Being in a Good Mood Could Make You Forgetful

Being in a good mood could make you more charming to be around, but it doesnt do much for your memory. According to new research from the University of Missouri, people are more likely to be forgetful if theyre in a good mood - and less likely to forget when theyre "down in the dumps".

Mood and Memory: Is There a Link Between the Two?

Researchers at the University of Missouri showed a group of volunteers video clips. Some of these clips contained stand-up comedy, while other volunteers watched an instructional video. Not surprisingly, the volunteers who watched the comedy video were in a better mood after the video clip, while the other video viewers experienced no mood change.

Both sets of volunteers then took a memory test to see how well they could remember sequences of numbers they listened to through headphones. The volunteers who were in a good mood after viewing the comedy video did more poorly on this task compared to those who watched the instructional video that didnt make them laugh and lift their mood.

So, how does being in a good mood make it harder to remember things like number sequences? Researchers dont have the answers, but they speculate that being in an upbeat mood reduces the amount of storage space in the brain available for short-term memories. Thats not good news if youre overjoyed to see someone you havent seen in years, and you cant remember the email address they gave you when you get home.

Another Reason Why Being in a Good Mood Reduces Memory

It may be that being in a good mood makes a person more distracted and reduces their focus so they dont process the information they hear sufficiently to remember it later. It could also be that being in a good mood alters the levels of brain neurotransmitters that are involved both in mood and processing memories.

On other hand, the news may not be all bad. Being in a good mood improves cognitive skills in some areas. Some studies also show that meditation improves thinking skills, possibly by clearing the mind and reducing stress.

Good Moods and Forgetfulness: The Bottom Line?

Being in a good mood may lead to forgetfulness. Take along a pen and pad and write things down on those days youre feeling on top of the world - just to be safe.

References:

Eurekalert.org. "Being in a Good Mood May Lead to Poor Memory"

Science Daily. "Brief Meditative Exercise Improves Memory"

How to Remove a Tick Safely!

Its tick season again and if you spend any time outdoors, you could find one buried into your skin or scalp. If this happens, whats the best way to remove it? Tick removal can be a relatively simple process if approached correctly.

Its important to remove a tick as quickly as possible after it attaches to reduce the risk of transmission of tick borne disease. Unfortunately since a tick bite often causes no pain, a bite may not be noticed for several days which could increase the risk of contracting a serious tick born illness. For this reason, its important to check you, your loved ones, and pets regularly for pets immediately atter spending any time outdoors. If you do find a tick, heres how to remove it:

1. Locate a big, sturdy pair of tweezers.

2. Put on a pair of latex gloves.

3. Use the tweezers to grasp the ticker firmly at its head.

4. Pull back firmly with steady pressure until the tick is dislodged from the skin.

5. Place the tick into a jar of alcohol.

6. Preserve the tick in the jar in case you should need to seek medical attention for the tick bite later.

7. Gently clean the affected area with alcohol.

Caution! Avoid doing the following:

1.Never handle a tick with your bare hands.

2. Never apply a hot match to the body of the tick. This is a commonly performed practice which should be avoided.

3. Never cover the tick with any substances such as gasoline, alcohol, or nail polish. If you do so, you may cause the tick to regurgitate infectious material into your bite resulting in an increased risk of tick borne disease.

4. Never manipulate or twist the head of the tick. This movement, too, can cause infectious material to enter the bite site.

5. Always make sure the tick has been completely removed. If parts remain under the skin, it can increase your risk for secondary infection.

After tick removal, its a good practice to call your family doctor. Certain groups of people are at higher risk of tick borne disease including those who live in areas where theres a high incidence of tick related illness, people who have immune systems disorders, and women who are pregnant. These groups may need to be placed on antibiotics to prevent secondary infection.

So get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather! Just be sure to check yourself and your family frequently for the presence of ticks and be sure to practice safe tick removal.

Eat This Green Fruit to Prevent Blood Clots

Whats green and fuzzy - and helps to prevent blood clots? If you said the kiwi fruit youre right on target. Heres why eating more of this exotic fruit could benefit your health.

Prevent Blood Clots With the Kiwi Fruit?

Researchers at the University of Oslo discovered that the kiwi fruit, an exotic green fruit native to New Zealand, helps to reduce blood clots. This furry fruit acts as a natural blood thinner in the same way aspirin does without the risk of stomach irritation. They discovered that eating two to three kiwi a day not only reduced the risk of blood clots but lowered triglyceride levels as well. Triglycerides are fats carried in the bloodstream that are linked with heart disease and stroke.

Unfortunately, scientists dont know what compound in kiwi is responsible for the blood-thinning effect of this luscious fruit. When you eat kiwi, you not only get a healthy amount of natural antioxidants called polyphenols, but you benefit from a whopping dose of vitamin C. In fact, the kiwi fruit tops the list of vitamin C rich fruit with1.5 times the daily requirement of this antioxidant vitamin.

Eating kiwi is also good for your vision since it contains lutein, which helps to filter out blue light that can damage the eyes by causing free radicals to form. These free radicals increase the risk of macular degeneration, a common cause of age-related visual loss.

The Green Fruit with Many Health Benefits

Eat kiwi fruit to prevent blood clots and protect your heart and vision - but eat the outer skin whenever possible. Many of the vitamins and antioxidant compounds are concentrated just beneath the skin, and if you peel the kiwi fruit you lose some of them. Its okay to bite into a kiwi whole just as you would an apple. The skin is a bit tangy, which is a nice contrast to the sweet interior. Another option? Wash it and toss it into the blender with other fruits to make a super nutritious smoothie. Dont forget that the outer skin is a good source of fiber too.

The Bottom Line?

The kiwi fruit has some surprising health benefits, and its chock full of nutrition. Look for it the next time youre shopping for produce.

References:

Food Navigator website. "Kiwi Lowers Blood Clot Risk"

Worlds Healthiest Foods website

A New Dietary Source of Vitamin D?

Most Americans are deficient in vitamin D - and its little wonder. There are few good dietary sources of vitamin D and people arent spending enough time outdoors where theyre exposed to direct sunlight. Sunlight is the best source of vitamin D since light converts a vitamin D precursor on the surface of the skin to a form that can be processed and used by the body. The only decent dietary sources of vitamin D are fortified foods such as cereals and milk and natural sources such as eggs and fatty fish. Now, a company called Monterey Mushrooms is adding to the list of good food sources of vitamin D by offering vitamin D enriched mushrooms.

Food Sources of Vitamin D: Mushrooms?

The folks at Monterey Mushrooms made the discovery that mushrooms respond to sunlight similarly to human skin. They contain a natural vitamin D precursor thats converted to vitamin D when exposed to ultraviolet light. Its very similar to the vitamin D conversion that occurs when human skin is exposed to light from the sun. The company found a way to expose the mushrooms to enough light to provide 100% of the RDA for vitamin D in a single serving which is the equivalent of four of five mushrooms.

These vitamin D mushrooms give a person at high risk of vitamin D deficiency a convenient way to boost vitamin D levels without taking supplements. Many people fall short of getting the vitamin D they need - yet hesitate to take vitamin D supplements. Four or five mushrooms a day is a food prescription that most people can handle.

The Health Benefits of Vitamin D: You Dont Want to Miss Them

The health benefits of vitamin D are just starting to be documented. It may play a role in the prevention of a variety of diseases from multiple sclerosis to cancer. Low levels of vitamin D can cause muscle weakness, low energy levels, depression, and fatigue. Some studies show that over three-quarters of the population is deficient in vitamin D - which could be putting them at higher risk for certain diseases.

A New Dietary Source of Vitamin D?

Are vitamin D enriched mushrooms a way to boost vitamin D levels? For people who arent able to get enough sun and dont want to take supplements, they could be an alternative dietary source for vitamin D. Look for them at a grocery store near you in the near future.

References:

http://www.montereymushrooms.com/

Five Ideas for Dog House Decor

Could your dogs dog house use an update? If your dog is living in drab, uninspiring surroundings, maybe its time to give his dog house a fresh, upbeat look. Not only will your dog appreciate his new home, but an updated dog house will give your whole backyard a lift of color. Need some inspiration? Here are some ideas for dog house decor to consider:

Dog house decor: A fresh coat of paint.

Lets face it. The walls of most dog houses are painted in gloomy grays, browns, and other dull, uninspiring colors. Chances are Rovers house will look more vibrant if painted in lively, eyecatching shades. Why not paint that dull gray roof a bold shade of red; or paint the roof and walls in soft shades of oranges, reds, and yellows? This will add a casual Southwestern look to your dogs surroundings. Get color inspiration from home magazines and create a dog house that will stand out among all of the greenery in your backyard.

Dog house decor: Personalize it.

After youve added color to your dogs house, make it truly his by painting his name above the entrance. You can use a stencil to do this or freehand it, if you feel comfortable. You can also buy wooden letters at the craft store corresponding to your dogs name and paint them with interesting colors and patterns that coordinate with the rest of the color scheme. These can then be mounted above the entrance of the dog house.

Dog house decor: Decorate the entrance.

To add a little personality to your dogs house, decorate the front panels with wooden dog bones, hearts, or paw prints that youve painted or decorated with waterproof markers. You can buy wooden shapes at your local craft store or cut them out of wood with a scroll saw before decorating them.

Dog house decor: Show your artistic talent.

If you have real flair with a paint brush, why not go all out and paint the walls of the dog house with a vibrant abstract design? You can also personalize it by painting the likeness of your dog all over the exterior. What more could a dog ask for?

Dog house decor: Dont neglect the interior.

A dog house with a beautiful exterior should feel good on the inside too. Add a stack of fresh quilts and blankets in colors that complement the exterior decor so your dog will be comfortable in his updated lodgings.

Decorating a dog house is a great way to exercise your latent design talents while making your dog happy at the same time. Have fun!

Do You Really Need to Alternate Shampoos?

Its a common belief in the beauty industry that its necessary to change shampoos periodically to revitalize your hair. This stems from the idea that hair "adapts" to a shampoo and your hair no longer gets the same benefits that it did when you first started using it. Many sources will tell you to alternate shampoos periodically to keep hair looking fresh, clean, and shiny.

Although it may seem that using the same shampoo over a long period of time leads to reduced performance, this isnt due to adaptation to the shampoo. If you use any hair product, over a period of time, some of the ingredients will build up on the hair and reduce the natural shine and body you experienced when you originally started using the product. If you alternate shampoos for a short period of time, youll probably wash out some of the build-up left over from the previous shampoo and experience renewed body and shine.

To reduce the need to alternate shampoos, pick a shampoo formulation that doesnt have added conditioners or other ingredients that build-up easily on the hair shaft. Keep in mind that its not just shampoo ingredients that build up over time, but also conditioning and styling products. In fact, these products are more likely to be the culprit when hair starts looking dull than build-up of shampoo ingredients.

One alternative to alternating shampoos is to keep using your old shampoo and use a clarifying shampoo once a week to remove all the "gunk and junk" thats weighing down your hair. Clarifying shampoos are essentially shampoos with extra surfactants that help remove residue. The problem is these shampoos can dry hair out and change the color of color treated hair by slowly stripping away the tint. Thats why its important to use a clarifying shampoo no more than once a week and even less if you can get by with it.

The best way to avoid the problem of having to alternate shampoos is to limit the use of hair styling products, particularly ones containing silicone which can be difficult to remove even with a clarifying shampoo. Use conditioner only where its needed such as on the ends of the hair. Hard water can also cause buildup that can lead to dull, lifeless hair, so consider having your water tested if your hair is difficult to manage.

The bottom line? Theres no need to alternate shampoos. Keep a bottle of clarifying shampoo around and use it when your hair starts to look dull. Meanwhile, keep using the shampoo you enjoy.

The Magic of Green Tea Baths

If the affairs of the day have taken their toll on your nerves, it can be therapeutic to escape from the madness with a warm, fragrant green tea bath. If you enjoy the natural, grassy odor and taste of green tea, there are a variety of ways you can incorporate it in to your bathing experience. Here are some ideas:

Ideas for Green Tea Baths: Green tea for your bath water

Place fresh green tea leaves into a piece of cheesecloth and tie it with a ribbon. Draw your bath water and drop the cheesecloth in to the warm water. Allow it to remain in the water for a few minutes before removing. You can also use green tea bags in place of fresh green tea leaves. To make your bath even more luxurious, add a few rose petals and a few drops of rose essential oil to your green tea bath water.

Ideas for Green Tea Baths: Add some green tea bathing accessories

You can find a variety of green tea soaps and body sprays online. Cleanse yourself with the soft, natural scent of the green tea soap and lightly spray yourself with the body spray when you emerge from your bath. Youll feel mellow and relaxed. Theres something therapeutic about the scent of green tea products.

Ideas for Green Tea Baths: Sip green tea during your bath

To further relax and unwind, sip a glass of decaffeinated green tea as you soak in your green tea bath. Decaffeinated green tea tends to have a calming, soothing effect which makes it an excellent stress reliever. If you dont have decaffeinated green tea at home, you can remove 80% of the caffeine from regular green tea by discarding the water from your first steep after thirty seconds. You can reuse the bags by adding more hot water and allow it to steep normally. The result will be green tea with a reduced caffeine content.

Ideas for Green Tea Baths: Add green tea candles

Before drawing your bath water, light several green tea candles. The scent of a green tea candle can be quite therapeutic as you lie in the tranquil waters of your green tea bath. Youll feel like youre at a fancy spa rather than the privacy of your own bathroom.

In addition to its stress relieving properties, the components of green tea are good for the skin which is an added bonus. After experiencing the luxury of a green tea bath, youll want to make green tea bath products a part of your every day bathing routine. Why not discover the joys of adding green tea to your bath experience?

How a Personalized Baby Doll Can Brighten Your Childs Christmas This Year

Although most people enjoy the cheer and festivities that come with the holiday season, no one enjoys the hustle and bustle of Christmas more than a young child. Is there a special little girl in your life youd like to surprise with a unique gift? Imagine the look of delight on her face when she opens your beautifully wrapped gift box and finds a personalized baby doll that looks just like her! This idea can become a reality thanks to the internet.

A website called My Twinn will allow you to create a personalized baby doll crafted in the likeness of your child. Instead of giving a generic doll found in so many stores, you can give a doll a child will treasure all her life and may even become a family keepsake.

Making a personalized baby doll at My Twinn is as simple as going to the site and selecting the "create a doll" tab. Youll first be asked to select a sex for the doll, either boy or girl and then an outfit for the doll to wear. You have your choice of dressy or casual. You can then select hair length, hairstyle, hair texture, and hair color. Youll be asked to select skin tone and eye color. You can even choose to have freckles and birthmarks painted on to look exactly like your child. Youll then be asked to upload a photo of your child so her personalized baby doll can be created.

The cost of having a customized baby doll created for your child is surprisingly affordable for such a time intensive creation, costing $149.00. You also have the option of purchasing a variety of different accessories for your childs doll including clothing, furniture, and accessories to further personalize the experience. It could be the start of a fun tradition for your child. Each year you could purchase additional items for the baby doll created in her likeness.

When you order your childs personalized baby doll, you can choose to have a letter addressed to your child describing her dolls journey to her home. This will really bring the gift to life for her and make it even more special. You can also choose to hide your childs new doll in a special location. From the website, you can enter where the doll is to be hidden and your child will receive a series of instructions for a treasure hunt which will lead her to her new doll.

What child wouldnt appreciate a personalized baby doll crafted in her likeness? This is one present that wont end up in the back of the closet. Why not surprise your little girl with this unique gift?

The Dangers of Chewing Ice

Do you find yourself frequently chewing on ice? Although the act of chewing on ice cubes may seem to be a harmless pastime, the constant need to chew ice may signal more serious problems. On top of that, the ice chewing can do serious damage to your pearly whites.

Why are some people so fond of ice chewing? The desire to chew ice is considered to be a form of pica which is medical problem where a person has the strong need to chew on substances that have no nutritional value. This can include the desire to chew on such strange things as rocks, clay, soil, and even feces. When compared to these crunchers, chewing on ice cubes doesnt sound so bad!

The desire to chew ice can sometimes be a sign of iron deficiency anemia. Because of this, you most often see ice chewing in younger women who happen to be at the highest risk for being iron deficient. The correlation between chewing ice and iron deficiency anemia is so strong that its recommended that you see a doctor for a blood test if you find yourself chewing on ice frequently. No one knows exactly why people with iron deficiency anemia have the need to chew ice cubes, but it may be due to the mild tongue and mouth soreness that sometimes go along with iron deficiency. Occasionally, chronic ice chewing can be a sign of other nutritional deficiencies.

Even if your blood tests for iron deficiency come back normal, chewing ice cubes can have negative health consequences in the form of injury to your teeth. Just as biting down on nuts and other hard objects can cause damage to your teeth so can a hard piece of ice. Chomping down on one too many ice cubes can cause a tooth to chip or fracture which can result in formation of an abscess and a trip to your dentist for a root canal. This is especially true if you have fillings in your teeth which weakens their structure making a fracture or crack more likely. Keep in mind that root canals can be expensive and uncomfortable. Is it worth it?

If you find that despite your best efforts you cant overcome an ice chewing addiction, try substituting something a softer that you can suck on more slowly such as a popsicle or other frozen treat. Another option is to continue to enjoy ice cubes by allowing them to melt in your mouth rather than biting down on them and risking a painful tooth fracture. If you cant overcome your addiction, youre not alone. Theres even an online forum dedicated to ice chewing at icechewing.com. Who would have known?

Does Sweating Remove Toxins from the Body?

We are, no doubt, assaulted by a barrage of pollutants in air, water and food every day - and some people think we can sweat out these toxins through brow-dripping exercise - or while sitting in a hot sauna or going to a hot yoga class. The idea of sweating out toxins has become trendy recently with an increasing number of people signing up for yoga classes where people pose in very hot environments to encourage sweating and release of toxins. Does sweating remove toxins-or not?

Sweating and Toxins: Does Sweating Remove Poisons?

Before signing up for a hot yoga class, consider this. Sweating is a mechanism the body uses to release heat. If you were to analyze sweat in the laboratory, you would find it consists mostly of water with small amounts of minerals, such as sodium and chloride, lactate and urea. Sweat may contain tiny amounts of lead along with other trace metals, but this amount is small enough to be almost insignificant. Toxins from any source cant be removed by sweating.

Fortunately, you do have a way to remove toxins - as long as you have a healthy liver. The liver is the main detoxifying organ in the body, although the kidneys and intestinal tract help too. The liver has the important job of filtering the blood to remove toxins and converting fat-soluble toxins into water-soluble ones that can be excreted by the kidneys.

Its your liver and kidneys that have the job of detoxifying and removing poisons from your body - and sweating keeps you healthy another way - by preventing overheating. You cant sweat out toxins by spending time in a hot room, a sauna or exercising vigorously in the heat - but you could end up dehydrated if you dont drink enough water.

Does Sweating Remove Toxins: The Bottom Line?

Sweating out toxins isnt an effective way to remove toxic substances from your body. To detoxify better, keep your liver healthy by not drinking too much alcohol and avoiding unnecessary medications. Maintaining a healthy weight helps to reduce the risk of fatty liver disease, another cause of reduced liver function. On the other hand, sweating is good for you if it means youre exercising, but be sure to stay well-hydrated.

References:

Merck Manual. Eighteenth edition. 2006.

Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Science 8 (4): 270-5.

How to Make Homemade Peanut Butter

If you worry about unhealthy ingredients in your peanut butter such as trans fats, and even worse, contaminants such as bacteria, you have choices. You can make your own, all-natural peanut butter at home using a food processor. When you make your own homemade peanut butter, youll not only get a healthier product but youll be saving money at the same time. Heres how to whip up a batch of fresh peanut butter in your food processor or blender.

Make homemade peanut butter: Buy your supplies

To make peanut butter, youll need access to a blender or food processor as well as a source of peanuts and oil. You have the choice of either using peanuts that have already been roasted or roasting the nuts in your oven at home. Roasting your own peanuts is as simple as placing the nuts on a cookie sheet and heating them for fifteen to twenty minutes in an oven at 350 degrees Farenheit. Both roasted and raw peanuts can be found in most grocery stores. Youll also need to pick up a bottle of peanut oil.

Make homemade peanut butter: Make the butter

Once you have the roasted nuts, place two cups of nuts into your food processor. Add two teaspoons of peanut oil to the processor along with a pinch of salt. Turn on the food processor or blender and allow the nuts to grind for two minutes. Stop the processor and check the consistency of the butter. It will likely still be clumpy at this stage. Turn the food processor back on and allow it to grind until you see a smooth paste form. This usually takes an additional two minutes or so. If you want creamier peanut butter, you can blend a little longer.

Make homemade peanut butter: Store your peanut butter

Once you have your fresh, homemade peanut butter, place it into a glass container and refrigerate it. Because it doesnt have any added preservatives, it wont last as long as store bought peanut butters. It should be good for about two weeks if kept refrigerated, but it will taste so good, dont expect it to be around that long!

Keep in mind that you dont have to use peanuts. Try substituting almonds, cashews, macadamia nuts, pistachios, or hazelnuts instead. You can even use a mixture of roasted nuts to make homemade nut butter. Try adding chocolate chips to the food processor along with the nuts to create chocolate nut butter. You can also add dried fruit to freshly made peanut butter to add additional flavor. Bananas are a particularly good choice. Have fun experimenting!

What Are the Best Fruits for Low Carb Dieting?

Its important to eat healthy if youre trying to lose weight, and, for some people, that means limiting carbohydrates. Although extremely low carb diets arent always the healthiest option for weight loss and arent a realistic long term solution, avoiding foods that are high in sugar can be an important part of a successful longer term eating plan. Most vegetables are relatively low in carbohydrates, but some fruits can be a problem for a low carb dieter because of their high fructose content. Still, fruits are a good source of fiber, vitamins, and phytonutrients which are important for overall health. If you want to eat fruit, but limit sugar and carbs, which should you choose? What are the best fruits for low carb eating?

Fruits for Low Carb Dieting: Fruits to Avoid

Certain fruits shouldnt be on your list if youre trying to limit carbohydrates. Dried fruits may sound like a healthy snack option, but the drying process turns them into a very concentrated source of sugar. Its far better from a carbohydrate and calorie standpoint to eat fresh fruit instead. Its also important to avoid canned fruits that are packed in syrup and to stay away from fruit juices as well, especially ones that have added sugar. Head for the fresh produce aisle instead.

Other fruits that arent good for low carb eating are bananas, grapes, cherries, and pineapple. Bananas are a particularly rich source of carbs with almost 24 grams in a single serving. Other fruits to avoid if youre looking for fruits that are low in carbohydrates include oranges, mangos, plums, and pears because of their concentrated sugar content.
Fruits for Low Carb Dieting: Better Choices

The best option when selecting fruits that are low in carbohydrates is to choose from the berry family. Blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and cranberries are all low in carbs and are an excellent source of flavonoids which are good antioxidants. Berries have so many other additional health benefits that theyre an easy choice to make. Peaches are relatively low in sugar and carbs; and if youre looking for something more exotic, papaya and guava are good options. The all-American summertime favorite, watermelon, is also relatively low in carbs and high in heart-healthy lycopenes.

Yes, you can enjoy the health benefits of fruit even if youre on a low carb eating plan. Simply look for fruit options that are low in carbohydrates and enjoy them in moderation.

The Risks of Laxative Teas

The benefits of drinking tea are well known, but theres one type of tea thats best left on the store shelf. Laxative teas or dieters teas as theyre sometimes called can have serious side effects if consumed in large amounts. These teas have become popular, particularly among young people, as a way to "detoxify" and lose weight and have been made popular by celebrities who use them as a way to shed pounds quickly without dieting. The public seems to be responding by buying boxes of laxative teas in record numbers.

The popularity of laxative teas arises from the belief that they cleanse the body of toxins and help to prevent weight gain. Most of these teas contain a variety of herbal ingredients including senna, buckthorn, rhubarb root, licorice root, cascara, aloe, and other natural ingredients derived from plants. Some types of laxative teas may be labeled as detox or dieters teas on store shelves to de-emphasize their laxative effects.

Although these teas stimulate more frequent bowel movements, theyre unlikely to cause real weight loss since they act at the level of the large intestine and colon, while fat and calories are absorbed by the small intestine. People who use these laxative teas are often grateful to see the numbers on the scale drop, not realizing that the weight loss is mostly water weight due to the frequent diarrhea.

Even more disturbing are the potential side effects of laxative teas. Not only do these teas cause diarrhea, but they can also be associated with significant abdominal cramping and digestive disturbances including vomiting. Using large amounts of laxative tea for long periods of time can actually cause long term problems with constipation as colon function becomes sluggish due to excessive laxative use.

An even more serious side effect of laxative teas is the potential for potassium levels to drop in response to the excessive diarrhea caused by these teas. When potassium levels drop, it can affect the function of the heart resulting in heart rhythm abnormalities which can be life threatening in some cases.

The bottom line? Use of laxative teas isnt recommended for either weight control or detoxification. Theres little evidence that they promote safe weight loss or that they provide any kind of detoxification benefits. The side effects of laxative teas arent worth the limited benefits they may have. As always, the best way to lose weight is through a healthy diet and exercise plan.

Jewelry Designers! Heres a Market for Your Handmade Jewelry!

If youre a jewelry designer who markets your own handmade jewelry, youre always on the look out for new markets for your creations. Heres an interesting jewelry marketing outlet that you may not have considered. Do you have any day spas or medical spas in your local area that provide relaxation and rejuvenation services? These facilities that cater primarily to women can be an excellent market for your handmade jewelry.

Women come to these spa facilities to look and feel relaxed and rejuvenated. They want a sense of freshness and renewal. Why not

help them brighten up their newly rejuvenated face with a new pair of handmade earrings? It may be just what the antiaging doctor ordered!

Why not give some of these spa facilities a call and see if they would be interested in carrying your handmade jewelry? They may not have considered selling jewelry before, so you may have to sell the idea to them. Stress the benefits that adding jewelry to their spa can bring such as increased profits, adding a decorative touch to their spa, giving customers something to look at while they wait etc. Emphasize they can carry your jewelry on consignment at no risk to them if this is workable from your perspective. If youve had success in other spas or hair salons, let them know this but emphasize you wont be selling your jewelry in any other spas in your local area so as not to compete directly with them. Once the spa realizes the benefits to them, theyll be more likely to give your jewelry a risk free trial.

Set up an arrangement with the spa where you can come in and replenish their stock of handmade jewelry on a regular basis to keep sales brisk. Once youve proven theres a market for your jewelry, suggest that they purchase wholesale from you as opposed to selling on a consignment basis. This will mean less paperwork for them and more efficient cash flow for you. You may also want to consider approaching other spas outside your immediate area for sales of your handmade jewelry.

Rejuvenation salons are an example of an excellent niche market for handmade jewelry. They are growing in numbers. giving you more facilities in which to sell your jewelry. They also tend to attract a customer who appreciates higher quality, handmade jewelry. Why not see if this is a viable market for your own jewelry designs?

Should a Non-Specialist Do Your Colonoscopy Screening?

There are lots of good reasons to get a colonoscopy - to screen for colon cancer. Colon cancer is a disease thats preventable if suspicious polyps are picked up early and removed - before they have the chance to develop into cancer. Theres little doubt that screening colonoscopies saves lives. Thats why doctors recommend that a person at average risk for colon cancer get a colonoscopy screening starting at age fifty - and continue up through age seventy-five. People at higher risk for colon cancer may need to get a screening colonoscopy even earlier. When the time comes to get a screening colonoscopy, should you let a surgeon do it, or a specialist?

Whos the Best Doctor to Do a Screening Colonoscopy?

Colonoscopies to screen for colon cancer were once the exclusive domain of gastroenterologists. Now, surgeons can undergo special training to learn to do them on patients - but choosing a surgeon or other non-specialist to do this procedure may not be a smart idea. A recent study sheds a disturbing light on screening colonoscopies performed by non-specialists.

Researchers looked at the outcomes of over 110,000 individuals who had colonoscopies to screen for colon cancer - and made note of how many of these individuals went on to develop colon cancer over a fifteen year period. The results? More people who had their screening colonoscopy performed by a non-gastroenterologist went on to develop colon cancer, than those who had their procedure carried out by a trained gastroenterologist.

A Colonoscopy Screening is Best Done By a Gastroenterologist

This isnt the first study to show these results. Two previous studies showed that more non-gastroenterologists fail to diagnose colon cancers on colonoscopy, than gastroenterologists who specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and colon.

The Best Doctor to Do a Colonoscopy Screening: The Bottom Line?

Gastroenterologists undergo extensive training to learn colonoscopy screening, and theyre better qualified to screen for colon cancer. General surgeons who do these procedures also have training, but they dont have the opportunity to do as many colonoscopies as a gastroenterologist does. Thus, they may not have the same level of expertise. When it comes time to get a screening colonoscopy, ask for a gastroenterologist.

References:

Journal Watch. Volume 30, Nos. 9 & 10. May 2010. page 74.

Eat This Fat to Reduce Your Cholesterol Level

Fat has always been the "bad guy" when it comes to heart health - and your cholesterol profile. But theres one kind of fat that not only reduces LDL cholesterol but raises HDL levels too. Its the kind of heart-healthy fat your cardiologist wants you to eat more of. Monounsaturated fats are the "good guys" when it comes to heart health. Heres why.

The Heart-Healthy Fat That Reduces Cholesterol Levels

Most studies show that monounsaturated fats in foods like nuts and olive oil reduce LDL cholesterol and raise HDL levels (good cholesterol). This was recently confirmed by a new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. When researchers substituted monounsaturated fats for carbohydrates for 13% of the calories older men and women ate for two months, it lowered their LDL cholesterol levels by 35% and raised their HDL cholesterol by 12.5%. This reduction could have significant benefits for the heart.

Heart-Healthy Fat That Lowers Your Cholesterol

Its not surprising that monounsaturated fats reduce cholesterol and raise HDL levels. Theyre the backbone of the heart-healthy Mediterranean diet that many health-conscious people recognize and embrace. The Mediterranean diet emphasizes olive oil and nuts that are high in monounsaturated fats as well as fruits and vegetables, fish, whole grains, and moderate amounts of wine. The Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest diets in the world.

Olive oil and nuts arent the only foods high in monounsaturated fats. Other good sources of these fats are avocados, olives, and seeds of all types. Substituting nuts for a high-carbohydrate snack could be beneficial not only for heart health but for your waistline too. Some studies show that monounsaturated fats help to reduce unwanted belly fat. Using olive oil in place of butter reduces saturated fats in your diet too.

Lower Your Cholesterol Level with Monounsaturated Fats: The Bottom Line?

Replacing less healthy fats and oils with ones that contain monounsaturated fats helps to reduce cholesterol levels while raising HDL. Also, substituting monounsaturated-rich snacks, such as nuts, for ones high in carbohydrates, such as potato chips, could give you a healthier lipid profile. Make the right choices when it comes to choosing your snacks - and your fats.

References:

Medical News Today. "Adding Monounsaturated Fats To A Low-Cholesterol Diet Can Further Improve Levels"

Why You Shouldnt Order the Cheesecake Factory Grilled Chicken and Avocado Club

Looking for something healthy to eat at the Cheesecake Factory? After eyeing the sandwich menu, you might be tempted to order the Cheesecake Factory Grilled Chicken and Avocado Club. Dont be. Unfortunately, the Cheesecake Factory knows how to turn even a grilled chicken sandwich into fuel for a heart attack.

The Cheesecake Factory Restaurant is one of Americas favorite places to eat - yet it never fails to make the list of most unhealthy restaurants. For example, who would think of frying macaroni and cheese? Only the Cheesecake Factory could come up with this artery clogging entree with 1,528 calories and sixty-three grams of saturated fat. If you save room for the signature cheesecake after a meal like this, youll probably have enough fat stored to fast for the rest of the week.

So, whats wrong with the Cheesecake Factory Grilled Chicken and Avocado Club? Despite the fact that grilled chicken is typically low in fat and avocado is a good source of healthy, monounsaturated fats, this sandwich wont earn the cardiologist seal of approval. Itll just pad his pocket when you have to pay for a bypass after eating it. This grilled chicken sandwich has no less than 1752 calories and 28 grams of fat - the equivalent of eating eight-and-a-half Hersheys chocolate bars. And watch out for the salt! This baby boasts 2,309 milligrams of sodium - more than you should get in an entire day.

What did the Cheesecake Factor do to turn a simple grilled chicken club into such a diet disaster? They add bacon to this generous sandwich - and the rest of the damage is done by the dollop of full-fat mayonnaise they dress it up with. Of course, you could always ask for it without the bacon or mayonnaise, but then its a plain grilled chicken sandwich with a few slices of avocado.

Unfortunately, if youre in the mood for a sandwich, youll get dinged with most of their sandwiches. On the positive side, they offer weight management salads that are a healthier choice. Another option is to order the vegetable chopped salad off of the appetizer menu. Its an enticing blend of grilled chicken, apples, beets, asparagus, edamame, cucumber, tomato, beets, romaine lettuce, and white cheddar cheese.

And as for the Cheesecake Factor Grilled Chicken and Avocado Club? Dont be too quick to assume that grilled chicken means healthy. This one is over the top.

References:

Mens Health website. "The Twenty Worst Restaurant Foods in America".