5 Superfoods That Will Keep your Eyes Healthy

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The story about carrots being good for your eyes is well-known. It's also true. Carrots and other orange foods like certain squashes or sweet potatoes contain a nutrient known as beta carotene, which protects the cornea of your eye from the onset of cataracts.

When it comes to eyes, there are more foods to consider than carrots. You can eat your carrots (or pumpkins or sweet potatoes) in good conscience, but if you are looking out for your eyes, you might enjoy adding more of the following to your diet.

Spinach

Deep greens, like spinach (or kale, if you prefer) are full of antioxidants, which are good for more than your eyes. Not only do antioxidants contain some important vitamins and minerals, but they may play a role in managing or even preventing such disorders as cancer and Alzheimer's disease. Focusing back on the eyes, spinach can also go a long way toward staving off macular degeneration, which affects the retina as we age.

Spinach also has the power to protect your eyes from damaging outside influences, including pollution, cigarette smoke, and sunlight. Thanks to the lutein and zeaxanthin contained in spinach, 10 ounces of cooked spinach a week can help your eyes better absorb damaging light and improve night vision.

Grapefruit

Don't feel like eating so many greens? Pink and red grapefruit are full of beta carotene and vitamin C. The latter is one of the better known and one of the more powerful antioxidants. It's well-known for its immunity-bolstering properties, but it can also strengthen your eyes against cataracts and macular degeneration. Just like spinach and kale, grapefruit also contains lutein, zeaxanthin, and other nutrients your eyes will thank you for, especially as you advance in years.

Salmon

This entry, like the ones before, could easily cover more than one food. The eye-enhancing goodness found in salmon can also be found in other fish, including herring and sardines. In the case of these aforementioned seafood, the goodness is called omega-3. Omega-3 fats are among the best of the “good” fats, due to the way they protect tiny blood vessels from damage — and our eyes are simply full of those tiny blood vessels.

More than just brain food, salmon helps to fight eye inflammation and promotes the healthy function of cells. It can help prevent dry eye and lowers the risk of age-related macular degeneration.

Turkey

Those Thanksgiving leftovers may turn out to be an early holiday gift for your eyes. Not only is it great on sandwiches (and a great lean substitute for beef), it is full of nutrients that are great for vision. Vitamin B helps ward off dry eye and helps promote the prevention of cataracts. Calcium and zinc bolster the eye muscles, keeping them strong. And of course, turkey is a protein, which helps keep your eyes strong and your vision sharp.

Tomatoes

The red color in tomatoes comes from the carotenoid known as lycopene. And as you might have guessed, lycopene can do some spectacular things for your eyes. Just like beta carotene, lycopene can help protect your eyes from light damage to the inner parts of your eyes, helping you absorb some of the harmful blue light. There's also vitamin E for protection of your retina, vitamin C for reducing the risk of cataracts and macular regeneration, and even beta carotene for night vision and improved sight.

If you're not a fan of raw tomatoes, tomato soup or even ketchup can give you the tomatoes you need to give your eyes the care they deserve.

Naturally, there are many more foods than five that are eye healthy, but these five are a good start. Not only will they help keep your eyes in top shape, they'll go a long way toward keeping the rest of you healthy, as well.

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Shariq Toor is Content Strategist and Outreach Expert working with the laser eye surgeons at Eyecare 20/20 in New Jersey. He loves discovering the latest trends in Technology, Social Media, and Health. In his off time, he practices landscape photography and keep up with his favorite sports. Follow him on Twitter: @Shariqtoor

How Chocolate Can Be Even Better for The Brain Than Exercise

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This is the news that every chocoholic hoped they would read one day – chocolate has the ability to improve your health. More precisely, chocolate is beneficial for your brain function according to findings of the recent study.

Chocolate’s effect on brain health

The group of scientists from Columbia University and New York University conducted a study which included volunteers aged between 50 and 69. Participants of the study received a specially formulated drink containing flavanols extracted from cocoa powder.

The study lasted for three months and during the research period; participants were divided into two groups. One group received a small dosage of flavanols while the second group received half a large dose.

After the completion of the research period, scientists discovered that group which received a large dose of flavanols also had higher memory function scores than the group who received small dosage. The findings were published in Nature Neuroscience.

Moreover, the benefits of chocolate for the brain were greater than effects of physical activity. Author of the study, Gary L. Wenk revealed for Oxford University Press that, in reality, people would have to eat large quantities of chocolate to consume a number of flavonols participants received in the study in order to reap all the brain-healthy benefits.

For example, participants in the study received a specially prepared commercial product, which contained about one gram of flavonols every day for 3 months. 100 grams of cocoa powder contains about 100 milligrams of flavonols. This means that you would need to eat about 1 kilogram of pure unrefined cocoa powder or 44 pounds of chocolate candy a day.

However, this is not the first time chocolate consumption was associated with the brain.

Chocolate and brain benefits

  • Chocolate makes you happy – this is not only related to the fact that you feel happy to indulge your craving. Dark chocolate is rich in endorphins which are, actually, feel-good chemicals. These endorphins bind with opiate receptors in the brain leading to feelings of euphoria. They are also known for reducing stress and pain.
  • Chocolate improves your blood flow to the brain – compounds found in dark chocolate boost attention span, memory, reaction time, and problem-solving skills by increasing blood flow to the brain. Moreover, flavonoids from chocolate improve blood flow in young and old alike. For example, a study conducted at Harvard Medical School discovered that drinking two cups of hot chocolate increased blood flow to the brain for 2-3 hours. Increased blood flow is beneficial for short-term memory, cognitive abilities, and prevents mental decline.
  • Chocolate protects our brain – your brain uses 20% of body’s total intake of oxygen, which makes it prone to free radical damage. Free radicals attack healthy cells in our body and cause various diseases. Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants that neutralize free radical damage and prevent premature brain cell aging.
  • Chocolate improves learning, focus and memory – flavonoids from cocoa penetrate and accumulate in the brain regions associated with learning, memory, and focus, particularly in the hippocampus.
  • Chocolate relieves stress – chocolate is rich in magnesium which is known as one of the best stress relievers. Moreover, it is widely believed that magnesium is the reason we sometimes crave chocolate, which explains why you feel like eating chocolate when you are stressed out. Additionally, chocolate is the only source of theobromine. This compound is related to caffeine, but it is a relaxant, not a stimulant.
  • Chocolate reduces food cravings – what most people don’t know is that world’s most craved food can, actually, reduce food cravings. Before we continue, you should bear in mind that consumption of cheap and mass-produced chocolate does not reduce but fuels cravings. We are talking about dark chocolate (with at least 60 – 70% of cocoa) which has been shown to reduce cravings for junk food of all types e.g. sweet, fatty, and salty. Dark chocolate can help you eat less, make healthier diet for weight loss. It seems that sensory experience that people get when eating dark chocolate is the reason of this satiety and reducing cravings. For example, when scientists put ingredients from dark chocolate into a pill, it did not have same effects.

 

Why is dark chocolate more beneficial than milk chocolate?

Interestingly, all health benefits associated with chocolate (consumption of dark chocolate can even reduce the risk of heart disease, etc.) are based on dark chocolate. It is because dark chocolate contains more flavonoids, antioxidants, and less sugar and other ingredients that could deteriorate your health.

TIP: if you do not like the taste of dark chocolate then you can consume cacao nibs and cocoa powder. They are less processed than dark chocolate, and you can use them in several different ways. For example, cocoa powder can be added to smoothies, sprinkled on desserts, you can make everyone’s favorite hot chocolate, etc.

Conclusion

Although you’d need to consume large quantities a day to receive all benefits from this study, regular consumption of dark chocolate or cocoa is beneficial for your brain, and heart as well. Naturally, you should still strive to eat 2 to 3 cubes a day and keep chocolate consumption in moderate level. However, physical activity is still important for improving your overall health.

Also Watch: Top 4 Healthy Foods to Boost Your Brainpower

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References


Author Bio

Adonia Dennis (@adoniadennis), by profession a Health, Beauty and Skin Care adviser. She provides solutions related to beauty and skin care problems such as skin hyperpigmentation, aging, dry skin, etc. She is an independent researcher who researches for all type of skin related issues. She also provides solution related to the health problems. She is a passionate blogger who loves to write and share her views on health, fitness and diet. To know more about Adonia, follow her on Facebook, Google +, and Pinterest.

Beauty Secrets: Going Frugal And Natural

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With a frugal price tag but a product of salon quality, some beauty products for your teeth, hair and skin can actually be found in your refrigerator or kitchen cabinets. Looking good just got a little less expensive and a lot more natural!

Caring for Your Skin and Teeth Inexpensively and Naturally

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A bath with powdered milk can leave you with skin that is baby soft. Adding powdered milk to your bath water is not only less expensive but better for you than pricey, extravagant bath beads. Ever heard of having egg on your face? Ordinarily that’s not something we want to have happen. Who knew that it could be the best thing for your skin? Silky and soft facial skin can be just an egg bath away. By applying an egg to your face and allowing it to dry completely, then rinsing it off with slightly warm water, you have done more for your face and you could ever imagine.

Got freckles? Coconut oil and pumpkin seeds in the right combination can work wonders as an anti freckle treatment. What’s worse; freckles or wrinkles? Reducing wrinkles no longer has to consist of lotions and expensive creams. By smashing seedless grapes into a natural and simple solution, and then applying it to your neck and face at least one time every day, you can achieve a more wrinkle free and softer skin surface. An extraordinarily dual purpose food, avocado, can be made into not only a number of hair treatment products but a facial mask as well.

In general, when it comes to skincare, start from the inside out. Eating right not only helps your body and mind but helps your skin, too. The omegas found in oily fish and antioxidants such as those found in tomatoes should be a regular part of your diet, particularly if you have skin issues. Keep hydrated and try hard to steer clear of fatty foods (the bad fats—not the omegas), sugary foods and sodas made with sugar.

Since we’re on the topic of sugar, less sugar is going to help your teeth as well. What color are strawberries? What color are your teeth supposed to be? Who knew that putting together red strawberries with white teeth would make your teeth even whiter? Some professional, repeated teeth whitening treatments can actually be bad for you, not to mention bad for your budget. The good news is that strawberries can help. The pulp from the strawberries should be gently rubbed on your teeth in order to remove stubborn stains from your teeth. Strawberries are actually quite utilitarian in other beauty treatments as well.

Caring for Your Hair and Scalp

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All that fun in the sun, chlorine, saltwater, curling iron and applications of harsh chemical treatments and sprays that you subjected your hair to all summer long are going to make your hair pay, in a big way. How can you restore it frugally and naturally? Vanilla extract, chocolate extract, almond extract, coconut milk, chopped pumpkin, coconut oil and vegetable oil together and warmed, when applied to your hair, can refurbish dried out hair and bring back its sheen. This can be kept for up to five days in your refrigerator for reuse. Brown sugar and olive oil mixed together and massaged into your wet scalp as a paste will help with an itchy scalp and dandruff.

Shampoos and conditioners can be found at relatively reasonable prices these days, but lord only knows what’s in them. For an inexpensive and natural conditioner and shampoo treatment, the following have been utilized:

  • For conditioning hair and to fight dandruff and restore hair sheen: vinegar (you can also use it to clean up the tools you use for hair care).
  • Shampoo: baking soda mixtures with vinegar and avocado can be not only a beneficial shampoo for your hair but fun for the kids as well; they love to hear it sizzle and pop.

Natural and Frugal Homemade Acne Remedies

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If acne is a problem there are frugal and natural ways in which you can treat that as well. Mix together baking soda and water until a paste is formed. Apply the paste to your face, neck, back (wherever you are troubled with acne); be sure to rub it in using circular motions and then allow it to dry (10 minutes should be sufficient). Rinse this mixture off once it has dried with icy cold water. This doesn’t work for everyone so be sure to test it on a section of your skin first.

Another face mask concoction is cold cream and finely crushed aspirin mixed together. Rinse it off after approximately 5 minutes on your face. Chili peppers rubbed into fresh pimples can sometimes work wonders. Mixing clean water with apple cider vinegar in a 50/50 solution will help to dry out acne; and a lighter solution of 80/20 will help to keep acne under control.

I Hope You Know What You Are Doing

Of course, if you go ahead and try the suggestions mentioned in this post, make sure that you are using the freshest of ingredients. If you are planning to use those expired foodstuff or don’t have time to find the ingredients, you might be better off using those signature facial packages from trusted spa providers.

The author of this post, Kristina Parker, is a freelance blogger who often writes for Serene Day Spa & Beauty, a company that provides signature facials. She is a fitness enthusiast and considers swimming to be the perfect all-body workout. Follow her on Twitter @Kristinawparker.

5 Simple Tips To Look Like A Celebrity

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We all try to look better than we are and we use celebrities as a standard for beauty. Who else are we going to emulate? Celebrities are picture perfect in our minds and we base our fashion trends on them. Is it fair to do this? I don’t know, but we do it anyway. That’s how civilization has functioned up to this point and that’s how civilization will function in the foreseeable future. All I can hope to do is help you look like your favorite star. Here are 5 simple tips to look like a celebrity.

Exercise

If you want to look like a star then you’ll need to visit the gym much more frequently. Celebrities work very hard on their physique and it shows. However, it doesn’t come easy. You need to spend a good chunk of your time in the gym on a daily basis. Sure celebrities have trainers and nutritionists that you don’t, but don’t let that be an excuse. That just means that you’ll have to work twice as hard to look just as good. Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither will your body. It takes time, effort and patience.

Moisturize

You look at the smooth glistening skin of a celebrity and wonder how that came to be. Your mind immediately jumps to ‘Botox’ and that’s the end of it. It’s not that difficult to achieve beautiful skin without the help of such procedures. Ever heard of moisturizer? It’s a much better alternative to Botox. Use it frequently to keep your skin moist and smooth. Drinking generous amounts of water also hydrates your skin. It’s the little things that you need to pay attention to. If you cover the basics right you won’t need to resort to anything else.

Style Your Hair

Everyone has a bad hair day, even celebrities. However, when they walk the red carpet their hair looks perfect. This is all thanks to a team of hair stylists that are always at their beck and call. There are certain celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence who opt for a more modest haircut. A short crop isn’t exactly out of your budget and it happens to be “in” these days. For men’s hairstyle what better example could there be than Leonardo DiCaprio? He looks like a smooth and sophisticated gangster from the 1930s. No wonder he’s beating George Clooney when it comes to women.

Visit the Dentist

Many celebrities have struggled with oral health problems and many of them have got dental work done. Tom Cruise is a classic example of this. He got braces when he was at the peak of his career. That just goes to show that it doesn’t matter how old you are you can still care for your teeth. If you have stained and crooked teeth you can’t win people over with your smile. And smiles are what celebrities are known for. Take a trip to the dentist and get your teeth fixed, because a beautiful smile can open many doors for you.

Suit Up

Mark Twain once said, “Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.” Whether you like it or not your clothes speak for you. People tend to take you more seriously when you’re dressed to the nines. You don’t need to take it to an extreme level like Barney Stinson, but it doesn’t hurt to wear a suit on important occasions. And we don’t just mean weddings and funerals. Wearing a suit on your first date will improve your chances of going out on a second one. Celebrities wear fine attires whenever the opportunity presents itself.

The image that celebrities have created for themselves isn’t out of your reach. All you have to do is use the tips mentioned here. These tips cover all avenues that lead to the perfect makeover that you so desperately desire. With this new and improved image you’ll find your life to be more fulfilling. Who’s ever refused anything to a celebrity? And now that you look like one, no one’s going to refuse you anything either. However, you must keep in mind that with great power comes great responsibility. And by the way, that quote came from Voltaire, not Stan Lee.

John Miller, the author of this article, is an intern at Duncraig Village Dental, a well-known dental clinic. John is an ardent reader and enjoys reading novels by Robertson Davies.

Diet Plan For A College Student

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Life in college is filled with haphazard routines for classes and study sessions, club meetings and going out with friends. Most college students do not follow a set routine for having a meal or exercising which is why they gain a lot of weight. To steer clear from that crowd, you should embark on a healthy lifestyle early as possible. It is better to not gain any weight than try your level best to shed those extra pounds. In order to stay in shape you need to follow a regular diet plan, exercise routine and have a strong mind set.

Adjusting to the Pressures of College

College can bring with it a sea change in your lifestyle from high school. You will be living without parental supervision which is why you need to take care of yourself. In college, the class hours are irregular and elaborate assignments keep your nose buried in books. The nature of your peers may be different from those back in high school and you will have to think of ways to adjust with them.

Keeping yourself focused in such a scenario may be difficult. To overcome this problem, set some goals for yourself and try to achieve them. You need not emulate your peers in your attempt to develop a lifestyle in college. Many college students are diagnosed with diseases like anorexia or bulimia because of peer pressure. Once you are in tandem with a well-defined college routine, you can begin to follow a diet plan.

Following an Exercise Routine

Exercise is of utmost importance to stay in shape. Most college students find it difficult to adhere to an exercise routine due to erratic class hours. However, you can achieve this by joining a sports team in college or by finding an exercise partner. Motivation in the form of a partner will boost your morale to follow an exercise routine and hence keep you in shape.

Steering Clear of Junk Food

College goers order take-out food because they do not find the time to cook. If you are in a college without dining facilities, then you can stock your room with healthy snacks such as nuts and muesli to munch on when you feel hungry. Have baked or steamed food stuffs for dinner instead of fried ones. Replace the fried chicken wings with roasted chicken or tuna and white rice with brown rice. Stay away from items such as maple syrup and ice cream.

On the other hand, avoid going to the vending machine on your dorm’s floor unless it has the options of healthy snacks. Politely refuse free food offered by friends and dormitory mates as these add up to unhealthy snacking. Coffee drinkers should avoid adding sugar or whole fat milk to their cups because it causes unhealthy weight gain. Instead, use skimmed milk and artificial sweetener to get the same taste.

Choose a Good Diet Service

If you are not sure about healthy meal choices, you can also opt for accredited meal delivery services which devise suitable diet plans according to the personal details you give. For instance, Nutrisystem delivers pre-packaged meals to the dieters’ doorsteps. The packages are travel friendly as well as healthy. If you want to lose weight or stay fit, these meals are ideal as they are nutritionally fortified and balanced. Their menu also includes some delectable desserts and snacks. You can follow their workout guide to supplement your weight loss effort.

Finally, watch what you eat while attending parties. Frat parties can lead to a lot of unwanted snacking and drinking. Choose a drink that will take you long to finish or a low calorific beer and go for these parties with your stomach full, in order to avoid the plates of chips being passed around.

[custom_author=Jessica Robert]

How To Lose Fat Without Losing Muscle

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Every day, countless Americans adopt diet and fitness routines centered on dropping unwanted weight. Unfortunately, all too often, they end up losing muscle unintentionally. This usually results in disappointing physiques that look weak or unhealthy. If you'd like to attain an attractive, healthy looking physique, learn how to burn fat without sacrificing muscle tone.

Eat Lots of Protein

Muscles are made of protein. To make sure your muscles have enough nutrition to remain intact, you need to eat a lot of high-protein foods. Opt for egg whites, baked chicken, fish and other lean meats which are low in calories.

Eat Frequently

It may seem counter-intuitive, but frequent eating can ramp up your metabolism, causing it to burn more fat. On the other hand, when you go long periods without eating, your body is likely to store more fat and burn muscle instead. For best results, eat small snacks every two to three hours.

Eat Fiber

When trying to lose fat, it's important to keep your blood sugar steady. When we eat high-glycemic foods that digest quickly, our blood sugar goes up, which results in insulin spikes that cause our bodies to store fat. When we eat high-fiber, low-glycemic foods that take a long time to digest, our blood sugar remains steady. Not only does this promote the right kind of weight loss, it keeps us energized and helps us avoid so-called crashes.

Don't Rush Things

Often, people try to lose weight rapidly to prepare for an important upcoming social event. In a race against the clock, they adopt crash diets, which cause their bodies to burn muscle and hoard fat. When we deprive our bodies of important calories, our brains go into starvation mode. This may promote weight loss; however, the ultimate result is less than appealing.

To look your best, you need to maintain your muscle tone. To accomplish this, it's important to lose weight slowly. If you don't have enough time to get that ideal body before a big event, you're better off employing specific strategies that paint your physique in a positive light. For women, this means wearing dark colored clothing that puts their torsos in balance with their waists and legs. Women can also wear high heels to make themselves appear taller and better proportioned.

Sunless tanners can also make a big difference for both men and women. Likewise, you can make yourself look thinner by avoiding salt for two days before an event. Whatever you do, make sure you wear comfortable clothing. According to professional photographer, Arnaud Brichet, who owns the Punta Cana wedding photography studio HDC Photo, this can be a big key in determining how others perceive you.

“In all my years photographing weddings, I can say that comfortable brides and grooms tend to look better in pictures,” he said. “If you're wearing a dress or suit that's too tight, you're not going to look your best. If brides or grooms are worried about how they might look, they should be careful to hire a photographer who knows how to paint subjects in the best possible light. Take the time to go through the photographer's portfolio to see how good a job they did photographing subjects who have body types which are similar to yours.”

Lift Weights

To gain muscle, you need to exercise and eat more calories than you burn. Obviously, if you're trying to lose weight, you're not likely to gain much muscle. That said, you can stave off muscle loss by performing weight-bearing exercises. Just be sure to work with a qualified trainer if you're new to weight lifting.

[custom_author=RJ Lawrence]

Yoga: A Great Way To Get Fit

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I had always thought that yoga was an exercise for “touchy-feely” people who really didn’t want to work out and get sweaty. Then I realized that everyone – and I mean EVERYONE – I know who does yoga is slender and fit. Not only that, they are deceptively strong. What the…? As I got older and a little stiffer, I noticed that my “yoga friends” weren’t stiffer. They would easily sit on the floor when there weren’t enough chairs. And, they could just as easily get up again. That’s when I first started to admit – yoga may be a great way to get fit.

Recovery

The event that pushed me over the edge into dabbling in yoga was a car wreck. When my car made contact with the other car, I was standing on the brake with my right foot. Both cars were totaled, but I was uninjured, except for that leg. My knee was torqued and compressed. Needless to say, I wouldn’t be mall walking for a while.

One of my friends suggested some gentle stretches to help me get over the wreck. After the session, I felt invigorated, and eager for the next lesson. As my knee healed, I stepped up my yoga workout and, much to my surprise, found myself sweating! That’s right, it was not an aerobic exercise, but I was certainly getting a workout.

A Real Workout

That’s when I realized that yoga was not a form of self-hypnosis. It is a legitimate exercise, and a great way to get fit! As I gently stretched my long muscles, years of tension gradually released their grip. I found muscles I never knew I had, and yes, they were sore after my non-workout. As the intricacy of the exercises increases, so did my need to focus, concentrating on maintaining balance and proper form. This provided another benefit in that, for a short time every day, I wasn’t worried about anything. It was just me and my body.

Circulation

I also found that my feet and ankles didn’t swell like they used to. My friends said that this was due to the fact that my circulation was improving. Who knew? I began to notice that I wasn’t having as many migraines, either. This was partly due to the fact that my neck, shoulders, and back were stretched and more relaxed. It was also aided by the improved circulation.
Needless to say, I’m now hooked on yoga. The low impact exercises are easier on my joints, while still isolating muscle groups for strength and stretching. In addition, the balance I have achieved has served me well on several occasions. At an age where people start to worry about falling and breaking a hip, I’m in better shape than ever. I’m calmer, too, able to center my focus and concentrate on the task at hand, rather than being distracted by a million things at once. So, if you ask me today, I’ll say yes, yoga is a great way to get fit.

[custom_author=Laura Green]

Five Hen Party Ideas That Will Appeal to a Health Buff

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Even health buffs tie the knot at some point and that can be tough for the bridal shower, hen or bachelorette party’s organizer. A hen that happens to be a health buff might not be interested in a traditional hen night celebration that calls for lots of alcohol, pub grub, and partying until the break of dawn. Hens that cannot appreciate that sort of celebration are better off enjoying other activities with their girlfriends. Read more

Musicians With War Wounds – Prevention is Better Than Cure!

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There is no doubt that musicians suffer for their art. RSI (repetitive strain injury) is a common complaint of many people who play a musical instrument, and there is nothing more frustrating than your own body preventing you from playing. That frustration can turn to a life-affecting disaster if you earn your living from playing music. You have a duty to protect yourself from as much damage as possible, and as the old saying goes – prevention is better than cure. Read more

Make Your Relationship Better As Your Bump Gets Bigger!

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Pregnancy has a habit of putting a lot of stress on couples. It changes everything – inevitably – and a lot of relationships have been known to crack under the pressure. The woman can feel slightly compromised as her body is being taken over, and may harbor feelings of resentment towards the man whose life continues as usual. The man in return may feel a little useless as he can’t do much to help carry the burden of a bump. Read more