Home and Health

Happiness is an attitude. It is the glow that brings cheer to your face. Unfortunately, it is not store bought. Happiness actually begins from the inside and encompasses everything you do.

Being happy has many fringe benefits, apart from the obvious. If you are happy, you have greater chances of attracting more happiness, achieving your goals and becoming more successful.

So, what makes people happy? That is a question worth considering. You see, different people feel happiness in different circumstances. Some people need small things to feel happy while others may feel like they need a million dollars in their savings account before they can begin to find a reason to smile.

Having said that, there are certain tried and tested secrets that can light the magic of happiness in your heart.

Cheer someone else: Nothing can bring you more happiness than extending a helping hand. When compassion enters the mind, selfish interests fly out. Treat others with respect and in a generous manner. When you give something to a person who needs it, your own sense of happiness increases ten fold. Don’t ask me why. Just try it.

Feel grateful: This is one of the best ways to be happy. Most of us are in the habit of looking up – we look at people who are richer than us, more attractive, more successful and so on. For a change, try looking down – at those who are less fortunate. This may seem sadistic, but when you look at those who are less fortunate, you suddenly realize how lucky you are. A good dose of healthy gratitude at the beginning of every day can leave you feeling happy throughout the day.

Live the moment: Most of us are so frustrated about the changes we did not make in the past and so anxious about what the future will bring that we forget about the present. Focus on what is happening to you right now – your dinner, this article or a conversation you are having.

Listen to music: We all live stress-filled lives packed with too many activities, all vying to take center stage. Is it any wonder that we are coiled tight like springs? A little bit of the right kind of music is all you need to de-stress and feel lighthearted once again. According to many scientific studies, music affects a part of the brain that can lower heart rates, induce feelings of peace and produce happiness.

Take some well needed rest: We are slowly becoming a planet of sleep deprived people. Lack of rest can make you itchy and cranky. Make it a point to get a good night’s rest. It can do wonders to your happiness quotient.

Live in good health: Say goodbye to fat-soaked, carbohydrate-rich food. Start eating healthy. Do some exercise. Meditate. Take care of your body and mind. When you take care of yourself, you will be suffused with a sense of well being and happiness.

These are just some of the ways in which you can invite happiness into your life. There may be many factors in your life that is beyond your control. Even so, there are still a lot of things that you can change. In the end, it is your attitude that matters. It is in your hands to decide whether you want to be happy or not.


Meaning of Happiness - At Happier.com, our mission is to make people happy. We provide you with tips from experts which will help you to find happiness in life. Visit us now for more information.

One of the biggest mistakes many parents make when preparing their student for college is neglecting to actually teach them about how (and how not) to spend their money.

Since many college students are not financially independent they can produce quite a financial burden on their parents. And since the young adults do not feel the repercussions for themselves, that behavior can continue until they are completely financially independent. In this article, we'll go over why teaching kids about money is a crucial part of preparing them for college, as well as some popular ways to do this.

The recent financial crisis that has swept across the country has destroyed a lot of jobs and made higher learning a veritable requirement for proper financial independence. Since going to college gives students a much better shot at eventually getting out on their own (and being successful at it), getting your kid ready for college not only academically but also financially is more important than ever. There are a number of ways to reinforce proper spending habits, but the most obvious is to do so by example. Spending your money in responsible, mature ways and then explaining the reasoning behind that spending is a great way to teach kids about money as a tool, rather than something to be thrown away on immediate desires.

Unfortunately, college preparation courses in high schools do not teach students how to resist the pressures of college life, more responsibly divide up their resources, and spend their money in healthy, mature ways. High schools are notorious for not offering practical financial education
courses which would help today's youth be prepared for the banking system, credit and debit cards, loans, and long-term investments.

There are a few programs that may help your child be prepared for the financial challenges that await them in the 'real world'. Financial literacy programs, or money camps, are popular with parents that understand the importance of teaching kids about money. Responsible parents can enroll their child in afterschool programs that have financial literacy courses, or even go to financial educational websites themselves to learn how to more properly prepare their student for financial independence.

Teaching kids about money has become a huge part of getting them ready for the real world, especially with the reputation college students carry for being dirt poor. Making your student more financially responsible while also reducing the monetary burden they place on you is a win-win situation.


More information regarding how to more properly get your kids ready for independence, be it at college or simply on their own in the real world, can be found at the National Youth Financial Educators site http://www.nyfec.org/ .

It's been said we are what we eat, and that sentiment definitely holds true when it comes to our skin. It's our body's biggest organ, and it deserves all the nutritional TLC we can give it. So take a look at what you've been feeding yourself, and therefore feeding your skin. One the most important components of skin health is vitamin A, and probably one of the best sources of it is low-fat dairy products. It could be said the health of our skin depends on vitamin A. Low-fat yogurt is not only high in vitamin A, but also acidophilus, the "live" bacteria that is good for intestinal health. Turns out, it may also have an impact on the skin, since it aids in digestion. Other good sources of vitamin A include cod liver oil, sweet potatoes, carrots, leafy vegetables, and fortified breakfast cereals.

It's important to also make sure you're eating foods rich in antioxidants, such as blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and plums. The benefits of these foods for healthy skin are plentiful. The antioxidants and other phytochemicals in these fruits can protect the skin cells, so there is less chance for damage. This in turn guards against premature aging, and keeps skin looking younger longer. Other fruits and vegetables that are high in antioxidants include artichokes, black, red, and pinto beans, prunes, and pecans. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are essential to your skin. Include salmon, walnuts, canola oil, and flax seed. EFAs keep cell membranes healthy, and allow nutrients to pass through. We also need healthy oils, which contain more than essential fatty acids. Eating good-quality oils helps keep skin lubricated and keeps it looking and feeling healthier overall. Look for oils that are cold pressed, such as olive or extra virgin oil. We only need about two tablespoons a day of healthy oils, so use wisely.

Selenium plays an important role in the health of skin cells. Turn to foods like Whole-wheat bread, muffins, and cereals; turkey, tuna and brazil nuts for this important nutrient. Recent studies show that if selenium levels are high, even skin damaged by the sun may only suffer minimal, if any, damage.

Choosing the whole grain versions of complex carbohydrates can have a significant effect on insulin levels. Processed and refined sugars can cause inflammation that may ultimately be linked to skin break outs.

Green tea has anti-inflammatory properties, and it protects the membrane of the cell. It may even help prevent or reduce skin cancer risks. Water plays such an important role in your overall health, and it has a profound effect on your skin's health as well. Well-hydrated skin is healthy and young-looking. It also helps move the toxins out of your system so they have less chance to do damage.


To read about grapefruit tree and grapefruit oil, visit the Grapefruit Facts site.

While onion's health promoting abilities have long been recognized, it's only recently that their considerable curative abilities have been conclusively demonstrated and thus their elevation to Superfood status.

Onions are a major source of two phytonutrients that play a significant role in health promotion: flavonoids and the mixture of over fifty sulfur-containing compounds. The two flavonoid subgroups found in onions are the anthocyanins that impart a red/purple colour to some varieties, and the flavanols such as quercetin and its derivatives that are responsible for the yellow flesh and brown skins of many varieties of onions. The flavonols are concentrated in the skin of most onions where they contribute to the colour of the vegetable.

We now know that the health promoting compounds in onion, like those in garlic, are separated by cell walls. Slicing an onion ruptures these walls and releases the compounds which then combine to form a powerful new compound: thiopropanal sulfoxide. In addition to mitigating various diseases, this substance also gives cut onions their pungent aroma and their ability to make us cry.

To get the most health benefits from onions, let them sit for five to ten minutes after cutting and before cooking. Heat will deactivate the thiopropanal sulfoxide and you want to give it time to fully develop and concentrate before heating.

While chopping onions may make you cry, their considerable cardiovascular benefits should bring a smile beneath your tears. Like garlic, onion consumption has been shown to lower high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. Onions, along with tea, apples and broccoli --the richest dietary sources of flavonoids- have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease by 20% in a recent meta-analysis that reviewed the dietary patterns and health of over 100,000 individuals.

From a health promotion standpoint, the most pungent onions pack the biggest wallop. In one test of the flavonoid content of onions, shallots had six times the amount found in Vidalia onions, the onion with the lowest phenolic content. Shallots also had the most antioxidant activity. Western Yellow onions had the most flavonoids - 11 times the amount found in Western White, the type with the lowest flavonoids content. All types of onions are good additions to your diet but try to choose the stronger tasting ones when appropriate to your recipe.

Regular consumption of onions has also been associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer. It's believed that the flavonoid quercetin in onions is the protective factor as it's been shown to stop the growth of tumours in animals, and to protect colon cells from the negative effects of some cancer-promoting substances. There's also evidence that onions may lower the risk of cancer of the brain, oesophagus, lung and stomach.


Want to find out about cabbage plant and cabbage facts? Get tips from the Fruits And Vegetables website.

Whether your child is at risk of becoming overweight or currently at a healthy weight, you can take proactive measures to get or keep things on the right track.

* Schedule yearly well-child visits. Take your child to the doctor for well-child checkups at least once a year. During this visit, the doctor measures your child's height and weight and calculates his or her BMI. Increases in your child's BMI or in his or her percentile rank over one year, especially if your child is older than 4, is a possible sign that your child is at risk of becoming overweight.
* Set a good example. Make sure you eat healthy foods and exercise regularly to maintain your weight. Then, invite your child to join you.
* Avoid food-related power struggles with your child. You might unintentionally lay the groundwork for such battles by providing or withholding certain foods — sweets, for instance — as rewards or punishments. As a general rule, foods aren't recommended for behavior modification in children.
* Emphasize the positive. Encourage a healthy lifestyle by highlighting the positive — the fun of playing outside or the variety of fresh fruit you can get year-round, for example. Emphasize the benefits of exercise apart from helping to manage their weight, for example, it makes their heart, lungs and other muscles stronger. If you foster your child's natural inclination to run around, explore and eat only when hungry — not out of boredom — a healthy weight should take care of itself.
* Be patient. Many overweight children grow into their extra pounds as they get taller. Realize, too, that an intense focus on your child's eating habits and weight can easily backfire, leading a child to overeat even more, or possibly making him or her more prone to developing an eating disorder.

Keep these facts in mind and always be proactive so you don't have to worry about your child suffering from obesity. Have a healthy and happy day!

References: Mayo Clinic

Sincerely Your Friend In Health
& Fitness,

Natalie Pyles
Fitness & Weight-loss Expert, Nutrition Specialist, Author & Speaker

When communication between couple fails, anything happens. Conflict, argument, break-up, and worse divorce happen in a short period.

I have seen it in my practice. Miscommunication has often been an easy passport to emotional turmoil and chaotic existence. What are some ways to communicate so your partner will listen?

Set understanding as the main goal

When dealing with your partner, always aim for understanding rather than confusion, for agreement rather than argument. You can never go wrong if you make this as your main goal or even a motto. It is not easy though since it requires some effort to put your ego aside for the sake of harmony.

Prioritize understanding as much as you can. But never sacrifice your independence, your choices, and your values. Understanding doesn’t mean surrender; it simply means accommodating your partner’s individuality so together you can achieve success.

Be gentle

Being gentle is the quickest way to show that you are willing to listen. Show that you value your partner’s position through your sweet voice. Make your facial expression as agreeable as possible. Smile . . . even if you want to frown so badly. Give your partner frequent and warm eye contact that can melt his or her heart.

During your discussions, provide proper gestures. Nod your head. Lean forward. Make short positive comments. Tone down your voice. Don’t stand up suddenly and never swing your arms for no obvious reason. Avoid any stance that can be sensed as aggressive.

Aim for agreeable position

You may believe that you and your partner are poles apart. But you know what? Your togetherness simply proves there is glue that makes you stick as a couple, that you mutually share same ideas and interests. It’s your role to find out what that glue is.

Perhaps you can try to answer some questions. What are your partner’s positions that you can relate with? What are some of your partner’s ideas that you like although different from yours? What do you enjoy sharing together? About delicate issues, explore some ideas that you share and believe in. You will be surprised that you actually have many areas in common.

Appreciate the other side

Your partner deserves respect. Long-held beliefs and ideas must be important for his or her self-esteem and sanity. Show that you care by appreciating them though such convictions may sound illogical. Remember, your partner cherishes unique sets of principles and will not easily give these up simply because you are together.

The best approach is to recognize your partner’s uniqueness. By doing this, you’re not necessarily devaluing and disrespecting your own. You’re just embracing another person’s individuality so you can appreciate yours as well.

Control brewing negative emotions

When two people with varying DNA deal with issues, it’s likely to precipitate anger, discontent, disappointment, and frustration. It’s normal. No doubt, complex problems can elicit discomfort never before experienced.

Your role at this stage is to recognize the brewing emotions, to identify triggers, and to contain such emotions as soon as possible. During potentially explosive discussions, excuse yourself for a few minutes. Walk away. Confine yourself in the bedroom for a few hours. Roam around the mall. Walk in the park. Stay away until you feel better, until you feel ready to give a hug rather than to throw a punch.

As a social being, you have a task to strengthen rather than to ruin your relationships. Make your partner feel important through deep understanding and practical communication techniques.


Dr. Michael G. Rayel - author (A 31-Day Series and First Aid to Mental Illness) psychiatrist, and inventor of emotional and social skills games -- The Oikos Game Series. Visit www.oikosglobal.com to know more about these games. Since 2005, he has published www.oikosinsights.com as a personal development resource.

Image via Wikipedia

We all know of the negative side effects which some prescription drugs can cause. Indeed, many of these drugs have official recommendations for use no longer than more three months at a time (particularly with anti-depressants and other mood-altering prescription medications). Yet what do we know about the alternative; herbal supplements, and should we be ditching one for the other?

In one word: No.

For many years herbal supplements have been looked upon by medical professionals and much of the population alike as 'silly' and as a waste of time. Yet in recent years the medical industry has been sitting up and taking notice of some of the clinical evidence given that many herbal supplements are having a positive effect on our health. This doesn't mean that Doctors and drugs companies such as GlaxoSmithKline and Bayer should stop producing their medication made for prescriptions but rather that they should weigh up which will be more beneficial to the patient or to their medical condition.

There is no way of saying which is better out of herbal supplements and prescriptions drugs; each have their own merits and their own downfalls. Yet when it comes to deciding what to do about our own health there is something we can do. Try discussing your ideas about using herbal supplements with your GP. If they dismiss the idea but your condition is not severe then suggest you try out the supplement for a week and see what the effects are (for instance, using oatmeal scrubs twice daily for eczema instead of steroid creams which thin the skin). It's important to check out herbal remedies
with a medical practitioner as there are some plants and extracts which can be dangerous to some patients.

Remember, what you do with your own body is your choice and when it comes to prescription drugs you don't always have to take them. It's a matter of common sense and if your condition isn't severe or life threatening then consider the side-effect-free, all natural herbal alternative before diving down to the chemist.


Lucia Halotova enjoys writing about health related topics and has written for a wide range of publications on topics such as fibromyalgia and depressions in recent years. She currently resides in New York City with her family and is a freelance writer.. Visit Herbal Supplements versus Prescription Drugs - Pros and Cons.

Image via Wikipedia

What is beauty?

The quality of person which gives the pleasure to the mind or senses is specially associates with the perfection in body, lovely face, and color. In other words the person who is physically attractive and has a feature that makes you superior.

Method used for looking beautiful by today’s generation:

Beauty is very needed for mankind. Today Mostly people make tattoos, wear rings through the ears and nose, wearing anklet, and many more things to look beautiful. More contemporary methods like hair dying, cosmetic, make-up method, and also use physical ornament such as jewelry, earrings, clothing styles, and hair styles in many more forms. All this things we do only for the single purpose to look beautiful.

Why man or women want to look beautiful?

Improve the self-image through improved appearance to look more attractive. Because everybody wants to look different from the other and they do anything for it. But best beauty in the whole world is the natural beauty which is given by the god. So, please don’t destroy your natural beauty by makes such type of synthetic beauty products or tips. If you want to look beautiful then use only natural product which don’t have side effect. Living a natural lifestyle will provide a natural and healthy look to you.

Here are some natural beauty tips:


1. Drink lot of water. Water makes your digestion powerful and make you healthy because I think mostly problem related to skin is formed due to the problem in stomach. Drink about 8 to 10 glasses of water.

2. Eat plenty of fresh raw vegetables because raw vegetables contain more minerals then the cooked vegetables. Your body needs more minerals and nutrients which we can get from raw vegetables.

3. Take vitamin in proper amount. They keep you healthy, help you sleep, if you are taking right amount of vitamin it nourish not only your blood but skin also. You fell younger and fresh. The real secret of Beauty is when you feel good, you look good.

4. Take proper amount of sleep and rest. Don’t stay up too late in night. Try to sleep early at night and wake up early in the morning. Take a regular walk daily in the morning it makes your body healthy and fresh. Sleep is a time when your body regenerates. So, take proper amount of sleep.

5. Try to reduce stress in your life. Stress makes your body lazy and unfit. If you remove stress from your body then the above mention tips work on your body and skin. Stress can see from your whole body: the way you walk, eyes look, pale and exhausted appearance on your skin, the way you look, the way you sit on your chair etc.


Use Natural Home Remedies for look younger because natural home remedies have no side effect, no chemical, no harm, and no allergy. There is only one big tip for you keep yourself happy and it will definitely show in your skin. For more info visit our site http://www.bodyhealthbeauty.org.

Image via Wikipedia

We all need to get sleep. But what happens if you find you're experiencing restless nights or worse? What are the best sleep disorder treatments available?

1. Keep to a routine

If you go to bed at 9pm one night, midnight the next then your body will get confused. It will start getting ready to sleep but you'll keep it awake for a few more hours. For more details www.activities-little-fingers.com This isn't good. Night shift workers can experience this kind of sleep disorder because of the nature of their work. But if you have the choice, do your best to make going to sleep a routine thing in much the same way as you set your alarm clock to wake you at the same time the next morning.

2. Stay cool but don't freeze

Keeping a cool temperature in the bedroom is good. Obviously you don't want to be sleeping in a blizzard, so don't take this to extremes. But your bedroom should be cooler than other parts of your house. Adjust the thermostat on your heating or set the heating clock so that your bedroom has time to cool down before you retire for the evening.

3. Don't stress about going to sleep

This is maybe easier said than done. But the more you think about not sleeping, the more likely you are to stay awake. The boredom of counting sheep may not work for you but there are other things you can do to reduce the stress you bring on yourself when you start to worry about not sleeping. Start by yawning. This has a couple of effects: you'll probably feel a little sleepier as we associate yawns with sleep and you'll take a longer, slower breath. Your breathing naturally slows down whilst you sleep. Give it a helping hand by slowing down your inhalations and exhalations. If your stress is generated by work and your everyday life, look into other relaxation techniques such as meditation.

4. Go dark

As long as we've been on this planet, we've associated dark nights with sleep. Make sure your bedroom reflects this. For more details www.tips-getting-healthy.com The reflection of your alarm clock on the ceiling or wall isn't good. Nor are the trickles of light that can come in under doors or through your curtains. Think about adding a blackout lining to your curtains if they regularly let in too much light.

5. Lay off the caffeine

Steer clear of caffeine in the latter part of your day. It's a stimulant and that's the exact opposite of what you want to help you go to sleep. Remember that it's not just coffee and cola that have caffeine in them. So does tea, green tea and most energy drinks. Cut down gradually to avoid withdrawal effects and if you need your caffeine fix, experiment to see how you can gradually reduce this caffeine dependency.

6. Skip the nightcap

Alcohol is disruptive to sleep patterns. Pure and simple. Cut out the nightcap for a few nights and you'll start sleeping better. If you "need" a glass of wine to unwind when you get home, drink it early to give it time to work its way through your system.

www.insomnia-battle.com
www.bad-breath-secrets.com

Image via Wikipedia

There is a way to eat healthy, maintain and even lose weight while frequentlng your favorite drive-thru or sandwich shop. Learning how to do this is easy if you know what to look for and be willing to take control of how your food is prepared.

There are a few websites on the web that contain nutritional information about every food and condiment known to man at just about all of the major and/or well known fast food chains of our great nation. I have spent countless hours on these retrieving the best choices for my fitness clients who travel for a living and cannot cook, much less shop for groceries. The easiest sites to maneuver are: foodfacts.com and calorieking.com

Simply choose your fast food restaurant and then the foods you like to eat. A healthy choice is anything that is 250-350 calories with fat at around 10 grams or under. Keep in mind that fast food is not normally considered a low fat food, and doing so is difficult, but doable. The easiest thing to go for is a grilled chicken breast with a plain salad of greens and veggies. Skip dressings or go for a low cal vinegrette and use sparingly. Turkey and veggies on whole wheatbread is a great healthy sandwich choice, (skip the mayo of course).

There are ways to alter your favorite food quickie choices by substituting cheese, creamy sauce, and fatty dressings and condiments by opting instead for lemon wedges, fat free dressing (sparingly), and marinara or hot sauces, as well as salsa. These things will add flavor without added fat and calories. I hope you found this useful.

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

So you're worried about the quality of your drinking water. You're in good company, estimates are that over 50% of Americans are worried about contaminated drinking water. But if you're after pure home water to drink is bottled water a good alternative?

Sadly, no. When you walk down the aisle of your supermarket you'd think that all those shelves stacked with the latest spring waters, mineral waters and every other type of water would mean that people are turning to bottled water because it's clean and safe to drink.

The reality is that although millions are turning to drinking bottled water it's not because it's clean and safe to drink. In fact for anyone looking for pure home water to drink bottled water probably isn't any safer than tap water.

And the reason that millions are turning to bottled water isn't that it's any purer than tap water, it's because all those advertisements featuring tumbling mountain streams or babbling brooks make them think that it's clean when it isn't. The advertising works very well.

How do I know this? Because it's been studied. In 1999 the National Resources Defence Council released a report entitled "Bottled Water. Pure Drink or Pure Hype". They spent 4 years testing over 1000 bottles of 103 different brands of bottled water.

Did it represent the best of pure water technology, is bottled water the purest water you can drink? Are you avoiding all those contaminants present in tap water by drinking bottled water?

Their conclusion was that it was unlikely to be any safer than tap water. The reason was that there is little regulation governing what's in bottled water, and the FDA doesn't require corporations to demonstrate the quality of their water.

So many bottled waters were no better than tap water, and tap water certainly isn't pure home water. It's seriously contaminated by a host of contaminants.

So is bottled water. The study found that around a third of those tested had contaminants including bacteria, synthetic chemicals and even arsenic. Ouch.

Not only that, one actually exceeded allowable state limits for contaminants.

That's of serious concern for anyone worried about the quality of tap water and who is looking for pure home water to drink. The conclusion was clear, bottled water is no better than tap water in most cases.

So if you're looking for pure home water what do you do? You certainly shouldn't be drinking bottled water. It's of poor quality and ounce for ounce it's more expensive than gas.

You ought to be drinking filtered water. Water filtration pure water technology is exceedingly good, and modern water filtration can filter around 97 - 99% if tap water contaminants, including lead and chlorine. And it can do it way cheaper than any bottled water. Far cheaper, at around 10 cents a gallon, and it will produce pure home water for drinking that is as clean as it's possible to get.

And there's so many contaminants in our tap water now. Most you'd never have heard of. How about bromochloroacentontrile. Ever heard of it? Got any idea what it is or what it will do if you drink it? I don't, but I know that the best water filters will filter it out.

There's stacks of synthetic chemicals like that you've never heard of, but you still don't want to be drinking them. And you're not with a quality home water filter.

So if you're looking for pure home water to drink skip bottled water, it's just a con. Use pure water technology in the form of a high quality water filter. At 10 cents a gallon for pure water it's got to be a winner.


Visit Peters website to find out more about the best drinking water filters. And find out more about high quality drinking water at http://bestdrinkingwaterfilter.com/blog/

Image via Wikipedia

We take utmost care to keep our outer body in perfect condition and shape, but there is one thing that most of us often tend to neglect, that is our inner body. The way you take a bath regularly to keep yourself clean and hygienic, in the same way it is very important to clean your internal organs, in order to keep your body fit and healthy.

In recent times, it has been observed that body detoxifying programs have become very popular among people worldwide due to its many significant health benefits. With toxins entering our body in large amounts from various sources like, junk food, aerated drinks, tea, coffee, alcohol, etc. it has become a necessity for each and every one of us to follow a detoxification program in order to lead a healthier life.

As the title suggests, in this article we will be focusing on the various body detox recipes that you may follow in order to detoxify your body. But before we move on to body detox recipes, I feel it is important that you should know what these body detoxification programs do to help improve your health.

Body detoxification is a method that helps in cleaning our internal organs like kidney, liver, lungs etc. and flushing out harmful toxins. There are many detox recipes that are available therefore, depending on your taste, preference, and organ you can pick one particular body detox recipe that is likely to suit your needs the best.

There are several medicines found on the market that can help in body detoxification, but I personally would never recommend my readers to go for market bought medicines when there are several home remedies available that do not have any adverse side effects unlike most commercially bought medicines.

Below are a few body detox recipes that you may consider using:

1)Body detox Recipe 1:
1/2 cup of warm water
2 tablespoons of pure lemon juice
1 tablespoons of olive oil
1 tablespoons of black-strap molasses
A pinch of cayenne pepper
.
Mix the ingredients properly and gulp it down first thing in the morning for about 10 days.

2)Body detox Recipe 2:
1 carrot
1/2 beetroot
1 stick celery
1 cucumber
How to prepare this particular body detox recipe:
Wash the vegetables properly, peel their skin, cut them into pieces, put them in a juicer, and have the fresh juice for breakfast every day.

3)Body detox Recipe 3: Gazpacho Soup
3 cups seeded and diced red ripe tomatoes, red ripe
2 cups medium diced red bell pepper
2 cups medium diced red onions
1/2 cup medium diced celery
2 cups medium diced cucumber
1 teaspoon of minced garlic
1/4 cup red wine vinegar

2 cups organic vegetable juice
pinch of cayenne
1 teaspoon cumin (optional)

Method of preparation:
All you need to do is put the diced tomato, peppers, red onions, celery, and cucumber in a bowl and mix them together. Then divide the mixture into two bowls. Add garlic to one of the bowls and transfer it to a blender. Make a puree of the mixture until it becomes smooth. Next, add vegetable juice, cayenne, and cumin to the puree and run the blender again. Now add this freshly made mixture into the other bowl of diced vegetables and put it in the refrigerator for the night. Next day, before serving, you can garnish it with cilantro and lemon and voila, you have your Gazpacho Soup ready.

Abovementioned are a few effective body detox recipes; there are many more that you can find on the internet. So do your research and find out the right body detox recipe for yourself today.

On a last note, feel free to include these recipes in your daily diet and help your body function better than before.

John Khu is a health enthusiast and author of a new eBook titled "Body Detox Tips". He is devoted to educate others on the benefit of body detoxification. He is also the owner of the website called http://www.BodyDetoxTips.com which provides complete and up-to-date information.

Image via Wikipedia

Why you should choose and Organic Mattress?

"Green" your bedroom with an organic mattress!
Sleeping well is vital to good health. We spend one-third of our lives sleeping, and an organic bed is an excellent way to ensure that, for at least 8 hours a day, we are free from exposure to the toxic chemicals so prevalent in consumer products today.

What is the difference between an organic mattress and mainstream mattresses?
Organic mattresses are derived from natural materials. Conventional mattresses are made primarily of man-made materials derived from nonrenewable resources such as natural gas and petrochemicals. Plus, in conventional mattresses, fire retardants and other chemicals are used on cover fabrics and in paddings. (OMI's mattresses are made with naturally flame-resistant organic Eco-Wool, which keeps you safe without the use of chemical fire retardants).

What makes a bed organic?
It all begins with natural organic materials that are grown using sustainable agricultural methods. This type of agriculture maintains and enhances ecological harmony, conserves precious resources, and sustains the soil in both the short and the long term.

What are the natural materials used in OMI organic mattresses?
They are constructed with cruelty-free Eco-Wool, certified organic cotton, and 100% natural rubber latex -- all renewable, biodegradable resources. These natural materials are grown, processed, and manufactured without toxic chemicals.

Do organic mattresses come in different firmnesses, and do they have innersprings?
There are two main types of organic mattresses: Natural rubber, which is basically metal free, and innerspring. Both styles are available with different firmness options.

How is an OMI organic mattress made?
The inner core is made of either natural rubber latex or innersprings. The quilting consists of Eco-Wool and certified organic cotton battings, quilted between two layers of certified organic cotton fabric (ticking). The padding in our innerspring mattresses is simply certified organic cotton.

Where do the raw materials come from?
OMI is committed philosophically to the organic movement and to supporting American organic farmers. The Eco-Wool is sheared from free-grazed California sheep, and processed under strict controls to minimize any chemical contamination or animal cruelty.

The cotton is 100% certified organic. It is grown and processed without chemical pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or fertilizers. The natural rubber latex (from the milk of the rubber tree) is 100% natural, and produced by the only manufacturer of Talalay latex in America.

Why are these raw materials used in an organic mattress? Wool is warm in winter and cool in summer. It absorbs perspiration, which then evaporates, regulating the sleeper's body temperature throughout the night for a more restful sleep. Wool is also resilient, durable, and flame resistant. Cotton is comfortable and durable, and a natural padding choice in a mattress. Certified organic cotton is healthier for the soil, the water, the ecosystem, farm workers, you, and your family.

Natural rubber provides a naturally resilient and healthful sleep environment. It offers comfort and support for a deeper, sounder sleep. A mattress made with natural rubber eliminates 85% of the motion transfer from a restless partner and rarely needs flipping. It is naturally anti-microbial and dust-mite resistant -- an excellent choice for allergy sufferers.

What is the difference between natural rubber latex and the latex used in other mattresses? All latex is not created equal. Natural rubber latex is produced using an environmentally-friendly process from a natural renewable resource, and is biodegradable. Compare this process with styrene-butadiene (man-made) latex that is manufactured from petrochemicals using nonrenewable resources. Memory or viscoelastic foam is derived from plastics.

Our 100% natural (not blended) rubber instantaneously conforms to individual body contours with up to 33% more pressure relief than man-made latex foam. That means a better night's sleep.

Our organic mattresses are made with Talalay latex -- the finest available, most consistent, and most durable latex in the world. Our natural rubber latex is 100% natural, and not a blend of natural and man-made latex.

If organic mattresses don't have flame retardants, are they safe from fire? OMI's mattresses have been tested at an independent testing facility. They meet both federal and California open-flame standards without the use of chemical flame retardants, suspected to be health and environmental hazards.

Can a new organic mattress be placed on an old foundation or box spring? A foundation is meant to support a mattress, and using an old foundation or box-spring under an innerspring mattress will affect the comfort of the mattress and shorten its life. Our natural rubber mattresses are intended to be placed on a wood-slat foundation. If you have a platform slat bed designed for a mattress only, you would not need a foundation with this mattress.

How long will my organic mattress last? Our mattresses are backed by an industry-leading 20-year limited warranty.

What sizes do organic mattresses come in? From crib size to Eastern or California king, our organic mattresses are made in all conventional sizes, and even custom sizes.

Are organic top-of-bed products also made with organic materials? Yes! Our pillows, mattress pads, and comforters are made with the same organic materials as our mattresses. Our pillows are offered in all wool, all cotton, or all natural rubber latex, and are covered with a certified organic cotton fabric. Our handmade comforters are wool filled and hand tied, and available in both summer and winter weights. Mattress pads are offered in certified organic cotton flannel, as a wool moisture protector (perfect for children), and in a wool underbed style.

Contact Bedrooms and More for more information at 888-297-8844

Image via CrunchBase

Finding the cost of living is going up and up? Despite the current economic conditions it is still expensive to cover all your household needs. If you have not sat down and looked at how your money is being spent then you may find lots of little things you see an insignificant are adding up and costing more than you think. Check out these ideas to help keep your costs down.

* Create a household budget - Work out how much money is coming in and how much is going out and then work out where you can cut back each month.

* Cancel your cable TV - Do you need the top level cable package or could you manage with a basic package or just with free telivision? Over a year cable TV charges can really add up and you will soon get used to not having it. It's possible you may even be able to keep some channels at no charge with a combined phone line package.

* Switch utility providers - Are you getting the best deal on your gas, electric, phone, broadband and cell phone? Shop around and you may be able to save hundreds of dollars each year by moving to the best offer.

* Go eco - Get more environmentally friendly and save money by switching to low energy light bulbs and fitting water saving shower heads to save water. Make sure you switch lights off when you're not in the room and turn off electrical items such as the TV fully rather than leaving them on standby which drains power. If you don't have any then you should consider insulation for your house to keep it cool in summer and warm in winter which will reduce your air-con or heating bills.

* Leave the car at home - When making a short journey near home boost your fitness and save money by cycling or walking. Think twice before you jump in the car to travel to the local store, do you need to use the car?

* Sell your junk - Have a big clear out of your house and sell all those items cluttering up your cupboards and storage space. For newer items that you simply don't use then try putting them on Ebay to find the items a better home. For all the smaller or less valuable items you have stuffed in cupboards and storage why not hold a garage sale.

* Take your own lunch to work and make your own coffee - Buying a coffee on the way into work or grabbing something quick at lunch while working may not seem like a big cost but it adds up over time. If you spend $3 each workday on a coffee and $6 on lunch it would add up to over $2,000 per year. Taking your own food and drink would cost only a fraction.

There are obviously lots of other ways to save money but these will get you started. On their own each thing may not sound like much but the thing to remember is that together they all add up. By the time these changes add up together you can save thousands per year.


Article by Richard Greenwood of high-interest-saving-account.com.au a savings account comparison site designed to help consumers find the best savings account and apply with the banks online.

Getting a coupon or discount online...

There are literally thousands of places to go to get a discount online. But what about getting more information about the discount or coupons? There are sits that not only provide you with a full range of places to get your coupons, discounts and freebies it keeps you informed about what is happening so you are not going to miss out on those bargains and deals.

Finances for many are a little tough at the moment. But, there are loads of businesses that are finding it tough too.

So, to help them help you and for you to help them they are offering discounts, coupons and freebies.

Many are really large companies and the offers are genuine.

Whilst these are great to grab you need to stay informed - this will help you decide what is a good discount and what is a waste of time.

I have included a great site link that will help you find all the coupons, discounts and freebies your heart desires.

Many don't give discount coupons a look in as they think they are just a scam to purchase other goods or services. Whilst this is true for many companies others are thinking much further ahead than this. They want your business in the future. A discount or freebie is a way of introducing you to their product or service so you get a first hand opportunity to try for yourself.

Others do use discounts and coupons to clear excess stock. That does not mean there is anything wrong with the stock. It may just mean they over-ordered and now need space to bring in new lines. Rather than throw it out they offer it to you at a very good price - this is a win win for the seller and the consumer.

Food coupons are great if you are on a budget. Don't avoid them if there are offers of food you like and have not had the opportunity to purchase in the past. It is a great way to get to know a food product and get it at a great price. Have fun, go shopping, be entertained all at discount prices!

So coupons and discounts are not only for those on a tight budget but they are there to encourage you to try a product or service you have not tried before.

Remember to check if you can download your voucher or coupon before you go shopping and watch out for the ones that you only need to have a number if you are ordering online.

Of course there are the coupons you will receive in the mail. Troll your "junk" mail for coupon savings. These savings are often different to what you receive online.


Katherine Quirke is an Australian based business entrepreneur. She has owned a number of businesses over the last 20 years. Sharing her knowledge has become a passion. Further information: http://www.thefreenetwork.info/coupons or http://www.thefreenetwork.info

Image via Wikipedia

Charming baby gifts always win the heart of every mother. Baby gifts are often given during baby showers, birthdays, baptismal or christenings. These gifts include baby clothes, blankets, beddings, feeding supplies, bathing supplies, baby furnitures and the likes. Today, you can see a lot of baby gifts with different designs and styles everywhere. This makes shopping more easier for moms as well as loving friends and relatives.

Online shopping for baby gifts is the latest trend today. This is a very convenient, easy shopping option for savvy consumer where all they have to do is to sit down, relax while browsing the net. Why worry about unwanted or duplicate gifts? For moms, they can make their own baby gift registry online. This will help friends and relatives choose the things that the mom would really appreciate most. Aside from that, they'll save time too by ordering that items online. All purchases online will automatically update the gift list to avoid duplication.

When shopping for baby gifts, you have to consider the quality, as well as the safety of the baby. Cheap items can be very tempting to the budget but if it can harm the baby, better leave it as junk. There are so many cheap baby gifts that are substandard and made of low-quality materials. Never choose these items and always check each pieces carefully. As much as possible, choose organic supplies which don't have added chemicals.

Baby beddings, blankets and other layettes are few of the most very important items for babies, and can make a perfect gift during baby showers. You may consider a Personalized Homespun Blanket, a soft and gorgeous blanket that makes a perfect welcome gift to the newborn. This lovely baby blanket is a charming keepsake that boasts snuggly function, perfect use as a play mat, too! This delightful baby personalized shower gifts can be embroidered with baby's first name or initials - a gift for parents and baby that is worth to treasure. Or you may also consider a Heirloom Baby Crib Bedding Set, a baby gift that can make a fashion statement. This Heirloom Baby Crib Bedding Set combines innovation and chic style to create an elegant nursery that's simply perfect...for baby girl or baby boy. A chic alternative to traditional blue and pink, this Heirloom Baby Crib Bedding Set makes a fantastic baby shower gift.

Baby clothing such as onesies, t-shirts, sweaters, sweatsuits, robes and others can also make a fantastic gift during baby showers. These clothing are available everywhere, with different cute designs, colors and themes. Of course, you want to choose clothes that are made with pure cotton, perfect for delicate skin of babies.

You may also consider a baby gift basket. You can make or buy baby baskets with themes. These baskets are usually consist of baby accessories such as newborn clothes, blankets, diapers, baby bottles, baby foods, toys and even several surprises for the parents. Check these gift ideas online to see more wider option. As much as possible, grab those baby gifts that can be made personalize.

Jnet is an author for a variety of lifestyle issues and topics. If you're looking for bpersonalized baby gifts, visit the website Prettybabygifts.com and browse their collection. Shop for unique baby gifts online!

Image via Wikipedia

If you're interested in home wind power, there are a few basics you will need before you get started. Using a small wind turbine is an inexpensive way for people in rural, suburban, and even urban areas to slash their electricity bills and reduce their carbon footprints. Possibilities range from using a very small wind turbine to power small appliances and equipment, to generating amounts of power large enough to eliminate your consumption of grid electricity.

Home wind power is not only good for your bills, but also good for the environment. It is simple to implement and can be installed by non-professionals using minimal tools. Many people around the world supplement the energy they get off the grid with home wind power. Some people are even able to eliminate their monthly energy bills completely! Whether you produce a little bit of energy or a lot, you can be assured of reducing your "carbon footprint" and helping to improve the environment.

Some studies estimate that about .5 percent of a country's energy expenditure could be slashed if ten percent of homes had small, inexpensive wind turbines. If you're interested in using home wind power, you first need to know the basics of how it works. You can purchase a small off-the shelf wind turbine for a low price. Or, you can elect to purchase a turbine kit that you put together yourself.

Either way, if balanced against the electricity savings, the initial expenditure is quite modest. Many people should be able to install their home wind turbines themselves, but you will need to have a basic toolkit and have a little bit of experience assembling machines or doing home electrical work. You can also pay a professional home wind power installer to set up your system in a few hours at a modest price. Home wind power works best for people in rural or low-density suburban areas.

Of course, you will need to be in a location that gets a lot of wind predictably during most of the year. People in urban areas can still cash in on the home wind power movement, but because air flow may be partially or wholly blocked by other buildings, they can expect to net a smaller amount of power.

However, the important thing to remember that when it comes to reducing your carbon footprint, any amount of energy savings is worth it. A growing idea that can be implemented in urban, rural, and suburban areas is to use a very small, inexpensive wind turbine to create a battery charge that is used to run low power appliances. Although these small turbines don't produce a large amount of electricity, they still diminish the carbon footprint.


Residential Wind Generators are generally small to medium size specially designed electrical power generators. These generators convert the energy of wind into electrical power using a low-speed generator. There are several different varieties of wind power electricity generators and designs are commercially available - as well as numerous do-it-yourself kits available for varying skill levels. For most people, it is best to hire a professional installer to size and install both the generator, and electrical interconnects.

Image via Wikipedia

The sound of water dripping from a leaking tap is annoying at the least. And apart from wasting water, it can also disturb your sleep especially in winters. Still, people have become so lazy and such misers that they usually spend a good number of days before they think about fixing the tap. While it's understandable that hiring a professional plumber in these hard economic times may be a burden on your pockets, but it's pretty simple if you want to do it yourself.

First of all, shut off the water supply so that you won't get soaked when you open the joints. Try to get an illustrated diagram of the tap and look at it carefully to under the system. A good number of faucet manufacturers provide illustrative diagrams online or may send upon email contact with them. In case you don't have access to any such diagram, then disassemble the tap and keep all parts separate in their respective order of disassembly. This will help you install the tap quickly later. Else, you may later get confused about which part should come first.

The information presented here will focus on fixing compression faucets. There are typically two handles in these faucets. First, reflect on whether the leak is really in the handle. To start, it is important stop up the sink so that you won't lose any small pieces down the drain. Then, you will have to remove the cap of the handle. Afterward, open up the screw inside and take off the handle. You can insert a screwdriver
beneath the handle and push it upwards a bit to make this removal easier. However, make sure that you wrap some tape around the screwdriver to avoid any scratches around the base of the handle. In most cases, a leak inside the handle is caused due to loosening of the packing nut inside. If that's true, simply make the nut tighter. Now turn on the water supply and see if the leakage has stopped or not. If you still find water leaking from the handle, the problem is probably with the O-ring. Take out the packing nut and install a new O-ring. This would ultimately stop the leakage if it's originating from the handle.

Now if the leakage is in the spout, you will need to disassemble that. Take off the screw from the stem. You will find a washer there. In all likelihood, the washer may have ripped this out slowly and installing a replacement may get rid of the problem. However, while you work at this, it'd also be great to use a scratchy surface into the valve to clean it from within. You can also insert your finger there to see if the surface is rough anywhere, which usually indicates some damage.

While it's not very hard to fix a leaky faucet, a beginner can still make mistakes. So prior to starting this task, keep some plumber's contact info with you, so you can call him in case of an emergency.

Is your faucet still leaking? Get help from a plumbing expert at http://eLocalPlumbers.com

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Apple trees are easy to grow fruit trees, given the right climatic conditions. They produce wonderful tasty fruit and come in many varieties. When you grow your own you are no longer restricted to what the commercial growers or supermarkets decide to provide, you can select a variety to suit your taste.

Apple trees like at least 6 hours of sunshine during summer, but bear in mind they require a spell in the dormant period, where the winter temperature is in a range of 32ºF-45ºF. These chilling requirements will encourage normal growth in the growing season. The northern hemisphere is where apple trees thrive; they grow best in cool to cold climates with a mild summer and cold winter. You will find that it is standard procedure for garden centers to follow the guidelines set up by the United States Department of Agriculture, to label their trees, giving you the most appropriate zones where the plants they sell will be successful.

Because of the space taken up by apple trees it is necessary to plan carefully before action is taken, and remember they are in place for a great number of years; there are recordings of some being 200 years old. From time of planting it can take up to 10 years for the tree to reach its maximum yield. Apple trees are a deciduous fruit tree, meaning that they lose their leaves in winter, so they can be used in a position where summer shade or winter sun is needed in the garden. Soil preparation and position is essential to reap the rewards an apple tree will give you. They are quite tolerant where soil conditions are concerned, however if you prepare in advance a plot which has good drainage along with a decent type of loam soil and a pH reading of 6.5, this will provide the ideal conditions for a good supply of apples and a healthy tree.

Apple trees consist of two parts: the scion and the rootstock which are grafted together to form the tree. The scion is the top part that forms the branches, leaves, flowers and fruit while the rootstock determines the size of the tree and it's resistance to drought, pests and diseases. The trees can be dwarf, which grow 8-10ft, semi dwarf, 10-15ft or standard trees, which grow 20+ feet yet the fruit produced on all trees can be the same size.

Most varieties of apple trees are self-sterile so two varieties, with overlapping blossom times, are needed for pollination. I strongly recommend you buy young stock from a nursery, (growing from seed is possible but it takes too long), where your supplier will help you with your choice. The transfer of pollen from one tree to another is mainly undertaken by bees so try to encourage these insects into your garden and refrain from using insecticides during the period that they are active.

November is the ideal time to plant, but you can plant as late as March. Apple trees are usually sold bare rooted and when selecting the variety you want, make sure they look healthy. Check the roots to make sure they are nice and moist then keep them that way and plant as soon as possible.

Dig a hole big enough to accommodate the roots, then place the tree in the hole spreading the roots out so that they are not entangled. Back fill with soil pressing down firmly to ensure the roots stay in contact with the soil. Make sure that you keep the graft well above the soil level. You can support the tree with a strong stake at this stage (until it's established), then give it a good drink of water after you have bedded them in. A layer of mulch placed around the tree will help to retain moisture and supress weeds. To protect from abnormal temperatures in winter, raise the mulch higher up the young tree or insulate with old sacks for this cold period only.

When your tree starts to bear fruit, remove apples from the tree by firmly holding the attachment of the stem and gently twisting the apple till it comes off. They are best eaten straight from the tree for optimum taste but if you're intentions is to store the apples, leave the stem attached, as it helps preserve them, and keep in a well ventilated cool, dark, moist location. You will often find that a lot of the fruit will ripen together but one way of avoiding this glut is by having apple trees that fruit at different times, so long as there is that overlap period when they are blossoming to assist pollination.

It is worthwhile learning to prune your trees as they need to be shaped to allow correct growth. If you are interested in increasing your own stock then you may want to consider grafting though you may need certain skills or experience to attempt this.

Colin Price has gained a great deal of knowledge over many years by working in his garden. He has now built a website covering gardening techniques and ways to enjoy your backyard. Find out how you can take advantage of his knowledge and success and create your own beautiful and productive garden at
http://www.equipyourgarden.com

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia