Life Is What You Make It: August 2008

Updating My template

I was browsing for some template for this blog . I know that, it hasn't been long since I change the layout. I wasn't satisfied about it. So, maybe this one will sty here for good. But anyway, I am updating it. My blog roll aren't up yet . Don't be alarm ! I will put it up soon. Sorry for the inconvenience.

My favorite Buger and Burger Chain

Well! Talking and thinking about hamburger making my mouth water.Once a week, I usually eat hamburger in a fast food chain. This days it's very important that the hamburger chain / restaurant are sanitary. That's what look for when I go to a restaurant/ chain .

I used to go to Mc Donald, my kids love the kids menu over there. They usually order Mc Donald and I go where my taste bud lead me.

I have two favorite hamburger restaurant . Can you believe it if I tell you that I only go to this two burger chain? First is Jack in a Box's and Fat Burger . At Fat Burger I usually order the Turkey Burger , the one lean, mean 1/3 Lb patty grilled and build the way your heart desires, and served up in a whole wheat bun. Second is the Jack in Box. I love their Jumbo Jack with cheese, of course with that order I usually get seasoned curly fries.

It becomes to other Hamburger restaurant! Wendy's I like their Asian salad that I have to admit. And At Mc Donald! I love their Ice coffee. Dairy Queen I would not recommend it. I think they are very unsanitary. For the sevaral time I went there before with friend ,I have seen flies flying . I just wish that all restaurant here in Seattle have that A,B, C, D, letter posted on a restaurant like in California. That way people will know which is better restaurant and which are not.

The Democratic National Convention

I never thought that I would be into politics. I never had interest abou politics ever since I got to US. Yes! I have see the past presidents on TV but never paid attention about it. I knew what was going on in the economy and so on and so fort . Last year when Senator Barack Obama announced his candidacy for President, that was when I got into politics. I never since missed any of what is going on.

I have watched the National Convention since Monday. It was amazing ,emtional and intense. The speech that Michelle Obama gave was so emotional and touching, so as Sen Hillary Clinton . A lot of people who was for clinton had soften their heart by Sen. Hillary Clinton's speech and theres the speech from former President Bill Clinton that I think very up lifting. And tonight ! Was the amazing speech ever from Sen. Barack Obama. I can't wait for him to take over the white house and turn the US around to a better future.

Stop Lying

Take a look at why you are lying and you'll find ways to help yourself stop.

   Don't over promise. Many lies feel necessary because you've gotten yourself into a situation and you don't know how to get out of it. You can start by not over committing yourself with other people. Only promise what you can realistically do.

    Don't make up too many rules for yourself. If you set yourself up by trying to be perfect, you will feel like you're failing and feel like you have to lie. Instead of "I am never going to be late for school again", try "I intend to stop being late as much as I reasonably can."

    Talk to others about what you can realistically do. Are others making you stick to rules that aren't realistic? Many times parents, teachers, employers, boyfriends or girlfriends box us into a corner by making us follow their strict rules. If you are in such a situation, you will find that you are lying because you can't possibly live up to their expectations. You may not be entirely successful - sometimes you can't change your parent's ideas, but you can acknowledge to yourself that their expectation is ridiculous.

    Make sure your heart is in what you are doing. If not, try to find a way to make it so. You have to stay in school, so find something that you really are interested in. You need to have a job - find ways that you can enjoy some aspect of what you do.

    Don't be so hard on yourself. When you find yourself telling a lie, check it out first. Why did you? What was it you were trying to hide? Is there a way you can be yourself instead? Recognize the situations you tend to lie in, and start practicing just telling the truth.

    Consider the consequences of a major lie. Coming out and admitting your mistake can make a world of difference, and sometimes the worst price is your self-esteem. That you can recover. If you can't do it, try a middle ground. Write a letter to yourself admitting what happened. Find a counselor who can listen to you and advise you. Getting it out of your head is the most important step toward stopping your torture.

    Use your sense of humor to tell the truth. Laugh at yourself with other people. Just saying "Could I be any worse at managing my checking account?" out loud, rather than denying your problem can get you on the road to recovery.

    Guess what - the definition of being human is that we are not perfect. You will never be perfect! Don't set yourself up thinking you should be.

    Come right out with your primary feeling. "Sam, I am so completely embarrassed by what I did. I'm hating myself. I told Kim you liked her, even though you told me not to. Would you forgive me?"

     When you admit that you are a liar you are nearly there.

    Often lying emerges as a result of a feeling of inadequacy, or a need to protect the truth from others and thus leave yourself less vulnerable. Learn to accept that truth is the right of all people; take a deep breath, think about the person to whom you are speaking and what they would say if they knew you were lying, open your mouth, and speak the truth.

     Don't tell yourself you are telling the truth if you are lying. If you dont know a question that one of you friends or family members asks you say that you dont know instead of lying to yourself and to your friends and family to look cool. It will just come back and bite you in the butt!

     If you lie a lot over everything, realize that you cant stop in one go. Its just like a drug, its really hard to stop. You need to slow it down. Parents will tell you when you are about to lie you should stop and ask yourself, "Is this wrong?" This is a stupid idea since usualy when you lie you don't have 1-2 minutes on your hand. Instead try asking youself, "Is this a lie" really quickly. It takes time, but eventually you will stop if you really try.

Realize Your True Potential

Every human being, regardless of race, creed, sex or spiritual belief, has the incredible capacity to accomplish far beyond their wildest dreams!

    Unlearn what you have learned. As children, we all have fantastic dreams of accomplishing what many adults believe to be 'unrealistic'. When we grow up into adults, we 'learn' the rules of the world and those dreams no longer seem possible. The first step in realizing your true potential is to cast off concrete beliefs about what you believe is possible in the first place. Take some time and actually inventory what you believe about your talents and capabilities - these beliefs were given to you through society. Identify exactly your career inhibiting beliefs. Make a choice to no longer allow these beliefs to govern you or your capabilities. Insert new convictions and beliefs that do not impose limits on your talents. Use the power in your subconscious mind, and master it over time with self-suggestion, hypnotism and constant positive input. (There are books on how to do this, its simply too much to list here).
    Realize what it is you have! Inside your skull is a fantastic and extremely powerful biological machine that is, still to date, the most powerful computer on earth! Research tells us that we have over ONE HUNDRED BILLION neurons in our brain, and that each of those neurons have connections to anywhere from 5000, to 200,000 other neurons - creating an infinite number of possible thought combinations! Do you think that even for a moment, that we have this advance machinery just to 'survive'? You have this in your head right now - appreciate it and use it!
    Aim High! Dream Big! Think un-realistically! The people who have achieve the most in their lives were those who had big plans and ideas and who were able to cast off the negativity of other people. You simply have to not care anymore about what others think and, to quote Nike, " Just do it "
    Focus on what you can do, and other and better tools will be put in your hands as your move through your plan. People fail because they immediately fasten their attention to the negative. Change your thinking and work the part of your plan you can, do everything you can!
    Shield yourself from negativity. If you are in a negative environment, get out! If you have negative friends, drop them. What is in your mind is more valuable than all the gold in Fort Knox, so protect it!
    Remember where you came from, and you will know where you want to go.
    Always appreciate everything, even if you feel like something could be negative, really understand that there is no right or wrong way to do something. Be thankful for your mistakes, and let them go! Because there are no mistakes, only opportunities to learn.
    Enjoy the moment. Live the moment. Forget the future or the past.
    Constantly give yourself positive messages and support! Listen to self-help audio, read books and keep company that is positive. Hang up positive quotes and messages everywhere; in your office, at your home, in your car.
   Never quit. Thomas Edison's most outstanding quality is the same thing that made him a success; it was not that he was so much smarter than everyone, it was just that he never quit. It took 10,000 failures to make the light bulb. Never quit.

     Again, protect your mind from negative people. For this, foil hats are exceptionally effective, and can easily be made out of common household items.
     Never stop believing that you can do it! It is important to become proficient at lying to yourself, as telling yourself the truth can lead to insecurity and depression.

Household Hazards

The word home often conjures up thoughts of safety and security. It may make you think of your family, or where you go to escape the stresses of the outside world. But what you may not realize is that while you're enjoying the comforts of home, secret dangers may be potentially threatening the health of your family and your pets. So before you declare home sweet home, make sure your house doesn't contain any of these hidden hazards.

There's no place like home—but it might not be the safe haven you think it is.

Scented Laundry Products. They make your linens and shirts smell deliciously fresh and clean, but according to a recent University of Washington study, the scents in your favorite laundry supplies could be hiding potentially toxic chemicals. According to the study, which was published by the journal Environmental Impact Assessment Review, each of six top-selling laundry products and air fresheners tested emitted at least one chemical that federal laws regulate as toxic or hazardous. However, the makers of these products are not required by law to list the chemicals used to make the fragrances, so none of the toxic chemicals were listed on the labels. To help reduce exposure to these potentially dangerous chemicals, the researchers recommend choosing fragrance-free versions of laundry products—even if they don't smell quite as good.

Pool and Spa Drains. Those fortunate enough to have a pool or a spa in their backyard should also be aware of the numerous potential hazards, especially if there are children in the household. Drowning, slipping, and falling are obvious risks, but the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) notes that there are other risks. The unforgiving suction power of drains can trap anything from hands, feet, hair, and even the bodies of both adults and children. The ability of the swimmer is irrelevant if the individual is held under water for an extended amount of time. To help reduce the possibility of these types of drowning incidents, the CPSC stresses the importance of closely supervising young children and recommends having your pool or spa inspected by a professional for entrapment hazards before using it for the season. Another option is to install a safety vacuum release system, which detects blocked drains and automatically shuts off the pool pump or interrupts the water circulation to prevent an entrapment.

Molds. Part of the natural environment, molds play an essential part in nature when located outdoors, but when growing inside, they produce irritants, allergens, and potentially toxic substances (known as myotoxins). What's more, they can lead to a variety of health problems, ranging from allergic reactions and asthma attacks to skin rashes, fatigue, nausea, and even respiratory irritation and lung inflammation. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), molds are among the most common allergens. Because mold requires moisture to grow, it's important to regulate the moisture levels indoors. If you find a mold problem and it's contained to a space that is less than 10 square feet, you can get guidelines for taking care of the situation yourself from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). If you choose to hire a contractor or other professional to do the cleanup, the EPA recommends checking references and confirming that they follow standard government guidelines.

Surprising Things That Pack on the Pounds

Weight gain is about more than just what you eat and drink. These surprising influences could be making you fat.
You might know that certain foods and drinks are loaded with hidden calories, but other unexpected factors such as your friends or your zip code could cause you to gain weight. Here are a few surprising things that might contribute to an expanding waistline.
      Skipping meals.
      Not eating breakfast or lunch can make you feel hungrier later, which leads to overeating or binge eating. Eating breakfast boosts your metabolism, which enables you to burn more calories throughout the day. Nutritionists recommend that you eat five or six small meals. This doesn't mean that you eat more food, but spreading out it over several meals helps your body burn the calories more efficiently.
      Your friends.
      A person with a close friend who is obese is 57 percent more likely to become obese, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The effect is not as profound with spouses (37 percent more likely) or siblings (40 percent). The reason goes beyond eating meals and going for drinks together, the researchers say. Having overweight or obese friends changes your perception of what an acceptable body type is.
      Your birth control.
      Some women say they gain weight when taking the pill. Experts note that the benefits of birth control far outweigh this downside. Some people say the hormones in birth control may cause weight gain by allowing your body to retain more water or by increasing your appetite. Other researchers say birth control doesn't cause weight gain.
      Where you live.
      The rate of obesity increases as neighborhood home value decreases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found. Lack of healthy, fresh food options and an increased reliance on driving could cause increased obesity in certain parts of the country.

Watching your portion size and exercising regularly are two ways to help you maintain your weight even if some of these other factors sneak up on you!

9 Easy Ways to Get More Z's

If you can't seem to get a good night's sleep, you're not alone—more than 70 million Americans suffer from sleep problems, according to the National Institutes of Health. The good news is, many of these issues can be solved by simply changing your daily routine and creating a better sleep environment. Follow these guidelines to improve your sleep habits.

     Dedicate the bedroom to sleeping.

      A sleeping area shouldn't be a place for work, paying bills, or watching TV. Bedrooms should be for sex and sleep only.

     Make the bed more comfortable.

      Whether this means buying new sheets or purchasing a body pillow, your bed should be a place of comfort. Take the time to make it a peaceful, relaxing place by investing in a new mattress, updating the sheets, or replacing that 10-year-old pillow.

     Create a nighttime ritual.

      For many people, this means starting to wind down about an hour before bedtime, either having a warm cup of decaffeinated tea, putting on lotion, or slipping into comfortable clothes.

     Take a relaxing bath.

      Warm baths have been shown to lower blood pressure. What's more, this activity can serve as a bridge between the movement, activity, or thought processes of the day and letting it all go at night.

     Go to bed at the same time each night.

      This will send a signal to your brain and your body that it's time for sleep. In addition, try to get up at the same time each morning, even on weekends. Trying to "catch up" on sleep doesn't work and may cause grogginess.

     Avoid caffeine or other stimulants after lunch.

      Diet soda, coffee, tea, and even chocolate can stay in the body for more than eight hours, preventing a peaceful night's sleep.

     Give up naps.

      Daytime naps can interfere with the body's natural rhythm. Most experts recommend powering through the day without a nap, even if it means going to bed at 7 or 8 p.m.

     Avoid exercise late in the day.

      Exercising too close to bedtime can rev up the body when it should be relaxing.

    Stay away from alcohol.

      Although having a glass of wine may seem to aid sleep, alcohol actually interferes with deep sleep, so the effect is only temporary.

Reserving Opps at PPP

Have anybody experiencing some difficulty reserving second task at PPP lately? I do, after I had taken the first post and submitted it. I am having trouble taking another task, because it always say that I still have opportunity reserved which I don't have any . I have report this to PPP staffs and they said The Dev Team is aware about it need some adjustment.

I hope they can fix this soon. Thanks Carri (PPP Staff) for the quick responced for my ticket.

Amos Tamam

Have you heard about Amos Tamam the actor? If not , well let me tell you a something about him. I don't know him . But he is very well known in Israel as far I know. He is an actor to soap opera in Israel . He was born in Israel on September 6,1977 . Studied in filmography and later on took became as famous actor. He was on on this following: He was on the TV series called Srugim 2008 ,Giborim Ktanim in 2006 as Police Officer aka Little Heroes (USA), Shalosh Ima'ot also in 2006 aka Three Mothers ,International: English title
,Shir Shelanu, Ha in 2004 TV series Yariv Arad unknown episodes,in 2004-2005
aka Our Song ,International: English title.

How to Ungoogle Yourself

Do unflattering photos or embarrassing blog postings pop up when someone Googles your name? Or are you concerned about your privacy in this new digital age? With Google's excellent indexing of the Internet, the reality is that friends, family members and employers can find out more information about you than you potentially want them to, just by "Googling" your full name. Here are a few ways of getting out of this situation. Stop using your full name. The best way to "ungoogle" yourself is to not offer your full name or abbreviate your last name when signing up for online accounts, posting from your blog, or attaching yourself to any content that's published on the Internet. You can also create an online pen name or a screen name to go by.
Google yourself to find out what other people are seeing when they search your name. If you have a common name, it's possible that you'll be buried in the search results with all the other "Sarah Smiths" or "Chris Johnsons" in the world. Don't forget to search your name with quotation marks around it, as well as variations that include your middle name or initial.
Be careful what you put in blogs - you may get people other than your intended audience reading it
Be careful what you put in blogs - you may get people other than your intended audience reading it
Make changes to the content that's already been indexed by Google with your name on it. Change your name on public profiles that contain your name, such as blogs or social website accounts. Delete any accounts you might no longer use or might contain compromising or personal information.
Consider using the "robots" HTML meta tag in your content if you want to continue publishing information under your name but don't want it appearing in Google search results: This only applies if you have your own website and access to the underlying code, as it stops most search engines from indexing (cataloging) your page or following the links on it. The tag must go in the section of a document in order to work. If you like, you can leave out the "nofollow" bit, which allows the search engines to follow the links, but not index the page. The reverse is also possible.
Send an e-mail to the person responsible for a site that you don't directly control and politely ask either to have the content removed or your name changed or obscured. Politely explain your situation, and don't make empty threats about legal action. Just be nice and it shouldn't be a problem.
Bury the content you don't want to be found by adding new content or moving existing websites higher up in search results for your name. Most Internet users don't continue browsing past the first 50 search results, so join a mailing list that's frequently indexed in Google or sign up for some websites that will eventually index your name

Learn to view the search results with your name through the eyes of a potential employer. It's been observed that the majority of executive recruiters routinely look into candidates by searching the Internet
If someone else has the same name as you do and you worry about it tarnishing your reputation, or you weren't successful in removing embarrassing links to your name, you may want to consider using a middle initial or including your full middle name, both when you're active online and on your resume.
In addition to not using your full name online, you should also not use the same e-mail address that you do professionally. Recruiters may search for your e-mail address right after searching for your name.
There are also services, some free and some paid, which will help clear your name in search results for you .
Some employers will include employee names and pictures on their websites. Ask your employer to use only part of your name or a nickname on the website. If you are to leave, ask them to promptly update the website to omit your information.
Use Google's removal request tool to ask Google to remove search results or cached content.
If you try to subscribe to a social or network site and cannot use an alias or screen name there is a good chance your information may appear in Google searches. LinkedIn is one site that won't allow people to use aliases and requires your full name. Also beware of alumni pages as those seem benign but usually have your personal information (spouse, kids, job and email). Invitation sites may also allow your email or name to show up on searches allowing people to see the types of parties you are invited to.
Conversely, if you are trying to bury skeletons in your closet you may want to create a professional blog using your professional name and contact information. Post pictures of successful events and staff gatherings, post newsletter information about different charity experiences, post photography, blog about your industry and how great it is. Keep it all very tasteful and very oriented towards what a professional overachiever would have. Just don't make it seem like an online resume'. Sign up for alumni pages and social/professional networks too. Hopefully the professional references will push your naked bar dancing pictures farther back in the Google search.
Start posting on industry related websites with your professional name and contact details. Make sure everything is well worded and articulate and avoid political or over the top posts. Attend chamber or professional organizations meetings that have websites and make sure you jump into lots of pictures with important people. Also see if any non-profits post donor information and try to make a donation so you'll show up in a list of donors. Positive search results is as good if not better than no search results.

Meta tags don't always work. Try not to rely on them too much.
Once something is online, it's often stored in so many places that it's effectively immortal. The best way to get around this is to avoid it. Make sure that whatever you place online is something that can stick around for years, otherwise consider not putting it online at all.
Be careful. Asking your employer to remove or obfuscate your name on their web site could backfire when potential employers do their "research"--giving the impression that you never worked for the company listed on your resume.

I'm Loving it

Thats the Mc Donald thing I know! But I am not talking about Mc Donald talking about Baskins Robin . That is my favorite Ice ream parlor aside form All Star. I think their Ice cream both taste great. I can eat their ice cream all day long, the flavor I like is strawberry cheesecake & the cookie dough. They taste so great. Dang, my mouth is watering just talking about it. (lol funny huh!)

Anyway go there all the time. Try it and you will enjoy it for sure.

How to Be Good Natured and Loving

Although it may seem like some people are born with the capacity to love or with a naturally good nature, it is far more likely that they appear this way because of their upbringing, day-to-day actions and choices. If you wish you were better natured and loving in your day-to-day life, you can make the choice to change your behavior.

Consider why you would like to increase these qualities within yourself? Do you see a lack? Are you sure? Is not being good natured or loving holding you back in your life? Take a piece of paper and write down how your life might be different if you had these qualities more than you already do.
Consider that you may find you really want to do it stop other behaviors so your natural loving quality can come to the surface. Perhaps you want to stop being mean to your baby brother. It doesn't matter what the reason is, but before you can love you have to learn to stop hating.
Learn as much about yourself as you can. Try to be aware of what things make you upset, angry or frustrated.

Everybody makes mistakes, part of becoming loving is learning to love yourself even if you make mistakes.
Choose people you admire from history who you regard as good natured and loving. These people may include Jesus Christ, Mother Teresa or many others. Read as much as you can about this person, or watch television shows and movies about them. Ask yourself, what made this person good natured and loving, what is it that they do that makes other people see them this way?
Be patient, it can take a long time in silent contemplation of one's hurt, pain and behavior in order to understand enough about yourself to begin to love others.
Start slowly.

You can't change your own personality overnight. You might try giving some change away to a homeless person, or help your landlady take out her trash. The more things you do that you regard as good natured and loving, the better you will feel about yourself.

Some people may feel threatened by your new personality. It takes courage to admit ones own faults, and change always worries somebody! But remember, you do not have to share your faults with others.
Many other people may think you are wasting your time, but if this is what you have decided you want, do not be afraid to go for it!

You must not fake it. Learn to be genuine in your newly blossoming personality.
Don't try too hard to change who you are.

I know it's not spring but hear me out oK?! Spring is a season of new beginnings—a time to open your windows and let the fresh air in. But for many people, spring can be a season of sneezing, wheezing, and watery eyes.

As the days get warmer, follow these tips to allergy-proof your home:

Beat mold and mildew: Damp environments can be a breeding ground for mold and mildew. To remove them, scrub underneath your refrigerator, thoroughly clean your bathroom, and throw away that old shower curtain.

Beware your bedding: It's a scary thought, but dust mites may be found in up to 90 percent of American beds. Be sure to change and wash your bedding often in very hot water to keep bed bugs at bay.

Kill creepy critters: Dust mites may also be hiding in your carpets and upholstery, so be sure to clean them frequently. In addition, dust all of your surfaces, even hard-to-reach ones, with a vacuum attachment or electrostatically charged cloth.

6 Ways to Save $50 a Week

Cutting a few corners can add up to real savings.

Now is definitely the time to figure out how you can save a dime--or, better yet, 500. Think of it like this: If you can hold onto just $50 a week, in one year you'll have saved $2,600, which is a decent sum to feather your nest egg with. But if your budget is already tight, you're probably wondering what you can do to set side such an amount.

When used in combination, the following six ideas will help you do just that, and as an added bonus, they'll benefit your health and the environment as well.

Bring your lunch to work
. Let's say you spend approximately $7 a day on lunch, which adds up to $35 a week; for $10, you can purchase enough ingredients at the grocery store for a week's worth of lunches, and that will save you $25 a week. But the caloric savings can be even greater: Considering that the typical fast-food meal can contain as many as 1,200 calories whereas a homemade lunch is usually only 300 to 500 calories, you can lower your weekly caloric intake by as much as 4,500.

Take a hike, or ride a bike
. When gas was cheap, it was easy to take cars for granted. If you needed something from the store, you'd drive a mile and back just to pick up one item. But with high fuel prices, it provides a great opportunity to adjust our mind-sets for the better

By deciding to walk or ride a bike when you shop or run errands at places that are within a two-mile radius, you can shave an average of 15 to 20 miles off your weekly mileage. While that may only save you $3 a week gaswise, in terms of calories, you can burn anywhere from 75 to 100 calories per mile.

Organize a carpool
. The average commute is 33 miles a day. Over a week, that equals approximately $27 in gas. If you can split your ride with three other coworkers, the money you'll need to spend on gas will go down by $20. And reducing the number of cars on the road lowers hydrocarbon emissions, which react with nitrogen oxide and sunlight to form ground-level ozone, a major component of smog and an eye and lung irritant.

Quit smoking
. This many seem like a no-brainer, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 20 percent of the U.S. population still lights up. If you're one of them, it's likely that your habit will only get more expensive over time. About 23 state legislatures are considering a tax hike on tobacco, and since 2002, states and U.S. territories have raised tobacco taxes 75 times. Nationwide, the price of a pack of cigarettes comes in at about $3.90 (in some areas, it can run as high as $7 or more), so if you smoke a pack a day, you can save at least $27 a week. And the cilia in your lungs, which helps prevent infection, will return to normal function within one to nine months after quitting.

Give tap water a chance
. Even a mild case of dehydration can leave you feeling drained.

So the next time you're feeling a bit tired, grab a glass of water rather than a caffeinated beverage. You can spare yourself anywhere from 15 to 750 calories and keep between $1 and $4 in your wallet, which can equal $5 to $20 by week's end.

Invest in power strips
. The power your appliances use in standby mode can account for as much as 26 percent of your electric bill. If you hook them up to power strips that you can easily switch off before you go to bed at night and when you leave for work in the morning, the savings on your electric bill can reach as high as $6 a week. An added bonus: you'll do your part in decreasing your carbon footprint.

The Pros and Cons of Buying in Bulk

Before you join a warehouse club, consider the good and the bad.

In the current economic crunch, you might feel the lure of warehouse clubs more than ever. And you wouldn't be alone: While Costco and BJ's Wholesale Club, two of the top three warehouse clubs, reported revenue increases of up to 19 percent in June 2008 compared with the previous year, overall retail and food service sales in the United States for the same period saw a jump of just 3 percent according to U.S. Census Bureau data. But is joining a warehouse club, and coughing up a membership fee of $35 or more, the right move for you? Consider the following pros and cons:

Pro: The price is right.
Shopping at a wholesale club can reap an average savings of 40 to 60 percent on everything from toilet paper to ketchup

not every item comes at a deep discount--fruits, vegetables, meat, and interestingly cat litter are often about the same price found at a supermarket--most do. For example, while a 46-ounce jar of pickles costs about $4.00 at the grocery store, a 128-ounce jar of the same product costs only about $.10 more at a wholesale club.

Con: How many mouths do you need to feed?
The problem with a 128-ounce jar of pickles is the amount of time it will take you and your family to go through it. If your clan consists of you and your spouse, you're lucky if you can go through a standard-size jar in a year, and depending on who you ask, that's long past the acceptable shelf life of an opened jar of pickles. Even pantry staples such as cereal, tea, and flour have less longevity than you'd expect (cereal peters out at two months, flour at four, and tea at 18). So before you stock up at a warehouse club, you should familiarize yourself with the life span of the foods you need. Of course, if you have a ravenous household of large proportions, then buying in bulk may be the only way to go.

Pro: You can get a lot more than just food and household items

Most warehouse clubs also offer health and beauty items, office and school supplies, furniture, electronics, computers, and appliances. You can even find discounts on health-care plans, prescriptions, and travel packages. Although the money you'll save on some things is very small, other savings can be quite significant.

Con: Storage space is key.
If you're thinking of buying 12 rolls of paper towels, 170 ounces of laundry detergent, 12 six-ounce cans of tuna, and five pounds of frozen turkey meat, but you have nowhere to stash these items, you'll only be wasting your money. Therefore you should ensure that you have ample room in your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer before you decide to invest in a warehouse club.

Everything You need to know about oil

Most drivers know that motors need oil, but for many the understanding stop here. Here are somethings you can do for a better appreciation.

How to check your oil
Checking your oil is fairly simple procedure. Expert generally agree that it's best to drive a car first before checking it.

To take a little spin to find a cool, shady spot to pop the hood.

Let the car sit at least five minutes before checking, to give the oil time to settle into pump or survivor , at the bottom of the engine.

With the hood open and securely propped, locate the dipstick. It's location varies, but you can find it by looking for a brightly colored handle- yellow, red or some other noticeable color.

Remove it and wipe it with a clean rag or towel. Reinsert it into the hole, then slowly remove it again. Check the level. The oil mark should fall between the two has marks on the dipstick. If its below the lower level, you need to add oil. Before you do so, though, wipe the dipstick again and check it a second time.

Still low? Add a quart and recheck it. It's best to add the oil , then start the engine to circulate, then let it sit for another five minutes before rechecking. If it still below the lower hash mark, you need to add another quart, but be careful not to overfill it, as this can lead to other problem.

How often should oil be changed?

If you change your oil and filter every 3,000 to 5,000 miles or every three months whichever comes first, check it's level regularly, chances are you'll never experience an oil related problem. For drivers using synthetic oil, intervals as long as 5,000 miles or six months between changes are considered acceptable.

Some service centers will tell you that extreme driving conditions such as stop and go traffic or extremely cold weather, require more frequent changes.

The truth is that every three months or 3,000 miles is pretty extreme. If you aren't driving in stop and go traffic, through minus 20 degree blizzards or up mountain passes with a 5,000 pound trailer, you could probably go longer between changes, and there's certainly almost no condition that would warrant even more frequent changes.

What about synthetic oil?
Synthetic motor oil is manufactured so chemicals that can lead to oil oxidation and sludge buildup, which maybe represent in conventional oil, are not present. They will not break down at high temperatures, unlike petroleum based oils, and are not so affected by cold weather, which thickens regular oil and can add more wear and tear to an engine at start-up.

Synthetic oil cost three to four times as much as conventional oil and is most recommended for vehicles driven extreme conditions and some high-performance vehicles.

The Advantages of prepaid phone cards

When you're on the road, the ability to connect with family, co-workers, clients and friends is more important than ever. Prepaid phone cards are smart solution in terms of cost and convenience.

Price savings
Making a long distance phone calls on the road can be extremely expensive phone cards can offer domestic long distance calls for less than 3 cents per minute, while eliminating the need to keep coins in your pocket. They also offer a huge saving on international calls. A 30 minutes call from the United States to Germany could cost nearly $ 30, while the same call could cost less than $2 with an international prepaid phone card.

Using a prepaid phone card at home can be cheaper than typical long-distance charges.

PIN-less dialing
This features allows you to register a number of phone numbers that will not require a personal identification number to be entered when using the card. When making a call from any of these registered numbers, the system automatically bypasses the PIN entry step. You merely dial the access number and the number you wish to call. The convenient features is a big time saver.

Speed dialing
You can store a large list of numbers with this feature. Simply assign a speed- dial code to phone number you wish to speed dial. Then when you wish to place a call to that phone number, use the short cut.

This feature is fast and enables you to safely store numbers in the system, rather than in a separate phone directory or PDA.

Auto recharge
This feature allows you to automatically add time to the prepaid phone card without going through the recharge process manually or through voice prompts. This eliminates worry about the balance on the card. By registering your credit card information and selecting the amount you wish to add to automatically when you reach a system-specified low balance amount.

How to Serve a Bagel Breakfast

A bagel breakfast is
delicious, easy to prepare, and enjoyed by all. Many like to share
this treat for a Sunday morning, but you can have one any day of
the week.

Ingredients

Half a dozen of the best bagels you can find (serve 6)

1 pound of Nova or Nova Scotia lox

3-4 tomatoes

2-3 Bermuda Onions, sliced

Red or yellow pepper, sliced (optional)

Capers (optional)

Cream cheese {2 containers}

Get the best bagels available in your town. Heat them whole in the ovenat about 350
degrees Fahrenheit or 175
degrees C,
for about twelve minutes, a bit longer if you like them a little on
the crispy side. Later you will slice these as you take them out of
the oven, and then will place them in a bowl on the table.

Make a nice plate of sliced tomatoes.

Slice some onions,
white or red, and some peppers if you like. Lay these on a plate on
your table.

Put some standard or flavored cream chesse on the
table. Provide a knife or a spatula so that you and your
guests will be able to spread this all the way to the edge of the bagel.

Put about a pound of lox on a plate. Provide a fork so that guests will be
able to separate the top layer.

Make sure everyone gets a nice slice of lox to put on top of each bagel half which they
have spread with cream cheese. Guests can then apply their choice
of onion, peppers, capers and tomatoe
slices.

Suggest to your guests that they eat their bagels as open-faced sandwiches or regular sandwiches, whichever they
prefer.

Add other items to your table, such as sliced bananas some coffee, orange juice,
small bowls of berries or other fruits. You can also make a little tuna fish salad as some guests will prefer this over the traditional
lox. Enjoy!

If you are serving on a Sunday morning, set the table on Saturday night so you won't have to bother with that in the morning.

Plain cream cheese is fine, but you might like to try a flavored variety such as garlic and chive, or sun-dried tomato.

Bagels are great fresh, but do pretty well in the freezer as well. Just take them out of the freezer and put them right in the oven and plan to cook them a bit longer. See How to Make a Frozen Bagel Taste Freshly Baked.

Sliced cucumber adds a crisp and refreshing taste and makes a great substitute for tomatoes.

Feel and Look Healthy and Pretty

Living a happy, healthy lifestyle can affect how you look. It can
brighten your eyes, bring color to your skin, and make you feel
like taking on the day. To look and feel your best, these tips will
help.

Every morning when you wake up, you should say five things that
you like about your body. Then say five more things that you like
about your personality. It will definitely boost your
confidence.

You should visit a Dermatologist if you already haven't. He/she
will tell you what kind of skin you have, what you need to do to it
if there are any problems, and they will give you good Skin
Products. Meanwhile, wash your face in the morning and at night to
get all the oil, dirt, and makeup off your face. Use a face
cleanser/soap that doesn't irritate your skin, and if you have
acne; Proactive really works.

Get a haircut at least every 3 weeks to get split ends cut off
and/or any other thing you want done. If you have head lice, go to
a Doctor to get it removed and if you have Dandruff, use a shampoo
specifically made for dry scalps. Brush your hair every day and get
all of the tangles out with a gentle paddle brush/comb. Washing
your hair every two nights is healthy. Washing your hair every
night is not recommended, as it can strip the natural oils from
your hair.

To be healthy, you need to exercise and eat well. Exercise for
at least 30 minutes every single day. Don't over-work, but still
have an active lifestyle. If you think you need to go on a diet,
first ask your doctor. Eat small portions, eat when you're hungry,
and stop when you're full. Don't eat too many sweets/oils/fats in
your diet because you will get fat. You can still have them, just
not too much.

Find clothes that you like. Make sure they are the proper size
and cover up your midriff. Wearing clothes that you like will make
you feel confident. Try going to a lot of stores and trying things
on.

To be healthy and look/feel better, get at least 9 hours of
sleep every single night.

In your life, you will probably want to try new things. So,
every once in awhile, do some different things and make a
change.

For good hygiene, brush your teeth when you wake up and before
you go to bed. Shave underarms and legs when needed and take a
bath/shower with soap/shower gel/body wash every single night.

Smile!

Take care of your nails, trim them,and paint them when
needed.

Drink a lot of water.

Be yourself!

The Dirty Truth

Do you want fries with that? How about a side of E. coli? When you grab
a burger and fries from the local drive-through, you know you're
probably not getting the healthiest meal. But if you think trans fats
are your biggest concern, you might want to inspect those fries a
little more closely. At some fast-food restaurants, the hygiene habits
are appalling. Which are the worst?

Think you're not at risk? Think again. About 76 million (or nearly one
in four) Americans are afflicted with a food borne illness each year,
and about half of those come after eating at a restaurant. Here are two
chains that were linked to highly publicized instances of food borne
illness.

Taco Bell. In addition to having less-than-stellar health and
safety reports, a multistate E. coli outbreak linked to Taco Bell
stores secured it a place on this list. More than 70 people in five
states were sickened after eating at Taco Bell restaurants in November
and December 2006. The bacteria were traced to chopped onions.

Jack in the Box.One of the most famous E. coli outbreaks
occurred at Jack in the Box restaurants in 1993, when hundreds of
people became sick and four children died after eating tainted
hamburgers. Dozens of lawsuits were filed; one 12-year-old girl who
lapsed into a coma after eating at the restaurant was awarded a $15.6
million settlement. Since then, Jack in the Box has set up several ways
of ensuring the safety of their meat, including adding a new testing
mechanism for E. coli and increasing the meat cooking temperatures.

Know Your Sheets

Remember when a sheet was just a sheet? Now adays, it's all about thread count, or so it seems. But that's just one of several factors to consider when purchasing a sheets.

Thread count. This refer to the number of vertical(warp) and horizontal( weft) threads in a square inch of fabric. Typically, the higher thread count , the softer and more lustrous the fabric.

Most people prefer a higher thread-count cotton sheet. Years ago, 180 to 200 threads count were considered the standard for a quality sheet. Now , with advance weaving techniques, sheet produce in a higher thread counts ranging from 400 to 600 thread counts using single ply cotton yarns.

However, if you see sheet with a very high thread counts, the manufacturer maybe weaving two-ply yarn and counting the plys or individual strands, that are twisted together to make the thread. Don;t expect the same performance and durability from a sheet made with two -ply (twisted) yarns as those made the single -ply yarns.

Fiber lenght. The longer the fiber m or staple, the stronger and the softer the resulting fabric. Both egyptian and pima or supima cotton have long staples and usually identified as such.

Combed or carbed cotton. A good bet combed cotton. Combing removes fiber that are short or dead( which appear as specks on dinished sheets). Combed yarn is stronger, softer and more lustrous and has a more even appearance.

Mercerized. The mercerization process removes irregulaties from the woven fabric, leaving its extreamly smooth and soft. Mercerization also increase the yarn luster, strenght and affinity for dye picking, resulting in improved shade brilliancy and evenness.

Anti-crease finish. This finish gives easy-care ironing properties to sheet and also improve the softness and handling after everywash without substantially affecting the sheen of the fabric.

yarn -dyed. Dyeing yarn before it is woven or knitted result in a more uniform color.

Be Careful Who You Quote

Blogs are common if not universal tools for small and midsize businesses. They communicate new products and offers, open dialogues, and keep your business name out there. But if your blog, like many, includes outside content, you need to start being careful, particularly if the source is the AP.

There's more to online security than digital defenses -- you have to make sure as well that your use of the digital media doesn't put you at risk of legal jeopardy, as an evolving story about a major copyright-holder shows.

The Associated Press, which proudly touts itself as being the planet's longest-lived and biggest (not that they use those words; I'm just doing my best not to use any of their words) news collecting company, has decided to take a hard look at what you can and can't quote from its stories.

At present a look is just what they're taking -- after asking that some quoted material be removed from Drudge, the AP changed its mind and decided that the time had come to put together a usage policy.

More power to them, and we'll see where this goes (besides into courtrooms of various shapes and sizes.)

The point, though, for small and midsize businesses, and for your Web sites as well as your blogs, is that the AP move is an early salvo in what promises to be a long and contentious battle in the even longer and more contentious war over copyrighted content and its uses.

Rather than getting yourself caught in the crossfire -- however remote a possibility that might seem -- this is a good time to review just how much external (and, more to the point, externally owned content) is contained within your Web presence(s.)

Got a favorite song playing in the background when your site comes up? Maybe some video you grabbed from YouTube? How about a poem or long piece of prose such a news story or feature that you read online, liked and copied to share with your customers?

That sort of thing may well hold the promise of some legal peril if the copyright owner finds your unauthorized usage and decides to go after you.

It all gets very tricky and complicated -- copyright law has needed a serious and substantial revisiting for at least half a century, and needed it more desperately for every year of the past ten -- but there's a pretty easy way to make at least an initial sort through potential problems.

Apply your own standards to every bit of outside work you have in your blog or on your site:

How would you feel if your own business's work -- catalog copy, say, or consultant reports or design specifications -- appeared on somebody else's site?

Anything you find on your site that doesn't pass that test should probably go.

While you're at it, this is a good time to undertake that review of just who -- and how many -- among your employees (and outside vendors such as Web designers -- are authorized to post content on your site or entries on your business blog.

Surprising Uses for Botox

There's more to Botox than just a pretty face. Doctors are now using the injectable to treat a variety of serious medical conditions.

By now, you've probably seen advertisements for Botox--a popular injectable that relaxes targeted muscles to reduce or eliminate surface wrinkles, giving the skin a smoother, more refreshed appearance. But in recent years, scientists have found that there's much more to the drug than meets the eye.

Botox, the brand name for botulinum toxin type A, was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for medical use in 1989 to treat eye-muscle disorders, such as excessive blinking. In 2002, the FDA approved Botox for anti-aging and cosmetic uses. And today, it is being touted in some scientific circles as something of a miracle drug, indicated for a variety of serious medical conditions, including the following.

Excessive sweating
.
The FDA states that Botox is an alternative to surgical treatments for sweating. Hands, feet, armpits, trunk, and face are the more common sites of profuse sweating. The Botox toxin inhibits some of the nerves in these body parts that stimulate sweat glands and doesn't carry the same risk of complications as surgical treatments.

Migraine and headaches
. If you suffer from migraines or severe headaches and nothing seems to alleviate the pain, Botox might be the drug for you. Physicians believe that the drug reduces headache pain because it reduces muscle contractions, blocks a pain-transmitting chemical, or a combination of both, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Such treatment has not been approved by the FDA but continues to be studied.

Severe muscle disorders
. Doctors first discovered that Botox could help stroke, spinal cord injury, brain trauma, multiple sclerosis, back pain, and cerebral palsy patients, to name a few, by treating severe muscle stiffness and involuntary jerking. Botox rarely restores full muscle function, but it can improve it significantly, according to the FDA.

Bladder problems
. According to experts, several bladder disorders can be treated with Botox. When traditional treatments don't help for overactive bladder syndrome, for instance, Botox can be injected into various sites in the bladder wall in an outpatient procedure. Such treatment has not been approved by the FDA but continues to be studied.

Facial tics and spasms
. Botox is becoming an increasingly common treatment for involuntary facial tics and spasms, with reported response rates of 90 percent for blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm. In addition, the drug may be helpful in treating stuttering, voice tremors, and jaw clenching.

Sports injuries
. According to researchers in the Netherlands, Botox has powerful indications for use in tennis elbow. The injectable seems to act though forced rest of the muscle, which relieves spasms and allows for proper healing. The treatment may also be helpful in treating carpal tunnel syndrome.

Keep in mind that the effects of Botox typically last three to six months and the procedure must be repeated to maintain results. Side effects are rare but could include unwanted muscle paralysis, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). It's also important to know that many Botox applications haven't gained FDA approval yet. If you're considering the drug, remember to do your research and consult with a health-care professional.

The Benefits of Breast Reduction

From chronic back pain to poor self-esteem, large breasts can present a
host of health problems. Find out whether surgery could ease your
discomfort.

Contrary to popular belief, large breasts aren't always what they're
cracked up to be. For many women, overly large, pendulous breasts can
result in chronic neck and back pain, poor posture, breathing problems,
rashes, and deep skin grooves resulting from bra strap pressure. What's
more, excessive breast tissue can prevent some women from participating
in physical activities and even lead to self-consciousness, poor
self-esteem, and other psychological problems.

To ease their discomfort, more and more women are turning to
breast-reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammaplasty. As the
American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reports, more than 104,000
breast reductions were performed in the United States in 2006, compared
with 84,000 in 2000an increase of 23 percent. In addition,
breast-reduction surgery may make it easier to perform mammograms and,
according to a report published in a 2004 issue of the journal Plastic
and Reconstructive Surgery, may even lower a woman's risk of developing
breast cancer.

Although patient-satisfaction rates are generally high, experts are
quick to point out that reduction mammaplasty is serious surgery. As
such, prospective patients should do their research, find an
experienced surgeon, and ask lots of questions so they can make
informed decisions. Here, the basics on breast reduction.

Is breast Reduction Right For You?

Whether you're seeking surgery to ease pain, to boost your confidence,
or for cosmetic reasons, it's important to understand how the procedure
is performed. In general, reduction mammaplasty is an outpatient
procedure that reduces the size of the breasts by removing excess
tissue, fat, and skin. In some cases, it may be combined with a
breast-lift procedure, also known as mastopexy.

In most cases, the procedure is performed under general anesthesia, and
there are several techniques a surgeon may use, depending on the
patient's symptoms and/or aesthetic desires:

Inferior pedicle approach: Also known as the
keyhole technique, this approach removes excess tissue, fat, and skin
via an anchor-shaped incision that circles the areola and extends
downward. The nipple and areola are placed into a higher position, in
proportion with the patient's new breast size and shape. This approach
can be especially effective for women with very large and droopy
breasts.

Vertical scar approach: With the vertical scar
approach, also known as short scar breast reduction, the surgeon uses a
lollipop-shaped incision without horizontal incisions. According to
some experts, this technique results in less noticeable scarring, a
more natural shape, and better results over time than the inferior
pedicle approach.

Liposuction-only approach: For women who require a
minor size reduction or simply want to correct an asymmetry, the
liposuction-only technique may be suitable. With this approach, fat is
removed through a hollow tube and suction device. Compared with other
forms of reduction mammaplasty, this technique offers minimal scarring,
less trauma to the breasts, and quicker recovery.

15 Questions to Ask Your Cosmetic Surgeon

As with any
cosmetic surgery, a breast reduction generally begins with a
consultation. At that time, you should discuss your symptoms and ask
for a detailed summary of the procedure, the results you can expect,
and the amount of scarring that will likely result. Remember to be as
specific as possible about the size and shape you'd like to achieve.
All too often, a patient says that she wants to be a certain cup size,
but her understanding of that size and the surgeon's may be quite
different.

In addition, be sure to ask the following questions:

1. How many of breast reductions do you perform each year?

2. How many years have you spent performing breast reductions?

3. Are you board certified, and if so, with which board(s)?

4. In which states are you licensed to practice surgery?

5. What are the risks and complications associated with this procedure?

6. How many additional operations can I expect as a result of this procedure over my lifetime?

7. What are my options if I'm dissatisfied with the outcome of my breast reduction?

8. If I'm unhappy with the results, is it possible to reverse the procedure? If so, what results can I expect?

9. Will this surgery have any functional repercussions?

10. How can I expect my results to look over time?

11. What alternate procedures or products are available if I choose not to have this surgery?

12. Do you have before-and-after photos I can look at, and which of those results are reasonable for me to expect?

13. What's the most common complication you encounter with this procedure?

14. What's your reoperation rate, and what's the most common type of reoperation you perform?

15. Do you believe I'm an informed patient with realistic expectations who would be a good candidate for this procedure?

Breast Reduction Financing Options

The costs of reduction mammaplasty vary depending on location, surgeon,
and technique, but according to the ASPS, the national average surgeon
fee is $5,550. Keep in mind that this amount does not include costs
associated with the surgical facility, anesthesia, medical tests,
prescriptions, or surgical garments.

Although some insurance companies cover breast reduction surgery, it
must be viewed as a medical necessity, as opposed to cosmetic, and the
criteria for this may vary depending on the company. So be sure to
check your policy first. If your policy doesn't cover the procedure, or
if you don't have health insurance, there may be other options
available. Financial institutions, such as Capital One, offer
health-care loans specifically designed for cosmetic surgery patients.

Hysterectomy 101

It's the second most common surgery for American women. But how much do you really know about the procedure?

Each year, more than 600,000 hysterectomies are performed in the United States, making it one of the most common women's surgeries--second only ceasarean section. The procedure is so common that one in every three American women has had a hysterectomy by age 60.

Despite its prevalence, however, little is known about hysterectomy beyond the fact that the procedure makes it impossible for a woman to become pregnant. The reason for this is that a hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus, the pear-shaped reproductive organ responsible for holding a fetus during pregnancy.

In some hysterectomies, other organs may be removed as well, especially if the patient has certain medical conditions, such as endometriosis or cancer, in which a hysterectomy may offer treatment. Other organs that may be removed include the cervix (the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina), the ovaries (glands on both sides of the uterus that release eggs for pregnancy), and the fallopian tubes (the passageways between the uterus and the ovaries).

Why Is a Hysterectomy Performed?
A hysterectomy may be indicated to relieve symptoms caused by several conditions, including:

    * Fibroids.
      Uterine fibroids, benign tumors that develop in or attach themselves to the uterine wall, may grow as single tumors or in clusters. For many women with fibroids, symptoms are minimal and require no treatment. But for others, they can cause excessive menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, and frequent urination. More hysterectomies are performed because of fibroids than any other problem of the uterus, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
    * Uterine prolapse.
      This condition happens when the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments stretch and weaken, providing inadequate support for the uterus. The uterus then descends into the vaginal canal.
    * Endometriosis.
      This is a condition in which endometrial tissue, the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus, grows outside the uterus and attaches to other organs in the abdominal cavity such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Symptoms can include painful menstrual periods, abnormal menstrual bleeding, and pain during or after sexual intercourse. When medication and surgery do not cure endometriosis, a hysterectomy is often performed.
    * Cancer.
      If a patient has cancer of the uterus, cervix, or ovaries, a hysterectomy may be recommended as a possible treatment.
    * Chronic pelvic pain.
      Surgery is sometimes an option for women who have chronic pelvic pain, which may be caused by several conditions. Often, other treatments for chronic pelvic pain are recommended first, leaving surgery as a last resort.

How Is a Hysterectomy Performed?

The type of hysterectomy surgery you have depends on four main factors: the reason for the surgery, the size of the uterus, its position in the stomach, and your overall health. The five most common types are:

    * Abdominal hysterectomy.
      The doctor makes an incision in the stomach, and the uterus and cervix are removed. This type of surgery is common when cancer may be present, the uterus is extremely large, or the patient has endometriosis, in which the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus.
    * Vaginal hysterectomy.
      The doctor removes the uterus through the vagina by making a small incision. This method is only used if there is no chance that cancer may be present in the uterus, cervix, or ovaries-or if the uterus is small enough to be removed vaginally.
    * Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH).
      To perform this surgery, the doctor inserts a lighted tube called a laparoscope through small cuts in the stomach. This allows the doctor to have a clear view of the organs while inserting surgical tools to cut the tissue that holds the uterus in place. The uterus is then removed through the vagina.
    * Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSH).
      With LSH, the doctor inserts a scope and tools through small incisions in the stomach. The uterus is removed in small pieces, while the cervix is left in place. This surgery is only performed if the patient doesn't have cervical cancer.
    * Total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH).
      For this type of surgery, the doctor inserts a scope and tools through several small incisions in the stomach. The uterus and cervix are then removed in small pieces through one of the incisions.

Are There Alternatives to a Hysterectomy?

It's important to remember that a hysterectomy ends your ability to become pregnant. If you think you might want to become pregnant, be sure ask your doctor about alternatives to this surgery.

In the case of cancer, hysterectomy might be the only option. But there may be alternative treatments for conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis, and uterine prolapse. These options may include medications, endometrial ablation (the use of electricity, heat, or cold to destroy the lining of the uterus), or uterine artery embolization (a procedure that involves blocking the blood supply to fibroids, which can reduce pain and heavy bleeding).

No More Bad Hair Days

It's one of the few drawbacks of summer: Hair sometimes gets annoyingly out of control. The season's major threats — sun, heat, and humidity, not to mention chlorine and salt water — challenge all hair types, from curly to wavy to straight. The hair pros' secret to lowering the hassle quotient? Make the most of what you've got. That means not forcing tight ringlets to relax, or trying to coax waves out of stick-straight strands. Here's your personalized plan for a summer of carefree hair days.If your hair is ... curly
It's keeping curls under control — even when humidity swells the cuticle, causing curls to look frizzy and frazzled. Curls are also more prone to dryness, since they're exposed to the elements from all angles. That's why you'll need heavier conditioning to stay soft and fuzz-free.

In the shower: Space out shampooing or use conditioner alone, since even the gentlest suds can be drying. "Your hair will look healthier and less frizzy the less you agitate it," says Los Angeles hairstylist Stephanie Pohl. When you lather up, use a shampoo with a smoothing ingredient like silicone (or any ending in "-icone"). Try Kérastase Bain Oléo-Relax ($32, kerastase.com). Follow up with a curl conditioner like Pantene Pro-V Hydrating Curls Conditioner ($4, drugstores), and don't rinse it out fully to give hair a mini leave-in treatment.

Styling secrets: Gently towel-squeeze hair to remove water, then mix up this "stylists' special": three parts anti-frizz cream and one part serum. Use your fingers to twirl it down the hair shaft to the ends, working in one-inch sections. Dab a little at the hairline and roots, then air-dry. Try Dove Frizz Control Therapy Taming Cream ($3.78, drugstores) mixed with Göt2b Smooth Operator Smoothing Satin Drops ($8, drugstores). For frizzier spirals or on supersteamy days, use an anti-humidity cocktail of equal parts leave-in conditioner, medium-hold gel, and serum instead, suggests Los Angeles hairstylist Jonathan Hanousek.

In the salon: Be sure your stylist is a curly-hair specialist — most salons have one or more. And keep hair at least shoulder-length, with long layers: "You need length and weight to prevent hair from looking too puffy or mushroomlike," explains New York City salon owner Lisa Chiccine. Short layers, or none at all, add to the puffiness problem. It's also a good idea to have your hair snipped when it's dry, so your stylist can see exactly how your curls lie and what happens to them after each pass of the scissors. (Curly hair shrinks dramatically as it dries, so wet cutting ups the chance of too-short surprises.)

Emergency fix-it: "There's no better way to combat out-of-control curls when you're on the go than hand cream," says Hanousek. Simply rub a dollop between your hands and run them lightly over your 'do to moisturize hair and smooth fly aways.

What a Gas

Do you find yourself driving across state lines to cut the cost at the
pump? Do you fill up on certain days of the week because you know it
typically costs less? There are easier, more efficient ways to beat the
rise in gas prices. For example, did you know that Americans waste 147
million gallons a year due to missing gas caps alone? That's not all.
Check out these ten easy tips to help gain a few extra gallon.(not mention save some much needed cash).

You may not be able to control the price of gas, but check out these three ways to become fuel thrifty.

   Avoid aggressive driving: Speeding, rapid acceleration, and perpetual braking waste gas. Driving at a constant speed can lower your gas mileage by up to 33 percent on the highway. Defensive drivers can save up to $1.35 per gallon compared to their speedy counterparts.
   Clear the air: Your car's air filter prevents airborne impurities from wreaking havoc on your engine. Not only can replacing a clogged air filter save you up to $0.41 on the gallon, but it can also safeguard your engine.
   Inflate your tires, not your MPGs: By properly inflating your tires, you can save up to 3.3 percent on your miles per gallon (MPG), which equals about $0.12 per gallon. Check your owner's manual for the correct pressure per square inch (psi) for your car's tire size. Appropriately inflated tires results in better gas mileage, improved safety, and longer lasting tires.

Building Friendships from Casual Friends

Self-Disclosure builds friendships.

Self-disclosure is usually the first step in establishing a confidant. And it is scary because of the potential rejection factor. Do it anyway!

Start by sharing a few private thoughts and/or feelings with one person you might want for a close friend. If the person is responsive, he/she will usually share a personal thought or two with you.

If he/she is not responsive to your overtures, don't think of this as a rejection.People may be non-responsive for reasons of their own or merely as a perception of yours. Nevertheless, they can't be rejecting you because they don't even know you yet.

Listening and acknowledging builds friendships.

Often when your child, lover/partner, or friend tells you a story or voices a complaint, he/she is just asking for acknowledgment.

This does not mean that he/she wants agreement or compliance; it merely indicates a desire to be heard and understood.

Try these four steps to acknowledgment:

1. Repeat back.

2. Don't invalidate.

3. Don't try to change.

4. Don't problem solve.

Many conflicts in your personal relationships can be avoided if you will take the time to acknowledge other's feelings and points of view. For more information about acknowledgement, click here.

Listening and attending builds friendships.

Paying attention to someone is called "attending." It means that your ears, your eyes, your body and your feelings are all focused on that person at one time. Attending is a very important part of any relationship. It includes:

1. Being there physically

2. Focusing

3. Eye contact

Looking at and focusing on another person shows that you are "there for him/her." For more information on attending, click here.

Talking Is a Primary Building Block of Friendships.

Talking is an integral component of friendship.

When a friend talks and reveals ideas or feelings, he/she is expecting shared information in return. When the talk is not equal, the person talking feels as if the listener is uninterested.

In fact, the person who is always the listener is really playing the role of a counselor, not a friend. Anytime you have been talking for more than a minute or two without participation from the person you are talking to, you are lecturing, bossing, or putting that person in the role of a counselor.

Loyalty, Equality, and Respect build friendship.

Friends are equal. Without equality, you can't have a close friendship.

Friends are loyal and trustworthy. No one can confide in someone they can not trust to be loyal and to keep his/her secrets.

Friends have similar values. Our value system is so important to us that our friends' values must be close to our own or we will not have respect for this friend.

Friends and Friendship

It is an in-depth relationship combining trust, support, communication, loyalty, understanding, empathy, and intimacy.

These are certainly aspects of life that all of us crave.

Being able to trust and relax with your friend is a big part of friendship.

Remember when you were young and went with a friend to her grandma's for the week-end. It was fun but when you got home, home was wonderful. Your feeling was "I'm home. I can relax now."

That's what a friendship should be.

You go out into the world and do your best. You have your ups and downs, your problems and triumphs, your fun and tribulations. You charm and you perform.

Then you come "home" to a friend.

You can relax, put up your feet; you are relieved. If you still have to be charming and/or performing, it's not a relief.

Friendship is a comfy situation like home. You get home, kick off your shoes, relax and sigh, "Ahh, home."

But no one can form a friendship until he/she realizes that the basis of being friends is meeting the needs of the other person. One must be a friend to have one.

Never forget that friends relate. Relating is the basis of friendship.

Most Polluted Beaches in America

Summer beach vacations may be an American tradition, but take heed--some of the country’s most popular destinations may be hazardous to your health.

Do you remember looking forward to trips to the beach as a child: the anticipation of splashing in the salty water, building sand castles, and running up and down the shoreline?Unfortunately, the sandy shores that you remember from your childhood may now be a contaminated hot spot.beach pollution is more widespread than it has been in nearly 20 years, with up to 7 million Americans annually getting sick from drinking or swimming in contaminated water.

The most common illness associated with exposure is gastroenteritis (nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, and fever), but ear, nose, and throat infections can also occur. In rare cases, swimmers can even be exposed to more dangerous diseases such as hepatitis, cholera, dysentery, and typhoid fever.

Each year, the NRDC compiles a list of the cleanest and most contaminated beaches, largely based on the percentage of monitoring samples that violated public health standards during the previous year's beach season. So before you dive into the ocean, make sure that your favorite sandy spot isn't one of these beach bummers.

Hacks Point: Cecil County, Maryland
This beach, located on the Chesapeake Bay, had bacterial contamination levels that exceeded public health standards 60 percent of the time. (By comparison, the beaches that scored well on the NRDC list, had as little as 3 percent of their samples exceed national standards. One beach didn't have any samples go above the standard level.) A rural area, Cecil County receives pollution mainly through the four major rivers that drain into the upper Chesapeake Bay and from storm water runoff. According to the NRDC, Cecil County is unsure of the exact source of contamination at its beaches and is not actively taking steps to prevent the problem.

Beachwood Beach West: Ocean County, New Jersey
Located in the town of Beachwood, this local beach ties with Hacks Point for the number one spot, with 60 percent of samples taken exceeding public health standards. The storm water discharge it receives from an aging storm drain and a major state roadway contributes to pollution levels. Unfortunately, local efforts to protect the beach-including police-enforced 'poop-scoop' ordinances, vacuuming storm drains to decrease overflows, and scaring off waterfowl during the feeding and nesting periods-haven't been enough to move this beach off the list.

Venice State Beach: San Mateo County, California
Despite making this list and holding the title of most polluted beach in California, Venice Beach remains a popular destination for both tourists and locals. It attracts visitors who engage in a range of activities, including surfing, fishing, swimming, and even weight lifting. However, a whopping 57 percent of water samples exceeded bacteria standards. Perhaps Venice Beach can take a few pointers from officials at North Beach in Racine, Wisconsin. North Beach was successful in naturally cleaning up pollution by building wetlands and installing dunes. It also added more trash cans on the beach.

Bay Country

Campground and Beach: Kent County, Maryland
Another Chesapeake Bay hotspot, this private beach, located on the Eastern Shore, is just one of the Bay Country Campground attractions. But the campers that flock to enjoy fishing, hiking, swimming, and whitewater rafting should proceed with caution, as water samples from this beach exceeded bacterial standards 56 percent of the time.

Jackson Park Beach: Cook County, Illinois
Home to the 63rd Street Bathing Pavilion, a Chicago landmark, the building in Jackson Park reflects the beach's popularity for swimming and sunbathing. The first World's Fair was held here and it remains a top spot for beach-goers, despite ongoing contamination problems. And although the Chicago Park District attempts to combat the pollution by cleaning the beaches daily during the beach season, 54 percent of water samples taken still exceed national standards.

Avalon Beach: Los Angeles County, California
Located on Catalina Island, this popular LA beach isn't exactly helping California's reputation for less than cleanly beaches. Despite Avalon City's efforts (including diversion devices to prevent storm water from entering the bay in the summer and bird exclusion wires to keep birds form perching) to reduce pollution in this popular tourist area, 53 percent of samples taken at Avalon Beach exceeded standards for bacterial contamination, the exact sources of which are unknown.

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