Category: Yoga

Many college and university students are able to remain covered by their parents’ health insurance policy, even after they have turned 18 and left the nest. This is because most health insurance policies still consider these individuals as being dependents of their parents because they are enrolled in a college or university. Do not be mistaken; you can not stay in school until you’re 40 and expect to still be covered by your parents’ health insurance policy. Each health insurance company has its own policy rules and regulations.

However, not every college or university student is covered by his or her parents’ health insurance policy and must seek health insurance elsewhere. Undoubtedly, obtaining low cost health insurance is the goal; luckily, it is a goal that can be achieved.

Below are three tips to help you get low cost student health insurance.

Decide on payment options. Before you even begin your search for low cost student health insurance, take a look at your budget, how much you will be able to afford, and how often you will be able to afford it. While paying monthly seems cheaper and easier, you can usually get discounts by paying semi-annually or annually. Plus, paying semi-annually or annually allows you time to save up, which means you will be ready to send the check when the time comes, rather than scraping to make ends meet each month.

Keep searching. Not every health insurance company offers low cost student health insurance in your state. In other words, you may find it difficult to find one. Don’t give up too soon; remember, there are other health insurance companies out there.

Do not limit your options. In the event that you just can not find a low cost student health insurance policy for students residing in your state, you may also want to apply for an individual and family health insurance policy, especially if you have dependents.

Finding low cost health insurance in New York is difficult enough if you are not employed, so it should not be too difficult task if you are employed, right? Wrong. Many employees of small businesses in New York are not offered low cost health insurance through their employers. This is not beneficial to the employers or the employees, since many people choose their jobs based somewhat on the benefits they will receive.

If you live in New York and work for a business whose owner thinks it is “too small” to offer health insurance, you may be in luck. In 2000, the governor of New York proposed to a comprehensive insurance coverage plan to be made available to New York employees and their families if they do not have health insurance. The New York Legislature ratified the proposal, and the program became known as Healthy NY.

According to Healthy NY, a “small business” is one that has 50 or fewer employees. When a small business has this number of employees, the business feels as if it can not afford to offer low cost health insurance to its employees; however, thanks to Healthy NY, all small businesses can take advantage of offering low cost health insurance to its employees.

The even better news is that you do not have to be an employee of a small business to purchase low cost health insurance through Healthy NY. Sole proprietors may also purchase low cost health insurance through Healthy NY.

If you work for a small business in New York that does not offer health insurance because it feels as if it can not afford to, talk to your employer about Healthy NY. Not only with Healthy NY benefit the employees of the business, but being able to offer low cost health insurance to employees will also help your employer because he or she will be able to attract and retain quality employees.

Once you have decided to buy a puppy for your home, you always think of buying a puppy of good quality from a reputable breeder. As we all want to have he best in our home.

You can easily find the pet at your nearer pet store or can find the advertisement in newspapers or one can surf the internet and find the best pet, as number of sites are available which only deals with the puppy. This is not the first place you should look! Buying for a reputed breeder is the best to find your puppy.

Most pet stores deals in a large numbers of breed’s puppy you have to make a decision which one is you looking for which will you prefer to take at home. Before you decide to buy the puppy of your choice make sure to check the puppy is in good health because the pet stores have a very large quantity of different breeds pet so many times it happens that there is no quality in them.

The same is pretty much true with the local newspaper advertisements where “backyard breeder” add you will find. Most of these peoples are not out off make profit they just careless and misguides you, of course there is always the profit motive behind everything.

Before you decide to buy a puppy it’s always better to have a good and proper knowledge about different breed’s puppy so that no one can cheat you in any sense. When you buy from a good breeder you can almost always plan on adding to new friends to your life in addiction to the puppy which you have purchased.

Anna Josephs is a freelance journalist having experience of many years writing articles and news releases on various topics such as pet health, automobile and social issues. She also has great interest in poetry and paintings, hence she likes to write on these subjects as well. Currently writing for this website Pet Health. For more details please contact at annajosephs@gmail.com

Wisconsin is to be commended for its efforts to provide affordable health insurance to those low income individuals who otherwise would not be able to afford health insurance in Wisconsin. Like several states, Wisconsin has developed a program to assist its low income residents in obtaining the health care they need, even though they can not afford to purchase any kind of health insurance policy. This program is called BadgerCare, and it provides a broad health benefits package to families who can not find affordable health insurance in Wisconsin.

Also similar to other states, Wisconsin has set criteria for becoming eligible for the BadgerCare program. Those criteria are as follows:

• Each family wishing to participate in the BadgerCare program must have at least one child under the age of 19 residing in the home.

• Each family wishing to participate in the BadgerCare program must meet the income requirements, i.e., the family can not bring in more income than what is set in the income guidelines.

• Each family wishing to participate in the BadgerCare program can not be covered under any other health insurance policy.

Although BadgerCare provides free health care to some families, other families may have to pay a low premium based on the families’ income; even if you must pay a premium, it will be low since it’s based on your income. The BadgerCare program is an excellent way to obtain affordable health insurance in Wisconsin when all other options seem exhausted.

You can find more information about the BadgerCare program in several different ways. Contact the State of Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance to request more information about the BadgerCare program, or check out the Web site to read about it. You can also obtain information about the BadgerCare program by contacting your local Certifying Tribal Agency or social or human services department. Want to get right to the point? Call 800-363-3002.

The best way to find affordable, low cost health insurance is to have an employer-sponsored group health insurance plan. Group health insurance plans are the most affordable, low cost health insurance plans out there, aside from state-sponsored health insurance plans. If you can obtain a group health insurance plan from your employer, you will pay even less for your health insurance than you would if you purchased a group health insurance plan on your own.

Most employers have certain requirements an employee must meet before he or she can be a part of the employer-sponsored group health insurance plan. These requirements range from the number of hours the employee works, to the employee’s status, i.e., whether the employee works full-time or part-time. Employers sometimes have time requirements as well. This means the employee must be with the company for a certain amount of time before he or she is considered eligible for the employer-sponsored group health insurance plan.

Employer-sponsored group health insurance plans are usually the most affordable, low cost health insurance plans for a variety of reasons. If you have an employer-sponsored group health insurance plan, the health insurance premiums are either divided between you and your employer, or paid completely by your employer. This means one of two things:

•You are only required to pay half of the health insurance premiums plus a low cost co-payment.

•You are only required to pay an affordable co-payment.

Employer-sponsored group health insurance plans become even more affordable and low cost when you factor in your spouse and children. Rather than purchase individual health insurance policies for each of your family members, or pay out-of-pocket for health care costs, you can add your spouse and your children to your employer-sponsored group health insurance plan.

Find out if your employer offers a group health insurance plan, and ask how you can enroll in the affordable, low cost health insurance plan today.

To find out just what kind of financial shape you’re in, answer the questions in the following Financial Fitness Checklist.1 If you’re married, print this out and take it home so that you and your spouse can work together to answer the questions. Make a note of how many questions you answer yes to.

1. Are you using more and more of your income to pay your debts?
2. Do you make only the minimum payments due on your loans and credit cards each month?
3. Are you near, at, or over the credit limit on your credit cards?
4. Are you paying your bills with money intended for other things?
5. Are you borrowing money or using credit cards to pay for things you used to buy with cash?
6. Do you often pay your bills late?
7. Are you dipping into your savings to pay current bills?
8. Do you put off visits to the doctor or dentist because you can’t afford them?
9. Has a collection agency called recently about overdue bills?
10. Are you working overtime or holding a second job to make ends meet?
11. If you or your spouse lost your job, would you be in financial trouble right away?
12. Do you worry about money a lot?

If you answered “no” to all questions on the Financial Fitness Checklist, you’re the picture of financial health.

One or two “yes” answers, while not necessarily a sign of impending doom, can be a warning sign of potential problems. Before things get any worse, take time now to draw up a realistic budget (including a savings plan) or to revise your spending plan. Cut back on your use of credit cards, and watch closely for other signs of financial trouble.

Three to five “yes” answers could mean that you’re heading for financial trouble. It’s imperative that you get your spending under control right away. If you don’t have a monthly budget, draw one up and follow it. Put away your credit cards and cut out all unnecessary spending until you can answer “no” to all the questions on the Financial Fitness Checklist.

If you answered “yes” to more than five of the questions on the Financial Fitness Checklist, you may already be in serious financial trouble. But don’t despair. Financial counseling can start you on the road to financial recovery.

Understanding California Health Plans

This may be the best explanation you ever get in order to understand the many options available to you for California health insurance. This is just a simplified view of the plans so make sure to look at the details of any prospective plan. At the end of the article, we will discuss the various plans that differ from this simplification but this break-down will help with 80% of the plans on the market. Now…

California health insurance plans break down into three main categories.

1. Office consultation. With most health insurance plans, you will have a copay or co-insurance to pay for office consultations. The copay or co-insurance are typically not subject to the main deductible of the plan. A copay is a fixed amount such as $30 for an office visit. Co-insurance is a fixed percentage such as 30% for an office visit. An example of co-insurance would be:

Office Visit: $100 charge
Negotiated rate: $ 60 charge
Co-insurance: 30%

In this case, the subscriber would pay 30% of the negotiated rate of $60 for a total of $18. The negotiated rate is the charge that an in-network doctor or provider has agreed to in order to participate in that network. This usually applies to PPO type plans.

The office copay or co-insurance is only for the consultation itself. If the doctor runs labs, performs procedures, or does other services in addition to the consultation, these charges are handled in the third section and will be in addition to the copay or co-insurance.

The office consultation is one of the key items when looking at your California health insurance quote for Individual Family or Small Group insurance. You will typically see “$25” or “30%” in the results.

A quick note. With HSA qualified high deductible plans, the office visit consultation is subject to the main deductible. This means you must meet the deductible before you get a copay or co-insurance benefit. You will get negotiated rates for seeing an in-network provider even if the benefit is subject to the deductible. For example, in the case above, you would pay the $60 as part of your deductible. Some plans do not cover office visits at all. They tend to be the least expensive hospital or catastrophic coverage plans.

2. Prescription coverage and California health insurance. With most plans, prescription coverage is broken out separately from the main deductible in the form of copays. Almost all plans on the market today distinguish between Generic and Brand name.

Insurance companies have a Formulary, or list of drugs they deem to be effective and cost-effective.

The lower-priced drugs are Generic and typically you have a smaller copay (around $10 on average) which is not subject to any deductible.

Brand formulary drugs are more expensive and tend to be the patented drugs that are heavily advertised and marketed. Essentially, they are newer drugs. Usually, these drugs are handled with a higher copay (average around $30) after a separate brand name deductible is met. This deductible tends to run $250-750 annually (per member) for individual family California health insurance and $150-250 for California Small Group health coverage. The deductible is usually per person (in a family policy) and it resets January 1st regardless of when the plan starts. One you pay the brand drug cost up to the deductible amount, following brand formulary drugs will just require a copay ($30 for example).

There is sometimes a 3rd category call Brand Non-Formulary. This essentially means the drug is very expensive and there are less expensive alternatives. With most plans, you will have to pay a percentage of the cost so there can be quite a bit more out-of-pocket with Brand Non-Formulary.

You can reduce your cost by asking your doctor if there a Generic equivalent. Some plans do not cover Brand drugs at all so double check this as the trend towards very expensive medications (10’s of thousands of dollars) for more exotic conditions.

3. Pretty much everything else. Most other coverage benefits (labs, x-rays, emergency, surgery, hospital) are typically subject to the main deductible. This is another item listed when you request your California health quote. The average deductible amounts run from no deductible up to $5000 on average. The deductible is typically per person (usually up to two people a family) and it resets January 1st as well. When you see “2 member max”, this means that if two people meet their deductible in a calendar year, the other family members do not need to.

One note…HSA Health Savings Account plan deductibles are cumulative. This means that the family deductible (for two or more people on one policy) is not met for any individual on the policy until the family deductible is met. For example, if the individual deductible is $2400 and the family deductible is $4800, one individual on the family plan would not meet the deductible till the $4800 was met. Other family members would have their deductible satisfied as well. Essentially, all individuals on the family plan are working towards one $4800 deductible.

Once you meet the deductible you either go into a co-insurance sharing percentage or the carrier takes over 100%. For example, if your deductible $2500, and the co-insurance percentage is 30%, with a max out of pocket of $7500. Let’s say you have an $80,000 hospital charge (in-network for covered benefits). You would pay the first $2500, then you would pay 30% until you hit another $5000 out of pocket. Essentially, you will pay $7500 (max out of pocket) and the carrier will pay the $72,500. With some plans, the max out of pocket is in addition to the deductible. The Deductible and Out of Pocket Max are two other important items listed when you get your health insurance quote.

With the Office Visit, Prescription Coverage, Main deductible and Max out of Pocket, you now can read the health quote results with confidence.

Whenever we get too busy or stressed, we all tend
to make poor food choices that will actually
increase stress and cause other problems. To get
the most of your healthy eating and avoid stress,
follow these simple tips.

Always eat breakfast
Even though you may think you aren’t hungry,
you need to eat something. Skipping breakfast
makes it harder to maintain the proper blood and
sugar levels during the day, so you should always
eat something.

Carry a snack
Keeping some protein rich snacks in your car,
office, or pocket book will help you avoid blood
sugar level dips, the accompanying mood swings, and
the fatigue. Trail mix, granola bars, and energy
bars all have the nutrients you need.

Healthy munchies
If you like to munch when you’re stressed out,
you can replace chips or other non healthy foods
with carrot sticks, celery sticks, or even
sunflower seeds.

Bring your lunch
Although a lot of people prefer to eat fast food
for lunch, you can save a lot of money and actually
eat healthier if you take a few minutes and pack
a lunch at home. Even if you only do this a few
times a week, you’ll see a much better improvement
over eating out.

Stock your home
As important as it is to get the bad food out of
your house, it’s even more important to get the good
food in! The best way to do this is to plan a menu
of healthy meals at snacks at the beginning of the
week, list the ingedients you need, then go shop
for it. This way, you’ll know what you want when
you need it and you won’t have to stress over what
to eat.

Being over weight will hurt you if you let it and do not do something about it. It is not good to be over weight, obesity can cause your body harm.

What are something that can happen to me if am overweight?
If you are over weight there is many things that can happen to you. Obesity is responsible for heart attacks. Obesity is behind sleep apnea, strokes, diabetes and so on. When a person is overweight, they often hurt all the time. Sometimes it makes it difficult to breath. Obesity causes the heart to work harder. You may have a hard time walking across the floor. Obesity can make you feel depressed and not want to go anywhere or do anything. Being over weight is bad on your health.

What can I do to help myself?
You have several options, yet the first is to gain willpower to take control of your body. The next step is to start eating the right foods, getting some exercise and so on. If you can exercise like you want to that is great, take it slow and do a little at a time. Do not overdo it. If you over work your body, the body will let you know. Obesity prevents many from staying active. A persons emotions and mental state is affected by obesity, since you start thinking I don’t want to do anything. You have to do something. Get out of the house and take in a movie. Perhaps you could visit some friends that you haven’t seen in awhile. The more active you are, you will start feeling better about you and maybe you will lose some weight. You need to go see your family doctor to see if its ok to do this before you start. Your family doctor may give you a diet to go by and maybe recommend the exercises that will benefit you.

What should I eat?
I cannot tell you what to eat. I can however give you a few pointers. Instead of frying your food, bake it. Baking meats, veggies, etc will help cutback grease. Baking will help drain the fat out of the food rather than if you fried the food. Fried foods mean fat, fat, fat and can harm your heart. Eat three times a day breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Eat plenty of raw vegetables, and salads. If you enjoy chocolates or sweets, find substitutes. Yogurts may offer you a new taste as well as reduce your risks, especially if you choose the fat-free groups. Try to stay away from fast foods. Fast food has obesity written all over its menu. Heart attacks follow. If you enjoy dining out, then find family owned restaurants, since the family will serve you healthier dishes. When you sit down to eat at home, avoid eating in front of the television. You should avoid seconds as well.

Being over weight is hard on you both mentally and physical. If you have, will power then try to lose weight? Start out by taking it slow. Don’t go hog wild since it will only make your heart race. You need to learn your limits to help you lose weight and take control of your health. If you find it still too hard to lose weight then maybe you should see if there is a local support group around so that you can join it and get the support that you need. You might want to stay away from people that do not give you support. You will need lifted up not let down.

Too much cholesterol causes many medical problems for one. Cholesterol is something that clogs the arteries in your heart. In addition, cholesterol when out of control could cause massive heart attacks, or series of strokes.

What can I do about my cholesterol?
If your body has too much cholesterol, it isn’t good for you. You have the power within you however to take control. Failing to take control only leads to problems. The problems will accumulate; wear you down until finally abnormal aging takes your life. You can gain control by exercising each day and eating the right foods. Visiting your doctor regularly is another way to work toward healthy aging. Your family doctor will give you medication to take to help lower your cholesterol.

When you have high cholesterol, you have to eat right and exercise daily. To lower your cholesterol take action now. It will take some time to get your cholesterol at bay, but it will happen if you take action now. You also want to take time out for self, activities, socializing etc to keep your cholesterol at bay. When cholesterol is out of control, the cause comes to focus, which is arteriosclerosis. If you lower your cholesterol by taking action now you can avoid strokes, heart attacks, and even death. Learn more about statins to control cholesterol. You can also avoid smoking to lower your cholesterol. In addition, you can lower your risks of diabetes, heart attack, and obesity and so on by controlling your cholesterol.

Keep in mind that high cholesterol problems include the worst case scenario and the not so bad. The worst type is the LDL. HDL cholesterol at higher levels is a good thing. If these levels combined with triglycerides increase, thus your chances of stroke or heart attacks are high.

What kind of foods has cholesterol?
There is cholesterol in all foods in less it has cholesterol free on the package. Some food has more in it then others. Like your cooking oils and grease has a lot of cholesterol in it, some of your bread has cholesterol. Eggs are very high cholesterol foods and so are your butters. You have to read the back of the packages to determine the level of cholesterol.

What can happen to me if my cholesterol is high?
The only way that you can tell if your cholesterol is high is to go to your family doctor and get a blood test. If you go to your family doctor like your suppose to you will have it checked in the blood they draw. However, some of the things that can happen to you if its high is that your arteries will harden. This means your body is building fats and too much cholesterol. The normal or average reading should be 140 or 130 over 200 mg/dl. If you can maintain this level, you will be ok.

If the cholesterol gets out of hand, it hardens the arteries. This means the blood will not flow through to the heart, making it to pump naturally. The heart will pump at unnatural rates, working harder to keep you alive.
High diastolic is high cholesterol that increases risks of heart attacks, since your heart doesn’t get any blood to it due to clotting or breaking of blood vessels, then there is stroke which is when the brain don’t get enough blood due to oxygen decrease to it because of clotting or broken blood vessels. High-cholesterol puts you at risk of diabetes also, since it affects the hemoglobin. To learn more, visit your doctor.

What is fiber? Fiber is the indigestible part of plant foods. They are usually the walls of the plant cells, skins and seeds. Due to refining of foods much of the fiber has been lost in our diets causing digestive problems and overall poor health.

How does fiber help your digestive tract? It absorbs water when it moves through the digestive tract and forms bulk in the intestines. This will soften stool and help food move faster through the digestive system.

List of common foods that contain fiber:

Brussels Sprouts, 2 grams
Broccoli, 4-5 grams
Bread, 4-7 grams – 2 slices whole wheat, pumpernickel, seven-grain
Carrots, 3-4 grams
Bran Cereals, 5-10 grams – All-Bran, Bran Buds, 100% Bran, Raisin Bran
Beans, 6-10 grams – baked beans, black beans, great northern beans, kidney beans, garbanzos, pinto beans, white beans
Berries, 4-5 grams – blackberries, raspberries
Sweet Corn, 5 grams
Beans
Peas, 7-9 grams – black-eyed peas, green peas
Greens, 4-6 grams – beet greens, collards, kale, spinach, turnip greens
Bananas, 3 grams – medium 8″ long
Dried Figs, 10 grams – 3 figs
Fruit, 4 grams – medium apple, medium pear

According to the American Dietetic Association a healthy adult needs 20g-35g of fiber per day. However the average person is only consuming 14-15 grams. This is leading to digestive problems and contributing to the growing problem of obesity. Research is uncovering proof that fiber is helpful in prevention and relief from a variety of serious diseases.

Easy ways to increase fiber:

Eating brown whole wheat bread instead of refined white bread
Including more lentils, fruits and vegetables in your diet (see above list for some of these)
Eating brown rice instead of refined white rice
Eating bran cereal or granola cereal for breakfast

When you increase fiber in your diet you will experience some bloating and gas problems at first. However these will all subside in a matter of weeks as your body gets used to your new improved diet.

Food supplements for fiber: Because it is often quite hard to include the amount of fiber we need in our diets supplements can sometimes be taken to increase fiber and for treatment of certain conditions. These will all help digestive disorders.

Psyllium husk- is a common supplement (Metamucil)
Methylcellulose-made naturally from the cell walls of plants (Celvic, Celevac)
Polycarbophil-is based on plant sources- This may cause less bloating than Psyllium husk (Fibercon, Equalactin) This is often used when treating digestive disorders

Vegetable gums: A new form of fiber supplement is Vegetable gums- guar gum (brand name Benefiber) or acacia (brand name Heather’s Tummy Fiber).

Increasing fiber in your diet will help your digestive system function better. This will result in lowering cholesterol and improving your overall health. With improved health you will be able to feel better, look better, think better and enjoy your life to the full.

Fiber dense foods are widely available today and recommended by most health experts for a better and more desirable lifestyle. It is essential that you maintain a healthy lifestyle to enjoy your later years and evade any health problems that may be on the horizon in the future. Prevention is better than cure and fiber dense foods can certainly contribute to your active prevention plans. Too many people eat junk food and expect to burn it off. Even if you are adept at losing weight, a burger or chocolate bar will not help you to pass waste through your system. Indeed, they often make up a percentage of the waste that will clog your system in the first place.

The digestive system needs an injection of fiber dense foods in order to work properly. You should get a good dose every day because it helps to remove waste from the body via your system more quickly and effectively. Without fiber, you system would soon become blocked because it would not be able to eliminate waste. With fiber dense foods, the nutrients will be absorbed into the body but the excess products can be excreted properly. For more info see http://www.i-highfiberdiet.com/ on Fiber Diet.

Fiber Dense Food: What You Should Eat

There are many products that are considered to be fiber dense foods, and they are not as uncommon as you think. Neither are they dull and boring, but they do taste great! You can identify fiber dense products in supermarkets by looking at the labelling that has to legally be placed on foods these days. You can compare the fiber value of different products as some foods have less fiber than others. More fiber dense foods are whole grain breads, bran cereals and fruits and vegetables. However, you would also have to look at fiber dense foods to make sure that they have lower calorie values because some of them actually have hidden calories to give a product more taste and this could lead to weight gain.

You can choose almost any fruit or vegetable to eat and find that it was a fiber dense food. All fruit and vegetables are completely natural products and so have no unnatural or harmful characteristics. Green vegetables especially are considered fiber dense foods. Having just one portion a day can really aid the mechanics of your system. Incorporating fiber dense foods into your diet will help you to avoid health problems later on in life. You should therefore investigate the options that are out there for you if you value your health and well being.

According to recent surveys, around 35% of the female population is suffering from insomnia and disturbed sleep. Night sweating, headaches, fatigue, tiredness are slowly becoming a daily feature of a woman’s life. Are you one of them, who have started loosing their sound sleep and is lying awake even longer than before? If this type of sleeping disorder persists, then it’s time you should consult your doctor.

Your body needs around 6 to 7 hors of sleep daily. But some people can do without it too! Some woman sleep for just 4 to 5 hours and stay healthy, while some may take 10 hours daily to counter the same level of stress. Well, the actual amount of sleep is an individual matter. A sleep deficit of only a few hours can result in irritability, fatigue, trouble with concentration, and our ability to stay alert. Additionally, insomnia is usually a symptom of an underlying problem, such as a psychological or physiological reason, diet, or it may be due to a sedentary lifestyle.

Here are some key points that a woman must take to ensure proper sleep patterns:

1. Avoid going to bed either too hungry or too full.

2. Stop smoking, caffeine, alcohol and other similar drugs.

3. Keep regular patterns of sleep and rest during day as well as night, so it does not disturbs your biological clock.

4. Make arrangements for a good comfortable pillow and mattresses. Keep the environment of your room neat & clean.

5. Make exercise a part of your daily routine. Being fit helps make you resistant to stresses that can work to keep you awake at night and research shows that when people are active, they tend to rest better.

Incomplete sleep patterns can be very frustrating for women at times leading to depression of moods and depreciation of health. What makes this all so bad is that many forms of depression are natural, normal and temporary.. Likewise they can be relieved through safe, gradual methods using your body’s natural mechanisms.

As with other symptoms of imbalance, depression is your body’s way of sending you a signal that something is awry. Some advice to take antidepressants in this case, but it is not that advisable. Because they don’t address the underlying problem; they drown it. Therefore the best solution to all these insomnia problems is maintaining a good diet and a healthy routine.

While it is often hard to tell your Pit Bull no when he begs for your food, you should be strong and do so. Feeding your Pit Bull table scraps is a bad idea for several reasons. The obvious reason is that you will be encouraging him to beg at the dinner table, you will be feeding him an unhealthy diet which can lead to health problems, and also teaching him that it is okay to eat whatever he may want.

If you give in when your Pit Bull begs for your food, especially if you are at the table, he will think that behavior is okay, and will associate it with getting what he wants, table food. Giving in will help reinforce bad behavior. It may be okay with you that he begs while you eat, but can be very annoying if you ever have dinner guests over.

Feeding your Pit Bull table food also can contribute to many serious health problems. The food we eat is often considerably higher in calories than what he needs to meet his nutritional requirements, therefore leading him to be overweight. Studies show that over half of today’s pets are considerably obese. Obesity often causes the same health problems in animals as in humans. Table scraps are usually low in vitamins and nutrients, and can overload your Pit Bull’s system with fat causing stomach and digestion problems. Many foods that we eat contain toxins that are safe for us, but can be detrimental to your Pit Bull’s cardiovascular system. If you still intend to feed your Pit Bull table scraps, consult your veterinarian so he can let you know what foods to stay away from. You will always be safer only feeding him dog food and treats, as these are formulated specifically for him with all of nutritional requirements in mind.

By allowing your Pit Bull to eat food other than dog food, you are encouraging him that it is okay to eat whatever he wants. This can be deadly if he were to come into contact with antifreeze, deadly household chemicals and poisons, or many toxic plants. He doesn’t know these things are bad for him, just that he wants to eat them. As you let him explore other foods, he will want to taste everything he comes into contact with.

To ensure your Pit Bull’s health, you should really only feed him food that is intended for dogs. Again, you talk to your veterinarian, but to me, it is too risky. Your Pit Bull’s health should be the number one priority, and just like children, he doesn’t know what is best for him, you have to make those decisions.

A healthy puppy should be clear-eyed, somewhat roly-poly, loose-skinned, free from any skin trouble, hungry for its meals, and lively. It should not be timid or shy.

If the puppy seems warm or sleepy most of the time, ask one of your parents to take its temperature. A dog’s temperature normally is between 38 and 39 degrees Celsius. If its temperature rises above 39 degrees, call your veterinarian.

When you buy your puppy, ask what shots it has received and when it got them. If it has not received shots to prevent distemper, infectious hepatitis, leptospirosis, and rabies. take it immediately to a veterinarian to have them. Then get yearly boosters.You should also find out whether your puppy has been wormed. Most puppies have worms at some time.

For the first few days, you should feed your puppy the same diet as the owners did. If you wish to change the diet, do so gradually. Each day, feed a little of the new food mixed with the old.

Puppies 6 to 10 weeks old maybe fed 4 times a day. From 10 weeks to 6 months, 3 times a day should be enough. After 6 months, twice daily will serve. And after 1 year, once a day—plus a biscuit for breakfast—is ample.

Meat should be the main part of your dog’s diet. Fresh, canned, or frozen beef or horsemeat are good choices. It is not necessary to cook the meat, but it should be served at room temperature. With the meat, mix a dog meal or kibbled biscuit soaked in hot water, soup, or milk. You can get the meal or biscuit in the supermarket, feed store, or pet shop. Puppies need vitamins and minerals, and your veterinarian can give you vitamin tablets that your dog will enjoy chewing.

Other foods you may safely give your dog are well-cooked chicken, lamb, beef hearts, liver, and leafy vegetables. Hard biscuits of the right size for the dog’s mouth and dog candy will be appreciated too. A little cooked rice or dry toast may help the dog in illness or when it is recovering.

A puppy loses its baby teeth when it is between 4 and 5 months. It will be grateful for beef hide or rawhide strips to chew. You can buy them at supermarkets and pet shops. These strips are also very helpful in keeping the puppy from chewing your shoes and the furniture. Pet shops and markets also carry special hard marrow bones that help in teething and in keeping the new teeth clean and healthy.

Leave a bowl of water so that your dog can have a drink at any time—but remove the supply of water at 5 or 6 PM when you’re housebreaking a puppy. This will help the puppy go through the night without mistake.

If you ask most adults why they don’t get the vitamins they need as part of their daily food intake, they’ll likely tell you that they just don’t have the time to eat like they should. It’s true that eating right does take some time and effort, but it’s also true that you can develop and maintain healthier eating habits without any drastic changes. Take a look at some facts and some alterations that can make a big difference in how you eat, and how you feel about what you eat.

Think the only healthy food is food that’s served on a plate that you eat with a fork? The truth is that many foods that are very rich in vitamins that your body needs everyday are available for your consumption on the go. And with some minor changes, even your fast foods can be healthy choices when you’re considering vitamins.

A cheeseburger from your favorite fast food place doesn’t have to be something you only indulge in now and then. While there are some other issues to consider (the amount of grease and salt, for example), a cheeseburger can provide you with many of the vitamins you need. A regular cheeseburger with a double patty gives you about 30 percent of your body’s B12 needs for the day and the dill pickles are a source of Vitamin K.

Instead of ordering French Fries to go with your burger, choose a salad. That doesn’t mean that you have to stop what you’re doing and sit down to eat the salad. Pile those veggies on the burger! The tomatoes are a source of Vitamin C, and the lettuce and mayonnaise has Vitamin K. Add it all up and a cheeseburger isn’t a bad choice when you’re trying to get the daily requirement of some necessary vitamins. Even a fast food taco can be a good source of Vitamin B12.

Sandwiches are generally not associated with healthy eating, but the same “cheeseburger rule” applies to any sandwich. Pile on the jalapeno or bell peppers for Vitamin C. Oils are also a good source of vitamins. Sunflower oil is very high in Vitamin E, for example.

Many foods that aren’t naturally high in vitamin content are fortified with vitamins. Most dairy products are fortified with Vitamin D. Taking just the time for a bowl of vitamin-fortified cereal in the morning can provide you with all the vitamins you need for the entire day. The next time you’re ready to dismiss a particular food as just empty calories, take a minute to evaluate what you’re really eating. You may be surprised to find the vitamin content is higher than you thought, or you may find that some simple changes can rectify the vitamin-poor choices.

Fast food can be healthy food if you know where to look. And the easiest place to find healthy fast food is in your kitchen.

The new “Pillsbury GOOD FOR YOU!” cookbook can help families with the daily challenge of making fast, healthy and flavorful dinners despite today’s busy schedules. The book features 170 healthy, delicious recipes that contain less fat, sugar and salt than regular recipes. All can be prepared in 35 minutes or less, with more than half of the recipes taking 20 minutes or less. Here’s a tasty “Super Express” sample:

Spicy Chinese Chicken Tacos

Start to Finish: 20 Minutes

1 box (4.6 oz) taco shells (12 shells)

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts (3/4 lb), cut into thin, bite-size strips

1 teaspoon grated gingerroot

1 small clove garlic, minced

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon honey

1 large green onion, sliced

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

11/2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce

1. If desired, heat taco shells as directed on box.

2. Heat large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, gingerroot and garlic; cook 3 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until lightly browned.

3. Stir in soy sauce, honey, onion and pepper flakes to coat. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is no longer pink in center.

4. To serve, place scant 1/4 cup chicken mixture in each taco shell. Top each with lettuce. Serve immediately.

6 servings (2 tacos each)

Serving Size: 1 Serving

Calories: 180, Calories from Fat: 60% DV, Total Fat 7g, Saturated Fat 1g, Trans Fat 1.5g, Cholesterol 35mg, Sodium 260mg, Total Carbohydrate 18g, Dietary Fiber 2g, Sugars 4g, Protein 14g, Vitamin A 4%, Vitamin C 0%, Calcium 4%, Iron 6%, Exchanges: 1 Starch, 11/2 Very Lean Meat, 1 Fat; Carbohydrate Choices: 1

Besides delicious recipes, the cookbook also contains quick tips for better nutrition, on-the-go dinner ideas, easy-to-assemble fruit desserts and a pantry makeover. Look for it wherever books are sold.

Some fruits that are common in other parts of the world are quickly becoming the apple of many Americans’ eyes.

For instance, one of the hottest new fruit discoveries is acai, pronounced AH-sci-EE. It’s the deep purple fruit of a palm tree that people in Brazil have been eating for centuries. The ABC news program “Good Morning America” included acai juice on its list, “Then vs. Now: The Next Big Things for 2006.”

Acai has an exotic taste some describe as a mix between blueberries and red grapes. While whole acai berries can not be purchased in the United States because they are too fragile for shipping, their juice is available nationwide.

Healthful Benefits

The wild acai berry and its juice have a high concentration of antioxidants that help keep our bodies healthy. Antioxidants are substances found in plants that protect us by neutralizing free radicals, which can damage the body and lead to poor health.

Our bodies naturally produce free radicals, but environmental factors such as cigarette smoke, air pollution and stress can increase the body’s free radical count even further. These highly reactive chemicals can damage healthy body tissue and have been linked to changes that can lead to premature aging and even cancer, heart disease and stroke. Antioxidants clean up free radicals and help prevent them from doing harm.

Many substances in fruits and vegetables act as antioxidants. That’s just one reason why eating a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables every day is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Acai in particular contains vitamins A, C and E as well as more than 50 other types of antioxidants, including anthocyanin-the powerful antioxidant also found in red wine and blueberries.

A company called Bossa Nova manufactures a line of pure acai juices made with wild harvested acai berries and lightly sweetened with organic agave nectar, a natural sweetener. The company devoted five years to researching ways to maximize the total antioxidant value of acai juice before releasing its products on the market. The juice is available in the refrigerated section of grocery stores like Krogers, Shaws, Wild Oats, and Whole Foods Market, as well as at specialty and gourmet stores.

Note to Editors: Eighty-sixth in a series of columns by Elizabeth Pivonka, Ph.D., R.D., president and CEO of Produce for Better Health Foundation. More stories at www.napsnet.com. Search: “Pivonka.”

We have a routine in my house. No one is aloud to pack on the pounds. Now, you may be thinking this is oppressive and cruel, but I assure you it’s not. My wife and I decided long ago not to let our children and ourselves adopt poor eating habits and become overweight. So far so good. I am proud to say that my seven year old daughter loves fruit and vegetables. I know that we did a good job when she chooses grapes over chocolate. It’s all about what you get used to. Furthermore, a decent family fitness regime is also wonderful, and we’ve been sticking to one for years. At this point I can’t imagine life without it.

It’s wise to have a plan. Not just any plan, but a health plan. One that involves a healthy diet and exercise. If you have a spouse and children, then I highly recommend a family fitness program. This way everyone will get involved. The great thing about doing these routines together is the support aspect. You can each offer one another your support and make certain everyone is getting their regular exercise in. Also, you can keep an eye on what each of you are consuming regularly. I have found that the best way to avoid junk food is to not bring it into the house. Make sense? It may sound a bit simple as far as solutions go, but I assure you it works. You won’t eat it if it’s not there. On the other hand, if there is a bag of chips or box of chocolates in your house, you will eat it. You’ll get the sudden urge and you’ll give in. Obliterate the temptation. Keep healthy snack foods around instead. Then this is what you’ll end up eating. So much revolves around convenience.

So, what current program are you into? Do you already have a decent and effective family fitness routine in progress? If the answer is no, but you are willing to give one a shot, then here is where you can begin. Like everything else these days, you can acquire a quality family fitness program off the web. Surf through net-land and find an ideal workout and diet regime that best suits your family and your family’s lifestyle. It’s not that difficult once you get into the swing of things.

Every once in awhile there will be front page news about the health care crisis. The escalating costs for hospital and physician services are making it more difficult for the insurance companies to stay competitive and at the same time take care of the needs of their policyholders. A family health insurance plan in today’s marketplace is evolving into something quite different from years past. The employer group health insurance insures the majority of Americans but there is a trend developing. There are more folks leaving their employer to start their own business. When you add that group of people to the folks that leave their employer because of lay-offs, illness, and terminations then you are creating a great demand for family health insurance.

Insurance companies are working hard to develop new solutions. The federal government has great interest in health care insurance. The hospitals and physicians are deeply affected by the insurance industry.
There has been a major shift in thinking about health insurance. It has become increasingly clear that higher deductible health insurance plans are much more cost efficient in the long run compared to the low deductible plans of years past. The higher deductibles reduce the cost of health insurance dramatically. The lower deductibles are no longer in vogue. The high premiums for the low deductible no longer justify the premiums.

Today’s Trends

1. High Deductible Major Med – The insurance professionals are encouraging people to take the higher deductible major medical policies. You are well protected for a major illness or injury in exchange for self-insuring the smaller claims.

2. Health Savings Accounts – This is the federal government’s contribution to the health insurance dilemma. These savings accounts are established by the individual for medical expenses only. They are tax deductible similar to an IRA and are great vehicles to use for the out of pocket expense from the higher deductible.

In most “first world” countries like England, France, and Canada; every man, woman, and child receives basic health care from the government. This makes the business of private health insurance redundant in those countries. However, in America things are a bit different. In the United States, many citizens do not have health coverage at all due to the high cost of medical care and the rates and premiums that the private corporations offering health insurance charge their customers. This means that many people can not afford to see doctors as often as they should for routine care, do not get the prescriptions they need to be fully functional members of society, and struggle to get back on their feet after the financial blow of a necessary surgery or other emergency medical procedure.

As a way to put an end to this situation, many places in America offer special assistance programs that help low income families get the health care coverage they need. Families that are living below the poverty line can often get health insurance at lower than market rates through the health department of a state, city, or county. Depending on the specifics of a given situation and the rules of a particular program, families that have income well above the poverty line can qualify for at least some level of financial assistance. To find out if you and your family may be able to get the care you need at prices that are more affordable than what you are paying today, spend some time on the website of your local branch of government. Many large cities and most states have all of the details of their eligibility requirements for family health insurance assistance programs available online, and some even allow you to print the necessary paperwork for your application right off the web.

Although the United States may not have the kind of comprehensive, government-run health coverage for all of its citizens that other countries have opted for, in most places there are government sponsored programs that help those who cannot afford to pay for their own medical care at market rates. Even people who don’t qualify for this kind of subsidized care can take advantage of the free clinics that operate in most major metropolitan areas. Different clinics offer a wide variety of services that range from pregnancy testing to flu shots; so if you are looking for a way to avoid paying steep hospital bills consider what the clinics in your area may be able to offer you. The combination of subsidized family health insurance and free clinics means that almost every family in America can afford at least some level of medical attention.

Health insurance is something everyone needs. No matter how big or small your family is — or even if it is just you — people need to see doctors, go to the hospital, use medications. Health insurance keeps your costs low, so you don’t have to pay mounting doctor and hospital bills later in life. Health insurance helps the average person get the medical attention and prescriptions he or she needs to stay healthy for life. Without health insurance, every time you get sick you have to pay the bill to the doctors office or hospital. With health insurance you pay less, and the insurance company pays the rest of the bill.

With family insurance, you give yourself protection for the future. You’ve worked hard to save your money. If you have to go to the doctor’s for a broken bone, it could cost you hundreds of dollars in bills. With health insurance, you will cut that in half, or even less, depending on the plan that you choose. Your family’s health is important, but so is your financial security. Do the right thing, purchase health insurance so you never have to put off seeing a doctor or getting emergency medical care.

Without some type of basic health insurance for your family, it can be difficult to make that decision to take a family member to the doctor. A sore throat, a fever, or for other problems may go untreated because you are not sure you want to spend the money on something that the doctor may or may not need to treat. Without health insurance, family member may end up being sick longer and suffer more. Make that decision easier for your family. With health insurance you pay the co-payment or deductible and that’s it — they get the attention needed for their problem.

Health insurance does not have to be expensive. Finding affordable health insurance is at your fingertips. You just need to do a little investigating. Determine what you need coverage for. If you want protection against huge hospital bills, and you don’t mind paying for doctor visits, your insurance premiums could cost less. If you choose a deductible that is higher, such as a thousand dollars, your payments will be lower compared to those who have a deductible that is $250. Play with the numbers and the compare the various types of insurance to determine which insurance coverage best fits your situation.

According to the American College of Allergists, polluted indoor air causes or contributes toward ½ of all illnesses. For families with two or more children who all have the potential of contracting a variety of illnesses throughout the year, do the math and you’ll see how expensive it can be to be exposed to the ever-present contaminants that make themselves at home in your air.

Mold, dust, pollen and other irritants can exist in stagnant air and actually increase in intensity when they’re brought in on hair, clothing and other objects that are introduced from the outdoors each day. Even tiny flakes of dried skin can become airborne, unseen to the naked eye, and cause respiratory problems for those who reside in the home. Since the ability to prevent these agents from entering the environment is not within your power, then steps must be taken to remove them before illness develops as a result of their presence in the air that you breathe.

Effects of Indoor Contaminants

In order to eliminate allergens and other contaminants from your home, you’ll need to make a solid plan for purifying the air – in other words, you’ll need to install an effective filtration system. The best way to accomplish this is by utilizing an Ionic Air Purifier. By integrating one of these systems into your home, you’ll be eliminating those agents which adversely impact your health and cause you to suffer from a variety of symptoms, some of which may include:

+ Eye irritations
+ Nose and Throat irritations
+ Headaches
+ Sinus Infections
+ Sneezing
+ Coughing
+ Allergies
+ Asthma
+ Colds, Flu and Viruses
+ Ear infections
+ Respiratory Infections
+ Skin Irritations
+ Nausea

You may naturally assume that these pollutants can be eliminated through the course of regular housecleaning, or even more strenuous cleaning regimens, such as spring or fall cleaning sprees. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. No matter how much you apply yourself to housecleaning, these contaminants will remain in the air. In fact, dusting and other forms of cleaning may cause allergens that have come to rest on furniture and carpeting to become airborne, causing adverse reactions to your health.

Various Types and Models of Ionic Air Purifier

While the standard model of Ionic Air Purifier utilizes negative ion generators to charge airborne particles so that they become attracted to the surfaces of furniture and other inanimate objects throughout your home, those which utilize electrostatic precipitators will actually trap the contaminants between metal plates that are housed within the unit, effectively cleaning the air and keeping it free of these irritating agents.

In addition to cleaning the air, these purifiers are often silent and energy efficient, and don’t release any chemicals into the air. Another perk is that these systems are filterless, making them ideal for purifying a room or the entire interior of your home. Simply clean the metal plates regularly, and you’re all set – without the ongoing cost of filters.

Of course, many pollutants also cause foul odors to be present in the air, such as in the case of cigarette smoke, the musty smell of mold, or simply the stale smell that’s a by-product of stagnant air. Purifiers such as these also work to remove such odors, making the air pleasant to smell, as well as to breathe.

While the prices of Ionic Air Purifiers may seem a bit exorbitant in some cases, they can actually be purchased for under $100, depending upon the size of the unit and the competition among various dealers. When you consider the cost of medical bills due to the variety of illnesses that can crop up as the result of contaminated air, these units will pay for themselves in very short order. When viewed from that perspective, it’s far more costly not to own a purifier than it is to invest in one.

1. Pasteurized Milk

Milk is touted as a healthy food, and most people assume that it does a body good. But pasteurization destroys active enzymes and denatures the fragile proteins in milk. It also kills beneficial bacteria and lowers the vitamin content of your milk.
A better alternative?
Raw milk is milk that hasn’t been pasteurized. Why raw milk?
Supporters of raw milk say the pasteurization process kills most, if not all, micromilk organisms, including the beneficial ones that aid in digestion and metabolization. They also promote good health by crowding out bad bacteria and help prevent yeast overgrowth in the intestinal tract.
The Campaign for real milk says that raw milk comes from cows that are properly fed. Cows that eat green grass provide milk with nutrients like vitamins A and D. They argue that pasteurization enables the milk industry to raise cows in less-expensive, less-healthy conditions.
They also say that pasteurization destroys enzymes and diminishes vitamin content. Pasteurization, says the group, is associated with allergies, increased tooth decay, colic in infants, growth problems, osteoporosis, arthritis, heart disease and cancer. Many calves fed pasteurized milk die before maturity.
Raw milk will sour naturally due to the bacterial production of lactic acid and still be healthy, while pasteurized milk, which lacks the essential bacteria, will putrefy.

2. Fruit Juice and Sodas

Fruit juice may be delicious, but it’s often loaded with even more high-fructose corn syrup than actual juice! High fructose corn syrup has been linked to increased cholesterol levels, blood clots, and impaired immunity. Sodas are no better as we all are well aware.

Fructose reduces the affinity of insulin for its receptor, which is the hallmark of type-2 diabetes. This is the first step for glucose to enter a cell and be metabolized. As a result, the body needs to pump out more insulin to handle the same amount of glucose.
The annual ‘Liver Meeting’ of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases which took place October in Boston reported results linking high intake of sugar (specifically fructose) to liver disease.
“The research team concluded that consumption of high fructose can have negative effects on liver through overfeeding, as well as damage the liver by inducing increased oxidative stress.
A better alternative? Delicious, healthy and convenient Dong Quai and Coco-Biotic, both of which you are strongly urged to learn more about and try today!

3. Whole Grains

Many foods from bread to breakfast cereals advertise that they are now made with whole grains. Despite earlier reports discounting fiber’s role in colorectal cancer prevention, two recent studies say fiber from fruits, vegetables, and grains may indeed slice the odds of getting the disease. One study, surveying more than half a million people, found a 25 to 40 percent risk reduction from 30 grams of fiber daily (five to seven servings of fruits and vegetables). Fiber in food may be the key, since those earlier studies focused on fiber supplements.
If you have digestive problems or suffer some of the classic autoimmune reactions (e.g. allergies) consider the possibilities that grains may be problematical. Look at your family members and your family history for clues about dietary problems. Adjust the ratio of cereal grains to meat, vegetables, and fruits and see if the adjustment has physiological and psychological effects. In my opinion one should supplement with vitamins, minerals, protein, and free fatty acids. Above all, eat a varied diet and not too much of one thing.
Conventional whole grains lack vitamins and minerals, can be difficult to digest, and often cause allergenic responses, contributing to autoimmune disorders like Celiac disease.
A better alternative? Grain-like seeds millet, quinoa, buckwheat, and amaranth are gluten free, do not feed candida act as prebiotics, have a calming effect and are full of vitamins and minerals.

4. Cereal

Cold cereal seems like a convenient and healthy meal, but combined with pasteurized milk, it can be a bowl full of nutritionally damaging food. Cereal itself undergoes a process called extrusion that denatures its proteins (making them toxic) and destroys the grains’ naturally occurring fatty acids. The result is a nutritionally void carrier for sugar and sodium.
For more on cereal and healthy alternatives, read: The Four Major Health Risks of Conventional Grains and the Healthy Weight-Optimizing Grains to Choose Instead.
A better alternative? Make your morning meal green! Try Vitality SuperGreen or a Good Morning Greens Smoothie to start your day off right.

5. Processed Cheese

Processed cheeses, especially individually wrapped slices, have little nutritional value. They are pasteurized and often have fillers and preservatives.
A better alternative? Make Young Coconut Kefir cheese or on stage two of the Body Ecology diet, once your gut is populated with dairy-loving microflora, try cheeses made from fermented raw milk to flavor your salads.

6. Protein Bars

Protein bars now compete with candy bars in convenience stores and grocery aisles, butproteine these quick snacks are not necessarily healthy. Many protein bars use soy protein and count sugars in their top 3 ingredients! Instead of offering you a healthy option, they actually contribute to fungal infections.
A better alternative? Soaked almonds and other nuts are easy and delicious snacks for those on the go! Or try RenewPro for an energizing, gut-healing source of protein. You can mix it in water or even eat a scoop between meals. You’ll love the delicious taste of this truly healthy source of protein.

7. Energy Drinks

Their labels say they contain various herbs, minerals and the amino acid taurine, specially designed to boost your energy by the time you reach the bottom of the can. But if you look at the ingredients, you’ll find that the main ingredients in most energy drinks are actually caffeine and sugar making them hardly more than high-priced soft drinks.
Yet their glitzy designs and claims to improve your performance, concentration and reaction speeds seem to be working. In 2004, energy drinks overtook bottled water as the fastest-growing category in the beverage business. Similar products have even been introduced for kids as young as 4 years old. A better alternative? Drink healthier fluids like water or tea, and if you must have a jolt of energy, a good old-fashioned cup of black coffee will at least spare you the sugar.

8. Fast-Food Salads

Yes, you went to that fast-food joint near your office for lunch, but all was not lost you ordered a salad! Most fast-food chains have jumped on the health bandwagon and are nowsalates offering salads, wraps and other healthy menu choices for just such nutrition-minded customers.
And while some won’t come right out and say they’re healthy (McDonald’s, for instance, no longer uses the word because our consumer research shows people don’t understand it and it’s actually a turn off when it comes to food items.), it is certainly implied in their ads featuring fit, active people and catchy nutrition slogans.
But all salad is not inherently healthy.
In fact, most of the salad ingredients that most fast food chains use make most of them no more healthful than a burger without the bun, dipped in salad dressing, said the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), which conducted a nutrition analysis of 34 fast food salads.
One of their more startling findings: McDonald’s Crispy Bacon Ranch Salad has more fat and calories and just as much cholesterol as a Big Mac.
Culprits that make good salads go bad are fried meats, additions like croutons and crispy noodles, bacon, and high-fat salad dressings. Many even have added sugar.
A better alternative? Create your own fresh salad using lots of veggies, some lean protein (egg, chicken), a few nuts or seeds or a small amount of cheese, and a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing.

9. Soy products

Soy products, including soy milk and soy protein have been linked to digestive distress, immune system breakdown, PMS, endometriosis, reproductive problems for men and women, allergies, ADD, higher risk of heart disease and cancer, malnutrition and loss of libido.1
Soy milk has some negative aspects which are as follows :
-It contains a lot of phytic acid
-It contains hemagglutinin which causes the red blood cells to clump together. However, it is believed to be harmless unless soy milk is taken intravenously
-The genetic modification involved in the process of preparing soy milk may cause lysinoalanine or even nitrosamines
-It contains aluminum
-It contains trypsin inhibitors
A better alternative? Fermented soy products like miso soup, natto and tempeh.

10. Oatmeal

For many people who suffer wheat and gluten allergy or intolerance, oatmeal also becomes and unsafe option. While oats themselves do not contain gluten, they do contain a protein which is relatively similar and current farming techniques create concerns as well. It is not uncommon for a farmer to rotate his oat crops with his wheat, rye or barley crops from year to year, and millers often encounter kernels from volunteer wheat when processing the oats.
Oatmeal seems harmless enough and doesn’t actually contain gluten. But oatmeal can be unsafe if you have a wheat or gluten sensitivity2 because farmers often grow oats in fields that previously had grains like barley and wheat. The other grains can contaminate the oats and could be dangerous for anyone with gluten sensitivity.
A better alternative? For a warm, convenient morning meal, try Body Ecology’s Hot Breakfast Porridge recipe.

One of the issues we face dieting is learning how to manage hunger. Whether its that mid afternoon slump, or mid morning cravings, being hungry for too long is a fast way to derail all our good intentions to turn over a new lettuce leaf.

Different strategies have in the past been proposed to deal with hunger. Some people find drinking a glass of water every time they are hungry helps. The model Gisele Bundchen is a real advocate of this approach. And judging by her stunning figure, she’s a good poster girl for increasing your fluid intake. Water has many benefits for the body, and people often simply don’t drink enough. There’s even a book on the subject that presents the view that many diseases in old age are related to a kind of entrenched state of dehydration (“Your Body’s Many Cries for Water” by F.Batmanghelid,MD).

Whilst diets composed mainly of soups are fairly common (think the Cabbage Soup diet and Liz Hurley’s favorite, the Watercress Soup Diet), this is not the healthiest way to approach soup. Nor is it likely to lead to long tern success. Diets that focus on just one vegetable or type of food are not only very boring to go on, they do not provide the range of nutrients that the body needs to function well. Could hunger actually be the body’s way of saying, ‘I need some nutrients’. Sustainable weight loss is not achieved by setting up an unrealistic eating plan that is painful to follow for more than a week and leaves you fantasizing about food all the time. Unless of course you don’t mind going to bed hungry for two years like Liz did after her son was born.

Starvation and nutrient restriction lead to loss of muscle mass and bone density. Not to mention fatigue and other possible health problems if followed long term.

The irony is that soups, including cabbage soup and watercress soup, are really good for you. They are easy to digest, and can be prepared ahead and frozen. That way you have a low kilojoule snack that is often high in fiber ready at the helm as a quick pick-me-up when hunger strikes between meals.

And some soups have surprising health benefits. For example, the Japanese Miso soup has been linked with preventing liver cancer, breast cancer and skin cancer, with theories also proposed about a benefit to skin due to linoleic acid. Whether this is found to be true, it is a delicious base for your favorite vegetables, and very easy to prepare from scratch. It takes only about ten minutes to prepare, and when garnished with grated ginger is a fantastic energizing soup when you are tired.

Neither soup nor water alone will lead to weight loss, and neither should these strategies be used to extremes and become a substitute for following a healthy, balanced diet. But they provide a way to minimize excursions into old habits we are trying to change as we address the lifestyle choices that led to gaining excess weight in the first place. And by providing the nutrients your body actually needs, you’ll be creating a change in the quality of life experienced day to day.

Facts On Alabama Health Insurance

When it comes to health insurance, Alabama doesn’t really come to mind. The more popular association to Alabama, perhaps, is a Hollywood movie or two with the word “Alabama” in the title (and it does sound sweet). But here’s one thing you should know about Alabama: it’s one state that is very particular about the healthcare of its citizens. In fact, the state governor even proposed to legislate tax breaks to small-time businesses that offer healthcare benefits to employees.

But Alabama is not really that much different from all the other states in the United States, and there are some facts that may be or less true for others.

* Prices are the same, always

It doesn’t matter if you’re getting your healthcare plan from the healthcare provider head office or from your insurance agent. Prices across health insurance plans (specific to healthcare providers) remain the same. Under certain law, insurance providers are not allowed to sell programs at prices much than the price offered by agents.

* Don’t take it personally if your pre-existing condition is not covered

Like anywhere in the United States, health care insurance providers are not prohibited from excluding pre-existing conditions from their coverage. But of course, you can always qualify for guaranteed issue health insurance if you meet certain criteria.

* Employment at bigger companies is better

If you want to save on health insurance costs, then choose to be employed at a company with 25 or more employees. Under the Health Maintenance Organization Act of 1973, companies with 25 or more people on their payroll are required to offer healthcare benefits to their employees.

* More options for dental healthcare plans

For dental healthcare, there are actually three kinds of plans that you can choose from: the traditional dental HMO plans, dental PPO plans, and dental discount plans. These are available throughout Alabama.

HMO and PPO plans are the real insurance plans: you pay the premiums and then the insurance company pays for the dental healthcare provider. Dental discount plans are not insurance plans, you pay an annual fee so you can benefit from dental services at discounted rates (typically 50% to 60% of professional fees). The rest of the billed amount you will have to pay from out of your own pocket.

* There are many healthcare providers

When it comes to healthcare plans, keep in mind that there are many healthcare providers and that the Internet has made it all possible for practically anyone and everyone to get health insurance quotes in minutes. When choosing a healthcare plan, it’s best to keep these things in mind:

– Your Actual Real-life Needs (Are you single or trying to raise a family? Do you need to go to a doctor often?)

– What You Want (Will any doctor do for you? Do you prefer to keep your doctor?)

– Your Budget (How much can you set aside to pay for monthly premiums?)

The great thing about Moms is that we are magnificent at multi-tasking. Here are some great ways to stay fit while spending time with the kids. In this article we will provide plans that will ensure great exercise for Mom, great activity for the kids, and a wonderful opportunity for bonding.

One of the biggest challenges for Busy Moms is figuring out how to fit exercise into their daily regime. Children, Chores, and Commitments are the 3 C’s that are often hurdles on the way to health & fitness. Creativity, Compromise, and Control are the 3 C’s you need to get you back on track to feeling vibrant and fit.

There are going to be days when you just can’t seem to find time to get out of the house and go to the gym. These are the days in which your Creativity needs to kick in full force. What do kids like? Kids enjoy activities where they usually burn their energy and yours. What more can you ask for? You have your own personal trainers at home! So, the next time your children feel restless, open the back door and participate in an exhilarating game of freeze tag to get your cardio in for the day. This will be fun, fast, and you are sure to work up a sweat and burn a few calories.

You may enjoy jogging daily, but bringing it up to kids is sure to be met with moans and groans. Here’s a great way to Compromise. Tell your young children to load their bicycles and scooters into the back of the truck and take the whole crew up to the nearest track or trail. Your kids will have the chance to do something they enjoy, and you will get to exercise and still spend time with the family. Another trick that’s sure to win in your favor is to tell your adolescents that instead of doing their chores, they are welcome to join you for a game of tennis. Toddlers and babies usually love outdoor activities, so compromise with them by taking them for a ride in their stroller. Just make sure in any outdoor situation to pack on the sunscreen.

Remember, although it may often appear otherwise, you are in Control of your daily schedule. Swimming is an invigorating activity that will give you that extra burst of energy to start your day off right. Your local YMCA or health club has swimming classes available for adults and children. Dive right in!

An ever growing number of people who wear contact lenses are turning to using extended wear contact lenses. There are many benefits to be realized through the use of extended wear contact lenses. Perhaps the greatest benefit to be realized from the use extended wear contact lenses is found in the fact that they are very, very convenient. In reality, if a person so desired, he or she could “plop” a pair of extended wear contact lenses into his or her eyes and basically forget about them for thirty days.

In reality, a person who elects to use extended wear contact lenses needs to be a bit more at attentive to his or her eyes. In point of fact, merely “plopping” lenses into one’s eyes and then forgetting about them for several weeks really is not the best of all possible practices.

Many eye doctors actually recommend removing even extended wear lenses from a person’s eyes on a daily basis for cleaning. Even with extended wear lenses, dirt and debris accumulate on the lenses in a very short period of time. Despite the fact that extended wear lenses are designed to remain in place for longer periods of time, this does not mean that dirt and debris accumulation will not occur at least on some level.

A good number of extended wear contact lens users actually report greater eye comfort when they do remove their lenses for cleaning on a daily basis. (Some consumers report that that are able to use a specific pair of extended wear contact lenses for an … extended … period of time through a routine that include daily cleaning of the lenses.

Some eye doctors are a bit more drastic in their recommendations regarding extended wear lenses. These docs contend that even extended wear lenses should not be work when a person intends to sleep for more than several hours. In other words, these eye doctors literally are suggesting and recommending that extended wear lenses should removed each and every night — which, of course, rather defeats the purpose of using extended wear lenses in the first instance.

In the final analysis, when it comes to more traditional or extended wear lenses, it is important to consult with a qualified eye doctor to determine what type of lens will best suit your particular needs. No matter what type of contact lens you elect to utilize, you will need to make sure that you have regular eye examinations and that you maintain your lenses properly through cleaning on a regular basis.

While people who are happy are certainly more healthy and successful than thosewho are angry and depressed, Dr. Ed Diener of the University of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign told Reuters Health, people who are moderately happy may achieve more than those who are extremely happy. They might also live longer.
“Our findings suggest that extremely high levels of happiness might not be a desirable goal and that there is more to psychological well-being than high-levels of happiness,” Diener and his team report in the journal Perspectives on Psychological Science.
The researchers looked at six different studies of happiness and life outcomes to investigate the optimum level of happiness.
One study, the World Values Survey, which included nearly 120,000 people from 96 countries, found that those who were moderately happy, rating their life satisfaction at 8 or 9 out of 10, made more money than those who rated their satisfaction level at 10. However, 10s and 9s were more likely to have stable intimate relationships.
Another study found that the happiest college students were also the most social, but they had lower grade-point averages than their slightly less happy peers.
In four studies that looked at individuals’ well-being several years after their happiness level was initially assessed, the happiest people wound up with less education and lower incomes than the moderately happy individuals.
While the current study didn’t look at happiness and health, Diener noted in aninterview, other research has shown that the happiest people may not live as long as moderately happy individuals.
While the current study didn’t look at happiness and health, Diener noted in an interview, other research has shown that the happiest people may not live as long as moderately happy individuals.
Extremely happy people may be less likely to follow-up on health concerns, he suggested. It’s also possible, he said, that being in an “aroused,” extremely happy state can take a toll on one’s cardiovascular system. People for whom extreme happiness is a goal may also be thrill-seeking risk takers.

Source: Reuters

Many people think about building muscles as abandoning life outside the gym and devoting hours in the gym like a monk in a monastery. Perhaps the only way to chisel the body into a hot muscular physique is by toiling hour by hour over the rusty iron day in, day out and year in, year out.

This need not be so. Although hard work is truly required, extreme fitness demands one to be a slave of the iron weights. Full-body work outs can make one progress and it easily fits in one’s schedule. This is very convenient if one is looking forward to achieving extreme fitness but finds it hard to hold on to a single work out routine.

Genuine full-body work outs done by athletes with an aim in mind makes for maximum muscle contraction using heavy weights, makes room for full recovery so one can actually grow and continue to train hard plus it also prevents burnout which is inevitable due to excess training.

So if one is ready for extreme fitness, here is all there is to know about full body work out:

Full-body work out is a time saver. The biggest plus about having the whole body trained all at once is probably having to go to the gym less frequently; perhaps around two to three times for every seven days would be enough.

Another advantage of working out the entire body all at once is that one need not spend two or more hours of strenuous exercise in the gym for every session; one only spends one hour in the gym for every session. So that’s just three to four hours per week in the gym right? With full-body work outs, it is all about the quality of exercise one does for session and not the quantity, nor even the amount of time you allot per session.

Full-body work out boosts the cardiovascular system for extreme fitness. One must allot two to four sets for every body part into the one hour session. Jam packed with exercising, each one hour session then gets the heart and the rest of the cardiovasular system pumping and up to speed in a flash.

Now feeling pumped up, next find out what rules does one have to follow when engaging in full-body work outs:

Training commences only once every two to three days. This is so easy isn’t it? What is great about this is that there is time spared during rest days so that one can indulge in a few cardio exercise sessions instead of depending on cardio execises one normally does at the end of each work out session which after all, are not at all very effective.

Heavy lifting is strongly advised. Contrary to popular belief, especially among athletes. It is not true that it is good to get trapped on training lightly than one actually could so as to conserve energy for the other body parts that will come later in the routine. What is true is that one cannot achieve optimal progress if one is not training heavy, no matter which program that person is doing.

One exercise only per muscle group. This is very easy to follow and is also important. Doing basic exercises which are also intense means you do not have to do another different exercise for that body part.

Keep work out short. Resistance training affects the natural homones of the body connected to muscle building. Intense exercising boosts the testosterone levels and long work outs increase those of catabolic cortisol. Sixty minutes of work out allows you to get the best of both worlds.

Now with this convenient and powerful work out regimen, one can now truly experience extreme fitness.

From rising health care costs to an increase in the number of Americans who lack health insurance coverage, there are many health care issues that are attracting considerable attention in Congress.

However, some say there’s one key dimension that fails to receive sufficient notice: the adequacy of the allied health care work force. Apart from doctors, nurses and pharmacists, these professionals are the personnel engaged in patient care in hospitals. They also work in a wide range of other health care settings.

An increase in demand, retirements, technology advances and other opportunities for allied health graduates have placed a strain on the educational pipeline. According to the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions, an organization representing allied health education in the U.S., a vivid illustration of this disturbing trend may be found among the allied health professions.

Currently, many sectors within the allied health professions are vulnerable. For example, although a high proportion of all treatment furnished in a hospital is accompanied by medical laboratory tests, the medical technologists who perform these procedures are experiencing a personnel shortage that is just as severe – if not worse than – what afflicts the national nurse shortage.

As a means of addressing the situation, ASAHP is working with several other organizations in the development of legislation known as S. 473, the Allied Health Professions Reinvestment Act of 2005, and H.R. 215, a companion bill. Introduced to Congress in 2005, this proposed legislation is designed to furnish a remedy for the allied health work force problems.

If something isn’t done soon, the organization warns that there will be an alarming increase in adverse events affecting patients because of an inadequate supply of allied health caregivers.

The term “allied health” was coined by the federal government in 1966, when legislation was needed to remedy severe work force shortages among health and health-related professions such as physical therapy.

While fears about a bird flu pandemic have grown recently overseas, an increasing number of people right here at home are falling ill with this winter’s seasonal flu bug. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu incidence has been on the rise since late December, spreading from the Southwest corner of the U.S. and making its way eastward.

Seasonal flu affects up to 40 million Americans every year. Influenza and its complications are responsible for an average of 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths annually in the U.S.

“Many Americans see flu as a nuisance rather than a serious health threat,” said Donald Perlman, M.D., who specializes in treating respiratory illnesses at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in New Jersey. “While concern about the avian flu is understandable, the health risks associated with seasonal flu are much higher for the average American than the bird flu threat.”

Despite the upswing in flu incidence, there are two fewer treatment options this season. The CDC has recommended against the use of amantadine and rimantadine for the prevention and treatment of influenza for the remainder of the 2005-2006 flu season due to increasing resistance levels. Instead, CDC recommends that oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) be prescribed if an antiviral medication is needed.

Dr. Perlman, an assistant clinical professor at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), emphasizes that flu is a preventable disease, and offers advice and simple measures everyone can take to help control its spread:

Prevention:

• Get Vaccinated: Vaccine is the first line of defense. Visit www.cdc.gov for vaccine locations in your area.

• Wash Hands Frequently: Germs are often spread when a person touches something contaminated followed by the eyes, nose or mouth. Wash hands often for 20 seconds with warm, soapy water.

• Practice Respiratory Etiquette: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, to reduce the chances of spreading the virus to others.

• Monitor Flu Outbreaks in Your Area: Stay informed of when the flu hits your city by logging on to www.flustar.com, which provides updates on flu outbreaks on a regional and nationwide basis.

If You Get Sick:

• Know the Difference Between Cold and Flu: Many people are confused by cold and flu symptoms. Above are some tips to help you tell the difference.

• See Your Doctor at First Signs of Flu: Early diagnosis and treatment can help lessen the time you are sick, so see your doctor at the first sign of flu symptoms. He or she may prescribe an antiviral medication such as Tamiflu, which can reduce the duration and severity of flu symptoms if taken within 48 hours of symptom onset. Antiviral medications can also be used to help prevent the spread of flu within a household or workplace if taken within two days of exposure to the influenza virus.

• Stay Home: Be considerate of others. If possible, stay home from work, school and errands when you are sick.

As the threat of bird flu grows overseas, seasonal flu, which affects 40 million Americans each year, packs a punch in the U.S.

It is important for our bodies to receive the nutrients we need to maintain good health. Vitamins and minerals are available in our food but we often do not receive the right amounts through diet alone. It may be necessary to take supplemental vitamins to avoid any deficiency.

Everyone has different needs because of their age, genes or lifestyle. Even a slight deficiency can cause health problems and cause you to feel bad and lose productivity. Lack of energy, sleep disorders and mental fatigue can all be improved with supplemental vitamins.

The Acai Plus Drink

Acai Plus offers a delicious vitamin drink combined with over 100 nutritional ingredients. The flavor comes from the amazing Acai berry that is from the Brazilian rainforest in South America. This exceptional berry tastes like a blend of berry and chocolate. It is full of antioxidants, amino acids, and essential fatty acids. The Brazilians consider it to have remarkable healing and nutritional qualities.

The Acai fruit was featured on Oprah and other programs as a super food. The liquid supplement Acai Plus includes this fruit along with goji and mangosteen extracts. These are all exotic fruits known to have extraordinary healing and nutritional values.

Delicious and Healthy Fruits

The goji fruit is also considered a super food. It comes from the mountains of Tibet and Mongolia where it grows wild. Local people harvest the berries in late summer and package them to sell. They are completely free of chemical pesticides because they grow in remote areas. It has long been known that people in these areas have a longer life span than the rest of world. It could be partly credited to their exposure to this fruit and other native foods they eat. It is said to have a taste combination of a cranberry and cherry.

The mangosteen is a fruit from Southeast Asia. It has been used by native residents for centuries to treat health conditions. The xanthone rich rind is especially valued as a folk medicine. It has a citrus taste with a touch of peach.

These delicious fruits give Acai Plus its incomparable taste. Most vitamins and supplemental drinks have a bad flavor and leave an after taste in your mouth, but you won’t experience that with Acai Plus.

Acai Plus Benefits

This original health drink is high in antioxidants, fiber, protein, trace minerals and cancer-fighting xanthones. The combination of vitamins and minerals would be hard to find in comparable products. Acai Plus is sure to give good results. To help you get started, they will give you a free bottle. You will be able to experience the benefits before you buy.

Not only is Acai Plus a great nutritional product but it can also be a lucrative business opportunity. You can get started by buying one bottle a month and build up your business. It is a product that will sell itself because of its great taste and fine quality.

Try the Acai Plus nutrition drink and enjoy the delightful flavor! You will never want to try another vitamin drink. Let your friends and family know about it so they can take advantage of this great product.

There are more than 300 types of aloe, but only a few have been used throughout history for natural healing and cleansing. One effective aloe product that promotes good health in several ways is African aloe ferox. Aloe ferox is a plant that grows in only one province of South Africa and has been used for medicinal purposes by the indigenous people for many years.

African aloe ferox differs from aloe vera because it doesn’t have to be filtered. Without the filtering process, aloe ferox retains its all-natural active ingredients so users can benefit even more by using this type of aloe. Other names for aloe ferox are red aloe, bitter aloe, or tap aloe. African aloe ferox bitter is known for its many medicinal uses. The resinous product that is hard and black, which is called Cape aloes or aloe lump, is known for being a strong laxative and as a natural help for arthritis. Inside the leaves is a gel-like flesh that is said to help heal wounds, but is also used in cosmetic products.

Benefits of African Aloe Ferox

African aloe ferox offers many health and beauty benefits. It is completely herbal so it doesn’t contain harmful chemicals and toxins as many chemically-based beauty products and medicines contain. It is a pure healing agent without unwanted side effects. Aloe ferox is a natural cleansing herb. It can be used to help remove harmful toxins from the body as a detoxification herb. It stimulates cell renewal. Also, it contains more amino acids (total of 34), vitamins, minerals, and polysaccharides than aloe vera.

Aloe ferox provides a natural cleansing method to help relieve certain complaints such as heartburn, acne, urinary tract infections, stomach ulcers, liver function, eye infections, sunburn, chapped skin, itching, heat rashes, insect bites, dermatitis, skin allergies, athlete’s foot, varicose veins, insomnia, high blood pressure, spastic colon, gingivitis, and many others. It is not recommended, however, for pregnant women or nursing mothers.

African Aloe Ferox Products for a Variety of Needs

Aloe ferox comes in many shapes and sizes and in several forms to meet different needs. It can be taken in capsule form, as an herbal tea, as toothpaste, or it can be used topically such as in gels, soaps, lotions, body cream, bath oil, shampoo, conditioner, and make-up remover. You can also purchase African aloe ferox drink, which contains added Vitamin C to help with colds and flu. Aloe drink can also help with blood pressure regulation, colon and stress, heartburn, stomach ulcers, indigestion, and soothing the mucous membranes.

Look for key phrases when searching online for aloe ferox products such as aloe joint health, aloe drink, aloe bath products, aloe skin care, or aloe ferox bitters. The best way to get great African aloe ferox products is to shop through an online specialist that carries all these items.

Maximize your aloe experience today with African aloe ferox products, and enjoy the natural methods of skin care, beauty enhancement, and healing.

You may have noticed an increase in your health insurance premium recently. Here we examine some of the possible reasons for this and look into ways of combating them.

According to the market-research group Datamonitor, medical inflation is the reason for yearly increases of 8% in health insurance premiums. The steady progress in the development of new drugs, therapies and equipment used to diagnose medical conditions and the resulting costs are an obvious reason for this. This is understandable and everyone wants the latest in diagnostics and treatments. Equipment becomes obsolete with time and invariably the very words newer and improved mean a rise in cost.

Another reason may be that insurance risks and therefore costs increase with age. Many insurance companies still use age bands, where costs increase at the end of a ten-year period. For example, someone aged between 40 and 49 would pay their normal agreed premium. Reach the dreaded 50 and the next bracket is between 50 and 59, and so on. The increase is greater with age and could be as much as 50% in the 60 to 69 category.

Many insurers have chosen to smooth out the increases on a yearly basis. BUPA, Pruhealth and Axa PPP are three of these. Axa PPP customers, for example, should expect a rise in the cost of premiums by about 2%, due to their age. Other insurers are said to be thinking of introducing this method.

The fast rising costs of medical insurance is worrying consumers and many are making the decision to terminate their policies when they’re coming up to their 60’s and this may be just when their need is greatest. Datamonitor has issued figures showing that there was a drop of 15.2% in the number of people with private medical insurance in the 7 years prior to 2004.

With this in mind, insurers have come up with some ways to cut the costs. You could opt for an excess on the policy, effectively working out a plan to suit your budget. For instance BUPA tell us that if you were willing to pay a £2000 excess, you would halve your premium. An excess of £100 could quite well reduce your bill by around 10%.

No-claims discounts are another possible way to reduce your premium and it’s possible to obtain up to a 50% saving. You should be able to transfer this if you decide to change providers.

There’s a big variation in the way in which companies treat no claims discounts. Axa PPP offers an immediate 27.5% no claims discount at the start of a policy, but make a claim and this is lost. Not all BUPA’s policies include the provision for no claims discounts, but some do and they guarantee that in the event of a claim, the resulting rise in premium will be a maximum of 10%.

Pruehealth encourage their policyholders to stay healthy in order to reduce their premiums. You can get between 25 and 100 per cent off next year’s premium, depending on the effort you put into it. Points are given for various activities and lifestyle changes.

With all these choices, it’s an excellent time to investigate the options. Don’t just keep paying out and certainly don’t lose that valuable cover by cancelling your health insurance, just get on line and find an insurance broker who will find the right cover for you at a price to suit your budget. Your pocket will benefit too, with the on-line discount.

It is a tough job for the liver to keep the cleaning function of the body always in smooth operation especially with the present-day unhealthy eating and drinking habits of people. And, like any other machines, it encounters malfunctioning that needs immediate troubleshooting. But unlike other machines that need only oiling to run again, the liver has to be looked upon very carefully or the entire system will suffer if it does not function very well.

In youth, you might not notice the effects of malfunctioning liver. But when you reach middle and advanced age, you will discover that a lot of sicknesses are being caused by a malfunctioning liver. The symptoms of a damaged liver are: dull aching pain in the right side of the stomach area – often under the shoulder blade, terrible pain at the nape, rough tongue, unpleasant taste in the mouth in the morning and the appearance of yellowish color in the whites of the eyes. Other than those, a person with a troubled liver would also frequently feel loss of appetite, dizziness and drowsiness after meals.

With these indications of ailments, the person is often irritated and weak which could affect his entire outlook in life. And this could lead to fast deterioration of the body. Growing old would then become a burden.

But you can do something to prevent that misfortune from happening to you. Aging doesn’t have to bring about all sorts of diseases. It is not a reason that because you are getting old, you are expected to feel all kinds of sickness. There are times when you regret why you never heeded the advice to you before and why you never paid enough attention to your health when you were younger. Instead of dwelling on those regrets, why don’t you try doing something to alleviate that condition? No matter at what age you will decide to do so, it is never too late. Sanford Bennett, a phenomenal celebrity for bodily rejuvenation thru natural methods, has proven so.

In his campaign for total health rejuvenation, Sanford Bennett devised a program of exercise for the liver to keep it in a fine condition. The liver, being a gland, would respond well when exercised. And an exercise involving tension of the abdominal muscles will benefit the liver along with some massaging techniques. But of course, before doing the exercise, one must be familiar with the position and the structure of his own liver.

• First Exercise

There are three exercises Sanford Bennett described for the liver. Feel the location of your liver with the fingers of both hands as you lie on your back. Press the fingers upward past the ribs. The liver can be easily moved and tensed because the abdominal muscles are in relaxed state. Create pressing movements under and upwards. Do this twenty times and increasing daily until you reach 100 or until your condition permits.

This tensing exercise is comparable to the effect you get when you ride a horse. This is an exercise frequently prescribed by physicians when the liver is not in good condition.

• Second Exercise

Lie on your right side and place your left hand over the area of your liver. Position yourself with the head slightly inclined forward and with the knees bent. This will relax the abdominal muscles and place the liver forward. With your knuckle of the thumb or the pad of a finger, press well under the ribs and massage the liver.

• Third Exercise (Percussion)

Light thumping of the liver will also help in the healthy activity of the liver. Lie on your left side which inclines the liver forward and the muscles relaxed. With your right fist, strike lightly but rapidly on the area. Begin with twenty strikes and increase daily up to how many your condition permits.

When the liver is properly taken cared of, the whole body system is guaranteed to be in a good condition. And when you pay equal attention to all the parts of your body, there is no need to worry about your health failing. Take care of your body.

Regular physical activity and exercise is essential in weight loss, weight control, and improved health. Different kinds of exercise offer various benefits. Cardiovascular or aerobic training primarily improves the heart and the lungs, weight training improves strength and flexibility, while stretching exercises improve mobility and coordination. In general, regular exercise may help reduce heart disease, cancer, certain types of diabetes, and other metabolic conditions. In addition, exercise may also improve brain chemistry and reduce anxiety.

Studies show that exercising and other physical activities promotes the release of endorphins in the human body. Endorphins, short for endogenous morphins are the body’s natural pain killer, when released this substance gives moments of bliss and relaxation. Research show that people who exercise regularly have more energy and better self-esteem. These workouts should be done properly to avoid injuries and other unwanted effects. Improper weight training, over-stressing the back muscles, or failure to perform warm ups may cause lower back pain that may lead to serious back injuries.

Because of its physical and mental health benefits, many people have incorporated exercise in their lifestyles. However because of money constraints, certain individuals are not able to go to the gym or purchase the necessary equipments. One of the best options these individuals can consider is using a fitness ball, which has become popular among many health and exercise enthusiasts.
A fitness ball, also known as Pilates ball, stability ball, Swiss ball, and gym ball is made of elastic rubber which usually has a diameter of 14 to 34 inches. Instead of exercising directly on a flat surface, exercising with a fitness ball provides instability that create tension to certain muscle parts. These muscles gain strength as they try to maintain balance. With frequent training, these muscles may become stronger and gain mass overtime. In addition, fitness balls works effectively while causing minimal strain or injuries. Many fitness experts reveal that fitness ball exercises, if executed wrongly may cause injury. Nonetheless, training on a fitness ball is one way of working out many hard-to-reach muscles. Adding a fitness ball in a fitness program may help surpass some difficult levels involved during exercise. Studies show that by simply sitting on the ball, stabilizer muscles are activated, these muscles are essential in improving one’s posture.

Benefits of using an exercise ball include:
• Develop overall control and strength of the core body muscles
• Increase lower back mobility
• Increase abdominal and back muscle strength
• Improve balance and stability
• Get a deeper stretch and a better muscle workout
• Use other muscles to balance during training and get a better workout
• Take pressure off certain joints because the ball is soft and round

Regular exercise coupled with a nutritious diet are vital components of good health. Individuals who seek to improve their health should seek the advice of health professionals to maximize the effects of exercise and healthy food regimen. Obtaining the right information from experts is important in improving one’s health. Good health is a lifetime journey and is one of the components of a happy life.

Even in the case of general fitness, training has its own well established rules. These rules refer to different aspects of doing the exercises: dosing (the number of series), repeating, intensity, rhythm, etc; but considering all these aspects is not enough. It is very important for the exercises to be performed correctly.

It is not easy at all for a beginner who has read something about fitness or to whom somebody described exactly how to do an exercise, to do it impeccably starting with the first sessions of training. Many times he has the impression that he does a movement correctly, even when he can see himself in a mirror from the gym. But only the experienced ‘eye’ of an instructor who has worked many programs for beginners is able to correct him effectively.

On the other hand, it is possible for the beginner to have the feeling that his modality of doing the exercises is wrong. If this is not the case, he needs, again, the instructor, to assure him his performance is correct. It is dangerous for the fitness practitioner’s health and body state to self-educate from the first sessions. There are many positions, angles, programs of the machines which could be unadvisable in different situations, determined by every person’s characteristics. Some examples of these particularities are: deformations of the spine, old accidents, operations, limits of the mobility of the joints, etc.

Another advantage of working under the supervision of an instructor is a good choice of exercises, machines, movements, which helps avoiding any risk of accidents.
The role of the fitness instructor is not limited to working with beginners. Even the advanced might have the tendency to ‘cheat’ in doing some exercises or to introduce really difficult exercises, necessitating closer supervision. Also, an experienced sportsman might need, from time to time, a look ‘from the outside’, which could help him perfect his technique.

Another aspect closely related to the fitness trainer’s assistance is the conception of the training programs. While for beginners the impossibility of creating their own training programs is obvious, the advanced could lose themselves in the jungle of possible choices, getting not to see the wood for the trees. In the same case of the advanced, the dangers of routine can be avoided much easier with help from the outside.

Maintaining the motivation and the interest for training is also one of the tasks the fitness instructor must face. He needs to show tact, intelligence and even diplomacy when working with the sportsmen or with the ones who practice fitness just for pleasure or for maintaining their health.

There could be some disadvantages of the involvement of the fitness trainer. His presence might be felt as patronizing, stressing, or unpleasant. Some cultural or social incompatibility between the trainer and the practitioner could make their communication, which is so important in this relation, really difficult.

However, the benefits we can have from working with a competent trainer are much bigger than the possible disadvantages and they make the effort of the sportsman more effective.

Exercise treadmill is a home exercise equipment but used also by cardiologists. It is also well known in the medical circles by many alternative names such as exercise ECG, Stress test – exercise treadmill, EKG – exercise treadmill etc. But before we get onto see the medical relevance of this wonderful simple exercise equipment, let us see what it does to our everyday life and how.

You are hard pressed for time, but you are aware that you are slightly going out of shape. And, your physician has advised you to reduce weight and get back into shape. It is here that the exercise treadmill comes to your rescue. One strong supporting point in its favor is treadmill is amongst the top calorie burning equipment.

What Does a Treadmill Do To You?
Basically, an exercise treadmill is used for general screening of heart to find out how good its general is and how it responds to stress or exercise. When you walk on the treadmill, physicians collect data like your cardio electrical activity on ECG while monitoring the blood pressure. These data can be interpreted later to find out whether the heart asks for additional oxygen as a reaction.

Stress test on treadmill helps doctors in determining the heart’s ability to withstand exercise. This in turn helps in determining the appropriate level of exercise so that an exercise regime is developed for persons in need. Apart from this, there are various other reasons, such as determine the causes of chest pain, for your doctor to go for stress test.

That apart, a survey conducted by Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association tells that people spend more on treadmills than other exercise/fitness equipments. The basic realities that go in support of exercise treadmill are the unbeatable workout on cardiovascular muscles and high rate of calorie burning. In a joint study, VA Medical Center in Milwaukee and the Medical College of Wisconsin put the calories burnt on treadmill on top of the list of calories burnt by other exercise machines. After a 60 minutes’ workout treadmill burns an average of 865-705 calories.

Benefits of Exercise Treadmill
1. Treadmill lets you exercise indoors avoiding bad weather
2. Adjustable speeds accommodates both running and walking
3. Little or no impact on heels, knee ankles, back and as a result fewer injuries. As a result you can run for years
4. High end treadmills allow adjusting of speeds and inclines so than running or walking uphill/downhill is simulated. They allow preprogramming exercise preferences like speed variations and inclines

Buying an Exercise Treadmill
1. Decide on long time exercise goals. There are different models to suit individual preferences
2. Consider the space availability/constraint at home to choose an apt size
3. Go for a continuous and heavy duty motor which lasts longer than others if the cost difference doesn’t bother you
4. Decide what dimensions of walking track is comfortable for you. Normally 4’x1.5’ suits most. Running may call for longer track than this
5. Check for deck thickness which must be 3/4” to 1” to support both running and walking
Shock absorbers, smoother decks, instrument console warrantee, price and brand can’t be left out while making a decision.

For women to recover their health and fitness workout is the answer. If you feel that you are overweight or obese in this case there is no need to feel inferior by comparing with other as there are several women who have the similar crisis concerned to their weight. Numerous prefer to depend on diets to come in proper shape but they not succeed to consider that they are required to work on strength as well. There are numerous women who struggle with a range of diets devoid of attempting any exercise, and then these women guess why they are yet out of shape and can’t appear to trim down any calories. It is noteworthy that one understands that at the moment is the exact time to start functioning on your health and fitness and also keep in mind that it doesn’t have to be a tough one.

Being weighty is not a big deal there are different ways that one can start doing out workout. Yes, it is true that one can’t conquer the ambition in the single day but it is possible to achieve it slow and steadily by moving towards it consistently. It is better to do something than not doing anything. And therefore some quantity of work out is healthier than not doing work out at all. Therefore start consulting your specific practitioner and let him recognize that you are in fact sincere about improving health and would like to be proceed in shape as soon as possible.

You will get the help from your general practitioner who will direct you to the right routine and exercises for you. He will suggest you with a number of diet suggestion in addition enthusiasm that will help improving you with your eating lifestyle. In spite of this, as an substitute of just distressing about your diet, you in actual fact require to focus on getting healthy and fit. This is one of the most fundamental decisions that a women will ever make when it comes to her health and fitness.

After consulting the trainer if a woman can come up with a excellent quality exercise program and if she is strictly following the program for at least 4 months, Without any doubt she will see some enormous betterments in her general health and fitness. By varying her eating habits or diet she can also improve her health as well. If one works on scheduled work out for at least three hours each week and plan to gobble only when badly hungry, she will discover that her cholesterol and her blood pressure levels will both get improved.
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