Beware of poisonous pesticides

Cockroaches and mosquitoes can cause asthma, dengue and a host of other diseases. But do the pesticides that kill them pose equal, sometimes greater danger to our kid’s health? If used incorrectly, pesticides can be very harmful when ingested or inhaled, or absorbed by the skin. While all products carry warning labels, most consumers ignore them. Don’t.

Pesticides are useful, yes, but you have to be careful — and take far greater precautions than just asking your kids to leave the room when you spray. Ten minutes later, when they walk in, they can ingest the chemicals through a number of ways.

Moms do not have safer choices when it comes to pesticides but they may not necessarily be better in controlling the pest population. These include using the newer types of pesticides mentioned above — biochemical biopesticides — as these are naturally occurring substances that inhibit or regulate the replication of the pest species (e.g. pheromones).

Other non-chemical methods, which are also part of what is collectively termed as “integrated pest management” include mechanical trapping devices, natural predators and insect growth regulators. To check if the pesticide you’re using at home is safe, make sure that the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority has regulated the manufacturer.

Always use your common sense in buying products from the supermarket. Read the warning label carefully and follow directions. Keep them out of reach. Keep the lids tightly covered. Wash your hands and your child’s hands, toys an other objects often.

Get a new and better rug

Also, if your rug is old and overused, you need a new one. You need the clean living room rug that your children can play on top of without you having to worry about it being dangerous to them. But don’t just consider its cleanliness, think about the design, too.

Superior Rugs offer the beautiful area rugs at very affordable prices. From contemporary to traditional designs, they’ve got it all. What’s even better is they do their best to meet the expectations of their customers. They manufacturer their line and sell directly without a middleman and they give the best possible price for your money. If you’re in Central New Jersey you could stop by their store. Otherwise, visit their homepage for more information.

Improve your living room today to make it a safe place for your family.

Benefits, risks, and the diet pills that can kill you

If you want to lose weight, the answer is always simple: eat right and move more. It’s what doctors and medical and scientific studies have always endorsed. Unfortunately, not everyone has the time or energy t go through a rigorous exercise program, and the results (10 pounds a month) can sometimes be frustrating. All that work, and you didn’t even drop a dress size? That’s what makes slimming products like diet pills so enticing: no stress, no fuss, instant results, too.

Words of warning:

Many diet pills are very effective, clinically proven and manufactured by respected pharmaceuticals. But there’s something to keep in mind: No matter how good a diet pill is, they were designed to be taken with the guidance of a doctor, trained to weigh the possible side effects against your medical history. When you take it on your own, just talking to friends who swore that “it worked for me!” you immediately put yourself at risk. Some dangers include pulmonary problems, liver failure, and heart damage.

Many believe that if a product can be bought without a prescription at a reputable drug store, then you don’t need to see a doctor. That’s not true. Even if they’re readily available getting medical supervision is your responsibility. and smaller drugstores can even sell products that haven’t received proper screening.

People think that if you can buy a prouct without a prescription then it’s safe for anyone to use. Side effects can vary, depending on your medical history and interactions with other medicine you’re taking. In fact, they’ve bought from a friend of a friend at some point.

If you plan to take a diet pill or you’re on to your next slimming product, here’s our advice: proceed with caution and get medical and nutritional counsel.

Xenical (over-the-counter)

Maker: GlaxoSmithKline
Active ingredient: Orlistat. Its maker calls its unique among al other weight-loss medications because it is non-systematic — it does not affect the central nervous sytem and has no effect on the heart and the brain.
Dosage: 60 milligrams with 1-2 tablets taken before meals
Claims: Works in the digestive system to prevent about one-third of the fat of what you eat from being absorbed by the body. Xenical supporters cite studies that a prescription of Xenical (120 mg), when combined with a weight-loss program, led to an average of 12.4 pounds of weight loss in six months.
Keep in mind: Over-the-counter Xenical is indicated for use by overweight adults along with a reduced calorie, low-fat diet. While it is approved for sale here, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) still has not approved it in the United States for over-the-counter sale.
Possible side effects: Known to case excess gas, oily discharge and loose stools. The consumer watchdog group in the US, Public citizen, which made public its concerns about the over-the-counter Xenical cited several studies that show Xenical can cause “abnormal cell growth in the lining of the colon,” which can be an early indication of cancer.

Xando

Maker: Reborne
Active ingredient: So-called starch blockers phaseolamin and hydroxy citric acid (HCA).
Dosage: One to two tablets right before a meal (maximum of 6 tablets a day).
Claims: All-natural ingredietns. It has no caffeine or laxative effects. Instead, it “blocks and burns” carbohydrates, starch, sugar, and fat. The maker’s website cited a clinical study that taking the drug and limiting one’s diet to 1,200Kcal “gives a significantly larger (3 times more) weight reduction that the diet alone. Eighty five percent of the weight lost is body fat.”
Keep in mind: Because it is classified itself as a supplement rather than a drug, Xando does not need US FDA approval. It is the policy of the FDA that the manufacturer of supplements assumes the responsibility of making sure it is safe. They will only take action against supplements or health food if there is a voluntary report or evidence of adverse reactions.
Possible side effects: Gas and bloating.

Reductil

Maker: Abbott
Active ingredient: Sibutramine hydrochloride, which is said to work in the area of the brain that signals the sense of fullness. Hence, you eat less.
Dosage: Recommended initial starting dose is one 10mg capsule per day.
Claims: When used as part of a weight-loss program, a Reductil (known as Meridia in North America) uer may lose four or more pounds of body weight in the first month.
Keep in mind: Reductil is an obesity drug and should be taken only with a doctor’s prescription, and always in conjunction with a low-calorie diet. Those who have problems with blood pressure, take anticoagulants, have epilepsy or decreased liver and kidney functions are advised to use it with extreme caution and only with the doctor’s approval. Adverse reactions have been reported in Italy, France, and the UK.
Possible side efects: Insomnia, constipation, a dry mouth and small increase in blood pressure.

Avoid at all costs: (more…)

Let’s cut to the chase: Does the perfect diet — the one that could keep those pesky pounds off for good — really exist? It’s out there all right. The problem is, it won’t sell. When it comes to weight loss, people want a magic bullet, something with immediate results. The most effective diet is the one you really have to work at, and expect changes over time rather than instantly.

We don’t believe in eliminating any food or food group from one’s diet as anything that excludes anything is unnatural and therefore not sustainable. Even surrendering to occasional craving is OK if only to acknowledge our body’s normal biochemical responses.

As for specific diets, we now prefer a regimen that emphasizes quality (as in food that doesn’t encourage fat storage) quantity (from food portions and calorie intake to volume for satiety), and time (small, frequent meals every 3-4 hours increase metabolism). Furthermore, one’s “ideal” diet should also take into consideration unique factors like age, gender, genetics, current medical condition, cultural background and even taste preference. Add some form of activity into the equation (30 minutes, five times a week for health; 45-60 minutes for most days of the week to maintain weight) and you’re off to dropping a healthy 2 lbs a week.

For dieters who like some form of structure, these six diets, like all those before them, are effective in the short term. But if your goal is to sustain the diet, then it may not work. Tweaking it to suit your individual eating style might, so after securing your doctor’s approval, find out which of these diets — or a semblance of it — is the right one for you.

South Beach Diet

What it is: Miami-based cardiologist Arthur Agatston’s remedy for his overweight patients. The diet, which has since taken the world by storm, emphasizes eating “good” carbohydrates and fats.

What you eat: In Phase 1, no fruits, bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, sugar, baked goods and alcohol. Dieters not only lose their taste for sugar and carbs, they also lose weight – up to 13 lbs in the strict two-week phase. Healthier carbs are slowly reintroduced in the second and third phases.

What the pro says: We like that it curbs sweet cravings, and that it distinguishes “good” carbs and fats from unhealthy ones. But sticking to specific ingredients — or finding suitable substitutes — to make the diet work can be tricky and tedious. And the tendency to stay beyond the prescribed two weeks of Phase 1 for dramatic weight-loss purposes can be dangerous. Those active in sports suffer dehydration, a result of the low- to no-carb first phase.

Atkins

What it is: Invented in the 60’s and revived in the 90’s by Dr. Robert Atkins, the diet restricts the consumption of carb-rich food while encouraging the eating of protein and fat.

What you eat: In the two-week Induction Phase, only 20 grams of carbohydrates. That means no fruit, bread, grains, starchy veggies, and dairy products except cheese, cream, and butter. In the Ongoing Weight Loss Phase, dieters experiment with levels of carb portions until they find the one that helps them to stick to their ideal weight. This they continue in the Pre-maintenance and Maintenance Phases. Atkins advises consuming no more than 60 grams of carbs a day to keep weight off.

What the pro says: Like South Beach Diet, Atkins is good for staving off carb cravings, but it may also be unnatural to sustain by people who love to eat rice during meals. We also find the diet nutritionally inadequate and potentially dangerous. Eating large amounts of saturated fats and cholesterol puts you at risk for heart disease.

Advocates: UK pop star Robbie Williams, who has gone on numerous and extreme weight-loss schemes, including a liquid fast, has been on Atkins as well.

Vegetarianism

What it is: Generally, it’s eliminating animal meat from your diet, through the years, vegetarianism has spawned variations. Lacto-ovo vegetarians consume animal byproducts like eggs, milk, yogurt and cheese, but no pork, chicken, beef and seafood; pesco-vegetarians allow fish and seafood; and vegans are strictly all-plant-and-produce eaters.

What the pro says: Unless you’re extra vigilant or you live in another country, being a vegan can be hard to hold on to as the choices are limited and expensive. Going pesco-vegetarian will work if you really prefer fish over meat, and it’s also healthier, thanks to the omega-3 fatty acid found in salmon, tuna and sardines. But vegetarianism has its own hitches. Hypertension is the #1 disease among those who consume gluten, a meatless substitute loaded with salt. And eating beans, the vegetarian’s source of protein, can lead to gout if one overindulges or is predisposed.

Advocates: Model Raya Mananquil and her boyfriend and fellow model Corey Wills are vegans and supporters of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals or PETA.

Mediterranean Diet

What it is: Not a “diet” in the weight loss sense of the word, but an eating habit practiced by the people in the 16 countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. The diet was the subject of a study conducted in the 60’s wherein researchers credited the robust health of people living in Greece, France, Spain and Italy to their particular eating regimen.

What you eat: A high consumption of fruits, veggies, potatoes, beans, nuts, seeds, bread and other cereals; moderate amounts of fish, and low-to-moderate amounts of meat, full-fat cheese, and yogurt. A glass of red wine goes with it every meal, and olive oil is used for cooking and dressing.

What the pro says: The combination of all the different ingredients makes this “diet” healthy. That outdoor activities like walking and biking are part of the Mediterranean lifestyle bolsters this eating regimen’s effectiveness in weight management. However, you must exercise portion control — cheese and olive oil can be fattening.

French Diet

What it is: In her runaway best seller French Women Don’t Get Fat author Mireille Guilliano describes the real way to dine like the Frency: “Eat for pleasure but stop when you are full; choose the finest, freshes ingredients you can afford; be strict with the ritual; don’t eat standing up or on the run or watching the television; learn to savor small portions; drink lots of water; and walk as much as you can.”

What you eat: Guillano recommends favorite fruits and vegetables over meat (which you can eat once a week) and fish (enjoy twice weekly). Limit yourself to an egg a day, and have lentils, green vegetables and salads, potatoes (avoid mashed and fries), brown rice and, bien sur, a glass or two of wine a day. And keep eating yogurt religiously, she says.

What the pro says: Like all diets borne out of a country’s lifestyle and culture, this one is an acquired taste. Again, portion control is key.

Advocates: The French, of course. Only 11% of the nation is overweight, compared to the 30% Americans who are 30 lbs heavier than their ideal weight. Guilliano is a perfect case in point. At 5′3″ and stradling between 110-112 lbs, she has maintained her weight for nearly 30 years — this despite drinking champagne and wine daily, and dining out, as part of her job, nearly 300 times a year. (more…)

Age can be a mere number when your skin wins against lines and wrinkles.

When did it stop being fun and start being scary?

When you were young, it was all about the rush. There was exhilaration in everything you did; the rigorous sport activities you engaged in, the late nights of partying with friends and all those stressful meetings to meet your deadlines. There seemed to be no end to the excitement and your energy was unyielding. But sometimes a reality check is called for.

As the years go by, you realize that you age and that things change. Your daily activities have started to take a toll on your and your skin has begun to show signs of aging. Suddenly you get a panic attack and start to look on aging as the enemy.

Like the woman of today, you have to face it. You can’t fight age, but you can fight wrinkles. But before you do, know the basics and learn how to fight them.

There are 3 causes of wrinkles:

The first cause of wrinkles is facial expressions. Remember squinting your eyes while doing research? Those long frowns you made when you had to do overtime? And those scowling looks (or extended pursed lips that you gave your boyfriend when he was 10 minutes late in picking you up? Just as all these have caused you unwanted stress, they can also result to more lines and wrinkles on your face.

Avoid crows feet around your eyes.

Nivea visage Q10 Plus Eye Cream wins the battle against crow’s feet with its special cream formulation. It effectively shields skin from the sun and promotes cell energy production to fight skin aging. It also has UV filters which protect against premature skin aging and prevent puffiness in the eye area.

The second cause of wrinkles is prolonged exposure to the sun, the skin loses the ability to repair itself, and the damage accumulates. As you get older, years of sun damage start to surface on your skin, making it look dull, less even and more wrinkled than before.

Protect yourself from the sun during the day.

Nivea Visage Q10 Plus Day Fluid’s SPF15 successfully protects your skin from the sun. Formulated to be light and faster absorbing than the other day creams, it’s perfect for use even under make-up. No greasy and sticky feeling during the day.

The third cause of wrinkles is the inescapable fact that everyone ages.  Over time, your body and skin cells start to slow down the production of energy cells. When the skin cells have less external pollution is lessened – your skin’s immune system becomes vulnerable to almost everything. (more…)

In ancient times, it was believed that our left hand’s fourth finger, or ring finger, had a vein that led directly to the heart. Although science has disproved that theory, it is still a romantic thought that the wedding rings worn by couples on their ring fingers are somehow directly connected to the heart (which science also proved that it has nothing to do with our feelings of love). Regardless of what science says, the symbolism of ring and its placement on the hand remains.

The wedding ring symbolizes never ending love and loyalty. It is a symbol of the wedding vows the couple will exchange on their wedding day. The circular shape of the rings represents eternity, and the eternal vow of commitment the couple share.

Most wedding rings are made of gold, which comes in three variations: yellow, white, and rose gold.

Some couples opt to use platinum wedding rings since the material is stronger and more expensive. It is not uncommon for a platinum wedding ring to cost four times more than a gold wedding ring.

Some modern couples choose titanium wedding rings or steel wedding rings. No matter what material the couple chooses, the important thing is that they always remember the meaning behind the wedding rings.

There are also numerous ring designs available. Women typically select thinner wedding rings while men choose thicker bands. Wedding ring edges can be flat, rounded, or beveled. The surface can be shiny, matte or brushed, or a combination of the two. Small gems such as diamonds may also be set into the wedding ring. The number and type of stones on the wedding ring will greatly affect its price.

When you decide to buy your wedding rings, it would be advisable to go to a reliable jeweler. A good jeweler can help you decide what type of ring fits you and your future spouse, provide certification for the rings and any stones you may have on them, and get you a good price. Be sure to have your fingers fitted once you have selected a design so the jeweler can make adjustments on the ring before the wedding day. Adjustments would typically take about a week.

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