Alcoholism Prevention?

According to a certain study conducted in 2008, problem drinkers can take a drug called naltrexone, - to be taken daily which will curb the urge to drink.
The government approved the naltrexone injection that works for a full month. Basing on the study, the injection got high marks, reducing the number of days on which the subjects drank and the amount they consumed when they slipped.

Things To Know To Get a Fair Appraisal

1. The new rules don't guarantee accuracy. If you're a home owner and you want to refinance or sell, be sure your home isn't mistakenly valued below your sale price or loan limit. Appraisal management companies tend to hire people who gets the job done quickly and cheaply, rather than those who know the area best.
2. Detective work may pay off. Inquire from a real estate agent to help you ID recent comparable sales in your area and get some ideas on the circumstances from your neighbors.
3. Curb appeal can boost your members. Your home appearance has some influence on the appraiser's final number. Before the appraiser comes, prepare your home in such a way you would do for an open house. You can mow the yard, shine windows, tidy closets, pick up clutters from floors, etc...Appraisers usually eye the house like a buyer.
4. Point out your home's best features. Give your appraiser a list of your home's best attributes such as a recent upgrade or improvements in the house, the benefits of living in your neighborhood, and accessibilities to top schools or public transportations, etc...
5. it's oaky to fight back after the fact. Always ask a copy of the final report when it is done. Check further for errors in key stats, etc. If you find a mistake, call the appraiser directly and ask him to check his work. If he's uncooperative, take your complaint to your real estate's appraisal board.
   

Beware Ipod Users!

There are more than 200 million ipod users out there, so hear this if you can!

Did you know that listening to music through earbuds for 90 minutes daily with an 80% volume should be the limit if you don't want to damage your hearing?

A 70% volume can boost your listening time to 4 1/2 hours.

A full volume, you risk hearing loss after just 5 minutes of listening.

Surgery for Migraines?

A certain study claims it, - it's possible! Based on the study, 49 migraine patients underwent plastic surgery like that one to a forehead lift, and more than half of them said their migraines were gone. the surgery removed some of the muscles surrounding the trigeminal nerve branches, - they trigger migraines.
On the other hand, 26 patients had similar operation but didn't target the trigeminals, and the migraine stopped for only one of them.
Hhmm...sounds interesting.

Painkillers Abuse

Did you know that acetaminophen found in Tylenol as well as other prescription and non-prescription products can lead to liver failure if taken in excess?
The Food and Drug Administration has actually recommended lowering the maximum allowed dose, and products only containing acetaminophen prescription are allowed, banning others.
The concern is that many people still take the drug unknowingly in cold medicines or other preparations.
Always check with your doctor!

Are You Ready To Retire?

If you are not yet sure where you stand, there are at least4 steps to help you determine if you are on the mark of retiring.
First, you need to re-evaluate your retirement goals. For example, if you originally had planned to spend retirement quietly on the beach and suddenly, you just want to keep up with your daily expenses.
You might need to focus on choosing between focusing on short-term strategies before concentrating on a long-term plans. So, it's better to start evaluating your expenses and needs. Once you're ready to focus on the future, consider what's essential for you. It might be a continued part-time in retirement, caring for your grandchildren or start your own business if you have enough funds to cover it.
Second, try estimating your financial retirement needs, such as expenses for your food, clothing, housing, insurance, etc...and estimate how much these expenses would possibly increase, decrease or go away upon retirement.
Third, determine your income sources. You need to establish a steady stream of income in retirement as well. You can determine the size by gathering copies of your most recent social security pensions and tax statements, and estimates of your targeted income from part/full-time jobs.
Fourth, try putting a plan in place with your advisor. It's still the best option to consult with a financial planner rather than relying on your calculator. Your spouse should be participating with you if you are married.

Useless Comments

I appreciate any comments but I have been noticing lately that this blog have been receiving comments that I considered useless. There are lots of comments written in Chinese, but please do note that majority of my readers are NOT Chinese and I, as the author can't even appreciate it because I don't read and speak Chinese! To the one concerned, please do NOT put any comment written in Chinese, because in the first place, it won't show up on my posts because all comments are strictly moderated by me.
Besides, I don't tolerate comments that are just wanting to promote their commercial sites or links...sorry! All comments should be related or has some concern regarding the post.
Thanks, and I hope you understand. All spam comments don't pass as well, so don't waste your time.

Your Investment For The Future

Do you want to buy buy gold coins for your investment? It has been proven for many decades that gold is the best method of preserving value when currency fails. So, if you want to safeguard your savings, your money is usually safe in gold. If you are interested to make an investment in gold, check the United States Gold Bureau by reaching them at 1-800-775-3504. Their trained specialists are on stand by and always ready to assist you make the right decisions as well as teach you in learning about how to invest in precious metals.
The US Gold Bureau is the leading and trusted gold authority as well as all about precious metals.

The Best Way To Stop a Bleeding Nose

According to Dr. Lamm, when your nose starts to bleed, blow your nose gently to get the clout out. Then, lean forward. Avoid leaning backward as you will tend to swallow all the blood.
Pinch the soft part of your nose for 10 minutes then put an ice pack on it and on your cheeks to reduce blood flow. Don't take aspirin as it only aggravate the bleeding.
If you still have bleeding, the blood is perhaps coming from the back which means a larger artery can be bleeding, and is serious, or you might be having a problem with your clotting.
In either case, see your doctor!

Real Gifts From Facebook?

Yes, I mean, real tangible gifts like flowers actually arriving at your doorsteps sent through Facebook. Would you believe it?
I'm not even aware of it, but yes, it's really true! Here is how it really works;
The real-life gifts work from friends you have by sending the gift (from your friend) on your digital wall. Before someone can send the gift, he/she has to input credit or debit card info to obtain Facebook credits. This is Facebook's own currency, worth 10 cents per unit. Once the purchase is complete, the sender then uses your profile to send the real gifts. You then get a notification on your wall and if you provide your address to the third party vendor, your gift will then show up on your doorsteps few days later.

Investing On Gold

In times like these days where economy becomes unstable, most investors would find the best way for financial security.
How about investing in gold? Of course, it's just normal for many to doubt at first. After all, investment business involves a lot of risks if not done the right way. And talking about one of the most precious metals of all times such as gold is even much more too risky to handle which involves a lot of careful planning and decisions particularly if you don't have any idea about going through the process of gold investment.
For those who might be interested to be in gold investment, there are various ways to buy gold coins as an investment. If you are not sure where, when and how to begin, let the United States Gold Bureau help you in every step of your way through the process. You can as well reach a metal specialist through 1-800-775-3504. They will be with you from the start to the end :).

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.