Friday, November 14, 2008

Woman reaches US army's top rank


An American woman has been promoted to four-star general - the first female to reach the US army's highest rank.

In her acceptance speech, Ann E Dunwoody said she had never expected to rise so high in the ranks in her 33-year career.

She said no one was more surprised than she and her husband. "Behind every successful woman there's an astonished man," she added.

There are 21 female generals, most of them one-star, in the US army.

Women make up 14% of the army's active-service strength of more than 500,000 soldiers.

'Open doors'

Gen Dunwoody comes from a long line of soldiers.

"A Dunwoody has fought in every American war since the Revolution," said army chief of staff Gen George Casey.

Gen Dunwoody is married to retired air force officer Craig Brotchie.

"There is no one more surprised than I, except of course, my husband," she told an auditorium packed with the military's top brass.

"And you know what they say, behind every successful woman there's an astonished man."

Defence Secretary Robert Gates said: "History will no doubt take note of [Dunwoody's] achievement in breaking through this final 'brass ceiling' to pin on this fourth star."

"But she would rather be known and remembered first and foremost as a US army soldier."

She is now head of the Army Materiel Command, in charge of weapons, equipment and uniforms for the army.

Women are barred from combat roles but have been allowed in the last two decades to serve in a wide variety of other positions.

"It's been my experience in my 33 years in the military that the doors have continued to open and the opportunities have continued to expand," she said.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

The Answer To Breast Cancer - Prevent With Healthy Living

Generally speaking, breast cancer can be explained as an abnormal growth or a mass of cells, also known as a tumor, anywhere within the breast or immediate surrounding area. Breast Cancer is the most common form of cancer in women and accounts for one-third of all malignancies. One of eight women now living in the modern society will get this disease

In 2005 502,000 people died worldwide as a result of this cancer. Worldwide, more people are diagnosed with breast cancer than any other cancer except for lung cancer and it is the fifth most common cancer overall. While these statistics are alarming, there are ways to keep yourself as safe as possible from this terrible disease.

A lump in the breast is often the first sign of this disease. The lump generally feels different from the surrounding breast tissue. You should immediately see your physician if you discover a lump. Your physician will follow up with appropriate tests and examinations, such as a mammogram, to determine the nature of the lump.

Other symptoms might include changes in the size or shape of the breast, a dimpling of the skin on the breast, an inverted nipple, or nipple discharge. Breast pain should also be checked by a doctor because even though it doesn't usually mean breast cancer, it might be symptomatic of another problem.

Discovering these symptoms should not be cause for immediate alarm. Most of the time, the cause of the symptoms is not cancer. But the risk of cancer is very real, the consequences of cancer are severe, and the disease is progressive, so one should never delay scheduling an appointment with their health care professional.

As with most cancers, the exact cause of breast cancer has not been pinpointed. However, there are many risk factors applied to many women. There are many arguments that breast cancer is hereditary, so if there is a history of the cancer in a woman’s family, she should see a doctor regularly for preventative measures. While heredity may play a role, life choices do as well. For instance, women who smoke cigarettes and consume alcohol regularly are at a higher risk for breast cancer than those who do not. Additionally, obese women that do not engage in regular physical activity are at an elevated risk for breast cancer.

It has been found, however, that altering the levels of hormones in the body can lead to different forms of cancer, breast cancer included. Many women take drugs and supplements that have estrogen as a main ingredient. These medications are used to increase sexual drive, assist in lactation, or deal with menopause. There are studies currently underway to help determine the influence of increased levels of estrogen on the development of breast cancer.

Despite the exact causes of breast cancer being unknown, there are many resources explaining and suggesting how a woman might prevent it.

According to recent research conducted by the American Cancer Society, on an average an eighth of all females are bound to suffer from breast cancer.

By: Corwin Brown

Monday, November 10, 2008

How Body Image Can Effect Your Health

Numerous factors weight on a person’s body image, factors such as mass media, including magazines, television, film, peer groups, and family opinions etc. There is no such thing as the perfect body as different cultures have their own standards for judging what is attractive. It can be very interesting to explore the differing norms that can exist even within a particular culture as societal standard can shift periodically.

For example, in the US, the thin stereotype has been the most popular since the 1960’s when a particular clothes model named Twiggy captured the attention of the public. The average fashion model these days is almost 6 feet tall and weights about 130 pounds while the average American woman is 5 feet 4 inches tall and weights 140 pounds. The disparity can lead to a mountain of self esteem problems when a woman does not meet the expectations of the cultural ideal.

Mainstream media portray the thin model stereotype as equating to happiness and success, and cases of weight discrimination have even been tried in court.

Even though many health organizations emphasize health rather than weight some people feel more pressure than ever to mold themselves to the ideal due to body image distortion. Most objective sources see this “you’re OK, I’m OK” theory as silly and unhelpful. With obesity statistics increasing at an alarming rate, medical cost estimates for the future due to the condition run in the tens of billions of dollars. Some see this as an unacceptable monetary burden put on society due to the simple refusal of people to learn an effective way to control their weight. Japan has even started a program that may be the future in many countries, penalizing it’s citizens for failing to conform to certain weight guidelines.

There are predictable stages in life when an individual is more susceptible to body image distortion. Puberty is the most significant time in a person’s life when rapid changes take place in the body. At this time adolescent males will gain muscle mass, height and facial hair as well as a deeper voice and will often shed any residual “baby fat”. They may see there bodies as smaller than they actually are. Just the opposite, females will gain fat in the buttocks, hips, breasts and legs and will often see their bodies as fat when they compare them to those of the fashion models in the mass media.

Body distortion is closely related to the development of eating disorders. The jury is still out in some circles as to which abnormality begets which, but most in the medical field agree that this development involves many facets of the individual’s makeup including family heredity, peer group, and psychological factors that create body distortion. One percent of teenage girls in the United States develop anorexia nervosa which can be deadly if not taken care of. These disorders occur only in developed countries where food is plentiful and the occurrences increase with wealth.

Females with anorexia and bulimia can see themselves as fat no matter how thin they may already be. Much more controversial is the idea that males develop what some in the medical field call “muscle dysmorphia ”. This is an imaginary disease in which males supposedly see themselves as skinny and underweight. This disorder can be magnified, they say, when the individual is a bodybuilder and will see himself as skinny no matter how enlarged his musculature.

A bodybuilder may want to pack on all the muscle possible for their specific body type but scoff and laugh hysterically at the notion of “muscle dismorphia”. Bodybuilding contests have changed over the years to require larger and larger muscles simply to compete in the contest and this is usually the reason that the
bodybuilder will continuously try to pack on more size. One only has to look in on bodybuilders that have reached the pinnacle of bodybuilding achievement, Mr. Olympia, and have retired from competition, to see that this is true. After the competition years the individual will drop up to 80 pounds of pure muscle or more because it is no longer needed to compete.

Treatments for eating disorders created by body image distortion range from behavioral therapy to smart diet programs for the mild cases. It is remarkable that a woman will put herself through measures such as bingeing and purging when an effective diet and exercise program is so much easier and infinitely more life changing. More on this subject in future articles.

By: Adam Eisenhart

Friday, November 7, 2008

Female Hair Loss Treatment

Female Hair Loss Treatment: Hats are For Fashion Not to Cover-Up Your Bald Spots!Nothing can be more devastating for a women than to realize that her hair is coming out far more extensively and rapidly than is normal. (Normal is 100-150 strands a day). Each hair grows for a period of 2-6 years, goes through a short dormant period and then falls out as the follicle pushes through a new hair. When new hairs do not replace the old or when hair is coming out in clumps or sections, there is definite cause for concern.Female hair loss comes from a variety of causes – some temporary, some permanent.

Temporary causes include pregnancy, anxiety and stress, too many strong treatments (coloring, bleaching), too much manipulation, illness, disease, and infections of the scalp. Fortunately, regrowth occurs naturally when as these causes dissipate. Permanent hair loss occurs as a result of heredity and hormonal changes and unfortunately is not reversed naturally. Women usually see hair loss begin at areas of parts, where parts become wider. Female pattern baldness occurs primarily in the frontal areas; then, there is general overall hair loss, resulting in a continual thinning of the entire head with the scalp becoming more and more visible.

Treatments for female hair loss include a number of things:

1. Diet plays some role in hair loss, so it is important to commit to a healthy well-balanced diet at all times.

2. Exercise increases blood circulation to all areas of the body, the scalp included. Some studies have shown that increased blood circulation to the scalp can assist in the stimulation of follicles to begin to produce hair again.

3. There are a number of natural herbal and oil remedies, most of which are topical, that is, they involve applying solutions directly onto the scalp with the effect of opening up closed follicles and enhancing the chance of hair production. These have varying degrees of success, dependent upon the individual.

4. Wigs and hair extensions can provide non-permanent relief for sufferers and, fortunately, these are considered acceptable fashion accessories today.

5. A number of medical products have also been developed specifically for females. It is important to state here that women must be certain that products they use are specifically designed for them. Male hair products often have ingredients which can be harmful to women, particularly those of child-bearing age. Medical products are available through prescription and over-the-counter. It would be wise to consult with a physician first, before using any of these, to be certain that they are not contra-indicated with any other medication currently being used and to be certain that the hair loss is not the result of some other medical condition. Provillus has products designed specifically for women, and is FDA approved. Research studies on the effectiveness of these and other products, in terms of both reducing loss and promoting regrowth, is readily available on the Internet, through a “Google” search. Some offer money-back guarantees, and most have testimonies from satisfied users. Success varies by individual, and success or lack of success from one customer does not necessarily relate to your body’s response.

6. There are also a number of surgical procedures available for women, including transplants and grafts. These are expensive and should be explored carefully before committing to the cost.The distress over hair loss is an individual matter. If yours bothers you on a daily basis and you are beginning to avoid normal social activities due to embarrassment, you owe it to yourself to take action. Life is to be enjoyed!

For more information visit: Provillus

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Breast Self Exam

Healthy Changes Through Life: Doing a monthly breast self exam is the best way to stay familiar with the cyclical changes in your breasts. You will get to know the territory better than your health care team, and will spot changes easily. Having an annual clinical exam helps document your breast health, so keep a regular appointment set up for that! Between puberty and menopause, your breasts will go through many changes, which are affected by hormones, diet, and exercise. Most of these changes are natural and healthy!

Teen Years (Puberty): In the teen years, with the start of your monthly cycle, your body enters the maturing process, and you gain curves and may notice skin changes (such as acne) and even hair may change color or texture. Breast tissue is developing during this time too, and may be dense and firm to begin with, especially if you are small-breasted.Family Resemblance: At this stage, it’s not too early to know your family health history, so ask your female relatives (mother, aunts, grandmother) if they had any fibrocystic problems with their breasts, or any regular cysts. If so, it’s likely that you may experience those too. Not to worry – cysts are benign – but you want to know where they are, and if they come and go, so they can be distinguished from other features in your breasts.'

More Curves and Kids (Childbearing Years): After your body is prepared for motherhood, if you conceive and bear children, and also if you breastfeed the children, that will bring on more changes in your breasts, as well as in the rest of your body. Breasts may become larger and more tender during pregnancy, and may need more support. Don’t neglect your BSE during this time, stay familiar with the changes. Remember that pregnancy and breastfeeding will help combine to lower your risk of breast cancer.

Maturity (Menopause): Menopause also brings changes in your breasts, as your estrogen and progesterone levels drop, your breast tissue may become less firm and may drape differently than during your teen and child-bearing years. Keep up with your breast self exams in these years too, so that the normal changes are familiar to you. Less dense breast tissue will seem to have more lumps and bumps, but remember that 90% of breast lumps are benign.

For more information visit: Breastactives

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Herbal Breast Supplements Increase A Woman’s Self-confidence

Nature has provided every female body, a breast enhancement mechanism, which is experienced by them at the puberty stage itself. The hormonal changes occur during this stage along with the female menstrual cycle. The female hormones produced during this period, results in the breast enlargement, naturally. With the increase in female libido, breasts also get enhanced and enlarged naturally during this time.

However, this does not always happen throughout the life of a woman. During the days of pregnancy, a woman feels the rush of these hormones again, so naturally develops larger and fuller breasts. This continues until the lactation by the woman is over and she stops breast-feeding her child. Nevertheless, such large breasts due to lactation, do not remain permanently. The female breasts start shrinking immediately after the breast-feeding period is over.

Therefore, various therapies need to be explored for keeping the firmness and size of breasts in place. Currently, the surgical treatment for this is available. However, operations like breast implants and other surgeries to enlarge breasts are costly. Hence, most of the women all over the world cannot afford it. Most women do not want to go through the pain and risk having an unnatural look to their breasts.

A natural way to breast enhancement and breast enlargement is herbal treatment, which guarantees fuller and larger breasts, that are well shaped and firm. Therefore, many physicians worldwide have recognized this treatment to be best, next only to the natural breast enlargement experienced during puberty or pregnancy. Although, an exercise regime is also followed by some women to attain firmer breasts, not all women see results from breast-firming exercises. A woman needs perseverance to carry on with such a strict program over a period of time. Some women choose massage therapy, but this too is time consuming and hard to continue.

Breast enhancement pills used under the herbal therapeutic treatment give the desired results, sooner. These pills ensure that the supply of hormones like estrogen to the body’s system is large enough to result in breasts becoming fuller, larger and firmer. These herbal pills act the same way to supplement estrogen, as is being done naturally during female puberty or pregnancy.

No doubt, these pills have been a part of any woman’s diet, who wants to have much firmer and larger breasts. These supplements help to increase a woman’s self-confidence in her body and appearance.

By: Jenifer Moon
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Jenifer is working on women's & men’s health issues, doing reserch and sourcing for better options for sexual, beauty and health products since 2005

Herbal Skin Care - Rediscover A World Of Natural Beauty

Have you ever wondered why it is that the best new things look a lot like the best old things? Take herbal skin care for instance. Before the development of modern cosmetics, our grandmothers relied on natural beauty treatments for keeping their skin soft, smooth and healthy. In those days, a herbal treatment for the skin was the best way to achieve and maintain a natural beauty...the likes of which we haven't seen in quite a long time.

Women today are wising up to the fact that our grandmothers knew a thing or two about beauty. This is directly reflected in the increasing demand for herbal skin care. Not only do women, and men, want their skin to look good, but they want it to be healthy as well. They are turning away from facial treatments and skin cremes that have been made with slew of synthetic chemicals and asking for a herbal treatment for the skin that they know is natural, safe and effective.

Think about it. Using herbal skin care means putting something on your skin that is safe enough to eat. Would you eat petroleum-based glycerine? But that is essentially what you do every time you use a skin care treatment that contains this, and other synthetic substances. When you rub these chemicals into you skin they eventually reach your bloodstream just as if you had eaten them.

When you use a herbal treatment for the skin, made of natural, plant-based moisturizers, vitamins, enzymes and proteins, you are "feeding" and nourishing your skin. Well-nourished skin cells are able to go to work to repair, protect and enhance the health and appearance of the skin. This is the basis of true natural beauty.

My grandmother used to tell me amazing stories about her mother's herbal treatment for the skin. She would cleanse her face with a mixture of rolled oats, dried lavender, corn meal and dried rose petals. My great-grandmother also pulverized egg shells in order to create a natural face powder. She lived on a farm and had access to eggs of various shades of brown, so it was easy for her to create a powder that matched her complexion. My grandmother told me that her mother's skin remained beautiful well into her later years.

Make no mistake about it. A herbal treatment for skin is one of those best new things that looks a lot like a best old thing. Our grandmothers were very smart women. If we follow their example by using herbal skin care, then we're sure to rediscover a world of natural beauty.

By: Therese Higgins
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Article written by Therese Higgins - "There are many reasons why you must be careful when choosing the best herbal skin care, but there's one which as to rank as the most important of all." Visit www.positively-radiant.com to find out what it is.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Superfoods For Pregnant Women

Pregnancy is a wonderful time in your life. It can also be very taxing and exhausting for your body, mind and spirit at times. But by nourishing your body with these great superfoods, you'll be energized, strong, and sharp, and ready to welcome your pending bundle of joy healthy and happy.

Beans and legumes are good sources of protein, fiber, calcium, iron, thiamine, and niacin. Make a big batch of beans when you have time and freeze them in small containers. Be careful with canned varieties, as they're usually higher in sodium and their nutritional value is a bit lower since they're processed using high temperatures. Soybeans provide more protein than any other bean or legume, making them a staple either the vegan or non-vegan. Soybeans are rich in many nutrients, including calcium and iron.

Include plenty of whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, millet, and oats as they're a great source of fiber, minerals, protein and B complex vitamins. Buy the least processed grain types you can find, since many of the commercially prepared grains have had the nutritional and beneficial germ and bran removed.

Dark green leafy vegetables like kale, collard greens, watercress, and spinach are especially important while pregnant or lactating because they supply so many vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A and C, calcium, and iron. Dark leafy green vegetables also are rich in phytochemicals like beta carotene and lutein which protect against many forms of cancer. Vegetables from the cabbage family such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage are wonderful sources of vitamin A, vitamin C, and calcium. They are also rich in phytochemicals that have anticancer properties. Dark green leafy vegetables and cabbage family vegetables provide important nutrients that help to promote a plentiful milk supply for your baby.

Nuts and seeds are good sources of fiber, protein, minerals, and essential fatty acids. Be sure to eat flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds and walnuts to get omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for baby's brain and nervous system development as well as your own health. Nuts and seeds can be eaten raw or toasted, and work great in a salad made of dark leafy green vegetables.

Lastly, it's important to drink plenty of water, and make sure you're getting plenty of rest during this time. A well-hydrated, well-rested body recovers more quickly, and ready to take on the challenges that life with a newborn baby brings with it.

By: Julia Sullivan
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Visit Pregnancy Facts to learn about teenage pregnancy statistics and tips for getting pregnant

Friday, October 31, 2008

Have Better Sex With Tantric Sex

Tantric sex is not just regular sex. The average "in-out-have a nice day" kind of sex is seen by those who practice Tantric sex as simply wasting energy on something that could be much more than that. Therefore, one could say that Tantric sex means taking sex to a new dimension and using it to improve the link between body and spirit and to extend the rejuvenating power of orgasm to the whole body. After all, why shouldn't we profit from something that is in our power to do, especially since it does not take much to acquire this skill?

One of the goals of Tantric sex is to stimulate the endocrine glands to produce more hGH, serotonin, DHEA and testosterone. These hormones help improve sexual health, promote the flow of blood through the body, take out the trash (toxins, that is) and strengthen the nervous and immune systems in order to increase the overall health. A person who's into Tantric sex feels healthy and rejuvenated without the use of substances or devices. Sex is quite enough to bring about these changes in a person. However, one must know how to engage in sex and what to do in bed in order to achieve this healthy state.

Ovarian Cancer - 7 Early Warning Signs

Ovarian cancer is often called "The Silent Killer" because the symptoms are so nonspecific and are often blamed on something else. Thus it is possible to have been experiencing early warning signs of this disease for years and not realize anything is seriously wrong. This is very understandable, as the symptoms, if they are seen at all, most often seem benign at first. However, if you have had one or more of these symptoms for several weeks or months, please consider calling your physician and scheduling a check-up. Cancer is a scary word and most people would prefer to just assume everything is fine and hope whatever is bothering them simply "goes away." However, consider that ovarian cancer statistics show that 70% to 80% of diagnoses are made in late stages when the prognosis is not so good. To give yourself the best chance at long-term survival and even a complete cure, these are 7 of the symptoms to watch out for:

1. Persistent indigestion.

2. Bloating, feeling of fullness, tightness of clothes.

3. Painful intercourse, or dyspareunia.

4. Pelvic discomfort or pain.

5. Unexplained weight loss or weight gain.

6. Leg pain.

7. Change in character of menstrual periods.

Clearly, some or even most of these symptoms are common enough and could be problematic for women on occasion and most of the time it really is just overindulgence at the local Mexican eatery, too much Turkey dinner, that time of the month, or a strained leg muscle. However, if you experience any of these symptoms consistently on a regular basis it is possible they could be early warning signs of ovarian cancer so have your doctor check you out for peace of mind. Remember, your best chance is an early diagnosis.

By: Sara Daniels

Get more information about the early warning signs of ovarian cancer. Visit www.ovcainformationandhelp.com and get more help and tips from an ovarian cancer survivor. Read an inspiring story about ovarian cancer and learn one unusual symptom to look for.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Lauren Conrad Collection @ L.A. Fashion Week

From: HollyscoopTV, Added: March 13, 2008,

The Sims 2 - Giving birth to QUADRUPLETS

From: monkaria
Added: November 08, 2006

RANT NUMBER ONE: I AM SICK OF PEOPLE POSTING 20 COMMENTS EVERY SINGLE DAY SAYING "HOW DO YOU DO THIS...BLAH BLAH..." CLEARLY, NO ONE BOTHERED TO READ THE DESCRIPTION BEFORE WHERE I CLEARLY SAID MESSAGE ME YOUR QUESTIONS - ONLY ABOUT 20 PEOPLE HAVE ACTUALLY BOTHERED TO DO THAT!!!RANT NUMBER TWO: I DO NOT REPLY TO COMMENTS ASKING ME "HOW DO YOU DO THIS... ETC" BECAUSE I HAVE TO TYPE A LOT AND IT DOESN'T FIT IN! I AM ALSO NOT GOING TO REPEAT MYSELF IN COMMENTS SEVERAL HUNDRED TIMES WHEN PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO ACTUALLY BOTHER TO THINK AND SAY "SOME ONE ELSE HAS PROBABLY ALREADY ASKED THAT SO I MIGHT AS WELL READ THEIR COMMENT TO SEE IF IT CAN ANSWER MY QUESTION!"RANT NUMBER 3: YOUTUBE DOES NOT LET YOU POST LINKS IN COMMENTS!! THIS IS ESSENTIAL FOR ME TO ANSWER THE MOST COMMON QUESTION "HOW DO YOU GET QUADS?" RANT NUMBER FOUR: WILL THE ATTENTION SEEKERS PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE STOP SAYING "I GOT QUADS BY CHANCE IN MY GAME" WHEN IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO GET MORE THAN TWINS IN THE SIMS 2, THIS IS ALSO INCLUDING ALL THE EXPANSION PACKS!!!!RANT NUMBER FIVE: THE ONLY WAY TO GET TRIPLETS OR QUADS IS BY DOWNLOADING A HACK OR MOD!!!!!!! HACKS/MODS ARE STUFF YOU DOWNLOAD WHICH LET YOU CHANGE OR ADD STUFF IN THE GAME!!!RANT NUMBER SIX: WILL THE DOOFUSES WHO STILL HAVEN'T FIGURED OUT WHAT GAME THIS IS AND ASK "WHAT GAME IS THIS?" PLEASE READ THE TITLE!!!RANT NUMBER SEVEN: SPAMMERS WILL DIE!!!!!MANY PEOPLE ARE DECIDING TO IGNORE THIS WARNING, AND BELIEVE ME, I WILL BLOCK ANY USERS WHO SPAM ANY OF MY VIDEOS - SPAMMING IS RUDE AND ITS A WASTE OF BANDWIDTH! THE ENERGY USED TO SEND SPAM MAIL ETC USES UP 60% OF THE BANDWIDTH ON THE INTERNET! IT ALSO WASTES ENERGY AND CONTRIBUTES TO GLOBAL WARMING! IF YOU SPAM, YOU KILL!N.B. I blocked 20 users in one hour for spamming my videos ^_^AND FINALLY, RANT NUMBER EIGHT: I'M SURPRISED THAT YOU ACUALLY BOTHERED TO READ UP TO HERE(HOPEFULLY)... I HAVE THREE WORDS... GET A LIFE!!!! Just kidding ;)Ok, so rant number eight wasn't the last one, I'm just about to add another rant:RANT NUMBER NINE: THESE ARE NOT MY KIDS!!! WILL YOU CHEEKY BUGGERS WHO SAY:anbu123naruto May 29, 2007how dare u leave your children on the floor like that STFU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!sorryNo, I'm not done ranting yet!RANT NUMBER 10: YOU DO NOT TYPE IN FORCETWINS TWICE IN THE CHEAT BOX TO GET QUADS! THAT IS A LIE! FORCETWINS GIVES YOU TWINS! USUALLY YOU WORK THAT OUT FROM THE NAME!RANT NUMBER 11 (BELIEVE IT OR NOT):TO THOSE OF YOU WHO CAN'T SPELL THE WORD "QUADRUPLETS" WHEN IT IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU.......You should be ASHAMED of yourself!Thank you to all those people who aren't complete nit-wits and actually bothered to message me their questions by reading the description before I had to change it to save the last bit of my sanity :)And I'm not sad and bored by writing these rants - I'm just trying to keep the meaning of the word sane in my head. :)

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Top Tips For Choosing The Right Hair Dryer

by: Michael Barrows


If you have been shopping for a new hair dryer lately, you were no doubt confronted with a wide range of choices. From inexpensive conventional hair dryers that cost about $10 to professional hair dryers that can cost ten times that much, there really is a large and confusing array of hair dryer options to choose from.

So, how can you sort through the many to find the perfect hair dryer for your particular needs and hair type? The answer lies in becoming familiar with the different types of hair dryers so that you can purchase the one that you really need and avoid the ones that are unnecessarily tricked out.

As mentioned earlier, the purchase of a new hair dryer can be quite inexpensive or very expensive depending on the hair dryer that you choose. While, choosing a hair dryer because it is dirt cheap is never a good option, you can cut your costs by choosing a hair dryer that has only the options that you will really use. In order to aid you in your quest, I have separated, according to cost, the different types of hair dryers that you will likely see on your next shopping trip.

" Inexpensive hair dryers ($5 - $20) can be found in almost any store. While inexpensive hair dryers may not cost a lot when you first purchase them, they can cost you a great deal when it comes to hair damage. Since most inexpensive hair dryers only come equipped with one temperature setting, you can literally blast your tresses to death with the unchecked heat from one of these babies. The only time an inexpensive hair dryer is a good idea is if you hardly ever use one, if your hair is extremely short or if you only use a hair dryer briefly to set your gel.

" Moderately expensive hair dryers ($20 - $50) come equipped with most of the settings that you will need for daily use of the hair dryer. Most feature multiple temperature settings and a cool blast button for drying brittle hair or for setting in curl. Most often this is the hair dryer that is perfect for everyone.

" Professional hair dryers ($50 - $100+) can only be purchased at a beauty supply store or through a professional catalogue. While these hair dryers are geared toward repeated use by professionals, they can be beneficial to use at home if you are willing to pay the price. Many of these hair dryers are ultra quiet and feature new drying technologies such as ionic energy to cut your hair drying time in half. They infuse moisture and only cause very minimal damage.

As with all thermal styling tools, hair dryers cause damage to the hair shaft. Incorrect or repeated, high-temperature use of a hair dryer can leave your hair looking dull and frizzy. To make sure that this does not happen to you, always keep the hair dryer 10" from your hair and point the stream of air down the hair shaft. Failure to do so can result in heat bubbles forming on the hair shaft or a blown cuticle, which causes dullness and frizz.

While the type of hair dryer that you purchase may have an impact on how much damage you get from using a hair dryer on your hair everyday, the main culprit of damage is misuse of the hair dryer. So, make sure that you have a good quality hair dryer and that you are using it properly. Your hair will thank you for it by remaining shiny and healthy for years to come.

Breast Cancer – Problem Faced By Women

by: Sharon Hopkins
There was a time when Breast Cancer was termed to be as a dreaded disease. But things have changed now. If detected earlier, this could be easily treated. Removal of your breast during the treatment of breast cancer can be one of the painful things you would have to go through. It may not be the same case for all patients. With the increasing knowledge about the cures and treatment breast cancer can be treated very easily.

Breast cancer occurs when cell in our breasts known as tumor grow out of control causing damage to the nearby tissues and spreads throughout. These tumors which are cancerous are known as malignant tumors and cause lot of damage to your body. As it takes lot of time for a tumor to grow, it may not be easy to detect the tumor during self exam. But these can be detected with mammograms.

Breast cancers best treatment - early detection. Once, cancer is detected it becomes easier for the doctors and yourself to fight it out. By the age of 20 all women should start doing Breast Self Examination (BSE) it is one of most easiest and earliest ways of detecting cancer. These check ups should be done few days after your periods. You should do this check up at least once a month. A clinical breast exam should be done at least once a year.

Some of the signs to look for, while doing BSE

-A lump found in and around the nipple or underarm
-Change in size or shape -Nipple discharge or nipple turning inward
-Redness of skin or warmth
-Formation of dimple or change in skin texture

Some of the causes of having breast cancer

Gender: Being a woman is one of the common reasons for suffering from breast cancer. Event though men suffer from this disease too, just being a woman puts you in lot of danger.

Age: As you grow older your chances of having breast cancer increases.

Family history: If somebody in the family has suffered from breast cancer your chances of having breast cancer increases.

Being overweight or obese: If you are an overweight women your chances of breast cancer increases after menopause.

Lack of exercise: Being lethargic and lack of any physical activity leads you towards increasing weight and chances of breast cancer

Alcohol: Drinking alcohol becomes very risky as it increases your chances of breast cancer

Methods to Prevent Breast Cancer

-Turn into a vegetarian
-Have plenty of organic food and vegetables
-Avoid red meat and any processed foods -Avoid alcohol and colas
-You can have something sweet by having Stevia, an herb which is a substitute to any other toxic artificial sweetener
-Having whole grains is very good such as Oatmeal, Kamut and Psyllium, which are a good source of fiber and enters directly into your bloodstream
-Your diet must include wheat, bran and Cabbage as they are very nutritious food which helps to prevent breast cancer -Garlic, Ginger, carrots, celery, cilantro, parsley and parsnip has some of the highest cancer fighting nutrients. Include them in your daily diet.

Jewelry Appraiser Services

by: Denny Reinke

Jewelry appraisers can provide valuable services to people who own diamonds and jewelry or are in the process of buying diamonds and jewelry.

First, the jewelry appraiser can identify your jewelry as to the material, quality, workmanship, condition and other characteristics that influence the item’s value. For example, diamonds that appear similar to the eye can vary in terms of color, clarity, cut, fluorescence, measurements and durability. These are all factors that uniquely identify one diamond from another and can cause the value of one stone to be more than double that of another even if they are identical to the unaided eye.

Second, the jewelry appraiser can estimate the value of the jewelry item. The definition of value can vary depending on the purpose of the appraisal. For example, an appraisal value could be quite different if the purpose is 1) selling the item, 2) purchasing an item from a retailer, 3) insuring the item after purchase, 4) settling an estate, 5) distributing property in a divorce, or as an expert witness in a lawsuit.

Third, the jewelry appraiser is a witness to the existence of the property. This is important in the process of filing an insurance claim for the loss of an item where proof might be required that the jewelry existed at a certain point in time and was in a certain condition. This is why an appraiser should insist on examining the jewelry item when updating an insurance appraisal.

Fourth, the jewelry appraiser can provide advice as to the durability, wearability, and repair of jewelry items. Jewelry made of metal and gemstones can vary greatly in their hardness, toughness, and resistance to heat or chemicals. Because the appraiser has professional training (i.e. Graduate Gemologist) and is not involved in the sale of the item, they can provide unbiased recommendations based on their experience.

When selecting a jewelry appraiser, understand why you are seeking the jewelry appraiser’s services so you can choose the best provider of those services. Professional jewelry appraisers set their fees based on an hourly rate or a per item basis, never as a percentage of appraised value. Appraisers who are efficient and highly computerized can often provide lower prices for services than those performing the same task but take twice as long to perform them.

Todays Lingerie - Just Not Women's Underwear

by: Wendy Yeager

The modern dictionarys definition for lingerie is womens underwear or linen articles, especially garments. Today our choices of lingerie are not so limited.

Some women think of lingerie as only sexy panties, sleepwear, teddies, bustiers, or thongs. Lingerie also includes bras, comfy panties, slips, camisoles, girdles, robes, nightshirts, pajamas, nylons and more.

Womens lingerie is made of many different fabrics including cotton, nylon, satin, silk, lace, etc. We can also choose from an array of colors from pastel pink and lavender to more bold red and black.

So, with all of the choices and styles in womens lingerie, any woman can find something to fit her taste. Whether your lingerie of choice is thong underwear and teddies or cotton briefs and nightshirts, youre sure to find lingerie for women that is both comfy and flattering.

What Would a Fashion Model's Diet Plan be

by: Mary Watson

Have you ever wondered how the so-called super models manage to get in such good shape and stay trim, even after having a family?

Fashion models depend on their slim figures for their livelihood, so it's imperative that they always look good. Don't worry, I'm not suggesting that you should embark on a diet of leaves and nuts. I'm not an advocate of the size zero, but I'm sure you'll find it interesting to know what sort of diet a fashion model would choose.

The Fashion Models Diet

Plan A favourite way for models to look good is to "Cleanse" or "Fast". This is not a complete starvation diet, as it will include the intake of soups and fruit juices over a 3 to7 day period. It is more of a detox routine and is gernerally only carried out once or twice a year.

The benefits of this detox is to obviously rid the body of harmful toxins, such as preservatives and food additives together with inhaled smoke and fumes. It also gives the colon a chance to rid the digestive system of any fecal build up. The results can be dramatic as the liver and kidneys are able to repair and replace damaged cells instead of continuing to rid the body of toxins.

A typical "Cleanse" diet might consist of a combination of fresh carrots, celery, beet, spinach, apple, coconut, broth and juices. Citrus and tomato juices are too acidic to drink while fasting so these should be avoided. It's important to drink plenty of water during the detox and avoid consuming any unnecessary medications or supplements.

The advantages of a detox are weight loss, reduced body odour, shinier finger nails, stronger hair, reduced cellulite, a glowing complexion and more beautiful eyes.

After the detox, the typical fashion model will then begin her normal eating habits, which to some people may appear to be a "real" diet. However, it will simply be a healthy balanced diet, which might typically consist of the following:

---Breakfast (9am) One boiled egg with a slice of wholewheat bread A bowl of cereal with skimmed milk Black coffee Total 369 calories ---Lunch (12.30pm) Turkey salad with balsamic vinaigrette Cup of tea with skimmed milk Total 320 calories ---Early Evening Snack (4.30pm) Low fat Jell-O pudding Total 100 calories

---Dinner (8pm) Lean Cuisine chicken a l'orange with rice 2 slices of low fat cheddar cheese with wholewheat crackers Total 448 calories

The total calorie intake for a typical day is 1237. The aim of the diet is to keep the daily calorie count below 1500.

This is a typical example of a fashion model's diet, which will also involve some form of aerobic exercises 3 times a week.

So, as you can see it's not at all what you might have originally thought. It's just a sensible eating plan and a sensible exercise routine. However, if even this diet seems a little too much to stomach, you could try a natural herbal diet remedy.

Here are the top 5 tips that fashion models highly recommend for staying in trim.

1. Decrease your alcohol consumption. Alcohol suppresses the body's ability to burn fat.

2. Eat more Black Pepper, Ginger, Chile Peppers. Spicy food helps speed up the body's metabolism.

3. Increase your muscle mass. Muscle burns fat, so adding 5lbs of muscle will help you burn another 250 calories a day. 3. Increase your vitamin B and Calcium intake. The B-Vitamins give you more energy and increase your metabolism.

4. Drink More Water. A healthy, well-hydrated body is important to flush out toxins and aid in metabolising fats

5. Increase your intake of Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Omega 3 fatty acids can help to balance blood sugar levels and control appetite.

Moving Beyond Your Divorce

by: Shelley Stile

There is no single more powerful stumbling block to moving beyond our divorce into a new life than the inability to accept our new reality. Acceptance is the hardest part of the divorce recovery process. Acceptance requires total honesty, courage and the willingness to let go of the life that we had...a life that no longer exists. Without that acceptance, we cannot move forward and create a new life. How does one learn acceptance? Although it takes time and a good deal of inner work, it can be done. Here is a step-by-step guide to move you towards acceptance:

1) It’s about you, not them. One of the most powerful lessons in life is the knowledge that we have control over one person and one person only…ourselves. If you are looking outside of yourself to move forward, you won’t. We can’t change anyone but ourselves. We have power over no one except ourselves. It is when we turn inward and do the work on ourselves that we will be able to effect dramatic and positive changes in our lives. Being a victim means giving away all control and power. If I blame someone else for my situation, then I am powerless to do anything about it as I have chosen to absolve myself of any responsibility. We can create changes that will make out lives better but not until we stop trying to change our ex or our current reality and we realize that it’s about us, not them.

2) Get support. If you think you can do this all by yourself you may be in for a big surprise. Research consistently shows that getting support in any challenging endeavor leads to more success. Whether you choose a divorce support group, a therapist, a member of the clergy or a Life Coach, just do it. If you are one of the those people who think that you have to handle life’s challenges on your own because somehow you equate support with weakness, get over it! Getting support is a sign of intelligence as far as I’m concerned as well as an indication that you really are serious about moving onward in life.

3) First, you must get through the initial stages of loss that includes denial, grief, anger, depression and whatever else you might be feeling early in the divorce process. These emotions are all natural and necessary states that we need to experience. They are the norm versus the exception. Each one of these feelings needs to be embraced and experienced fully. There must be an ending before a new beginning. There is a difference between fully experiencing an emotional stage and getting stuck in it. Beware excessive self-pity and real depression. Here is where support becomes important to your well-being and improvement.

4) Distinguish between facts and interpretations. I cannot stress the importance of this step enough. People get stuck when they cannot face the facts and prefer to believe that their personal interpretations are reality. You might be familiar with the exercise of the picture that has a hidden image within it. Ten people may come up with ten different interpretations of the picture. Some people will see the hidden image immediately and others will never see it until it is pointed out to them. Either way, the hidden picture exists. It is a fact. You may feel that you have been mentally abused and yet your partner may feel that you are the one that is abusive. He said, she said. Probably a counselor will see a totally different picture altogether. You know, there’s your side, his side and then the truth. Once you are truthful with yourself and can see the facts versus the drama or story of your divorce, you will be on your way to acceptance.

5) Be brutally honest and take responsibility for your marriage, divorce and life. Those of us who can be totally honest with ourselves will receive the gift of a deep awareness of who and what we are along with the ability to accept our lives as they are without looking to blame someone else. Being honest allows us to see things that hadn’t existed for us before. The truth will indeed set you free. By setting aside our egos, we can look at our life for what it actually is versus a story about our divorce. Once we have been honest and have embraced all the facts about our divorce, we are free to accept full responsibility for our lives. Responsibility is power and the freedom to choose what we want next in life. If we cannot take responsibility, we remain victims and victims absolve themselves of both their responsibility and therefore the power to control their own lives.

6) Learn the difference between what is and what you think should be. If we are living in a netherland of what we think should be, we are completely cut off from reality or ‘what is’. If you think that you should not have to be experiencing divorce, then you cannot accept what is…that you are indeed getting divorced. You live in a world of your own. We all create a list of should be’s that keep us stuck in the status quo: I should be happier, I should be getting more support, I shouldn’t have to work, and I should still be married. By concentrating on what we should be, we ignore what actually exists for us and remain stuck. I think we should live in a world where peace is the predominant ethic but we don’t live in that world. That’s a dream I have. By acknowledging the world as it truly exists, I can make choices as to how I will live my life and also how to address the problems that do exist.

7) Consider the emotional wounds that you brought to the marriage. Your ex may complain that you were not a warm person. I doubt that it was your marriage that created a cold person, if indeed that is what you are. We bring ourselves into our marriages and the parts of us that show up and create issues are the parts of us that we haven’t addressed yet. They are emotional wounds from somewhere in our past and they have a tendency to pop-up in our close relationships or when we are faced with challenging times. Now is your chance to address those wounds and heal them so that you do not repeat your so-called mistakes again. Use your divorce as a catalyst to go inside and heal yourself.

8) Release toxic emotions. Get rid of the debilitating toxic emotions that you are carrying around. Picture them as heavy baggage that keeps you stuck in your misery and produces a broken back. Anger, bitterness, hatred, resentment, rage…these are all toxic emotions that will harm you far more than your ex. You are the one who pays the price. You need to work through them and then release them because they will weigh you down for the rest of your life if you allow it. Once you have done the work of truth versus interpretations and what is versus what should be, you will find it much easier to give up your anger and resentment. They do not serve you and you are learning to give away anything that does not serve you well.

9) Learn forgiveness for yourself and your mate. You might not be able to practice forgiveness in the early stages of the journey to recovery but if you go through these other steps, you will be able to forigive your ex and more importantly, yourself. Forgiveness takes a big load off your shoulders. It releases energy that can be used for positive things. Forgiveness does not necessarily mean you condone bad behavior, it simply means you forgive. If we separate the person from the behavior it becomes easier to forgive. You know that just because you sometimes say mean things it does not mean you are a bad person. Just a lapse in judgment. We are not necessarily our behavior. We know all the subconscious motivations that exist within every individual. If we look at the inner child within a person, forgiveness is a given.

10) Make conscious decisions; utilize free choice. When you do the inner work of divorce recovery, you tend to attend to many things that have been left unresolved for years. You become more conscious of your actions and your choices. You become aware of the subconscious and how it can run your life. When you learn to observe the constant mind chatter that goes on inside your heads, you learn that the mind chatter is not us, its just chatter. Making conscious decisions based in free choice means that we are not letting our mind chatter, our past, our emotional wounds or our interpretations of reality run the show. We take control of our lives. Conscious living allows for incredible freedom and the ability to create extraordinary changes.

And your bonus tip:

11) Find the gifts of your divorce. Everything that occurs in our lives and everything that we are (warts and all) has a hidden gift. If you speak to someone who has survived divorce and has gone on to create a and vibrant life based upon their own passions and values, they will certainly tell you that their divorce was the best thing that happened to them. That may not be true for you but there is a gift waiting for you to find. My ex likes to say that he is responsible for my new career and to a certain extent he has played a part. Oftentimes it takes a good whack on the head to awaken us to life’s possibilities and our own happiness.

It’s the old adage: Every cloud has a silver lining. It is true. Search for the gifts of your divorce and it becomes yet another step toward a successful recovery from the trauma of divorce.

Successful divorce recovery takes inner work. Much like a flower, the work that has takes place underneath the surface of the ground, invisible to the human eye, is the crucial aspect. Without that subterranean work, there would be no flower. The reward of the flower is dependent upon the inner work of the seed and the root system. It is the same with humans. Do the inner work and you see the outer rewards