ISIS

Stay Sexually Satisfied

2010-05-04T08:25:00.000-07:00

Few tips to stay sexually active and satisfied.

If you are in a relationship, enjoy your partner fully and at all levels- intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, sensually and of course sexually. To do that, it helps if you can enjoy being and knowing yourself at these levels too. Get familiar and loving with your body, learn what it likes and enjoys, and stop criticizing your belly or legs or nose or whatever! Make time to sensually explore your body in different ways.

Explore also the contours of your own desires, both in fantasy and in actually if it is safe and possible- for you to do so. You don’t need a partner to be and stay sexually satisfied and happy.

You probably know that no two sexual encounters are the same. So take it easy. Sometimes it will be passionate and hot, sometimes you might not feel like it at all. That’s fine too. It’s the little lull that contributes as well to the richness of a life sexually well-lived.

Pamper yourself. It does not require much. Think of a combination of the right lighting, clothes and music if you want it, incense if you like. Create condition in which you feel comfortable and able to relax into being yourself.

Diet For Healthy Skin

2010-04-22T06:56:00.000-07:00

Everyday wear and tear make our skin dull. If you are worried about the health of your skin and want to have glowing skin then it is extremely important that you should follow a healthy diet.

It is not very difficult to maintain a good complexion. The majority of us are born with healthy supple skin. But our everydays busy schedules and lack of discipline cause the wrinkles, dryness and make our skin dehydrated.

You should know what actually damage our skin:

Smoking
Excessive drinking of alcohol
Lack of sleep
Poor diet
Stress
Exposure to sun

Vitamin A, C & E are important for skin as these fight roughness and dryness. Biotin, selenium, protein, zinc are also good for skin. Deficiencies of these have been shown to cause skin problems. However the good news is that a varied diet provides all these nutrients.

Tips for healthy skin diet:

Drink plenty of water (8-10 glasses daily)
Eat plenty of dark orange (carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squash) and dark green (broccoli, spinach, kale) vegetables, all of which are high in vitamin A.
Skin needs protein. This nutrient is required to repair any skin damage. You can get protein from dairy products, poultry, fish and meat.
Foods rich in vitamin E include almonds, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, broccoli, wheat germ, peanuts and vegetable oils. Vitamin E to protect your cells against free radicals.
Drink Green tea. It contains polyphenols which have anti-inflammatory characteristics, which help fight damage caused by free radicals. Green tea also prevents skin cancer and rejuvenates skin cells.

If your diet is healthy then you will have glowing skin. Remember, a glowing skin is the outcome of good nutrition. Now you know the healthy skin diet, so get proactive and start from today!

Natural Skincare: Know The Health of Your Skin

2010-03-25T03:31:00.000-07:00

Our skin is the largest organ of the body comprising water, proteins, lipids and different chemicals.

Its primary function is to act as a protective barrier against infections and environments and provide sensations for heat, pain, cold, pressure and touch. This article is not about beauty but skin health.

The epidermis or the outermost layer of the skin holds a large amount of water and is responsible for the look and health of the skin. As we age, the capacity of the skin to retain water decreases, making the skin more vulnerable to dehydration and wrinkles.

Keratin is the protein presents in the skin - responsible for imparting body and strength to the skin. Elastin and collagen, on the other hand, impart elasticity and help to ward off the wrinkles and fine lines.Maintaining optimum levels is a must to postpone wrinkles; having unclogged blood vessels and sweat glands is the secret to a radiant skin.

Nutrients help to cleanse and nourish our skin from within and also delay the process of ageing.

* Vitamin A: This fat-soluble vitamin, abundantly found in brightly colored fruits and vegetables (carrots, tomatoes, spinach, papaya etc.) and low-fat milk products are essential for the maintenance and healing of tissues present on the outermost layer of skin.

* Vitamin B: B Vitamins are yet another group of vitamins which help to maintain normal skin functions including the functioning of the oil-producing glands which keep the skin moist and smooth. Lack of these in our diets leads to dry and scaly skin. Best sources include whole grains, sprouted pulses, bananas, potatoes and eggs.

* Vitamin E: Being a potent antioxidant, Vitamin E aids in protecting our skin cells from sunlight, pollution, drugs and other elements that produce cell-damaging free radicals.This antioxidant helps to slow the ageing of skin cells by reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Best sources include fish, eggs, chicken. almonds, leafy vegetables, peanuts, till seeds and supplements like fish oil and evening primrose oil.

* Selenium And Zinc: While selenium reduces the risk of sunburn, the mineral zinc helps to maintain collagen and elastin (the cells which impart firmness to skin and prevent sagging and wrinkles). Zinc also has a role in controlling the production of oil in the skin, and hence helps to control some of the hormones that create acne. These skin friendly nutrients can be found in nuts like almonds and walnuts, whole grains, seafood (especially fatty fish like mackerel, salmon), soya beans, mushrooms, pumpkin seeds and wheatgerm.

This is simple guide on skin nutrients. Today, our busy lifestyle leaves less time for pampering our skin and this results in our skin losing its youthful lustre. No matter how many vitamin pills we pop or how much of creams and lotion we apply- our skin care regimen is not complete without proper nutrition.

You can also read Olive Oil: For Skin And Hair

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Whey Protein: Health Benefits of Whey Protein And Side Effects

2010-03-22T06:30:00.001-07:00

Whey is one of the two proteins found in milk and milk products and it is obtained as a by-product while making cheese.

Whey protein is a fusion of globular proteins that can be separated from whey. Whey Protein is known to be a very rich source of amino acids and it contains minimal fats and cholesterol.

Whey Protein concentrates have a high and balanced amino acids profile. The lactose, calorific fat and sodium content is low. They possess a good emulsifying capacity and are compatible with other ingredients. it exhibits flavour-enhancement characteristics and can be used as a supplement to boost other proteins which are low in specific amino acids. it is bland in flavour. the good functional properties of the whey protein concentrates - solubility, emulsification, foaming, heat-setting, fat binding and water holding - make its use in many food products like beverages, confectionary, desserts, meat products and bakery products possible.

Some benefits of whey protein include:

Provides the most optimal source of essential amino acids which is critical for the repair and growth of muscle tissue - particularly after a workout.
Boosts immune function by increasing levels of glutathione (the most potent antioxidant in the body).
Increases the anabolic environment and prevents muscle breakdown, thereby assisting the muscle-building effects of intense weight training and exercise.
Helps to maintain balanced nutrition by supporting both healthy weight-loss (as an appetite suppressant) and muscle enhancing nutritional programs (whey protein is the precursor to building muscle tissue).
Studies have shown that whey may potentially reduce cancer rates, combat HIV, improve immunity, reduce stress and lower cortisol, increase brain serotonin levels, improve liver function in those suffering from certain forms of hepatitis, reduce blood pressure and improve performance.

What Are The Whey Protein Side Effects?

If you have lactose intolerance, you should select a pure whey protein isolate, having less than 0.1 gm of lactose per tablespoon (20 gm).
People who are allergic to diary products could react to whey and should, therefore, avoid it.
As with all proteins, long-term intake may be associated with deteriorating kidney function and possibly osteoporosis.
High doses of whey can be harmful to the liver.

Click here for more detailed information on Health Benefits of Whey

Health Benefits of Cucumbers

2010-02-23T05:17:00.000-08:00

Scientifically known as Cucumis sativus – Cucumber, belong to the same family as watermelon, zucchini, pumpkin, and other types of squash.

Varieties of cucumber are grown either to be eaten fresh or to be pickled. Those that are to be eaten fresh are commonly called slicing cucumbers. Cucumbers such as gherkins that are specially cultivated to make pickles are often much smaller than slicing cucumbers.

From the ancient time, people eat cucumbers. It is said that cucumbers were originated over ten thousand years ago in south Asia. It was very popular in the civilizations of Egypt, Greece and Rome. They not only used cucumbers as food but also for its beneficial skin healing properties. Till date we are getting benefited by the cucumbers.

Let’s see the health benefits of cucumbers:

1. Good for skin. The silica in cucumber is extremely important and essential for good skin. Silica is a trace mineral that contributes to the strength of our connective tissue.

2. Cucumbers are also used topically for various types of skin problems, including swelling under the eyes and sunburn. Two compounds in cucumbers, ascorbic acid and caffeic acid, prevent water retention, which may explain why cucumbers applied topically are often helpful for swollen eyes, burns and dermatitis.

3. Cucumber is full of fibre. In addition to it, cucumbers also consist vitamin C, silica, potassium and magnesium.

4. Cucumbers help in kidney and urinary bladder disease.

5. Fresh cucumber juice is good for the relief from heartburn, acid stomach, gastritis and even ulcer.

6. Cucumber juice, when mixed with carrot juice, is said to be good for rheumatic conditions caused by excessive uric acid in the body.

7. Cucumber juice is very good for those who are suffering from diabetes.

8. Fresh cucumber juice can provide relief from heartburn, acid stomach, gastritis and even ulcer.

9. Daily consumption of cucumber juice helps control cases of eczema, arthritis and gout.

10. Being rich in minerals, cucumbers help to prevent the splitting of nails. Cucumber juice is beneficial for those who have any kind of teeth or gum problem.

Also, cucumber juice is beneficial for its properties as an increaser of the flow of urine.

Bipolar Disorder Causes And Treatment

2010-02-10T02:54:00.000-08:00

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person’s mood, energy and ability to function. Sometimes they feel very happy and “up,” and are much more active than usual. This is called mania. And sometimes people with bipolar disorder feel very sad and “down,” and are much less active. This is called depression. Bipolar disorder can also cause changes in energy and behavior. This is a serious brain illness. Bipolar disorder is not the same as the normal ups and downs everyone goes through. Bipolar symptoms are more powerful than that. They can damage relationships and make it hard to go to school or keep a job. They can also be dangerous. Some people with bipolar disorder try to hurt themselves or attempt suicide.

But there is good news: bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives.

Who Develops Bipolar Disorder?

Anyone can develop Bipolar Disorder. Though normally it happens to the persons in the late teen or early in the adulthood, but anyone including children and adult can develop Bipolar disorder. Usually this illness usually lasts a lifetime.

What Causes Bipolar Disorder?

The causes of Bipolar Disorder are not clear. The scientists have been researching about this matter for a long time. Most scientists agree that there is no single cause for Bipolar Disorder rather many factors can act together to produce this illness. Because bipolar disorder tends to run in families, researchers have been searching for specific genes—the microscopic “building blocks” of DNA inside all cells that influence how the body and mind work and grow—passed down through generations that may increase a person’s chance of developing the illness.

How Is Bipolar Disorder Treated?

Right now, there is no cure for bipolar disorder. But treatment can help control symptoms. Most people can get help for mood changes and behavior problems. Treatment works best when it is ongoing, instead of on and off. In addition, keeping a chart of daily mood symptoms, treatments, sleep patterns, and life events may help people with bipolar disorder and their families to better understand the illness. This chart also can help the doctor track and treat the illness most effectively.

Carrot Juice: Health Benefits of Carrots

2010-01-31T08:09:00.000-08:00

Carrot juice is an excellent source of vitamin C. An eight ounce glass of pure carrot

juice can provide your body with up to 35% of your daily recommended dosage of vitamin C. Vitamin C has a wide variety of uses throughout our entire body, such as collagen production of the mucous membranes, skin, bones, and teeth. Vitamin C is also a very crucial antioxidant.

A few carrots juiced with blackcurrant berries, oranges, lemons, or kiwi, can easily provide you with your whole daily vitamin C dosage, without the need to take synthetic vitamins supplements.

Carrot juice is an excellent drinkable source of potassium. Potassium is very important in
helping to maintain a healthy electrolyte balance and fluid level in the cells of your body.
It's also necessary in muscle movement, such as contraction, as well as neurotransmission. Potassium deficiencies are very bad for your body, with such effects as Hypokalemia, acne, muscle spasms, dry skin, and elevated cholesterol levels. Carrots
juiced with celery or turnips can provide your body with a large intake level of potassium.

An eight ounce glass of pure carrot juice will usually provide up to 10% of
the daily recommended intake level of potassium. It should be known that individuals who suffer from kidney disease, should avoid taking in large amounts of potassium, as it can be very harmful on the organs.

Pure carrot juice is a very low calorie juice drink. Eight fluid ounces of the beverage yields usually no more then 80 calories. Carrot juice is an excellent nutritional supplement for dieters, providing you with a rich supply of essential vitamins and minerals, without being accompanied by all of the calories that a health shake might give you. For athletes and weightlifters, the calorie level of carrot juice can be upped by blending it with fruit yogurt, milk, ice cream, or a protein powder supplement.
For more read - Carrots Benefits: Say Yes To Carrots

Oranges: Health Benefits

2010-01-15T10:17:00.000-08:00

Oranges: Delicious and juicy orange fruit contains an impressive list of essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals for normal growth and development and overall well-being.

When eaten whole, the pith provides anti-cancer agents and important bioflavonoids. Oranges are rich in fiber too. Oranges are also rich in Vitamin A and B, iron, chlorine, manganese, zinc, sodium, phosphorous, iodine, calcium, folic acid, potassium, pectin, beta-carotene and amino acids.

In addition to their most well known ingredient, vitamin C, research has shown that oranges contain many other important cancer fighting compounds. Oranges have been found to contain over 170 phytochemicals, including over 20 compounds from the carotenoid family. Carotenoids have shown real promise in fighting cancer and other common illnesses, and oranges are one of the best dietary sources of these important compounds.

How does vitamin C help?

Acts as a scavenger to harmful elements in your body. One of the most powerful antioxidants, vitamin C neutralizes free radicals (harmful elements naturally occurring within the body and through environmental factors) Vitamin C also helps he maintain a healthy body.

Vitamin C can help boost the absorption of non-heme iron (the iron found in plants, not meat products). So including a glass of grapefruit juice before eating a spinach salad helps your body absorb two to four times as much iron.

Supports a healthy immune system. When you feel that tickle in the back of your throat and your nose starts running, it is important to give your body the fluids and nutrients it craves to stay healthy. A serving of grapefruit juice can provide vitamin C and a host of other nutrients to keep your immune system strong and healthy.

Orange fruit contains a variety of phytochemicals. Hesperetin and Narigenin are flavonoids found in citrus fruits. Naringenin is found to have a bio-active effect on human health as antioxidant, free radical scavenger, anti-inflammatory, and immune system modulator. This substance has also been shown to reduce oxidant injury to DNA in vitro studies.

Oranges also contain very good levels of vitamin A, and other flavonoid antioxidants such as alpha and beta carotenes, beta-cryptoxanthin, zea-xanthin and lutein. These compounds are known to have antioxidant properties. Vitamin A also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin and is also essential for vision. Consumption of natural fruits rich in flavonoids helps body to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

It is also a very good source of B-complex vitamins such as thiamin, pyridoxine and folates. These vitamins are essential in the sense that body requires them from external sources to replenish.

Orange fruit also contains a very good amount of minerals like potassium and calcium. Potassium in an important component of cell and body fluids helps control heart rate and blood pressure.

More on Health & Oranges

Hepatitis B: Symptoms, Prevention & Treatment

2010-01-07T05:17:00.000-08:00

Hepatitis is a general term that means inflammation of the liver. The liver can become inflamed as a result of infection, a disorder of the immune system, or exposure to alcohol, certain medications, toxins, or poisons.

KEY FACTS of Hepatitis B:

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease.
The virus is transmitted through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person - not through casual contact.
About 2 billion people worldwide have been infected with the virus and about 350 million live with chronic infection. An estimated 600 000 persons die each year due to the acute or chronic consequences of hepatitis B.
About 25% of adults who become chronically infected during childhood later die from liver cancer or cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) caused by the chronic infection.
The hepatitis B virus is 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV.
Hepatitis B virus is an important occupational hazard for health workers.
Hepatitis B is preventable with a safe and effective vaccine.

Who is at risk for hepatitis B?

Anyone can get hepatitis B, but the risk is higher if a person:

Has sex with someone infected with hepatitis B virus
Has sex with more than one partner
Is a man who has sex with another man
Lives in the same house with someone who has lifelong hepatitis B virus infection
Has a job that involves contact with human blood
Injects illegal drugs
Is a patient or worker in a home for the developmentally disabled
Has hemophilia
Moves or travels often to areas where hepatitis B is common

Hepatitis B Symptoms:

Half of all people infected with the hepatitis B virus have no symptoms. Symptoms develop within 30-180 days of exposure to the virus. The symptoms are often compared to flu. Most people think they have flu and never think about having HBV infection.

Appetite loss
Feeling tired (fatigue)
Nausea and vomiting
Itching all over the body
Pain over the liver (on the right side of the abdomen, under the lower rib cage)
Jaundice - A condition in which the skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow in color
Urine becomes dark in color (like cola or tea).
Stools are pale in color (grayish or clay colored).

Hepatitis B Prevention

All infants should receive the hepatitis B vaccine: this is the mainstay of hepatitis B prevention. The vaccine can be given as either three or four separate doses, as part of existing routine immunization schedules. In areas where mother-to-infant spread of HBV is common, the first dose of vaccine should be given as soon as possible after birth (i.e. within 24 hours). All children and adolescents younger than 18 years old and not previously vaccinated should receive the vaccine.

Hepatitis B Treatment

There is no specific treatment for acute hepatitis B. Care is aimed at maintaining comfort and adequate nutritional balance, including replacement of fluids that are lost from vomiting and diarrhoea.

Chronic hepatitis B can be treated with drugs, including interferon and anti-viral agents, which can help some patients. Treatment can cost thousands of dollars per year and is not available to most patients in developing countries.

Chronic hepatitis B infection

The degree of liver damage is related to the amount of active, replicating (multiplying) virus in the blood and liver. Regularly measuring the amount of HBV DNA in the blood gives a good idea of how fast the virus is multiplying. The treatments now in use are antiviral drugs, which stop the virus from multiplying.

Antiviral agents, while the best therapy known for chronic hepatitis B, do not work in all individuals with the disease.

Although there are several antiviral agents for chronic hepatitis B approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), research is ongoing. This means that dosages and treatment recommendations are subject to change.

Research is ongoing to find medications that work better with fewer side effects.

Antiviral therapy is not appropriate for everyone with chronic HBV infection. It is reserved for people whose infection is most likely to progress to chronic hepatitis B.

Decisions to start medications for treatment of hepatitis B are made by you and your health care provider, often in consultation with a specialist in diseases of the digestive system (gastroenterologist) or liver (hepatologist).

The decision is based on results of liver function tests, HBV DNA tests, and, frequently, liver biopsies after a complete history and physical examination.

Depending on the results of these tests, you may decide to start therapy or to delay it until later.

Treatment is usually started when blood tests indicate that liver functions are deteriorating and the amount of replicating HBV is rising. The interval between diagnosis and starting treatment can be a year or two or several years. Many people may never require medication.

If you have chronic hepatitis B infection and think you might be pregnant, let your health care provider know right away. If you are pregnant and think you have been exposed to hepatitis B, let your health care provider know right away.

All pregnant women should be tested for hepatitis B virus early in their pregnancy. If the blood test is positive, the baby should receive hepatitis B vaccine at birth, along with another shot (hepatitis B immune globulin). If the blood test shows that the mother is not infected, vaccination of the baby can be delayed until age 2-6 months. This delay responds to concerns that the small amounts of mercury in the vaccine preservative thimerosal could pose a theoretical risk to newborn infants, although no scientific evidence of harm caused by this level of exposure has been reported. When a new hepatitis B vaccine that does not contain the preservative thimerosal becomes available, newborn hepatitis B vaccination does not need to be delayed and can start at birth.

Read More About Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B - The Silent Killer

Relationship Problems: How To Resolve Relationship Conflicts

2009-12-03T02:02:00.000-08:00

This topic center concerns marriage and marriage-like relationship problems.

Conflict is a normal, and even healthy, part of relationships. After all, two people can’t be expected to agree on everything at all times. Conflict arises from differences. It occurs whenever people disagree over their values, motivations, perceptions, ideas, or desires.

The ability to successfully manage and resolve conflict depends on four key skills. Together, these four skills form a fifth skill that is greater than the sum of its parts: the ability to take conflict in stride and resolve differences in ways that build trust and confidence.

Tips for managing and resolving conflict:

Maintaining and strengthening the relationship, rather than “winning” the argument, should always be your first priority. Be respectful of the other person and his or her viewpoint.
If you’re holding on to old hurts and resentments, your ability to see the reality of the current situation will be impaired. Rather than looking to the past and assigning blame, focus on what you can do in the here-and-now to solve the problem.
Resolving conflict is impossible if you’re unwilling or unable to forgive. Resolution lies in releasing the urge to punish, which can never compensate for our losses and only adds to our injury by further depleting and draining our lives.
If you can’t come to an agreement, agree to disagree. It takes two people to keep an argument going. If a conflict is going nowhere, you can choose to disengage and move on.
Remain calm. Try not to overreact to difficult situations. By remaining calm it will be more likely that others will consider your viewpoint.
Avoid accusations. Accusations will cause others to defend themselves. Instead, talk about how someone's actions made you feel
Deal with only one issue at a time. Don't introduce other topics until each is fully discussed. This avoids the "kitchen sink" effect where people throw in all their complaints while not allowing anything to be resolved.
Avoid clamming up. When one person becomes silent and stops responding to the other, frustration and anger can result. Positive results can only be attained with two-way communication.

I know many of you’ve heard and read these time and again. So, it’s just a reminder!

How To Improve Memory

2009-12-02T05:28:00.000-08:00

If our brains were computers, we'd simply add a chip to upgrade our memory. However, the human brain is more complex than even the most advanced machine, so improving human memory requires slightly more effort.

Memory is the mental activity of recalling information that you have learned or experienced. That simple definition, though, covers a complex process that involves many different parts of the brain and serves us in disparate ways. Memory can be short-term or long-term. In short-term memory, your mind stores information for a few seconds or a few minutes. Long-term memory involves the information you make an effort (conscious or unconscious) to retain, because it’s personally meaningful to you.

Tips for memory improvements

Pay attention: You can’t remember something if you never learned it, and you can’t learn something — that is, encode it into your brain — if you don’t pay enough attention to it. It takes about eight seconds of intent focus to process a piece of information through your hippocampus and into the appropriate memory center. So, no multitasking when you need to concentrate! If you distract easily, try to receive information in a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted.
Mediation: In this method, a bridge is built in between the items given to be memorized. This technique is best suited for learning material involving word pairs or material that can be reduced to word pairs.
Exercise your body: Healthy body, healthy mind as they say. The more oxygen that you make available to your brain the better your memory becomes.
Exercise your brain: Although your brain isn't actually a muscle you can keep it in good shape by mentally challenging yourself. Puzzle games like Soduku, Tetris and Crosswords can help to keep the mind agile. Learning a new language or how to play a musical instrument can take a little more effort to do but will do wonders for your memory. Mentally exercising your brain has been proven to improve the physiological function of your brain.
Eat healthily: You are what you eat and some foods are better for your body and memory than others. As far as looking after your memory goes you should eat foods that are high in anti oxidants. Not only will a diet rich in fresh olive oil, berries, steamed broccoli and spinach help your memory but it will probably also help reduce cholesterol. Omega oils are the holy grail of brain foods.
Reduce stress: Chronic and even temporary stress makes it more difficult to remember. A relaxed person remembers more and probably lives longer too. Luckily exercising your body helps you to relax and reduces stress so if you practice our first step you are already well on your way to reducing stress.
Mnemonics: Believe it or not it is often easier to remember a whole sentence than just one word. For example a small child learning to spell the word BECAUSE will probably find the sentence Betty Eats Cake And Uncle Sells Eggs easier to remember than repeating the letters B-E-C-A-U-S-E over and over again. This is because your brain remembers images and novelty easier than it can remember abstract information like strings of letters or numbers.
Good sleep habits: Sleep is necessary for memory consolidation. Sleep disorders like insomnia and sleep apnea leave you tired and unable to concentrate during the day.
Chunking: Perhaps Chunking is the oldest method used in memorization. In this method, the items to be memorized are divided into small and easily memorizable chunks or groups. This method works best when the order of the items is not important. This method is found to be particularly well suited for memorizing multi-digit numbers and for committing complicated spellings to memory.
Keep a positive attitude: Tell yourself that you want to learn what you need to remember, and that you can learn and remember it. Telling yourself you have a bad memory actually hampers the ability of your brain to remember, while positive mental feedback sets up an expectation of success.

Take your time developing these skills and remember the old saying "Practice makes perfect." If you apply yourself to learning or trying any of these techniques, and you feed your brain with the right things, you will have an excellent memory in no time at all.

How To Gain Weight

2009-11-29T06:31:00.000-08:00

Gaining weight is as difficult as losing weight. Both of these take some time. But gaining weight is possible like losing weight. Only you have to try and go through a proper routine.

For gaining weight you need to look after two aspects- your diet and strength training. Many people thing exercise is the way to losing weight. But this concept is wrong. If you want to gain weight then you need to do some useful workouts too.

How To Gain Weight:

Workout: Many people think that exercise is only for losing weight, but sadly this is a myth. Daily exercise can help to increase your muscle mass and tone your fat portion in the body thus improving your body composition. Moreover it also works to improve your appetite and thus your food intake. Get in the gym and lift! This is another important step to how to gain weight, so make sure you are doing it correctly. Lift hard and then recover for the next workout. Focus on the big exercises such as squats, deadlifts, bent-over rows, chin-ups, bench press, & military press. These are the exercises that will turn those extra calories into muscle and therefore help you gain weight. Multiple-joint lifts that will shock your system and stimulate your body into growth. Gradually add a little amount of weight each time you workout – this will help you strengthen those muscles.

Weigh yourself at the end of a week. You’ll notice you’re gaining more weight after only one week! However, don’t expect miracles.

Eating Strategies: Here are some tips for getting those extra calories into your daily meal plan-

Eat frequently - Make time for 3 large meals and

2-3 hefty snacks every day.

Eat larger than normal portions at meals!
Eat higher calorie foods. Choose dried fruit, starchy vegetables, dense whole grain breads and cereals, hearty bean soups, nuts
Make beverages count. Drink shakes, milk, juice, etc. instead of water, coffee, tea, and diet sodas.

Foods with more calories:

Breads

Choose hearty, dense breads such as whole wheat, oat bran, pumpernickel, or

rye (as opposed to fluffy white breads). The bigger and more thickly sliced the

better! Spread generously with peanut butter, jam, honey, hummus, or low fat

cream cheese.

• Cereals

Choose dense cold cereals such as granola, muesli, Grape-Nuts, Crackling Oat

Bran, Shredded Wheat n Bran or Wheat Chex (instead of flaked or puffed

cereals). When making oatmeal and other hot cereals, use low fat milk instead

of water. Add extra nuts and dried fruits for flavor.

• Vegetables

Starchy vegetables such as potatoes, peas, corn, carrots, winter squash, and

beets have more calories than watery veggies like broccoli, cauliflower,

zucchini, green beans, and cucumbers.

• Fruits

Bananas, pears, apples, pineapple, and all dried fruits (raisins, dates, dried

apricots, etc.) have more calories than watery fruits such as oranges, peaches,

plums, berries, and watermelon. Buy canned fruit packed in heavy syrup,

instead of its own juice, for extra calories.

• Soups

Select hearty black bean, lentil, split pea, chili with beans, barley, or

minestrone soups. These soups have more calories and carbohydrates than

brothy chicken, and vegetable types.

• Salads

Rather than filling up on watery lettuce, pile on the garbanzo and kidney beans,

green peas and corn, chopped vegetables, sunflower seeds and chopped

walnuts, raisins, cottage cheese, lean meats, tuna fish, and croutons. Top with

a liberal amount of vinegar and oil type dressing.

• Beverages

Quench your thirst with fruit juices and nectars, low fat milk, shakes, fruit

smoothies, and regular soft drinks. Avoid filling your stomach up with non

caloric beverages like water, coffee, tea, and diet soft drinks.

Remember, choose tour diet carefully. Don’t just eat anything to gain weight. Always avoid what is bad for health.

Drink Water: Drink around a half gallon a day, more if you can. Yes, that's a lot of water, but it's that water that will give you the energy you need to gain that weight.

Sleep: Get lots of sleep. This is one of the easiest yet most neglected weight gain tips. Sleep for a minimum of 8 hours night. You’re body needs it to function properly.

To gain weight, you do not take any unhealthy food. If you are having foods with high saturated fat then eat it in moderation. It is very important to have a healthy diet plan. Weight training helps convert the extra calories into muscle rather than flab. Aim for 2-3 times per week.

Immunity Boosting Herbs

2009-11-27T22:32:00.000-08:00

The perverse impact of stress on the immune system has recently reared its ugly head with the panic over the Swine Flu epidemic.

But there are herbs that help us strengthen the immune system and protect from the compromising impact of stress.

The two major factors that influence our risk of infection and diseases are exposure and susceptibility.

Exposure: While there are measures we can take to reduce our exposure to a virus; it is nearly impossible to completely eliminate getting exposed to infectious microbes like bacteria and viruses. Taking care to reduce exposure is important. But the biggest determining factor in regards to getting infected or not, is whether or not you are susceptible to infection.
Susceptibility: A weak immune system is more susceptible to infection or disease. By boosting the integrity of your immune system, you will reduce your susceptibility, or the likelihood of getting infected.

Herbs to build and maintain a strong immune system:

1. Ashwagandha: Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), is an adaptogenic (that increases resistance to stress) herb that is well-documented for its immune building properties. Ashwagandha helps us fight stress by balancing cortisol (a stress fighting hormone) levels. It helps prevent the depletion of vitamin C when under stress and is superior to ginseng as a stress fighting adaptogen. Most importantly, Ashwagandha builds the body’s energy reserves. It can be taken before going to bed to support sleep and also next morning to boost energy and vitality.

2. Holy Basil: Holy Basil, also called Tulsi, is another powerful adaptogen that should be taken daily, either in raw farm in as a tea or in capsules. This herb has been documented in Vedic medicinal and sacred texts dating back 5000 years, Holy Basil- is one o world’s most powerful adaptogenic, stress relieving and immune supportive herbs. It reduces stress, strengthens the immune system, promotes calmness, minimizes cold and flu symptoms, balances metabolism and builds stamina. Holy Basil has been rightly named the “Queen of Herbs”.

3. Indian Lilac / Neem: Known as “The one that cures all ailment and ills”, Neem protects the body from both exposure and susceptibility. It helps prevent and fight infection through its natural anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. Neem builds immunity, helps purify the blood and supports healthy liver functions including detoxification. With regular use, Neem helps to rejuvenate and nourish the skin, balance blood sugar levels and boost the body’s anti-inflammatory response.

These herbs will help your body fight stress, build immunity and act as your daily dose of prevention and protection against exposure and constant stress of our demanding lifestyles.

How To Get A Perfect Body

2009-11-26T22:34:00.000-08:00

Most of us go to the gym to get a better look. But not all know the exact techniques of doing exercise. So what does it take to get a perfect physic?

Once you decide to begin a training regime, formulate a solid game plan. First, decide your goal. Decide on a short, obtainable goal that you can achieve in a short time span.

Also, you have to be patient. You cannot achieve the success overnight rather it will take considerable amount of hard work. But if approach smartly then you will achieve your goal sooner than later.

Be sure you keep the following in mind…

Getting lean is about 70% dietary effort, 20% proper workout programming technique, 5% psychological (because let’s face it, temptation is around every corner), and 5% sheer determination. If you are thinking to get a good physic, be sure you are you are consuming fewer calories.

About protein intake, you should be consuming a minimum of one gram per pound of body mass in order to prevent muscle loss. Losing weight is of no use if you aren’t losing fat weight. That’s the critical factor that will determine whether you end up looking like a smaller version of your current self at the end of the diet or a version that is leaner and appears more muscular. Remember to take in some protein and carbohydrates around your workout period, for both muscle glycogen replenishment and to help give you the energy you need to get through the workouts in the first place.

What to consider when designing your workout to get ripped is that you want to cut back on the total number of reps and sets since you won’t have the fuel to recover from strenuous workouts. At the same time, however, try to maintain intensity since it will preserve your strength and muscle tissue mass. Additionally, when you want to get ripped reduce the amount of isolation work you do. This would include movements such as bicep curls, tricep isolation exercises, leg extensions, lateral raises, and so on. You can hit pretty much all the muscle groups in the body with the following exercises: Bench press, Squat, Deadlift, Shoulder press, Calf raise, One ab exercise.

To round out your workout to get ripped, we have the cardio component. consider doing one to two sprint cardio sessions per week, as these are better suited for burning fat, while maintaining your muscle mass. Do note that two should be your max as far as intervals are concerned, especially if you are lifting heavy with your legs. If you’re doing a full body, three times per week, you’ll likely want to reduce this to one since you still need enough total time for rest. If you are doing squats, deadlifts and other leg exercises Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and throw in intervals on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday (with Sunday off), you will essentially be working legs six days in a row, which would literally destroy you in a matter of a few weeks. Your system simply needs more time to recover with proper program planning.

Far too often people will only focus on one aspect of the equation -- be it diet, weight-lifting or cardio -- which only shorts them of the results they could be seeing when they try to get ripped.

Read also Tips to get a model like body.

Note: Consult your fitness expert and doctor (in some cases) before doing any kind of exercise.

Earn Money Online

2009-11-24T03:01:00.000-08:00

A trend is here to earn money online. Many people, who like internet or surf internet more than average, show the interest of earning while browsing. But earning online can be tricky and a time taking job. You cannot earn money from the start. Neither you can expect huge amount of money by spending few hours on internet. But you can earn for sure, if you have that tenacity and the ability to work really hard. It’s not a myth, it’s a fact that internet can give you some money, only you have to be on the right track.

There are many ways to make money online. You can write article, make survey, get a freelancer job, sell your photograph and by simply browsing clicking on ads. And that’s not all but there are few more.

Personally I always prefer the writing sites more than anything when it comes to earn money online. I don’t like to take survey and I do not have the time for a freelancer job. Also, I don’t like those PTC sites and believe you never can money or rather significant amount of money by clicking ads and surfing websites. If you are a photographer and have some talent on photography then it’s a good idea to sell your photos online. You can find some good sites that are ready to sell your photographs and give revenue to you. Although they are very choosey about the photograph but if you are a good photographer then it’s worth to give it a try.

Many people write blogs and earn money online. But there are many who just write but don’t get anything in return. This happens mainly because of two reasons. Either they are unaware of the sites that can pay them for their blogs or they are not really persistent with their efforts. As I mentioned above one needs to be very determined to earn money online. If you are in it then first of all you need to create a good base. You should have a good networking, good friend circle and proper knowledge of using networking sites into your favour. But while you are doing this you should keep writing articles. Never give up after writing few articles or poems only because you are not earning much. Remember it takes little time to fly off but once you are there, you will not repent.

So the key of earning money online is hard work. You have to be very pro-active. There are many sites who are ready give you money for your writing effort. Some of them are really good. I’ve written an article on this and want to refer that article. If you are interested then click the link and have a look.

10 Get Paid To Write Websites

Have a happy publishing!

Opening Up To You

2009-11-21T12:02:00.000-08:00

I love to write. Whether poetry or article, writing is my passion. When I write article or blog, I try to be informative. Many of my blogs are informative and mostly related to health. Although I come from a software background, I’ve written a lot of article that are based on health and fitness. So, why I’m so much into health?

The reason behind is that I feel health is the most important thing of our life. If you are healthy then you are fit to do anything. My goal is always to aware people about the health issues that we tend to ignore even though we know very well how much important are those. Generally, I try to give some tips and describe how we can have a better life and better health if we are well informed about our health and fitness.

Once one of my friends asked me a very valid question about my writing on health issues. He asked, how do I write on health issues when I’m not a doctor or a student of medicine? Good question. Well, I believe one doesn’t need to be a doctor to know and spread information about health; all you need to do is a good bit of research and take advices from those who are in the field of medicine. I’m very fortunate to have few of my closer buddies who are on the health related job or doctors. Hence when I think to write something on health I consult with them, take advice from them and research on that particular subject on my own; only after that I publish something. So, all my articles are well researched and based on facts.

But my aim is not only to create awareness on health and fitness, rather I like to spread information on the issues that create interest in me and on which I have some knowledge. This is what I have been doing for quite some time now. I’m glad people are liking it.

So here I am with all my love and inspiration, I’m writing again and talking to you through my blogs. I hope all my readers and friends will continue to support me in this venture.