18. October 2011 by admin.

Here are 10 strategies I found most surprising.

1. Have coffee. In an amazing flip-flop, coffee is the new brain tonic. A large European study showed that drinking three to five cups of coffee a day in midlife cut Alzheimer’s risk 65% in late life. University of South Florida researcher Gary Arendash credits caffeine: He says it reduces dementia-causing amyloid in animal brains. Others credit coffee’s antioxidants. So drink up, Arendash advises, unless your doctor says you shouldn’t.

9. Fill your brain. It <http://brain.it/> ’s called “cognitive reserve.” A rich accumulation of life experiences - education, marriage, socializing, a stimulating job, language skills, having a purpose in life, physical activity and mentally demanding leisure activities - makes your brain better able to tolerate plaques and tangles. You can even have significant Alzheimer’s pathology and no symptoms of dementia if you have high cognitive reserve, says David Bennett, M.D., of Chicago’s Rush University Medical Center.

10. Avoid infection. Astonishing new evidence ties Alzheimer’s to cold sores, gastric ulcers, Lyme disease, pneumonia and the flu. Ruth Itzhaki, Ph.D., of the University of Manchester in England estimates the cold-sore herpes simplex virus is incriminated in 60% of Alzheimer’s cases. The theory: Infections trigger excessive beta amyloid “gunk” that kills brain cells. Proof is still lacking, but why not avoid common infections and take appropriate vaccines, antibiotics
and antiviral agents?

What to Drink for Good Memory
A great way to keep your aging memory sharp and avoid Alzheimer’s is to drink the right stuff.

e. Two to avoid: Sugary soft drinks, especially those sweetened with high fructose corn syrup. They make lab animals dumb. Water with high copper content also can up your odds of Alzheimer’s. Use a water filter that removes excess minerals.

5 Ways to Save Your Kids from Alzheimer’s Now
Alzheimer’s isn’t just a disease that starts in old age. What happens to your child’s brain seems to have a dramatic impact on his or her likelihood of Alzheimer’s many decades later.

Excerpted from Jean Carper’s newest book:
“100 Simple Things You Can Do to Prevent Alzheimer’s”

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31. August 2011 by admin.

How to Stretch the Plantar Fascia — Thanks ehow

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10. December 2010 by admin.

Nice statistical study.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1508155/

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21. October 2010 by admin.

Easy, effective wash for fresh produce to protect against foodborne bacteria and pesticide residue. The powdery quality of baking soda makes it useful as a gentle scrub for fruits and vegetables, and it’s especially effective for fruit such as pears and apples that you may want to eat raw without peeling. How to use it: Shake some dry baking soda into your hands, rub it over the fruit and then rinse off under your kitchen faucet.
Safe insect repellent to keep ants, cockroaches and other undesirable critters from your kitchen cabinets. Place jar lids filled with water (for the insects to drink) and sprinkle baking soda (for them to eat) nearby on the bottoms of cabinets and under the sink. The chemical reaction of the two together kills the ants. There’s an outdoor version, too — combine a teaspoon of baking soda with one-third of a cup of cooking oil… shake well in a watering can then sprinkle the mixture lightly on plants.
Relief from stinging and itching. If a bee or other insect stings you, make a paste of baking soda and water (aim for the consistency of toothpaste) and rub onto the site — you’ll find that the pain subsides quickly. The reason it works: The baking soda neutralizes the toxins that trigger the pain along with some of the reactive compounds produced in the affected tissue. This paste also is useful in soothing itching from bites by mosquitoes and other insects, as well as for rashes, hives and even poison ivy.
To soothe an upset stomach after a large or troublesome meal. If you can’t get your stomach to quiet down after eating something that disagrees with you (or when you’ve eaten too much), try completely dissolving one-half teaspoon of baking soda in four ounces of water. This is essentially the same compound that your stomach produces to neutralize stomach acid. There are some important caveats: Don’t take within two hours of medications (especially tetracycline, which is used to treat bacterial infections), and don’t take with large amounts of milk (it increases the likelihood of allergic reaction). Don’t use this remedy if you are on a sodium-restricted diet for high blood pressure. And, since frequent gastritis and heartburn can be signs of more serious issues, including heart disease, don’t rely on this remedy more than once in a while. If you are having regular digestive difficulties, see your doctor.
As an underarm deodorant. You can pat a bit of baking soda onto each armpit after a morning shower, just like an old-fashioned dusting powder. While this won’t stop you from sweating, it will diminish the unpleasant odor. Not only is this far less expensive than commercial deodorants, it’s also perfectly safe. Antiperspirants actually plug the sweat glands, and some people think this may cause cancer. (See Daily Health News, April 15, 2010, “The Antiperspirant-Cancer Connection.”) Along the same lines, you also can use baking soda as a foot deodorant — just sprinkle a bit on your feet or in your shoes.
As an exfoliant. Baking soda is a gentle and effective exfoliant that almost all skin types can tolerate and only rarely causes an allergic reaction — it’s a good way to clean and open pores, diminishing whiteheads and clearing oily skin.To remove dead cells on the outer layer of skin, splash some water on your face… put some baking soda into the palm of your hand… and gently rub on the baking soda, using circular motions. Rinse.
And a final tip — baking soda is baking soda, so you can save money by purchasing a store brand instead of the better-known national ones. Not that they’re expensive either, but now that you know about all these nifty uses, you just might find that you’re going through a lot more baking soda than before.

Source(s):

Vicki Lansky, author of more than two dozen books on parenting and household management, lives in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Her Web site is www.PracticalParenting.com or go to www.BookPeddlers.com/BP.BSoda.html for more information on her book on baking soda.

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23. June 2010 by admin.

Talk knowledgeably with your clients about their product concerns with help from

Icyball and Thermallball products were designed for managing your pain without toxic ingredients

Other notable Sources (from the personal care site):

• Cal/EPA – OEHHA Toxicity Criteria Database
• California Proposition 65
• California Proposition 65 Chemical List
• California Safe Cosmetics Program
• California Safe Cosmetics Program Cosmetics Companies Page
• The California Safe Cosmetics Program Chemical List

• Icyball – Non-Toxic Pain Relief!
• Alltop – Beauty News
• Barcodes and Ecom
• Cato Institute
• Clean The World
• Cosmetic Design
• Cosmetic Design Europe
• Cosmetic News
• Cosmetics & Toiletries
• Cosmetics Business
• Eco-Office Gals
• Fair Trade Federation
• Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO)
• GCI Magazine
• Global Exchange
• Good Guide
• Green Living Ideas
• Green People
• Green Products Alliance
• HAPPI
• Internet Archive
• Junk Science
• Natural Cosmetic News
• Premium Beauty News
• Recycle Bank
• Skin, Inc.
• Smart 2 b Green
• Sweet Scam
• The Center For Consumer Freedom
• The Nature Conservancy
• TransFair USA
• Tree Hugger
• WWD

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9. June 2010 by admin.

Triactive

The most recent technology to reduce cellulite incorporates 3 different techniques and is promoted as TriActive LaserDermology. TriActive, so named for the 3 separate actions a technician applies, endeavors to smooth and tighten loose ripple skin by combining mechanical massage, localized cooling and deep laser stimulation. By integrating a low-energy laser, a skin-cooling mechanism, and suction massage to stimulate collagen, circulation, and lymphatic drainage, Tri-Active has been successfully diminishing the appearing of cellulite.

TriActive LaserDermology system is uniquely designed for the treatment of face and body. TriActive systems were originally developed years ago by laser scientists in Italy and are in use all over the world. Spas and other health specialists have used this innovative technology in thousands of individuals to reduce the appearance of cellulite and rejuvenate the skin. With just a series of procedures, TriActive LaserDermology’s goal is to enhance the appearance of skin, making it feel smoother and tighter.

90% of women have cellulite. The TriActive is specially designed to treat this common condition. Through a combination of massage therapy and recent developments in laser technology, TriActive LaserDermology provides your clients with a relaxing therapeutic message that stimulates the subcutaneous tissue and increases microcirculation. The laser is also associated with increasing microcirculation. The combined action helps the body’s own mechanisms eliminate toxins and impurities while improving the appearance of cellulite.

Clients are typically treated 2 times per week for a total of 10-16 treatments. Each treatment takes 30-45 minutes. Clients find the treatment experience relaxing and many will fall asleep. Once the initial treatments are completed, it is recommended that clients return for a monthly maintenance treatment.

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9. June 2010 by admin.

While dimpled skin can be traced to genetics, hormones and lifestyle, the problem’s immediate cause is the accumulation of lipids in the fat cells. Swelling from lipid accumulation exerts pressure on the circulatory system, causing a slowdown both in the intake of nutrients and the drainage of waste products. Poor exchanges lead to a gradual stiffening of the connective tissue, which shortens as it stiffens, pulling the skin down. At the same time, the clusters of enlarged fat cells pull the skin up. The consequence of this push/pull mechanism is the appearance of dimpling.

Acoustic Wave Therapy uses a ballistic medical device to generate pressure waves that pass through the skin and fat to impact the fibrous septae. This causes a break up of the collagen of the septae and RELEASES the skin - prouducing a smoother surface. AWT also helps to thicken the dermis, decreasing fat protrusion. Ultrasound pictures confirm thickening after treatment.

Patients are treated twice per week for three weeks, with sessions generally requiring less than a half hour. Additional treatments are necessary for about 20 percent of patients. Patients may wish to have a maintenance session once every three months after completing the program.

Velasmooth is the first and only medical device with the revolutionary elos (electro-optical synergy) combined energy technology by Syneron Medical. By using Bi-Polar Radio Frequency and Infrared Light — plus tissue mobilization combined with suction, the appearance of cellulite is reduced and problem areas are re-contoured. Many women find Velasmooth to be a viable alternative to liposuction as a means of coutouring upper thighs and buttocks.

How does Velasmooth get rid of cellulite?
The machine uses light and radio frequency to heat up fat cells, breaking them apart and sending them to the lymph nodes for the body to dispose of naturally. The Velasmooth also uses suction to gently smooth the skin during treatment so the light and radio frequency are delivered uniformly.

By reducing the number of fat cells and affecting the intra-fat structure, the treated area becomes smoother and more elastic. The radio frequency also causes a mild contraction that visually lifts and firms the area, especially noticeable in the buttocks.

1. Conducted Radio Frequency increases oxygen intracellular diffusion by
heating tissue.

2. Infrared Light increases elasticity of skin and heats subcutaneous fat, while safeguarding the skin from damage.

3. Vacuum manipulates and smoothes out the skin to facilitate safe and efficient energy delivery.

The FDA has approved the VelaSmooth, a revolutionary aesthetic device for the treatment of cellulite. VelaSmooth reduces the appearance of cellulite to safely and effectively re-contour the skin’s surface.
 

Is it safe? Is there pain?
VelaSmooth is a safe, painless treatment without needles or down time. It has the approval of the FDA

How many treatment will I need?
Two treatments a week for a period of 4-5 weeks is required.

What type of results can I expect?
Of course everyone is different and results will vary from person to person but almost universally treated patients see a reduction in cellulite and fat with an improvement in skin texture. You can lose inches from areas in just 4-5 weeks.

Hips, thighs, tummy, arms, buttocks and love handles can be treated in minutes.

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26. May 2010 by admin.

- the most fundamental of human needs; in fact, touch is so important that if it is absent or withdrawn it can lead to all sorts of problems, ranging from failure to thrive in babies, irritability and bad behavior in children and depression in adults.

Ancient Egypt and Greece

The Ancient Egyptians used massage extensively for health and beauty that can be seen in tomb paintings dating back to 3,000BC.

Massage aids relaxation, directly affecting the body systems that govern heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and digestion.  It lowers the amount of stress hormones circulating in a body improving your immune system.

Massage or stroking fingers or the gliding of an icyball or thermalball across the skin induces a feeling of comfort and well-being.  Endorphins are released which play an important role in pain relief.  Stronger, more vigorous massage helps stretch tense muscles and ease stiff joints.

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22. April 2010 by admin.

For the Dishwasher’s Sake, Go Easy on the Detergent

Alina Tugend
Monday, March 15, 2010

How much soap should I put in my washing machine and dishwasher?

Do I need to do more for my dryer than clean that little pull–out lint catcher?

Should I rinse my dishes before putting them in the dishwasher?

Most of us learned how to use a washing machine or dishwasher in our parents’ house many years ago and haven’t really changed our methods, even though most appliances have evolved radically since then. We rarely, if ever, read the manuals when we buy a new one or glance through the instructions on the box of detergent or bottle of dishwashing liquid.

But because we’re probably using these appliances incorrectly, our dishes and clothes may not be coming out as clean as they could be. And we may also be damaging the machines.

Let me start with soap. The No. 1 sin, according to repair people and appliance experts, seems to be adding too much soap to washing machines or dishwashers.

“Nobody thinks they use too much soap,” said Vernon Schmidt, who has been a repairman for almost 35 years and is the author of a self–published book, “Appliance Handbook for Women: Simple Enough Even a Man Can Understand.” But apparently most of us are in denial.

Washing machines and dishwashers are made to use far less water now than older models and, therefore, need less soap. And detergents have also become increasingly concentrated. So a little goes a long way.

“Most people use 10 to 15 times the amount of soap they need, and they’re pouring money down the drain,” Mr. Schmidt said.

Following the instructions on the soap container is a good first step. Christina Saunders, a spokeswoman for Procter & Gamble, which makes Tide, Cheer, Gain and other laundry detergents, said researchers at the company did thousands of loads of laundry to determine the right amount of soap needed.

She said the caps were changed on liquid detergent containers a few years ago to make the lines specifying amount of soap needed for different size loads easier to see.

Mr. Schmidt, however, argues that depending on how hard or soft your water is, one–eighth to one–half of what is usually recommended should be adequate.

Too much detergent can make your clothes stiff and shorten the life of your machine. An excess of soap can also cause a buildup of mold and mildew, said Jill Notini, a spokeswoman for the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, a trade group.

With high–efficiency machines — which includes all front–loading machines and any top loader that specifically states that it’s high efficiency — it’s a good idea to use detergents specifically made for them, she said. The detergents usually have H.E. on the front of the container. But don’t expect to see a lot of soap action.

“If people see suds, they think their clothes are getting clean, but that’s wrong — it means you’re using a lot of extra detergent,” Ms. Notini said

Here is Mr. Schmidt’s test to determine if you’re oversoaping. Take four to six clean bath towels, put them in your front–loading washing machine (one towel for a top loader). Don’t add any detergent or fabric softener. Switch to the hot water setting and medium wash and run it for about five minutes.

Check for soap suds. If you don’t see any suds right away, turn off the machine and see if there is any soapy residue. If you see suds or residue, it is soap coming out of your clothes from the last wash.

“I’ve had customers that had to run their towels through as many as eight times to get the soap out,” Mr. Schmidt said, who lives in Indiana. He offers other handy advice on his Web site, refrigdoc.com.

Too much soap is also a problem in dishwashers and can cause dishes and glasses to look filmy. Again, check the detergent container for recommended amounts — you definitely don’t have to fill up the entire soap container in the dishwasher.

Also, if your plastic items come out still wet, that doesn’t mean your dishwasher is not doing its job. Most dishwashers today emit less heat than the older models, so plastic doesn’t dry completely.

Loading the dishwasher right will also get your dishes cleaner. When I was growing up, apparently only my mother knew the right way to load. But since my mother can’t get to all your houses, Consumer Reports offers these much–needed tips on its Home and Garden blog. (Please don’t e–mail me if you disagree about these suggestions — like religion and politics, we all have our own views on this matter.)

Load large items at the sides and back of the dishwasher so that they don’t block water and detergent from reaching other dishes.

Place the dirtier side of the dishes toward the center of the machine for more exposure to spray.

Load silverware in the individual silverware slots most dishwashers now include. If you have an open basket, mix forks, spoons and knives to prevent them from sticking together.

Also, remove baked on food and large chunks, but for the most part, everyone I spoke to said prerinsing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher was not only unnecessary, it wasted thousands of gallons of water and could actually result in dirtier dishes.

“The soap needs something to work against to get the dishes clean,” said Lou Manganiello, who owns Household Appliance Service in Hawthorne, N.Y., and has been doing repairs for 23 years. For full disclosure, he has also ably repaired my appliances from time to time.

Now, on to dryers. I don’t happen to use those fabric softener sheets, but if you do, practice restraint, Mr. Manganiello said.

On the theory that if one is good, five must be better, people throw in a bunch of the sheets. Those liquefy when the dryer gets hot and can gum up the dyer, becoming “almost like tar and feathers,” Mr. Manganiello said.

Also, clean the lint below the removable filter. I bought an item at my local hardware store that looks like a bottle brush, but is longer, denser and has a kind of thin nose. It reaches down and removes lint you can’t get to otherwise.

And think about cleaning lint off the dryer where it vents outdoors.

Of course, the best way to extend the life of your dryer is to use it less often by hanging out your laundry on a clothesline when the sun is shining.

One last bit of advice on an appliance — your oven. Use the self–cleaning mode more than once a year — otherwise, so many food particles have built up that when they burn off, smoke will billow throughout your entire kitchen. But don’t clean right before a big holiday dinner, Mr. Schmidt advised.

That’s because the oven heats so high during cleaning that any weak part will give.

“If it’s ever going to fail, it will then,” he said. “Every holiday we get swamped with calls.”

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22. April 2010 by admin.

Cooking Steak Just Right

Marc Weber

You don’t have to be a great cook to cook a great steak. Below are instructions for how to get it right every time. Be sure to choose a steak that is one inch to one-and-a-half inches thick — and sprinkle both sides with salt before cooking.

ON THE GRILL

When grilling steak, heat the grill as hot as it will get. (If your grill has a lid, grill with the lid on.) Let the steak cook until it lifts up slightly from the grill and moves easily when prodded with a cooking tool. Then rotate the steak 45° (on the same side), and let it continue to cook until both directions of the crosshatch grill pattern are a dark mahogany brown but not black.

Flip the steak over and crosshatch the other side as well, assuming that the steak is thick enough that you can do this without overcooking.

Two ways to determine doneness…

1. Use a meat thermometer to determine when the steak is cooked to your taste. Insert the thermometer into the center of the steak, not touching any bone.

Rare: Remove the steak when the thermometer reaches 120°.

Medium rare: 125° to 128°.

Medium: 132° to 134°.

Well done: 150°.

2. Use your thumb as a rule of thumb. Your steak is rare when poking it feels like poking the thenar eminence — the muscle group just below your thumb on the palm side of your hand — as you make an “OK” sign with your thumb and index finger. For ­medium rare, poke and compare the feel of this muscle as you make an “O” with your thumb and middle finger… for medium, use your thumb and ring finger… and for well done, use your thumb and pinkie.

Helpful: If the steak requires additional cooking after both sides have been crosshatched, move it to a section of the grill that is not directly over the flames.

ON THE STOVE

Choose a heavy, thick-bottomed pan. Lighter pans do not maintain their temperature as well and might not sear steaks properly. If you are cooking more than one steak at a time, use a pan large enough so that the steaks do not touch.

Apply a light coating of oil to the pan. Set the burner on high, and place the steak in the pan as soon as you see the oil start to smoke. Sear the steak for four to five minutes, until the side against the pan is a deep, even mahogany brown, then flip the steak over. The deep brown color means that the steak’s proteins have caramelized, which provides much of the wonderful flavor.

Your next step depends on how well-cooked you want your steak. If you like rare steak, sear the flip side until it, too, is a deep, even brown, and you’re done. If you prefer steak that’s cooked a bit more inside, remove the pan from the burner after you’ve flipped and seared the steak and place it in an oven preheated to 450°. To determine doneness, see left.

BEFORE EATING

Let the cooked steak sit undisturbed on a cutting board for about 10 minutes, until you can hold your finger to the steak’s surface without feeling like your finger is burning.

This “resting period” gives the steak’s juices time to permeate the meat. Cut into a steak any sooner, and you could be left with a puddle of juice and a tough, flavorless steak.

If there is a noticeable grain to the steak, cut against the grain for a more tender result.

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