Triphasil

Triphasil

Generic Name: ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (ETH in ill ess tra DYE ol and LEE vo nor JESS trel)

Brand Names: Alesse, Aviane, Enpresse, Lessina, Levlen, Levlite, Levora, Lutera, Lybrel, Nordette, Portia, Sronyx, Tri-Levlen, Triphasil, Trivora

What is Triphasil?

Ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel contains a combination of female hormones that prevent ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). This medication also causes changes in your cervical mucus and uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus.

Triphasil is used as contraception to prevent pregnancy.

True Health Confession: "I Had Reconstructive Surgery--On My Vagina"

Of all the places to get work done--boobs, eyes, nose, even back-fat removal, which we've talked about--one woman is opening up about the reconstructive surgery she had ... on her vagina.

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"Sara," a guest blogger over at MomLogic, recently wrote about her unusual story: "I just recently picked up a new vagina," she wrote. "It's brand new, shiny, and never been tested by man. You think I'm kidding, but its true: One week ago today, along with other repair surgeries, I had a vaginal reconstruction. I'm 37, but in more ways than one I feel like a new woman, a virtual born-again virgin."

Before you jump to conclusions, Sara's surgery was the result of vaginal trauma during the birth of her baby. Here's how she described it: "First, I will establish for you that I did not do this 'vaginal rejuvenation' as a cosmetic option. I'm not a celebrity millionaire and if I had money to fix an area, there are many other baggy organs urgently pushing themselves to the top of my surgical waiting list. My injuries were due to an emergency forceps birth, which caused significant muscle damage eight years ago. So, the need to be rebuilt, along with receiving a supportive bladder sling apparatus, was of medical necessity." She goes on to write about how the surgery has improved her sex life in this post.

Anaerobic Respiration

Anaerobic respiration is a process in which organisms produce energy in absence of oxygen. The following article will cover all the information related to what is anaerobic respiration.

Respiration is an impo0rtant process of life. This process is a biochemical pathway that releases energy from the chemical bonds in glucose and this energy is used to carry out the other essential functions of life. Each and every living cell follows cellular respiration. Cellular respiration can be carried out by two different pathways. The cellular respiration that occurs in presence of oxygen is called aerobic cellular respiration. And the cellular respiration that occurs in absence of oxygen is anaerobic cellular respiration.

Learning About Asperger Syndrome

Asperger Syndrome, which is also known as Asperger Disorder, is a type of persuasive development disorder. These are disorders that involve delays in the development of many basic skills, and most notably of all the ability to socialize with others or to communicate and use the imagination. It is very similar to autism, and more specifically, it is characterized by poor interactions, obsessions, odd speech patterns, and various other peculiar mannerisms as well. Asperger Syndrome is very rare, but because of the detrimental symptoms of the conditions, it is obviously a very serious one.

There are a few other symptoms that are associated with the condition as well, including motor delays, clumsiness, limited interests, and peculiar preoccupations.

Understanding Colic In Babies

Colic is a condition when infants crying for hours for no known or apparent reason. It is an abdominal pain that is normally distressing for the child. There are about 20% of all infants suffering from colic which is also having an impact to the parents as it is exhausting and drains them emotionally. However, the situation is harmless and benign and by the time a child is four years old the condition will end.

What Causes Colic?

The cause is unknown but the pain, according to experts are attributed to a few number of things. The most important attribute is the particular temperament of the infant, alongside with the infant’s immature digestive system and also allergies.

Make The Lice Go Bye

Lice. A disgusting topic to talk about but one we have to highlight nonetheless. It is like being behind the wheel; you have no control of all the other people around you, but you can stop yourself from running them over.

Lice, you should know are not picky. Whether you take five showers a day or five showers a month, they will easily pitch tent on your head given half a chance. As long as you have blood running through you then you qualify. They are so dependent on human blood; so dependent that they cannot go a day without it (talk about being thirsty). They easily change heads from one person to another.

Why Cinnamon Should Be a Staple in Your Shopping Cart!

We often don't think of herbs and spices as food but they are and many of them contain healthful antioxidants and phytochemicals just like fruits and vegetables do. One of my favorite spices is cinnamon. I use it on a variety of foods and I love that the smell of cinnamon is everywhere during the holiday season!

Herbs and spices grow from the earth just like the produce we eat does so that is why they contain many of the same health benefits. We obviously don't eat the same volume of spices as we do vegetables but we still take in disease fighting antioxidants and every little bit of those help us stay healthy!

7 Simple Techniques for Keeping Your Child Believing in Christmas And Santa Claus

Many parents love to see the joy and excitement Santa Claus can bring to their child. For many people, their childhood memories of Santa Claus are the best Christmas memories they have. Keeping your child believing in Santa, however, can be a daunting task. Children are smart these days, and some of the old Santa tricks just don’t get by them anymore. Many children are perpetually plagued with the question, “Is there a Santa Claus?”

Every family may have slightly different Christmas traditions with regards to Santa Claus, but there are some very easy things any person can do to keep the belief in Santa at an all time high. The following 7 techniques will keep your child believing in the magic and wonderment of Santa Claus and you don’t have to be familiar with the history of Santa Claus to apply them.

What makes a great yoga mat?

Nothing ruins a Zen moment like a slippery yoga mat. With Lotuspad, you can hold your pose on a non-slip mat that’s extra thick, extra long and eco-friendly too.

Katy Downey created Lotuspad after she went looking for a safe yoga mat for her baby to play on. She wanted a nontoxic mat made without potentially harmful materials like PVC. When she had a hard time finding one, she decided to make it herself.

Buy Eco Friendly Skidless Yoga Mat here.

Buy Eco Friendly Skidless Yoga Mat here.

Lotuspad is a bit thicker (5 millimeters) and a bit longer (72 inches) than most mats, and it has a superior grip. It’s free of PVC, BPA, latex and lead. The closed cell construction means it resists moisture, prevents bacterial and fungal growth, and won’t hold onto unsavory smells. It’s also reversible, so you can use both brightly colored sides. When you’re done, the Lotuspad rolls up for easy transport with one of Katy’s handcrafted carrying straps made of sturdy grosgrain ribbon.

10 Ways To Burn 100 Calories While Watching TV

Yes, you can be a couch potato and STILL burn calories, slim down and tone up. Try these 10 ways to burn 100 calories without removing your eyes from the TV.

1. Stand up. You burn an average of 70 calories an hour by just standing up. Watch a couple of your favorite shows and you’ll be at 100 calories in no time… well, in about an hour and a half.

2. Do 5, Daily100s. On average you will burn 100 calories. A Daily 100 is 100 seconds or 100 reps of an exercise!

3. Just Dance. Watching "So You Think You Can Dance” or “Dancing with the Stars?” Dance right along with the contestants. Or better yet, create your own dancing competition with your kids. You can burn approximately 100 calories in 20 minutes.

Picky eating to the extreme: Do you know someone who suffers from this?

Perhaps you steer clear of creamy sauces or don't eat anything orange. Maybe you cannot tolerate dairy or detest any foods that are crunchy on the outside and mushy on the inside. Most of us have some kind of eating quirk. But what if you were such a picky eater that your diet was narrowed down to just a few food choices?

What if you felt intense stress in social situations when appetizers are passed or the buffet is full of food you know you cannot stomach? What if professional networking, friendships, or even marriages were ruined because of what you wouldn't eat?

Researchers from the Duke Center for Eating Disorders say that picky eating to this extreme could torment thousands of people. Nancy Zucker, the director of the center based at Duke University, says that this illness has not previously been recognized but is now labeled as selective eating disorder.

12 Days of Fitness--in Only 30 Minutes!

If you and your kid's schedules seem to go into overdrive in December, and fitting in your normal fitness routine and family time becomes even more of a challenge, why not sneak a few minutes of sweat-time in with the fam?

Fitness expert Patricia Friberg, offers fun-filled exercise ideas designed to get the busiest of families up and moving together. You'll burn calories and build strength while spending some quality time with the people that matter the most!

12 days of Family Fitness in 30 minutes:

1. Brisk walking in the Winter Wonderland: Enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas as you walk side by side with your family. 30 minute walk.

Vitamin Guide: Everything You Need To Know

The nutritionist to the stars breaks down everything you need to know about vitamins!

Have you ever walked down the vitamin aisle of your local Trader Joe's (heart you TJ!) only to be left utterly confused and defeated? Lets be real – trying to navigate the vast world of vitamins is intimidating enough to make me skip taking them altogether. But after chatting with Dr. Oz Garcia, I've come to realize just how bad of an idea that is. And after you read what he has to say, I'm sure you'll be singing a similar tune.

Are Energy Bars Your Diet Enemy?

With all the vitamins currently on the market, is there such a thing as taking too many vitamins?

Anaerobic Threshold

The anaerobic threshold is the point where lactic acid starts accumulating in the body. Read on to know how to calculate the anaerobic threshold and what is its significance...

Anaerobic threshold is a frequently used term which many people do not follow. Anaerobic threshold is said to be a very good and reliable indicator of the performance ability of a person in aerobic exercises. To understand the anaerobic threshold definition, one needs to understand what happens when the body requires energy. There are two ways that the body manages to get energy, one is from the aerobic pathway and the other is from the anaerobic pathway. At the end of the anaerobic pathway, lactic acid is formed. When the body reaches an extent where this lactic acid starts to accumulate faster than it can be removed, it is known as onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA) or anaerobic threshold. Given below are details about how to determine anaerobic threshold and what is its significance.

Why Do We Have Bad Dreams?

Nightmare on Your Street....

When I was a kid, I always suffered a re-occurring nightmare of a man, chained up in a dark hallway. Every night I had to run past him as fast as I could, to get where I was going. But one night I decided to creep past him slowly instead, just to see what would happen. He grabbed me and threw me down, tickling me (in the dreams the tickles hurt!) -- not letting me go.

I woke up in a cold sweat.

Nightmares. We've all had them. The ones that seem so real that when we wake up it's hard to believe that they were just a dream.

Or are they? Are your dreams--both good and scary--really trying to tell you something? We spoke to Jean Campbell, a dream researcher and author, and member of the Board of Directors of the International Association for the Study of Dreams. She says there are no "bad" dreams--as each dream, no matter how scary, can teach us something about ourselves.

Should doctors be able to erase our worst memories?

It might be nice to forget about the parts of our past that make us cringe: the horrible ex, that awful week at work, the things that you don't want to admit you lived through.

But there's a serious side to the wishful thinking: With suicide rates among war veterans double and triple that of the general population, researchers are looking for ways to combat more serious mental health issues, like post-traumatic stress disorder. A recent report out of Johns Hopkins University (published in Science magazine) shows that it may be possible to erase traumatic memories entirely.

Some types of behavioral therapy, like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), can help patients target and eliminate the distress associated with trauma -- but the memory can return because it hasn't actually been erased. This new research focuses on removing certain proteins that form in brain's fear center, which could eliminate the memory completely. Richard L. Huganir, professor and chair of neuroscience at the Hopkins School of Medicine and a co-author of the report, told The Baltimore Sun that protein-eliminating drugs could "enhance behavioral therapy for such conditions as post-traumatic stress disorder," indicating that it could be useful for dealing with things that are much more serious than that Freshman year faux pas you'd like to forget.

Responsibility Of A Mother

It is easy to understand why parents are often worried and anxious about their children’s safety. As society becomes more complicated and hectic, dangers increase as well. As a parent, you will naturally do your best to keep your child out of harm’s way.

The responsibilities of a loving mother never end, and you will accept them willingly. Whether it is looking out for your child’s best interests or simply being there for support, a mother’s love is unconditional.

Responsibility Of A Mother

Perhaps the most important role you will have as a mother is being a provider – of a good home, proper nutrition, and physical and emotional support. It may seem like a never-ending chore, but most woman take to motherhood like second nature the minute they are declared ‘Mommy’.

Prevention Strategies for Colds and Flu

Colds and flu have no known cures. Prevention is the only option. To prevent influenza, the most effective, albeit “artificial” way is the flu shot. There are a few natural remedies that effectively minimize and reduce the effects of clods and flu out there. As of yet, there is no cold vaccine. But for colds and flu, there are other proactive strategies you can employ.

Wash Your Hands

Most cold and flu viruses are spread through direct contact. A cold and flu sufferer sneezes onto his hand, then touches the telephone, the keyboard, and/or a drinking glass where viruses can live for hours — in some cases weeks. The next person who touches the contaminated object picks up the germs. So wash your hands often. If there’s no sink available, rub your palms and fingertips together very hard for a minute or so. That can help break up most of the viruses. Or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Appreciate Healthy Food

It is becoming a rampant habit in today’s society to waste food. This seems to be the phenomenon of our current world when there is a larger portion of our world that is at its brink of starvation. The common axiom of the ‘eye bigger than their bellies’ would best describe those who waste food at the snap of their fingers. Children these days are allowed to be picky with their food and to have perfectly edible food get thrown away in the dump.

Perhaps our modern junk food mentality can be apportioned some of the blame. We live in a throw-away-society where the media isn’t exactly a good role model either. Countless television programs show film-casts getting up and walking away from their plates of half eaten foods. The American way of living has also had a marked affect on our eating habits. Huge portions of fatty foods and less fresh vegetables have become very common in our diets. Thus should we be surprised that our children find it hard to finish their meals?

Tips For Parents To Get Active

Most of us can hardly imagine even trying to find the time to fit in exercise. Staying active is incredibly important however as we all know, and so even if you are busy as a bee you should still try to find a bit of time here and there to work out. Parents often find it harder than anyone to find time for themselves, let alone time to exercise. There are a few tips that you can use if you are a parent and you want to get more active, which will be discussed in more detail here.

Get Outdoors

Whether your children are older and in school or younger and still need you at home to take care of them, you should try to get outdoors as often as you can. Anything you do outdoors will be beneficial to your health because you are out in the sun and will be feeling and looking healthier. There are so many wonderful hobbies and activities that you can do outdoors, and it is especially fun to get outside with your children. Especially when you read the statistics of overweight children in the world today, you will understand the importance of getting your own kids outside and getting them to learn how to enjoy being active.

How To Avoid Hearing Loss

We all know what is hearing, but just what is hearing loss? And did you know that about 3 in 1000 babies are born with hearing impairment? In fact, hearing problem is the most common birth defect. A hearing problem can also develop later in life.

How Do I Know If I or My Child Has Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss can happen because a person was born with parts of the ear that didn’t form correctly and don’t work well. Other problems can occur later, perhaps due to an injury or illness such as meningitis or, simply due to prolonged exposure to loud noises. Teenagers often listen to extremely loud music through headphones and adults who work in construction sites are exposed to loud sounds from machineries.

Nutrition In The Puerperium

The puerperium is the period after delivery when all the physiological changes in the mother revert back to its pre-pregnant, or normal state. This usually takes about six weeks.

Pregnancy is an anabolic state in which the body tries to conserve proteins and essential foods for the developing fetus. On the other hand, the puerperium is a catabolic state: to revert back to normal, it has to shed what is unnecessary and retain what is needed.

It must be appreciated that during pregnancy, the growing fetus has called upon the mother’s reserves, especially her elemental stores, such as iron, calcium, zinc etc for its own. The mother must put these things right during the puerperium.

Managing Stress During The Holidays With Native Remedies

Holidays are often stressful whether you are with your family or by yourself. We often feel a depression during the holidays even when there are a lot of people near us. To help you get through your holidays with a minimum of stress and helping to improve your mental and physical health you may want to learn how to manage stressful situations, even if those situations involve your family.

Stress during the holidays is usually unavoidable. In order to control your body’s reaction to the holidays you need to develop coping mechanisms as well as a barrier to some of the more stressful aspects of the holidays. Awareness is your number one asset. You first need to be aware of the stress and how you are feeling to combat the most debilitating reactions on your health.

Understanding ADHD In Your Children

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is more accepted now than it has been in the past. In recent history those with ADHD is seen as problem children, rather than children with a disorder. With the studies in the last twenty years we have seen ADHD gaining support.

ADHD is a complex disorder and even with recent studies many physicians have trouble making an accurate diagnosis. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder lends its name to the most common characteristics of the disorder. ADHD includes hyperactivity, short attention span, and impulsive behavior. Children have a natural high energy making diagnosis more difficult. Children are also known to have difficulty paying attention to one thing for a long period of time. There is a “table of symptoms” that can help adults understand ADHD behavior in children in order to distinguish it from regular child behaviors according to psychological studies.

All About Genital Warts - Causes, Treatments and More

Soft, wart like growths on the genitals or the areas surrounding them are caused by virus and known as genital warts. They are a type of sexually transmitted infection (STI). Human papilloma virus (HPV) is responsible for genital warts. More than 100 types of HPV are known to exist out of which several cause genital warts, which can be found on the vulva, vagina, cervix, anus, larynx, and the penis.

What causes genital warts?

Genital warts are caused when HPV infects the top layer of the skin. Warts are highly contagious and can be caused by sexual contact with an infected person. More than 60% of people who have sexual contact with infected people develop warts. Usually, these warts develop in around three months after the person is infected but in certain cases, the person may not notice any symptoms. Recent studies have shown that more than 10% of English women have already been infected with one or more strains of the HPV before the age of 16.

Nutrients for Growing Kids

There are many nutrients freely occurring in food that can help in childhood growth and development.

It is not appropriate to single out any one of these nutrients because each works with the other to promote total and holistic well being for the child, and for them to live a healthy lifestyle.

Of course, when child nutrition is the subject, the following five nutrients come out more often than the others.

Childhood is the stage when bone growth is most active and it is during this stage that skeleton integrity is determined for the body’s framework to be viable all throughout life. Over and above other physiological components, calcium, which helps in bone development, heartbeat normalcy, blood clotting, and muscle function, is the most abundant mineral in the body. The bones are a source of calcium for the body. To maintain normal calcium levels in the blood, the body takes some calcium from the bones. This is the reason why children’s calcium needs should be kept in check. Currently, there is a calcium crisis among American kids and this does not indicate a bright future for childhood health.

Congenital Insensitivity To Pain – People Who Can’t Feel Pain

CIPA or congenital insensitivity to pain is one of the rarest diseases in the world. A very rare condition and it is also known as congenital analgia. People diagnosed with this condition have their pain sensors turned off and they can’t feel any pain. The condition is extremely dangerous as these people are prone to danger not knowing the level of pain inflicted.

What caused the disorder? It is an unknown condition when the brain that recognizes the pain does not connect to the nerves that sense the pain. This unknown condition only happens to the pain sensors. People with CIPA have their other sensory areas completely checked and normal. Incredibly a rare disease, 35 people in the United States is diagnosed with CIPA. Sadly, people with CIPA has low survival rate and many doesn’t live that long to the age of 25 making the case a difficult case to study.

Sleep and Psychiatric Disorders

There is no evidence that sleep disorders are a cause of psychiatric disorders. But sleep and psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and depression are closely related. Psychiatric disorders are the leading cause of insomnia, the inability to sleep. In addition to insomnia, people with psychiatric disorders have other sleep problems, including sleepiness during the day, fatigue, and nightmares.

Difficulties with sleep can make psychiatric disorders worse by making the person confused or frustrated, as well as more sensitive to pain and other medical problems.

People who are depressed have a tendency to wake up early, and then cannot fall asleep again. This can make their depression worse, since the amount of sleep a person gets has an effect on his or her illness. People who don't have a psychiatric illness but suffer from insomnia are more likely to develop a disorder like depression later in their life.

How to Sleep Better

'Sleep Hygiene' Solutions for Better Sleep

From having occasional difficulty sleeping to insomnia, there is a lot you can do to get a better night's sleep, feel refreshed when you awake, and remain alert throughout the day. It's called "sleep hygiene" and refers to those practices, habits, and environmental factors that are critically important for sound sleep. And most of it is under your control.

There are four general areas important to sleep hygiene:

* Our circadian rhythm, or 24-hour cycle

* Aging

* Psychological stressors -- those factors can cause difficulty falling asleep and disturb the quality of your sleep

Sleep, Travel, and Jet Lag

Jet lag can occur when people travel quickly across several time zones, causing their internal biological rhythm to be out of synch with the new destination time. Sleep problems tend to be more common when people travel from west to east as it is more difficult to advance than to delay sleep time.

Coping With Jet Lag

To avoid jet lag, it is important to adapt yourself to the routine of your destination time zone as soon as possible. The following suggestions might help you avoid sleep problems when traveling:

* Several days before traveling, try to gradually adjust your sleeping habits to the destination time zone.

Better Sleep Tips for Business Trips

Road warriors need sound sleep to be at their peak.

Business travel and sleep do mix; they have to, or you will be far less productive than you may think. Business travel demands high performance amid stress, hectic schedules, heavy meals, and late nights -- all a recipe for poor sleep.

If more of us realized the importance of sleep to performance, not to mention health, we would get a lot more done and feel a whole lot better doing it. Losing as little as one and a half hours for just one night reduces daytime alertness by about one-third. Excessive daytime sleepiness impairs memory and the ability to think and process information. Sleep deprivation also leads to mood alterations, attention deficits, slower reaction times, and increased risk for accidents. And sleep deprivation is cumulative, building a sleep debt that must be paid.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the nasal sinus which usually caused by bacterial or viral infection. Allergic reactions or other responses to environmental agents such as dust, pollen, plant spores and even pollutants in the form of chemicals in the air can also cause sinusitis. Other possible causes of sinusitis includes excessive dryness in homes and offices from dry-air heating and air-conditioning systems, immunologic, nasal obstruction from tumors, polyps or a deviated septum, as well as structural problems such as narrow drainage passages.

Some of the common symptoms of chronic sinus infection includes headache that occurs for weeks at a time and is often notably worse in the morning, a pressure across mid face between the eyes, postnasal drip and nasal congestion. The classic symptoms of acute sinus infection are fever, raspy voice, nasal obstruction, loss of sense of smell, purulent nasal discharge and facial pain or headache that is sometimes aggravated by bending over. Less common signs of sinusitis include sore throat, puffy eyes, snoring, bad breath, coughing, fatigue, bronchitis, a chronic cold and stuffy ears.

You Love Supporting the Fight Against Breast Cancer, But Beware of "Pinkwashing" Say Some

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and you're probably seeing a lot of pink when you go shopping--from the mall to the grocery store. While it's great to see companies jump on the fund-raising bandwagon for one of the deadliest diseases for women, some experts are criticizing what they say is "pinkwashing"--fund-raising they believe may not be so great for breast cancer research after all...

Fried chicken for the cure? Some experts say not so fast.

You bought a pink spatula and a pack of batteries with a pink ribbon on it because you believed you were supporting breast cancer research--and you were. Many companies give generously during the month of October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, to nonprofit organizations spearheading breast cancer research.

Let's Talk About Cankles

You know the term "cankles," right? They're described as "chubby ankles" or calves that stretch down to the ankle region without much definition. One major nationwide gym is waging war on cankles, and here's why it kind of bugs me...

Gold's Gym has designated July as "Cankle Awareness Month." According to their Web site: "The word comes from the combination of 'calf' and 'ankle.' It occurs when the calf merges with an obese or swollen ankle."

Gold's claims that cankles are the "fastest growing aesthetic affliction in the United States"--even more than muffin tops and saddle bags. "Millions of people across the country are currently affected by cankles and millions more are at risk," they write on their "Say No to Cankles" Web site. "In fact, it is estimated that if current trends continue, by the year 2012 Cankles will surpass Love Handles as the number one aesthetic affliction in the world."

Today's Meditation - Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

“Preserve your confidence.”

It’s so easy to compare yourself to others. When you use others as your measuring stick, you usually come up short. You convince yourself you’re not as clever, beautiful, thin or talented.

Lasting satisfaction and confidence comes from appreciating yourself and all that you have to offer. Equating yourself with others eats away at your confidence and leaves you feeling inferior.

Remind yourself of these simple truths. You are a unique and special person, exactly as you are. Your loved ones love you for whom you are. You’re one-of-a-kind and you’re irreplaceable.

With convictions such as these, your confidence is secure, just as it should be.

6 Great Bridal Shower Theme Ideas

As in weddings, themes can tie bridal showers together and create an easy template for party fun. Here are some great bridal shower themes.

1. Around the clock:

For this theme, guests are assigned an hour of the day and are asked to bring a gift corresponding to that hour. For 7AM, the guest might bring an espresso machine. For 5PM, they might bring cocktail glasses or dinner plates. Refreshments can also correspond to the hours of the day and breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and dessert foods may all be served. You could use clocks and timepieces for decorations and could use sunflowers, morning glories, or four o’clocks for floral decorations. "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley would be a good music opener, and a cake decorated with a clock face could round out the theme.

Can a vegetarian diet cut cancer risks?

Last night I had one of the most amazing meals of my life at Restaurant Daniel here in New York: Pressed duck, a classic French dish that--not to get too graphic--consists of roast duck, duck blood, and whatever juices you get after pressing the duck carcass in a wine-press like device. It was amazing. This morning I awoke to news of a 12-year study of 60,000 people in the UK and New Zealand that suggests that eating a vegetarian diet may help cut your cancer risk. Am I ready to give up the gory carnivorous pleasures of pressed duck and other meaty delights? I don't think so. But I do support the flexitarian cause, i.e., eating meat only occasionally and making the most of it when I do. If you're ready to take the vegetarian (or flexitarian) plunge, here's a three-step plan:

How Much Folate Do You Need?

This essential B vitamin is found in beans, fruits and vegetables.

Every time the body makes new cells, it needs folate, the B vitamin that’s abundant in beans, fruits and vegetables—leafy greens in particular. Folate is essential for processing vitamin B12, and recent studies suggest it might help protect against Alzheimer’s disease, colorectal cancer and strokes. Folate also helps prevent neural-tube birth defects (NTDs), such as spina bifida. In fact, since 1998 when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration began requiring enriched cereal grain products (including white flour, pasta and white rice) to be fortified with folic acid—the form of the vitamin used in supplements—the incidence of NTDs has dropped by about 25 percent.

What to Do When Life Becomes too Exhausting?

When my phone rang the other week I was excited to hear the voice on the other end. It was Diane, my first roommate in Montreal who had disappeared from my life when she decided to go to culinary school several years ago. Now a professional chef, this former take-out junkie was painting pastries while I was still focused on helping millions of Americans cut out their carbs during my extended stint in the diet industry.

It only took minutes before she blurted out the words "I'm exhausted," which for me conjured images of a primer, plumper Demi Moore from that scene in St. Elmo's Fire where she said something along the lines of "I never thought I would be this tired at 24." But at 37, it was not a make-believe Hollywood coke habit that Diane was tired of supporting, it was the demands of life faced on her own.

Insider Tips From Medical Specialists

What your doctor doesn’t have time to tell you in an all-too-brief appointment.

The Oncologist Says

Edward T. Creagan, a professor of medical oncology at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, in Rochester, Minnesota

* Turn down the grill. When meat is charred at a high temperature, amino acids in the meat break down and form carcinogens. “Lower the flame or move the rack up higher,” says Creagan. Cooking may take longer, but you’ll avoid the risks.

* Adopt a furry friend. Spending time with an animal produces endorphins (which can enhance immunity) and the hormone oxytocin (which fosters a sense of well-being) and decreases the stress hormone cortisol, says Creagan.

Sex Question: Why Do I Keep Getting Bacterial Vaginosis?

Dear Dr. Kate,

I regularly get bacterial vaginosis (BV). I've gotten treatments from my doctor and it still comes back, sometimes just a few weeks later. I stopped taking my birth control because I thought it could be contributing to the BV, but it hasn't helped. Could I be getting it from my boyfriend?

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a tenacious infection, and up to half of women who get BV will get it again within a year. It's caused by a bacterium that normally lives in your vagina-bacteria that doesn't survive on the penis, so you're not getting it from your guy. Since it's part of the natural flora of the vagina, it can be hard to restore the right bacterial balance. If the standard treatments haven't worked, and you've had more than three infections in a year, ask your doctor about suppressive therapy. Some women have had success with metronidazole gel applied twice a week for three to six months. By the way, my suggestion would be to go back on your birth control-it isn't contributing to the infection, and you don't want to face an unplanned pregnancy on top of the stubborn infection!

Sex Question: Is It Time to Reevaluate My Relationship?

Dear Dr. H,

My boyfriend and I have been together only seven months, but it seems like seven years. The honeymoon phase is over; I don't feel the emotional part of our relationship anymore. I'm always the one to initiate sex and I feel like he's just not that into me anymore. What can I do?

Read on for Dr. Hilda Hutcherson's response.

A. I think you've answered your own question! If neither of you feel connected to each other any longer, it's probably time to think about your future together--and decide if there is one. Sex is never satisfying when only one person in the relationship is excited about it. If you aren't into each other any longer, my advice would be to consider whether it's time to just move on.

Sex Question: How Do I Tell My Partner I Have Herpes?

Dear Dr. H,

I did something very wrong. For 18 years I knew I had herpes and still had sex with guys just for affirmation. I wanted a good relationship but couldn't be honest because of the stigma. My current relationship is only 6 months old and I know I have to come clean with my boyfriend but don't know how to tell him. Do you have any advice? I've slept with too many men to count but don't want him to know anything he doesn't need to know. I know it sounds terrible but I made a lot of poor decisions when I drank too much.

Read on for Dr. Hilda Hutcherson's response.

A. I am happy that you have made the decision to come clean. It is important to let your partner know about any sexually transmitted diseases that you might have, preferably before you have sex for the first time. I know that it can be embarrassing and you may fear rejection, but it is the right and fair thing to do. My advice would be to begin the conversation outside the bedroom when you are both relaxed--not in an argument or tense scenario. You should tell him in a matter-of-fact way that you were exposed to herpes and carry the virus. Let him know that you have educated yourself on how to decrease the chance that he will become infected (this means no sex when you have an active lesion, and condoms at all other times). There is no need for embarrassment--herpes is common in sexually active adults, and it is quite likely that he has had this conversation before.

Rub on Your Birth Control? Meet the New Contraceptive Body Lotion

It sounds strange, but there are new reports that a contraceptive gel or body cream may be available in the near future. Would you ditch the pill for a cream?

Popular Science is reporting that the pill may soon be a moisturizer: "A new topical contraceptive gel that works in the same way as the pill has shown similar effectiveness when applied to the shoulders, arms, legs or abdomen daily--and works without the side effects of sickness, weight gain, or a muted sense of sexual desire," blogger Clay Dillow reports.

Similar to the contraceptive patch, the birth control "lotion" is said to release hormones directly into the skin. (Yeah, you probably wouldn't want to shower or go swimming directly afterward!) No word yet on when the newfangled gel might make its way to a pharmacy near you, but it's intriguing just the same.

Question of the Day

Question: How can I protect my eyes from the glare of my computer screen?

Answer: Install a glare screen over the monitor

According to Computers and Your Vision: What You Need to Know, the American Optometric Association endorses certain glare screens. When shopping for these, look for the AOA symbol on the outside of the box.

Get more ways to protect yourself while using your computer.

Milk Beats Broccoli

While veggie diets are good for the heart, such regimens may not provide what's needed for those bones. A Purdue University study says strict vegetarian diets that exclude dairy products -- called vegan diets -- do not give ThirdAgers enough calcium to ward off osteoporosis down the road.

The study says even if you avoid salt, protein, caffeine and other substances that increase calcium loss you still won't get enough calcium in a vegan diet. Connie Weaver, head of Purdue's Department of Foods and Nutrition, says while there are many non-dairy foods that contain calcium -- and those eating a vegan diet may substitute those for dairy products -- the amount of calcium in vegetables is very low when compared to the real thing.

Understanding Penny Slot Games

One of the top innovations from slot game is penny slot machine. The machine seems to be quite silly because penny is the lowest denomination ever and in this modern time, people tend to play with a huge bet and it is quite hard to find stuff that can be purchased with penny. However, even though it sound quite silly, but we can find penny slot machine in the brick and mortar casino and online casino. In slot world, penny can be so valuable because it can be a capital to get a life changing slot jackpot.

Penny slot machine is served with multi lines and as we all know, we should use all the lines if we want to play slot. From the fact, we can say that there is actually no penny slot machine, but since it allows penny, the amount of money we have to spend for a game is smaller than the other slot machines. It means penny slot machine suits for those who have a little budget on slot. Therefore, if we want to play in penny slot games it will be better for us to read the information about the machine such as how many reels are in the machine. If we have known how many reels available, then we can multiply the amount of the coin per reel with the reel number. The result is the cost that we should pay per spin.

Major Depression Study Launched

Psychiatrists have long known depression can be passed genetically through families, but not precisely how. Now, the National Institute of Mental Health has launched a large-scale study to try to answer that question.

Discovery of the specific genetic sequence responsible would offer new hope for more accurate diagnoses, better treatment and the possibility for prevention of the often disabling illness that afflicts more than 17 million Americans a year, experts say. Studies show the parents, siblings and children of a person who has major depression before age 30 are more likely to have it themselves.

Lose Weight and Feel Great! Sign up for the Easiest Weight-Loss Plan Ever

We heard you! Glamour's Exactly What to Eat to Lose Weight plan has been so successful that we're relaunching it with an incredible prize. You can lose up to 8 pounds this month with our free healthy eating plan. Bonus: You'll be entered to win a spa vacation just for signing up! Read on for how to eat more and weigh less!

Get to your healthiest weight--without the guesswork. Sign up here and we'll give you daily menus with breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks designed by Kathy McManus, R.D., director of nutrition at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, for the next month. Each time you try a menu, check it off the list. Bookmark your favorites, keep private notes and share your comments with other users. In 30 days you'll be eating better than ever before--and feeling healthier.

Let's Get to the Bottom of This: Do Empire Waist Tops Hide or Accentuate Our Bellies?

I used to think that empire waist tops--you know, the type that cinch up just under your boobs and flow out from there--were the ultimate flatter-the-belly-and-body attire. Then I saw a photo of myself in one, and I'm second-guessing this age-old "slimming" look. Let's get to the bottom of this fashion question...

Erin, over at Single-ish, wrote this funny post about empire waist tops (and why guys hate them!). It's a subject I've been mulling for a long time, myself.

Haven't we all seen Stacy and Clinton steering their fashion pupils into empire tops and dresses on What Not to Wear? We're sort of conditioned to think that empire = slimming. But wait, is it?

Lactase Deficiency

Pity the poor fellow who gulps a glass of milk. Pretty soon he has gas, stomach cramps, and diarrhea, and it never occurs to him (or, probably, to his doctor) that the culprit is milk. After all, milk didn’t make him sick when he was ten years old.

The answer may be something called lactase deficiency. Lactase is an enzyme that facilitates the digestion of sugar (lactose) that is a key ingredient of milk and milk products. If this sugar is not properly digested it causes an increase in intestinal bacteria, which in turn causes gas, stomach cramps, even diarrhea. Most children manufacture all the lactase they need. But for some unexplained reason, the production of lactase declines dramatically in 50 million adults. And because lactose is so common in so many foods – breads, cakes, cereals – and is also an ingredient in many common drugs, doctors often overlook lactase deficiency as the cause of stomach trouble.

It Sounds Weird, But This Breakfast Idea Is Pretty Much Brilliant

You know how it's common practice to slice a banana onto your cereal or oatmeal? Well, I have another idea for a topper--but it's a veggie! Stay with me here, I promise, it's worth trying ...

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Remember how I told you that shredded carrots are my new favorite sandwich topper? Well, I'm adding them to my granola and oatmeal these days. Hold on, I haven't lost my mind.

Carrots are naturally sweet, and they're actually a surprisingly perfect addition to granola or museli-type cereals (even oatmeal!). My family gives me oddball glances when I whip out the grater in the morning, but you'd be surprised how tasty a little carrot is in your cereal bowl. I dare you try it.

Health & Beauty: The Best Vitamins for Beautiful Skin

Lately I've been looking in the mirror and grimacing over how dull and ashy my skin is looking. I'm a healthy eating pro (if I don't say so myself). So, should I blame stress? Lack of sleep? Whatever the case, I could use some topical vitamins, say some beauty experts. Here are the ones I might try, and why...

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Taking vitamin pills and eating right can have big beautiful skin payoffs, but sometimes you need to go right to the source, say experts, with topical vitamins (aka skin creams fortified with the right vitamins for your skin ailments). Here are some top picks, according to Prevention's Karyn Repinski:

How Driving And Traffic School Can Help You With Your License And Your Traffic Tickets

Many jurisdictions in the U.S. have point systems set up for traffic violations. If the speeding ticket is a more severe one like doubling the posted speed limit, you would get more points against your license than a minor traffic offense like an improper lane change or not tying a load to the car the correct way.

If you gain too many points in a defined time period, your license can be suspended.

Traffic school can help with a violation and lessen the points against your license.

Some states will allow individuals, even if they have not had any violations on their record, to take traffic classes to take points off of their license. When completing the class, the person is allowed to gather a few more points than before.

Fighting Obesity:Kimchi Stew Recipe

Kimchi, fermented Napa cabbage, has been a staple in Korean cuisine for centuries, and for good reason.

According to several medical studies, the capsaicin in Kimchi spices has been found to not only regulate the digestion system and help you get fuller faster, but it also boosts metabolism and prolongs endurance, allowing you to exercise longer.

Start enjoying the benefits of kimchi today by making this delicious and spicy Korean stew with Korean cook Maangchi.

Ingredients

200 grams of  pork belly (about 1/2 pound) or 2 cans of tuna (more healthy)

4 or 5 cups of chopped kimchi

1 tbsp sugar

1 tsp of hot pepper flakes

Feel Refreshed and Refocused: Tips for ADHD Adults

Although adults with ADHD may have very active minds, that doesn’t always equate to productivity. In fact, it usually means more difficulty concentrating, which is often accompanied by procrastination.

Not only are these behaviors not conducive to accomplishing tasks, they can also be exhausting! Check out our tips below to stay on track, plus feel more energized!

Daily Warm-Ups

Just as you should exercise your body, the brain needs exercise to be its most efficient, too.  Begin each day by getting organized. Prepare yourself by establishing habits that put you into work-mode: drinking a cup of coffee, prioritizing your to-do list, and monitoring progress on long-term objectives.

"Face" the Day With Clear, Acne-Free Skin

Whether you are 14 or 44, dealing with acne typically takes a toll on not only your skin, but it can affect your self-esteem as well. While teenagers are more likely to suffer from acne, some adults still contend with breakouts, too. However, there are safe, gentle and effective ways to achieve clear, healthy skin!

Determine the cause

While factors vary per individual, acne, pimples, and blackheads can typically be narrowed down to a few common causes, including:

Genetics

Hormones (may be related to puberty or monthly menstrual cycle)

Medications (such as steroids, anticonvulsants, hormones or birth control pills)

Don't Let Your Hands Give Away Your Age!

When you plan on spending time outdoors, how often do you make sure to wear a hat to protect your face from the sun?

While it may be a bit unrealistic to don gloves throughout the entire year, we really should give our hands some of the same care as our face, as they are very unforgiving to hiding signs of aging!

Besides the effects of the sun (which alone can lead to a myriad of unfavorable appearance changes, from discoloration and age spots to leathery, damaged skin), our hands often endure a lot of abuse just from daily activities.

Nourish your hands and help avoid dry, cracked skin with these tips:

Why Using Home Care Service

For us who have seniors at our home, then we can consider about using home care facility. Home care is proven to be able to give various benefits. The fact shows that seniors who receive home care are having a bigger chance to cure form their illness than ones that are taken to the hospital. It can be influenced by many things like the comfort of home and the intense treatment that cannot be found in hospital.

Another fact shows that Home Care is very helpful on the healing process due to the patient’s psychological condition. As we all know, physiological condition is able to give a great influence to healing and being home and surrounded by lovely people are the best cure ever. Home Health Care is offering safety. Besides the place to cure patients, hospital is the place of disease and bacteria. With the home treatment, we can avoid infection and other risks that can be found in hospital.

Does Your Living Situation Whittle or Widen Your Waistline?

An article recently came out by Judith J. Wurtman, PhD, who made a statement that living alone may actually be detrimental to weight loss efforts, despite the popular notion that single dwellers would have an easier time controlling their diets.

Pitfalls of Solo Eating

The reasons why? The article suggested that people who live alone may be more likely to fall under one of three types: ‘emotional eaters’, who eat due to loneliness; ‘boredom eaters’, who nosh quickly through meals then snack throughout the evening because they do not have the drawn-out process of meal preparation and cleanup; or ‘mindless eaters’, who are unaware of the calories they are consuming while eating ready-made foods in front of the TV.

Do You Internalize People's Comments About Your Body? Let's Talk About Mischa Barton's Crisis

Have you guys been following the Mischa Barton news? She was hospitalized and held for a psychiatric evaluation after some say she was "on the brink of disaster," but now friends are speaking out and saying the drama in her life isn't a result of substance abuse. Instead, it's about her body insecurities, fueled by mean bloggers and media snarkiness about her weight. Do you also internalize mean comments from others? As much as I try, I'll never forget this ...

A few weeks after my surgery to remove the gargantuan ovarian cyst I developed while I was pregnant with my second baby, Russell, someone made a careless comment--while I was eating a brownie--that went something like this: "How are you ever going to get back into shape when you eat like that?"

Dietary Tips to Stabilize Blood Sugar Levels and Mood

Healthy doesn’t have to mean boring! Check out these nutritional tips:

First thing in the morning: It is important to stabilize blood sugar levels as soon as you wake up. Freshly squeezed orange juice is a great option to start your day for this purpose. Don’t forget protein! Your source of protein in the morning doesn’t necessarily have to be eggs. Beans and lentils are also a good option, although it may take time to get accustomed to eating these as a breakfast food.

Lunch: Your midday meal should include the same elements as dinner. If you are used to having a sandwich for lunch, add lettuce, tomato and cucumber for a colorful assortment of vegetables. Choose turkey or chicken breast, which are low in fat and high in protein, and a low fat cheese and whole wheat bread—and you’ve turned a basic sandwich into a wonderfully balanced meal!

Depression in Men: Most Are Too Embarrassed to Talk About It

We often associate depression with women. But it's just as much of a problem for men. And a new study that delved into the issue of depression in men revealed some interesting information: twenty-five percent of men view depression as a state of mind rather than a medical condition, and more than half are embarrassed to talk about it to their spouses, doctors, or even friends.

The findings have been described as "worrying" by psychiatrist Prof Patricia Casey, particularly since young men are at the highest risk of suicide.

"The attitude of depression being a state of mind or a weakness will not encourage young men to approach their healthcare professional for help," she said.

Could Aspirin and Advil Reduce Your Breast Cancer Risk?

Sometimes new medical research comes out that's so surprising and, well, out of the blue that it makes you wonder what to do with the info. Case in point: the new research just released this week that says aspirin and ibuprofen may lower your risk for breast cancer. But, before you start popping pills, read on ...

The research, an analysis of 38 studies of more than 2.7 million women, published in a recent issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that women who take aspirin cut their breast cancer risk by 13 percent; and those that took ibuprofen reduced their risk by 21 percent.

Confused About Whether Eating Before Exercise Is a Good Idea or Not? Answers...

A lot of people are confused about eating before exercise. In fact, Vitamin G reader kristindenae asked for some clarification. Some say it's a must. Others say no way and would rather sweat it out on an empty stomach. Which is best? The answer ...

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Eat! That's what most nutrition and fitness experts say. Fred DeVito, co-founder of Exhale Spa's Core Fusion classes says it's very important to be nourished before exercise. (P.S. If you live near an Exhale location, check out their new promotion--sign up for an annual membership, and get all kinds of freebies and discounts.)

"It is not advisable to work out on an empty stomach," he says. "I see people get light-headed, dizzy and have even seen people pass out cold after the first 15 minutes of intense exercise and almost 100 percent of the time, these people have had nothing to eat prior to class."

Collagen Deficit May Cause Osteoarthritis

U.S. scientists studying mice have found a deficiency of a certain type of collagen causes osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease.

The Duke University Medical Center researchers said they found mice with their Type IX collagen gene inactivated prematurely developed the common and chronic musculoskeletal disorders. Both diseases cause joint pain and loss of function.

The scientists, led by postdoctoral fellow Kyle Allen, compared behavioral abilities of collagen deficient mice to wild-type mice.

"We observed a pattern of behavioral changes in the collagen deficient mice that suggests a relationship to (osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease)," said Allen, who noted the collagen deficient mice also had elevated levels of knee and intervertebral disc structural changes.

Butter vs. Margarine--Which Side Are You On?

There are definitely two types of healthy eaters: Those in the all-natural, nothing-artificial, a-little-butter-isn't-going-to-kill-me camp, and those who love their margarine because it's lower in fat, especially saturated fat. What side are you on?

But, really--which is healthier, butter or margarine? It's a subject health experts find themselves commenting on a lot. Butter gets blamed for saturated fat, margarine gets blamed for trans fat and artificial ingredients (though there are many healthier, trans-fat-free margarine products on the market these days).

So which is better?

One Mayo Clinic expert says that margarine is better for heart health. Because it is most often made from vegetable oils, it has little or no cholesterol.

Breakfast at Your Desk: The Epiphany About Breakfast That Can Benefit Your Health--Today

I was chatting with a friend recently about an International vacay she just got back from, and I realized something that made me think "huh--America has it so wrong when it comes to breakfast" ...

Here's the deal: In many countries of the world--especially in Asia--the first meal of the day is not sweet or heavy. Contrast that to traditional American morning meals:

*Cereal, pastries, muffins = sweet

*Eggs, bacon, ham, biscuits, hash browns = heavy

While there's nothing wrong with eating tasty food and a substantial meal in the mornings, it's interesting to note that most countries of the world don't even go for sweets in the morning. (Just think of the built-in boost of energy when 10 a.m. hits and they don't have a low blood sugar moment.) Instead, they eat light, veggie-based, savory meals--like miso soup and rice in Japan.

Book Review: The Carb Lovers Diet

On Friday I told you that I was eager to make some recipes from the new New York Times bestselling cookbook from Health magazine, The Carb Lovers Diet. So far, the book has been getting rave reviews. I made three of the recipes from the book. My opinion?

I'm not a huge fan of diet books--for obvious reasons. But what I do love are books that take a realistic approach to weight loss and offer easy, yummy recipes that people can actually enjoy making. That's the case with Health magazine's new book, Carb Lovers Diet. Authors Ellen Kunes (Health's editor in chief) and Frances Largeman-Roth, R.D., the mag's food editor, put forth a doable program that promises to help you shed as little as 15 pounds or as many as 100, by offering slim-eating strategies and the recipes to get you there--many of which utilize ingredients rich in resistant starch, which some health experts say can help fight the battle of the bulge.

Dog Crates best Solution for Dog’s Tiredness

If you have a hyperactive dog, sometimes you will find a serious condition where you’re dog look so stressed out and very tired for long time. There are lots of reasons why dogs can get these symptoms but most of them are proven unknown. As we know either in neither our body nor the dogs are being controlled by some certain chemicals active called hormones, so when you pump your hormones to much there will be the side effects that make you your body compromise the other round.

That’s why when you have this problem to your dog, you will need a certain things to help them out and that is a dog crates, dog crates help your dog keep away from always tired symptoms and result in provigil prescribed. As you know provigil is used to treat some tiredness symptoms which usually lead to depression in adult people. Though it’s clinically proven that will wake up your dog’s hormones and stabilize the rest other of course you will need another treatment that will work better to your dogs.

Body Image: Are You Loving The New Long Summer Dresses That Everyone Is Wearing?

I asked you guys about whether you felt comfortable in dresses, and I admitted that I feel a little fussy in them, myself. Some of you agreed. And now, suddenly, I feel like every woman in America is sporting a long 1970's-esq ankle-length sundress this summer. Is this the new modern-day mumu? And why do I want five of them--right now?

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There's something wonderful about slipping into a dress that is both comfortable and cool (hello air-conditioning!) on hot summer days. And, I have to admit, I kind of love the new wave of long sundresses (I think they're called "maxi dresses" but, um, I'm a teensy bit fashion challenged, so don't quote me on that) that seem to be everywhere right now. Angelina Jolie is always wearing them, BTW.

Bathroom Talk: What Women Really Think About The Restroom

This month, Quilted Northern is launching its new three-ply toilet paper. (OK, high-thread count sheets are great, but three-ply toilet paper--do we really need that? Just asking.) And with the launch of their new luxurious bathroom tissue, they're releasing a study that gives a revealing look at women's thoughts about the bathroom.

For instance, did you know that 70 percent of the women polled in the survey would rather "hold it" and wait to get home to their own bathroom than use a public restroom?

Apparently we're also quite chatty in the loo: 34 percent of women report having had a conversation with a stranger.

Aid for Menopause

Whitehall-Robins Healthcare has remixed its Caltrate formula to help women get through menopause. The company's Caltrate 600-plus-Soy contains soyisoflavones, which the company claims can help a woman's body support the changes it goes through during menopause, along with calcium for stronger bones and Vitamin D, which aids calcium absorption.

Dr. Clare Hasler, executive director of Functional Foods for Health, says long before menopause women may experience menopausal changes and be at higher risk for osteoporosis and heart disease. She says studies show soyisoflavones, calcium and Vitamin D can help "manage the changes of menopause."

Alopecia Areata Treatment

Learn more about alopecia areata and alopecia areata treatment

Recently I saw a young boy with bald patches on his head, it struck me as strange because a boy so young shouldn’t be going bald. I quickly started touching my hair and felt reassured with my full head of hair, but sadly that young boy has to deal with his condition. This condition is called alopecia areata, where there is severe hair loss on parts of the body especially the head, and it will typically affect one half of the head more than the other. Do no confuse alopecia areata with male pattern baldness. Recently it has been found that alopecia areata is caused due to some kind of abnormality in the immune system, which causes autoimmunity, which causes the body’s immunity to attack hair follicles, and affects hair growth. Alopecia areata can also be cause due to some other autoimmune condition like allergies, thyroids, rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis. It can also be genetic and hereditary.

Alopecia Areata Barbae

Alopecia areata barbae, or alopecia areata for short, is a condition of hair loss that takes place in women, men, and even children. Find out here about what causes this, what other kinds of hair loss problems exist and how to treat this when it occurs...

Alopecia areata or alopecia barbae, is a condition where one loses hair, either in round small patches, that can stick around for a short while, or that can remain permanent in some cases. Some people experience a period when they lose all their scalp hair, and some who cease to grow hair from the scalp and the rest of the body too. The former condition is known as 'alopecia totalis' and the latter as 'alopecia universalis'. Anyone can experience the effects of alopecia areata barbae, and no one is really excluded from the possibility of this taking place. Although known to affect the scalp area, it can also move to other parts of the body, where patches of hair loss or the absence of it, can take place. It is known as an autoimmune disorder, in that, it cannot be explained as to why this happens in healthy people mostly, but there are some outside elements that trigger this problem, like a virus or certain medications. People do other things to their hair to affect their follicles, leading to hair loss later on, which we will come to in a bit. If you have a history of this condition in the family, then you are likely to develop it, since this is hereditary. Find out what causes this condition that is commonly brought on when it comes to people taking care of their hair. There are a significant number of treatment methods out there, which we further look into as well.