Converting Your Multimedia

Have you ever wondered why you can't seem to open video files with the following extensions like TS.BUP, TS.IFO or TS.VOB? These extensions are associated with DVDs and the version of your Windows doesn't include a program that plays them.
You can convert them as windows media format but takes quite a while to encode. If you're not sure what converter to download, a good recommendation is to use VLC. You can find this at videolan.org, - a free player excellent at playing most types of media files.

Master of Arts in Teaching Degree Online

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of USC. All opinions are 100% mine.

Today, with the power of internet, learning no longer needs to happen in school. Aren't you glad earning a degree online from the comfort of your own home is now much more convenient? No more time hassles catching your class in school by ending up being embarrassed being late! Never under estimate getting a degree online. Actually, there are a lot of benefits you can get by earning your degree online.
How about earning your Master of Arts in Teaching degree from a prestigious research institution with a 100 years of experience in educating teachers?
The University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education is offering MAT (Master The Art of Teaching) through a prestigious online degree program. You can check this program information online to know more about this program offer.
The USC's school of education was ranked #22 in the US and ranked #9 among all private universities according to the US News and World Report. The online learning program is combined with highly interactive learning with field-based experiences. There is also a groundbreaking tuition reimbursement program exclusively for MAT@USC graduates with free lifetime Alumni Association memberships.
Come and gain the opportunity to learn from distinguished USC faculty for their recognized contributions in today's modern education, and be a part of the elite USC Trojan family.
This accelerated program can be completed in as little as 12 months. Get a rewarding career by earning this highly respected Master's degree.

TROJAN VIRUS On My Blog?

Yesterday, when I checked this blog, my anti virus software suddenly popped up saying it is virus infected. I suspected I might have clicked some links on my message box that has virus on it thus the reason why my message box is no longer visible. However, I thought it was primarily on the IFramer as it says on my antivirus software, and I thought, it must have been on my layout??? I have this layout for quite a while and perhaps it was the cause. It wasn't an official blogger template, so I suspected it has been hacked with some malicious malware or something...I changed the template with the official blogger template and I noticed my anti virus software didn't pop up anymore.
So, for now, I still have to observe further. I love to have the message box, but for security reasons, I don't want my readers to be annoyed when they see a virus popping on my blog! It's like driving all my readers away.
To those who loves to mess up somebody's blog with virus, I don't understand what good thing can you get for doing it. You're just a pathetic loser!

Know Your Food Healers - 2

(continuation)

• Grapefruit - Another fruit that can prevent cancer. One of the compounds in red grape fruit that gives the fruit its pinkish hue is lycopene. It's also found in tomatoes and sweet red peppers considered to be a "very important", very potent anti oxidant and free radical scavenger, says a nutritionist at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Grapefruit is also an excellent source of limonoids, which is like Vitamin C, have potent anticancer properties.
• Cinnamon - Lowers down cholesterol. Half teaspoon of cinnamon each day could cut your triglycerides and total cholesterol by 12-30% while it boosts your body's ability to store blood sugar.
• Grape juice - Both wine and grapejuice share the same compounds that lower cholesterol, prevent hardening of the arteries, and fight heart disease, but grape juice does all these things without the calories (or the buzz for that matter) of alcohol. So, if there are times when wine wouldn't be appropriate, reach for the grapejuice to get your daily dose of heart protection. A recent study showed that a brand of 100% grapejuice made from Concord grapes had the highest anti oxidant count of all beverages measured.
• Corn - Lose weight with corn for just 83 calories per ear. If you want to lose weight, cut cholesterol and help prevetn cancer, you can have it all in one meal. - Try raw corn! According to a doctor from New Jersey, this is tasty and healthy and almost with no preparation needed, - just husk and wash. Boiling corn removes most of the nutrients in the water but if you must boil it, the water can be used as the base for soup.
  

Know Your Food Healers - 1

Did you know that you can find healing from foods? It's just a matter of which foods are good against certain illnesses or pains. Here are some lists as guides ;). Hope they are of some help for you in any way :).

• Yogurt - Eat more yogurt to avoid colds! Researchers in Sweden have discovered that you can mae yourself 2 1/2 times less likely to catch colds fro now on simply by eating yogurt.
• Cauliflower - this is loaded with nutrients that seem to wage war against a host of diseases, including cancer. It is also an excellent source of vitamins and minerals that are essential for keeping the immune system strong.
• Chocolates - Feeling down? Eat chocolate to lift your spirits. Chocolate is a wonderful mood booster, according to an assistant professor in the science department at Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Chocolates give your brain the nutrients it needs to feel happy.
• Carrots - Reduce your risk of cancer by eating carrots. They are one of nature's richest source of beta-carotene, an anti-oxidant compound that fights free radicals, the unstable molecules in the body that contribute to conditions ranging from heart disease and cancer to macular degeneration. Carrots also protect your arteries, your heart, all your organs against disease. Surprisingly, carrots are better for you when eaten cooked instead of raw. It's because they have lot of dietary fiber - more than 2 grams in 1 carrot which traps the beta-carotene from the fiber cells, making it easier for your body to absorb.

(to be continued)

Monetize Your Tweets!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Sponsored Tweets. All opinions are 100% mine.

Paid bloggers, here's the good news from IZEA! They had recently launched a new marketplace called sponsored tweets. Are you a twitter user? If so, this is the chance for you sign up for sponsored tweets. For those newbies who might be still wondering what twitter is all about, you might want to visit and check twitter.com. Twitter is some sort of a real-time short messaging service that functions over multiple networks and devices. Wherever you are, around the world, you can follow those happenings that you feel most relevant to you which you can access via Twitter as it happens, - either from world news or updates from your friends. Cool, don't you think?
Take note that before signing up for sponsored tweets, you need to have a twitter account and of course, signing up is free! After setting your account, you are good to go. One important thing you need to know about sponsored tweets is proper disclosure. This is one way to protect you, your audience and your advertiser. It's easy to join for sponsored tweets, and in order to work, once you're done signing up, all you need to get started is to set your price, choose your offers, and receive your payment. That easy! You can check more information at their FAQ page for this. Even celebrities are joining this program such as Leann Rimes, Kim Kardashian, Bob Vila and Sister Hazel. Also, check their disclosure engine, referral program and API as well. For twitter developers, feel free to use their API in new and unique ways!

Folk Remedies That Works!

Medical modern research studies have discovered that most "folk remedies" still work, such as the following below: It's called the 6-Cherry Remedy for Gout :). If you or your loved one suffers from the excruciating pain of gout, here's the most effective folk remedy that might help.

According to a medical survey, they found out that 67% of patients who tried cherries for gout enjoyed good results, some within 48 to 72 hours, and some within a week, depending on the severity.

Also, a top kinesiologist in Louisville, Kentucky advises that people with gout should quit eating red meats and organ meats, and also drink 2-3 glasses of cherry juice a day. He recommends using pure black-cherry juice diluted with an equal amount of water.

More Cholesterol Please!

Perhaps, you may have heard - it's good to have a low cholesterol level. But did you know that having a higher level of HDL (good cholesterol) can help lower your heart disease risk? High HDL may lower your risk for heart attack, stroke and dying from heart disease.

Bad cholesterol forms a buildup in your arteries called plaque. This plaque can block blood flow, causing heart attacks and strokes.

On the other hand, HDL carries LDL, or "bad" cholesterol from other parts of your body to your liver. It breaks down in your liver and then leaves your body. This helps keep cholesterol from building up in your arteries.

Get a blood test to find out your cholesterol levels at least once every 5 years. Your doctor may suggest more tests if you have some risk factors. besides LDL and HDL levels, your test results will show numbers for triglycerides. These blood fats also clog arteries and boost heart disease risk.

Suggestions:

• Total cholesterol: lower than 200mg/dl
• LDL cholesterol: lower than 100mg/dl
• HDL cholesterol: above 40 mg/dl for men and above 50mg/dl for women.
• Triglycerides: lower than 150mg/dl

Try these tips to increase your HDL:

• Be physically active for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.
• Lose weight if you're overweight.
• Ask your doctor how to make lifestyle changes work for you.
• If lifestyle fixes don't work, you can ask your doctor about HDL-raising medications.
  

Are You Really Covered With Your Health Care? - Part 2

Continuation...

• Follow The Rules. Every major insurance carrier offers many plans, each with distinct rules and requirements. Again, check you Summary Plan Description to make sure you know exactly what yours are because if you don't follow them, it could cost you. For example, you might be covered for an operation in the hospital but you don't realize that one of your attending physicians is not part of your health plan. Then, you'll be paying more than you expected. If you aren't sure whether a particular doctor participates in your health plan, check not only with the insurance company but also with the doctor's billing staff.
• Don't Get Locked Out. under HIPAA, insurers can't deny your complete coverage as long as you switch from one plan to the next within 63 days (more in some states) and your earlier coverage lasted for at least a year. Do what you can to avoid that 63-day gap, for example, by joining your spouse's plan or continuing with your old job's health plan under federal COBRA rules.
• Understand COBRA. (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) allows you to continue your group coverage after you leave your job (unless your group is less than 20 people). But you generally have to pay the entire premium, including the portion that your employer used to pay. If you have serious condition, COBRA might be the only coverage you can get. You can usually stay with COBRA for 18 months. It's as well helpful for young adults who "age out" of their parent's plan; they can keep COBRA for up to 3 years.
• Fight Back. You have certain rights under state or federal law to appeal health-plan decisions you think are wrong.
  

To POKER VERTIGO (Whoever you Are!)

There are such people who are rude! There is this person who put a comment on my blog and cursed me so bad! His uncontenment made him bitter....so much! His nickname is pokervertigo! And whoever you are POKERVERTIGO, I don't care. Your stupid comment and curses was automatically rejected anyway! No wonder why that such personality! You are probably suffering from vertigo and you don't know what you're doing. Poor bastard! All I know is that I am doing what I need to do, and I don't have time reading your comment word by word!
And by the way, don't comment if all you have to say is curse!

Are You Really Covered With Your Health Care? - Part 1

You might think you don't have to worry about paying for medical care if you have health insurance. But you would be wrong. There are several ways in how to make the most of your health plan.

• Know What You Have. There is no such thing as a "standard health plan". If you're lucky, your employer insurer will provide you with a handy list of features. If not, check your Summary Plan Description, - that book that you probably got when you first signed up for it.
• Sweat The Details. Remember, insurance isn't for when you're healthy - it's for when you're sick. Check for mental-health coverage...does it include ample counseling visits, inpatient days and substance-abuse treatment? How many days of physical therapy, in case you have stroke? Good "durable medical equipment" coverage can make all the difference for someone who needs a breathing machine or a wheelchair.
• Do The Math. Do a "worst case" calculation of your maximum annual costs. Here's how: Add up the total annual cost of your premium + your plan's annual out-of-pocket cap. If too high, you might want to trade higher premiums for a lower out-of-pocket limit. if you have enough money saved up to cope with an occasional bad year, your trade-off might go the other way.
  

Precious Metals by Monex

The Monex group of companies has gone a long way being America's gold and precious metals investment leader. Having an impressive performance as America's premier precious metal dealer for 40 years must have been a historical pride. No wonder, client investors are still choosing Monex when it comes to precious metal business.

Monex is always proud to offer the best precious metals to its valued customers, with high customer service and satisfaction.

Check their products, - gold bullion, silver, platinum, palladium bullions and coins. You can try checking their live prices online for your guidance and their special offers you shouldn't miss!

Call any Monex Account Representative now at 1-800-444-8317.

Stop Embarassing Flatulence!

You can't hide nor control it. The best thing to do with it is to fight it back. How? To fight back against a gas attack, add a pinch of baking soda to a glass of water and drink it down.

You may also want to forgo fruit at the end of the meal, because it causes fermentation.

It is better to have your fruit first thing in the morning or at least an hour or so after a meal.

Sneakiest Consumer Scams, Beware! - Part 6

Scam#9: "I'm a political refugee. Help me move millions out of my former country into your bank account."

The trick: An unsolicited email offers you "opportunity" to share in a percentage of millions of dollars that a self-proclaimed government official is trying to transfer illegally out of a foreign country in return for bank account numbers or other identifying information from you.

What to do: just say no, even if the players were telling the truth. It would be illegal for you to help expatriate money from a foreign country to the US. and dangerous for you to get involved with the characters who would try it.

Scam#10: "I wouldn't go on vacation without this car repair."

The trick: A dealer or an independent repair shops advertise a service at an unbelievably low price, but the shop finds that added costly parts and service are needed, when they are often not necessary. In some cases, the shop pads your bill with "ghost" parts or labor not actually provided.

What to do: Find a repair shop before you need one; get recommendations from friends. Check the shop's reputation with your local Better Business Bureau or your state/local department of consumer affairs, look for Automotive Service Excellence Certification, AAA approved shop status, etc... Get a written estimate of the parts, labor and cost required for repair.
When having a regular maintenance performed, ask what the shop intends to do and compare that with what's recommended in your owner's manual so that you don't pay for work you don't need. If you're suspicious about a recommended repair, get a second opinion at another shop.

Your Kitchen Makeover Dream Come True!

For all Canadians, you must be all lucky to have this contest about winning your dream kitchen makeover! If you are lucky enough to win the contest, obviously it would no longer be a dream but a dream come true, how's that?
Aren't we glad Maple Leaf Foods is here? Yes, if not for them, this contest would not be possible. For sure many of you are already quite familiar with Maple Leaf, - a leading consumer packaged food company based in Toronto, Canada with operations extending as far as United Kingdom, Mexico, Asia and the United States. And how would you like to get those easy-to-make meal ideas? Start exploring the market on Maple Leaf's website today and get some tips! It's as comfortable as when you're actually visiting the store and doing your shopping. Sounds good, huh?

So, it's time to get your dream come true kitchen makeover from Maple Leaf! They are giving away a $32,000 dream Kitchen, and 12 Frigidaire fridges as a celebration for the launching of their new website.
I am not a Canadian resident, but if ever I am qualified, and is lucky enough to win, I will do the total makeover for my kitchen, LOL!
Visit Mapleleaf.com today, and start joining the contest.

Sneakiest Consumer Scams, Beware! - Part 5

Scam # 8: "We Move U 4 Less."

The trick: A mover provides you a low estimate, then take your household belongings, then holds them until you pay exorbitant and unexpected extra fees. Some schemes involve a moving broker, who takes an initial payment upfront from the consumer, then doesn't arrange shipping by a legitimate licensed trucking company that doesn't expect payment until it delivers the goods; in the end, the legitimate trucker wants payment on delivery to release the goods, but the customer already paid the broker - who's now missing in action!

What to do: Use only an insured mover registered with the Federal Department of Transportation and licensed to transport goods interstate. Check their credentials by calling 202-366-9805 or at fmcsa.dot.gov. Never hire a mover who gives an estimate without visiting your home, and who demands cash before the move, or who shows up on moving day with a rental truck instead of a company-owned and market fleet truck. Check with the company that issued your homeowner's insurance policy to see whether your goods are covered while in transit. If not, don't rely on the mover's minimal insurance coverage.
Buy full-value protection insurance from the moving company or shop for moving insurance through your regular agent.

Sneakiest Consumer Scams, Beware! - Part 4

Scam #6: "You don't need a physical to qualify for this low-cost health insurance."

The trick: An agent offers you a "union" health plan when you're not a union member. They don't require you to pass health standards required by other policies, the rates are low and the benefits are high. Claims might be paid initially, but are delayed and eventually stop.
This scam collects premium from many people as fast as possible, then skips out, leaving the victims with lots of medical bills.

What to do: Agents and insurance plans they sell should be approved by your state insurance department. So, avoid any salesperson that tells you the health insurance is exempted from state insurance laws or the agent doesn't need license. If you want to buy insurance, it's best to contact your state insurance department to make sure the company, agent and policy are properly licensed.

Scam #7: "Investment provides the guaranteed high returns and low risk that seniors like you need."

The trick: A broker promises above-market returns from a safe, low-risk investment to give your retirement savings a kick. Mostly, this scam involves bogus promissory notes, fake certificates of deposit or "prime bank" debentures or letters of credit that don't exist. In some case, seniors will be lured by a free meal at a fancy restaurant at a high pressure seminar designed to sell risky investments such as equity-indexed certificates of deposit that are not FDIC-insured and whose returns depend on stock-market ups and downs.

What to do: Never invest with a broker who finds you; find your own independently. If you're tempted, check the disciplinary record of nASD-registered financial professionals. Monitor your financial advisers, and don't give them the authority to invest your assets without your prior consent. Take note: Higher returns come with more, not less, risk.

Sneakiest Consumer Scams, Beware! - Part 3

Scam #4: "This stock is at 50 cents and it's going to be 5 or 6 bucks this week. Buy now!"

The trick: You get a voice mail about a "hot" stock tip that appears to have been left by someone who intended to call a friend but mistakenly dialed your number. If you act on it, promoters artificially push up the price of thinly traded microcap stocks, which they sell to you high before the bottom drops out, leaving you holding worthless stock.
They call this trick "pump and dump" scam. The FBI estimated that at least $6 billion a year from cheated investors are being stolen.
This spam has lately been showing up as a text messages on cell phones.

What to do: IGNORE unsolicited pitches and "wrong number" tips for any investment. Also, beware of any "friend" who volunteers to help you on the road to riches. If you plan to invest, make a research and purchases on your own initiative.

Scam #5: "Ill Be Back Sometime Soon To Finish Your Roof."

The trick: A fly-by-night operator convinces you to make a big advance payment and might even begin to work. But then, he delays, abandons the job or does poor work. Some contractors push new windows or roofing so that they can arrange a home-equity loan for you, then they abscond with the funds.

What to do: At least get estimates from 3 contractors. Never hire anyone who comes to your home unsolicited, uses high pressure sales tactics, or promises a price too good to be true. Use only licensed contractors and ask for references and proof of liability, workers compensation and property-damage insurance. Reflect the deal in writing and specify the work to be done by the contractor or sub-contractors.

Don't pay large amounts in advance and never make final payments before the work is completed to your satisfaction. Pay either by credit card or check if possible, not by cash.

Sneakiest Consumer Scams, Beware! - Part 2

Scam #3: "There's a problem With Your bank Account".

The trick: You receive a message through phone or email telling you about a "problem" with your account that can be only corrected by giving your Social Security number, account number, or online password to a false email address or website, enabling identity thieves to steal your identity.
there is one recent email "security alert" claiming to be from Bank of America reportedly directed victims to "reconfirm" their account information by leading the victims to a fake Bank of America website and let them enter their online banking ID and password.

Another trick: A local court officer calls to threaten you an arrest because you didn't show up for jury duty, even though you weren't previously notified; The scammer then tells you to straighten things out by providing your name and SSN.
These phishing scams have victimized an estimated 1million PC users and lost about $2.1 billion for 2 years. According to FTC, this type of scam (ID theft) ranks no. 1.

What to do: NEVER respond to an unsolicited request for personal information such as bank accounts even if it appears to be a business you deal with. Try to get the name of the requesting company or agency and hunt down the phone number independently, then initiate the call.

Sneakiest Consumer Scams, Beware! - Part 1

The following scams are considered to be the most common acts of fraud by some unscrupulous people who do any kind of tricks just to rip off consumers!
Actually, some of these are being done online, and I even receive some in the form of emails! Thank goodness, I ignored!

Scam#1": "This car's a cream puff."

The trick: You want a reliable car for a good price, but unscrupulous dealers bait you with advertised low-priced models that are not on the lot, sell rebuilt wrecks and flood-damaged cars without proper damage disclosure, roll back odometers, push overpriced extended-service contracts and unnecessary undercoating, they lowball the value of trade-ins, and add big mark ups that raise the cost of dealer financing.

What to do: Learn the fair deal by checking out car prices in advance. Let your mechanic inspect a prospective used-car purchase, and buy a vehicle history report. Arrange your own financing at a credit union or bank before you shop. Just say no to undercoating and other unneeded add-ons when doing price negotiation.

Scam #2: "You've just won..."

The trick: You get an unsolicited phone call saying you won some valuable prize or foreign lottery. To collect your money, they request you to wire fees to cover insurance, taxes, shipping or handling. Then, you never see your money again or collect any "winnings".

There is a new twist on this long time rip-off using the internet. Scammers use an internet technology known as "spoofing", so they desguise their phone numbers on your caller ID with legitimate federal agency numbers in Washington DC, and claim to be from Federal Trade Commission or an official "national consumer protection" agency.
The real FTC considers this scam as one of the highest on their scam list (rank #3) on its annual top fraud complaints list.

What to do: Real sweepstakes don't require upfront payments. Consider it red flag if a caller requests money. You can help prevent such calls by putting your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry at www.donotcall.gov or calling 888-382-1222.

A Family Friendly Vacation

Family Friendly Vacation hotels or resorts I think must be one good place to give a good "quality time" as well as good "quantity time" for your family and loved ones.
Why not check Azul Sensatori Hotel by Karisma Hotels & Resorts and see the things they offer. As the title of this post suggests, it's obviously focused on family oriented activities.
If you have kids, small or teens, they have fabulous kids program that will make them enjoy and have good memories with them when they go back home. Feel free to check on their family highlights as well to familiarize yourself about their services...so many opportunities are being created for both parents/adults and kids.
No wonder, Azul Sensatori has been considered to be a luxurious get-away vacation for many families.
You deserve to have that vacation where everybody is having fun, including you, right? Azure Hotels are always known to be family-friendly which offers various family experiences, kids clubs and parent support services.

Be Nutrition Label Conscious!

Every time you pick up a ca of vegetables or a box of cereal in the store, you'll find a nutrition facts label on the package. You may not think you need to read all those tiny numbers. But taking time to understand them can do your heart a lot of good.

Let your diet be as heart-healthy as possible by being a nutrition label conscious!

Serving Size. Check to see how many servings the package contains. The nutrition numbers on the rest of the label are for a single serving. So if you eat 2 servings, multiply the numbers by 2.

Calories. How many are in 1 serving? If you're trying to lose weight, asking yourself this question can help you manage calories.

Total Fat. A low-fat food contains 3 grams of fat or less per serving.

Saturated fat. This number is key for heart health. Foods with 1 gram or less per serving are considered low in saturated fat.

Trans fat. For healthy arteries, avoid trans fat. Look for foods with 0 grams of trans fat.

Cholesterol. The American Heart Association (AHA) suggests keeping your daily total intake to less than 300 mg.

Sodium. Foods with 140 mg. of sodium or less per serving are considered low-sodium foods. According to the AHA, people should eat less than 2,300 mg of sodium every day.

There's more information included on the nutrition labels such as amounts of carbohydrates, fiber, sugar, protein, vitamins and minerals. However, the items given above will have the most impact on your heart.

Get The Ball Rolling On Your Next Workout

Bored with exercise? Stability balls can add a twist to your next stretching or strength-training session. Also known as Swiss balls, inflatable stability balls challenge your muscles by providing an uneven base. They also use your core during strength training. So, they're ideal for exercisers who have low back pain.

Swiss balls come in various sizes. To choose the right one for you, sit on the ball with your feet on the floor and your knees bent. Your knees and hips should form 90-degree angles.

Start with these exercises:

• Ball stretch. Lie down over the ball to stretch muscles on the opposite side. For example, lying on your stomach extends your back, while lying on your back stretches abs.

• Swiss-ball superhero. Lie on your stomach over the ball. Slowly raise one arm, then the other, over your head. Then slowly raise each leg 2 - 4 inches off the floor. As you get stronger, try raising the opposite leg and arm at the same time.

• Back stabilization. Lie on your stomach over the ball. "Walk" your hands forward until the ball is under your legs and then "walk" your hands backward to your original position. Next, "walk" your hands forward until the ball is under your legs again and then slowly raise each arm over your head, alternating between your right and left arm. When you're stronger, try to perform push-ups. "Roll" back to the starting position.
  

Remembering 9/11

Where were you during that day? Were you on the scene? Or one of your loved ones were there and didn't make it?

My heart suddenly cried when I was watching on TV that day they played the video while the Twin Towers slowly collapsed burying hundreds of people, while many struggled, running, some helped, and the part where survivors shared their experiences.

I visited the site few months ago, and I could never imagined I was actually standing on the place where many had died. Unto this day, my hearfelt prayers for the victims, and still praying that God's protection be with America.

God bless America!

Generic Drugs

Generic drugs are safe and useful options you can choose over brand-name drugs. In fact, they work the same as brand name drugs and have the same active ingredients.

Generics do differ in one big way which is the cost. Much less expensive than brand-name drugs, and the savings can be large.

Why? When a drug is first made, it's covered by a patent, which protects the company that developed it. When the patent expires, however, other companies can start making and selling that drug, without the cost of research and development. Then, they pass those savings on the consumer.

Quit Smoking Strategies

Are you still smoking? Here are some few tips that might help:

• Cut back slowly. Try gradually eliminating places where you are allowed to puff. That way, you never tell yourself you have to smoke less, you just make it inconvenient.
• Try medication. Antidepressants such as bupropion (Zyban) are almost twice as successfull at quitting as smokers who don't. Just take note of any side effects such as nausea and trouble sleeping.
• Don't let weight worries stop you. Women often fear that they'll pack 10-20 lbs. if they put down the cigarettes, but the fact is, 20% of women who quit don't gain any weight-and those who put on an average of just 5 lbs, accdg. to National Women's Health Information Center.
• Use nicotine replacements like the patch, inhaler or gum. A study at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota found that pairing nicotine replacements with a support program (like telephone quit lines) increased even heavy smokers' odds of quitting successfully.
• Stop at the right time. For women, their menstrual cycle might help. Due to hormonal fluctuations, cravings for food, nicotine or alcohol tend to increase during the 1 to 2 weeks before their period, the reason why women are best able to extinguish a cigarette habit during the 2 weeks after their periods, when feel-good estrogen is on the rise.
  

Know Your Health

Did you know...

Hormonal changes during pregnancy are a leading cause of varicose veins.

Obesity, genetics and prolnged standing also affect the chances of developing varicose veins.

Being a woman makes you more likely to develop varicose veins, but men get them too.

Regular exercise can elp to reduce the likelihood of varicose veins.

Are You Losing Sleep?

Take note women! I've read a fact about a medical finding from sleep specialist Charlene Gamaldo of Johns Hopkins about a sleep apnea research.

Sleep apnea has been mostly focused on men. It may not hold true for women who have commonly cited symptoms such as excessive snoring at night and daytime sleeping and who are more likely to complain about trouble falling and staying asleep.
That means that these women are frequently misdiagnosed and their sleep complaints often blamed on anxiety or insomnia.

According to Dr. Gamaldo, if you experience insomnia-like symptoms, feel irritable during the day and have trouble concentrating, it's worth seeing your doctor to ask about a sleep study.

Kmart is Back with BlueLight Specials!

Hey, Kmart shoppers! You've got to hurry and be sure to check Kmart Bluelight specials! This will be a great chance for you to get big savings while doing your shopping needs at Kmart. The big sale will be good for one day only on August 15, 2009. It's an all-day Saturday affair with lots of special offers on all items from furnitures to grills and jewelries at Bluelight special prices.
The other piece of good news is that both online shoppers and actual store shoppers can avail of these more than 40 Bluelight specials throughout the day.
You can get really affordable school items as well such as kids backpacks for more than half the price! Also, you can purchase two 70 counts notebooks and get one free. Patio furnitures are 70% off and another extra 20% off during bluelight sale, and an American Fare Vita-Water for a dollar!
For jewelry lovers, you'll gonna love Kmart more :)!. Just check on their diamond jewelry items which are 70% off this week plus an extra 10% discount during bluelight specials.
As I've said, this is a big sale for only a day. Hhmmmm...I think I have to check it tonight. I'm driving up to Kmart to see what's in there so I would be ready for the BIG day tomorrow, lol! I am actually 5 minutes away, isn't that great? - Wow!
By the way, don't forget to follow or subscribe to Kmart on Twitter.

Have a Cancer-Free Skin!

Don't you think we should be protective about our skin care? Perhaps, the following recommendations might be of great help courtesy of dermatologists from John Hopskins :).

• Slather sunscreen. - apply liberally and frequently with an SPF of 30 or higher.

• Decrease exposure. - avoid long periods under the sun, particularly between 10am and 3pm.

• Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps. - despite manufacturer's claims, there is no such thing as safe UV radiation!

• Screen your skin. - a strange looking mole or a family history of skin cancer warrants a visit to a dermatologist.

Enjoy the summer!