As children we tend to be very creative and develop concentration skills that allow us to focus on one thing at a time. Sadly, as we become adults though we tend to become more reserved in our efforts. We don’t make time to draw or to paint for the most part and we definitely don’t want others to criticize our work when we do.

Therefore we end up creating what we think society will approve of rather than what we really want to. We start believing that we have to keep several balls in the air at one time, and we don’t realize how much that affects our concentration ability. However, by using your hands to stimulate your brain, you will find yourself being able to enjoy painting and drawing again for the pleasure of painting and drawing. Also you’re focusing in on one activity and not several at the same time.

A great way to start this important process is by doodling in the margins of your papers when you are deep in thought. While you focus your on only one activity you’ll refine your concentration skills. The idea focuses around keeping your hands moving constantly, and doodling is a good start if you are unable to think of anything else to draw or write when you first begin.

As new information comes to your mind you can go back to writing it all down. Make a conscious effort during this process to keep your brain stimulated. Knitting, weaving, or sewing are other options for your hands. You can complete great products with your hands this way as well as offer your brain the additional stimulation that it can benefit from.

Taking a stroll through your local craft store will afford you many excellent ideas at a hobby that would help you with this process and be enjoyable, as well. It’s a guarantee that something will grab your attention and interest! The main thing is that you will be taking steps to stimulate your brain and regain the ability to focus. Many people also use these methods that stimulate the brain as a means of releasing tension and relaxing.

The benefits to your brain, your ability to focus, your stress level and your overall well-being will be well worth the effort that you put in. A lot of people will admit once they reached that level place in their minds they had better ideas than they had ever come up with before. This all goes back to your concentration skills. It’s time to stop trying to keep too many balls in the air and change your focus.

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High protein, low carbohydrate diets have been the craze for many years. For some these diets work well – at least initially. The problem is, low carbohydrate diets can be difficult to stick with long-term. Some people end up gaining back the weight they lost – and more. Now, a new study suggests that a high protein diet containing lots of meat could be detrimental when it comes to weight loss. Can reducing meat consumption help you lose weight?

Eat Less Meat, Lose Weight?

In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, European researchers looked at the body weights and eating habits of more than 370,000 adult men and women of all ages. After determining their baseline weight and height, they followed their eating habits for five years. What they found flies in the face of what the Atkin’s diet teaches. They found that men and women who ate larger amounts of meat were more likely to gain weight.

How much did eating more meat contribute to weight gain? Those men and women who increased their meat intake by the equivalent of a steak a day gained an average of 4.5 pounds per year. Surprisingly, this held true for all types of meat including packaged meats, red meat, chicken, pork, and turkey – and for both men and women.

Is Eating Less Meat the Answer to Weight Loss?

This isn’t the first study to show an association between lower meat consumption and lighter body weights. A 2005 Swedish study found that vegetarians, vegans, and those who don’t eat red meat were less likely to be overweight than meat eaters. Several other studies show that vegetarians and people who eat less meat weigh less on average.

Should You Eat Less Meat to Lose Weight?

Protein naturally increases satiety, which means people who eat meat and other high protein foods eat fewer calories overall. This is something to consider before completely giving up meat. The fact that meat-eaters gain more weight, according to some studies, may be related to the fact that meat is often high in fat  – although this study showed that even poultry, which is usually leaner than red meat, was associated with weight gain.

Reducing Meat Consumption to Lose Weight

Since protein is usually more filling than carbohydrates, it’s important to get an adequate amount (at least 1 milligram per kilogram of body weight per day), but that doesn’t mean it has to come from meat. Other good sources are eggs, tofu, chick peas, lentils, quinoa, and the many meat substitutes on the market these days. If you get your protein mostly from beans and lentils, be sure to eat a complimentary protein source such as brown rice to supply the missing amino acids. Fish is also a good source of protein, but select one that’s low in mercury and other contaminants.

If you’re not ready to give up meat, choose leaner cuts of meat – and watch the preparation. Avoid frying meats – grill, broil, or stir-fry them instead. Choose light meat turkey and chicken instead of red meat whenever possible.

If You Eat Less Meat, Will You Lose Weight?

Try eating less meat for a month – and substitute other vegetarian forms of protein and fish instead. Keep a food dairy and record your weight every week – to see if you’re losing weight. Some people do seem to do better on a diet that contains less meat. Plus, it’s healthier for your heart. See if it works for you.

References:

Medical News Today website. “Decreased Meat Intake May Help Weight Loss And Maintain Healthy Bodyweight”

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2005; 81:1267-74.

Pap smears are a vital screening tool for diagnosing cervical cancer – and it’s important that all women, young and old, follow the recommended guidelines for getting this exam – to protect their health. When is the best time to start? A year ago, the guidelines for when a teen should get their first PAP smear were changed by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Here’s what the new guidelines say.

At What Age Should Teens get a First PAP Smear Test?

The new American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology guidelines recommends that teens get their first PAP smear at age 21. Previously, the recommendation was for teens to get a first PAP smear three years after becoming sexually active – or no later than age twenty-one.

A PAP Smear Test is a Screening Tool

A PAP smear test screens for cervical cancer, but it can also detect HPV, or human papilloma virus, a virus which increases the risk of developing cervical cancer. Only certain types of HPV increase the risk of cervical cancer – and there’s now a vaccine that protects against seventy-percent of the HPV strains that cause cervical malignancies.

Most doctors recommend that teens and women get this vaccine at age eleven or twelve – or before they become sexually active. Teens that aren’t vaccinated against HPV and have any type of disease that reduces immunity should get a PAP smear test prior to age 21.

How Often Should Young Women Get a PAP Smear Test after the First One?

The new guidelines recommend that women in their twenties be screened every two years, while women in their thirties can wait three years between screenings – but only after they’ve had three negative PAP smear tests in a row.

Why Did the Age for First PAP Smear Change?

The age for first PAP smear was revised due to the very low incidence of cervical cancer in women under the age of 21. In addition, many teens and younger women find PAP smear screening to be stressful and anxiety-provoking, which also played a role in the guideline changes.

On the other hand, any teen that experiences abdominal pain, bumps or sores in the pelvic region, missed periods, pain with urination, vaginal itching, or bleeding between periods needs to see a doctor, who may recommend a PAP smear test.

The Bottom Line?

The guidelines for when a teen should get a PAP smear has changed, but most doctors still recommend that a teen have her first gynecology visit at around age fifteen. Usually a pelvic exam isn’t required unless a teen is having symptoms. This is a chance for a teen to feel more comfortable with seeing a gynecologist – without having a pelvic exam or PAP smear test.

References:

Medscape.com website. “No Pap Smears for Women Under 21: Guidelines”

Found in products such as Retin-A, vitamin A increases cell turnover, lightens freckles and age spots, and gives skin a more even tone and texture. If you use it consistently for months, it will diminish wrinkles. The downside: it may cause skin to swell, burn, itch, or peel. It also makes skin more prone to sunburn, so you must wear a sunscreen.

Vitamin B

Vitamin B3 (niacin) has long been used in Asian skin care products as a whitener and brightener. some cosmetics manufacturers claim this inhibits moisture loss while making skin look healthier. Other products contain what they call provitamin B5 (panthenol), which has been used for year sin shampoos and conditioners to hydrate hair and make it feel soft and smooth.

Vitamin C

There’s no doubt that topical vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) functions as an antioxidant, helping to protect the skin against damage from free radicals. But the problem with C is that it’s very unstable; it breaks down quickly and must be stored correctly to remain potent. Look for products package din dark or opaque airtight containers. A pump dispenser is great for sealing out oxygen and extending product life.

Vitamin D

This vitamin helps regulate cell reproduction and  turnover an dis routinely used to treat psoriasis. It’s still not sure how or if it helps normal skin.

Vitamin E

You can find this antioxidant i n just about any beauty product. Unfortunately it usually isn’t present in high enough concentrations (5% or more according to a recent study) to really do your skin any good.

Vitamin F

This is linoleic acid, and it’s crucial to proper body function. It probably soothes skin when topically applied, but we just don’t know.

Vitamin H

An oral deficiency of vitamin H (biotin) causes dry, peeling skin, thinning hair, and damaged nails. But there is not much data showing benefit from topical application.

Vitamin K

This vitamin helps bruises fade faster. It also inhibits melanin production and, with continued use, can minimize the appearance of dark undereye circles.

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I also have links to my other articles through my blogs: Sharing my Thoughts and Lifestyle Magazine for Moms

Want to know how to earn extra dollars through writing articles like this? Just visit: http://www.jejeizahfaye.com/2010/01/earning-through-writing-articles.html

1. You find a history in your family. Check your parents’ hands and legs. Varicose veins may be hereditary because it means a weakness in the development of your veins.
2. You are obese and you lead a sedentary lifestyle with hardly any exercise. As a result, your muscles can’t efficiently help the veins pump blood back to the heart.
3. You strain your calves and legs during bowel movement.
4. You are pregnant. Pregnant women experience hormonal changes during pregnancy; varicose veins that develop during this period are often not permanent.

You can ask your doctor about availing yourself of sclerotherapy, which involves injecting a solution into a vein. The solution, which contains hypertonic saline, sodium tetradecyl sulfate, and polidocanol, is meant to improve blood circulation. It collapses the treated vein and blood is diverted to other veins, causing the discolored bulges to disappear. Foam pads are then placed over the treated vein and the leg is wrapped with compression bandage. Normal activities may resume almost immediately after sclerotherapy, although the leg will remain bandaged for a few weeks. You will see results after about six months.

Only a very small percentage of varicose veins may be considered grave cases as to require surgical stripping or complete removal of the saphenous vein (one of two large veins near surface of the foot, thigh, and leg).

You can also try the anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory ointment, available in most drugstores.  They can really help in stopping the swelling of the varicose veins.

For home remedy:  Taken fresh or in capsules, garlic is recommended naturopathists to prevent clots. Also, people with high-fiber diets rarely have varicose veins. Fiber eases bowel movement, which lessens strain on your knees, calves, and legs.

To calm swollen veins, apply cold compress or ice pack; hot tubs, heating pads, and saunas may worsen them.

So, how can you prevent varicose veins?

1. Take a break from standing. But don’t sit too long either.
2. Invest in a good pair of stockings. These stockings compress the vessels and promote blood flow.
3. When you get home, kick off those heels and put your feet up — way up! Elevate your footsies so that they are higher than your heart. In this position, you make use of gravity to increase blood flow from the legs.
4. Exercise those extremities.
5. Ankle circles — Rotate feet clockwise and counterclockwise.
6. Heel slips — Bend  your knees and then slide heels back and forth one at a time.

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I also have links to my other articles through my blogs: Sharing my Thoughts and Lifestyle Magazine for Moms

Want to know how to earn extra dollars through writing articles like this? Just visit: http://www.jejeizahfaye.com/2010/01/earning-through-writing-articles.html

1. Steer clear of salty foods. They tend to make you retain fluids, which can cause the facial swelling that casts dark shadows.
2. Control allergies. When allergies flare up, you can develop and “allergic shiner.” Try using an antihistamine around the clock, covering your bed and pillows with allergy covers, and using an air-purifying filter in your home. To hide an allergic shiner, use a yellow-tinted concealer applied under foundation.
3. Try retinols. Eye creams containing retinols will lighten the dark areas of your skin.
4. Diffuse the light. Look for a concealer that contains light-reflecting particles, which disperse and scatter light, making dark areas look brighter, so you don’t perceive shadows. Be sure to apply it to the shadowed area only, so you don’t inadvertently highlight any other facial flaws.

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I also have links to my other articles through my blogs: Sharing my Thoughts and Lifestyle Magazine for Moms

Want to know how to earn extra dollars through writing articles like this? Just visit: http://www.jejeizahfaye.com/2010/01/earning-through-writing-articles.html

In a world where fast food is synonymous with unhealthy, McDonald’s is trying to separate itself from the stereotypical fast food drive-through that fattens up its customers by serving them mega-burgers and greasy fries. A new move that separates McDonald’s from its competitors is the recent launch of McDonald’s smoothies made with real fruit. The timing couldn’t be better as consumers look for something cool and refreshing to wet their parched throats, as they contend with record high temperatures. Sure, a McDonald’s fruit smoothie sounds virtuous. After all, it’s made with fruit – but is it really healthy?

McDonald’s Fruit Smoothies: What’s in Them?

McDonald’s smoothies come in two flavors – strawberry banana and wild berry. To McDonald’s credit, these smoothie drinks are made with real fruit puree and concentrated fruit juices. For example, the strawberry banana smoothie is crafted from a fruit blend of strawberry puree, banana puree, and concentrated apple juice. Additional ingredients that make up less than one percent of the total include xantham gum, citric acid, cellulose, pectin, ascorbic acid, and artificial and natural flavors.

To create a sippable smoothie, the fruit blend is added to low fat yogurt and processed in a blender. Keep in mind that the blend is pre-made, so you won’t see the fruit being chopped up and added to the blender, as you would at some smoothie shops. If you want this experience, head to a Smoothie King or Jamba Juice instead.

McDonald’s Smoothies: The Nutritional Low-Down

If you order the smallest McDonald’s smoothie (12 ounces) in the strawberry banana flavor, the calorie content is pretty reasonable at 210 calories. The 16 ounce size has 260 calories. But before you bolt over to McDonald’s to pick up one of these fruity creations, bear in mind that a sixteen ounce smoothie has a whopping 54 grams of sugars – twice the amount in two Snicker’s bars.

On the plus side, you’ll get more vitamin C, fiber, and calcium from a McDonald’s smoothie than you would from a Snicker’s bar. In addition, the pureed fruit supplies some antioxidants. Still, if you’re watching your sugar intake, a McDonald’s smoothie is more of a splurge than a dietary staple.

Are McDonald’s Smoothies Healthy: The Bottom Line

It’s a positive that McDonald’s is taking steps to promote healthier eating and drinking – and a McDonald’s fruit smoothie has more overall nutrition than a soft drink. Still, their fruit smoothies are best used as a dessert alternative – not a drink to sip with a meal. With so many sugar grams, don’t make these drinks a habit.  

References:

McDonald’s website.

Drug detox and alcohol detox programs are the single best thing you can possibly do if you‘re struggling with addiction to either alcohol or drugs. To get rid of drugs and alcohol safely from your system, the body goes through what is called detoxification. This is a process that is critical to people fighting addiction to alcohol, prescription drugs or opiates.

Drug detox and alcohol detox programs – your only fighting chance?

For over 90% of people addicted to these substances, drug detox and alcohol detox programs are the last chance they get before succumbing into a downwards, self-destructive abuse spiral. Not many people know this, but suddenly stopping taking drugs or drinking alcohol is incredibly dangerous to those that attempt to quit without medical supervision.

Alcohol detox and drug detox programs – a breakthrough from the darkness.

One of the things you’ll learn in a drug detox or an alcohol detox program is that abuse has dire consequences – both physically, chronic but also mentally. For all of the addicted, living their day-to-day life is almost impossible. Working under the influence of either class of substances makes them prone to all sorts of dangers, from accidents, to social incidents, to diminishing work efficiency. Driving or operating machinery is near to an impossible task. Relationships crumble. That’s where drug detox and alcohol detox programs come in place. They give those that complete them a ray of hope – rehabilitation.

Drug detox and alcohol detox programs – what’s the catch?

Alcohol detox programs in treatment centers or hospitals and drug detox centers both have adopted the spiritual model of Alcoholics Anonymous, also known as AA. This model, along with support structures and medical equipment, tries to reduce the psycho-social and mental harm done by addiction by rooting out the very heart of abuse problems but without interfering with the physical aspect of it. So, you see, there’s no “catch” to drug detox and alcohol detox programs – just spiritual healing.

Alcohol detox and drug detox – how does it work?

Drug detox and alcohol detox intricacies are rather simple to witness – they just get together the greatest available self-transformation, or self-care and discovery practices, using the best from psychology and spiritual disciplines, such as yoga. That’s how people finally manage to cope with addiction and reconnect with their spiritual inner self. More so, these practices also assist the body in the detoxification process, and help people to find peace of mind and emotional equilibrium. This is what you will find in alcohol detox and drug detox centers.

Drug detox and alcohol detox – what’s after them?

To escape relapsing to drinking or substance abuse, medical science has come up, after intense neurological and genetic research, with a new range of medication, doctor-prescribed: Suboxone, Subutex, Antabuse (disulfiram) or ReVia (naltrexone). And since we’re talking about medical supervision, if you’re addicted to any of the following substances, you need to be in a medical supervised drug detox program: heroin; codeine; xanax; methadone; vicodin; percodan; darvocet; laam; dilaudid; lorcet; mscontin; oxycontin; percocet; zydone; lortab; stadol; norco.

So keep in mind: your only hope to escape addiction is finding your inner strength. And you can’t do that without a drug detox or an alcohol detox program

image source

Throughout the ages, warm water baths have been used to as a natural means to relieve pain and muscle aches, restore emotional balance, and as a drug-free therapy for a number of illnesses.  For this reason, many expectant mothers and families still embrace water baths as the method of pain relief.  With the rising awareness of the side effects of drugs during labor and delivery many healthy expectant moms who are having an uncomplicated pregnancy and women who trust the birth process, wish to avoid drug interventions and medications, opt for water birth.

A baby emerging from a water-filled uterus into a warm bath, gently lifted to the surface is not rushed to breath during water birth.  The trigeminal nerve is gently stimulated as the cool air touches it which triggers the first breath as the newborn baby rests on the mother’s chest, while it is welcomed into the world.  Water birth is a gentle beginning to a baby.  Over the years, midwives, doulas, and doctors encourage pregnant women to utilize a water birth because they have seen its positive benefits to both mothers and babies.  Water birth is a natural, safe and effective option to giving birth.  The only side effect is – somebody gets wet.