You can be a faith healer

You can learn-almost immediately-to minister healing by faith. Yes, you can learn to minister healing by faith almost immediately.

I believe that any believer can be a faith healer if they will just do what God says...if they will just act upon His word.

Some of my earliest experiences ministering healing by faith came in a denominational church where I was pastor. I gave an invitation in one of our services for those needing healing to come forward. Between twenty and thirty people came forward for healing. Keep in mind please that these dear folk were weak in what the Bible said about healing. But they were ill and came forward anyway.

My message that night was upon being healed by laying on of hands and/or anointing with oil. I proceeded to lay hands upon and anoint with oil all those who came requesting it. As the laying on of hands and the anointing progressed, things began to happen. Healings began to occur.

One young lady said that when I laid hands on her for her healing, she felt heat come from my hands and enter her body. At that exact point in time she said she could feel all the pain and discomfort (caused from her sickness and malady) leave her.

Another person who was standing next to one to whom I was ministering healing said they could feel the healing coming from that person into them also. They too were healed then and there. The power of God was strong in the place that night.

One of these people had migraines that were debilitating to them. Yet they had been unable to get relief anywhere. That night perfect calm came over that person as the pain swiftly went away.

All we were doing was acting on what God said in His word. They simply acted by coming for laying on of hands and anointing with oil and prayer. I simply acted by laying hands on them, anointing them and praying over them. This is the unbeatable combination for healing. Just obey what God says for us to do for our healing.

Of course these are wonderful memories for me. These occurred when I was just starting out in the healing ministry. But even more wonderful and beautiful is this:

God hasn’t changed His ways, His word or His healing delivery methods. These healing delivery methods still work when we work them. They are as valid today and as powerful as they were the first time I used any of them back in the early 80’s.

You can be healed with them now...here...today. You can also (almost immediately) learn how to minister healing to others. Just get your Bible down and learn some of the eight ways God has chosen to heal His children.

Then do what He says do in these Scriptures. When you act out what He said, the healing problem is passed on to Him. He must and will heal. You can learn to minister faith healing.

Camping - do you have the skills to survive the outdoors

As our society becomes more and more technological, cold and urban, ever more people are starting to feel the urge to get away from it all, take a break from modern life and go back to the way things were for our ancestors. Perhaps this explains the rising popularity of camping holidays, the ultimate experience of going back to nature and living in the wild, with only a basic structure for shelter and a fire for cooking.

Of course, lots of people don’t exactly do it that way. Camper vans are popular, as is ‘car camping’, and all sorts of electrical appliances have been adapted for camping – there are even camp microwaves. Most people consider at least modern toilets and showers to be a campsite necessity, regardless of whether it’s really true to the spirit of the activity. Camping doesn’t really have to be an outdoors thing if you don’t want it to be, as many camper vans aren’t that much different to houses on wheels, and many families stay in them for a large part of their holiday. It’s all about doing what you feel comfortable with.

For hardcore campers, though, the truest form of camping is camping which teaches survival skills, such as eating-wild caught food, finding your way around by the position of the sun and making fire. You would have to be very hungry to eat the animals that can be found in the woods of most countries, however, and for this reason camping with facilities and packed food is far more popular.

Most campsites are in woods or open fields, and are often publically-owned – if you want to find one, they should be clearly marked on maps for walkers and on road signs for cars. It’s up to you what you take with you, but most people will prefer to have at least a tent, sleeping bags, torches, and either a tool for making firewood or portable oven where campfires aren’t allowed.

Hello from toronto - part 1- a first little driving tour -the city viewed through the eyes of first-time visitors

So my brother is in town, together with his wife and 2 friends from my little home town in Austria. It is everybody's first time in North America and their initiation to Toronto. Just to give you ideas of dimensions: Austria has a population of about 9 million and the country extends about 900 km from east to west while the Greater Toronto area nowadays probably has about 4 to 5 million people and Lake Ontario alone is over 300 km long. The first thing my visitors noticed was the difference in size: the size of the city, the size of the lake, the size of cars, the size of supermarkets, and even of refrigerators.

On Sunday we started off with a little driving tour of Toronto where I first took my visitors down to the lakefront by the historic Art Deco style R. C. Harris Filtration Plant. All of them love water and to have a lake as big as an ocean so close by fascinated them. After a leisurely drive on Queen Street through the quaint Beaches neighbourhood we parked the car close to the St. Lawrence Market and started our walk around.

Since my brother is a chef and always loves to purchase market-fresh food, I initially took him to the St. Lawrence Market which always has an antique sale on Sunday. The food market is actually closed on Sunday. We checked out the wares from old furniture to cameras to various knick-knacks.

Our exploration continued westwards along Front Street past historic 19th century houses and of course past the famous triangular-shaped Flatiron Building which has a mural on its west side. Approaching Yonge Street we walked past the Hockey Hall of Fame, a historic Beaux-Arts former bank building, the magnificent Royal York Hotel, built in 1929, once the largest hotel in the British Commonwealth.

One of the things that fascinated my visitors most was how old and new can coexist right next to each other: shiny skyscrapers are located right beside historic sandstone churches. Our walking tour continued past Union Station, Toronto's impressive central railway station, built between 1914 and 1927 as a joint construction project by the Canadian Pacific Railway and Grand Trunk Railway (now the Canadian National Railway). Its monumental scale, classical detail and rational, ordered planning were hallmarks of the style. The station is massive and takes up an entire block on Front Street between York Street and Bay Street. The Great Hall of the Station is 250 ft. long and 84 ft. wide.

Our walk continued further west on Front Street past the Convention Centre to the base of the CN Tower and the entrance to the Skydome, Toronto's multi-purpose stadium with a retractable roof, now called the Rogers Centre. We then snaked our way up through the Entertainment District to Queen Street where we admired Osgoode Hall, built in the 1830s, and now an oasis of green in the city. An ornate iron fence, built in 1867, renowned for its peculiar "cow gates," surrounds the property and its beautiful gardens. The cow gates in particular fascinated my visitors.

Our next stop was at New City Hall and Old City Hall, opened in 1899, which racked up construction costs of more than $2.5 million at the time which caused great controversy in those days. Continuing past the Bay Department Store on Queen we passed the Metropolitan United Church, an English style cathedral dating from 1872, whose churchyard was filled with people enjoying the warm day.

Once back in the car we drove through the U of T campus, my Alma Mater and we stopped briefly to check out Hart House and Kings College. Then we headed down to Chinatown at Spadina and Dundas and my visitors marvelled at this exotic, busy market area. Our last stop on the tour was Kensington Market, a lively little neighbourhood full of food and clothing stores and restaurants where we ended up picking up fresh vegetables, dry beans, and a variety of cheeses for some of the scrumptious meals to come. My brother, the chef, marvelled at the variety of food available here, combined with the inexpensive prices a food lover's dream.

We took our loot home where my husband was waiting for us with a big brunch to strengthen ourselves for attending a birthday party of one of my friends that had the motto of "let out your inner child". The party was unique in that it involved such time-honoured Toronto traditions as hitting a piсada while a bunch of adults were playing with water guns, chasing one another around the house with buckets of water dropping on the combatants from the second floor.

I think our visitors had a full day, from getting a first taste of Toronto, to participating in a rather eventful birthday party, their first impressions were very positive and they were looking forward to exploring more of this exciting city.

Paintless dent removal

Thanks to advanced techniques and the availability of new tools designed to offer precision results, many garages now offer a service called paintless dent removal. Unlike traditional panel beating, paintless dent removal is achieved without damaging the existing paint on the metal, and can offer excellent results at a fraction of the cost of other methods of dent removal.

The secret behind paintless dent repair is that rather than being an aggressive method of straightening out dents in the metal, it is a gradual process more akin to a massage than a piece of traditional metal work.

A panel beater will remove the panel from your car and then use a mallet and a former to bash out any defects. This will involve beating both sides of the metal in order to get it back into its exact original shape. The percussive damage of repeated blows from a mallet will inevitably do damage to the inflexible paint that covers the metal, causing it to chip and flake in the area where the metal has been beaten. This means that the panel will need to be stripped back and then completely repainted, which adds significantly to the cost of the repair. The results of panel beating are generally excellent, and can leave a car looking as good as new.

Like panel beating, paintless dent repair is a highly skilled procedure, and to get the best results it takes a great deal of patience, plenty of experience, and of course the right tools. The actual method of removing dents does not require the removal of the panel from the car, or indeed removal of any trim to allow access to the rear of the metal in order to push out the dent from behind.

The actual technique used for paintless dent removal will vary slightly depending on whereabouts on the car the repair is being carried out, but the essential method remains the same. Basically, the repair man will use special tools on the reverse of the panel to straighten out any dents. This is done by gradually pushing the metal back into place in small sections. It is a slow process, but it can have excellent results when carried out properly. Because the work is done in situ, and the paint is not damaged by the hammering, and all the work is carried out on the rear of the panel, the job is usually carried out on a single day, because no paint needs to dry once the job is done.

Specific paintless dent removal tools are required in order to carry out the work properly. A full set of tools will allow a skilled operator to carry out a repair on any panel on the car. The paintless dent removal tools are designed to offer access into panels from small gaps such as the window slot in the top of a door. They are typically long and flat, in order to slide into place, and very rigid to allow pressure to be applied to the metal without deforming the tool.

The operator will slide the long flat tool into the gap behind the panel and then expertly guide it to the dent. The next stage of the process is to gradually press the metal back into place from behind, slowly massaging the metal into its original shape a little at a time in order to minimize the shock to the panel, and to eliminate any possible damage to the paintwork on the other side of the panel.

The repair will gradually restore the panel to its original shape, and will deliver results almost as good as traditional panel beating, although at a much lower cost, thanks to the fact that no repainting will be needed at the end of the job to repair the damage that is caused when the panel is being straightened out.

For small dents and minor damage to the panels of any car, paintless dent removal is a highly recommended alternative to conventional methods, and thanks to its lower cost, and quick completion it offers excellent value and convenience when carried out by an expert who can provide you with the best results thanks to his extensive experience and training.

Ymca helps families bring healthy habits home

Keeping kids physically active and healthy isn't exactly child's play. Efforts to keep kids fit are most successful when scheduled as a family affair, according to Chicago-based YMCA of the USA. Children are more likely to stay active and to make smart, health-related choices when parents lead by example.

"Families that make health, activity and exercise priorities in their daily life enjoy many benefits like strengthening family ties, developing similar interests, preventing chronic diseases and, most importantly, simply having fun as a family," said Mike Spezzano, national health and fitness specialty consultant for YMCA of the USA.

The YMCA offers six "get started" tips for embracing a healthier lifestyle at home:

1. Commit to 20-30 minutes of physical activity as a family each day. Walk the dog as a group before dinner; share an afternoon bike ride; play a game of tag; plan fun weekend outings like nature hikes or skating.

2. Prepare healthy meals at least five days a week. Select recipes that use lower fat, sodium, and refined sugar; choose natural and unprocessed ingredients when buying prepared meals; buy fruits and vegetables over unhealthy snacks.

3. Choose to eat meals together in the kitchen or dining room. Eating on the go or in front of the television leads to unhealthy eating habits.

4. Hold a weekly family meeting to set group goals about health and activity. For extra encouragement, display goals for everyone to see.

5. Stress and conflict are major culprits in undermining healthy goals. Reduce stress at home by agreeing to respect the property and feelings of fellow family members; accept responsibility for personal actions; and behave in a caring and thoughtful manner.

6. Celebrate success with simple rewards. Enjoy movie night or a YMCA family night; buy a new board game; create hand-made awards; reinforce achievements with positive verbal feedback.

Families seeking inspiration and information can find it at YMCA Healthy Kids® Day celebrated nationally April 8, 2006 and at 1,420 YMCAs nationwide (local dates may vary). The free event engages families in fun, physical activities and offers helpful information to encourage healthy lifestyle choices.

YMCA Healthy Kids Day is sponsored by Disney Channel, Tropicana, Kimberly-Clark Corporation and Kimberly-Clark's Huggies, Pull-Ups and Neat Sheet brands.

Lower back pain symptoms and remedies

Pain or discomfort in the lower portion of our back and the spinal column is a common phenomenon and can be largely attributed to our changing lifestyles. Wrong posture or inadequate exercise is most often the cause of the pain in the lower spinal column. The treatment of such a pain can vary from a simple over the counter medicine to surgery depending on the severity and the cause.

The pain is generally felt in the lumbar and the sacral region and can also affect other areas. A sprain in the muscles or the ligaments constituting the lower portion of the spine can be the most common cause of backache. Some of the other problems that involve pain in the lower back are disc degeneration due to arthritis or ageing, spondylitis, infections and tumors.

In most of the cases the pain is localized in the lower back and vanishes after some time. However, it may even extend to the buttock or the leg on the affected side. In cases wherein the pain is persistent and increases with time or results in weakness in the foot or loss of bladder control - proper medical check up becomes essential.

In some cases stiffness or persistent pain around the spine can disturb your sleep resulting in further problems like tiredness. Such problems can be rectified by the used of pillows designed to maintain our body posture and thus ensure proper sleep. The use of the wrong type of mattresses can also affect the body posture and result in back pain.

Details of the discover platinum wildlife card application

The Discover Platinum Wildlife Card will provide for some extra perks that may just appeal to you. To obtain this line of credit, you will need to have very good credit and be looking to obtain benefits in cash back rewards. Although the rewards may seem limited, there is no limit on how much you can earn using this credit line issued by Morgan Stanley. You may find that the cash back is just one of the benefits as this credit card also offers an affordable interest rate.

The Discover Platinum Wildlife Card provides for 12 months of benefits with an introductory rate of 0% on all of your purchases and balance transfers during this time. You should check out the details for this offer to determine the exact dates of benefits. But, after this introductory period has expired, you still get some pretty significant benefits. You have a variable APR at just 10.99% on purchase and a very low 20.99 fixed APR on cash advances. This credit card does use the two cycle average daily balance which may offset these benefits just a bit with a higher interest payment if you carry a balance on your credit card. There is no annual fee on this credit card and the minimum credit limit is $5000 up to $50,000.

For those benefits also comes a reward. The Discover Platinum Wildlife Card offers a cash back reward of .25% to 5% at participating retailers. You will earn .25% at warehouse clubs as well as discount stores. You get double rewards for Discover Card Partners. You will earn .25% for purchases totaling up to $1500, .5% for purchases up to $3000 and 1% for purchases over $3000.

The Discover Platinum Wildlife card offers many benefits to those that deserve it and have excellent credit. These large credit limit accounts offer the benefits of cash back rewards but also feature very low interest rates, something that everyone should take into consideration.

Web design and development tips to maximize your site part 1

Web design is a very important part of operating your online business. Since there is not an actual store for people to walk into, the set up of your website will determine if they stay long enough to make a purchase or if they will got to another website. With so much competition in the e-commerce world, the consumer has the upper hand.

Getting people to your website is the easy part. Making it attracting and easy to navigate is much harder. The connection speed for your website will make or break the deal. Most internet users are not very patient when it comes to waiting for pages to open. On average you have six seconds before they decide to go somewhere else. If cool graphics on your website take time to open, you are better off without them.

The website should be appealing, but not overwhelming. The layout should have tabs to make the website easy to navigate. Some good tabs to include are products, shopping cart, about the company, contact information, and frequently asked questions. You can design your tabs to fit the product or service you are offering.

Customers generally don’t make a purchase on their first visit to a website. They often like to think about it as well as do some comparing. Offering a wish list is a great way for a consumer to save what they want to come back to finish the purchase at a later time. Sending an email to the customer at that time thanking them for coming to your website is a great way to keep your product fresh in their mind.

The checkout process needs to be very simple as well. Consumers don’t want to have to click many places to make a purchase. At the most it should involve three clicks. Set it up so that many payment options are possible to meet the needs of various consumers. It is good customer service to provide a confirmation number so that the consumer knows their purchase has been made.

Want to drink a great beer go german

One of the various things the German people are known for is beer. Beer is an essential piece of their tradition and heritage, with over thirteen-hundred varied breweries spanning the country. As far as per capita beer consumption, the Germans are only behind the Czechs and the Irish. The history of Germanic brew spans back to the beginnings of the nation when monks started to experiment with brewing around 1000 A. D. The country's leaders eventually started to legislate the manufacturing of beer as brewing started to be more and more profitable. The most well-known and significant component to effect Germanic brewing came in 1516 with the Bavarian Reinheitsgebot, or the purity standard.

To make sure that Bavarian beers were only the highest quality the Duke Wilhelm IV authorized the Bavarian Reinheitsgebot. Hops, barley, and water are the only ingredients that should go in in beer according to the law. The Reinheitsgebot is the oldest regulation placed on food in the world and has remain unchanged in nearly five-hundred years. Yeast is the only inclusion to the list of crucial ingredients in the act. Yeast found naturally in the air was what manufacturers before used. Bavarian breweries were soon considered the superior makers of beer because of the strict standard of quality following by the purity requirement. As the prominence of the Bavarian breweries spread around the nation other manufacturers started to follow the proclamation as well.

German beers have a long-standing reputation of making quality brews made only from the purest ingredients as a result of the Reinheitsgebot. As time passed and Germany began to ship out beer, some cities became famed brewing locations. By fifteen-hundred, Scandinavia, Holland, England, and as far as India principally recieved their beer from one of the more than 600 breweries in the city of Bremen. Two more famed brewing cities were Einbeck and Braunschweig. In modern-day Germany, the majority of the country's drinking people still choose fabbier, or draught beer, over bottled beer because of it's robust flavor and perfect amount of foam. In an effort to curtail more outbreaks of the bubonic plague German beer steins became popular about the time the purity standard came about and are still used today.

During the time of the bubonic plague, Germany originated a lot of laws to prevent its citizens from getting ill. Massive amounts of infected flies would land in people's food and spread the infection. This led to the German beer stein, a beverage container with a hinged lid that could be used with the thumb so a person could stop infection and still be able to drink with one hand. Beer drinking rose exponentially as citizens started to realize the disease spread in unsanitary conditions with brackish pools of water. Originally made of stoneware with pewter lids, steins grew in popularity. Steins began to be manufactured entirely of pewter for nearly 300 years as the pewter guild grew. Eventually, porcelain and silver German beer steins were introduced and are still produced today.

Nowadays there are over 1350 breweries within Germany's lands that produce over five-thousand brands of beer. The Benedictine abbey Weihenstephan, which has been producing beer since one-thousand and forty, is reported as the oldest brewery in the world. The most concentrated area in Germany for beer makers is the Franconia region of Bavaria by the city Bamberg. German breweries produce a wide variety of tastes and brands of beer with the majority of them able to be placed under ales or lagers. Some brands of beer may have an alcoholic content as high as 12%, making them more potent than a lot of wines even though most beers have an alcoholic content ranging from 4.7% to 5.4%.

Is saturated fat in coconut good for your heart health

You probably know that saturated fats are bad fats that can cause all kinds of heart related diseases. Did you know that and the humble coconut oil has 92% saturated fats? Then why is it that there are many advocates of taking coconut oil as a health supplement? Isn't that contradictory?

Supporters of virgin coconut oil argue that coconut oil helps them to improve skin condition, have more energy and even to lose weight. Huh? consuming saturated fats to lose weight? How is that possible?

These advocates hail the virgin coconut oil as one of the hottest new nutritional supplement to hit the health and nutrition industry in years. This logic flies against conventional wisdom, isn’t it?

Saturated fat and there are plenty of it in coconut oil has been the villain for heart diseases. When hydrogenated vegetable fat (trans fat) was invented like in margarine, it was supposed to replace unhealthy saturated fat like in butter and was thought to be a healthier form of fat only until it was discovered in the last few years that trans fat is more dangerous to your heart health than saturated fat.

It is with this thinking that proponents of coconut fats is now arguing that not all forms of saturated fat may be bad and the coconut oil may be one of them. Dr. Bruce Fife, a US based naturopath and author of “The Coconut Oil Miracle” remarked during a press conference in Singapore last month, “Not all saturated fatty acids act in the same way. The fat in coconut oil is different from most other fats and has many health giving properties”.

He further added that, “The Lauric acid (I coconut oil) boosts immunity, has antioxidant properties and is being investigated in reducing viral load in HIV patients. You should also take into account the size of the carbon chain in the fatty acid. Most of the oils and fats we consume are long–chain fatty acids. Coconut oil is the richest source of medium-chain fatty acids, which actually behave very differently from the long-chain versions.”

“Medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil boost the body’s metabolic rate and promote weight loss. They are broken down immediately in the liver to produce energy and are not stored as fat,” he added.

So is the consumption of coconut fats good or bad for health? It’s very controversial isn’t it?

Let’s hear it from another expert Dr Annie Leong, deputy director of the nutrition department at the Health Promotion Board. “There is not enough evidence to prove that medium-chain saturated fats can reduce heart risk.”

Nutritionist Anna Jacob argued that, “Kerala is the coconut capital of India and it also has the highest rates of heart disease. While it is possible to argue that Indians are genetically predisposed to heart disease, but a diet high in saturated fat as well could heighten that risk.”

My question is that since Indians are more prone to heart disease, then the high rates of heart disease should be spread evenly throughout India and not just in Kerala, don’t you think so? Therefore, I am still a little skeptical.

So who is right and who is wrong? So is coconut oil saturated fat good or bad for your heart health? Well, the jury is still out there as far as I am concerned. I for one will make a conscious effort to avoid consuming coconut oil too often until the coconut debate is more conclusive with empirical evidence that the coconut oil is good for heart health.

Mixing pain medicines is risky for the stomach

Many people as they age take aspirin to help prevent heart attack and stroke. But a recent study found that mixing pain medicines may be risky. It showed that taking aspirin with common pain relievers may harm the stomach. These include Advil® (ibuprofen) and Aleve® (naproxen).

This study looked at health records of close to 50,000 people with pain. These people took over-the-counter (OTC) ibuprofen and naproxen. These drugs are called non-specific nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ns-NSAIDs). The study found that taking aspirin with (OTC) naproxen harms the stomach. The risk of stomach bleeding and ulcers doubled compared to naproxen alone. For ibuprofen, the risk tripled.

"Aspirin raises the risk for stomach problems," said Dr. Joseph Biskupiak. He led the study and is from the University of Utah College of Pharmacy. OTC drugs should be taken as directed. "While you can buy them in your drug store, it doesn't mean there's no risk."

The study also showed the harm from use of these ns-NSAIDs alone. The NSAIDs reviewed raised the risk of stomach problems by themselves. Harm to the stomach from ns-NSAIDs has been known for a while. In fact, each year ns-NSAIDs put more than 100,000 people in the hospital for stomach problems. And they've caused the deaths of thousands.

The U. S. Food and Drug Administration asked makers of these drugs to add stronger warnings of serious stomach problems to their labels. The drug makers were also asked to update their labels to include serious skin reactions. They must also explain the potential risk to the heart. All OTC NSAID labels state not to take them for more than 10 days without talking to a doctor.

"Most people don't know that OTCs are serious medicines. They have benefits, but they may have risks too," said Biskupiak.

"I urge people to read the labels of OTC pain drugs. They must take these drugs the right way. Also, they should think twice before taking them with aspirin. People who need pain relief should talk with their doctors about which pain medicine might be right for them."

About 31 million adults in the U. S. take OTC drugs for pain daily.

About 31 million adults in the U. S. take over-the-counter (OTC) drugs for pain daily.

Note to Editors: Support for the study was provided by Pfizer Inc.

How to conquer caterpillars

Butterflies, especially the colourfully marked types are very pretty to watch as the undulate through the summer breezes but there are certain varieties that can cause losses in your vegetable garden.

The cabbage white butterfly

The main culprit is the cabbage white butterfly which is mostly attracted to a chemical emitted from the leaves of brassicas. The brassica group covers such vegetables as cabbage, brussel sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower. The butterfly lands on these plants and in itself is harmless but the eggs it deposits are the problem, or what eventually emerges from these eggs. Emerging quite soon after are the dreaded caterpillars which are hairy and about 3 to 4 cm long.

Caterpillars

Caterpillars are the larvae or the young of the butterfly; this is the main feeding and growth stage of the butterflies’ life cycle. As most vegetable growers know caterpillars are very hungry and a small handful can turn a head of cabbage into a skeleton within a day or two. Infested leaves are quite toxic to animals and humans even if washed thoroughly.

Control methods

So how can you battle against the caterpillars, well there are various chemical and organic methods. The chemical methods are available in all good garden centres in the form of sprays, dusts and bug guns with names too numerous to mention. With cabbage, broccoli etc being food crops that you may grow at home organically to avoid chemicals you should try to tackle the menace organically. Cover your plants with sheer netting whilst the butterflies are around, if they cannot touch the plants then they cannot lay their eggs on them. Ensure the netting allows sufficient sunlight through to enable growth.

Companion plants

Try planting tomatoes and celery as companion plants close by as their scents tend to cancel out the scent emitted by brassicas therefore deterring cabbage white butterflies. Finally if all else fails try sending your cat or cats on holiday during the summer, you’ll be surprised how many songbirds start to visit your garden. Songbirds just love caterpillars.

Baby names - book review roundup

:
Best Baby Name Book In The Whole World

This book lists over 13,00 names and offers up meanings and lists. However, these are some basic baby name book requirements and certainly aren't enough to earn a "Best" title. Unfortunately, this is where the book falls. Not quite great, but not necessarily bad. It doesn't have a huge number of names, it doesn't offer oodles of extras, and some of its meanings are even a bit questionable. There are better books out there.

The Baby Name Wizard

This unusual baby name book really stands out from the crowd. Not simply a huge list of names, The Baby Name Wizard gives detailed information about each baby name in its database. Graphs, lists, and all kinds of fun information are invluded. The only downside to this addicting book is its rather slim list of actual baby names. It doesn't rank up there with the 50,001 name books, although perhaps you may appreciate the more limited scope. Aside from this, The Baby Name Wizard comes highly recommended.

Cool Names For Babies

This is a fun book that will inject some enjoyment back into your baby naming process. It's full of left-of-center baby names that will stimulate your thinking and probably lead you down some baby name paths you wouldn't have thought of. Not all is perfect, of course. Cool Names for Babies lacks a user friendly index and makes it difficult to find a specific name. The coolness of these names is likely to change as time passes since it is (naturally) focused on trends.

Baby Names: A New Generation

This book, as you may glean from its title, is focused on the ever-changing popularity of certain baby names. Want to make sure you aren't given your child a name that will seem old fashioned? Then this is the book for you. Its forward thinking and pleasing layout will help remove some of the tedium of selecting the perfect name for your child.

Halloween trip to new york city

Halloween is considered to be one of the most celebrated holidays in America. If you are going to the United States at the end of October you surely shouldn’t miss this event! Every state, every city, every small town has its own parades, festivals and parties dedicated to Halloween! Halloween’s origin lies deep in centuries. According to some opinions its history began in 17th century as Celtic harvest holiday called Samhain, meaning Summer's End. Now Halloween is closely connected to the celebration of the Catholic feast of All Saints' Day which is celebrated on the first of November. New York – the biggest USA city has one of the greatest Halloween parades. It takes place at 19.00 on 31st October. Many visitors from all over the country come to see and participate. People in strange and scary costumes are invited to a parade coming along Sixth Avenue from Spring to 21st St! It’s the only night-time parade in the whole country! Here guests can expect 42 bands of different musical styles, thousands of participants and a lot of fun! On 29th October other nine Halloween parties took place throughout the New York City. These parties included free activities for kids to enjoy, with haunted houses, hayrides, storytelling, and costume parades. Starbucks’ Great Halloween Party in Central Park was the main event of the day with live music, puppet shows, face painting and much more. Each of the 5 New York City districts had its own Halloween party too – Bronx inhabitants were invited to Van Cortlandt Park and St. Mary’s Recreation Center: those who live in Brooklyn – to Brownsville Recreation Center on Linden Boulevard between Christopher Street & Hegeman Street. Manhattan’s show was on Pelham Fritz. Queens had Playground for All Children on Corona Avenue. Visitors and residents of Staten Island could have enjoyed a performance on South Beach Roller Rink. So coming to New York on Halloween is a good chance to get acquainted with one of the oldest and most original American tradition.

New study cleaning the tub is a pain

People have been complaining about cleaning the bathroom since the advent of indoor plumbing. Now a new study by the University of California San Francisco/Berkeley Ergonomics Program indicates that help is on the way for those who detest bending and stretching to get a clean tub and shower.

According to the study, using a tool with a long handle can make cleaning the tub/shower easier, taking less effort and decreasing stress on shoulders, knees and lower back.

"The widely used sponge and spray cleaner cleaning method tends to place users in several postures that can result in injury to the musculoskeletal system," said study lead ergonomist and physical therapist, Ira Janowitz. "Our research shows that using a cleaning tool with a long handle to do the stretching for you helps relieve musculoskeletal stress."

Following a few easy tips can help you prevent low back pain, says Janowitz.

• Push rather than pull when you have to move a heavy object. Keep your back straight and the object close to your body when moving an object. Always avoid twisting while you are lifting.

• While performing common household chores, use products that are ergonomically designed to reduce awkward bending or stretching, such as the Clorox BathWand. Designed specifically for cleaning the tub and shower, this handy tool has a 23-inch handle and swiveling head that allows you to easily reach large and hard-to-clean areas without straining or kneeling.

• An inactive lifestyle can contribute to lower back pain, so make sure to exercise regularly. Exercise is important for strengthening and conditioning muscles of the torso, or "core" muscles, that support the lower back.

Experts estimate that 80 percent of Americans will experience back pain at some point in their lives. To keep back pain from interfering with the activities of your daily life, be sure to take the necessary precautions when possible-be it on the job or while doing chores around the house.

Euro tail buying guide

:
Stopping with Style
A custom truck or SUV just isn’t complete without a set of custom taillights. Taillights are like a fine wine – well, okay, they’re not really like wine. Custom tail lights aren’t anything but custom tail lights and if your truck doesn’t have them, you might as well be ridin’ around in a horse and buggy.

Clear Tail Lights + Police = Ticket
Not too long ago, clear tail lenses were the big thing. Manufacturers couldn’t make them fast enough to keep up with demand. But there was a problem; they weren’t street legal. State DOT offices started cracking down and the police responded. Tickets started to pile up, manufacturers were fined hundreds of thousands of dollars for making clear tail lights, and production stopped. Everyone looked for a new alternative.

Hello Altezza!
Nobody knows where the term “Euro Taillights” actually came from. The design actually came from a production Japanese car; the Toyota Altezza (In America, we call this the Lexus IS 300). Altezza tail lights feature the styling that we’re familiar with today; a chrome interior with red reflectors and a clear housing. At some point, somebody called them euro tail lights and the name just stuck.

Euro taillights are DOT approved. They have the one key element that was missing from clear tail lights - red reflectors. Without that red reflector you can, and will, get pulled over.

Many Styles, Many Names
The name “Euro Tail Lights” actually applies to most custom taillights on the market. As you read before, the original design had a chrome interior with red reflectors and a clear housing. The range of available styles has expanded in many ways. Some have a carbon fiber designed interior, and are often called Carbon Fiber Tail Lenses or Carbon Fiber Tail Lights. Some are black inside. These are commonly called black tail lenses. Some euro tail lenses have a smoked housing instead of clear, some have flames on them. Some of the newest on the market use LEDs instead of traditional bulbs. They are much brighter than anything currently on the market and the LEDs practically last forever!

The point of all this is to educate you on the history and some of the different styles of custom tail lights on the market. So whether you are looking for Altezza Tail Lights, Euro Tail Lights, or Clear Tail Lights, you’ll know what you’re talking about when it comes down to it.

For more information, please visit Stylin Concepts.

A bakers guide to chocolate

What’s the difference between bittersweet chocolate and semisweet chocolate? Can I use Dutch cocoa in all my recipes calling for cocoa? Understanding the difference in chocolate and how they are used is essential to baking. In this guide, we’ll identify the characteristics of those chocolates used in baking.

Cocoa is the dry chocolate powder derived from chocolate liquor. It comes in two types: natural and Dutch process. Dutch processed cocoa is processed with an alkaline. It is slightly darker, smoother, and more easily dissolved than natural cocoa. In many recipes, natural cocoa and Dutch cocoa are not interchangeable. Natural cocoa is slightly acidic and will therefore chemically react with baking soda to create carbon dioxide bubbles and some leavening power. Dutch cocoa is slightly alkaline, will not react with baking soda, and must rely on baking powder for leavening.

Bitter (unsweetened) baking chocolate is made from pure chocolate liquor. By specification, it must contain 50 to 58 percent cocoa butter though with inferior products, vegetable oil may he added. Depending on the producer, milk solids, vanilla, or salt may be added. I have a package in front of me that contains only chocolate and milk solids. Unsweetened chocolate has a bitter taste and relies on sweeteners in the recipe to make it palatable.

Sweet baking chocolate--bittersweet, semisweet chocolate--has sugar added. These products must contain 35 to 50% cocoa butter but may have as little as 15% chocolate liquor. Because unsweetened chocolate has twice the chocolate liquor, we prefer to use unsweetened chocolate in most of our baking.

Bittersweet and semisweet chocolate can be used interchangeably in recipes though there is a difference in flavor. Often, bittersweet is a more expensive chocolate and to many, a better, richer-flavored chocolate.

Milk chocolate is made with ten percent chocolate liquor. It contains a minimum of twelve percent milk solids. Because it has such a low percentage of chocolate liquor, rarely is it melted and added to batter or dough.

White chocolate contains no chocolate liquor but is made with cocoa butter. Historically, the FDA has not regulated the manufacture of white chocolate so you need to read labels carefully. If the product was made with vegetable oil instead of cocoa butter, it will not perform the same as a product with cocoa butter.

Chocolate chips are made with chocolate liquor with only minimal amounts of cocoa butter. Instead, they are made with vegetable oil and stabilizers to help them hold their shape. Without the cocoa butter, chocolate chips have a different taste and mouth feel. Chocolate chips will have a firmer set in puddings, pie fillings, and sauces than baking chocolate. Chocolate chips can be purchased in milk chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate.

Niche browser review

Jason Moffatt's new Niche Browser program is an absolutely amazing program. There are so many ways for you to find niche markets with the program that it would be almost impossible for you not to make money with it. Not only will it help you discover markets but you can also find things to give away as bonuses such as audio content, articles, videos, and more - this feature alone is worth having the program for me.

Here is a list of some of the things that you can do with Niche Browser:

1. Generalized Keyword Search and Query Tools – This part of the program contains a textbox called "Main Search Text Box" where most of your searches and queries begin. Entering your keyword(s) into this box and clicking the Search button will bring up Google Search Results in the main browser window.

2. Categorized Keyword Search – Here you will find a plethora of search tools. The features included for searching are web search, news, audio, video, entertainment, shopping, and RSS & Blog search engines.

3. Main Browser Window – This is just the main browser window where everything happens. Just like a normal browser with forward, back, refresh, and stop buttons.

4. Side Panel – For each type of search there is a category to help you narrow down what you are looking for.

5. Related Searches – This area contains shortcuts to various tools, such as Overture and Google Sets. This helps you discover more topics and keywords related to your current niche market.

6. URL Tools – These are site-related tools that give you information on the current page or entire domain.

Now, I do not think that Jason Moffatt's Niche Browser will make-or-break your internet marketing ventures, but I do know that it will save you a heck of a lot of time. The time I use to spend finding audio, video, and article content for autoresponders or blogs has been more than cut in half.

How to lose weight keep it off

How to lose weight and keep it off can be an elusive goal, especially if you have been using crash diets which deprive the body of vital nutrient, and make it crave more food when you come off the diet. It is not that hard to lose weight, but sustained weight loss needs a well thought out plan.. If you need to know how to lose weight and keep it off, here are some important tips.

Idea-1

The concept of a diet is really one that we need to move beyond. Although diets can help people achieve short term goals, there is usually a reaction afterwards. Sustained weight loss needs a permanent, consistent change of lifestyle! To lose weight safely and consistently you need to be burning off more calories than you are taking in. You can achieve this by dieting, or by exercise, but a combined attack on two fronts will usually produce the best result.

Idea-2

Practice a sport or leisure activity which keeps you active. Or maybe it doesn't have to be strictly a sport, but take up some kind of active pastime. Working out at a gym will do perfectly well, if you can fit it in to your daily routine. Make sure you choose something you can sustain, because it is consistency which brings results.

Idea-3

Get your body trained to burn fat. Losing weight purely by dieting is difficult, because the body adjusts to the lower number of calories by storing more fat. There is always this unavoidable aspect of self defeat when you try to lose weight by diet alone. If you exercise as part of your weight loss program, you are training your body to burn fat, and not to store ever greater amounts of it.

Idea-4

Work your weight loss program into a routine. You need to get your body used to expecting both the diet and exercise programs which you are using. You will then arrive at a place where you do what needs to be done without even thinking about it. Formed habits are your greatest asset in your quest to achieve consistency.

How to lose weight and keep it off is something which can be approached scientifically, and if you set up the right causes, the effects will follow, and it will get easier as you go along. Click the links below to discover some useful hints and resources.

Acne skin care methods

Acne can be a painful and embarrassing condition for a person to be afflicted with. Often, a person who has acne cannot control its occurrence. But, by following a few acne skin care practices, acne can be controlled and even gotten rid of.

Acne is an inflammatory skin disease that affects millions of individuals. The most universal type of acne is known as "common acne". Acne is caused when too many oils are secreted from the glands and those oils mix with dead skin cells, blocking the hair follicles. More oil secretions increase underneath the already blocked follicles (or pores), and skin bacteria begin to grow rapidly. This leads to red and irritated skin that most often appears as bumps on the skin's surface. Any skin surface of the body is susceptible to acne, but it most commonly (and heavily) appears on the face, chest, back, and upper arm region.

Acne commonly begins to occur during puberty due to an irregular response by the body to regular levels of testosterone, a male hormone. Often, acne begins to subside or disappear altogether by the mid 20's. However, some individuals do suffer with it throughout adulthood. And some adults do not even see the onset of acne until well into the adult years. This is known as adult onset acne.

Acne can leave scarring on the skin, as well as have a scarring effect on a person's self-esteem, and even lead to depression. Because society can be so unforgiving about appearances, there are various medically prescribed treatments available, as well as acne skin care regimens that can be utilized in order to minimize the symptoms of acne.

Different things cause acne for different sufferers. A few of the recognized causes of acne include heredity, hormonal activity (puberty, menstruation, pregnancy), stress, certain medications, and skin irritation. All of these things have the potential to cause acne, as well as exacerbate it. There are a few myths regarding acne. For instance we've all heard of a mom telling her child not to eat too many greasy foods like French fries, or eat too many sweets, because it will give him or her pimples. That is simply an old wives' tale. Diet does not cause acne, and does not affect it. Also, poor hygiene has no bearing on the occurrence of acne. Acne is not caused by dirt, and having poor hygiene habits will not aggravate the condition.

There are many treatments for acne available, both through prescription, and over the counter. There are antibiotics in the form of pills, as well as topical creams that are designed to treat the condition. Exfoliation can be used as a treatment to remove and prevent the build up of dead skin cells. And light therapy is being used more and more to treat acne. It is important to consult a dermatologist in order to determine the best course of treatment and learn the best regimen of acne skin care to carry out.

Dealing with the occurrence of acne requires knowing how to properly care for the skin. Acne skin care can help keep the problem from getting worse, and even alleviate it. It is important to gently wash the skin at least twice a day with a gentle skin cleanser. Do not scrub with a rough pad or use a rough soap. This will make the acne problem worse. And always completely rinse the skin after cleansing.

As part of an acne skin care routine, it is important to remember not to touch the afflicted skin areas. Do not try to squeeze acne. An infection could occur, compounding the problem, and scarring could result. Also, avoid the sun when possible. Wear protective clothing to avoid tanning or burning. The skin will age faster, and any fading effect of the acne is temporary and will become visible again when the burn or tan fades.

When using cosmetics, take care to use oil-free products, and products that are non-comedogenic (won't clog the pores). And for men who shave their faces, it is important to shave very carefully. Shave with a light hand to avoid cutting or nicking the blemishes. If these steps in acne skin care are taken, the pain and embarrassment of the problem can be alleviated, and over time, eliminated completely.

7 things you should know about health savings account plans

:
Health savings accounts (HSAs) are wildly popular. Since their introduction in 2004, approximately 2.5 million Americans have enrolled in these so-called consumer-driven health plans. But, alas, HSA plans are not for everyone.
Here are some pointers to help you consider whether an HSA will benefit you and your family.

1. An HSA plan can cut healthcare costs by an average of 40% for many people.
Nevertheless, some people will not realize any net savings. Those most likely to realize significant savings are people who pay all of their own health insurance premiums, such as the self-employed, who are relatively healthy with few medical expenses.

2. health savings plan restores freedom of choice.
An HSA plan puts individual consumers back in control of their own health care. This also means that each individual must be more responsible for his or her own health care decisions. This approach of self-reliance is not always popular with or appropriate for everyone, especially those who have become comfortable with HMO-type "co-pay" plans.

3. Health savings accounts reduce income taxes.
Every dollar contributed into your HSA account is deducted from your taxable income in the same manner as contributions into a traditional IRA account--regardless of whether you spend it or just save it. Interest and investment earnings in a HSA accumulate tax-deferred, just like a traditional IRA. Unlike an IRA, withdrawals are tax-FREE when used to pay qualifying medical expenses. In many situations, new account holders are able to almost fully fund their HSA with money saved on premiums from a prior, higher priced plan. By stashing all or most of those savings into an HSA, the account holder realizes instant, additional savings in the form of reduced taxes.

4. You must have a properly qualified high health insurance policy in place first before
you can open a health savings account. One of the biggest misconceptions about HSA plans is that any insurance policy with a high deductible will qualify the policyholder to establish an HSA account. IRS regulations, however, are quite specific. Not just any policy with a so-called "high deductible" will suffice. It is important to be certain that you are insured under a properly qualified policy. Your best bet is to work with a qualified and duly licensed health insurance broker who is experienced in marketing properly qualified HSA plans.

5. You must be insurable in order to qualify for the HSA-qualified health insurance policy.
Because most people do not have a properly qualified high deductible insurance policy, they will need to switch insurance plans in order to become HSA-eligible. Unless coverage is being offered under small group reform laws (generally groups with 2-49 employees), the new high deductible policy will be individually underwritten by an insurance company. This means that some "pre-existing" conditions may not be fully covered. Alternatively, some companies may opt to cover certain "pre-existing" conditions in exchange for slightly higher premiums. Unfortunately, some health conditions simply render an individual uninsurable (examples: diabetes, chron's disease, heart attack, etc.). Underwriting requirements vary by state, which is another reason to rely on an experienced health plan broker.
You should not switch to a HSA plan when the management of existing medical expenses is more important than saving up-front medical insurance premiums. Do not change health plans: in the middle of ongoing medical treatments; after a major health issue has been diagnosed; or if any family member is pregnant.
Generally, it is relatively hassle-free to qualify, i. e. no medical exams, etc. Most insurance companies offering HSA coverage will issue based on your application answers, perhaps accompanied by a follow-up telephone interview. In some cases, medical records may be requested, and companies always reserve the right to order a paramed exam.

6. Although HSA insurance premiums are low, they are not always as low as you might expect.
This happens for one main reason. Simply stated, the underlying insurance policy is just that—a health insurance policy. Although it has a "high" deductible, as required by law, the insurance company still must compensate for the risk it is assuming over the deductible amount, which it does by charging premiums. Many companies offer policies with “one deductible” that all family members contribute toward. With those plans, it is not uncommon for premiums for a 5000 family deductible with 100% coverage after the deductible to be comparable to a 2500 "per person" deductible plan with 80/20 coverage after the deductible.
Lower premiums represent just one element of the lower net cost achieved with an HSA plan. The low net cost of an HSA plan is achieved after factoring in the benefits of lower taxes, made possible by the tax-deductible contribution to the HSA account. Thus, if obtaining the lowest possible gross premium is your main concern, you may wish to consider a high deductible, non-HSA policy, especially if you do not see the benefit to contributing to a tax-deductible savings account.

7. An HSA offers your best chance to keep a lid on health insurance rate increases.
Make no mistake-you will have rate increases with your HSA insurance policy. Because an HSA qualified policy is still a health insurance policy at heart, there is no logical reason to presuppose that an HSA policy would be immune to rate increases required by an insurer to keep paying claims and stay in business. But what you can expect is that the actual dollar amount of any future rate increases will be substantially lower compared to traditional health insurance plans (regular PPO and HMO plans). This is true because insurers base increases on percentages, and the same percentage of a lower base premium results in a lower dollar increase. It's not a perfect solution-but it is the most cost-efficient solution for many qualified people.

Writing the sat as an intel

If you're an international college applicant, you are probably unfamiliar with the format of the SAT exam.

The SAT is normally required for all applicants at most schools. Internationals are required to write the SAT as well as Americans. However, colleges do understand that international students may not be familiar with the SAT (with the exception of internationals studying in American schools abroad) and thus may not do as well as their American counterparts. This is especially true for applicants whose native language is not English.

Do colleges give some leniency to international students with regard to the SAT? The answer depends on which college is in question. Some colleges may have a policy whereby if an international applicant scores 2000 or higher, then SATs are out of the way. Many others have no clear policies though. At highly selective institutions, the difference in weightage for Americans and internationals may be small.

In my opinion, even as an international, you should strive to do as well as you can on the SAT. There’re many books that are dedicated to SAT preparation on the market; just browse the shelves of any well-stocked bookstore. College Board itself has produced several excellent preparation materials that you should use as your preparation materials. If you can afford it, you can even join one of the many prep courses available.

Why is it important? First of all, international students with high critical reading scores have considerable advantages (hook) over other international applicants. As there will be many internationals who willl probably not have scores in the high 700s in the critical reading section, scoring well earns you some advantage over the others. It shows your willingness to learn something totally new to you.

Besides, some universities such as Northwestern and Virginia will waive the TOEFL requirement if your criticial reading score is above a certain threshold, as an acknowledgment of your English proficiency. Therefore, doing well on the SAT can only work in your favor.

Natural cure by ayurveda

Ayurveda is perhaps the oldest system of health care in the world and originates from the Indian subcontinent.

Ayurveda is based on scientific principles of diagnosis and treatment. It differs from conventional medicine in the basic principles of investigation and assigning causes to processes rather than specific areas of physiology.

Ayurveda has been a vogue since 5000 years ago. Our Vedas have been repeated references to the efficacy of Ayurveda as a science of healthy life. The western world is now realizing the value of Ayurveda in treating Chronic diseases like Arthritis, Paralysis, Stroke, Neurological disorders etc. Even WHO has given high rating for Ayurveda system.

It differs from conventional medicine in the basic principles of investigation and assigning causes to processes rather than specific areas of physiology. The increasing awareness of herbal medicines in Western markets such as USA, UK, Canada and Japan and the technological advancements in biotech industry were two major reasons which compelled us to offer a platform like this.

The key to the success of AyurvedicCure Inc is the quality of the ingredients they use, the way in which formulae are based on ancient Ayurvedic traditions, a careful manufacturing process and an ongoing research program for testing and evaluating new and old products.

Here are some Important Herbs and their Uses:

Ashwagandha ( Withania Somnifera), ( Winter Cherry): Traditionally, Ashwagandha has been used in many ways--as a sedative, a diuretic, a rejuvenating tonic, an anti-inflammatory agent, and as an "adaptogen" (endurance enhancer). Many Western herbalists refer to this herb as "Ayurvedic ginseng" because of its reputation for increasing energy, strength, and stamina, and for its ability to relieve stress. It is especially beneficial in stress related disorders such as arthritis, hypertension, diabetes, general debility, etc. It has also shown impressive results when used as stimulants for the immune system.

Amla ( Emblica officinalis), ( Indian Goosebery): Amla contains the highest amount of Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid), Phyllembin, Phyllemblic acid, Gallic acid, Ellagic acid in natural form and Cytokin like substance identified as Zeatin, Zriboside, Z nucleotide, Tannins 30%. It is one of the strongest rejuvenatives in Indian pharmacopoeia. It contains 30 times the amount of Vitamin C found in oranges. Its antibacterial, carminative, hypoglycemic, stomachic, Hypotensive and astringent action prevents infection, helps in healing of ulcers, treatment of jaundice, dyspepsia and cough and controls hyperacidity. Alma is a good Cardio Tonic and its mild stimulant action on heart helps to control blood pressure. The use of Indian Gooseberry enhances the antidiabetic action of Karela. Phyllanthus Emblica is a very good hair tonic.

Brahmi (Bacopa Monniera): Aside from increasing intellectual and cognitive function, Brahmi induces a sense of calm and peace in its users. It is unique in its ability to invigorate mental processes whilst reducing the effects of stress and nervous anxiety. This makes Brahmi extremely applicable in highly stressful work or study environments where clarity of thought is as important as being able to work under pressure. Many people have the intelligence to perform to strict standards, but lack the composure and self-confidence to reach them. Additionally, Brahmi helps soothe the restlessness and distraction that nervousness causes. Brahmi is ideal for students and workers faced with this problem.

Shallaki ( Boswellia Serrata): Today its major use is as an anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, low back pain, myositis, fibrositis, and osteoarthritis. Experimental and clinical usage of boswella indicates it has none of the side effects on blood pressure, heart rate of the gastric irritation and ulcers associated with many anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic drugs. It is now an approved herbal medicine in India for use against osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, soft tissue rheumatism, low back pain, myositis and fibrositis. In the United States, physicians are giving boswella high marks for effectiveness. Dr. E. W. McDonagh, a Kansas City physician, has reported success among some 350 patients suffering from a variety of advanced muscular and skeletal conditions for which other treatments had failed to help.

Karela ( Bitter Gourd), ( Bitter Melon), ( Momordica charantia) : Bitter Melon, also known as Karela, Momordica Charantia or Bitter Gourd is a herb that helps regulate blood sugar levels and keeps body functions operating normally. It contains Gurmarin, a polypeptide considered to be similar to bovine insulin, which has been shown in experimental studies to achieve a positive sugar regulating effect by suppressing the neural response to sweet taste stimuli. Karela's principle constituents are lectins, charantin and momordicine. The fruits have long been used in India as a folk remedy for diabetes mellitus. Lectins from the bitter gourd have shown significant antilipolytic and lipogenic activities.

Shilajit (Asphaltum) : This is Shilajit, one of Ayurvedas most potent and unique rejuvenatives. The ancient medical literature attributes many health benefits to Shilajit known as "conqueror of mountains and destroyer of weakness." It has been said that there is hardly any curable disease which cannot be assisted with the aid of Shilajit. Shilajit has been used historically for general physical strengthening, anti-aging, blood sugar stabilization, libido, injury healing, urinary tract rejuvenation, enhanced brain functioning potency, bone healing, kidney rejuvenation, immune system Strengthening, arthritis, hypertension, obesity and many other application for numerous conditions.

Garlic ( Lasuna), ( Allium sativum): The platelet and hypolipidemic activities of Lasuna ensures smooth coronary function. Garlic is regarded as one of the most effective remedies to lower blood pressure. The pressure and tension are reduced because it has the power to ease the spasm of the small arteries. It also slows the pulse and modifies the heart rhythm, besides relieving the symptoms of dizziness, shortness of breath and the formation of gas within the digestive track. It has an antiseptic effect and is an excellent remedy for infectious diseases and inflammations of the stomach and intestine. Human population studies show that eating garlic regularly reduces the risk of esophageal, stomach, and colon cancer. This is partly due to garlic's ability to reduce the formation of carcinogenic compounds.

Triphala: Triphala, a cornerstone of ayurvedic medicine, is a composite herbal preparation containing equal proportions of the fruits of three myrobalans, Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula and Terminalia bellirica. When consumed for a long period, it helps reduce excess weight. It promotes good colon health and acts as a laxative without causing cramps or irritation. It gently stimulates the intestinal walls and restores tone to the colon, thus helping in the elimination process, providing a colon cleansing effect. When consumed for a long period, it helps reduce excess weight. It promotes good colon health and acts as a laxative without causing cramps or irritation. It gently stimulates the intestinal walls and restores tone to the colon, thus helping in the elimination process, providing a colon cleansing effect.

Guggulu: ( Bedellium), ( COMMIPHORA MUKUL): Studies show that a 14-27% of LDL cholesterol and 22-30% of triglycerides levels were reduced when guggul was given to men and women with high cholesterol for 12 weeks with no change in diet or exercise. Research with laboratory animals suggests guggul may help enhance thyroid function. Since the thyroid gland produces hormones that are needed to regulate metabolism, it can help in weight loss. Studies show guggul may change thyroid hormone metabolism, increase levels of circulating T3, or triiodothyroxine, a thyroxine metabolite known to raise overall metabolism, which in turn increases fat burning. Since guggul supports atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), which may impede blood flow to and from the penis, guggul may possibly be the treatment for impotence many men are looking for.

Tulsi ( Holy Basil), ( Tulasi): Tulsi has antioxidant properties, and helps boost the body's ability to fight off damaging free radicals, which have been linked to disease and aging. It is an adaptogen that helps the body fight the effects of ongoing stress and also balances the mind, nerves and emotions. Tulsi maintains the health of the throat chest and lungs. In fact, it helps protect the entire respiratory tract. It is an anti-inflammatory. A herb that promotes optimum respiratory support. Tulasi has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, expectorant properties and is useful in respiratory tract infections. It helps during respiratory stress.

Neem (AZADIRACHTA INDICA): Neem effectively kills the bacteria that cause Acne and studies prove that Neem will reduce inflammation, even the inflammation produced by Acne. In the case of eczema clinical studies demonstrate that even the application of weaker Neem leaf extracts effectively cured acute conditions of eczema, what to speak of the fresh cold pressed oil with its high concentration of active ingredients. Modern clinical studies have identified a number of compounds in the Neem tree that effectively regulate immune system functions. Whether drinking a simple cup of tea out of the leaves or taking extracts of the Neem leaf, Neem significantly and consistently reduced insulin requirements for nonkeytonic, insulin fast, and insulin sensitive forms of Diabetes. The pain, inflammation, and swelling of the joints in arthritis can be greatly reduced by different compounds in Neem

Arjuna (TERMINALIA ARJUNA): Arjun improves cardiac muscle function and pumpingactions of the heart. Scientific studies have shown Arjun to be very effectivewhen used regularly over a period of time for the treatment of angina, coronary artery disease, heart failure, edema, and possibly hypercholesterolemia. Studies have also shown Arjun to have positive effects in the treatment of gonorrhea. Externally, this herb has been used to treat acne, blemishes, wounds, dysentery, and diarrhea.

Preparing for disaster. diabetic preparedness key to survival this season

When Hurricane Katrina struck last August, people with diabetes faced particular challenges, especially those using insulin. More than 20 million people in America have diabetes, and many others suffer with other chronic health conditions.

During this year's hurricane and tornado season, Eli Lilly and Company, one of the world's leading manufacturers of insulin, suggests that individuals with diabetes or any other chronic illness should follow the guidelines below, no matter where you live:

• Medicine and supplies should be stored in a defined location to be easily gathered if you must quickly evacuate home or work.

• Keep cool packs in your freezer to keep medicine cool.

• Compile an easy-to-reach kit including:

• Medical supplies: syringes, cotton balls, tissues, swabs, blood glucose testing strips, blood glucose meter, lancing device and lancets, urine ketone testing strips, items for your therapy and blood sugar monitoring

• An empty hard plastic bottle to dispose of syringes and lancets

• Cooler for insulin

• Pen and notebook

• Glasses

• Copies of prescriptions, insurance cards, medical information and contact list, including caregiver's and physicians' names and phone numbers

• Physician's orders for your child's care on file at school and in your disaster kit

• Glucagon emergency kit and fast-acting carbohydrate (glucose tablets, orange juice)

• Nonperishable food such as granola bars and water

• First-aid kit, flashlight, whistle, matches, candles, radio with batteries, work gloves

• Supplies for at least a week

• Something containing sugar in case you develop low blood sugar.

"No one can fully anticipate a natural disaster, but with preparation, people with diabetes can manage their disease," said Dr. Sherry Martin, medical advisor, Eli Lilly and Company. "Taking the time to prepare could make a huge difference in an emergency."

If disaster strikes, remember to:

• Maintain meal plan, keep hydrated.

• Monitor blood sugar and record numbers.

• Wear shoes and examine feet often. If a foot wound develops, seek medical attention immediately.

• If relocated, call your doctors as soon as possible to maintain the continuity of your medical care.

• Parents of children with diabetes should identify which school staff members will assist children in an emergency.

• If you are displaced, identify yourself immediately as a person with diabetes so authorities can provide medical care.

Your options when it comes to mortgage protection

It is easy to get complacent after buying the home of your dreams. Finally, you have the one thing that you have always wanted and is now truly yours, when you have paid off the mortgage that is! There is nothing more you could ask for! Well, that is what the majority of individuals think anyway, but this is not the case. It is the redemption of the mortgage that may pose a problem for an individual who has lost his job owing to the company going bankrupt, selling to a larger company or relocating, to name but a few reasons why so many businesses are laying off staff at the moment. Mortgage protection could make the heartache of losing your job end there. Without mortgage protection, you may face the agony of losing your home too.

There is no room for complacency when an individual has an outstanding mortgage, and sadly some mortgage protection providers will recognise that and aim to sell a policy that may not necessarily meet all of his or her needs, so it is up to the individual homeowner to look into all of his or her options before deciding on the one that may suit them best.

High street lenders have monopolised the market in the recent past, which has led to some poor value products being placed on sale, and it is this sort of mortgage protection that individuals have to be prepared for. These mortgage protection policies may seem quite appealing at first glance, but if an individual takes the time to read into the policy then they may not be of the same opinions afterwards. Exploring high street mortgage protection is a good start, but it is necessary to assess your own wants and needs first.

Mortgage protection can often be tailored to meet your individual needs. However, if you are not entirely sure what they are then it is easy to choose the wrong options for you. In this case, fixed policies that offer generic cover may be a good place to start in terms of research. You should then begin to look at standalone mortgage cover and see if it is any better for you. Only after weighing up the various mortgage protection options available can you make an informed decision.

Don t pull up the seeds when you ve just sown them

:
Why is it that 95% of people who set themselves goals fail to reach them? In one word: impatience.

The most important and difficult stage of goal-building is the immediate stage after you set your goals. In the first stage, there’s a brief blip of euphoria. But this soon passes and then you hit the arid plateau of learning. It’s in this phase that most people lose their way and give up.

But this is the phase when you have to hang in there despite appearances. Otherwise, it’s like digging up the seeds a week after sowing them. So, here, for those who need a roadmap through the arid plains of goal-building, is a 6-step guide to managing your impatience and keeping your plans on track.

1. Have Plenty of Motivation Reminders. One of the cruel tricks that life plays on us is to make goal-setting easy and goal-building hard. This is no more true than in the opening phases of working towards a new goal. When we choose a new goal that seems within our reach, we are full of excitement and anticipation. It’s like the start of a marathon when everyone cheers us over the start line. But the cheers soon become a distant memory when we move into the second phase, the hard slog. It’s in this phase that we need to have a ready supply of motivation reminders to keep us going. Here’s one I often use. It’s from Ray Kroc, founder of the global restaurant chain McDonald’s. Kroc was an amazing entrepreneur. He says that it is in the early stages of working towards a new goal that you learn the most: “When you’re green, you grow. When you’re ripe, you rot.”

2. Be A Fly, Not A Bee. The chief problem with the early stages of goal-building is that you can never be sure of the right way forward, particularly if you are breaking new ground. You try something and it doesn’t work. You try again and it doesn’t work again. And again. And again. That’s tough. But it’s essential. Because you’re learning. Karl Weick says that in this situation it is much better to be a fly than a bee. When you place a fly and a bee in an upturned jam jar, the bee will head straight for the light and repeatedly buzz against the bottom of the glass. The fly on the other hand will dive frantically around the jar exploring every corner until he finds a way out. That’s the example to follow when you want to succeed: be a fly, not a bee.

3. Accept The Struggle. Those who are eager to succeed often treat the second phase of goal-building as an unnecessary waste of time. They would prefer to skip it and jump to the next phase of success. But this is to misunderstand the whole point of the second phase. It’s there to toughen you up. You may have heard the story of “The Man and the Butterfly” about the man who saw a butterfly struggling to emerge from its cocoon. To help it out, the man cut a bigger hole in the cocoon and pulled the butterfly through. However, instead of flying away, the butterfly was unable to fly. Its body was too swollen. What the man did not understand was that the butterfly’s struggle to emerge through the hole forces fluid from its body to its wings and thus makes them strong and ready to carry its weight. Like the butterfly, we need to struggle to succeed.

4. Be Objective. In stage two of goal-building, it’s valuable to stand back and distance ourselves from what’s going on. We need to be tripeds not bipeds. Bipeds are people who see only themselves and others. Risk-taking is a do-or-die undertaking. Progress is either a triumph or disaster. Life is black and white, winning or losing. Tripeds, on the other hand, can distance themselves from their situation by finding a third position where they can observe things with objectivity. Life isn’t either-or any more. It has depth, colour, and many angles.

5. Don’t Judge Yourself. Our win-lose culture puts great pressure on us to consider ourselves at any moment in life as either winners or losers. This means that failure is a bad thing and winning is everything. One of the most quoted expressions in our modern culture is: “Failure is not an option”. But this is to misunderstand the real nature of success. We need to fail in order to succeed. And we need to fail big-time in order to succeed big-time. Practically every successful entrepreneur, from Thomas Edison to Walt Disney, experienced failure many times over. But they didn’t judge themselves. They interpreted failure as “not succeeding yet” and saw it as just one more step on the road to success.

6. Manage Your Morale. Of course, it’s not always much fun to be stuck in the hard slog phase of goal-building. Nobody’s cheering any more. You have nothing to show for your efforts. And the dream still feels as far away as ever. That’s when you have to manage your morale. That means managing your stress, keeping things light, and working on the things you can’t see: your thinking patterns, your emotions, and your spirit. And, like the fluid in the butterfly, these may just be the things that will make you fly. “I can say: “I am terribly frightened and fear is terrible and it makes me uncomfortable, so I won’t do it.” Or I could say: “Get used to being uncomfortable.” It is uncomfortable doing something risky. But so what? Do you want to stagnate and just be comfortable?” (Barbra Streisand)

We human beings are very similar to the plant world. We grow best when we work with Nature and time. Don’t be in too much of a hurry to achieve your goals. If you hold on with faith, certainty, and determination, you’ll get there in due course when the time is right.

Cash back credit card - is it right for you

Cash back credit card offers are all the rage, but how much do you really know about them? How do they give you money back and how often? Is a cash back credit card right for you?

Most cash back credit cards carry no annual fee and are accepted by merchants all over the world. Not to mention that you are able to earn a cash back rebate on virtually every purchase or cash advance you make with your cash back credit card. However, you may need to review cash back credit cards so that you are able to find which one is the best when it comes to actually how the customer is paid back. There are some ways in which you can find out which credit card is the best cash back credit card for you and your lifestyle. The first step that you will need to take is to look over the credit cards terms and conditions. You can usually find these on the cash back credit cards website. These are the fine print details that will allow you to determine whether or not the credit card is the right one for you and whether or not it really is indeed one of the best cash back credit cards at all. Please make sure that you know what you are signing up for, I have made the mistake of not looking at the fine print and I have ended up in some really uncomfortable places due to the fees that the credit card company listed in the fine print. Everything you need to know about a credit card company and its cash back credit card is in the fine print. The method in which your cash back is received differs between credit card companies. Ways that cash back credit cards usually give you money back are listed below:

1) Gift cards

2) Statement credits

3) Checks

4) Deposits into a special account just for you

No particular way is better than the other, however it is all up to which one appeals the most to you and is the most useful to you. A statement credit would lower your debt; however it is not like having the cash in your hand. You figure that you spend the money you should get some in return, right? If you chose to get cash back in a check, the check is normally issued at the end of the month.

What it all basically boils down to is what appeals the most to you. When you are deciding which cash back credit card you are going to use then you will have to pick one according to the services that you expect. If you want the cash back to go to the balance on your credit card that is fine, that will help you to lower the debt that you owe. If you want the cash back to come to you in a check then you can get it direct deposited into your bank account or either you can get a check in the mail. It all depends on how long you want to wait. Check out everything about what makes the best cash back credit cards before you sign on the dotted line.

It doesn’t really matter which one you go with when it comes to your cash back credit cards because the best cash back credit cards offer you a wide selection of options and they are all fantastic just make sure that you know what you are getting yourself into.

Unsecured loans

When looking for a personal loan, borrowers normally have two options to choose from - unsecured personal loans or secured personal loans. Unsecured loans are loans where the borrower does not have to officially put down any collateral against the loan. They are open to both homeowners and tenants, although some providers of unsecured loans prefer to deal only with homeowners. The amount you can borrow on unsecured loans is generally limited to a maximum of Ј25,000. It is also unlikely that you will be able to obtain an unsecured personal loan for amounts of less than Ј1000.

Secured loans on the other hand provide borrowers with the ability to borrow more than Ј25,000 on a personal loan. They are almost exclusively open to homeowners as a form of collateral is needed to place against the loan. In most cases this collateral is the borrower's home or equity in the borrower's home.

Both secured loans and unsecured loans can be arranged through a large variety of lending sources, including high street banks, Internet lenders and building societies. With so many sources to choose from it can sometimes be difficult to make the decision on who to obtain your loans through. Here are some points to consider in order to help you make that decision: -

APR - The APR is the annual percentage rate - i. e. the rate of interest that you will pay on unsecured loans once any introductory rates expire. The APR will essentially dictate how much your unsecured loan will cost - the lower the APR then the less you will end up paying for your unsecured loan. You should also watch out for APR charged on a sliding scale. Some loans companies only offer their headline APR rate once the borrower commits to an unsecured loan of 'x' amount. Smaller loans are often charged at a much higher APR, which can be more than triple the headline rate.

Fixed or variable rates - Most unsecured loans are available on a variable APR. This means that the interest rate may go up or down to reflect changes in the base rate as set by the Bank of England. However, some loans companies are offering unsecured personal loans at fixed interest rates. The fixed rates are initially higher than the variable rate, but will protect you from future increases in the standard APR rate across the life of the unsecured loan.

Credit arrangement fees - Some lenders of unsecured personal loans will charge a credit arrangement fee and administration fee for setting up your loan. Other lenders may waive one or both of these fees, saving you money.

Online application form - Does the lender have a user-friendly online application form? Using an online application form is often the quickest route down which to apply for an unsecured loan.

Processing time - How long will it take for the lender to give you a decision on your application? Some lenders offer instant decisions on unsecured personal loans.

Loan payment protection - Most lenders offer to protect the payments on your unsecured personal loan in the event that you are made redundant or are unable to receive an income because of illness. The cost of loan payment protection can vary significantly between lenders so if you are considering taking out loan payment protection make sure it is not going to cost you an arm and a leg!

Games which are the easiest to play

:
Here is a guide to the best online games. Find yourself winning, or at least not necessary losing in the long run. The best casino games are games that have a low house edge or games where by practicing your skill you can have an advantage over the casino. Those with the lowest house edge are blackjack and video poker. By improving the skill with which you play poker and blackjack, you gain an advantage over the other player or over the casino.

House Edge:
First, here is an explanation about the term house edge. The house edge is the way the casinos create an artificial advantage over the player to ensure their profits. The advantage is created by not paying the true odds. The house edge is the gap between the true odds and the odds the casino actually pays out for a winning.

Here is an example for clarification. The true odds in an American roulette game are 37:1. However, if you place a one dollar bet, you would be paid 35 dollars instead of 37 dollars, which are the true odds. The two dollars gap between the true odds and the actual payout is the casino house edge. You can calculate American roulette house edge by dividing 2 dollars by 38. The result is 5.26 percent.

Poker:
This is an exceptional casino game. It is the only casino game where you play against the other players instead of competing against the casino. There is not a house edge in poker. Instead, most casinos ensure their profits by collecting a rake, which is a certain percentage of the pot used to cover expenses. Other casinos charge each player by the hour.

Poker is the best casino game to play if you are a skilled player. A skilled player with experience, excellent knowledge in certain game rules, smart strategy and an ability to read facial expressions would have an advantage over the less skilled poker players, especially those who rely on their good fortune.

Blackjack:
This is the only casino game where the advantage can be shifted from the player to the dealer. When you are playing blackjack and using an optimal strategy, the house edge can be lower than 0.5 percent. You can increase your odds of winning and lower the house edge by learning the strategy based on the mathematics of the game.

Another way to lower the casino advantage in blackjack is by card counting. A skilled card counter can adjust his bets and his strategy according to the proportion between high cards and low cards. Mastering card counting requires skill and practice. In addition, since casinos are not especially welcoming card counters to their blackjack tables, you should also practice your hiding skills.

Video Poker:
The resemblance between video poker and slot machine sometimes causes confusion. Nevertheless, contrasting to slot machine, video poker is a game of skill. Playing video poker using an optimal strategy can lower its house edge to less than half percent. As opposed to slot machines, in video poker machine the pay table on the front of the machine enables you to determine the expected return of the game.

For example:
1) In a 9/6 Jacks or Better video poker machine, the expected return percentage can be as high as 99.5 percent.
2) In a 8/5 Jacks or Better machine the return percentage can be 97.3 percent and 95 percent in a 6/5 Jacks or Better video poker machine.
3) In a full paying Deuces Wild machine, the expected return percentage can be 100.17 percent.

How to make your own cider

People here in Chicago stepped outside this week to falling leaves, (rapidly) cooling temperatures, and that crisp scent in the air that could only mean one thing: Fall is really here. And with the brisk weather, falling leaves, and Halloween decorations comes another fall staple: apple cider.

Yes, cider! That sometimes clear, sometimes murky, dry-or-sweet-or tart libation that Americans drank by the gallon before beer came along and screwed everything up. Yet despite its seasonal charm, and despite a recent surge in popularity (no doubt thanks to my tireless efforts), for some people this drink is still hard to find. That’s why I’ve put together this helpful guide. Whether you’re like me and lament the downfall of hard cider as America’s beverage of choice or you’re thirsty for something different and our Beverages section holds no temptation, you’ll find the information you need in here.

At its core (no pun intended), cider-making is all about patience. Beer’s paltry one month aging time pales in comparison to the (at least) three month commitment required to ferment a batch of cider. In terms of physical effort, as well, it takes far less to prepare beer’s wort than it does cider’s juice (“must”). However, any home brewer familiar with the experience of sipping homemade cider and watching leaves fall can tell you it’s well worth the trouble!

Get your juice.

As cider is nothing more than aged apple juice, you’d think it’s as easy as buying a bottle of Indian Summer at the store and drilling in an airlock, but you’d be direly wrong. The preservatives in commercial apple juice ruin cider production—your average bottle of juice will rot before it ferments—and the lack of yeast means you’d need to add your own (discerning brewers can do this anyway, but it’s not strictly necessary). If you must buy commercial juice, buy a brand without preservatives or other weird chemicals; otherwise, head to your nearest apple orchard and buy some fresh apple juice.

More experienced brewers—or those looking for a challenge—can start completely from scratch by going to an orchard and obtaining fresh apples. This method is time-consuming and difficult; in addition to picking the right blend of apples, you must mash (“scrat”) and press the apples yourself to get your juice. Small volumes of apple juice can be obtained through juicers and small presses, but it’s advised you buy or you’re your own equipment for larger amounts. All this can be tough work, but it offers something premade juice does not: total control over your cider-making experience. If you do decide to start from scratch, you’ll also need to carefully balance your apples. To create a dry cider, use a balance of 2:1 tart apples to sweet. To create a sweet cider, do the opposite. And never use cooking apples.

The nice thing is, once you’ve obtained your must, the process gets simple.

Store the juice.

First of all, get a glass or wooden fermentation container to store your juice. This can be anything from an airtight jar to a full-sized barrel, depending on the volume of cider you’re looking to produce. As with all brewing tools, your container must be sterilized before use. Pour in the must, and be sure the container fills to the top. Leaving extra space for air virtually guarantees you’ll end up making apple vinegar—not that apple vinegar is a bad thing, but it’s not what we’re trying to make!

Once your must is in its fermentation container, check the gravity of the juice. This is the density of the liquid, and it’s an indicator of just how alcoholic your drink will be—the higher the number, the more potent the brew. It’s not a critical step, but if you’re going for predictable results, pick up a hydrometer (owners of a brewkit like Mr. Beer should already have one). Gravity should ideally be between 1.050 and 1.080.

Pitch the yeast (maybe).

Traditional cider is made using only the yeast present in the skins of the apples. If you’ve got fresh-pressed must or untreated juice from an orchard, you don’t need to add any yeast at all. However, if you’re using store-bought juice or want to more exactly control your fermentation, pitch in a vial of champagne yeast (available from brew supply stores). Then close your fermentation container, seal it, connect an airlock (partially filled with water), and play the waiting game.

The waiting is the hardest part.

Store your containers in a dark place between 40 and 60 degrees and proceed to twiddle your thumbs for at least a month, preferably three. You should check on the containers regularly—once the bubbling stops, the yeast has consumed all the sugar in the juice, and it’s time to bottle, or rack, the resulting cider. You’re almost done! After sampling the fruits of your labors to make sure disaster hasn’t struck, use sterile tubing to siphon your cider into bottles.

Now, before you cap the bottles, a question: do you want carbonated cider? Traditional ciders are almost always flat, but most popular modern cider has at least some carbonation. If you want sparkle in your sip, pitch in a little extra-fine sugar for the yeast to continue chowing down on. Otherwise, simply bottle the cider.

If all this looks too intimidating but you still want to try some fresh-made cider, kits can also be purchased from Mr. Beer.

Now that you’ve got hard cider of your own, consider these fun applications:

Apple Cider Corned Beef and Cabbage

Buttery Mulled Cider

Baby Back Ribs with Spiced Apple Cider Mop

Apple Cider Punch

But make sure to save a bottle or two. Some days, there’s nothing better than cracking one open, drinking deeply, and watching those leaves fall.