Home and Health

A port wine is a fortified wine and is regarded one of the world's best wines ever created. The title port comes from the city of Oporto that's situated in the mouth from the 560-mile long Rio Douro or River of Gold in Portugal. Numerous port style wines are created around the world, but the use from the name Port or Porto refers only to wines produced in Portugal, based on intowine.com, a web site dedicated to wine information. Real champagne comes from the Champagne region of France. If not, it has to be called bubbly instead of champagne. This rule is applicable to port wine as well.

The alcohol to create port wine is under very particular conditions resulting from natural and human variables. According to Brian Hay, a chef and culinary instructor at Austin Community College, the process of making port wine is similar to producing a red wine; the red grapes are opened and fermented. When wine gets between 5 and 7% alcohol, brandy or a neutral spirit is additional. Whilst it ages in wood, port wine's aroma develops through oxidation with remnants of dried fruit, toasting, wood and spices. The aging process is what can make port wine smooth. The alcohol is then brought up to 18% and 22% alcohol, and then the wine is fortified. The wine ends up having a deep, dark red color and includes a higher content of sugar because it isn't fermented yet. Usually, the fermentation lasts until it's totally dry, meaning the yeast eats the sugar and coverts it to alcohol. The end item produces a port wine that's a deep red colour with a lot of sugar and higher alcohol content. "What makes port so various from red wine is its higher alcohol content, which makes it difficult to muster if you're not a traditional port wine drinker," says Hays.

There are a number of kinds of ports, but the most typical are: Ruby, which is a younger port wine that is rich in color and includes a very fruity taste. The age of Ruby is usually two years old. The other one is Tawny, which is a blended wine that is a little older; it has spent three to four years in casks that are called tawny.

Port wine was developed for shipping factors. Hundreds of years ago wine had to become shipped from 1 country to another. The ships rocked, which caused the barrels holding the wine to leak. When the hot temperatures reached the wine, it went bad. The wine was cooked or was exposed to air causing the wine to turn to vinegar, but if extra alcohol was additional then it took a longer time for the wine to go bad. The extra alcohol prevented bacteria and oxidation. So the wine was fortified and that is how port wine was born, says Hays.

Typically, port wine is presented at the end of a meal with dessert. It pairs nicely with chocolate and is regarded to become a fantastic experience when paired together. "Port and chocolate are literally created for every other," says Hays.

For more information make sure you go to the port glasses web site.

Moustache Wax is an crucial companion for those wishing to care for and maintain an impressive handlebar moustache or similarly amazing facial hair. Moustache wax is usually a blend of beeswax, white petroleum jelly (Vaseline) and/or gum arabic which could be applied towards ends of a lengthy moustache to supply a pliable stiffness while styling. Once applied and dried, the wax provides protection against weather, body and breath heat.



Moustache wax was a much more typical grooming aid during the 19th and early 20th centuries, when several males sported elaborate facial hair this kind of as handlebar moustaches and mutton chop sideburns. Stylized moustaches and facial hair would be kept in peak condition throughout the day thanks for the application of either homemade or commercial moustache wax.



Although the handlebar moustache along with other extremely stylized facial hair may perhaps have fallen out of popularity in recent years, there is even now a subculture of men who have dedicated themselves towards the preservation, and indeed the possible resurrection, of these long-forgotten fashion statements. I many locations around the globe you can find competitions where competitiors are judged upon the standard of their moustaches and facial hair. In these situations the appropriate selection of moustache wax could be the variation among success or failure.



Moustache Wax is sold in either tins, tubes or sticks generally alongside hair goods this kind of as gel and mousse. The canned version of moustache wax is often a little, circular metal can similar towards the old-fashioned hair pomade cans. The wax can also be squeezed out of the tube and applied to the ends of the moustache for styling. The pomade might also be sold in a tube form similar to lip balm, even though application may be a little tricky.



It isn't difficult to obtain recipes to ensure that you'll be able to prepare your incredibly own moustache wax at home. The fundamental ingredients incorporate beeswax, white petroleum jelly, gum arabic (found in drugstores) and an optional fragrance such as essence of rose water. A very good homemade wax need to give adequate levels of stiffness and not seem heavy, lumpy or synthetic.



The moustache wax internet site is definitely an ideal source of more information and also related products

Transformers toys have come to be collectable items, and there is a market for old transformer toys. Depending on the condition from the toy and also the year of manufacture a transformer toy can be worth a lot, in fact if you're lucky to become the owner of a limited series transformer Autobot from the 1984 series, an original unopened transformer from the very first generation of transformers could be worth close to $1000.



Have you been wondering how you'll be able to make money off in the Transformer craze? You can promote the toys directly yourself, offer them on an auction web site or market them through an affiliate program to make dollars with no even touching the toys.



Market Transformer toys on your own web page.



Acquire Transformers in bulk at a discount on the internet or when they're on sale in a retail store. Transformers are a incredibly well-liked toy and they generally go up in value as people struggle to find the one that their kids are asking for. Sales commonly rise during the Christmas holiday as parents race to get the toy needed by Christmas eve. It is possible to set up a website quickly and at incredibly little cost. You'll be able to open a merchant account to accept credit card payments.



Set up a sellers account on a well-known auction site and market Transformers toys effortlessly on the web.



You'll need to keep a great inventory of your items and ship promptly. You can decide what form of payments you would like to accept for example checks, dollars orders, credit cards, etc. You may also require to stock up on shipping supplies and labels. It is possible to print the labels simply yourself with help in the U.S. Postal service. Purchase as a lot of rare and special Transformers as feasible mainly because those are the ones that will rise in value the fastest.



Sign up as an affiliate with websites just like Amazon and eBay



Market their items or place their links on your web site and make money from the sales with no ever touching the item. You possibly can effortlessly promote Transformers toys on the internet. Affiliate marketing has grow to be really well-known and it is a good way to make some passive income selling on-line. It really is very basic and you usually do not need to be involved with keeping inventory or shipping. Advertise on your site and make income each and every time there is certainly a sale. You tend not to require to collect the funds or deliver the product, but you might receive a percentage from the sale which will enhance as your sales boost.


Rare Transformers

Business cards tend to be exchanged when industry clients deal with one another. This is a wonderful marketing device which you can use to promote your organisation. In many instances, the organization logo, name, telephone number, and address will probably be present on the card, together with a list of expertise which the corporation delivers. Because of the coming of the web, lots of companies are putting their e-mail address on the card as well. Whereas business cards used styles that were rather basic in earlier times, they're now more intricate.

Business cards in many cases are presented by sales persons whenever they make trips to potential clients. Even though the prospective clients may not be considering the product or service at the moment, providing them a business card will put the seed that could induce them to make use of the service during a later instance. Additionally , it may aid a business build word or mouth advertising and marketing for their company. The application of business cards has evolved with time. Their use goes back centuries, and they were common in China throughout the 1500s. Business cards had been regularly utilized by European aristocrats. These types of cards would eventually turn out to be an essential type of etiquette, and several principles were used pertaining to their presentation.

The effective use of business cards by everyday persons is really a fairly recent phenomenon. For most of their history, they were being commonly used by upper classes. The application of trade cards became popular in England during the 1700s. It was during this period that companies begin setting an importance on layout. Top quality layouts turn out to be popular, and color producing was also readily available. A lot of enterprisers begin using trade card in an effort to advertise their companies to others. Quite a few businesses sprung up that would mass manufacture business cards for a reasonable prices.

These days, the exchange of business cards in between business men and women is becoming typical. Some people have habit of carrying around their business cards to be offered to other people if the need occur. Although using business cards is frequently connected to business owners, there are a range of people that accumulate business cards like art work. The proportions of a business card really should be the same as a charge card, and will generally be 85.60 x 53.98. They should effortlessly be able to easily fit into a business card wallet or purse. Quite a few business cards are now being created that have top quality images. Many big firms will use a trademark color for their cards, whilst some will make sure their cards are etched.

CMYK is frequently used by present day business cards. These colors are magenta, cyan, black, and yellow. The screens of these colors might be combined to create a broader variety of colors. The only real drawback to this technique is the fact that tiny dots may be noticed if you focus carefully at the card. As well as this, numerous card creative designers have begun adding coats that are glossy to the card. This tends to shield the card and gives it a striking sparkle.

Business Card Wallets

Somehow, babies seem to persue more space within a home than adults. This as a result of all their toys, equipment and paraphenalia. There isn't a good deal that can be done to circumvent this but also for the easy task of hanging up their coats along with clothing, there's something that can help in keeping at least their clothing orderly which is baby hangers.

Did you ever struggle to get a baby's coat by using an adult hanger? I don't know why many of us try to get it done sooner or later. It's really a totally loosing battle. Many baby clothes are small enough to fold up and placed in a drawer but winter coats are too bulky. If you buy an arrangement of baby coat hangers, you possibly can easily hang your baby's coat within your same coat cupboard while using adult coats and it is possible to hang it just as quickly because the hanger will fit. This is among the best uses for baby hangers.

As mentioned, most of your baby's clothes are small enough to be folded up and stored in dresser drawers; however there are numerous clothes that you could prefer to hang within the cupboard rather than stash away inside a drawer. You will want to hang up your baby's nicer outfits on baby clothes hangers. This helps keep them wrinkle free and may also ensure your baby's clothes organized. Often, a certain shirt matches certain pants and if you hang both of them on the baby hanger, you are able to discover their whereabouts easily. There is nothing more frustrating when you are in a hurry getting out of the door rather than search through all the drawers to discover that matching shirt.

Baby hangers can be found in a variety of colors and also with the shape of animals. They are a good accessory for any baby's room. A baby clothes hanger is little enough for baby clothes but will fit your toddler and small child's clothes as well. It truly is for that reason that you just should get hangers which are sturdy, so that you could use them for several years.

Baby clothes hangers are a very good and original baby gift to offer someone. Everyone always gives baby clothes in the form of gift but who ever gives hangers? There is no doubt the new baby will receive enough clothing to last them for some time. Buy some baby clothes hangers to hang those on and also the parents are going to be very thankful for your originality and also the functionality of one's gift.

For more information please visit the baby clothes hangers website.

Maverick Industries was founded by Edward Mackin in 1982 and was primarily focused on selling indoor and outdoor barbeque grills. Towards the end of the 1990's they began to realize that the market for their products was becoming saturated and searched for new products on which to focus. They eventually decided to begin selling smaller kitchen electrical appliances such as toasters. steamers, digital thermometers, alongside the grills it was already known for.

These days Maverick is known more for its digital cooking thermometer than its grill products. They had introduced their thermometer just as the American people were being advised by USDA to use thermometers to test meat before eating - an obvious boost to sales.

After the success of the Maverick thermometer they looked to develop new products and in 1998 they launched the ET-7 - The worlds first remote cooking thermometer. This innovation and reputation for quality has seen Maverick become the leading producer of digital probe thermometers in the YS.

For more information please visit the Probe Thermometer website.

One of the questions that I get all the time is about the value of Rare Pokemon Cards.

There are Rare Pokemon Trading Cards that can get good money. It seems that when Pokemon were most in demand in the late 1990's, when some cards were worth over $100.

Rare cards are marked with a star in thebottom-right corner.

Less common cards have a diamond shape, common cards are a dot, and rare Lv.X cards are marked with a star's outline.

There was one "rare" in every pack produced. This card may or may not be foil (foils are 1 in every 3 packs.)

The Charizard card was the most valuable and for the most part, it still is one of the most valuable Pokemon Trading Cards.

A Cheese Board can be described as an assortment of cheeses placed upon a platter. There are plenty of varieties of cheese board available in all sorts of shapes and sizes and made from various materials.

When prepaing a cheese cutting board attention should be made towards the types of cheese that is placed upon it. Cheese can be presented as an appetizer, main course or at the end of a meal.

It is widely agreed that a good cheese board should contain five cheeses or less. The cheeses included should vary in terms oftexture, taste and looks. Often cheese boards are themed around different countries or seasons etc.

Finally remember that any cheeses are better when served at room temprature - so make sure you remove them from the refrigerator in advance of eating them. For more information please visit the Cheese Cutting Board website.

The method of dry steam cleaning or vapor steam cleaning began life in Italy, and was developed by the same people thought to be behind the coffee expresso machine. Steam Cleaning Machines are seen as advantageos as they are capable of cleaning using just domesic water - with no need for cleaning agents. This is not only a better option for the environment, but also is safer for individuals with sensitive sto allergens and who have skin problems which react to chemicals.

The dry steam cleaning machine vapor contains only a small amount of water. The hot gas effectively kills mould, viruses, dust mites etc. in an instant. As the gas is hot what little water there is evaporates straight away leaving no opportunity for mould to take hold again.

Although the steam cleaning machine is generally associated with carpets and floors they are capable of cleaning many other surfaces.

If you require more details or would like to view models which may be suitable to your needs and pocket please visit the steam cleaning machines website.

My Neighbor Totoro  was originally put out in Japan in August 1988, as part of a dual feature with Grave of the Fireflies. The motion picture won the Animage Anime Grand Prix award in 1988.

In 1993, 50th Street Films produced a dub of the anime movie, which was published on VHS and DVD by Fox Video. Both of these entities lost their rights to the anime movie in 2004, and Disney produced a new English dub with new voice actors. The new English dub made its introduction on October 23, 2005, and then it made an appearance at the Hollywood anime movie Festival. Turner Classic Movies was the first television network to air the motion picture during a salute to Miyazaki on January 19, 2006. Disney’s variation of the movie was issued on DVD on March 7, 2006.

The two-disk DVD set contains the motion picture and numerous extras on the first disk, and a storyboard version of the motion picture on the second disk. On the first disc, there’s a five-and-a-half minute documentary called, “Behind the Microphone,” which features interviews and footage from recording sessions with several of the voice actors (Dakota and Elle Fanning, Lea Salogna, Pat Carroll, and Tim Daly). There’s also textless versions of the opening and ending credits, as well as the original Japanese theatrical trailer. In the extras menu, you can also register your DVD. While there may not be a lot of extras, this has been the case with every Miyazaki movie that Disney has released on DVD. So while it’s a little disappointing, it’s not entirely unexpected.

While My Neighbor Totoro clocks in at under an hr and a half, it’s still an beautiful movie. In fact, the story probably would have been weakened if Miyazaki had tried to make the runtime longer. The look of the animation is perfect to accompany the story of the motion picture. This is emphatically a very family-friendly anime picture, and I would highly commend it.

Herbal supplements have many health benefits. Many of them are potent antioxidants. Some have antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, and antitumor properties. Some improve general bodily functions such as digestion, mental clarity, circulation, hormonal balance, etc. Many people also consume herbal supplements to prevent and treat common ailments and improve the overall well beings.

Herbal supplements contain active constituents extracted from dry or fresh herbs. These active constituents can be divided into two main groups based on their chemical properties, hydrophilic (water loving) and lipophilic (oil loving). Traditionally, hydrophilic compounds are extracted in water and ethanol whereas lipophilic compounds are extracted in chemical solvents such as acetone and hexane.

The use of chemical solvents in extracting lipophilic compounds has raised some health, environmental and safety concerns in recently years. First of all, there is a small amount of toxic residues left after the extraction process, which can pose a health threat to the consumers. Secondly, the disposal of organic solvents is detrimental to the environment. And lastly, these chemical solvents are toxic and highly volatile, handling of these chemicals require extreme caution.

Unfortunately, the major active constituents in many herbs such as ginger, St. John's Wort, valerian, rosemary are lipophilic. In the past, they were extracted by organic solvents such as acetone and hexane. But the advance in new technologies has provided safer alternative to the food industry. Supercritical fluid extraction is one of these new technologies. It allows health food manufacturers to produce cleaner, more potent and stable herbal products.

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) using carbon dioxide (CO2) is an improved extraction method. Carbon dioxide is non-toxic, non-explosive and can be readily removed from the finished products and recycled. It does not pose any hazardous problems to the environment. The extraction takes place without high temperature heating and boiling so the extracted products are more stable. In addition, the extraction yields a highly concentrated herbal extract.

In comparison, chemical extraction using organic solvents leaves adsorbed chemical residues in the finished products. The solvents may react with the active compounds and degrade them. To remove the solvents from the extracted products, high temperature heating is required, which may degrade the active constituents. As a result, the quality of the extracted products is generally inferior to that from supercritical fluid extraction.

The commercial application of supercritical fluid technology is still limited to few high valued products due to high investment costs and new operation. New chapter is one premium brand producing herbal and fatty acid supplements using this new technology. With the increasing public demand of purer, cleaner nutritional supplements, one may assume that more companies would be applying this new extraction technology in the near future.

About The Author Kwan H Lo is the owner of http://vitaminstores.4reviews.net, an online site providing information on health food supplements.

There is no single more powerful stumbling block to moving beyond our divorce into a new life than the inability to accept our new reality. Acceptance is the hardest part of the divorce recovery process. Acceptance requires total honesty, courage and the willingness to let go of the life that we had...a life that no longer exists. Without that acceptance, we cannot move forward and create a new life.

How does one learn acceptance? Although it takes time and a good deal of inner work, it can be done. Here is a step-by-step guide to move you towards acceptance:

1) It's about you, not them.

One of the most powerful lessons in life is the knowledge that we have control over one person and one person only…ourselves. If you are looking outside of yourself to move forward, you won't. We can't change anyone but ourselves. We have power over no one except ourselves. It is when we turn inward and do the work on ourselves that we will be able to effect dramatic and positive changes in our lives.

Being a victim means giving away all control and power. If I blame someone else for my situation, then I am powerless to do anything about it as I have chosen to absolve myself of any responsibility.

We can create changes that will make out lives better but not until we stop trying to change our ex or our current reality and we realize that it's about us, not them.

2) Get support.

If you think you can do this all by yourself you may be in for a big surprise. Research consistently shows that getting support in any challenging endeavor leads to more success. Whether you choose a divorce support group, a therapist, a member of the clergy or a Life Coach, just do it.

If you are one of the those people who think that you have to handle life's challenges on your own because somehow you equate support with weakness, get over it! Getting support is a sign of intelligence as far as I'm concerned as well as an indication that you really are serious about moving onward in life.

3) First, you must get through the initial stages of loss that includes denial, grief, anger, depression and whatever else you might be feeling early in the divorce process.

These emotions are all natural and necessary states that we need to experience. They are the norm versus the exception. Each one of these feelings needs to be embraced and experienced fully. There must be an ending before a new beginning.

There is a difference between fully experiencing an emotional stage and getting stuck in it. Beware excessive self-pity and real depression. Here is where support becomes important to your well-being and improvement.

4) Distinguish between facts and interpretations.

I cannot stress the importance of this step enough. People get stuck when they cannot face the facts and prefer to believe that their personal interpretations are reality.

You might be familiar with the exercise of the picture that has a hidden image within it. Ten people may come up with ten different interpretations of the picture. Some people will see the hidden image immediately and others will never see it until it is pointed out to them. Either way, the hidden picture exists. It is a fact.

You may feel that you have been mentally abused and yet your partner may feel that you are the one that is abusive. He said, she said. Probably a counselor will see a totally different picture altogether. You know, there's your side, his side and then the truth.

Once you are truthful with yourself and can see the facts versus the drama or story of your divorce, you will be on your way to acceptance.

5) Be brutally honest and take responsibility for your marriage, divorce and life.

Those of us who can be totally honest with ourselves will receive the gift of a deep awareness of who and what we are along with the ability to accept our lives as they are without looking to blame someone else. Being honest allows us to see things that hadn't existed for us before. The truth will indeed set you free. By setting aside our egos, we can look at our life for what it actually is versus a story about our divorce.

Once we have been honest and have embraced all the facts about our divorce, we are free to accept full responsibility for our lives. Responsibility is power and the freedom to choose what we want next in life. If we cannot take responsibility, we remain victims and victims absolve themselves of both their responsibility and therefore the power to control their own lives.

6) Learn the difference between what is and what you think should be.

If we are living in a netherland of what we think should be, we are completely cut off from reality or 'what is'. If you think that you should not have to be experiencing divorce, then you cannot accept what is…that you are indeed getting divorced. You live in a world of your own.

We all create a list of should be's that keep us stuck in the status quo: I should be happier, I should be getting more support, I shouldn't have to work, and I should still be married. By concentrating on what we should be, we ignore what actually exists for us and remain stuck.

I think we should live in a world where peace is the predominant ethic but we don't live in that world. That's a dream I have. By acknowledging the world as it truly exists, I can make choices as to how I will live my life and also how to address the problems that do exist.

7) Consider the emotional wounds that you brought to the marriage.

Your ex may complain that you were not a warm person. I doubt that it was your marriage that created a cold person, if indeed that is what you are. We bring ourselves into our marriages and the parts of us that show up and create issues are the parts of us that we haven't addressed yet. They are emotional wounds from somewhere in our past and they have a tendency to pop-up in our close relationships or when we are faced with challenging times.

Now is your chance to address those wounds and heal them so that you do not repeat your so-called mistakes again. Use your divorce as a catalyst to go inside and heal yourself.

8) Release toxic emotions.

Get rid of the debilitating toxic emotions that you are carrying around. Picture them as heavy baggage that keeps you stuck in your misery and produces a broken back. Anger, bitterness, hatred, resentment, rage…these are all toxic emotions that will harm you far more than your ex. You are the one who pays the price. You need to work through them and then release them because they will weigh you down for the rest of your life if you allow it.

Once you have done the work of truth versus interpretations and what is versus what should be, you will find it much easier to give up your anger and resentment. They do not serve you and you are learning to give away anything that does not serve you well.

9) Learn forgiveness for yourself and your mate.

You might not be able to practice forgiveness in the early stages of the journey to recovery but if you go through these other steps, you will be able to forigive your ex and more importantly, yourself. Forgiveness takes a big load off your shoulders. It releases energy that can be used for positive things.

Forgiveness does not necessarily mean you condone bad behavior, it simply means you forgive. If we separate the person from the behavior it becomes easier to forgive. You know that just because you sometimes say mean things it does not mean you are a bad person. Just a lapse in judgment. We are not necessarily our behavior. We know all the subconscious motivations that exist within every individual. If we look at the inner child within a person, forgiveness is a given.

10) Make conscious decisions; utilize free choice.

When you do the inner work of divorce recovery, you tend to attend to many things that have been left unresolved for years. You become more conscious of your actions and your choices. You become aware of the subconscious and how it can run your life. When you learn to observe the constant mind chatter that goes on inside your heads, you learn that the mind chatter is not us, its just chatter.

Making conscious decisions based in free choice means that we are not letting our mind chatter, our past, our emotional wounds or our interpretations of reality run the show. We take control of our lives. Conscious living allows for incredible freedom and the ability to create extraordinary changes.

And your bonus tip:

11) Find the gifts of your divorce.

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

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

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

About The Author Shelley Stile is a professionally trained (Coaches Training Institute) who coaches clients on a one-on-one basis guiding them towards the goals they desire to achieve in order to live their best life possible. She specializes in working with women and divorce recovery. Shelley also teaches the "Creating Change in Your Life" workshop at the Adult Schools of Montclair and The Chathams in New Jersey as well as volunteering at the Center for Women in Livingston, New Jersey. She is a member of the International Speaker's Forum and served as a Coach for Harv Ekar's Life Directions seminar series. Shelley trained with the Coaches training Institute and is presently undergoing certification for Divorce Coaching with the Ford Institute for Integrative Coaching. You can learn more about Life Coaching with Shelley at http://www.changecoachshelley.com and http://shelleyblog.changecoachshelley.com or contact Shelley at shelleystile@changecoachshelley.com.

Every year about this time doctors around the world are recommending that people go in and get their annual flu shot. What most people don't know or understand is just how dangerous this could be, especially for children under the age of 12. When people call and say "My doctor is telling the family to go in and get a flu shot. Should I do it?"…I tell them they should learn about the side effects and decide for themselves…as a chiropractor and naturopathic physician I don't' have the time or energy to argue with family practitioners or family doctors who are obviously uneducated on the possible side effects or detrimental effects flu shots or vaccinations in general can have on the body.
I personally have never received a flu shot and have never been ill during the flu season. In my personal opinion I don't think toxic chemicals and strains of different viruses growing on living tissue belong inside the body. Because of the demand, I want to share with you some of the research that we have found in the latest flu shot trend and the by-products of these supposedly sterile and non-harmful solutions.
I don't know about you, but I sure would not want any of the following compounds in my bloodstream or deposited in my body. Let's look at what we have found in the common vaccinations:
Ethylene Glycol: Ethylene Glycol is nothing more than the technical name for anti-freeze, the same stuff that you put inside your car engine. I don't think I have to tell you what would happen if you ingest antifreeze.
Thimerosal: This is a mercury derived disinfectant and preservative which is used in a majority of the vaccinations and can result in brain injury over a long period of time leading into Alzheimer's or Parkinson's Disease, lack of memory, sluggish brain performance and also is known to induce auto-immune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, ALS as well as altering and depleting the immune system from working efficiently.
Phenol: Phenol is most commonly used as a disinfectant, also used as a dye, is listened as a carcinogenic agent (cancer-causing) agent and is also known as carbolic acid.
Neomycin and Streptomycin: These compounds are used as antibiotics which have side effects to include severe allergic reactions in some people. It always puzzled me why they are putting two different forms of antibiotics in a viral vaccine.
Aluminum: Aluminum accumulates in the skin, bones, brain and kidneys and can cause Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Aluminum has also caused cancer in laboratory mice. It is commonly used as an additive in most vaccinations.
Formaldehyde: Formaldehyde is used as a preservative. It is also classified as a carcinogenic (cancer-causing agent) and causes the body fluids to become acidic in nature. Formaldehyde will start to preserve your tissues within the body.
I hope that when your doctor starts telling you that it is time for your annual flu vaccine you will present this material to him and ask him how all of these ingredients are going to prevent you from getting the flu. I'll be very interested in knowing what his answer is to that question. As a side note just to let you know what is being injected to your body, these vaccines are strained through animal or human tissues like chicken embryos, monkey kidney tissue and embryonic guinea pig cells, to name a few.
So what am I supposed to do if I don't listen to my doctor and I decide not to get an annual flu shot? Well, you have probably made the smartest decision you have ever made in your entire life. So let me give you 5 Simple Secrets and Bonuses to Sailing Through The Flu Season:
Secret #1: Reduce your intake of caffeine, alcohol and carbonated beverages and replace with purified water with addition of organic apple cider vinegar added. Two tablespoons per gallon or a capful per glass. Ideally, you should drink at least ½ gallon of water each day.
Secret #2: Reduce intake of refined white sugar, white flour, sweets, refined grains and hydrogenated oils. Try not to over-eat, especially during the holidays. Try to get adequate exercise—at least 3 times per week. The more you move, the better your lymph system is able to move toxic materials out of the body.
Secret #3: Zinc. In a majority of the studies that have been done during the flu season many people have prevented the flu by taking supplements of zinc. Zinc is one of the most powerful immune stimulants and is powerful anti-viral. There are a lot of different forms of zinc and you have to be careful on which one you choose. Therefore I recommend the best and most absorbable form of zinc which is zinc orotate. If you cannot find this form of zinc at your local health food store or natural health care practitioner contact Global Healing Center at 713.476.0016 or staff@globalhealingcenter.com. Do not take zinc at the same time you eat or drink citrus fruits or juices. It will diminish the effectiveness of the zinc.
Secret #4: Eat as close to nature as possible. This means to eat food that is considered "live." Include raw fruits (seasonal), vegetables and nuts and seeds as much as possible in your diet. If possible, buy organic or from a local farmer's market. Make sure that you thoroughly wash your fruits and vegetables before consuming. Vegetables may be steamed lightly or used in nourishing soups and stews. Adding fresh garlic to your diet is also recommended.
Secret #5: Eliminate stress and negative emotions. Being negative and allowing stress to affect you can quickly bring down the immune system. Learn to say no to activities that will over-tax your schedule. Spend time alone each day and read positive books, listen to good music or practice meditation. Train your mind to find the positive or good in every situation and treat all of these situations as a learning experience. Don't go around playing the "victim" in life.
BONUS! Secret #6: Colloidal Silver, Oxygenator and Oregano Oil: Colloidal silver has been around for hundreds of years and has been used as a natural antibiotic which promotes healing. It can also be used as a nasal spray and as eardrops. Oxygenator is a safe, stable, inorganic compound of oxygen and chlorine-containing products, in a colorless and odorless aqueous medium. Oxygenator is known to release chlorine dioxide (CL02), and the product has demonstrated efficacy as an anti-inflammatory, broad spectrum, bactericidal, fungicidal, as well as a virucidal agent. The Chemistry Literature verifies this triple-threat ability of CL02. Oregano Oil is a powerful germ and painkiller. An article published in Phytotherapy Research describes how oregano oil superceded anti-inflammatory drugs in reversing pain and inflammation and is nearly as powerful as morphine as a painkiller. The oil also possesses significant antioxidant powers. Furthermore, it stimulates the flow of bile, which greatly aids digestion. Keep these three products in your medicine cabinet at all times. All three are available from www.globalhealingcenter.com or call 713.476.0016.
SUPER BONUS!! Extra Tips and Suggestions

• Get adequate sleep and rest. The body does the most healing between the hours of sundown and midnight. It is impossible to "catch-up" on sleep.
  
• Wash your hands frequently. Rinse and dry your hands thoroughly and keep them away from your eyes, nose, and mouth. If you sneeze use a tissue and throw it away as soon as possible.
  
• Buy a new toothbrush frequently. Toothbrushes can harbor viruses and prolong an illness.
  
• Eucalyptus Oil is good for relieving congestion. Put 6 drops in a hot bath or in boiling water, put a towel over your head and inhale the vapors. You can also diffuse it through an essential oil diffuser.
  
• Dairy Products. Dairy can be very mucous causing not to mention the fact that many people have an allergy to cow's milk and don't even know it.
  
• 3 Drops of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide in each ear 3x daily for 5 days helps relieve flu symptoms.

With many flu seasons ahead I felt it was finally time to break the silence and reveal these secrets to as many people as possible. I have come to the conclusion that your Dr. doesn't want you to know about the detrimental effects of flu shots and vaccinations. Please feel free to share this article with your friends, family and loved ones. I wish you a happy and healthy holiday season. Don't forget to check all the information and research articles on our continually up-dated website: www.globalhealingcenter.com

About The Author Dr. Group and his book have received critical acclaim from the media, health publications and people from around the country. He in an international speaker and has spoken with respected speakers such as Deepak Chopra, Julian Whittaker, Stedman Graham and Joseph Mercola. He has spoken at the International Wellness Conference, State Chiropractic Conventions and on the campuses of many colleges and universities. He's also been interviewed by several radio talk shows and magazines. staff@globalhealingcenter.com

When was the last time you took a look at what was in that best selling natural skin care moisturizer product? After all, you want your skin to feel soft and look young and glowing. So, it's a good idea to check your product's ingredients list.

Make sure the moisturizer, and other products, don't contain any harmful substances which are ineffective or cause ugly side effects.

Take a look at the label and see if there are any substances like: mineral oils (names like paraffin wax or petrolatum), parabens (also known by names like methyl, propyl and ethyl paraben), dioxanes and fragrances.

Why? If you find any of them in your skin care moisturizer cream product, avoid them. They're synthetic unnatural ingredients that aren't healthy or safe to be in skincare products. They cause anything from dry skin, depression, irritation...even cancer.

Just do a bit of research and become an educated consumer. Start looking at the ingredients used by skincare companies. Very few best selling natural skincare moisturizer products you'll find are 100% pure natural skincare products as they claim.

Don't give up, keep looking for a natural skin care moisturizer cream containing natural substances. There are some very good natural skincare companies out that have effective, healthy skin care products.

When I researched natural skincare companies, I found one that uses pure substances in their products. Their products are safe, effective and healthy for you and your skin.

Ready to find the best selling natural skin care moisturizer which contains amazing natural ingredients that are high quality and proven effective?

Here are some ingredients which are 100% natural:

1. Phytessence Wakame - is an effective natural healthy skin care ingredient. An extract from a Japanese sea kelp (from the Japanese sea), which is rich in sodium, iron, potassium, calcium, B-group vitamins, antioxidants and other essential minerals are our body needs.

It's not wonder it's a Japanese "beauty preserver", this Japanese sea kelp is prized for its ability to keep skin healthy and youthful looking. It increases skin elasticity and helps heal irritated and dry skin.

2. Nano-Lipobelle H-EQ10 -- is a special form of CoenzymeQ10 that penetrates deep into your skin. It supplies skin with powerful antioxidants which fight the harmful free radicals. It also protects the skin from the sun's UV rays and helps to rejuvenate skin cells to keep your skin toned.

3. Cynergy TK - this substance (extracted from the wool of the New Zealand sheep) contains functional keratin. The keratin protein is found throughout the body and has the ability to convert natural keratin into a functional form which increases your body's own production of collagen and elastin. This results in smoothing your fine lines and rejuvenating your skin.

So there you have it, checking the best selling natural skin care moisturizer ingredients is a must, because when you find the best natural skin care moisturizer cream there's no doubt you'll achieve healthy, soft, young-looking and glowing skin.

Visit my website today for information on more powerful and effective ingredients. All substances are safe, healthy and proven effective.

About The Author Marcia Kruger is a researcher, editor and passionate advocate of a natural healthy lifestyle which includes skin care and supplementation. Marcia enjoys sharing and introducing people to the best natural products she finds and uses herself daily. Visit her latest site http://www.health-beauty-and-vitality.com to learn about clinically tested and scientifically proven natural skin care ingredients for women and men. The author invites you to visit: http://www.health-beauty-and-vitality.com

A digital personal health record (PHR) is a computer-based software application that allows you to store a variety of personal health information including illnesses, hospitalizations, encounters (i.e. visits and communications), journal information in between doctor visits, medications, allergies, immunizations, surgeries, lab results, and family history. The personal health record differs from an electronic medical record which is a similar application with much more all-encompassing features used by healthcare providers such as scheduling and insurance billing, in addition to the storage of patient health data. Owning and maintaining an up-to-date digital personal health record has many benefits and is the cornerstone of proactive healthcare involvement and better healthcare experiences.

One of the chief reasons to have your health data stored electronically is it improves the quality of healthcare you receive by enabling you to be better prepared for doctor visits, equipped with the accurate and relevant information that your doctor needs to pursue an optimal treatment course. Because that vital data can then be conveyed to your doctor more efficiently, more time can be spent during the visit focusing on diagnosing and treating as opposed to gathering information. The latter fact is of paramount importance given the fact that healthcare providers in general have busier schedules and less time to spend with individual patients.

A digital PHR also ensures the availability of your health information in a legible form and facilitates the flow of that information between your and healthcare provider(s) whether only one physician is treating you or several doctors are participating in your care. Information in the record can be conveyed to your health-care provider(s) verbally, in print out form, digitally on an external medium such as a flash drive, and in some cases via the Internet prior to office visits. This ease of transfer of medical data is vitally important considering the fact that 18% of medical errors are due to inadequate availability of patient information. Moreover, medical records are frequently lost, doctors retire, hospitals or HMOs purges old records to save storage space, and employers frequently change group health insurance plans resulting in patients needing to change doctors and request transfer medical records which are sometimes illegible. Despite efforts on the part of the government to encourage doctors to keep medical records on a computer, i.e. utilize electronic medical records (EMRs) also called electronic health records (EHRs) in order to reduce errors, the fact of the matter is only 5% of doctors keep medical records on the computer and many that have purchased EMRs have never effectively implemented them or continued to use them in their practices.

Another compelling reason to have an updated personal health record is it could save your life. The Center for Disease Control on its annual list of leading cause of death included medical airs which was listed six ahead of diabetes and pneumonia. Approximately 120,000 Americans die each year as a result of preventable medical errors in hospitals, and who knows what the total is including patients treated outside of the hospital. Equally daunting is the fact that most emergency rooms cannot adequately retrieve your critical health information in a time of emergency.

The fourth reason to have a PHR is to reduce your healthcare expenses. Doctors generally use subjective and objective information about you in arriving at a diagnosis and treatment plan. Subjective data is that information which can be expressed by you such as your symptoms, and objective data is that information which can be measured and recorded, such as physical exam findings, x-ray reports and laboratory test results. Many diagnoses and treatment decisions can be based in large part on subjective information obtained from the patient or patient's family, but if sufficient and appropriate subjective data cannot be obtained healthcare provider tend to rely more on objective data including x-rays and lab tests which result in higher treatment costs. X-rays and laboratory tests are oftentimes performed unnecessarily because they were recently performed but the patient did not know the results or did not even know they were performed, fueling the flames of rising healthcare costs.

The fifth reason you need your personal health information stored in a computer desktop-based application is to ensure the privacy of your information. There are online repositories that will store your health record, but there are definite concerns regarding privacy and the security of your data. By using a computer-based application to store all-important data about your health, you can ensure that the information remains private and secure. If you feel the need for greater security of the data within your computer or that which has been exported to a flash drive, there are affordably priced folder protection software programs which will protect the data by requiring a login. Alternatively, there are also biometric fingerprint reading devices which can be installed on your computer allowing login with a finger swipe.

The sixth reason you should have a computer-based record of your health information is the fact that maintaining a health record is a shared responsibility between the health-care provider and the health-care consumer. If you doubt that, try filling out a health insurance application without recorded health information to refer to. Traditionally patients have relied upon their healthcare providers to know everything about them and to record that information, but in today's era of change and looming healthcare reform, that cruise control approach is rapidly coming to a screeching halt. Just as taxpayers are held accountable for knowing and verifying the information they submit or the information that is submitted for them on their tax returns, healthcare consumers are going to be held more accountable for knowing and verifying what is in their medical record. This will be readily apparent if you are ever audited by the Internal Revenue Service or if you have health insurance benefits excluded after your policy has gone into effect because of pre-existing conditions which were not recorded in the insurance application questionnaire at the time of filing.

The seventh reason to have a digital personal health record is to enhance your doctor/patient rapport and engender mutual appreciation. I can recall those patients who were well-prepared with organized, relevant quality information to provide during their patient encounters and the delight I had in treating them. That type of encounter makes the practice of medicine much more fun and mutually beneficial. On the other hand, the patient, by seeking and obtaining a better understanding of my diagnostic and treatment course developed a greater appreciation for me and my efforts. I trust that your experience will be the same.

A digital personal health record (PHR) is a computer-based software application that allows you to store a variety of personal health information including illnesses, hospitalizations, encounters (i.e. visits and communications), journal information in between doctor visits, medications, allergies, immunizations, surgeries, lab results, and family history. Owning and maintaining an up-to-date digital personal health record has many benefits and is the cornerstone of proactive healthcare involvement and better healthcare experiences.

About The Author With more than 20 years experience treating and evaluating patients I recognize the importance of patients having a good working knowledge of their personal health information, but realize that many times that knowledge is lacking. For a solution to bridge the gap between what you should know and what you actually know about your health record visit my website. The author invites you to visit: http://www.proactivehealthoutlet.com

Breast health is very important to adult women and good self-esteem about breasts and all physical features are very important for younger girls. Keeping these two different angles in mind are important for girls and women alike when it comes to good breast health and good self-image and self-esteem.

In North America, the incidence of Breast Cancer has increase almost three-fold in 40 years, going from 1 in 20 in the 1960's to 1 in 8 today. From the age of twenty, women should do monthly breast self-examinations. Breast cancers tend to grow significantly faster in younger women under age 50. Despite billions of dollars raised for research to "Find the Cure," the risk of breasts cancer today is greater than ever before. It's critically important for women to take charge of their health through these screenings and to understand that survivability is greatly enhanced when breast cancer is found early.

Because when it comes to breast health, knowledge is more than power–it's confidence. Women can help with the early detection and treatment of breast cancer by playing an active role in their own health care. While there are some different recommendations from medical organizations on the value of breast self-exams, all women's health organizations agree about the value of annual clinical breast exams, and the importance of regular mammograms after the age of 40. Breast health is more than just luck, genetics, where you live or what you eat.

Staying healthy is a challenge that engages our body, mind, and spirit. No matter what your age or position in life, understanding the connection between a healthy lifestyle and healthy breasts is vitally important. Breast health is on a continuum with normal healthy breast tissue at one end and cancer at the other. You can certainly go from no pathology to cancer and you can slide down the continuum and never develop breast cancer, but not accepting unhealthy changes in your breasts is proactive and may very well prevent cancer. Also, you may lower your risk of breast cancer by living a healthy lifestyle, including eating a low-fat, high-fiber diet and exercising.

Most people are familiar with the antioxidant process, and many include this in there daily routines, but not many are aware that this is just the first step to a healthy body. Antioxidants are beneficial because they affix themselves to free radicals while absorbing the elements before they have the ability to infiltrate healthy normal tissues. It is in everyone's health interests, to include regular daily amounts of the best antioxidants in their diets, in support of healthy lifestyles.

Only 10% of breast health issues are attributed to family genes, the higher percentage due to environmental, dietary or lifestyle issues. Antioxidants are intimately involved in the prevention of cellular damage -- the common pathway for cancer, aging, and a variety of diseases. Antioxidants are key elements in preventing cancer, because they stabilize highly reactive free radicals that can otherwise damage our DNA and begin the process of cancer development. 

About The Author Paul Rodgers specializes in marketing natural skin health and beauty products With current women's health statistics in the United States, the need to educate and provide effective nutritional supplements to maintain breast health is a necessity. Find out more about Breast Health The author invites you to visit: http://admirable-breast.com

In order to function at optimum capacity, the internal body environment must remain as close to neutral as possible. It likes to measure in on the pH scale at 7.39. When the body takes in an excessive amount of acids, as it does so often as a result of making the wrong food choices, this excess must be brought back into balance. The way the body accomplishes this is by bringing the acid and alkaline levels back into balance.

Each of the elements inside the body, the vitamins, amino acids, fatty acids, minerals, sugars and trace elements, can be categorized as either an acid or an alkaline. One interesting fact about an acid and an alkaline element is that when they are mixed together, they are able to cancel each other out. The scientific term for what is created when an alkaline and an acid element are combined is a neutral salt.

Much in the same way as the neutral color gray results when black and white are combined, and when the neutral temperature of warm results when hot water is combined with cold, a neutral salt cancels out the inherent respective properties of the combined acid and alkaline elements. With no acid or alkaline properties, neutral salts have no impact on the cellular serums or blood in which they are present.

When excess acid is present, the body must go out and find alkaline elements to begin the process of neutralizing this excess acid. Alkalines are usually present in the blood, but because the blood cannot tolerate much variation in its pH level, this is never a good source from which to borrow. A better source for alkaline elements is the internal organs and tissues. These areas can tolerate a greater degree of pH level fluctuation.

Even though the internal organs and tissue can exist in the short-term without all of the necessary alkaline, it is of critical importance that the borrowed alkaline be replaced. Normally this is not a problem. A healthy diet is generally all it takes to replenish alkaline levels. But most people don't consume a healthy diet. It is this repeated borrowing of alkaline without replacement that becomes a serious situation.

In fact, given the way many people eat today, it is not uncommon for alkaline to be borrowed and not replenished every single day, and worse, many times in a single day. Taking more alkaline than is being replenished will sooner or later create a deficit. Alkaline has a purpose. It is crucial to the properly functioning of the internal organs and tissue. It is not present in the body so that it can be used to help neutralize excessive acid.

A shortage of alkaline inside the body occurs much more frequently than it should. The end result of this alkaline mineral loss can be any number of different illnesses and diseases and an overall feeling of poor health.

About The Author Beverly Taylor Address: P.O. Box 2535 Key West, FL 33045 Phone: 954-732-3310 Website: http://www.pH-health.com Email: beverlyt@myarticleannouncer.com Email for website: admin@pH-health.com

Since the beginning of time, the biggest challenge that has always faced human existence was in how to effectively cope with the physical environment that surrounds us. From the need to hunt and gather food, to searching for adequate housing protection from the elements, or escaping an occasional life threatening danger, our bodies are uniquely designed to handle brief episodes of stress.

When our thinking mind determines that we must summon up an effort to tackle a perceived problem, the adrenal gland bumps up its production of hormones to confront the issue with a sudden burst of energy. This really is a good thing, as it enables us to handle the important details of our lives.

The downside to this process, however, is that our thinking mind is not always rational about what it considers to be a threat to our well being or what is harmless. Our thinking mind is bombarded with literally hundreds of bits and pieces of useless information that is a normal part of living in a modernized world.

While it is certainly impossible to eliminate all of the stress from our lives, it would not necessarily be beneficial for most people. Keep in mind that a certain amount of stress actually motivates many people to make positive changes in their lives. Learning how to prioritize and distinguish between what needs are important to you, and which ones you would be better off letting go of, is the key to balancing your stress levels.

Be advised that a constant infusion of a stress hormone called 'cortisol' can build up in the bloodstream. Over a relatively short amount of time, this can lead to a variety health complaints such as anxiety, depression, decreased immunity, weight gain or loss, hypertension, muscle aches and pains, digestive issues, or adrenal exhaustion resulting in a no hormone response at all to fight or flight, ending in a complete collapse. Nearly all physical health problems can be traced back to one main contributor, emotional upheaval.

Reducing the amount of stress we have some amount of control over is one constructive way of turning off a few of the everyday, little things that may really be bothering us like loud music, the media, and that constant on-the-go cycle of modern life.

Despite our best efforts to keep a lid on run away stress, the unpredictability of life is going to throw us an occasional curve ball. Troubled relationships, natural disasters, and job losses are an inevitable part of living life and will cause our stress hormones to spike. You may just have to let go at a time like this, and treat yourself extra nice until the crisis passes, as it usually does.

Dietary Needs:

One of the best ways to sustain our physical stamina in an emotional crisis is giving our body what it needs to produce energy in the first place. Junk foods may be an easy pacifier to reach for, but a well balanced healthy diet would serve us much better. Avoid using caffeine and alcohol to cope with life's unpredictability, drink more pure water instead.

Get more fresh air and plenty of sunshine when at all possible, as vitamin D will help keep your sleep/wake cycle regulated.

Exercise and Sleep:

Even if you really aren't motivated to exercise, find some type of physical activity that you can do on a regular basis. Walking and aerobics are popular choices, but there are so many others to choose from.

Try to get in 20 to 30 minutes of physical exertion (3 to 5 times a week) that gets your heart pumping and you have to breath deeply. Stress hormones are proportionately produced during physical activity and provides a healthy release mechanism for emotional anxiety. This re-uptake helps relax our body and mimics our running away from danger so we can rest and sleep normally afterward.

Sleep is something many of us short change ourselves on. We often get keyed up trying to finish that one last thing before bedtime. Whatever you think you must finish up, it usually can wait until the next day. Give yourself at least an hour to relax and unwind before bedtime. Take a warm bath or shower, as it helps lower body temperature to help make you drowsy. Read something pleasant that makes you feel good.

Emotions:

Many of us have been taught to live by a certain set of rules or standards that can cause a lot of unhealthy emotions to be kept suppressed. Our ideas, thoughts and beliefs about certain situations or people can have a very limiting effect upon our lives. Open up your mind to the possibilities that we all carry around some emotional burdens from our past that we may not be consciously aware of in the here and now. When we make the effort to free ourselves up from something that we may have long forgotten about, we can open new pathways to happiness and resolve old issues for good.

There are so many little day-to-day things that can really add up over time. Consider learning how to appreciate more of the things that are going well in your life, and all the material things that you already have.

Get together often with family, friends and neighbors that make you smile, laugh and feel good about life. Connect with your significant other and give each other back and foot massages, meditate, or pursue some creative project. Just know and trust that making the effort is enough, and the calmer life you are hoping for will be here before you know it.

About The Author Brenda Skidmore can attest to the many positive results natural health cures can bring to human health. Along with the many medical professionals, whose published works she has studied, it is her sincere desire to empower others by sharing this important information. To improve your health today visit: http://www.mywater4life.com

Millions of women are in search of menopausal relief while their younger counterparts struggle with PMS. Confusion about the safety of available treatments for their symptoms often keeps women from getting any help at all.

After the Women's Health Initiative Study released its findings about the dangers of synthetic hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in July 2002, doctors abandoned women's hormone health for misinformation, confusion, antidepressants and birth control pills. Due to special interest groups, mainstream medicine offers no alternatives to traditional HRT. Instead, they continue to ignore the needs of these women even after years of research and countless medical studies have shown USP Progesterone and other bio-identical hormones to be safe and effective.

Menopause and PMS relief does not have to come from potentially dangerous synthetic hormone replacement drugs anymore! "The Truth about Hormone Therapy," an article published in the Wall Street Journal, delivered a slap to the face of mainstream medicine by pointing out their archaic hormone replacement therapy practices. The article made reference to the dangers of synthetic HRT and the fact that natural USP progesterone (produced from yams or soy plants) and other bio-identical hormones are the safe alternative to traditional HRT.

Natural bio-identical hormones are now available over-the-counter at health food stores and online. In addition, compounding pharmacies across the country offer prescription required bio-identical hormone preparations. The days of ignorance and confusion are over. Physicians should be recommending safe and effective bio-identical alternatives instead of opting for the new look of an outdated therapy (lower dosages of the same old dangerous drugs).

Natural bio-identical hormones have a chemical structure that is identical to the hormones naturally produced by our bodies. Synthetic hormones such as Premarin (estrogen made from a pregnant horse's urine), Provera (progestin), or Prempro (estrogen plus progestin) have similar but not identical structures, often resulting in unpleasant and dangerous side effects. The Women's Health Initiative Study found Prempro posed unacceptable risks of breast cancer, heart attack, stroke and blood clots. Several major studies have confirmed the WHI findings and more ongoing studies are vigorously being conducted every day.

Hormones are our bodies' chemical messengers. They travel through the bloodstream to trigger certain activities or changes in the body. Hormones work by binding to specialized areas of cells known as receptor sites. There they initiate a chain of events in specific cells, organs and systems. The body produces many hormones, but the most significant hormones related to the female cycle are estrogen, and progesterone.

Estrogen is a female sex hormone. Women produce greatest amounts in the ovaries, adrenal glands and fat tissue. It is the dominant hormone during the first part of the cycle causing the uterine lining to thicken and at mid cycle causes ovulation. Estrogen contributes to bone and cardiac health, vaginal lubrication and many other physical and emotional aspects of health. At one time low estrogen was blamed for all of the discomfort associated with menopause, but current medical research has led to the discovery that it is a lack of progesterone that is not only responsible for many symptoms of menopause but PMS as well.

Like estrogen, progesterone is a female sex hormone. It is also produced in the ovaries and adrenal glands, and during pregnancy in the placenta. During the reproductive years, progesterone prepares the uterine lining for pregnancy. Each month, progesterone levels rise following ovulation and then gradually fall to trigger a monthly menstrual period. Progesterone balances the effects of estrogen and when not enough progesterone is present can lead to PMS and/or menopausal symptoms.

USP (United States Pharmacopeia) grade progesterone is most often prescribed for peri-menopausal women to counteract the effects of "estrogen dominance." An article published on-line in Associated Content, "Obstacles to Avoid When Trying to Lose Weight during Menopause," explains how estrogen dominance occurs when a woman's body produces smaller amounts of progesterone than normal (relative to estrogen levels) creating a hormonal "imbalance". However, USP progesterone studies have shown that symptoms of PMS and menopause respond quite favorably to progesterone therapy.

The benefits of natural bio-identical USP progesterone have been shown to include:

Protects the breast from cancer by counteracting the effects of estrogen
Reduces bloating and weight gain
Reduces carbohydrate and sugar cravings
Produces a calming, anti-anxiety effect
Reduces mood swings
Regulates menstrual flow
Decreases cramping and miscarriage
Reduces uterine fibroids and fibrocystic breast disease
Reduces bone loss
Decreases hot flashes
Promotes vaginal lubrication
Increases libido
Reduces dry skin
Lowers cholesterol
Improves memory
Reduces chronic fatigue
Reduces migraine headaches
Reduces insomnia
Reduces hair loss

In addition to the symptom relieving benefits of USP progesterone, post-menopausal women can take advantage of its protective benefits. They can feel confident knowing they are helping to protect themselves from breast cancer and many of the chronic diseases associated with the post-menopausal years such as osteoporosis, heart disease and stroke.

USP progesterone is currently available in a cream that is rubbed into the skin. The absorption rate of certain medications can be increased when delivered through the skin instead of the stomach. The cream is made up of tiny, fat-soluble molecules that easily cross the skin barrier and can quick be absorbed. This allows for up to 90 percent absorption and utilization by the body and is thought to be the delivery system of the future.

Over-the-counter USP progesterone cream can be purchased without a prescription or can be ordered by a physician and prepared as a cream or suppository by a compounding pharmacy.

About The Author Dr. Patricia Beckstead is the Founder of Freedom from Menopause and PMS - natural products for healthy living, menopause and PMS relief. The #1 doctor recommended resource for holistic alternatives to prescription drugs, her website http://www.FreedomFromMenopause.com offers information and the most powerful bio-identical hormones and nutritional supplements available without a prescription.

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.