Get Fit, Firm & Have Fun Losing Weight At Home With XFLOWSION™

You huff and you puff as you climb that flight of stairs, you know it's because you'd rather veg-out at home than go to the gym. You are aware of the statistics that show a correlation between obesity and diabetes, heart-disease, and more, but you just keep putting it off for another day. Well, that day has come! And all you have to do is pop in a DVD and get up off the couch! I've mentioned in the past how I would prefer to workout at home instead of having to drive to the gym. Well, Eric Paskel's XFLOWSION, is a new workout-from-home program that efficiently and effectively gives you three workouts, martial arts, power yoga, and dance, all-in-one. It's been raved about in magazines such as Shape, Self, In Style, First, and People; and the testimonies abound, including those from Monica and Evan, both of whom were American Gladiator Champions. With the original rocking tracks performed by a live band, and because it's filmed in HD with 5.1 surround sound, you'll feel like you're right there - with Eric as your personal trainer! So whether you need to start from scratch, or if you just can't get those last few pounds to come off, this is the workout for you!

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How's Your Brain Today?

Could your brain be shrinking? After hearing about this on the news, I searched to find the article. According to an Oxford University Scientist, you could be unknowingly shrinking your brain. It seems that a lack of viatmin B-12, which is found most frequently in meat, is one of the causes. Memory tests, physical checks and brain scans were used to examine 107 people between the ages of 61 and 87 and the results showed that those with the lowest levels of vitamin B-12 were also the most likely to have brain shrinkage. The moral of the study? If you're a vegetarian, supplement your B-12. The article also pointed out that people who downed 14 drinks or more a week had 1.6 per cent more brain shrinkage than non-drinkers. And women with a BMI (body mass index) of 27 or more had more brain shrinkage than thinner subjects. Get moving, quit drinking, and get enough B-12!

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One Stop Shop For Your Nutritional/Organic Product Needs

I ran across a site today that I wanted to share with you. It's Choice Nutritionals. (www.choicenutritionals.com) Here you will find a variety of health products including quality vitamins, minerals, and nutritional supplements from Garden of Life Vitamins, Mt. Capra, Sovereign Silver and Natural Calm. But as their title suggests, they offer nutritionals, not just supplements, unlike a lot of nutritional supplement sites. I particularly liked their selection of certified organic skin and hair care products. You'll find everything from natural toothpaste, (did you know some toothpastes contain a chemical also used in toilet bowl cleaner?) and deodorant, (no aluminum - so you don't have to worry whether or not it causes Alzheimer's) and also a selection of body lotions, cleansing bars, shaving gel and makeup (because what you put on your skin, is absorbed into your body) from Miessence. They even have a line of products for your baby! MiEnviron supplies products such as household cleaners, air fresheners, and a natural bug repellent. Additionally, you'll find high quality blenders and dehydrators, (to make all your healthy goodies with) and even sprouters! Now you can have fresh sprouts all year long! There are water filters, including a corn based reusable water bottle with built in filter, and books and educational materials that will help guide you on your journey to wellness. I could go on, but instead I'll let you visit them yourself and find all the items you need to help you reach your health goals... (I want that water bottle!)

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Step Outside... It's Good For You!

I spent this past weekend in the Red River Gorge Geological Area. We hiked until I could hardly walk the next day. It was indescribably beautiful though. I came home feeling like I had not only had a great time and did something good for my body, but also just generally happy. It's ironic that I should come across an article in the April 2008, issue of Fitness entitled, "Are You Nature Deprived?" The article explains why I felt so good, and why we should all get outside more often. Did you know that Americans spend 90 percent of their time indoors? In 1987 the average American made more than one visit to a national park over the course of a year, but park use per capita is down 25 percent! And one-quarter of Americans engaged in no leisure-time physical activity at all in 1996. And our bodies are now paying the price, two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese. Biophilia is the innate affinity humans have for other living things. Science shows that when you take a walk outdoors, you lower stress-hormone levels and are in a better position to adapt and adjust to life's constant changes. Natural surrounding can also motivate us to move more. Pamela Peeke, M.D., says, " Outside, you're connecting with something much bigger, and there's a sense of joy. The last thing on your mind at times like these is, 'Let's score a Snickers bar.'" Even the getting dirty part of being outside may be good for you. When lung cancer patients were injected with a common soil microbe, they felt not only less sick but more optimistic. And moderate exposure to the sun boosts the body's production of vitamin D, which is linked to higher bone density and decreased risk for some cancers as well as multiple sclerosis. "Even a view of a few trees can help a mentally fatigued person become effective again," says University of Michigan professor Rachel Kaplan, Ph.D. Fill your life with nature, no matter where you are. You'' find that almost any exercise that can be done in the gym can be done outdoors, often more effectively. If possible, walk or bike to work, instead of driving, or just plant something and watch it grow.

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Personal Safety Products Could Save You

I live in a rural area and therefore it's easy for me to walk or bike ride for my exercise. The surroundings are lovely, with rolling hills and valleys. The only time I don't enjoy my outdoor workouts is when one of the neighbor's dogs decides I shouldn't be walking in front of his home. And guess what? He's not tied up or fenced in... because people in the country let their pets roam. (Except me apparently!) I've recently started carrying pepper spray with me, because I will usually take my Labrador Retriever with me and I figure it's better than standing in the middle of a dog fight. But I might be even better off carrying The Muzzle Dog Repellent with Keychain. Perhaps you have the same problem, or maybe you live in a city or area where crime is high. Or are you a hunter who has to be on the lookout for coyotes or other unfriendly wildlife? Whatever the reason, you can find personal security products at www.planetmace.com. They not only have pepper spray, but you can also purchase mace, stun guns, tazers, and even personal safety alarms. Imagine you leave early one morning, before first light, for an A.M. run when all of the sudden you are approached by an attacker. What will you do? If you have The Mace Pepper Spray for Runners & Joggers, which is a powerful defense spray that was designed with a Velcro strap to fit snugly around your hand or wrist, or maybe The 120db Personal Security Alarm with LED Light which emits a 120db siren and a bright flashing red LED strobe light to deflect assailants and signal for help. Either one will immediately stop him in his tracks. Don't let fear keep you from enjoying your outdoor exercise routine. Instead visit www.plantemace.com and purchase your personal security products. You'll also receive free shipping on orders over $50 and the lowest prices available.

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Why Do Mosquitoes Love Me?

I swear mosquitoes love me! Not only do I apparently taste good, but I'm also apparently allergic to their poison as their bites swell up to quarter sized whelps on me. My hubby, on the other hand, never gets bitten? So what's up with that? First of all they are drawn to carbon dioxide, something we all breathe out. In addition, there are more than 275 compounds that skin produces, some of which do indeed lure mosquitoes. Our individual genetics, plus diets and exercise habits, appear to play a role in how much of these we manufacture. The scent of sweat and alcohol may also get the insects attention. So, unfortunately, there is little you can do other than use a bug repellent to keep them away. (For a natural alternative try mixing 10 parts lavender, 5 parts lemon and 2 drops of geranium or eucalyptus oil. Add a couple of tablespoons of almond oil and you have a beautiful scent that, fortunately, smells horrible to mosquitoes.)

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Help With Medicare Part D

I have to admit, I almost dread becoming eligible for Medicare due to all that is involved in deciding what parts to take and then filing for them. The annual enrollment period (or time to make changes to your policy) for Medicare Part D starts November 15 and ends December 31 every year. The plans change pricing and coverages each year, so it's important that you compare and be sure that you are on the Medicare D coverage plan that will cover your drugs for the lowest co-pays and premiums. To get a second opinion on the coverage you have now, or if you are new to Medicare, recently moved to a new state, have been in rehab or a nursing home, MyPartDUSA.com wants to help you sort through the confusion. Here you can find your Medicare D cost, (there are so many plans to choose from it can overwhelm even the most intelligent individuals!) Medicare Part D Enrollment Forms, an easy to understand glossary of Medicare D terms, and even a Medicare Part D Blog answering common questions and explaining the Medicare D benefits. For example, did you know that there are many plans to choose from that do not have a Medicare Part D drug plan deductible in 2008? Visit MyPartUSA.com and let their consulting services help you wade through the different Medicare Part D deductible plans. There are many websites that will charge for enrollment services but here you can get the information you need for PDP plans at no charge.

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Add A Little Low-Cal Zest To Your Food

Do you feel as if all your food is bland and boring when you're on a diet or trying to eat healthy? There are actually a lot of simple tricks that add taste without adding calories or fat. Why not try one of these ideas I found in the April 2008, issue of Fitness. They come from Cindy Cuomo, a content and recipe developer for Whole Foods Market.

• Pesto. A delicious mix of basil, pine nuts and garlic gives food a taste of summer. At just 80 calories a tablespoon, it's a lower-calorie alternative to oil. One of my personal friends won't eat a sandwich without pesto spread on it, or Cuomo suggests adding a teaspoon or two to chicken noodle soup for a branch new taste.
• Pimenton. This smoked Spanish paprika is twice as flavorful as ordinary paprika. It's great on red meat or poultry and in bean soups or stews.
• A Rub Instead of A Marinade. Made of herbs and spices, rubs add zest for almost no calories. Here's one to try on chicken or salmon: 2 Tbs. paprika or pimenton, 2 Tbs. minced garlic, 1 Tbs. olive oil, 1 1/2 Tbs. Chile powder, 2 tsp. dried thyme, 1/4 tsp. allspice, 1/4 cup pink-grapefruit juice, 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. black pepper. Blend together and rub over meat.

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Is Lap-Surgery For You?

There are many factors that cause obesity including our genetics, our metabolism, medical conditions, and the fact that the majority of Americans eat a diet of 40% fat and only engage in a couple hours of physical activity a week. Whatever the causes, being morbidly obese (morbid obesity is defined as being 100 lbs. or more over ideal body weight or having a Body Mass Index of 40 or higher) is not just a cosmetic or social issue, it can bring along with it real health problems, some resulting in death. The obese have a shorter life-expectancy and their risk of death from diabetes or heart attack is five to seven times greater. If you are obese, you may not know what options are available to you. If you have tried all the conventional methods of weight-loss and still find the your health to be in serious danger, then obesity surgery may be for you. Dr. Hadar Spivak, MD, FACS, is one of the few surgeons in the US chosen to be part of an FDA trial evaluating the results and safety of the LAP-BAND device and he was the first surgeon to perform the LAP-BAND procedure in Texas. Dr. Spivak does a variety of bariatric procedures and, if you visit his weight loss clinic in Houston, he can help you decide if the LAP-BAND System, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or revision surgery would be best to help you reach your ideal weight and gain maximum health. Even with surgery, you must have a consistent willingness to make positive lifestyle changes or you can regain all the weight you lost. Always do your homework before deciding on a weight-loss program. To learn more about obesity, the LAP-Band System, and Dr. Spivak, visit www.Lap-Surgery.net.

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What Are Those Sores In My Mouth?

There was a question from a reader posted in the April 2008 issue of Self, that Dr. Lisa Callahan, M.D. answered. I found it particularly interesting because I used to have this problem. The reader asked, "I sometimes get tiny, painful sores on my tongue, are they cold sores?" The answer? They're probably aphthous ulcers, aka canker sores, which typically pop up inside the mouth on the tongue, gums, cheeks or lips. The cause isn't exactly known, but they are associated with stress as well as deficiencies in nutrients such as iron or B12, food allergies and even biting the inside of your cheek. Canker sores are typically nothing to worry about, and the sores usually heal on their own within a couple of weeks. To ease discomfort while you heal suck on an ice cube, rinse with salt water or pop an over-the-counter pain reliever. To avoid the sores in the future, keep your immune system up and running during times of stress with plenty of rest and moderate exercise, and by eating a well-balanced diet, and consider taking a multivitamin if you think you're falling short on nutrients. If the sores linger more than three weeks, see a doctor as you might have an infection.

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Pinch A Penny And Still Eat Healthy

With the rising cost of food (fresh fruit and veggies rose 20% in the past two years) it's actually becoming harder and harder for some people to eat healthy. One tip I've found is to remember that frozen is usually cheaper, keeps longer, and is just as healthy as fresh. Another one, is to clip coupons. I always try to clip the coupons in my Sunday paper. Another source for coupons is to visit the Penny Pincher Gazette. In addition to online coupons, at the Penny Pincher Gazette, you can also find online grocery circulars, (to help you get the most bang-for-your-buck out of those coupons!) recipes, and articles. Right now they are featuring the article Quick and Healthy Meals - Solutions for the Busy Cook. Families are being hit hard by the huge rise in the cost of food, but with a little preparation hopefully you can still eat healthy without breaking the bank.

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Two Tip Tuesdays

I found two diet tips I thought I'd post today and was trying to think of a catchy name for my post when Two Tip Tuesday came to me. So, I thought I could make this a regular feature. On Tuesdays I'll provide two tips either health, diet, fitness, or beauty related. Hope you enjoy this feature! And if you're a blogger who wants to join me by posting two tips on Tuesdays, just contact me through the button above and I'll consider starting a weekly meme. This week's tips are diet related.

1. When is the best time of the month for a woman to start a diet? The first day after your period! A study in the International Journal of Obesity found that hormones connected to junk food cravings surge premenstrually, but they decrease during your period.
2. Researchers at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa report that emotional eaters are 13 times more likely to be overweight. To change your habit of filling yourself when you're stressed out, keep a mood and food log to spot thoughts that trigger eating, then plan a noncaloric way to cope.

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No More Buggie Nights!

Remember the episode of King Of Queens when Arthur brings Carrie and Doug a gift set of sheets from his vacation--and along with the sheets, they get the gift of bed bugs? At one point Doug says, "So it's $1,100 [to get rid of the bed-bugs], right?" The exterminator replies, "Oh, god, no, no... it's gonna be at least $2,500." To which Doug then says, "$2,500? I want you to kill them, I don't want you to send them to private school!" That episode had me in stitches, however if you are the one who has the bed bugs in your home, I'm sure it's not as funny! The reality is that bed bug cases are on the rise, probably due to an increase in international travel. They can infest all kinds of different places in your bedroom, not just your bed. They usually bite once a week or so, and they can actually live for a long time without feeding - usually six months, but sometimes over a year. If you are needing information on bed bug control, visit bedbugsguide.com. The site will tell you everything you need to know - what bed bugs are, why they're creeping around inside your bed, and what you need to do to get rid of them and to save your mattress so you don't have to make an expensive new purchase.

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See What Suspension Training Can Do For You

I don't know where I've been, apparently under a rock. I just read about the hot new celebrity fitness favorite, suspension training. While holding the handles of a wall-mounted strap, you push and pull yourself through a range of motions building strength, balance, flexibility and core stability. After seeing it in action, it looks like something I'd love to do! Check it out in the video below and if you're interested, you can take BodyWeb classes at Crunch or purchase a Total Resistance Exercise home package at FitnessAnywhere.com.

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Cosmetic Surgery - More Than Just A Pretty Face

Want to look as great as you feel? Even though you may eat healthy and exercise regularly, you may find there are still things that no amount of work, on your part, is going to change. I was thinking about my 4 closest friends. Between the four there has been a rhinoplasty, laser removal of a birthmark, 2 breast augmentations and one who had her lips plumped. And if you talk to them, there will be more work in the future! The reason? They all want to look hot! That is the reason most people choose cosmetic surgery. But there can also be medical reasons. For example, Detroit blepharoplasty is the laser rejuvenation of excessive sagging eyelids. Sagging upper eyelids can actually block a person's vision. Dr. Berkowitz, at Accents Cosmetic Surgery and Medical Spa in Michigan, tests a blepharoplasty candidate to detect their current field of vision and then compares what they currently see to what would be expected following the removal of this excess tissue. The good news is, if enough improvement is gained, their medical insurance may consider this procedure not only cosmetic, but medically necessary - meaning they would pay for the surgery. You should always do your homework and research any procedures you are contemplating, but with the state-of-the-art technology that we have today, you may find that the benefits of cosmetic surgery can provide to improve your quality of life!

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Should You Start With Cardio Or Weights?

If you're like me you may wonder if it's better to do your cardio first or to strength train. Well, the answer depends on your goals. If your goal is to get stronger, strength-train first while your body is full of energy. You'll be able to life more weight and do more reps. However, if your goal is mainly weight loss you'll want to start with cardio. It raises your heart rate and boosts your calorie burn.

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A Great New Site You'll Want To Visit

I found a new site today that I thought you would want to check out. It's MyLifetime.com. MyLifetime.com is brought to you by the same great people who bring you Lifetime Television. (I love their original dramas!) The site will keep you busy! There are many different areas to search. TV, Entertainment, Relationships, Style, Home Decorating Ideas, and of course my favorite section, Health. Featured in their health section right now you can find articles on Fighting Chronic Pain, The Truth About Antioxidants, and Why People Fail at Weight Loss. That's in addition to the Health A-Z, the 20-minute workouts, and the nutrition advice from Dawn. It's free to register, and as they say, membership has it's privileges. You'll be able to play games and save your score, you can be notified whenever there's a prize to won, plus you can subscribe to newsletters on love, health, style, astrology, volunteering, home, money and more. So next time you're surfing the web stop by MyLifetime.com and connect, play, and share!

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What Can Music Do For Your Health?

Music isn't just enjoyable, it can do wonders for your health. Did you know it can:

• Help Fend Off colds. After performing singers had higher levels of salivary immunoglobulin A, a protein that defends against respiratory infections, according to a study from Johann Wolfgang Goethe University.
• Soothe Stress. People who participated in a weekly hour-long drum circle had lower stress levels, according to a study in the International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship.
• Help You Get A Better Night's Sleep. Listening to relaxing music for 45 minutes before bedtime will help you drift off to sleep faster, a study in the Journal of Advanced Nursing notes. A tempo of between 40 and 72 beats per minute is the most sedating.

Source: Self, September 2008

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New Treatments For Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a non-contagious condition that causes rapid skin cell reproduction resulting in red, dry patches of thickened skin. The dry flakes and skin scales are thought to result from the buildup of the rapid production of skin cells. The husband of my workmate has a very severe case and has tried just about every over the counter medication there is, and was even involved in a clinical trial and still has found little relief. The good news is, there are many promising new psoriasis drugs including newer biologic drugs. Biologic therapies use protein molecules engineered to interact with white blood cells and related inflammatory signals in order to reduce their activity in psoriasis. They are considered to be more effective and less toxic than other therapies. If you are a dermatologists or dermatology nurse looking for the latest information about biologic therapies used to treat patients with moderate to severe psoriasis, PsoriasisTx is an educational Web site that will provide it to you free of charge. Would you like to know how your clinical practices compare with those of your peers? Now you can follow along with a new interactive feature of PsoriasisTx, which presents a challenging case taken straight from the clinical practice of a dermatology expert and follows its progress in 4 monthly installments. Learners will be polled for their treatment recommendations, and these will be posted back to PsoriasisTx in real time. Now you can be informed, and offer your psoriasis patients the best treatment possible.

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Another Awesome Award!

Would you believe that I received two -- that's right 2 -- of the same award today? What a wonderful day. Thanks so much to Healthy Perspectives and Mommy Mia's World who made this possible! I'm honored to know that you enjoy my blog! Here are the instructions for the following Brillante Weblog Premio award recipients: 1. Place the logo on your blog. 2. Link to the person who awarded you. 3. You can nominate up to 5 blogs. 4. You can then add their links to your blog 5. Leave a message in the comment section to each nominee on their blog Here are my list of deserving nominees: 1. Weight Watchers Blogger 2. Mommies Marbles 3. Small Steps To Health 4. Mix World 5. Candle At Both Ends Congrats to all!

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Holistic Health Treats The Whole Person

Have you ever visited your doctor with a problem and walked out, after waiting for hours, seeing a doctor for a mere few minutes because there are many more patients scheduled than can be fit into a day, being given a prescription for something you may or may not need, and feeling generally abused... like they just wanted you out of there as quick as possible? Unfortunately, that is the way many physicians practice medicine today. In contrast, Holistic medicine is based on the treatment of the whole (holos, a Greek word meaning all, entire, total) person. It emphasizes not only the physical elements of the patient but also takes into account the emotional, mental, and spiritual elements. Most health care, often does not address the underlying root causes of disease. You are given a prescription for something that will mask your symptoms, be it heartburn, migraines, high blood pressure, panic attacks, etc. As the disease itself remains unresolved, symptoms repeatedly arise which are again palliated or suppressed, creating a vicious cycle. Holistic practices may include Classical Homeopathy Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Clinical Nutrition and Craniosacral Therapy, all of which Jonathan Breslow is certified in. He is committed to relieve suffering in his patients and cure the underlying causes of disease by drawing on natural medical therapies. If you are interested in holistic health in Los Angeles or the surrounding area, you will want to take advantage of this chance to discuss your health care concerns and learn what a natural approach can do for you!

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Think Thin, Eat When You're Sick, And Skip The Splenda

Feeling fat? It could be as bad for you as actually being overweight. Researchers from Columbia University found that stressing about your size may increase levels of brain chemicals linked to diabetes and high blood pressure--the same conditions obese people are more likely to face. Conclusion: Instead of obsessing about weight loss, try eating right instead. Too sick to eat? You may not feel like eating when you're ill, but your body needs food to get well. Research from the University of South Florida found that cutting food intake by 30 percent made the immune systems of mice less effective at battling germs. Conclusion: Eat a hearty soup if nothing else sounds good. Indulge a little! A study in the journal Neuron reveals that foods with fake sugar don't quell craving the way those with real sugar do. When mice that couldn't taste sweetness drank water with sugar, brain levels of the pleasure chemical dopamine rose. Those that drank artificially sweetened water had no spike. Conclusion: You're only fooling yourself. A tiny bite of an indulgent treat will satisfy unlike the artificial where you'll just keep coming back for more! Source: Self, September 2008

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A Way To Get Comfortable While Your Expecting

I clearly remember the function we attended just four days before I gave birth to my son. My feet were swollen and I was uncomfortable no matter what position I sat or stood in. Of course it didn't help that we were seated on hard folding chairs! I was miserable! If you are looking for a way to find some comfort during your pregnancy, you may want to try out a Maternity Bean Bag from Bean Bag Bazaar. These particular Bean Bags are very large and are teardrop (graduated) shaped. They have breather eyelets so when you sit down the air rushes through the eyelets agitating the beans, making them mould perfectly to your body. They're ideal for new and expectant moms because they offer great back and baby support. What I would have given for one of these chairs on that day! Learn more about them in this Press Release: Leading UK Bean Bag manufacturer Bean Bag Bazaar has expanded its maternity line to include a selection of stylish new products aimed at mums to be. Maternity bean bags are now available in a range of colours and fabrics and provide unbeatable comfort during the various stages of pregnancy. Bean Bag Bazaar is currently offering huge discounts through its online store at http://www.beanbagbazaar.co.uk, with up to 50% off the RRP on some items.

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What Type Of Bed Is Best For Your Aching Back?

I've always heard that sleeping on a hard surface was best for a bad back. I've even known people who put a board under their mattress to make it firmer. However, a new Danish study in which back-pain sufferers slept for a month on either a water bed, a firm mattress, or a soft, body-conforming mattress concluded that sleeping on a soft mattress may help relieve back pain! The softer beds resulted in significantly less daytime pain and an extra hour of sleep each night. "The harder the mattress, the more tense and aggravated the already painful ligaments in people's backs became," says the study author, Tom Bendix, M.D.

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What To Look For In A Treadmill

I mentioned a few posts back that I recently purchased a treadmill. The one I purchased I was able to get from a relative at a bargain-basement price. And fortunately, it had almost all of the features that I was looking for in a treadmill. I wanted it to be electric, have multiple speeds, have a digital readout, (time and distance) and have an adjustable incline. I did compromise in that the incline can only be set to two different levels, but other than that I'm very pleased with it! If you're in the market for a treadmill, do you know what you want? What do you feel you must have, and what would you compromise on? Www.treadmillsguru.com is a site that will give you all the information you need to know to buy a home treadmill. Here you will find reviews divided up into category by the cost of the treadmill. So you can be sure to find the perfect treadmill for your lifestyle. Buying a treadmill can be a big decision. A good one will last you for years to come and help you reach the fitness goals you've set. Be sure you know what you want before you purchase one.

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What Knee Pain?

Try these tips to reduce or even diminish knee pain:

1. Lose Weight. If you're overweight, shaving off just one tenth of your body weight can reduce pain by as much as 50%!
2. Flatten Feet While Bending. Keeping your heels on the floor when bending protects knees by transferring tension to the thigh muscles.
3. Supplement Combo To Try. Talk to your doctor about glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate; together these supplements are shown to reduce knee pain in nearly 80% of cases.
4. Walk Softly. Walking on grass, turf or dirt is easier on knees than walking on asphalt or concrete.
5. Drink More Milk. Vitamin D fortified that is! A deficiency of D is linked to increased joint pain.
6. Take The Pill. Women who take oral contraceptives are significantly less likely to tear ligaments and hurt knee joints.

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Sweat Your Way To Better Health

I have a friend who hardly ever perspires, but did you ever think about the fact that your body's own natural defense to invaders is to get a fever and sweat them out? Sweating actually has benefits for most people. For example, in addition to eliminating toxins, sweating improves circulation, purifies skin, and can even burn calories, helping you control your weight! In fact, enjoying a hot bath or sauna can burn up to 300 calories - the equivalent of running more than 2 miles! I love relaxing in a sauna. The gym I am a member of has one, but I always seem to forget it's there until I'm ready to leave. (and it takes 10 minutes to get to optimum temperature!) I would love to be able to enjoy one in the privacy of my own home. Do you ever get a chance to sweat in the sauna? Do you feel it's beneficial? Do you have to go out to one, or do you have one at home? You can learn more about sauna sweating for health by reading SEX in the SAUNA , SWEAT in the CITY, a new Blog by Writer Sauna Shauna (a pseudonym obviously) covering the health benefits of Infrared Home Saunas. And here's a short video (news clip) that will give you a quick run-down of those benefits.

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Blue Lights For Better Breath?

Here's a bright idea! The Journal of Medical Microbiology reports that a blue halogen light in your bathroom fixture helps kill the bacteria that causes bad breath. It increases oxygen in your mouth, which, in turn, blasts bacteria.

As an added bonus, blue halogen light also kills the germs that cause gum disease!

Source: Woman's World, 3/3/08

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Supplements That Doctors Trust

• Antioxidants prevent disease naturally.
• Vitamin D lowers your risk of death.
• Omega-3 protects against Parkinson's, depression, and protects your eyesight.
• Vitamin E may help Alzheimer's patients live longer.

The preceding are all headlines from the past year. They go to show our need for vitamins and minerals. However, taking just any supplement could be dangerous. The FDA does not regulate supplements, so you can be sure that there are some on the market that are not safe. They may contain high levels of metals, have inaccurate labels, or not be easily absorbed by the human body. Care Products, Inc. recently launched the Care Nutrition online store, Care Nutrition -- Supplements That Doctors Trust. This line of nutritional supplements was originally available only through hospitals and healthcare organizations but is now available direct to consumers at www.carenutrition.com. The following Press Release contains more information on their launch: Care Products, Inc announces the launch of the Care Nutrition online store Orlando, FL – April 7, 2008 – Care Products, Inc. today announced the launch of its Care Nutrition online store. The line of nutritional supplements originally available only through hospitals and healthcare organizations is now available direct to consumers at www.carenutrition.com. The company announced the ecommerce website will open a new channel of distribution that will greatly increase their service offerings. “We are excited to launch the Care Nutrition ecommerce website as it expands our ability to provide quality, doctor-recommended nutritional supplements on a national level direct to health-conscious consumers,” says Bill Johnson, Care Nutrition Product Manager. “The ecommerce site is designed to enhance our distribution network through direct participation by our retail outlets.” Care Nutrition brings a new dimension of quality to the dietary supplement industry with highly refined, doctor-recommended products in a market where most are met with hesitant consumers uncertain about product integrity and efficacy. Care Nutrition is committed to using natural and organic ingredients, and also offers several vegan-friendly supplements. The company offers a wide range of popular supplements across three product lines. Care Nutrition Health focuses on enhancing the overall health and well-being of men, women and children. Care Nutrition Women’s features supplements that are specifically designed to meet the complex needs of a woman’s body. And lastly, Care Nutrition Fitness is directed toward both serious athletes and those who exercise regularly to support their active lifestyles. For more information contact Bill Johnson at (407) 566-1091 or bill.johnson@thepaquingroup.com About Care Products, Inc. Care Products, Inc., a subsidiary of Paquin Healthcare Companies, Inc., is a leading supplier of health and wellness lifestyle products and is dedicated to providing the highest quality and most dependable dietary supplements, cosmetics and skincare products to the healthcare industry. www.carenutrition.com About Paquin Healthcare Companies, Inc. Paquin Healthcare Companies, Inc., through its subsidiary operations, is pioneering the development of distribution channels for healthcare-based retail products and services. Working in conjunction with major hospitals and other professional healthcare organizations nationwide, Paquin Healthcare is the nation’s leading provider of integrated and customized solutions for the implementation of healthcare retail strategies. As Medicare reimbursement rates continue to be pressured downward and expenses rise, new sources for non-reimbursed revenues are becoming essential to the financial viability of hospitals. Paquin Healthcare also organizes the industry’s premier annual meeting event for healthcare retail initiatives, The Healthcare Retail Conference. For more information, visit www.PaquinHealthcare.com

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Where's Your Yoga Mat Been?

Do you bring your own exercise mat to the gym? Do you wash it often with warm, soapy water? If not, and you are using a public mat, you may want to at least swipe it with a portable disinfectant, like Lysol Sanitizing Wipes, before setting foot on it. Anne E. Maczulak, Ph.D. and author of The Five-Second Rule and Other Myths About Germs says that a variety of germs, bacteria, and other sickness-inducing nasties can swim in the thin film of sweat left behind by the last person who used it. You could contract athlete's foot, rashes, ringworm, E. coli, flu, viruses, and staph bacteria. Eww... You really might want to break down and buy your own mat!

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Could A New Wardrobe Be The Answer To Keeping Your Figure This Winter?

Well, another season is coming to a close. I don't know where summer went. It seems like it just started and now we're moving into fall. Actually fall is probably my favorite season. It's just melancholy for me because I hate winter! I'm just now finally down to my last-year's weight and I'm worried that I won't move as much this winter and I'll gain it all back. In a quest to keep it off this year, I first of all bought a treadmill. Now I have no excuse not to walk - no matter the weather! I'm also thinking it would be great to buy some new clothes. Maybe I'll splurge and purchase designer apparel, something that shows off my figure, so I won't be tempted to eat, eat, eat! Www.shopgoldyn.com has incredible clothes that I can purchase in the comfort of my home. (Because I'd hate to have to walk into a store!) There's a really cute little black t-shirt dress, casual enough to wear during the day, but short enough to wear to a party, that might be perfect. Or maybe I'll get some Twinkle skirts. I like the pencil box one with cutout detail along the bottom hem. And don't forget the perfect pair of shoes to go with whatever I 'have' to have! I do better in flats, so maybe a pair of Modern Vintage boots would be right up my alley! I just love shopping -- and now maybe I've devised the perfect reason to do so! What do you plan on doing to keep active and in shape this winter? Get your plan laid out now because it's just around the corner.

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Would You Do Face Yoga To Look Younger?

Recently I ran across a rerun of Rachel Ray's daytime talkshow and her guest was Annelise Hagan, author of The Yoga Face. Annelise was teaching Rachel movements and stretches that she could do to help her face stay firm and become younger looking. I have to say, what they were doing was quite funny to watch, (see Annelise in action below) but if it works - who cares? Annelise came up with the sequence of moves when she noticed that her clients, who she taught yoga to, were enjoying the benefits of their bodies looking younger, but were getting surgical procedures on their faces. "I started thinking why can't yoga help the face? So I started looking at the anatomy of the face, the musculature of the face and training those muscles." Don't neglect your facial muscles - they benefit from exercise as much as any other muscle, and they do so quickly! Learn how to train your muscles, and then practice, practice, practice.

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