to get will not be neglected.

Buyers can choose from a wide variety of elliptical machines that are now sold in the market. They may come in different forms, in prices and most are incorporated with the highest technology there is in aerobic products. People may still opt to buy the more traditional elliptical machines, which continue to be bestsellers.

Elliptical machines will continue to develop and provide optimum workout for its users. These machines will continue to grow in popularity since they appeal to almost all users. Anyone who uses the machine can be assured of a total workout and the same time will allow burning of fat and calories.

Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides elliptical machine resources on http://www.aboutellipticalmachines.info

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Creatine ? The most researched performance enhancing nutritional supplement

Does creatine supplementation work?

The February 2004 issue of the Strength and Conditioning Journal, the official publication of the National Strength and Conditioning Association, had an article about creatine loading. Why? Because it works!

How does it work?

I never really liked biochemistry, so I will give you the cliff notes version. Creatine is amino acid derivative that enables the body?s muscle to produce ATP quickly. ATP is the muscles main source of energy.

Is Creatine safe?

Yes. Creatine is the most researched supplement when it comes to increasing athletic performance. The only side affects believed are muscle cramps and water gain.

How does Creatine help athletic performance?

By increasing the concentration of creatine within the muscle cell, there will be an extended supply of ATP (the main energy source for muscle contraction). This allows the muscle to maintain muscle contraction for longer periods of time, thereby reducing muscular fatigue. By reducing muscular fatigue your can achieve higher athletic performance during short-duration, high intensity activities (e.g., weightlifting, sprinting, etc.).

How much Creatine supplementation is need?

There are numerous research studies that have show that 5 grams of creatine consumed 4-6 times daily for one week can substantially increase total muscle creatine concentration by 20-40%. However, if time is not an issue, 2-4 grams daily should be sufficient to fully saturate skeletal muscles within a month.

To date creatine is by far the most effective supplement for enhancing athletic performance, I have personal used creatine to assist my training programs for years, and it is one of the few supplements I never want to run out of.

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Please feel free to publish this article in your Newsletter or on your Website (with Resource Box included).

About The Author

Dr. Jeffrey Banas is a Chiropractic Sports Physician practicing in Mesa, AZ. If you would like to contact Dr. Banas, he can be reached at his office at 480-633-6837, or by visiting his web site at www.personal-weight-loss-help.com

drjeffbanas@yahoo.com

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What exactly do Blood Pressure Monitors do?

Simply put, every time your heart beats, oxygenated blood is pumped to the organs and tissues of your body through pipe like structures known as arteries. Blood pressure monitors measure the force that is exerted on the walls of these tiny hoses every time that the heart contracts. This is known as your blood pressure.

Whilst blood pressure is essential in ensuring the effective functioning of the body, when the pressure elevates too high it becomes a threat to a person's health. It is estimated that over 40 million people in the USA alone suffer from high blood pressure or hypertension as it is medically termed. The precise causes are difficult to determine. Factors such as age, weight, sex, genetics, and salt intake all play a role in susceptibility as do stress and complications such as diabetes and kidney disease. The good news is that although there is as of yet no cure for high blood pressure, once diagnosed it is usually easily treated and controlled.

Effective treatment include changes in diet and lifestyle, reduced sodium consumption, herbal medication and complimentary therapies such as acupuncture and ayurvedic medicine. In extreme cases, it may be necessary for individuals to begin taking a combination of prescribed high blood pressure medication including diuretics, CNS depressants and vasodilators.

On the opposite side of the spectrum is low blood pressure or hypotension. While medical experts are in agreement that lower blood pressure levels are definitely healthier than high ones, when blood pressure drops too low it can result in unpleasant side effects. These include dizziness, fatigue, nausea and poor circulation. If blood pressure drops below levels of 90 mmHg and 60 mmHg diastolic such as in the case of a heart attack, the body will react by going into shock. If left untreated, this will eventually lead to a coma, followed by death.

The best way in which to keep track of blood pressure levels is through the use of a cuff or sphygmomanometer. Due to its proven accuracy, this type of blood pressure monitor is still often used by medical professionals. A sphygmomanometer measures blood pressure levels through the use of a d ring cuff and a stethoscope which records the sound that the blood makes as it is pumped into the artery in the upper arm.

Other popular types of blood pressure monitors include aneroid, digital, wrist and finger blood pressure monitors. Aneroid monitors measure blood pressure levels through the use of an extremely sensitive pressure spring, whilst digital ones rely on inbuilt incredibly sensitive computer chips. Finally, wrist and finger blood pressure monitors are the perfect portable alternative for those suffering from arthritis or a similar condition which makes the use of traditional arm cuffs painful and impractical.

Ann Knight

For treatment relating to low blood pressure please visit Guide4Living.

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If you own contact lenses you will want to know how to use contact lens solutions for hard contacts. Contact lens solutions for hard contacts are made to use in a certain and proper way to ensure the health of your eyes.

Before you use any contact lens solutions for hard contacts you should wash your hands. It is important that you use the right kind of soap before you use any of the contact lens solutions for hard contacts. Neutrogena, Ivory bar soap, Opti-Soap, Joy clear dishwashing soap and Dial bar or pump soap are safe.

You need to use contact lens solutions for hard contacts in the proper order. The first of the contact lens solutions for hard contacts to use is the daily cleaner. You need to clean your lenses as soon as you remove them using the first of the contact lens solutions for hard contacts.

The next of the contact lens solutions for hard contacts is the saline solution. This should be used to rinse the contact after you have rubbed it in the palm of your hand with the daily cleaner. Contact lens solutions for hard contacts also include a soaking solution which is what you need to use at this point. Just place your lens in the soaking solution in your contact case.

Two contact lens solutions for hard contacts will be used when you are ready to wear your contacts. You will rinse each lens with new saline solution and apply the wetting solution.

You will need to use four contact lens solutions for hard contacts once a week to clean your contacts. These four contact lens solutions for hard contacts are the enzymatic cleaner, saline solution, daily cleaner and soaking solution.

It is easy to find these contact lens solutions for hard contacts. Contact lens solutions for hard contacts are available at vision centers and drugstores. You can also order contact lens solutions for hard contacts online.

Contact lens solutions for hard contacts are easy to use if you follow the packaging directions. When you use contact lens solutions for hard contacts you are protecting your vision and adding life to your contacts.

Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Vision-Doctor.com. He provides more contact lens tips and discount contact lenses that you can research and purchase in your pajamas on his website.

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Pharmacists in Canada are now moving over and going beyond routine duties like sitting behind the counter, collecting drugs and counting them. In fact, the industry is now witnessing a paradigm shift and pharmacists are at the centre of this new development in that country.

Canada is now grooming a new generation of pharmacists who are now even counseling patients and giving them advice on the best and cost effective drugs. This new dimension to the career of a Canadian pharmacist has been attributed to the developments in the industry as a whole and the need to adapt to new market trends. Pharmacists are now being trained to adopt a patient centric approach, which also includes taking over some of the duties, hitherto performed by doctors.

Budding Canadian pharmacists are also being taught to identify, mitigate and prevent problems related to medication. While the field of pharmacy is ever changing and evolving, pharmacists are now required to be on their toes all the time and adapt to changes in all the three modes of drug sale including online, mail order and conventional methods. Pharmacy schools are now giving special training in these aspects. A pharmacist should learn to cope with the bulk of information flowing in or he could be overwhelmed just by the number of new drugs that are hitting the market every year.

Special emphasis is also placed on learning about the laws and regulations that are in place in Canada and the prevalent public health policy at the provincial or national government levels. Pharmacists are also required to liaise with community support groups and with ailment related groups like the local associations like the local lung association and local diabetics association. This mandates the knowledge of public relations work not to mention possession of good communication skills. The curriculum followed by Canadian pharmacy schools has evolved well in the last few years to cover these emerging areas and to provide students with the edge needed to obtain employment after obtaining their degrees.

Drug manufacturers have been roped in by many reputed pharmacy schools to aid pharmacy students in choosing their streams from a wide range of options. Pharmacists are also being guided to grow into the excellent community pharmacists who go on to become the first link in the health care system. They are expected to play a significant role in ensuring that the patients receive the best drug therapy. Pharmacists can also specialize in fields like oncology, infectious disease, psychiatry, etc. Specializations help them in playing their role in various health care teams.

The industry also wants pharmacists in areas like clinical research, marketing and public relations. They are also being involved in preparing information materials related to drugs and in educating pharmacists, physicians and patients.

As of now, 9 universities in Canada are having pharmacy schools. The admission requirements usually vary from one university to another. After obtaining a Bachelors degree in pharmacy, one has to pass a national board examination through the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada. After this, one can also get some practical experience through an internship program. Different provinces in Canada have put forth different requirements for becoming a licensed pharmacist.

In 2002, the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE) began recognizing the accreditations awarded by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) for programs leading to a baccalaureate degree in pharmacy.

Canadian Pharmacy provides detailed information about Canadian pharmacy, Canadian discount pharmacy, Canadian mail order pharmacy, Canadian online pharmacies and more. Canadian Pharmacy is the sister site of Side Effects Of Antidepressants.

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Obesity is a condition that can shorten your life and can seriously affect you mentally and physically. It often has its roots in childhood. Obesity in children is growing at a frighteningly fast rate. There are more obese children now than ever before. Parents are letting their carelessness with their own diets spill over into their children?s lives.

Here are a few points to think about when trying to prevent obesity and health problems for your children.

Small children are normally energetic and often require snacks in-between meals. It is most important to choose healthy snacks for your children.

Alternative snacks can include:

Vegetable snacks like carrot sticks and celery boats are a good and fun alternative to chips and ?junk food? snacks. Fruit can be substituted for candies and sugar snacks. Soda and sugar snacks like candy produce hyperactivity in many young children and will sow the seeds for problems later in life. It also leads to dental problems and the beginnings of obesity. It is good to keep these foods in check and use alternatives if possible. Sugar is a known addictive food in that the more you eat the more you want to eat. This can quickly escalate into a serious eating problem and can lead to obesity as the body stores excess sugar as fat.

Breakfast cereals are perhaps the biggest problems in children?s diets. Everyone is in a hurry in the morning and it is easy to reach for the cereal packet for a quick family breakfast. However be careful of these presweetened cereals as they give unnecessary large amounts of sugar to your child?s system laying the grounds for sugar addiction. Now there are many alternatives to presweetened cereals. There are many good tasting ?healthy? cereals providing added fiber and less if any sugar. These are good for your children as they will provide them with a much more nutritious breakfast and not just fill them up with sugar and excess carbohydrates.

Fast food habits also begin when children are quite small. This is reinforced by extensive TV advertising and propaganda for these foods. It is almost inbred in us to eat hamburgers chips and other fast food. Children have an inborn liking for these foods and can easily become quite addicted to them. It is wise to try to keep these foods in limit, as they are not the healthiest foods to eat, especially for children who are growing and need nutritious foods to develop properly.

Good eating habits begin when children are very young. It can start from the time they first start to eat. It is very important to a child?s health to start good eating habits at a young age. It is possible to lay the foundations of good and healthy eating habits when children are still quite small. It is just a question of educating ourselves and passing on good habits to our children. When you do this you reduce the possibility of obesity in your children and all the mental and physical risks involved.

Zach Thompson is a Glyconutrients Consultant. His clients range from pro athletes and actresses, to cancer patients and children with Learning Disabilities. Learn the truth about nutritional supplements at: http://nutritionalreview.com/79.php.

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Weight Watchers was thought up by Jean Nidetch who founded Weight Watchers in the mid 1960s. Her goal was to offer services and assistance to people who were looking to lose weight. She offered different products that helped in dieting and losing weight, and has turned her early success into a world wide company that operates in 30+ countries and goes by the trademark name of Weight Watchers, but normally translated into the local language of a given country.

Weight Watchers is split up into two different programs that a dieter could follow the POINTS program and the Core program. Each program is followed alongside a support group that helps with a backbone to help when needed most in group discussions and accountability to make sure the target weight loss goal is reached.

The Point System is a simple way to put a numerical value on a person?s burning of energy and caloric intake. Each serving of food is given a number of points, and conversely different types of exercise are given negative points. So, overall a person has a certain number of points per week to try and hit according to their overall goal of weight loss and current weight.

This is where Weight Watchers is drastically different than the South Beach Diet and the Atkins Diet, because a person is not limited to what foods they eat, but how much of that given food they are allowed to eat. If a person wants to splurge on a food that has a high point value, they must then do the appropriate amount of exercise and also watch what other foods they eat throughout the rest of the week to counterbalance their overindulgence. Overall, the amount of exercise in the Weight Watchers plan is directly correlated to how much exercise a person wants to do. If they don?t want to exercise then they can?t eat as many points compared to someone who exercises a lot, can eat more foods with higher point values.

This diet is not for everyone because it makes a person accountable and doesn?t give any room for cheating. If a person wishes to cheat, they are only hurting themselves and their overall goal of losing weight. The record-keeping part of Weight Watchers is annoying and cumbersome to some people because they have to make sure that they record every single food item they eat throughout the whole day and make sure that they give a point value to that food, if not then they won?t necessarily succeed in their overall goal of shaking off the extra pounds.

The POINTS formula The formula for calculating the POINTS content of a specific food serving uses a formula described in US Patent 6,040,531:

p = c/ 50 + f/ 12 - min(r, 4)/ 5

Where p is the number of points, c is the number of calories, f is the grams of fat, and r is the grams of dietary fiber (if the dietary fiber is greater than four, use four). The POINTS value is always an integer, with fractional values rounded to the nearest point. (An alternative format, mentioned in the patent and used on some websites, rounds values to the nearest half-point.)

This formula can be confusing and so can the POINTS system in general, so I will certainly try to make this explanation of the POINTS system a little more understandable in the next article that I submit so bear with me while I try to make sense of the point system and can better explain it to my readers. You can also log on to http://www.eweightlossblog.com for other helpful ideas and weight loss articles and blog entries.

Weight Watchers has helped many people lose weight and keep the weight off by following simple guidelines, and they even can do it without doing much excercise if they chose. If you are looking for other great diet plans and interesting Blog entries and Diet articles, then you can visit either http://www.eweightlossblog.com or you can visit http://www.edietblog.com. Both blogs are updated on a daily basis with new content and interesting practical articles that will help anyone who is looking for that ultimate goal of losing weight.

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While sneakers constitute casual wear, you shouldn't be casual when choosing your workout footwear. With the onslaught of high-tech designs, innovative materials, and trendy styles, buying the right workout sneakers can be an intimidating experience. But finding the right shoe with the right fit is crucial for performance and injury prevention. Armed with the following information, you'll know what to look for in an athletic shoe, when to shop, and what to avoid.

If your budget is tight, realize that the most important purchase you can make for your workout gear is good-quality footwear designed for the activity you plan to do. For instance, if you walk for exercise you should not wear running sneakers--if you do, you?re asking for trouble with your feet. Sneakers that are designed with a particular activity in mind are constructed to offer the most support during a specific motion, such a jumping, walking, or lateral motion. I?m not a big fan of cross-trainers because they aren?t the ideal shoe for any particular activity. If you really need to perform more than one activity wearing the same shoes, I?d go for the most basic running shoe you can find. Also, realize that the footwear you?ve worn during exercise for the past 3-6 months generally won?t provide much support and should be replaced, unless you are one of the lucky few that you could even exercise barefoot with no problems. If this is the case, you probably didn?t need the support of the sneakers anyway, and could probably get away with stretching them longer than the recommended 3-6 months.

Before you head to the store, determine the sports and/or fitness activities you do most often. This will help the sales assistant guide you to the correct shoes (be careful, though, for unknowledgeable salespeople especially in large chain stores). For example, if you jog and play tennis, your best bet is to invest in two pairs of shoes, as the forward motion of running and the lateral movements of tennis require different cushioning and stability. If you split your time between walking, cardio machines and weight lifting, however, a bare-bones basic model will probably suffice.

You'll also want to determine if you overpronate or underpronate, because these conditions can be counteracted with the right shoes. Pronation itself is a good thing: it's a natural occurance, and refers to the inward roll of the foot, which provides a natural cushioning each time you take a step. However, if your foot rolls inward too much, you will likely experience ankle and knee problems. On the other hand (or other foot!) if you foot doesn't roll inward ENOUGH, you underpronate. Not sure if you overpronate or underpronate? Examine an old pair of workout shoes. If the inside heel is visibly compressed and the heels lean toward one another, you overpronate and should look for shoes that have a dual density material under the inner heel or a firmer plastic or rubber insert, called a medial post. Motion control and Stability shoes fit the bill here. If the outer heels are compressed and the shoes roll outward away from each other, you underpronate and should look for soft shoes named cushioning shoes.

With this information in mind, it's time to head to the store. It?s usually best to shop later in the day, because feet tend to swell as the day goes on. Wear a pair of exercise socks while you try on shoes, and be sure to measure both feet and fit the shoe to the largest one. If you wear orthotics, bring them along and ask for styles with removable insoles. Always try before you buy. Check the length and width carefully. Allow for a minimum half-inch space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. Make sure the shoe laces up comfortably, meaning that it provides enough support without being too tight. If you need narrow or wide shoes, visit a store that carries an assortment, or consider ordering a different width online once you find the ones you like. Make sure you stand and walk a bit in your shoes, and test them out with the type of motion you plan to do (run a few steps, pivot, jump, etc.).

Finally, always try something in addition to your usual brand, and don't just buy the same shoe if it's a new year's model. Shoe companies revamp their designs regularly, and you'll want to test the latest options. Sometimes another brand or style is actually more like your old shoes than the one that bears the same name! Please leave fashion considerations for your casual shoes--it?s much more important that you get the correct support for your workouts.

Gina Paolino is a certified personal fitness trainer with the AMPFT. She is the owner of the in-home fitness training business, Home Bodies. She is also the author of the weight loss book, Mind Over Fatter: A 30-Day Overhaul of the Mindset That Has Sabotaged Your Fitness and Weight Loss Success. Her programs have helped hundreds of people in MA and NH shed inches and pounds and re-gain health, youthfulness and vitality. Learn more about her programs and read other articles by Gina at www.homeexercisecoach.com.

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Life wasn't easy for cave men. They had to hunt all day, kill their dinner with a club, and drag the carcass to the cave. Then they had to butcher the animal and rub sticks together for a fire to cook it. They made clothes from the leftovers. And I think I have it rough when the husband wants me to cook instead of picking up carry out!

Life wasn't easy for our ancestors who crossed oceans seeking freedom. It wasn't easy for pioneers who fought wild Indians, and settled the wilderness. Life has never been easy for past generations. It won't be any different for us.

I used to think I would arrive some day at that magical age when everything would be easy and problem free. Now I've wised up and learned this simple math equation: life = problems.

Trouble is a natural part of life like taxes, Big Macs, bad hair days, and Leave it to Beaver reruns. If you expect to have an idyllic life like Ward and June Cleaver, you may be in for disappointment. No matter how good life can be, there will always be some difficulty mixed in. Expecting to face some trouble can help us deal with it more effectively.

When Herbert Hoover decided to go into politics, he knew he would get criticism, but he went ahead anyway. Later he said, When the criticism came, I wasn't surprised; I was better able to handle it.

The Bible confirms that hardships should not surprise us. The apostle Peter wrote, Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial, which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you. (1 Peter 5: 12, 13)

So why am I sometimes surprised when hassles come my way? Loved one get sick or hurt, people lose jobs or homes. These things happen in life: car trouble, financial trouble, and in-law trouble. Unfortunately, none of us is exempt from problems. Do you sometimes feel that trouble attacks you like a swarm of angry bees? You swat one, and two more sneak up and sting you from behind. But don't let that depress you; we have hope!

I was shocked when I realized life isn't just about what I want, and I'm not here just to enjoy a pain-free life. When I asked myself what my life's purpose was, I realized God created me to get to know Him, to serve and glorify Him, and to become more like Him. The Bible says we need to be transformed. (Romans 12:2) That's not a miraculous happening. It's a process that involves problems. Problems are not only a normal part of life, but they're a necessary part too. They prepare us for the future. Not just the future five years from now, but also for the future that comes after our earthly lives end.

Only in heaven is life perfect and easy. But with each problem comes a chance to fulfill your purpose on earth, to learn something new, and to develop a more godly character. It can be difficult to remember this, though, when you're buried in heartache.

The good thing about pain is that it helps me put my focus where it should be, on the only one who can help me cope. When I practice depending upon Him rather than myself, I fulfill my purpose.

People often learn lessons during tough times that they could never have learned if life had been easy. I've found that I more fully enjoy beauty, since I nearly lost my ability to see it.

Think about a frightening circumstance you were forced to endure, and ask yourself what positive result came from it. Chances are you gained some special gift or grew spiritually in some way, not in spite of your ordeal, but because of it. That's why I say this life is merely a practice run or testing ground. It teaches us, stretches and sharpens us, strengthens us, and prepares us for eternity.

There are many unhappy endings in this life, but we can embrace hope knowing that the next life will not only be happier, but it will have no end.

When we understand that difficulties are inevitable and that we can't handle them on our own, we realize why it's important to develop a relationship with the all-powerful God before those trials come. It's good to know that we have a close relationship with, and are dearly loved by, the only one who can provide the strength, perseverance, and courage we will undoubtedly need throughout life. He's just waiting for us to ask for His help. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you. (Isaiah 30:19)

Author Marsha Jordan is founder of a nonprofit charity called Hugs and Hope for Sick Children (http://www.hugsandhope.org). More of her articles on depression are in her book, Hugs, Hope, and Peanut Butter, a compilation of essays illustrated with drawings by critically ill children.

Pain is never easy, but it's more bearable with the healing power of laughter; and you'll laugh with the author as she recounts, in Erma Bombeck style, her search for the perfect purse, camping adventures, her badly behaved toy poodle, and her experience with a new magnifying mirror. Some chapter titles include, Limburger Attitude, The Joy of Shopping, Is Broccoli Hazardous? and Life in the Manure Pile. She also outlines ten tips for beating depression, written from her own experience of battling this illness for most of her life.

Other essays in thee book include, More Than I Can Handle, Ten Tips For Beating Depression, Why Doesn't God Answer My Prayer? and What Did I Do To Deserve This? Order the book or learn more at http://www.hugsandhope.org/book.htm

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When you want to look and feel your best, sometimes you need a little help from one of the best skin care products on the market.

When looking for one of the best skin care products, you may want to find something that will not only leave your skin feeling clean, but moisturize the skin as well.

Some of the best skin care products on the market are in the form of a face cleanser, lotion, or moisturizer.

When it comes to the best skin and face care products, you should know there are a variety of price ranges and quality that are available for a consumer working with any type of budget.

Below you will find a list of some of the best skin care products that are broken up into different categories.

Best Skin Care Products - Face Cleansers The next time you are at a drugstore, don?t forget to pick up Cetaphil, a product recommended by dermatologists. This item does not contain chemical or scents that create irritated skin.

When looking for the best skin care product containing shea butter, you may want to look into Clarin Gentle Foaming Cleanser, which also leaves the skin moisturized.

If you have oily skin, some of the best skin care products to combat this particular appearance, includes Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash, which is soap and oil-free.

Other selections include Clinique Wash-Away Gel Cleanser and the Lancome Clarifance Oil-Free Gel Cleanser.

For normal to combination skin, Dove Essential Nutrients self-foaming cleanser takes care of oil, as well as removes dead skin cells.

Looking for an aromatherapy cleanser? Bloom Facial Cleaners contain the fragrant scent of lavender and grapefruit oils.

Working with sensitive skin? The inexpensive Avon Clear Skin Foaming Cleanser is a gentle option, as well as the moderately priced Aveda All-Sensitive Cleanser.

Some of the best skin care products for blemished skin includes the popular Neutrogena Pore-Refining Cleanser, which does not dry out the skin.

If money is no option, you may want to try out the Murad Acne Kit for $60, which offers a cleanser, pore-cleansing gel, exfoliating lotion, as well as spot treatment.

Best Skin Care Products - Moisturizers The moisturizer that is perfect for you should never irritate or create burning sensations on the skin. When applied, it should feel smooth, smell good, and feel good.

Some of the best skin care products are those that have passed the tests of dermatologists, as well as an assortment of opinions from the top of the health and beauty world.

If you have dry skin, some of the ingredients to seek out in your moisturizer include glycerin, dimethicone, as well as hyaluronic acid.

Dove Sensitive Essential Day Lotion is light and void of scents or dyes.

Looking for a great product with natural ingredients? Check out the Lancome Absolute Night Treatment, which contains sea algae, soy and wild yam extract. An expensive choice in this category is called Cr?me de la Mer, which is considered one of the best.

Oily skin consumers should look for products that are oil-free, as well as non-pore clogging. They may find a solution within choices such as Olay Complete All Day Moisture Lotion UV Defense Combination/Oily, Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturizer SPF 15, and Lorac Oil-free Moisturizer.

A gel formula is the best bet for consumers who have normal/combination skin. Some of the best skin care products for this type of skin includes Aveeno Positively Smooth Facial Moisturizer and Clarins Hydration-Plus Moisture Lotion SPF 15.

For more information and skincare products

For more information on skincare generally as well as a great range of skincare products to protect your skin and even turn back the signs of aging visit our website.

More skin care products information and FREE exclusive diet and health magazines, are available on our web site: http://www.net-planet.org

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It certainly does not appeal to every body as all obese patients are not ardent milk drinkers. But those who can manage to gulp down three glasses of low fat milk every day have a new weight loss plan in hand, The Diary Diet Plan.

Recent research on the importance of calcium in the form of milk in weight reduction has given health experts a new dimension to work on. Are we already seeing novel ways which will help fight the dangerous disorder namely obesity? A very interesting research has been conducted by researchers at the University of Tennessee to study the role of diary foods in weight loss among a group of 32 obese adults over 24 weeks. There were three groups of participants, the first group had a low calcium low diary eating plan, the second group consisted of participants who followed a high calcium supplement coupled with a low diary plan and the last group had individuals who were on a high diary eating plan.

Each group was given the essential diet facilities like consultations with dieticians, diet procedures and there were doctors to answer queries on this diet diary procedure. Results after a short study indicated positive effects on the use of diary products as it led to rapid weight loss. Though there are a lot of clinical studies which should follow the research analysis, the new theory has caught attention among many eminent researchers.

In short, diary diet therapy has been tested effective for weight loss treatment. But the extend of its weight loss magnitude has to be thoroughly studied before it is been made open to obesity treatment. With fast weight loss methods like diet pills [Phentermine, Bontril, Didrex a new addition in the form of diary products can be an added advantage. Patients can use the pills and follow the diary diet if it?s been proved successful.

With competing medications in the drug market, a natural weight loss phenomenon with no side effects as such can interest many a curious weight watchers. Although it cannot be used as the one stop treatment for obesity, as explained earlier diary therapy can follow any diet plan and guide a speedy weight loss. As studies go further, all of us including the doctors who are eager to find a cure for obesity patiently await a proper diet treatment to kill it.

Author is an experienced health and diet expert.

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The most significant food sources of fibre are unprocessed wheat bran, whole cereals such as wheat, rice, barley, rye, millets; legumes such as potato, carrots, beet, turnip, and sweet potato; fruits like mango and guava; and leafy vegetables such as cabbage, lettuce, and celery.

The percentage of fibre content per 100 gms. of some foods are:

bran 10.5-13.5
whole grain cereals 1.0-2.0
nuts 2.0-5.0
legumes 1.5-1.7
vegetables 0.5-1.5
fresh fruits 0.5-1.5
dried fruits 1.0-3.0.

The foods which are completely devoid of fibre are meat, fish , eggs, milk, cheese, fats and sugars.

Bran, the outer coverings of grains, is one of the richest sources of dietary fibre. And it contains several types of fibre including cellulose, hermicellulose and pectin. Wheat and corn bran are highly beneficial in relieving constipation. Experiments show that oat bran can reduce cholesterol levels substantially. Corn bran is considered more versatile. It relieves constipation and also lowers LDL cholesterol, which is one of the more harmful kinds. Besides being rich in fibre, bran has a real food value being rich in time, iron and vitamins and containing a considerable amount of protein.

Dr. Dennis P. Burkitt, a noted British physician remarks, Grain roughages, such as rich bran and wheat bran, are an essential part of a healthy diet, and a preventive against diseases like piles, constipation, bowel cancer, varicose veins and even coronary thrombosis. Dr. Burkitt worked for many years in Africa and found after a series of observations that rural Africans who eat bulk of fibrous foods rarely suffer from any of these diseases. Legumes have high fibre content. Much of this fibre is water-soluble, which makes legumes likely agents for lowering cholesterol. Soyabeans, besides this, can also help control glucose levels.

The types of fibre contained in vegetables and fruits contribute greatly towards good health. The vegetables with the biggest fibre ratings include sweet corn, carrots, potatoes, parsnips and peas. And among the high ranking fruits are raspberries, pears, strawberries, and guavas.

To learn more about the energy principle in healing, please read:

Cost-free Miracle Asthma Cure
Overcome Type I Diabetes and Type II Diabetes Naturally
Alternative Treatments for Incurable Diseases made easy

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Yoga might not be the first thing anyone thinks of when they think of an exercise to help them lose weight. Think again ? though the results may not be as fast as with other types of exercise, the long term benefits of yoga (in terms of weight loss and overall health) are great.

Yoga is a system of exercise that is thousands of years old. Conceived in India, it is now practiced world wide. The type of yoga that is most often practiced in the west is known as ?hatha? yoga ? however, this is by no means the only type of yoga. Others include kundalini, which involves breathe work and is quite a bit different from other types of yoga.

Some athletes are rather disparaging of yoga, wondering how something so gentle can cause you to lose weight or significantly increase your fitness level. The fact is, however, that it can, and at the same time, it can increase your concentration, clarity, and sense of well being. There is really no reason not to take up yoga, if you are at all attracted to the idea.

Choose a beginner?s yoga class at first, and go slow ? it can be harder than you think. Hatha yoga involves putting yourself into a variety of different positions, some more challenging than others. The goal is not to do them quickly, or to work up a sweat; the goal is to take those few positions and to perfect them ? do them as precisely as you possibly can. That way, your body is being trained in a precise skill and discipline, and the position itself can have various benefits for your health and your mind, as well. The different positions have their own benefits. For losing weight, positions that bring the chin down to stimulate the thyroid gland are helpful ? such as the classic shoulder stand, for instance. However, yoga in general is helpful for weight loss because it makes you more conscious of your body, of how you hold yourself and how you stand, while it also tones your muscles and makes your body more flexible, easier to move. Even before you start losing weight, yoga can make you look as if you?re thinner and more attractive by getting you to stand up straighter. Some people even claim that yoga has made them taller ? one woman claims to have grown a full three inches! Of course, she didn?t really, but once she started to stand up straighter, people responded to her as if she were really taller.

Karen Zebroff, who used to have a TV yoga exercise program, is credited with having brought yoga to the North American public in the 1970s. Yoga literally changed every aspect of her life. She lost weight ? about twenty pounds ? and the weight she continued to carry was distributed better on her body. As a result of this, the depression she had been experiencing lifted, and she felt better about herself.

Interestingly, though yoga is a great weight loss measure, it?s also used to treat girls with eating disorders such as anorexia. There are several reasons why that approach is effective. First, anorexic girls feel anxious if they can?t exercise, as many of them used over-exercising as a means of weight control. Once they are in treatment, of course, they can?t be allowed to jog or do other exercise that might prevent them from making progress with weight gain. Gentle yoga is different, though. Practiced in a low-impact setting, it can provide some exercise without making an already emaciated girl thinner. Yoga also eases the anxiety of these girls, and it makes them more conscious of their bodies.

In fact, it does the same thing for people with the opposite type of eating disorder ? binge eating or compulsive overeating. As a matter of fact, that condition and anorexia are not as different as you might assume. Yes, one causes overweight and the other can bring on starvation, but both stem from a fundamental discomfort with the body and underlying emotional issues. Yoga can help with all of these issues, and if you are looking to lose weight, it can be a great choice for you.

For more great information visit Gabae Weight Loss the premiere resource for weight loss, diets, nutrition and living a great healthy life style!

Also if you're looking for more informative articles check out Gabae Weight Loss Articles.

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Tofu History

* Tofu is a soft, cheese-like food, made out of Soya milk that is curdled with a coagulant and usually used to blend with other food types, because it easily absorbs their flavor. Tofu is very popular in the Orient and is started to gain more and more ground in Western diets too.

* The history of Tofu starts in China, over 2000 years ago. The first evidence that the Chinese of those times used Tofu in their diets is a mural incised on a stone slab that shows a kitchen scene where both Tofu and Soya milk appear. This stone slab was proven to be from around 100 A.D. The oldest written reference about Tofu is known to also come from China, at about 1500 A.D., when poet Su Ping wrote a poem dedicated to Tofu, called ?Ode to Tofu?.

* The Tofu started to spread amongst Asia with the appearance and development of Buddhism. In Japan, Kento priests who went to China to study Buddhism brought back Tofu recipes home (this happened at around 750 A.D.). It was eaten as part of a vegetarian diet for priests and was often used as an offering at an altar. Tofu gradually became more and more popular among the Japanese nobility and the samurai class, who needed healthy diets in their constant and rigorous training.

* In the Western world, tofu began to be popular in the late fifteen century. The first written reference about Tofu is in the 1603 Spanish dictionary ?Vocabularion da lingoa de lapam?. By the time the colonization era was over, Tofu had spread all across the World being a well-known element from almost every culture?s diet.

Tofu Health Benefits

* It?s been proven that Tofu has a lot of proteins, almost as many as you would get from the same weight of chicken meat, without the cholesterol and saturated fats. Cholesterol and LDL levels can go down by 30% if you build a diet that constantly has Soya proteins within. This is a very important benefit for those that have cardiovascular problems or those that want to lower their triglyceride levels. Tofu also has all the essential amino acids found in animal proteins. Having a low ration of calories, it?s a very popular dish in weight loss diets and because of its high calcium value, it?s ideal for those who want to strengthen up their body.

* A very important, scientifically proven fact, is that Tofu reduces the chance of your body becoming cancerous. In addition, it also helps women have a softer, less uncomfortable menopause period. The chemical elements of Tofu act as weak estrogens, which help a woman?s body be more balanced during this uncomfortable period. Also, women experience accelerated bone loss during menopause, Tofu reducing this risk with its high calcium value.

* Additional health benefits of Tofu include its high iron value (providing almost 35% of the required daily value), manganese value (providing 36% of the required daily value) and copper value (11% of the standard daily value). These percentages are calculated for 4 ounces of Tofu.

Conclusion

* With Tofu being such a nutritious, protein-rich and delicious foot, it?s no wonder people from all over the world find it an increasingly necessary component of a diet. Being one of the most versatile foods, it can be served with all kinds of meals, ranging from salads and second courses, to desserts or appetizers.

Author: Robert Eaton
Copyright 2005 WikiPublishing.com
Article originally found on: CookbookWiki.com

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After a long week at work wouldn?t it be nice to get a good back massage-or to be able to give one to your spouse or significant other? Before you get started you might want some instruction on how to make this a great massage; one that will leave the recipient relaxed and comfortable rather than tired and tense. A massage that is not done correctly can actually cause even more pain than the person had before the massage. Giving a back massage is not difficult but it does take a little bit of know-how.

A Few Pointers:

For a general massage of the back, have the person lay on their stomach and sit by their head. Their head should be turned to the side and their arms should be resting at their sides. With your fingers just below the neck, slide your hands slowly down both sides of the back bone and then back up the sides of the body, and out over the shoulders. For the next part of the back massage, begin at the base of the neck again and rub in circular motions out toward the shoulders. With your thumbs make a rolling motion all over the bottom of the neck and top of the back to finish the job.

Lower Back

The lower back is the one most commonly injured and sore and benefits greatly from a back massage. Using your pinky and index finger on each hand, and sitting to the side of the recipient move your fingers along either side of the spine, moving one hand over the other in small rhythmic movements. For the next step of the back massage, you should start at the base of the spine, and using massage oil, make movements up the spine and down the sides of the body. Then, after you have done this with the oil, make rough rubbing motions from the bottom of the spine up to the rib cage. Finally for the last step of the back massage, make big gliding motions over the spine and lower back and then to the hips which should also be given a deep massage with large circular motions.

Upper Back

The upper back massage is accomplished by putting the recipients arm behind their back with the elbow bent, and one had cupped on the shoulder blade while the other hand massages around the shoulder blade in upward motions.

Remember

When you are giving any massage, you should be careful not to rub too hard on the backbone, or just rub to the sides of it. All movements in the back massage should be gentle and not too fast even when you are moving from one part of the body to another. You should also make sure that the recipient has adequate body support with pillows under the upper chest, the ankles, and under the breasts (for women.) Then your back massage should be a great success.

Author Margarette Tustle. Learn more about backs on diback.com.

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There are a lot of low carb diets out there such as the very famous Atkins diet. Low carb diets have been the perhaps most popular diet type for a few years now. But are there any drawbacks to consider.

The basic idea behind low carb diets is that you should force your body to burn fat from the bodies fat depots for energy. This is done by restricting the calorie intake making sure that the body doesn?t get enough carbs to cover the bodies energy demand. The process of burning fat for energy in the body releases something called ketones into your bloodstream. The ketones are then later expelled from your body with your urine. The process of expelling the ketones from your blood increases the strain on your kidneys. This might lead to kidney problems in the long run.

Other draw backs with a low carb diet includes the fact that your body doesn?t get all the nutrients it needs which can cause problems if a low carb diet is kept over a longer period of time. A low carb diet excludes too many food types and nutrients to be a suitable long time diet option.

A low carb diet may also cause your body to burn protein that it takes from muscle tissue. It is for this reason very important to train your muscles regularly if you keep a low carb diet. Muscles can count for a large percentage of your weight loss during a low carb diet if you don?t train during the diet.

Low carb diets also often causes you to expel large amounts of water which can account for a large percentage of the weight loss during a low carb diet. Water weight that you lost during your diet will quickly return after the diet has ended.

A low carbs diet can also make you feel that you have less energy (which you in fact have) and it can therefore be hard to perform more intensive training. The muscles don?t have their best fuel to work with, carbs. You might therefore be forced to train less intensive during a low carb diet. This makes low carb diets less suitable for those who are used to intensive training especially in the long run.

Low Carb diets has several draw backs but can be a very good diet form in the short run and can be used to help get you started on your way to a more slender body. It is however not suitable to be used over long periods of time. The good old way to lose weight is best in the long run, a stable diet and training.

A good diet is important for permanent weight loss and a good part of such a diet is Tilapia fish. Tilapia is low fat, low calorie and easy to cook. Tilapia can be cocked in a number of ways, all tasty like for example Crunchy Oven Fried Tilapia

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If you are having trouble losing weight, it might be that you are not getting enough sleep.

It is one of those things that doesn?t seem reasonable at first. But it is true. It is very hard to lose weight if you are not sleeping enough.

You might think that the longer you are up and active the more calories you burn. You think that more activity would lead to weight loss, and that when you are in bed you aren?t burning up any calories. But that is not true.

The main thing that determines how many calories you burn is how much muscle mass you have. That is why super-low-calorie diets do not work for permanent weight loss. Because they cause muscle to be lost as well as fat, and when you lose muscle your body can?t burn up the calories.

But even if you are eating a good diet, and even if you are doing exercise, you still might not lose weight. And part of the reason for that just might be lack of sleep.

There is a simple reason for that. Your body rebuilds during sleep. It is not just resting when you go to bed. Your metabolism at night changes, and it is at this time that the proteins you took in throughout the day start to build new muscle tissue.

If you don?t sleep enough your body will not have the time it needs to build this new, healthy tissue. And since it is this muscle tissue that burns calories, if you don?t build up your muscle mass, it will be almost impossible for you to take off those extra pounds and keep them off.

You might not be aware that you need to build up your muscles to lose weight. Maybe you have the idea that muscles are only for bodybuilders. You tell yourself that you just want to be skinny.

But if you really want a lean sexy body you don?t have a choice. You can?t do it without building lean, healthy, firm and toned muscles.

So do yourself a favor. Get enough sleep. And finally get on the way to having the body you have always wanted.

Dan Curtis, M.D. Can help YOU lose weight. Sign up for our free newsletter: Dr. Dan?s Super Weight Loss Tips, Tricks and Secrets. It's free! Click here-- http://www.superweightlossplan.com/newsletter/

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Why is it that celebrities always seem to be thinner, sexier and more beautiful that us? What weight loss secrets do they use to get that way? Is it a diet, a diet pill, Weight Watchers, or what? It seems that if we could only get the inside information on the new celebrity weight loss program or weight loss pill, then we?d be almost guaranteed to experience fast weight loss of our own.

Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, Lindsay Lohan, Hilary Duff, Denise Richards, Janet Jackson, Daryl Hannah, Whitney Houston, Kirstie Alley and many other celebrities have all been in the news lately because of their own personal weight issues. This article looks at what weight loss strategies have worked for these and other celebrities, and how we can apply these same tactics to our own situation.

-> First Of All, Celebrities Don?t Always Get It Right:

Before we go any further with this discussion, it?s important to note that the stars aren?t always successful in their weight loss efforts.

A 5? 4? Janet Jackson weighed in at a slim 117 pounds in May 2002, but three years later had climbed to a too-high 160 pounds. Kirstie Alley, only 5? 8? tall, weighed 207 pounds as recently as October 2004 (source: STAR Magazine 11-14-05). And who can forget those unpleasant pictures of Anna Nicole Smith?

Most celebrities have had the same weight issues we?ve all experienced. The difference is that, with paparazi hanging around all the time, when the stars gain some extra fat everyone in America knows about it.

-> Most Celebrities Are Thinner Than Us:

Despite the few celebrity weight loss failures, there?s no denying that most celebrities look better than we do. Models, for example, are 23 percent leaner than the average (source: annecollins.com). Perhaps their trim appearance is part of the reason why we, as a nation, have such a fascination with the celebrity lifestyle.

Indeed, we typically reward and idolize the more slender celebrities. Just a quick look at People Magazine?s list of the ?50 Most Beautiful People 2005? reveals that only the lean made the list. People?s ?Most Beautiful Women of 2005? list reveals the same thing ? celebrities (at least the popular ones) are more thin than we are.

Even when we do find a celebrity that doesn?t look like a stick figure, invariably we find that they have recently lost some weight. ?No longer a crash dieter, Oprah Winfrey?..who at her heaviest was 237 lbs., has been eating right, sticking to lean protein and hitting the gym as she aims for her safe zone in the 150-lb. range. Maybe for the first time, she's doing it for all the right reasons, says trainer Bob Greene of the talk-show queen's workouts (source: people.aol.com).

-> Celebrities Make Weight Loss Mistakes, Too:

To be completely honest and straightforward, if there?s a diet program out there that doesn?t work, the stars will find it. With an almost unlimited budget, celebrities are willing to try every fat burner and fat loss gimmick that hits the market. Rather than look for the best weight loss program, many stars look instead for just easy weight loss. Consider the following examples of the goofy things celebrities have tried to lose weight fast:

?Toccara Jones, former America's Next Top Model contestant, and Wendy Kaufman, the Snapple? lady, who also participated in the first Fit Club, agree to try a New Age weight-loss procedure without knowing what it is. They arrive at Soothing Solutions in Burbank, CA, to discover that they have signed on for a colonic. We gently flow water in and out of your colon and it flushes everything out, the attendant tells them? (source: et.tv.yahoo.com).

?Jani Lane, lead singer of the rock group Warrant, who sustained an injury when the Fit Club was boxing, goes to Eden Surgical Center in Calabasas, CA, and undergoes a needle injection. It is a process which liquefies the fat so the cells shrink. Then came the emotional weigh-in. A few of the celebs made their weight-loss goal, most didn't and a few even gained weight? (source: et.tv.yahoo.com).

-> How Do They Do It?

Even though celebrities do make diet and nutrition mistakes, the majority of them are still thinner than us. So how do the stars achieve quick weight loss when we battle and fight just to lose a few pounds? Is there some secret weight loss product or weight loss plan they?re keeping hidden from us?

The secret is that there is no secret. Celebrities try the same diets we have, including the South Beach Diet, the Zone Diet, the Atkins Diet and countless others. There is no mysterious diet plan or diet product that works for every celebrity all the time, just as there is no such plan that will work for every one of us. (For more information on this topic, see our e-book titled Fast And Easy Weight Loss Using Diet Programs And Diet Pills by going to http://www.letspickupthepace.com/ and clicking on Pick Up The Pace Store.)

Celebrities that are successful in achieving a healthy weight loss generally do so with a nutritious weight loss diet and regular exercise. Take a look at these examples:

I think Oprah Winfrey wins the weight battle of 2004 -- she looks fabulous?..Look at her, she's never looked better. She's been skinnier -- that's true -- but she's never looked better. Oprah should set the standard for Hollywood weight loss, Paula says. She's been very open about it. She's been up, she's been down, she's been wide, she's been skinny. She continues: She didn't do the surgery and she doesn't really do the fad diets. She eats healthy, she has a personal trainer and she works really hard at it (source: et.tv.yahoo.com).

Denise Richards put on 30 lbs. while carrying Lola (born June 1), but Richards had a secret weight-loss weapon: ?It?s called the Stress Diet,? she says, half-joking, ? and alluding to having filed for divorce (from Charlie Sheen) in her sixth month of pregnancy. But mostly she can thank her work with trainer Garrett Warren: She's been kickboxing and doing abdominal exercises four to six times weekly ? and adhering to a portion-controlled diet (source: celebrity.aol.com).

All eyes were on the miraculous weight loss of Hollywood in 2004, Paula says. But there's no real miracle about it, it's exercise, it's eating right and sometimes -- it's surgery! (Source: et.tv.yahoo.com).

-> Why Does It Work For Them And Not For Us?

It?s no surprise that eating the right foods and exercising regularly will help us achieve our ideal weight. So why is it that celebrities seem to have so much more success than we do? There are three reasons why the stars lose weight faster than the average American: * Celebrities have more time than we do.

* Celebrities have more money than we do.

* Celebrities have a bigger incentive to stay fit and trim.

Although they do work long hours while touring or filming, there?s no denying that the stars have more disposable time than we do. When you?re rich enough to hire a nanny, a driver, a personal chef and many other assistants to take over the time-consuming tasks of life for you, it?s easy to find more time to exercise.

?Singer Jessica Simpson started a new exercise routine to get in shape for her role as Daisy Duke in the upcoming Dukes of Hazard movie. Her workout includes two hours a day of squats and lunges and has motivated her to create a new workout video. I have a white-girl bootie, so I'm doing all my squats to lift it a little bit and get some junk in my trunk, says Jessica (source: kidzworld.com).

?Usher's been workin' on his abs since he was 16, but claims that it's all because of good genes?..hard work and being disciplined - oh yeah, and 1,000 crunches a day. Usher also has a daily routine he calls forty minutes of funk which includes stretchin', skippin' and jumping jacks. Then he moves onto push-ups, leg raises and tricep dips?..can you say fitness freak!? (source: kidzworld.com).

Not only do celebrities have the time to exercise for hours on end, but they typically have the money to hire the absolute best weight loss support team. Julia Roberts, for example, earns an estimated $25,000,000 each year. Cameron Diaz earns $20,000,000 annually. Angelina Jolie pulls down about $12,000,000 each year and Reese Witherspoon gets a $15,000,000 yearly paycheck (source: bankrate.com). With that much cash on hand, the stars can easily afford to hire the best personal trainers, the best nutritionists, the best dietitians and the best personal chefs.

?Celebrities also have the luxury of personal trainers and nutritionists to help them with rigorous diet regimes? (source: abcnews.go.com).

With a personal chef to prepare every meal, celebrities find it easier to follow a low fat diet. A registered dietitian in the house makes it easy for stars to get a unique diet recipe or any other weight loss information they want. Simply put, having the salary of a celebrity makes it easier to lose weight.

Indeed, it?s that same high salary that gives celebrities their incredible incentive to stay slender. The blunt truth of the matter is that Hollywood and the entertainment industry is not kind to overweight stars, often shunning them in favor of ?thin beauty?. Celebrities see a very real connection between their weight and their earnings power, which gives them the motivation they need to keep trying when many others would give up.

Statistics show that approximately two-thirds of Americans are overweight. Research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that 80 percent of overweight individuals and almost 87 percent of obese individuals are trying to lose or maintain their weight. As a nation, we?re trying to win the battle of the bulge, but we often lack the motivation to consistently exercise and eat right. How much easier would that struggle be if there were a $25,000,000 prize waiting for us when we reached our goal weight?

-> How We Can Use The Diet And Weight Loss Programs Of The Stars:

Although most Americans can?t afford the same support staff hired by the celebrities, we can learn from their success and use that information to achieve our own health and fitness goals. Here?s what we can do to copy the weight control tactics of celebrities:

* Find an exercise program that takes less time.
*Search for free diet information and free weight loss information.
* Earn and keep more money by losing weight.

First of all, it?s time to face reality that most of us will never have hours each day to dedicate to exercise like the celebrities do. That?s not an excuse to quit! Instead, find an exercise routine that will get results in a shorter period of time. A great example is circuit training, where you get aerobic and resistance exercise at the same time. By combining these two types of workout into one, it?s entirely possible to get real fat loss results in only thirty minutes each day.

Some time-strapped celebrities use circuit training to achieve their fitness goals. Matthew McConaughey, for example, ??..was circuit training ? combining cardiovascular exercise with muscle-strengthening moves?..? (source: STAR Magazine 11-14-05).

Circuit training works, especially for those of us short on time. Pick Up The Pace, 30-Minute Workout For Women, is a health club that offers hydraulic circuit training and has seen gym members accomplish incredible results. Pick Up The Pace member Minnie lost 10.5 inches during the month of February 2005! Vymell C. lost 9.5 inches the same month! Betty K. joined Pick Up The Pace in January, 2003. By September, 2004 she had lost 50 inches, and dropped from a size 18 to an 8. Stacie Y. lost 68 pounds, 54 1/4 inches, and dropped 6 sizes!

The next thing we can do to mimic celebrity weight loss success is find free diet information and free weight loss information. The truth about health and fitness is out there, and much of it is free. For example, to get more than fifty pages of free weight loss tips check out http://www.letspickupthepace.com/articles.asp. For those seeking information on rapid weight loss, it?s also a good idea to subscribe to free health and fitness newsletters like the one found at http://www.letspickupthepace.com/newsletter.asp.

Finally, we can copy celebrity weight loss by giving ourselves a real cash incentive to lose weight. While we probably won?t ever hit that $25,000,000 payday, we can earn and keep more money by losing weight. It's true! Losing weight will help us earn and save more money. Studies have consistently shown that obese employees are paid less than normal-weight employees doing similar jobs (source: HealthNewsDigest.com).

A comprehensive study of wages in 1998 found that obese workers earn significantly less than than non-obese employees. How much less? About $3.41 per hour! This discrepancy was found only in those workers who had employer-sponsored health insurance, perhaps suggesting that the higher costs of insuring obese individuals was being passed on to the employees themselves. (Source: Bundorf and co-author Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD, assistant professor of medicine at the Center for Health Policy/Center for Primary Care and Outcomes Research).

So it's possible that losing weight could eventually add substantially to our paycheck! But did you know that losing weight may also lower the amount of money we personally pay out in medical costs? According to a study published in Health Affairs recently, obese Americans pay $732 more for health care each year than do normal-weight adults. Is that as much as a celebrity earns each year? Of course not ? but it is a cash incentive for us to lose weight!

Celebrities will always have the advantage when it comes to weight loss. But with some extra effort we can achieve the same results!

* Copyright 2005 Pick Up The Pace. Permission is not required for the distribution of Pick Up The Pace articles as long as they are used in their entirety, are properly credited to Pick Up The Pace, and are accompanied by our website link: http://www.letspickupthepace.com/.

* The information in this article and on this site is for general reference purposes only and not intended to address specific medical conditions. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice or a medical exam. Prior to participating in any exercise program or activity, you should seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional. No information in this article or on http://www.letspickupthepace.com/ should be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition.

Tracie Johanson is the founder of Pick Up The Pace, a 30-minute exercise studio for women, focusing on fitness, health and nutrition for maximum weight loss. Please visit http://www.letspickupthepace.com for more information.

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The favourable effect of raw juices in the treatment of disease is attributed to the following facts:

1. Raw juices of fruits and vegetables are extremely rich in vitamins, minerals, trace elements, enzymes and natural sugars. They exercise beneficial effect in normalising all the body functions. They supply needed elements for the body?s own healing activity and cell regeneration, thereby speeding the recovery.

2. The juices extracted from raw fruits and vegetables require no digestion and almost all their vital nutrients are assimilated directly in the bloodstream.

3. Raw juices are extremely rich in alkaline elements. This is highly beneficial in normalising acid-alkaline balance in the blood and tissues as there is over-acidity in most conditions of ill-health.

4. Generous amounts of easily assimilable organic minerals in raw juices especially calcium, potassium and silicon help in restoring biochemical and mineral balance in the tissues and cells, thereby preventing premature aging of cells and disease.

5. Raw juices contain certain natural medicines, vegetal hormones and antibiotics. For instance, string beans are said to contain insulin-like substance. Certain hormones needed by the pancreas to produce insulin are present in cucumber and onion juices.

Fresh juices of garlic, onions, radish, and tomatoes contain antibiotic substances.

To learn more about the energy principle in healing, please read:

Cost-free Miracle Asthma Cure
Overcome Type I Diabetes and Type II Diabetes Naturally
Alternative Treatments for Incurable Diseases made easy

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Let?s face it, getting and staying in shape can be a costly investment. And, if you?re not careful, its greatest cost is the one commodity you could use the most of: time (keeping monetary costs in check is another volume, entirely). Yet, even many seasoned exercisers often have difficulty changing their bodies with regular workouts. And worse, many think the more hours spent training heavily, the better the result. Not true! Often this break-neck pace leads only to fatigue, burnout, and injury.

What most people also may not realize, there are several, easy ways to redistribute your time and create ?smarter? workouts. These common sense, turbo-chargers cost little or no money, will help change your body in a positive way, and all without giving up a lot of time.

Here, I?ve given you four simple strategies that can help you turbo charge your workout (and your body), too:

Warm Up and Cool Down Sufficiently. In short: take 10. Strive to take 10 minutes before heavy exercise to get blood flowing with light aerobic activity (walking, or a series of slow arm and leg circles) to get the large muscle groups moving and prevent injury. At the end of your workout, try to opt for 10 minutes of light stretching, aiming at the major muscle groups: arms, back, chest, and legs. This will help re-absorb lactic acid (metabolic waste that builds up during exercise and can lead to soreness).

Drink More Water. Just eight-8oz. glasses of water per day will carry away waste and toxins from your body. It will also help keep you cool during exercise and replace the fluids lost during your workout (you will usually lose 1 liter per 1-hour workout).

Get Adequate Rest. The body requires a sufficient amount of sleep for rest and tissue repair (usually around 7-8 hours per night for the healthy person). Sleep also provides the body time to lower levels of bacteria in the body. It actually stimulates the immune system! If you can?t get your eight hours, try to take a quick 10-20 minute power nap sometime during the day.

Go Easy on the Starchy Carbs. Try to ?balance? starchy carbs (cereals, breads, white potatoes, rice) with protein and veggie alternatives.

My own personal case study: Even though I?d been exercising for years, I couldn?t shake the extra 10 pounds I?d gained in college. I exercised for about an hour every day rotating my routine between cardio and resistance training. Did I need to exercise more? I wondered. Maybe, but I couldn?t fit another hour into the day. So, I took a good look at my diet. What I found was, every day I was loading up with starchy carbs! Lots of cereal and toast. Lots of potatoes and white rice. Resolve: Just by balancing my meals with egg whites, sweet potatoes, green leafy veggies, and lean meats, I lost what remained.

If you could use a Jump-start in you workout or haven?t seen changes in awhile, these four ideas are well worth your consideration. Plus, just by changing one small thing, you could make quite a difference in your shape. It will add a new element of vigor to your workout! So, reap the big rewards of these small changes, they will pay dividends on your investment.

About The Author

Laura Turner, Certified Personal Trainer has developed a series of health fitness and nutrition tips available at www.1brand-new-body.com In 21 days you can create healthy new you, let her show you how! Subscribe to her free newsletter *Fitness Focus* Send a blank email to: mailto:hiperformbody@getresponse.com *Plus get her free report: 7 Steps to a High Performance Body*

VioletProsePubs@aol.com

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What can a Yogi learn from the Da Vinci Code? Many lessons can be learned, when you understand the power of absolute control and misinformation. What are the present and past agenda?s? How can the truth be sorted out? What good can come out of all this?

Let?s look at the present: Dan Brown has skillfully weaved a tale of fact and fiction that created a Best Seller. Many authors did this before, and even since the release of his best selling book. This has spawned ?copy cat? books that give Leonardo Da Vinci credit for everything, including the Shroud of Turin.

It has created a sensation, but the truth can still be found if you want to do the research. The History Channel has done some interesting work of separating myth from the facts. Also, there are reputable books available that go into detail about the Gnostic Gospels, the Cathars, and the Templars.

Look back into history objectively, and you may wonder what Roman Emperor Constantine?s real agenda was at the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. What was the real purpose of gathering all of the Christian sects ?under one roof?? It possibly has more to do with power than it has to do with purity or protection.

So what in the world does this have to do with Yoga? Beware of organizations that desire to bring Yoga under one roof. The real agenda may be the pursuit of power. Once power is achieved, free thought is ?squashed;? then - history is rewritten by the victors. This is the formula for gaining power in anything.

Recent best selling misinformation will now make Christians pursue the real truth. In the long run, this may be one of the best things to happen to Christianity in a long time. Yet, it took many centuries for this to happen. Just look at how long it has taken to clear Mary Magdalene?s name from alleged reformed prostitute to a person who had the inside story on the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.

When a philosophy, government, or a religion answers to a ?central command,? all free thinking will cease to exist. Let me point out that the nine classic styles of Indian Yoga have similarities, and so do the many sub-styles of Hatha Yoga, but if you attempt to govern them, valuable and innovative thought will be lost.

Yoga is many things, but it must be allowed to evolve in many directions for the complete health maintenance of humankind. We do not have thousands of years to rediscover creations that could be lost. When priceless books, scriptures, and documents are burned, everyone loses.

? 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. To receive a Free e-Book: Yoga in Practice, and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

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Depression among college students, with a focus on Freshmen.

Who is at risk, and what can be done?

Graduation time rolls around, and you already know where you will end up next year for college. Your two best friends will be joining you there, where you will all live in the same apartment complex. You have already put your first payment, and deposit in preparation. Now you wait.

When the time comes around, you pack up and move thousands of miles just to go to college. You haven't heard from either of your friends yet, and you can feel the anticipation welling in your gut. You are so excited, you haven't heard from them all summer. Then you find out they never came. Both decided on going to a different college without you, or telling you. You keep telling yourself you will cope, and make new friends, but you still feel lonely and rejected. Once you are actually in college, things are harder than you expected. You don't have a car, so it is harder to get around buying food, finding a bank, and getting school supplies. Often times you find yourself taking naps, or just sleeping, because you can't focus, or feel overwhelmed. One of the many signs of depression.

Money is tight, and you don't have a job, because you can't find any job openings within walking distance, you are afraid to ride the bus, because it is such a big city, compared to the one you came from. You biggest fear is getting lost, and not being able to make it home.

You often times feel overwhelmed by homework and such. You can never do it quite good enough, and are often times to shy to ask for help, so you sit in silence, confused, and helpless, like a grain of sand on a beach. Not noticed and not much potential.

This is the story of a college freshman. Probably many. That guy who sits next to you in math class, struggling with theorems, or that girl in your chem. class, under pressure to learn her Periodic Table of Elements. Who ever it is, they are there.

Depression effects 76 out of a 100 college students. Mainly freshmen entering a new world so to speak. Often times you won't see it right away or not at all. This is an age group that's tricky, states a psychologist at Davidson College in North Carolina, DeWitt Crosby said, They are adults by law, but they're still dealing with making decisions on their own.

More attention is spent on alcohol consumption, and crimes among students, so that little energy or money is left for the awareness or the treatment of mental health. Often times the only funding is for counselors who will perform ? scattershot therapy. They don't actually treat what is wrong, but try to cover many possibilities of what could be wrong within a short period of time.

USA TODAY states in a recent study 14% of the 701 students who took a survey in the Boston area showed significant symptoms of depression, and over half of them could qualify as having major depression. If treatment of the depression was sought, at least 80% would get better.

The National Survey of Counseling Center Directors reported an 85% increase in severe psychological problems over the past five years. Also 30% reported at least one student suicide on their campus within the last (2001/2002) school year.

A hard part in treating depression is recognizing it. Some major symptoms of depression as told by www.campusblues.com are as follows.

1.Sadness, anxiety, or empty feelings
2?Decreased energy, fatigue, being slowed down
3.Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities
4.?Sleep Disturbances (insomnia, oversleeping, or waking much earlier than usual)
5?Appetite and weight changes (either loss or gain)
6?Feelings of hopelessness, guilt, and worthlessness
7?Thoughts off death or suicide, or suicide attempts
8?Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering
9?Irritability or excessive crying
10 ?Chronic aches and pains not explained by another physical condition

It's normal to have these feelings at one time or another, but five or more, for a two week or longer period is something to pay attention too. Also watch for changes in the way the person functions. The anxiety is normal in college, when you are studying for classes, or preparing to take a test, but when it rules your life, and they way you think and act is a time to seek help and gain control again.

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