Protecting Your Skin Against Diseases

When it comes to health, your hands are the first line of defense against viruses, bacteria and even fungi. Of course, everybody knows, hand washing is still the best prevention. But take note that too mcuh washing can make your hands dry, cracked and sore, - which can make them even more vulnerable to germs.
One good option would be to use better hand hygiene such as using The Purell or Steris sanitizers. These are commonly used in the hospitals and works better than soap and water. Some products you can find in the stores have moisturizers to reduce drying. If your hands still look and feel dry, add petroleum jelly at night then put on gloves to hold in the moisture.

Applying For Scholarships

You think you are qualified for a scholarship, but creating a winning package could be tough. The following tips might help you get one:

• Apply early and often. You can try them online such as fastweb.com, scholarships dot com and scholarshipsexperts dot com.
• Try contacting local clubs such as churches, fraternities, sororities, etc.
• Create a neat, organized portfolio by keeping copies of your resume, essays, transcripts, recent photos, recommendation letters and a checklist to record each set of requirements.
• Tell your story through infusion about your personality with descriptive language examples through essays. Be aware and be prepared for questions like What do you plan to do with your life, who most influenced you? and what are your 3-5 year goals?
• Whether you're a mentor, tennis captain or a counselor, it's about what you can bring to the table. Be well-rounded. Judges always want to see if you have contributed to your community in a beneficial way.
  

Can Electronic Voting Machines Be Hacked?

The answer is YES, - according to a professor from Princeton! Anyone who had access to a Diebold voting machine and its memory card can take only minutes to install a software that would generate an inaccurate vote count and can delete itself at the end of the election day!
The worst thing would be if the software is inserted into a central machine, the fixed card could act like a virus and change vote totals for an entire region.

Which Garlic?

Nowadays, garlic comes in powder form, and even mixed with some other ingredients which are commercially packed and sold in grocery stores. Garlic is medically proven to be good for our health. No doubt about that.
Does garlic powder pack the same healthy ingredients as the fresh garlic? You might be surprised, but according to a study, while both garlic-eating groups were healthier than those that are on a no-garlic eating group, fresh garlic protected the hearts of those that ate the fresh ones BETTER than those who had dried garlic intake.
Dried garlic loses sulfurous chemical that gives the cloves their aroma which is the main ingredient that makes garlic a healthy intake.

What's On Your Fries?

According to a study, fast food french fries in New York City are healthier than those in most other places, with 98% less trans fat and 10% less saturated fat. The ban on trans fat in New York's food outlets took effect in November 2008.

Trans fats found in margarine, fried foods and many baked goods can raise LDL ("bad") cholesterol and lower your HDL ("good") cholesterol.

Managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

A gastroenterologist may recommend antibiotics such as Xifaxans for infection. It will be a good idea to ask your doctor for probiotics. They help promote growth of healthy bacteria and prevent bad bugs that cause bloating, gas and other symptoms if taken regularly. A Dannon Activia yogurt or Digestive Advantage supplements might also be recommended.
Since many people with IBS have problems with serotonin, drugs that work on serotonin can help. Those who suffer constipation, Zelnorm can help strengthen neurotransmission, making the gut goes faster, while those that suffer diarrhea, Lotronex is the best choice. It can also take away pain, bloating and discomfort.
Cutting back on lactose and fructose can trigger symptoms such as cramping, bloating and diarrhea. Limit hard-to-absorb sugar alcohols such as maltitol and xylitol as well. Fiber supplements can help ease constipation, but you might want to talk with your doctor about it.
IBS is often related to anxiety to most, so a trained hypnotherapist can help you learn how to relax which eases pain, bloating, diarrhea or constipation.
Hypnosis can also work best in conjunction with drugs and other life-style approaches.

How's Your Social Networking Etiquettes?

In every social networking sites, it's either a helpful site for your career (or peer relationship) or you are annoying people in the process.
So, for example, "how is your Facebook manner?" Are you minding it? Are you following proper social-networking etiquettes?
If a networking site is designed to help members advance their careers such as LinkedIn and Plaxo for example, it's just okay to post your career updates. So, know your place.
If you are in a site such as Facebook, try to avoid bothering work connections with a barrage of personal details. Use privacy settings to limit their access to nonwork parts of your profile.
Share info, not hype. Show your expertise, not accomplishments. One or two work-related updates daily should be a maximum for most sites (except Twitter).
Don't accept a friend request from someone whom you don't know. If you're interested to connect with someone whom you never know, try finding things you have in common.
Ask your contacts/friends to be fans of your projects, but NOT to ask them to be fans of you personally.
Try adding personal message to your friend requests. Don't friend business contacts you've never met.
Create a Facebook page for business, but DON'T automatically import friends to that page.

Cosmetology Courses With Regency

Regency Beauty Institute had gone a long way when it comes to providing beauty education to all its deserving students. No wonder, they are now one of the nation's leading beauty schools and still expanding.
Regency Beauty Institute primarily exists because of their students. It exists so that they can be able to deliver strong technical platform and provide creative freedom to the students.
With the current ongoing expansion, you can now visit a cosmetology school in Texas, which is not just a typical beauty school. It is considered to be a school built with modern, salon-like style managed by professionals. If you are based in Texas, the good news is that Regency Beauty Institute has currently 7 campus locations in the state and soon will be opened at Round Rock and Houston. Beauty life will just be getting better and better in Texas, don't you think? ;)
Hey, and did you know that regency graduates are widely recognized and highly sought anywhere throughout the US? So, start enriching your career now. Regency might be the perfect place for you!

Can An Addiction Be Stopped By Injection?

Tom Kosten, a psychiatrist from Baylor College of Medicine developed a treatment on breaking the cycle of rehabilitation and relapse regarding the addiction to cocaine.
The first placebo-controlled clinical trial for a cocaine addiction vaccine was recently completed by Kosten. This vaccine contains a cocaine molecule attached to the surface of an inactive cholera toxin protein which temporarily blocks the effects of the drug.
After getting the vaccine, the body generates antibodies that reacts to the cholera protein and the cocaine. If a cocaine enters the bloodstream, the antibodies will bind to it and neutralize it before it reaches the brain to cause the release of neurotransmitter dopamine, the process that makes users feel high.
Kosten's study found out that 50% of cocaine users had cocaine-free urine when tested 8-16 weeks after getting the vaccine, compared with 35% of those who received a placebo shot.
On the other hand, a problem revealed by the trial was that only 38% of those vaccinated developed high levels of antibodies against cocaine; Kosten is now working to increase the vaccine's antibody regeneration. Another thing is, - the vaccine's protection seems to only last for only 2 months.
According to Kosten, users are recommended to receive booster shots every few months for at least 2 years to make complete recovery from the addiction.

Kosten is also developing vaccines against heroine, nicotine and methamphetamine.

Protect Your Dogs From Cold!

Your dog's natural fur cot may still have its limits during the winter. Dogs are not recommended to be taken out when the temperature is 20F or lower, unless for a quick toilet trip. (For cats: don't let them out. They can't tolerate that cold!)
Protect your doggies while he's out by shoveling a path to his favorite spot so he won't have to walk through the snow.
Be sure to check his shelter if he lives outside, and make sure the shelter is off the ground. Insulate it with dry straw and blankets. If the temperature is below 20F, let him inside your home.
Always keep your doggie leashed during cooler temperatures because dogs tend to lose their scent and go missing in the snow.
Call your vet if your dog shows sign of frostbite. Signs can be skin turning into red, white, gray or black or that he's limping on his foot. You should let him inside and never let him out if you suspect he has frostbites.

Ways To Keep More of Your Cash

In today's economy, life seems to be getting more tough. Families that live pay check to paycheck and don't have any savings are the ones being pinched. The soar rocketing essential expenses keeps going higher and higher...energy, health care, education, etc...aaagghh!
No wonder.
Perhaps, the following can help us save money on the big bills:

1. Mortgage Makeover. - the monster in the room as most families would say. To take control of this "monster" at home, consider refinancing your mortgage with an old-fashioned fixed-rate note if you have an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM). Switching to a fixed rate will raise your monthly payment, but it never increases. over time, with inflation, in effect you'll be paying less. A fixed-rate mortgage allows you to pay your debt in cheaper and cheaper dollars, and as your income rises, you can then put extra money on your mortgage and pay it off sooner.
2. Education Options. - Look for quality institutions in your area or consider a local 4-year college and save on room and board. Another option will be a community college for the first 2 years where tuition is bargain basement, then to a state school or private university later. parents should give priority to their retirement savings over college funds since there are no loans, scholarships and grants for surviving your senior years.
3. Health care. - you might wanna consider enrolling with health Savings Accounts (HSAs) offered by your employer. You can deposit your deductible amount (up to certain limits) in a tax-free account that grows. This way, you don't lose your money if you remain healthy. You can withdraw your money for medical expenses without taxes as long as you live. Then, you can withdraw the money once you are 65 or older without any penalty, but with a tax payment if it is used for non medical purposes.
4. Food Bill. - You can still eat healthy, and paying less ;).
5. Gas Consumption. - Hybrid cars with excellent mpg's save money in city driving (stop-and-go city traffic). Forget driving in a highway though, the extra cash outlay for the hybrid doesn't make sense.
6. Electricity Consumption. - Any energy-efficient upgrades you make on your home can possibly qualify for a federal tax credit. Energy Star-rated windows and doors generally can qualify for the credit, offsetting the higher cost of these products. You won't get the credit, unless you claim it, - so go and check energystar.gov.
7. Shop Smart. - Follow the "cost-per-wear" rule. When you see something that you like, ask yourself; - "How many times am I going to wear this in a year?" it should cost no more than $3 per wear, ideally :). To find the best deals online, check shopathome.com or wow-coupons.com for printable coupons you can take to the store.
   

A Golden Investment

To buy gold bars as means of investment is an absolute must for anyone who is serious about safeguarding his/her savings.
There are several risks involved if you are not aware of the common mistakes most people commit ending up losing all their hard earned money.
As long as you have the proper knowledge, you can be able to master the ins and outs of the gold market which can enable you to even increase your wealth.

There are at least some things you need to learn and avoid when buying gold, as well as there are also certain things you should be aware of that certain gold dealers don't want you to know. These things when unlearned will be "mistakes" that would change your life for the worst.

This is the reason why the United States Gold Bureau is always ready to help and assist gold investors from beginning to end of the entire process. They are your trusted gold authority when it comes to gold investments. Call them today at 1-800-775-3504 or check their website.

Energy-Boosting Foods

They have the right combo of carbs, protein and fat. These foods are worth considering to boost your energy up ;).

• handful of dried fruits and nuts.
• 1 tbsp. of peanut butter on whole-wheat crackers.
• sliced veggies dipped in hummus
• air-popped popcorn sprinkled with shredded Parmesan cheese.
• fruit smoothie made with low-fat yogurt or milk.
• low-fat cottage cheese with fruit and almonds
• pita chips with bean dip and sliced avocado.
  

Boost Your Energy

First things first, there's no substitute for rest. So, sleep well! You need at least 7-9 hours of sleep a night. To make the most of whatever sleep you can get, give yourself at least 30 minutes to wind-down at night. Watching TV or surfing the web until you go bed just stimulate your brain instead of calming it. Good options would be a book or magazine which will help you doze off more quickly and sleep more soundly.

Eat often. Here's the deal: Your body needs food every 3-4 hours to keep blood sugar levels (and energy) stable. Eat foods with high carbs for a fast boost, including fat and protein which stick with you longer to keep energy up. As much as possible, avoid saturated or trans fats which can stiffen blood vessels for hours. If blood vessels are not dilating properly, circulation slows down which means your body doesn't get oxygen.

Exercise a little. Don't complain you're too tired to exercise. Working out increases energy levels. Physical activity releases dopamine and endorphins into your brain which are natural uppers, plus you get extra oxygen flowing through your body. So, get at least 30 minutes of heart-pumping activity daily. Walking is the most simple yet effective, and you don't need a lot of equipment to get started.

Cut those things from your list you don't need to do. Every task you do is energy saved as long as it makes you happy, benefits you or earn you needed money in any other profound way.
Do one thing at a time. Chronic multitasking can be one reason why sometimes you feel exhausted.

Flick off your worry switch. Your mind sometimes end up zooming like a hamster on a wheel and here comes the stress hormones...oh. no! As much as possible, get these issues out of your head. Findings hs found out that keeping them to yourself increases anxiety.

Protect Your Savings With Gold

If you are considering an investment for the protection of your hard earned savings or financial wealth, perhaps, you may want to check all about gold investment.
Gold investment is a serious business and to many, it is not as easy as you think. To that, I agree. But all kind of big investments need serious decision-making and more than enough knowledge to know the entire process before considering into one, - and gold investment is one of those.
If you want to go into an investment that would protect your wealth against inflation and at the same time you can still take control of your money and you want to create a legacy of your wealth, then, it's time to buy gold bullion.
Dd you know that owning gold is the safest way to protect your private wealth? it's a great investment potential. Investing in other markets is not the same as when you invest on gold because owning a gold offers flexible options.
The United States Gold Bureau is always ready to help you with the entire process regarding the ins and outs of the gold market. You can reach them at 1-800-775-3504 for assistance.

Flower Power!

According to a psychological study, fresh flower blooms can cheer up people seeing them and making them kinder as well :).
In the study, a group of people were sent a mixed bouquet or a candle in a glass. Those who received the flowers said they felt more compassion toward other people as well as they became more enthusiastic at work too, than those who got the candles.

Blooms are ideal to place in the kitchen or bedroom so you'll be able to see them in the morning :). it's there when moods tend to be lower and flower blooms provide the biggest boost!

Ways To Give Your Abs Some Turbo

1. The position - Get a kettlebell hand weight and have your feet shoulder wide apart as you hold the weight in one hand over your shoulder, your elbow bent and your arm pressed against your side.
2. The transfer - Carefully move the weight to your other hand. Make sure you keep your abs and glutes tensed (if you're doing it correctly, your abs will feel it).
3. The toss - with the handle pointing down and the kettlebell in your palm, flip it over to your other hand. Continue to toss until you can no longer maintain the proper form (or you develop a hernia).
   

Does 911 Dispatch Emergency Help Right Away?

According to a valuable source, usually, they do not. Once the call has been answered, the decision is up at the end of the line if the call is a real emergency and figure out where you are (phone tracing) to pinpoint your location.
Funny, and may work and can save you on time ; - someone said tell them upfront you're bleeding to death inside a phone booth at the Stop-N-Go off route 1, then answer the rest of their questions knowing that the cavalry's coming.

Menswear 101 at the Wedding

Watch out grooms! Your wardrobe no longer has to be a "one-style-fits all" garb. Just make it sure your outfit should adapt with the time and setting of your wedding, whether it's formal or funky.

If it's an informal wedding, like beach wedding, a khaki suit paired with cotton poplin or linen is great. If weather is hot or your wedding is ultracasual, you can skip the tie.

For semiformal or cocktail wedding, lighter-colored suits are less dressy and ideal for daytime events; darker suits are more formal.

If the wedding is to be held after 6pm (formal) and the dress is black-tie, choose tuxedo. Some guys would opt for a regular tie also known as four-in-hand tie.

Fast facts!

Did you know...

• that during the Super Bowl, - water is being flushed from at least 90 million toilets wherein that water is enough to flow over Niagara Falls for 3 minutes? Ahhhh...it can run an electricity, like a hydro power plant! LOL!
• at least 88% of dog owners who are female say that their dogs has at least one quality they'd like to see and feel with their significant other.
• at least 27% of people include their pets in their wills :).
  

Beer Related Jobs

Just in case to those who are curious or wondering what do people do on their beer related jobs:

• Brand Manager - Oversees TV advertising, packaging, etc...to ensure the company puts its best food forward. The tough part: Tracking volume and profit (involves numbers!). The fun part: At Coors, you get to cast models and go to the Super Bowl. An undergraduate degree in business or communications is usually required.
• Beer Tester - Ensures each brew meets taste and quality standards - which means being paid to drink beer from 9-5 daily. Tasting tends to be done in very small amounts, usually no more than a thimbleful. If you understand the beer-brewing process and have a discerning palette, you're good to go.
• Brewmaster - Oversees and directs the beer brewing process, doing everything from selecting the ingredients to formulating the recipe to managing the brewing staff. Usually, an undergrad degree in biology is needed and may require advanced study in brewing sciences, plus years of brew experience.

Tough, isn't it?

What a Woman's Drink Says About Her

If you want to be a cocktail decoder and curious about women's personality description, try checking on her favorite cocktail drinks ;).

• Martini - the woman is typically stressed out, depressed and looking to shift her mood. She's likely to be high-maintenance, but serious drinker.
• Beer - if she's trying to down those brews, it means she's trying to be one of those guys. She can also be fun and spontaneous but doesn't feel comfortable with her femininity.
• Lemon Drops - women who drink this are fun to go out with. She's trendy, fashionable, and fun-loving. She may have street smarts, but isn't a Rhodes Scholar.
• Red Wine - they are health conscious and conservative, but also sensual, warm and nurturing.
• Scotch - A woman who drinks this knows who she is, and doesn't care what anybody thinks.
• Rum and Coke - this woman likes to have fun and is laid back. If the glass of rum and coke could speak, - they are saying; "I'm going nuts tonight!"
• Champagne - she is elitist, pretentious and wants people to think she's an intellectual person. She also has a little bit of fantasy going on.
• Cosmo - she's another high maintenance chick. She typically doesn't go with the flow and tries too hard to look sophisticated to the people around her.
  

Good Nutrition Tips For Shaping Up

According to Melissa Dunn, a physical therapist, the best way to get in shape is to focus on healthy living, not the number on the scale.
Think about it. Be aware of the food you eat daily. Instead of eating calorie-dense foods, like pasta, french fries or pizza, incorporate more veggies and fruits into your meals. They are packed with fiber which help you feel full longer, plus you get all of the vitamins and antioxidants, - good for your skin and overall health.

Pack your own lunch at least twice a week. Try making a veggie and turkey-loaded sandwich and pair it with apple sauce or low-fat pudding for dessert, and a piece of fruit or a hard boiled egg for a snack.

Cut back on sweetened beverages that are often packed with hidden calories. Don't assume that all sugar-free substitutes are good for you. The simplest dietary improvement you can make is to give up the calories you drink.

Try to eat your breakfast early in the morning which may help you make positive food choices later in the day.
Skipping meals often causes your metabolism to slow and store fat. Also, people who skip breakfast tend to overeat at their next meal.

Why Bikers Are Safer To Be With Traffic Instead of Going Against It

Bikes usually go much faster than someone on foot. While the speed of a person walking is roughly 3mph, a byciclist can zip along at 15+ mph. If a car's coming in the opposite direction at a higher speed than that, there's far less response time if the bike weaves into the lane of traffic than there would be if both were traveling in the same direction. So, it's wise to go with the flow.

Check Your Environmental Facts!

Here's the good news:

• According to a study from Finland, human urine mixed with wood ash makes a safe and efficient fertilizer.
• Places with banned smoking policy in public venues had a 17% drop in heart attacks a year later and with a 36% reduction after 3 years basing on the analysis of Europe and North America studies.
• The world's first shark sanctuary was created as announced by the Pacific nation of Palau. This was created by a ban on commercial shark fishing in its waters, and the area is larger than France! :)

...and the bad news:

• Locust outbreaks occur more often during warm, dry periods and that climate change could increase their frequency, based on findings from Chinese scientists.
• Based on a Cardiff University study in UK, children who ate sugary foods were more likely to commit violent crimes as adults.
• Fifty percent of people who do wild games have more lead in their blood than those who do not, according to a study by CDC. Likely, the source of the metal was the lead ammunition used.
  

Keeping The Environment Carbon Free?

While the government makes plans for cutting future carbon emissions, some group of engineers are as well working on schemes on how carbon can be put away where it came from, - the underground.

Findings say that the concept of storing carbon in a rock, - known as geologic carbon sequestration could be one effective way to clean up carbon pollution in the environment.

Geochemists studies say that a single rock formation can store up to 10% of all human-generated carbon emissions in a year. The formation consists of peridotite, - a rock containing minerals that react with CO2 to form solid magnesium carbonate, one of the rocks that can trap carbon.

There has been plans to start the project in Iceland which plans to inject carbon dioxide-infused groundwater into volcanic basalt about 1,800 ft. underground. The depth pressure keeps the gas dissolved and prevents it from leaking into the atmosphere; wherein eventually, the CO2 bonds with the rock to form solid carbonate.

Columbia scientists and others will be tasked to monitor the project and determine if this approach could expand to handle the 28 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide humans emit each year.

Food For The Brain

There are food brain boosters that are worth considering. Afterall, what you eat may affect how you think ;).
Consider the following:

• Omega-3 fatty acids. These are present in salmon and tuna, flaxseed oil, canola oil and walnuts. Other options would be to take 3 grams of fish oil per day.
• Blueberries. - Being rich in anthocyanins, flavonoids that seem to offer brain benefits, may slow and even reverse age-related declines in brain function and motor performance.
• Green tea. - helps improve memory and prevent age-related memory loss.
• Chocolate. - Some dark chocolate is rich with flavonols, - a substance that dilate arteries. Good example is a flavonol-rich cocoa which can improve blood flow which may help prevent age-related dementia. Take note: eating chocolates should be done in moderation, of course.
  

Malware Red Flags (Part 2 of 2)

(continuation)

• Emails asking for account information - If you receive an email coming from the name of your bank or any other institution asking for your account password or other information it should already have on your file, immediately delete the email. Don't click any links, call any numbers nor respond because it would likely be a phishing attack. Always use the phone numbers printed at the back of your credit or debit card or bank statement to contact your institution directly to check if the request is legitimate.
• Nonstop pop ups - Pop ups that appear even when you have a pop up blocker enabled or that show up even when your web browser isn't open indicate the presence of malware or adware on your PC, so run complete anti-virus and anti spyware scans.
• Antivirus and antispyware stops working - If these softwares suddenly becomes inaccesible, or you can no longer visit their websites or download updates, it's a bad sign. You'll need to seek professional help to get rid of it and avoid crashing of the hard drive.
• Poor PC performance - A lof of malware causes PC slowdowns, crashes and boot problems. Malware such as the software that powers botnets also consumes a lot of bandwidth from your internet connetion, so if your web browsing seems to be sluggish, it's time to run complete anti-virus and anti-spyware scans.
  

Malware Red Flags - (Part 1 of 2)

If any of the following things happen to your PC, just be sure that your antivirus and anti malware software are currently updated and use both to run complete scans.
The following terms below are the things you should be aware of when a malware occurs.

• Homepage Hijack - If your browser's homepage suddenly changes and you didn't authorize the change, it usally means a malware programmer has hi-jacked it. If this happens, run a complete anti-virus and anti-malware scan, reset your homepage to your liking, and see if it sticks. (You can typically find the homepage setting in your browser's Option settings.)
• Unidentifed browser toolbars and bookmarks - Sometimes, if you install a software, it asks if you want to install a browser toolbar, but malware programmer can also deliver their software through an unauthorized toolbar installation. Malware programmers use browser exploits or illegitimate software to load unauthorized bookmarks or favorites into your browser and once you click on them would load a site that installs additional malware. Hiding or deleting these toolbars is ineffective because the malware that put them there still lurks on the computer.
• Strange search results - If your default search provider changes from what you're used to seeing to something else particularly if that something else isn't a major search site such as Google or Yahoo, there's the possibility, you're a victim of browser hijacking.

(to be continued)

Cool The Burn

Some food that may seem safe can give you bad heart burn over and over again, which may indicate you have gastroesophageal reflux disease, (GERD).
Heart burn and GERD are not the same condition. Heartburn is a symptom of GERD, while the latter is the disease itself.
At some point, some people can get heartburn usually after a meal or when you lie down after eating. If you get heartburn a lot, you may have GERD. Sings and symptoms include sour taste in the mouth, trouble swallowing, ongoing cough due to acid reflux, need to clear throat often, hoarseness/loss of voice and chest pain. It's always safe to talk to your doctor right away.

Home Management Care:

• Over-the-counter medicines should help relieve symptoms for occasional heart burn.
• Stop smoking.
• Avoid foods such as alcohol, caffeine, high-fat foods, tomato products, peppermint, garlic, onions, spicy food and chocolate.
• Avoid late-night snacking.
• Allow at least 3 hours between dinner and bedtime.
• Wear loose fitting clothes.