Send Your Junk by Mail!

It is never too late to help our mother earth to become a better place to stay, for today and tomorrow. Nowadays we are familiar with the 3R reuse reduce and recycle program. Some stores put a recycle boxes in front of their stores, some others will collect, what happen if they don't collect or have boxes? Send your junk by mail! The recycle by mail program does take a bit more effort from you, but why not? It creates a better place for you and me! A simple trip to the post office can accomplish a lot.

Here is list of institutions where you can send your junks by mail;

Plastics and Packaging

* Earthworks recycles PVC plastic cards (hotel keys, gift cards, etc.) and turns them into sheets that new cards can be made of. Drop cards in the mail if your retailer doesn't already take them back. Address is: Earthworks, c/o Halprin Industries, 25840 Miles Road, Bedford, OH 44146. Magnetic strips are okay. Don't send credit cards or those that contain paper backing.

* Recycline's Preserve Gimme 5 program collects clean plastic containers that have a #5 stamped on the bottom (yogurt cups, ketchup bottles, sour cream containers, and more). Recycled plastic is transformed into razors, bowls, and many other cool products (that you can also send back when you're done with them). To maximize eco-benefits, the company suggests using ground shipping.

* TerraCycle creates shower curtains, totes, and funky fashion accesssories out of old energy bar wrappers, drink pouches, and other packaging. It recyles wine corks too. In some cases, you need to mail in large quantities so look for a drop-off location or send in your neighbors' stuff too.

Apparel and Shoes

* Nike's Reuse-A-Shoe program has collected almost 22 million worn out athletic shoes since 1990. The shoes are ground up and turned into athletic fields. Nike's prefers that you drop off shoes at participating stores, but you can also mail them.

* Patagonia's Common Threads Garment Recycling Program turns your old Patagonia clothing into new garments. Visit it website for specifics on what they take back and where you can send it.

E-waste

* Battery Solutions sells boxes that you can fill up with batteries (both rechargeable and non-rechargeable), cell phones, PDAs, iPods, and others. The $24 fee includes a pre-paid FedEx shipping label.

* GreenDisc recycles CDs, DVDs, video and audio tapes, and their cases. You can also send in most computer related waste-anything from printer cartridges to mice to laptops. It costs $6.95 to process up to 20lbs of waste.

* Waste Management's Think Green program sells recycling kits for batteries, CFLs, fluorescent tubes, and electronics. Prices vary depending on item. Fill the box they send you and mail it in.

Super Obama World

I just come across with this article, again its about Barack Obama. He is one great man! Someone out there even idolize him so very dearly by creating him an online game Super Obama World, really big fans right? I am not that big fans, but I do admire his spirit, his way of life and humbleness! Back to his online game, down here is the complete article from Yahoo! Buzz

John McCain labeled Barack Obama the "biggest celebrity in the world." But if you ask us, you're not really huge until someone makes you the star of your own video game. And developers at Zensoft have done just that with Super Obama World, a new online game that is surging 400% in Search.

Playing on the Obama-mania of so many of his cyber-aged supporters (young voters preferred Obama more than two to one), the game combines the nostalgia of Super Mario Brothers with a biting political message.

Obama fans who followed the endless campaign reality show can now relive the experience through game fantasy. The only controller you need is your computer keyboard — no joystick required. This game is old-school: Just right and left arrrows, and the good ol' space bar to jump. As Obama, you'll encounter Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue (where Sarah Palin spent thousands of dollars on outfits), dodge lobbyists wielding bags of money, and jump over pigs wearing lipstick. You can advance to the "Alaska" level and the "Republican National Convention" level.

The developers have promised more episodes as Obama goes through his presidency. And what could future episodes look like? Obama better do some cool stuff as president, or it's going to be "Game Over."

Allergy

Allergy or Hypersensitivity is a reaction of your immune system to something that does not bother most other people.

People who have allergies often are sensitive to more than one thing. Substances that often cause reactions are

* Pollen
* Dust mites
* Mold spores
* Pet dander
* Food
* Insect stings
* Medicines

How do you get allergies? Scientists think both genes and the environment have something to do with it. Normally, your immune system fights germs. It is your body's defense system. In most allergic reactions, however, it is responding to a false alarm.

Allergies can cause a runny nose, sneezing, itching, rashes, swelling or asthma. Symptoms vary. Although allergies can make you feel bad, they usually won't kill you. However, a severe reaction called anaphylaxis is life-threatening.

Wow...! Diamonds Ear-Phones!

This is the DEOS Diamond series earphones that is made of titanium and encrusted with coloured diamonds. The handcrafted DEOS Diamond is priced at about US$60,000 for sets covered with yellow, pink or black diamonds. There are also sets in white and in black diamond for US$4500.

DEOS stand for Defining Expression Of Sound. DEOS are divided into three collections – DEOS Diamond (for those who want the best), CVRZ with Swarovski crystals (for those who want the best but at affordable rates), and the CVRZ aluminium range (for those who want the beat in the least price).

The DEOS CVRZ is priced at US$110 for the half-covered to US$200 for the fully-covered line, while the CVRZ aluminium costs $20.

Samsung Tobi Astonishingly Adorable Mobile Phone

Samsung announces the launch of the Tobi S3030 mobile phone customized to amuse pre-teens, young adults and anyone who wants to have fun from mobile phone. The phone comes with friendly graphical user interface and unique GUI themes. It is available in six colors, Sweet Pink, Loyal Blue, Apple Green, Bright Orange, Oasis Blue and Snow Silver.

Samsung’s Tobi S3030 features a 1.9-inch display, a 1.3 Megapixel camera, integrated music player, Bluetooth 2.0, 15MB internal memory and a microSD card slot.

Samsung has used eco-friendly materials without any polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to build the Tobi. Moreover, Samsung Tobi features changeable backside cover. Users can insert their favorite photo or image under the see-through protective sleeve on the back to customize their Samsung Tobi.

The phone will be available first in Italy and the UK and then other European countires, CIS and China.

Specification

Network GPRS Tri-Band (900/1800/1900 MHz)
Display 1.9” QCIF 65K
Camera 1.3-megapixel camera
Audio Music Player (MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, WMA)

Value-added Features
Three themes (Monster, Snowman, Ocean world)
Six color variations (Sweet Pink, Loyal Blue, Apple Green,
Bright Orange, Oasis Blue and Snow Silver)
SOS function (SOS call, SOS message, Fake call)
Eco-friendly and non-toxic material
Changeable backside images
Games (Brain Challenge, Tetris Mania)

Connectivity Bluetooth messenger Bluetooth 2.0, USB 2.0
Memory Internal Memory: 15MB; External Memory: Micro SD (Up to 8GB)
Size 94.7x 45.4x 17.5 mm, 85g

Resort plans nude "anything goes" party

An Australian holiday resort will hold a month-long, nude "anything goes" party to combat an expected economic downturn, media reports said on Thursday.

"Tough economic times call for stiff measures," Tony Fox, the owner of the White Cockatoo resort in Mossman, in tropical Queensland state, told the Courier-Mail newspaper.

"It will be a hedonism resort, where anything goes for a month. It doesn't take rocket science to work out what it means," Fox said, naming March as the risque party month.

The controversial "clothes optional" resort made headlines three years ago when police were called to end partner-swapping parties after a swathe of public complaints.

"You've got to wonder what sort of people go and why. Where is the moral code of behavior and how do you stop jealousies and fights?" Cairns Catholic Bishop James Foley said after Fox's announcement.

But local regional Mayor Val Schier said she was not opposed to the event as long as no laws were broken.

"People in tropical north Queensland are extraordinarily creative," Schier said. "It is tough economic times and as long as it is with consenting adults, then there is no problem."

Australia's tourism in industry is being hit hard by global economic turmoil with official figures showing a 7.6 percent decline in overseas visitors in September.

Industry leaders expect holiday bookings may drop by up to a third in early 2009 and are planning a new international advertising campaign to coincide with the movie "Australia" starring Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman.

Fox said his resort was almost fully booked for the month-long rainforest party.

"24" Season 7, finally......!

The wait is almost over. Today FOX announced the premiere dates for the upcoming seventh season of "24," which will air a special two-night, four-hour event on Sunday January 11th and Monday January 12th (8-10pm ET).

Jack Bauer and Chloe are back (of course), but one of the big shockers is the return of presumed dead CTU agent Tony Almeida. The series will celebrate its 150th episode during the fourth hour of the epic, four-hour premiere.

If you can't quite wait until January, don't worry. Your "24" thirst will be quenched with the two-hour prequel "24: Redemption" that sets up the events of Season 7. A new president (new series regular Cherry Jones) is inaugurated, while at the same time our fearless hero Jack is in South Africa where he is tasked with stopping a warlord from exploiting innocent children. "Redemption" airs Sunday November 23rd at 8pm ET on FOX.

Season 7 looks to be worth the 19-month wait for fresh action and should bring a jolt of new energy to the series. The season opens with Jack on trial and of course there's yet another threat to national security on the horizon -- with new bad guy Jonas Hodge (Jon Voight) waiting in the wings. And CTU has been dismantled and the action is taking place in Washington, D.C. instead of Los Angeles, where all previous seasons have been set.

Ready to see that ticking clock once again? "24" will air Mondays at 9pm ET on FOX.

Your Office Workspace can Reveal Your Personality

A study at the University of Texas Austin found that offices can reveal much about a worker’s personality and dedication to the job. In general though, a worker with a highly personalized space is one who is secure about her position and claiming her space.

Empty or Un-Personalized Desk
This indicates either a lack of dedication to the job or someone who is generally dissatisfied with the job—in either case, not a good sign.

Plants
Plants, whether they are cared for or not, reveal that a worker is planning to stay at the job.

Candy Bowl/Lots of Supplies
This worker wants people to come visit her and is an extrovert—shy or introverted types would never put anything on their desks that would draw others into their spaces.

Motivational/Inspirational Items
This is an ambitious person who is dedicated to his job and wants to remain engaged—can indicate someone who wants challenges and a chance to prove himself.

Family Photos
This can go two ways. If the photos are placed for others to see, it’s usually a status symbol and done more for the appearance. If the photos are placed for only the worker to see, they are usually genuine reminders of loved ones, which can motivate the worker or ease the guilt of spending so much time away from the loved ones.

Excessive Post-It Notes
Indicates the worker is feeling overwhelmed and not able to keep up.

Rehearsing for California's Big Earthquake

At exactly 10 a.m. tomorrow, about 5 million people in Southern California will drop to the ground, take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture and hold on at the same time. Radio stations and school p.a. systems will play a sound track of rumbling and crashing, along with a man's voice declaring, "If this were the magnitude 7.8 earthquake we're practicing for today, you would be experiencing sudden and intense back-and-forth motions of up to 6 ft. per second. The floor or the ground would jerk sideways out from under you. Look around and imagine."

If this sounds weird, it's because it is. The Great ShakeOut, as it's being dubbed, is the biggest public emergency drill in U.S. history - and as such, it is a radical idea. Normally, large-scale disaster drills, which happen weekly across the country, are designed for professional rescuers, emergency managers and politicians. Not for you, and not for me. In fact, the people who matter most in a real-world emergency - the neighbors, office workers and students who do the majority of the lifesaving during big disasters - are almost never invited.

California's drill, too, originally was scheduled as an exercise for only emergency officials. That exercise, called Golden Guardian, will involve about 5,000 officials, from the local police to the U.S. military, all pretending they are responding to a major quake along the San Andreas Fault.

But in this case, California decided to invite the people too. Schools, offices and random Joes have been registering for the drill over a span of months. (In the two days after the 5.4-magnitude Chino Hills quake in July in California, 57,000 people registered.) Every city employee in Pasadena supposedly is participating, which should make for an interesting scene at City Hall come 10 a.m. You can already play a game to see if you know how to survive an earthquake. (I scored only 9 out of 14 on the first try, but now I am totally rocking an 11.) You can download audio to accompany the drill. You can watch a YouTube video about what would happen to California in such a quake. And, starting at 10:02 a.m. on Thursday, you can play a sprawling, multiplayer collaboration game called After Shock to see what happens on the other side.

Google Earth Rebuilds Ancient Rome

Google Earth users can now tour a 3D reconstruction of Ancient Rome, with more than 6,700 buildings.

The glory that was Rome lives again in 3D splendor in Google Earth. The popular service has reconstructed the most famous city of the ancient world, giving visitors a chance to zoom around 6,700 buildings and more than 250 place marks. The 200 buildings already well known to scholars have been rendered as faithfully as possibly. You can visit Google Earth Rebuilds Ancient Rome here!

Google teamed with Virginia University and Past Perfect Productions on the venture, and the 3D models are based on a model of the city known as the Plastico di Roma Antica, which stands in Rome’s Museum of Roman Civilization, according to the BBC.

Bruce Polderman, Google Earth 3D production manager, said:

"Whether you are a student taking your first ancient history class, a historian who spends your life researching ancient civilizations, or just a history buff, access to this 3D model in Google Earth will help everyone learn more about ancient Rome."

Hero dog risks life to save kittens from fire

A dog was hailed as a hero on Sunday after it risked its life to save a litter of newborn kittens from a house fire, rescuers said.

In a case which gives the lie to the saying about 'fighting like cats and dogs', the terrier cross named Leo had to be revived with oxygen and heart massage after his ordeal. Fire broke out overnight at the house in Australia's southern city of Melbourne, where he was guarding the kittens.

Fire fighters who revived Leo said he refused to leave the building and was found by them alongside the litter of kittens, despite thick smoke.

"Leo wouldn't leave the kittens and it nearly cost him his life," fire service Commander Ken Brown told reporters.

The four kittens also survived the fire and on Sunday Leo, who fire fighters nicknamed 'Smoky', was again back at the house.

You Have a Love Affair…with Chocolate

Chocolate is a fruit. In its unprocessed form, it is one of the healthiest fruits you can eat. It is full of flavanols, potent antioxidants that neutralize free radicals in the body. In fact, Cornell University food scientists discovered that cocoa powder has nearly twice the antioxidants of red wine, and three times more than green tea.

Chocolate is also high in minerals including magnesium, calcium, and zinc And it contains the substances tryptophan, PEA and anandamide, which trigger the release of numerous feel-good brain chemicals. No wonder we love this stuff so much!

Unfortunately, most chocolate also contains lots of fat and sugar. So don’t replace other healthy foods in your diet with chocolate. Most people already eat plenty of sweets. Try swapping high quality dark chocolate for some of the less healthy treats you already eat. It’s important to choose dark chocolate, since the addition of milk appears to inhibit the beneficial antioxidant effects.

The healthiest ways to indulge your chocolate cravings is by eating raw organic unprocessed cacao beans (also known as nibs.) You can purchase cocoa nibs at health food stores. They can be eaten by the handful, added to trail mix, or sprinkled on your cereal in the morning. The next best option is organic unroasted cocoa powder (non-alkalized.) Mix it with soymilk for a delicious chocolaty drink or use it in baking.

Another great way to get your healthy chocolate fix is by eating organic dark chocolate with the highest percentage of cocoa and lowest amount of refined sugar (bitter or semi-sweet dark chocolate.) Since the good news about dark chocolate is out, it is widely available, even at your supermarket.

Intelligent Pill - Release Drugs where They are Needed!

Dutch group Philips has developed an "intelligent pill" that contains a microprocessor, battery, wireless radio, pump and a drug reservoir to release medication in a specific area in the body.

Philips, one of the world's biggest hospital equipment makers, said Tuesday that the "iPill" capsule, measures acidity with a sensor to determine its location in the gut, and can then release drugs where they are needed.

Delivering drugs to treat digestive tract disorders such as Crohn's disease directly to the location of the disease means doses can be lower, reducing side effects, Philips said.

While capsules containing miniature cameras are already used as diagnostic tools, those lack the ability to deliver drugs, Philips said.

The "iPill" can also measure the local temperature and report it wirelessly to an external receiver.

The company plans to present the "iPill" at the annual meeting of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) in Atlanta this month.

The iPill is a prototype but suitable for serial manufacturing, Philips said.

Male Hormone Patch Increases Libido in Women

Postmenopausal women with low sexual desire levels reported improved sexual function after they were treated with a patch in which the male hormone testosterone was applied through the skin, a clinical study has found. However, more studies are needed to confirm the safety of this treatment.

"Many postmenopausal women continue to be sexually active despite a high level of sexual dissatisfaction, engaging in sexual activity to please their partner and maintain domestic harmony," lead author Dr. Susan R. Davis, at Monash University in Prahran, Australia, and fellow researchers note.

While testosterone has proved effective for increasing libido among postmenopausal women who are on hormone replacement therapy, the effectiveness of this approach in women who are not taking estrogen is unknown.

There has also been some concern that testosterone administered without being tempered by another hormone may adversely affect circulating lipid (fat) levels, glucose (sugar) metabolism or breast tissue. To read more visit here!

Kids Eyeglasses with High Quality from Zenni Optical

Today, your kids may want eyeglasses that look just like you, their parent or older brother and sister. You can choose some types from plastics in elongated rectangular shapes, small, retro-styled ovals, and even clean titanium eyeglasses available for small customers. You can look some of the style in Zenni on FOX.

Pop-culture icons and logos are big in kids' eyeglasses, too. Cartoon characters are coming out of the television and into the dispensary with their own line of children's frames. Zenni Optical provides that kind too. For deal or dud just check out the news because now, Zenni was on FOX news!

Many of these are grown-up in appearance with colorful frames, all great eyeglasses for less prices are available on this famous store and these collections are high quality frames but still they are affordable!

No matter the style or brand, it is important for children to feel that they are a part of the frame selection process. Choosing an eyeglass frame they like goes a long way towards getting them to wear their glasses and take better care of them as well. See all variable dimension frames on Zenni Optical here and then shopping eyeglasses for your kids, and his or her brother and sister today.

Angels and Demons Release May 2009

Based on the novel by Dan Brown, “Angels and Demons by Dan Brown” is a prequel to the author’s “The Da Vinci Code”, and once again follows world-renowned Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks), who is summoned to a Swiss research facility (CERN) to analyze a mysterious symbol seared into the chest of a murdered physicist.

Langdon discovers evidence of the unimaginable: the rebirth of an ancient secret brotherhood known as the Illuminati, the most powerful underground organization ever to walk the earth.

Starring: Tom Hanks, Ayelet Zurer, Ewan McGregor, Stellan Skarsgård, David Pasquesi, Cosimo Fusco, Ursula Brooks, Armin Mueller-Stahl
Directed by: Ron Howard
Production Status: In Production/Awaiting Release
Genres: Thriller, Adaptation and Politics/Religion
Release Date: May 15, 2009 (wide)
Distributors: Sony Pictures Releasing
Production Co.: Imagine Entertainment, John Calley Productions
Studios: Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group
Filming Locations: Europe
Produced in: United States

Skin Allergy Treatment

Skin allergies, or allergic contact dermatitis, are allergies of skin that occur when a substance that a person is allergic to touches the skin. The symptoms caused by this will appear suddenly and may disappear within half an hour after the attack. Inflammation can occur after being on contact with an item or substance that present no harm at all to people who do not suffer from this allergy.

Symptoms of Skin Allergies
People suffering from skin allergies may experience the following symptoms during an allergy attack:

* Skin rashes
* Blisters on the skin
* A sudden immobility (only in rare cases of extreme allergies of the skin)
* Scaling of the skin
* Hives (a rash looking like raised welts on the skin that itch and occur in batches

The symptoms are mostly experienced on the hands as they get in contact with items and substances all day long, during work or at home.

Types of Skin Allergies
The term eczema is sometimes interchanged with another skin allergy condition; dermatitis. Eczema is actually an advanced type of dermatitis with more serious results.

Allergic contact dermatitis
This skin allergy rash occurs when the skin touches an object or substance that it is allergic to. The symptom (a rash or itch) usually occurs within 30 minutes after touching the object. Inflammation of the skin can occur and the skin must not be scratched or covered with anything when this happens.

Eczema
This is a skin condition causing a red rash and itching on the skin. Eczema skin symptoms can cause a lot of discomfort and the disease is most likely to affect children. Eczema affects approximately seven in a thousand people and most of these patients are children aged between two months and five years old.

Eczema is a form of dermatitis in an advanced stage and can cause blisters and scabs and oozing liquid from the skin. A cure for eczema must be determined by a doctor and experimenting with over the counter treatments that offer relief is not advised when the condition has been diagnosed, especially not with children. Conventional allergy therapies seem to have no to little effect on eczema.

Hives
Skin hives are a type of skin rash that is usually harmless. Caused most of the time by an allergy this rash looks like circular raised welts on the skin that can go red and itchy. The hives will show up in batches and can appear all over the body. Hives can be different in size, ranging from very small to a few centimetres in diameter.

Diagnosis of Skin Allergies
Skin allergies are usually diagnosed by checking for skin rashes, the appearance of skin infection and itchy skin on the usual areas of the skin being mainly the face and chest but possibly also other areas. The doctor will probably check your family history with you to find out if any other relatives have the same problems. He will also review the following with you:

* Your diet, to make sure that there are no food allergies involved.
* Allergic tendencies (do you have more sensitive or allergic reactions).
* Prescribed drug intake that may affect the skin.

The doctor might decide to perform a blood test for skin condition called a radioallergosorbent test (RAST. A small amount of your blood is taken after which the blood is mixed with the suspected allergen. Antibodies developing in the blood are a sign of a skin allergy.

To further determine your diagnosis a skin lesion biopsy might also be performed during which a small piece of skin is removed and examined in a laboratory, where it is tested for symptoms of skin allergies.

Dealing With Stress

If you find yourself in a stressful situation, it is important to have coping strategies that don’t involve drinking. Symptoms of stress include feeling tired, having back pain, headaches, stomach aches, and having difficulty sleeping.

To reduce or control the stress you are experiencing, the National Mental Health Association recommends the following strategies:

* Learn to say no. If you are overwhelmed with responsibilities, make a point not to take on more than you can handle.
* Meditate. Take 10-20 minutes each day to quietly reflect. Listen to music, relax, and clear your mind of stress.
* Take one thing at a time. If your workload seems unbearable, pick one urgent task at a time to work on. When you finish that task, choose another.
* Exercise and eat healthfully. Get 20-30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week and focus on eating a healthful diet. Limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol, both of which can interfere with your sleep.
* Share your feelings. Talk to a friend, family member, or healthcare professional about what is causing your stress. A friend or family member’s love, support, and guidance can help you through a stressful situation, and a professional is trained to assess levels of stress and recommend coping strategies.
* Learn to breathe. When stressed, we frequently forget how to breathe properly. Our breaths become rapid and shallow. Learning a few breathing techniques might become a useful tool in combating stress.

In addition, you may consider taking a good quality supplement. A supplement with vitamin B complex and magnesium may help to offset the effects of chronic stress on your health.

If you’re feeling stressed, it may help to talk with your doctor, who can refer you to a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, or other qualified counselor for professional help. But don’t wait until things feel “out of control.” By that time, you may no longer know that you need help.

Allergy medications: Know your options

Because you can't always avoid allergy triggers, you may need medication to help alleviate allergy symptoms.

Allergy medications are available in pill, liquid, nasal spray, eyedrop and skin cream (topical) forms. Some are available over-the-counter while others are available by prescription only.

The best medication or combination of medications for you depends on your symptoms, what other health conditions you have and what other medications you take. Certain allergy medications work better for some people than others. You may need to try a few different medications to determine which ones are most effective and have the least bothersome side effects.

To choose the best allergy medications for you, learn what's available to treat your symptoms — and work with your doctor to figure out what medications is best for you.
Options for allergy medications

There are several types of medications used to treat and prevent allergy symptoms. Medications are available in pill and liquid forms, nasal sprays, eyedrops and skin creams.

* Corticosteroids help prevent and treat the inflammation associated with allergic conditions.
* Antihistamines block histamine, an inflammatory chemical released by your immune system during an allergic reaction.
* Decongestants relieve nasal and sinus congestion.
* Leukotriene modifiers block the effects of leukotrienes, inflammatory chemicals released by your immune system during an allergic reaction.
* Cromolyn sodium prevents the release of histamine, an inflammatory chemical released by your immune system during an allergic reaction.

If you need further details visit here please!

Keep Your Upper Respiratory Allergies in Check! They Are Likely to Lead You Towards Asthma!

The presence of both allergy and asthma relates to the form that the allergic reaction assumes, essentially, respiratory distress. Fortunately allergic asthma treatment will reverse the symptoms, but allergic asthma is far and away the most common form of asthma and affects some 20 million individuals annually.

What is Immunoglobulin E?
The antibody Immunoglobulin E (IgE) plays a major role in allergic conditions including allergic asthma. It binds to allergens and triggers the release of histamine and other substances that cause a series of chemical reactions resulting in airway constriction and inflammation. Some new methods of treatment seek to target asthma attacks at the source, IgE, and involve injections administered by a doctor. These treatments are extremely expensive and are currently used only in severe cases.

What are the Symptoms of Allergic Asthma?
In allergic asthma the symptoms are triggered by an allergic reaction to some inhaled substance, for instance dust mites, pet dander, pollen, or mold. The affected individual will experience coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or rapid breathing, and chest tightness. The condition causes airway obstruction and inflammation.

What are the Causes of Allergic Asthma?
While there may be a genetic predisposition for allergies and asthma, the usual culprits are agents in the environment. This can be anything from air pollution, to dust mites, mold, pet dander, tobacco smoke, and even the presence of cockroaches in the home or workplace. Even the holidays, when foods not normally present are served or specific plant materials are used in decorations can trigger attacks.

How will I know if I have Allergic Asthma?
Although you may suspect that you have a combination of allergy and asthma, only a doctor can confirm the presence of these conditions. Normally diagnosis involves a skin or blood test to determine if your attacks are being triggered by allergens present in the air year roun

Don't Take Work Stress Home With You

Most people these days feel like they're under stress at work. If we're not worried about losing our jobs, we're taking on extra work because other people have left. It seems that work stress has become a fact of life.

So how do we deal with this kind of perpetual stress? If we listen to the wisdom of the wild impala, we might consider two strategies. The first is to keep moving. Walking, jogging and running are ancient ways to keep us free from stress. Stress will inevitably build up. The only way to keep it from eating away at us is to build movement into our lives. The other lesson from the world of impalas is to hang out with your friends. There is safety in numbers, and keeping good social relationships going is another sure fire way to reduce stress.

Instead of bringing your stress home with you, go out and walk. Even better, walk with a friend.

So, Who Says I'm Fat?

For centuries the definition of fat has been up for grabs. A
hundred years ago, a man's bulging belly or a woman carrying 20 extra
pounds signified wealth, desirability and high social status. But if
today's rail-thin supermodels were transported back to those stodgy
times, their figures would doubtless be deemed undernourished and
under-sexy.

In more recent decades, insurance companies set general standards in
the United States for healthy height and weight. But their definitions
of overweight and obese have grown skinnier over the years.

So How Do You Know If You're Fat?

And how do you figure out what's the best weight for your
health? Sure, you could stand naked in front of a full length mirror
for a self-evaluation, but you may only focus on your face and screen
out the rest of your body the ultimate denial. Or, you could ask your
insurance company for a copy of its height and weight tables and see
how you rate. Or, you can have an exercise physiologist measure your
body fat level.

Perhaps the best way to know how your body fits into the fat spectrum
is to do as experts such as the National Center For Health Statistics,
insurance companies, and physicians do, and use the Body Mass Index, or
BMI.

The BMI is your weight in kilograms divided by the square of your
height, in meters. While the National Center For Health Statistics and
the U.S. Centers For Disease Control and Prevention offer guidelines
for evaluating overweight and obesity, it must be noted that these
still apply only to general populations and not individuals.

Calculate Your BMI

We've made it easy to calculate your BMI by translating the metrics to pounds. Try it!

1. Multiply your weight in pounds by 703.
2. Multiply your height in inches by itself.
3. Divide the first number by the second.
4. Round to the nearest whole number: that's your BMI.

Most Common Allergy Testing Procedures

Although there are many allergy testing methods used to determine the presence of allergens, but the three most common allergy testing procedures are skin tests, elimination tests, and the radioallergosorbent test (RAST). It should be noted, however, that the accuracy of these tests varies widely and even the same test performed at different times may yield different results. It is also possible for a person to react to a substance during testing but not under normal exposure. False negatives occur often.

SKIN TESTS

Allergy skin testing is by far the most used of the three methods but it too varies in methodology. With the scratch test a small amount of the suspected allergen is placed on the forearm or upper arm (or on the back) and then introduced under the surface by scratching or pricking. The skin is then observed for swelling or redness. Results normally appear in about 20 minutes and the test can be conducted with a number of suspected allergens at one time. Skin tests are useful in detecting respiratory allergies, penicillin allergy, insect allergies, and food based allergies.

ELIMINATION TESTS

Food allergies are also often investigated via an elimination diet. Suspect foods are removed from the diet for several weeks and then re-introduced one at a time with the person monitoring their reactions. Because some people become convinced that they are allergic to a given food, double blind tests are sometimes required in which suspect foods and harmless placebos are disguised and given to the patient.

RADIOALLERGOSORBENT TEST (RAST)

Food allergies can be extremely severe however and given the potential for a life-threatening reaction, an allergy blood test is often a safer approach. The radioallergosorbent or RAST test is performed in a laboratory and tests for specific amounts of IgE antibodies that will be present in the blood during a true allergic reaction.

How to Be Single and Sublimely Satisfied!

Whether you've chosen the single life or are between relationships, you can build a terrific solo life. And, if you're looking to attract true love, turns out that having a terrific single life is just the thing to do.

Below are six major components for being single and happy, as well as suggestions on how to add each one to your current life.

1. Community
What it means: Building a community means having people who are there for you, people who care about you and your life.

Why it matters: Many singles feel lonely and disconnected, which affects their quality of life. They act as if the only way to get their emotional needs met is through a partner. Not true. Members of your community can meet many of your needs, and the more your needs get met, the less needy and the more attractive you become -- and the less you need a partner.

What you can do: Build community by volunteering or by joining clubs around subjects that interest you. Reach out to people already in your life.

2. A Life Rich in Pleasure
What it means: Think of your life's outlook after indulging in something nurturing and pleasurable, such as being in nature, exercise or a good meal. Doesn't life look full of promise? Imagine a life rich in such moments of pleasure and you'll instantly increase your happiness quota.

Why it matters: Many singles forego pleasure and self-care for their jobs or career. It's as if they themselves don't matter; only their accomplishments do.

What you can do: Add three luxurious, pleasurable things to your day. These don't have to be huge -- perhaps a 10-minute stroll, a few minutes reading a book, a cat nap, a body-care product that smells or feels good, a sit-down meal. Figure out what these three things are by remembering the last few times you felt truly luxuriated.

3. A Life Lived Now
What it means: Many singles wait until they're in a relationship to live the kind of life they want and to do the things they love to do. Yet your life happens now -- today. It's not a dress rehearsal for when you have a relationship.

Why it matters: When you want to participate in life, but stop yourself because you are single, you stifle your spirit. On the other hand, living the life you want now enlivens and energizes you and gives you a sense of well-being and happiness. And living your life now also makes you very attractive!

What you can do: Figure out what things you haven't done because you've been waiting for a partner. Which three sound the most fun and give you the most charge when you think about them? Do them now.

4. Relationship Skill Building
What it means: There's a real set of skills few of us know exists -- and even fewer actually have -- that guarantee you'll attract a good, compatible partner and build a great, healthy relationship. The fact that you haven't had a successful lifelong relationship so far doesn't mean that you're doomed to wander the earth alone or that something's wrong with you. It's simply a matter of learning new skills.

Why it matters: Many singles worry that they'll continue to have unhappy, unsuccessful relationships. Many believe there is nothing short of settling that can be done about being single. Many fear they are meant to be alone.

What you can do: Put yourself in relationship school. Read books about relationship skills, go to workshops and seminars, hire a relationship coach. Keep learning and becoming confident in your skills and don't give up!

5. Putting the Past in the Past
What it means: Most people know that they need to let go of the past, yet believe that they cannot. However, there's a real set of skills that guarantee you'll let go of all past hurts and resentments.

Why it matters: Many singles hold on to the past as a way of preventing the same thing from happening in the future. Others hold on because they don't know how to let go. Either way, the past drains your vital life energy. There is no surer way to spoil an otherwise great life than with resentments and anger about days gone by.

What you can do: Learn how to let go. Put yourself in completion school. Read books, go to workshops and seminars, hire a therapist or a coach. Keep learning new ways to let go of the past, then apply them to gaining more and more freedom.

6. Passion/Purpose/Vision/Action
What it means: Be powered by passion about your life. Have a purpose for waking up in the morning. Have a vision of your place in the world and what you want to contribute to others. Take action about all of these.

Why it matters: Many singles are waiting for a relationship to infuse their life with passion and purpose, not realizing that a loving partner is not a substitute for a meaningful life. Single or with a partner, your life's purpose is your own, and will energize you when pursued. You'll be happiest following your life purpose.

What you can do: Figure out what makes time stop for you, what lights you up to no end, what always fuels you with energy. Whatever that activity may be, it's a part of your life purpose. Now get into action on that wonderful thing, and let it lift you and transform you.

10 Things That Can Age You Faster

Drinking Through a Straw
Sucking on a straw can cause the same skin damage as sucking on a cigarette.

"Pursing the lips over and over can bring on wrinkles," says Madonna's dermatologist, Dr. Frederick Brandt.

Not Enough Sleep
Regularly getting less than six or seven hours sleep [can also contribute to] aging, says anti-aging expert, Dr. Michael Roizen. "It increases the risk of a heart attack, decreases your immune system, causes you to release less serotonin, and leaves you craving fatty foods."

Too Much Sleep
Getting more than eight hours sleep on a regular basis can be equally aging.

A U.S. study found people who sleep for eight hours or more every night are more likely to die younger.

Wearing Contact Lenses or Not
Take care when you put contact lenses in. "Putting them in requires light pressure, but if you're pull at the skin around your eye, it starts to sag," says optician Ev Evaghoras.

Wearing Eyeliner
Pulling at your eyelid to draw a line across it stretches the skin and can cause wrinkles.

Wearing the Right Foundation
Swap your foundation. "Look for a product that has a transparency and peachy tones to brighten the skin," says makeup artist Terry Barber. "Use a brush to work foundation into the skin."

Exercising Too Much
Excessive exercise (more than four hours of stamina training a week) can damage cells and muscle tissue, and lead to osteoporosis.

Skipping Your Optician Appointment
Not getting your eyes tested is a shortcut to crow's feet. "You should get your eyes tested every two years, or sooner if you think your vision has changed," says optician Ev Evaghoras.

Not Wearing Sunglasses
Not protecting your eyes from the sun is a recipe for wrinkles. Big sunglasses protect the eyes and skin -- look for UV400 protective glasses.

Sleeping On the Same Side
If you always sleep on the same side, one side of your face is subjected to pressure and can be prematurely lined. Sleeping on your back with the head elevated prevents puffy eyes and wrinkles.

Single Travel Tips

If your goal while traveling solo is to be social and hook up with like-minded fellow travelers, consult our handy travel tips. You'll find yourself in entertaining company and tantalizing conversations before you know it.

1. Make eye contact and smile. This may sound obvious, but vacationers often end up looking stressed and anxious rather than relaxed and friendly. Smile at others to show you're open to making friends and, in some cases, that you're a fellow traveler. Note: In some cultures it is not very common to smile at strangers, so observe what the locals do first. Plus, exercise caution in situations where you feel threatened or harassed.

2. Be flexible -- take advantage of a moment when an exciting opportunity presents itself. Exercise all ordinary cautions, but don't be timid about talking to strangers, going to public gatherings, or accepting an invitation to share a restaurant table.

3. Sport a conversation piece. Carry or wear something that starts a conversation, such as an unusual bow tie or necklace, an antique pocket watch, or an interesting slogan T-shirt. Someone is sure to comment on it and start chatting with you.

4. Use your own experience to help out a fellow traveler. If you see someone struggling to translate "sun block" into the local language, and you just learned it yourself yesterday, speak up. The shared experience will impart a sense of camaraderie.

5. If dining in a restaurant, maximize your chances of meeting people. Ask to sit at a community table, such as the chef's or captain's table, with other singles. Or, let the host know you're willing to join others. Sit with your back to the wall, facing the room, so you can make eye contact with other diners. And don't stick your nose in a book--that says: "Leave me alone, I want to be by myself."

6. Bring along something to share with people you meet. Who can resist a chocolate or a bite of a local delicacy prepared in your home town? Ditto for bug spray, umbrellas, guidebooks, and maps--you'll find yourself instantly popular with people who forgot theirs.

7. Ask questions. Ask for advice on the best restaurants, shops, and beaches. This starts a conversation, lets the other person feel your interest in his or her opinions, and provides you with helpful information to boot.

8. If you plan to travel alone, you'll probably pay more for hotel rooms, cruise cabins, etc., since you're not sharing accommodation costs with someone. Some hotels in Europe do offer smaller single rooms that cost less; you may wish to request one. Otherwise, there's no way to avoid paying more if you stay in a room by yourself.

9. While being friendly and open on vacation, observe commonsense security: Leave your itinerary and contact info with someone back at home; do not reveal too much personal information until you know someone well; meet people in public places; request a hotel room on an upper floor; don't display wealth ostentatiously; etc.

10. Above all, think of solo travel as a pleasure, not a burden. Enjoy the luxury of being able to go where you want, when you want. Your confidence and pleasure in your own company will draw others to you and make you receptive to their overtures.

Explore Kama Sutra Sex Positions

What makes any Kama Sutra position Tantric? Consciousness. In that respect, the ordinary can be transformed into the extraordinary.

A wonderful place to begin is with the position known as Yab-Yum. According to Nik Douglas, author of Sexual Secrets (Inner Traditions, 1999), the Sanskrit word "Yab" means father, while "Yum" means mother. This corresponds to the Taoist "Yang" for male and "Yin" for female, as in Yin/Yang. Neither one of the partners should be on top of the other, either physically or metaphorically, for the primordial balance of the universe to be achieved.

In its classical form, the Yab-Yum involves the man sitting cross-legged on a firm surface with the woman seated facing him. Her legs are wrapped around him, with her feet meeting at his back.

They hold each other, not only for support, but also to call attention to the base of the spine and the heart center. Each partner's right hand is at the middle of the other's back, with their left hand at the base of the other's spine.

This brings the two very close together. The breath is shared, the eyes are open, soft and present, and the energy is upright versus horizontal. Gentle to active rocking and thrusting can take place, and the woman's G spot will experience a lot of friction.

A great variation on this position places the man sitting on the edge of the bed or on a hassock with his feet on the floor. This variation works well for those who are less supple or have bad lower backs, and for couples where the woman is larger than the man. It's easy on the back and legs and still has the potential of the classic posture.

Another variation involves the woman leaning backward either slightly or all the way to the bed's surface. The man should lightly pull her hips toward his to keep contact. Both partners can also try leaning backward simultaneously.

In any of these positions, try placing a firm pillow under the woman's buttocks to achieve the right angle and comfort level. In classical Kama Sutra pictures, you'll often see a beautiful crescent moon-shaped pillow under the woman's hips.

Human Speech Traced to Talking Fish

Researchers say real fish can communicate with sound, too. And they say (the researchers, that is) that your speech skills and, in fact, all sound production in vertebrates can be traced back to this ability in fish. (You got your ears from fish, too.)

The new study was led by Andrew Bass (we did not make this up) of Cornell University.
The scientists mapped developing brain cells in newly hatched midshipman fish larvae and compared them to those of other species. They found that the chirp of a bird, the bark of a dog and all the other sounds that come out of animals' mouths are the products of the neural circuitry likely laid down hundreds of millions of years ago with the hums and grunts of fish.

"Fish have all the same parts of the brain that you do," Bass explained.

His team traced the development of the connection from the midshipman fish's vocal muscles to a cluster of neurons located in a compartment between the back of its brain and the front of its spinal cord. The same part of the brain in more complex vertebrates, such as humans, has a similar function, indicating that it was highly selected for during the course of evolution.

Strategies for Surviving Tough Times (Part 2)

The following strategies provide a road map for surviving economic downturns (Part 2)

5. Don't Count on Somebody Else to Save You

In times of economic uncertainty, people often think the government will be able to help them, but unfortunately this is often the time when the government has the least amount of money and freedom to help its own citizens. In most cases, the government won't save you, so you'll have to save yourself. When the economy is in a downturn, you can't just look at what you are spending, you also need to look at where the money is coming from. Your employer is facing the same difficulties you are: trying to make bill payments, balancing the flow of capital, all while sales are slowing. Just like you, your employer will be looking to reduce its costs, which could be in the form of layoffs. You could be in big trouble if you haven't planned for this possibility. The plan here is to start saving now for that eventual rainy day, and prepare an emergency fund for yourself. If it is too late to start saving and you already need the money, many financial institutions will let you defer a payment or two if you prove you have a smart financial plan to eventually pull through.

When People Don't Spend

But wait! If we're all hanging on to our money rather than feeding the economy, what will happen? Will stock prices plummet? Will economic growth grind to a halt? Will we all be poor? No. For a real world example of this, let's take a look at Japan, where saving more than consuming has been commonplace in its people's history.

While being a net lender is a concept that the West abandoned some time after World War II, it continued to be practiced in Japan. During the mid-1970s, Reuters reports that Japanese consumers saved some 20% of their disposable incomes. During Japan's economic slump in the 1990s, the Nikkei 225 fell from a peak of 39,000 in 1989 to 16,000 in 1992. Gross domestic product growth averaged less than 1% per year, but personal savings remained in the double digits. Although the unemployment rate rose from less than 2.5% in 1990 to just under 5% in 2000, with an average of 3% percent according to the U.S. Department of Labor, it still remained lower than the rate in most industrialized nations. The net result? Japan remained a healthy, vibrant, wealthy country with a poorly performing stock market. If you've got savings and a smart financial plan, a weak market won't break you.

Live Now Like You Face Tough Times

These five strategies work equally well when times are good, so there is no need to wait until you are in trouble to start making smart decisions.Your lifestyle will be characterized by things you can actually afford, such as a house that won't get repossessed, a car that might not impress the neighbors but will still get you to work and back, and long, restful nights free from financial worries. It might not be the fairytale lifestyle of the rich and famous that corporate marketers having been trying sell you, but at least you won't have to worry about how to keep up on the payments for a lifestyle you can't afford (Yahoo! Finance)

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Oldest New Testament Bible heads into cyberspace

BERLIN - More than 1,600 years after it was written in Greek, one of the oldest copies of the Bible will become globally accessible online for the first time this week.

From Thursday, sections of the Codex Sinaiticus, which contains the oldest complete New Testament, will be available on the Internet, said the University of Leipzig, one of the four curators of the ancient text worldwide.

High resolution images of the Gospel of Mark, several Old Testament books, and notes on the work made over centuries will appear on www.codex-sinaiticus.net as a first step towards publishing the entire manuscript online by next July.

Ulrich Johannes Schneider, director of Leipzig University Library, which holds part of the manuscript, said the publication of the Codex online would allow anyone to study a work of "fundamental" importance to Christians.

"A manuscript is going onto the net which is like nothing else online to date," Schneider said. "It's also an enrichment of the virtual world -- and a bit of a change from YouTube."

Selected translations will be available in English and German for those not conversant in ancient Greek, he added.

Dating from around 350, the document is believed by experts to be the oldest known copy of the Bible, along with the Codex Vaticanus, another ancient version of the Bible, Schneider said (Reuters).

American rapper and actor DMX Charged With Identify Theft

Los Angeles - It's no wonder DMX might want to be somebody else. An Arizona grand jury indicted the rapper Tuesday on two felony counts of theft and taking someone's identify for allegedly using a false name to get out of paying a hospital bill in April, according to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office.

The 37-year-old, whose real name is Earl Simmons, is said to have tried to pass himself off as "Troy Jones" while undergoing treatment for pneumonia at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale.

Cops picked DMX up on an outstanding warrant Saturday at the Metrocenter mall in Phoenix, the Cradle 2 the Grave star's sixth arrest in three months.

DMX, who's also facing an 11-count animal-cruelty and drug-possession rap in Maricopa County, was last arrested July 2 for missing a court date related to those charges, to all of which he's pleaded not guilty.

That arrest took place at Phoenix's Sky Harbor International Airport upon his return from Florida, where he was collared twice—once for driving with an invalid license and a few days later for allegedly trying to buy marijuana and cocaine from an undercover cop.

Before a second raid on his home in May resulted in the animal and drug case, DMX was nabbed May 6 for speeding (E! Online).

Strategies for Surviving Tough Times (Part 1)

When economic times turn tough, governments urge their citizens to spend. Economists think of citizens as "consumers" and rely on them to put their "disposable income" to work. By doing this they will support the economy, which translates into higher stock prices.

However, in times like early 2008, when consumers were reeling from the perfect storm of inflation, a global credit crunch, a global housing market in decline and concerns about stagflation, there is often a conflict with the governmental cry for consumers to spend. It's a bewildering scenario. What's the best course of action for a concerned consumer to take? The following strategies provide a road map for surviving economic downturns.

1. Don't Buy What You Can't Afford

We all want that designer sweater, leather handbag, or cute sports car, but most of us just can't afford to make the purchases. There's a simple solution to this dilemma. If you can't afford it, don't buy it. This is often the easiest point to understand, but it is one of the hardest to implement when all those goodies are staring you in the face and all your credit companies are telling you it's OK.

2. If You Can't Pay Cash, You Probably Can't Afford It

In our credit crazy world, amassing debt no longer carries a social stigma. Everybody has a car payment, a house payment and credit card payments. Well, remember what your mother said about everybody jumping off of a bridge? Just because "everybody" is doing it, doesn't make it a good idea. Buying something you can't afford now, especially when the economy is unsettled, can double the pain of paying later. For example, if you purchase a $450,000 home today and the market goes into a slump and devalues your home by $200,000, you will be paying the bank twice what the home has come to be worth. Just because it was easy to get the credit to buy that home, doesn't mean it was the right time for you to buy in.

3. Paying Interest on Anything Makes Somebody Else Rich

When you pay interest on a purchase, you are overpaying for that item for the luxury of getting to use it now. The simple act of paying interest means that the price you are paying to make the purchase is greater than the sale price of the item. You are giving away even more of your hard-earned money in order to own that item than the manufacturer thought the item was worth. For example, if you buy a car for $25,000 with a loan at 7% interest for five years, in the end, you will pay almost $30,000 for the car. Once you factor in depreciation, you're left with a very cheap car that cost you thousands more than it should have.

4. If You Are in Debt, stop Spending Money

Sometimes, such as when purchasing a home, the cost of the item is so great that you simply cannot afford to pay cash. This should be the exception rather than the rule. When it cannot be avoided, you need to close your purse and stop spending. Getting yourself further it debt doesn't help your financial situation. Making a realistic budget in this case is the key to success. Once you know how much you're actually spending on those daily trips to the grocery store and coffee shop, you'll be able to find room to cut costs realistically.

“Eight don’t asks” of the Beijing Olympics

Posters are appearing around Beijing guiding locals about how to interact with the (few) foreigners coming for the Summer Games.

The posters instruct residents on the “eight don’t asks” when chatting with foreign guests. Here’s a rough translation, courtesy of the Peaceful Rise blog:

Don’t ask about income or expenses, don’t ask about age, don’t ask about love life or marriage, don’t ask about health, don’t ask about someone’s home or address, don’t ask about personal experience, don’t ask about religious beliefs or political views, don’t ask what someone does.

So what is one to ask? Maybe the relative merits of fencing versus marathon swimming?

Now, for the foreigners out there, here’s the No. 1 dud question to ask a Chinese person. It’s a question that will draw a blank, non-comprehending stare:

“Hey, pal, tell me about your president. Is he doing a good job?” (Yahoo! News).

Bans plastic bagging in stores

LOS ANGLES - The city of Los Angeles announced it will ban all plastic bags from retail stores as of July 1, 2010, following similar anti-pollution regulations already enforced in San Francisco.

The second-largest US city behind New York, Los Angeles, with its four million population, will ban plastic bagging in all supermarkets, grocery and retail stores, the Los Angeles City Council said in its new regulation.

After July 1, 2010, all store customers must provide their own bags or purchase bags made of paper or other biogradable material from the store for 25 cents (0.25 dollar), it added.

The goal is to rid the city of some 2.3 billion non-biodegradable plastic bags that are distributed each year and end up polluting waste dumps for a long time.

San Francisco, 600 kilometers (373 miles) north of here, also in California, in 2007 became the first US city to ban plastic bags from its stores.

Both city regulations are intended to pressure state lawmakers who are considering a bill to eliminate plastic bags across the state by 2012.

Several countries around the world have already adopted laws banning plastic bags, which often end up killing animals that swallow or get caught up in them (Yahoo! News)

Bedtime habits that are ruining your sleep

If you’re having trouble falling asleep, you’re in good company. An estimated 65% of Americans said they encounter sleep problems a few nights each week, according to a recent study by the National Sleep
Foundation.

Sleeping too little is linked with an increased risk for obesity and depression. But before you reach for a sleep aid from the nearest pharmacy, it’s worth reexamining your nighttime routine. Some of your favorite evening rituals could be responsible for that tossing and turning.

1. Setting a Bright Alarm Clock
The looming glare of your alarm clock can be distracting when trying to sleep. The goal is to have as dark a room as possible. Block the bright numbers with a book or consider buying a small travel clock. Your cell phone alarm may also do the trick.

2. Counting Sheep
When you just can’t fall asleep, it’s useless to stay in bed. If you’ve been trying to fall asleep for more than 30 minutes, the National Sleep Foundation suggests doing something mundane, like balancing a checkbook, reading or watching TV. An activity that demands marginal brainpower will lull your mind. Before you know it, you’ll be crawling back into bed genuinely tired.

3. Exercising Late at Night
Daytime workouts will keep you invigorated for hours. That’s why you don’t want to exercise within three hours of hitting the sack. Intense physical activity raises your body temperature and pumps your energy level—both interrupt a calm transition into sleep. (Source: Yahoo! Shine).

Six tips to make good financial habits stick

Study after study shows that you have to have patience. On average it takes 21 days for a daily behavior to become a habit. A weekly or monthly behavior takes even longer. The difference between successful attempts and failures is that people who are successful do the following:

Keep a record.
For new habits, a daily journal is the best medicine. Use the Journal to document your progress and record even the tiniest improvements. You’ll also find my Spending Tracker, another tool for good financial habits.

Organize your environment to help — not hinder.
You want to keep things nearby that will help you reach your goals — and keep temptations as far away as possible. That may mean leaving your credit cards in a drawer at home if you can't think of a reason you'd need them that day. It also means setting up mechanisms to make your accomplishments come easier. For example, if you're trying to stick with a budget, keep a Post-It note on your pillow to remind yourself at the end of the day to enter your expenses in the Spending Tracker.

Don't set yourself up for a fall.
You can make tedious tasks nearly effortless. If you've hated research since the time you were young, you're probably not going to love spending hours online researching stocks. Don't fight this reluctance: Go with it. Instead of forcing yourself to pick a new stock or fund every time you have a few dollars to invest, schedule automatic monthly withdrawals from your checking account, and have the money deposited into a mutual fund that you can stick with for the long term. Likewise, if balancing your checkbook is what you dread, buy a software program that'll do all the actual figuring for you.

Reward yourself for good behavior.
Just make sure that your rewards don't work against your ultimate goals. For example, if you're trying to save money, your reward shouldn't be spending an extra $30 at the Gap — it should be something free, like an extra-long soak in the tub. Likewise, don't punish yourself when you experience a setback. Let's just acknowledge right now that it will happen. A friend will come into town for a few days and you'll go on a little Visa bender. Give yourself a break and get back on the plan as soon as you can.

Seek out support.
Often, working with another person — or group of people — can provide just the boost you need to get with the plan. Go to the Message Boards on my site and you'll find people with similar goals and interests who can keep you on the right path through a series of well-tested suggestions. I'll be in the Message Boards, too, answering your questions and offering support.

Keep going — even when you feel down (especially when you feel down).
By actually doing something over and over again, you'll gain a feeling of accomplishment — even power. That's why it's so important that when you find yourself feeling frustrated and overwhelmed by something, you do just what's required to help you conquer the problem. When you're feeling poor, you should sit down with a pad and paper and figure out just how much money your new habits are saving you. Two dollars a day saved by walking to work rather than taking the bus may not sound like much, but it adds up to more than $500 a year. Once you write it down, focus on how the accomplishment makes you feel. Concentrating on the change will make you feel energized. Think of it as insurance for how you'll behave tomorrow.

Bottom Line
Don't let feelings of self-doubt get in the way. After all, it took time and practice to develop your current habits. It'll take the same time and practice to develop the ones you want to adopt for the future. (msnbc.msn.com)

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10 Smartest Ways to Slim Down

10 Smartest Ways to Slim Down

1. Eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Skipping meals can set you up for bingeing. Studies show that people who spread their food intake throughout the day eat fewer calories.

2. Pack snacks. Whether you're at the mall, in the car, or at work, keep yourself armed with healthy snacks to help you resist fat-and-calorie-laden temptations from vending machines and fast-food joints.

3. Team up. Enlisting the help of a partner or friend can boost your motivation and help you stay on track.

4. Start writing. Keeping a food or exercise log not only helps chart your progress, but it's also a great way to spot minor slips in your routine before they become major problems.

5. Compliment yourself. Treat you as you treat those you love. Focus on your successes, not failures—and give yourself a pat on the back each day.

6. Get moving. Whether you walk, run, bike, or swim, aerobic exercise is key to weight loss success. Work up to doing at least 45 minutes, 5 or more days a week.

7. Be a little selfish. You need to make time for yourself if you want to achieve your goal.

8. Have two helpings. Filling your plate with two kinds of vegetables, not just one, ups your nutritional intake and leaves less room on your plate for fatty foods.

9. Take one bite at a time. "Mindful eating," which involves concentrating on taste and sensation to make each mouthful an event, maximizes your food satisfaction and minimizes the odds of overeating.

10. Lift weights. Resistance training builds muscles, which boost the number of calories that your body burns throughout the day—making weight loss easier. Aim for two or three workouts a week.

Mortgage Refinancing Tips: Rates and Lenders

When taking advantage of mortgage refinancing, the most important decisions you make will involve interest rates and lenders.

The interest rate that you pay can significantly impact your monthly mortgage payment and the total amount of money that you pay over the loan. The lower your interest rate, the better off you will be.

The same goes with the lender that you choose. By using a lender who offers low interest rates, lending fees, closing costs, and other incentives, you can save a great deal of money and truly make your refinance worthwhile.

If you are looking for a little advice on finding low interest rates, or choosing a lender, the following mortgage refinancing tips may help:

* When refinancing, don’t take the first offer that comes around. Instead you should actively compare both interest rates and lenders.
* If you have bad credit, find a lender who is willing to work with you and offer you reasonable loan terms.
* Know your credit score before you begin looking for a loan. If you can, try to remove any blemishes from your credit report before applying for a refinance.