The Coffee Grinder: An Investment For Your Morning Ritual

Submitted By: Kerry Ng
Coffee lovers will tell you that the best coffee comes from beans grounded immediately before the coffee is brewed. Old Time coffee drinkers know this by heart. That’s why no kitchen is complete without a coffee grinder.

Waking up in the morning and grinding up a fresh batch of coffee beans and throwing it into the coffee maker and then anticipating that first sip of fresh hot coffee! Now that is the good life! What Makes a Great Coffee Grinder? When it comes to coffee grinders, there to basic types. One is called burr grinders and the other is called blade grinders. The difference between these two is basically how the beans are processed. Blade coffee grinders use a spinning blade to grind up the coffee beans. Burr grinders use burrs to grind up coffee beans. Burrs resemble plates with gears on them. One of the burrs is stationary, while the other one spins and grinds up the coffee beans. When trying to make a great cup of coffee, one has to keep a couple things in mind. The taste of coffee will be affected by heat and uniformity. What this means is, heat is undesirable in a coffee grinder because it damages the coffee beans. The process of grinding coffee is relatively violent, because both blade and burr grinders in produce some heat. And of course, the faster the grinding mechanism runs; the more heat is being generated. Even finer grinds generate heat because of the extra time it takes to grind the coffee beans. For those who are concerned about the quality of their coffee, one can purchase a low- speed burr grinder. A low speed burr will be more expensive. As well it will take longer to grind the coffee beans. But coffee purists will swear by these coffee grinders as the only way to go for a perfect cup of coffee. Another very important factor is the uniformity of the grind. With the brewing process, the water spends a certain amount of time passing over the grinds. The uniform grinds are much more efficient at imparting flavor to the water. At first glance, the average coffee drinker may not be able to distinguish coffee that was grinded from a blade grinder vs. a burr grinder. But, to a coffee purist, they will notice the difference. The blade grinder is not very good at creating a uniform grind. However, with burr grinders, they produce an exceptional uniform grind resulting in a much tastier cup of coffee. Quite frankly, it’s a no brainer when it comes to selecting a coffee grinder. The burr grinder s really the only way to go. However, some of the higher end models can cost several hundred dollars, thus putting them out of reach for some of the coffee lovers. However, this doesn’t mean that a small budget will always get a poor coffee grinder. Best to do a search online for burr coffee grinders. One can pick up a very nice coffee grinder for under hundred dollars. The selection is almost endless. Most coffee lovers consider a coffee grinder to be an investment and not an expense. After all, who can put the dollar value on a fantastic cup of coffee each and every morning? Yes, it is the good life! [source:http://allwomencentral.com]

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The Fit Way to a Woman’s Health

Submitted By: Harry Patel
Site: http://www.e-booksite.net
Women’s fitness and exercise needs are focused on the muscles of the upper back. Most of their exercise work-outs are also designed for the stomach muscles, especially those who have just given birth. At the same time, exercises for women are usually designed for weight loss.

And while men tend to focus on muscle building whereas women work on toning their muscles, strength training is important for both. Here are a few things to make you women out there go out and start building up your muscle strength. Make the performance of your usual tasks easier with a physically strong body. Chores will be easier, lifting your kids, the grocery or the laundry will be a piece of cake. Consequently, it will reduce possible strain on the muscles and injury. Training can increase a woman’s strength by 30 to 50 percent. Lose fat at the same time. A strength training done 2 to 3 times a week for a span of two months can result to two pounds of muscles and would mean a reduction of 3.5 pounds of fat. The more muscles and less fat, the faster is the metabolism, which ultimately means your body burns calories faster than normal. Fight osteoporosis. Weight training increases spinal bone mineral density which means lesser chances of the risk of osteoporosis. Fight heart disease and diabetes. Weight improvement improves cardiovascular health by lowering the bad cholesterol and blood pressure. It also improves glucose use in the body by 23 percent which reduces the risk of diabetes. The road to a healthier you. Not only does it promote a healthier body, but it also develops a healthier attitude and a healthier heart. Women who engage in regular strength training are more confident, with a more positive outlook in life. So how do you get started? For those who lead very busy lifestyles, hitting the gym and starting on a regular fitness plan may seem the perfect way to keep fit. But for most, starting out on a regular walking exercise is the way to go. Start at a manageable rate. A 10 to 15 minute walk is a good way to start. Prior to a workout, make sure to stretch your major muscles. Work your muscles on the front of your thighs. Stretch your shoulder muscles by standing straight and rolling the shoulders backward in a circular motion. And of course, don’t forget to observe proper nutrition. Load up on water to prevent dehydration. Consume carbohydrates before starting on your work-out. For those with joint and bone diseases, swimming may prove to be a less stressful activity for your muscles. But the most important is, make time for your exercise. If you can’t hit the gym or start on a regular work-out plan, make sure that your day is filled with enough physical activity that keeps you going and always on the go. Women’s fitness is the key to your beauty! [source : http://allwomencentral.com]

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Custom Bedroom Furniture – When Your Style is More Precious

Submitted By: Kush Wanady
Site: http://www.furniturehill.com
Ever heard about custom furniture? Yes, it is furniture that constructed according to customer request and specifications. The design, style, and even materials such as stain, wood, and fabric,

they are a few specifications that customer can take as a request. As you know, the bedroom is a person's private sanctuary, a place where you want to relax after a day’s work. When you are bored about ordinary bedroom furniture, or maybe you are still confuse because there is no bedroom furniture that will be matching with the room or your style, custom bedroom furniture can definitely add color to the dream. Custom bedroom furniture is available in contemporary and traditional styles. Custom bedroom furniture is also available in various colors. Most custom bedroom furniture is inspired from the conventional form. Headboards, night stands, beds, armories, dressers, and chests constitute and also adorn custom bedroom furniture. In comparison with ordinary bedroom furniture, custom bedroom furniture is known for its high quality expertise, and also has a great resale value. Those who can’t be able to have new custom bedroom furniture can buy used furniture. A custom bed can make you soaked in the tranquility and comfort of a lifetime, because in the bedroom, the bed has always been the main of attraction. Custom bedroom furniture is made of oak, maple, cherry, walnut, teak, leather or various types of metals. Usually, the beds are made of natural wood and available in various sizes, from standard to full king or queen. The Modern Murphy bed wall unit with a side panel desk and television display is really a useful piece. To adorn the bedroom, customized dressers, armoires, and chests in oriental, contemporary or art-deco styles are used for storage. Nowadays, furniture dealers and talented craftsmen also sell custom bedroom furniture. Custom bedroom furniture is available in most furniture stores and even on internet. It is the convenient way if you use internet as a shopping place, you can find out to get good deals on custom bedroom furniture. You can also use internet to get inspiration for your own custom bedroom furniture and then you can have craftsman to make it for you. [source : http://allwomencentral.com/ ]

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Choosing Limousines for Wedding Celebration

by: Avaraham Perterson

Limousines are considered as an important need for every wedding celebration. Luxury limousines do a great job in adding style, charm, and royal feeling in a wedding.

That is the reason behind great craze of limousine rentals for wedding celebrations. In fact, a major portion of limo rentals customers come to book luxury and comfortable limousines for wedding celebrations only. Wedding celebrations contribute a major part of revenue for limo rentals service providers. Why Limousines in Wedding Celebration Wedding is one of the most important events of someone's life. People, who are getting married, want to make it most extravagant episode of their life. A limousine does the perfect job in this respect. The bride and groom both want to arrive at the wedding venue with style in a luxury limousine. Nowadays it has almost become a tradition. Limousines are also used to drive guests from their hotels to the wedding venue and back to the hotel after wedding is over. What Type of Limousines Are Ideal For Wedding There are different variants of limousines. Not all are suitable for wedding purposes. There are specific requirements, and to serve these special requirements, limo rental services providers keep specialized vehicles in their fleet. To bring bride and groom to the wedding venue, The Chrysler 300C Limousine is the best. Its classic look combined with modern elements of design and technology makes this car very safe, attractive, and ideal for wedding ceremonies. However, to ferry your guests from their hotel to wedding venue you need a comparatively bigger limousine that can accommodate more people. SUV Stretch limo or H2 Hummer Stretch limo will be ideal for this purpose. Both are stylish, secure, and will reflect your prosperity in front of your guests in best manners. If you have planned to go to some other location for wedding party then limo buses will also serve your requirement of ferrying guests to party location. Booking Limousines for Wedding Celebration It is advisable to book a limousine for your wedding purpose in advance. Idea of booking a limousine on last minute is not a good idea. You may not get your preferred vehicle at last moment. On advance booking of limousines, you can get some attractive offers. Therefore, make your decisions properly in advance to get the most out of it, and experience the magic created by presence of limousines in your wedding celebrations. [source:http://www.articlecity.com/articles/auto_and_trucks/article_2730.shtml]

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Tips for Women Over 50 Who Want to Look 10 Years Younger

by: Dale Kathryn Grove
Women over 50 can appear at least 10 years younger than they are and are in position to capitalize on their experience and vitality. Why would you want to look and feel younger than you are?

It could be vanity, maybe a personal challenge to increase your fitness level, maybe just better health and maybe because you are back on the market as a newly single woman. Most women will be single for a good portion of their later years. Women who date younger men are referred to as cougars however men have been dating younger women since time began and there is no corresponding term for them. Women should be able to choose who they want to date, and what they want out of life without being referred to in a derogatory way. I find it interesting that some women in their 50s when approached about starting a skin care routine or using makeup say, “I’m too old to start now.” At 50, we have in most cases at least another 30 years of life left. We are at an age where we have experience, education, money and often, an empty nest. It’s time to really embrace everything life has to offer and do the things we have always put aside because our focus has been on raising a family and working. Did you know that women, who wear makeup, on average, earn 12% more than women who don’t? When you look good, you feel good and that in turn improves your attitude. I suspect that looking your best improves confidence, which in turn would lead to better on-the-job performance. Purchase a good skin care routine that includes anti-aging products and use it daily. In most cases a quality fragrance-free skin treatment program is safe for even sensitive skin. If you rarely wear color cosmetics take the time to find some that you will be comfortable with. Makeup, that is subtle, will enhance your best features and will make you stand out as someone who cares about their appearance. If you already use color cosmetics you are ahead of the game. Allot some time in your day to exercise and stretch. Many women these days are active physically and have better health than previous generations. If they do not have a gym membership there are many activities that can tone and firm their physiques while being fun; inline skating, tennis, rock climbing, yoga. I was shocked recently when I took my grandson bowling that it is great activity to firm the gluts and arms. Clothing choices, in a large way, determine how people see you however it is not necessary to spend lot of money to look good. Reading about clothing trends helps you choose clothing that is fashionable and appropriate for your lifestyle. Whether it is for pleasure or work, choose separates that allow you to mix and match using a couple of basic colors with a few accent colors thrown in. If everything in your closet co-ordinates, dressing in the morning is easy. That will eliminate the “I have nothing to wear syndrome.” As women in our 50s we are a powerful force in our communities, our work place and our families. Take time for yourself! It energizes you and as Steven Covey believes, it “sharpens the saw.” By deciding to take charge of your appearance, fitness, health, and attitude you open doors that you may have thought closed for you. [source : http://www.articlecity.com/articles/women/article_2890.shtml]

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Smile! It could predict success of your marriage

Researchers: People with big grins in old photos more likely to stay married By Clara Moskowitz If you want to know whether your marriage will survive, look at your spouse's yearbook photos. Psychologists have found that how much people smile in old photographs can predict their later success in marriage.

In a second trial, the research team asked people over age 65 to provide photos from their childhood (the average age in the pictures was 10 years old). The researchers scored each person's smile, and found that only 11 percent of the biggest smilers had been divorced, while 31 percent of the frowners had experienced a broken marrige. Overall, the results indicate that people who frown in photos are five times more likely to get a divorce than people who smile. While the connection is striking, the researchers stress that they can't conclude anything about the cause of the correlation. "Maybe smiling represents a positive disposition towards life," said study leader Matthew Hertenstein, a psychologist at DePauw University in Indiana. "Or maybe smiling people attract other happier people, and the combination may lead to a greater likelihood of a long-lasting marriage. We don’t really know for sure what's causing it." Hertenstein said he has considered other explanations, such as the possibility that people who smile more often tend to attract more friends, and a larger support network makes it easier to keep a marriage healthy. Or it could be that people who smile when a photographer tells them to are more likely to have obedient personalities, which could make marriage easier. The results of the study fit into a larger pattern of research that has found many personality characteristics can be determined from very thin slices of behavior. Basically, we often reveal ourselves in the most subtle, simple ways. And smiling in photographs has been shown to be correlated with a number of traits, including a generally happier disposition . "I think [our results] go along with a lot of the literature that’s been coming out over the last five to 10 years, which shows that positive emotionality is incredibly important in our lives," Hertenstein told LiveScience. "There are many, many beneficial outcomes to a positive disposition." The findings are also notable because they found a connection between photos taken when people were young and marriage outcomes that sometimes occurred much later. "It feeds into this idea that what's occurring earlier in our lives in terms of our present situation and our mental state can predict things that occur decades later," Hertenstein said. "Showing the continuity in who we are is really important." The study is detailed in the April 5 issue of the journal Motivation and Emotion. [Source : http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30213316/ ]

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Men and women see beauty differently

Study: Gals use whole brain to process a pretty sight; guys use right side

WASHINGTON - Beauty is in the brain of the beholder. Go to any museum and there will be men and women admiring paintings and sculpture. But it turns out they are thinking about the sight differently. Men process beauty on the right side of their brains, while women use their whole brain to do the job, researchers report in Tuesday's electronic edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. They even explain it differently. Novelist Margaret Wolfe Hungerford: "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." Essayist David Hume: "Beauty in things exists merely in the mind which contemplates them." Researchers were surprised by the finding. "It is well known that there are differences between brain activity in women and men in cognitive tasks," said researcher Camilo J. Cela-Conde of the University of Baleares in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. "However, why should this kind of difference appear in the case of appreciation of beauty?" Language of beautyThe answer seems to be that when women consider a visual object they link it to language while men concentrate on the spatial aspects of the object, Cela-Conde said in an interview by e-mail. He noted, however, that this doesn't explain why — and how — the human capacity to appreciate beauty evolved. "The differences that we have found might relate to the different social roles that, hypothetically, men and women had during human evolution." he said. The researchers tested 10 men and 10 women, showing them paintings and photos of urban scenes and landscapes, asking them to rate each scene as either "beautiful" or "not beautiful." At the same time the scientists looked at images of the magnetic fields produced by electrical currents in the brains of the men and women. For the first 300 milliseconds, there was no difference between male and female brains, and from 300 to 700 milliseconds activity was greater for objects that were rated as beautiful than for those that were not beautiful. For both sexes the most active region was the parietal lobe that deals with visual perception, spatial orientation and information processing, but it was focused on the right side of the brain in men while both sides participated in women. While there are differences between people as to what is beautiful and what isn't, Cela-Conde said they did not find identifiable differences related to sex. "Any person can find beautiful a landscape, a building or a canvas that some others will find awful. But sex has little to do with those differences. Perhaps they relate with other variables, such as age or education." he said. "It is curious that, using different neural networks, the final result is very similar in women and men. But this seems to be the case," Cela-Conde said. He added: "Human nature is complex and difficult to study and understand. Nevertheless, thanks to scientific tools we are starting to know a bit more about some very important aspects of our nature." [Source : http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29355425/]

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Breast Cancer

About The Disease Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast. Risk Factors Older age. Menstruating at an early age. Older age at first birth or never having given birth.

A personal history of breast cancer or benign (noncancer) breast disease. A mother or sister with breast cancer. Treatment with radiation therapy to the breast/chest. Breast tissue that is dense on a mammogram. Hormone use (such as estrogen and progesterone). Drinking alcoholic beverages. Being white rather than Latina, Asian or African American. Genetic Link The genes in cells carry the hereditary information that is received from a person’s parents. Hereditary breast cancer makes up approximately 5 to 10 percent of all breast cancer. Some altered genes related to breast cancer are more common in certain ethnic groups. Women who have an altered gene related to breast cancer and who have had breast cancer in one breast have an increased risk of developing breast cancer in the other breast. These women also have an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer, and may have an increased risk of developing other cancers. Men who have an altered gene related to breast cancer also have an increased risk of developing this disease. Tests have been developed that can detect altered genes. These genetic tests are sometimes done for members of families with a high risk of cancer. Testing Mammogram: An X-ray of the breast. MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging, which takes place inside a tunnel-like scanner, makes detailed images of the breast with a magnet and radio waves, but without radiation. Biopsy: The removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope to check for signs of cancer. If a lump in the breast is found, the doctor may need to cut out a small piece of the lump. A pathologist views the tissue under a microscope to look for cancer cells. There are four types of biopsies: Excisional biopsy: Removal of an entire lump or suspicious tissue. Incisional biopsy: Removal of part of a lump or suspicious tissue. Core biopsy: Removal of part of a lump or suspicious tissue using a wide needle. Needle biopsy or fine-needle aspiration biopsy: Removal of part of a lump, suspicious tissue or fluid, using a thin needle. Estrogen and progesterone receptor test: A test to measure the amount of estrogen and progesterone (hormones) receptors in cancer tissue. If cancer is found in the breast, tissue from the tumor is examined in the laboratory to find out whether estrogen and progesterone could affect the way cancer grows. The test results show whether hormone therapy may stop the cancer from growing. Factors Affecting Prognosis The stage of the cancer: whether it is in the breast only or has spread to lymph nodes or other places in the body. The type of breast cancer. Estrogen-receptor and progesterone-receptor levels in the tumor tissue. A woman’s age, general health and menopausal status (whether a woman is still having menstrual periods). Whether the cancer has just been diagnosed or has come back. [Sources: AP, National Cancer Institute., http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6852960/]

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More proof depression hurts women’s hearts

Big surprise in study was antidepressant use’s link to sudden cardiac death WASHINGTON - Severe depression may silently break a seemingly healthy woman's heart.

The depressed women were more than twice as likely to experience sudden cardiac death — death typically caused by an irregular heartbeat, concluded the 12-year study, published Monday in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. They also had a smaller increased risk of death from other forms of heart disease. The big surprise: Sudden cardiac death seemed more closely linked with antidepressant use than with the depression symptoms the women reported. That might simply mean that women who used antidepressants were, appropriately, the most seriously depressed, cautioned lead researcher Dr. William Whang. But he said the finding merited more research. An independent risk factorStudies of the newer antidepressants most often used today so far haven't signaled a risk of irregular heartbeat, and some even have suggested protection, noted Dr. Redford Williams of Duke University, a specialist in how psychosocial factors affect health. The drug question aside, Williams said the work adds to growing evidence that depression is an independent risk factor for heart disease — on top of the classic risks of high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and smoking. The predominantly white Nurses' Health Study may underestimate it, Williams said. "If anything, the impact in African-American women is probably greater," he said, adding that it's time for the next step: A study testing whether properly treating depression lowers the risk. Why might depression have that effect? The study found that the more severe the women's reported depression symptoms, the more likely she was to have traditional heart risk factors. Also, stresses like depression have been linked to such physical effects as a higher resting heart rate. Perhaps a more straightforward reason: Depression can make people do a worse job taking care of themselves. Indeed, the American Heart Association last year recommended that everyone who already has heart disease be regularly screened for depression — because depressed patients may skip their medications, sit indoors instead of exercising, and eat particularly poorly. [Source : http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29602359/]

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Menu for beautiful skin

Acne, inflammations, reddenings, spots - these problems are familiar to many modern women. At times we spend years searching for the right decision. Expensive treatment and special procedures can be avoided, knowing the true reasons of diseases. Womanspassions.com opens the main secret of a healthy and beautiful skin!

Probably, there is no person who would be completely happy with his skin. We go to beauty salons, do peelings and masks, use creams and lotions, but reach the desirable effect not always. What’s a secret of a healthy and young skin? Why skin becomes “problem”? I think, many heard that skin reflects condition of our thick intestines. But very few people knows, why. Physicians using principles of acupuncture in practice can answer this question without effort. In a human body there are power channels - so-called meridians. There are six of them. All processes in an organism are supervised by the energy which is passing on these meridians. Energy is divided in 6 kinds: wind, warmth, heat, humidity, dryness and cold. Each of energy moves on the meridians with the same name. For each meridian two internal bodies answer: one hollow and one parenchymal. So, -Liver and bilious bubble answer for a wind power, -Heart and thick intestines - for energy of warmth, -Back and brain - heat, -Spleen, pancreas and stomach - humidity, -Lungs and thick intestines - dryness, -Kidneys and bladder - colds. Energy are responsible for development and functioning of various systems of an organism: -Cold - for locomotor system, -Dryness - for condition of skin, hair, nails and mucous, -Humidity - for hypodermically-fatty cellulose, digestive system, -Wind - for muscular system, -Warmth - for cardiovascular system, -Heat - for nervous system and sense organs. It is curious that thick intestines and skin, for example, are regulated by one kind of energy. Let’s not go deep further into principles of east medicine though, if to continue reasonings skin and thick intestines will appear very closely connected at power level. And now we will look, what we eat: chips and Coca-Cola, canned food and products of long storage, fat, salty … And all this irritates our intestines mercilessly. Allergy also has skin displays more often; it occurs because surpluses of superfluous energies leave our organism this way. Except general recommendations to eat boiled or steamed food, try to use low-fat and oligohaline natural products, it is possible to struggle with skin problems by means of products reducing or increasing defined energy in an organism and skin. Products and energy they stimulate Wind - any greens, green apples and fruits, sour-milk products Warmth - all piquant and burning: horse-radish, hot pepper, spices, etc., red vegetables and fruits Heat - freshening tastes: such as soft drinks, vegetables, fresh fruits and berries which do not have expressed sweet, sour or knitting tastes, oranges, alcohol, orange vegetables and fruits Humidity - all sweet, rich, flour, fat, milk, fish, nuts, vegetables and fruits of yellow colour Dryness - all sharp, smoked, rice, cocoa, coffee soluble, products of brown colour Cold - all salty, cold products, black vegetables, fruits, grain How to eat correctly to struggle with a problem skin? If skin is of green-bluish colour, there is an easy itch, twitching of muscles, spasms without pain or tics, it is necessary to limit products of a wind and pay attention to humidity products. If skin is of pink-red colour, you feel sensation of heat in a body, there are inflammatory processes in muscles, limit heat products, increase use of products of dryness. Brilliant, shining skin with good turgor, you feel sensation of spreading, burnings, hemangiomas, hypertrophy of muscles - refuse products of heat and use cold products. If your skin is fat, porous, of yellowish colour, there are yellow pigmentary stains, sponginess, puffiness, proof itch, dull aches, bubbles, pustules, soft tumours, refuse from products of humidity and emphasise wind products. If your skin is dry, shelled, pale, there are brown pigmentary stains, disturb acute pains, spasms with pain, cracks, dense tumours - refuse products of dryness and use more products of heat. At last, if your skin is rough, flabby, dark, there are sites with lowered pigmentation or its absence (or on the contrary: there are black pigmentary stains, sensation of cold, intolerable pains, ulcers or hems) - it is necessary to refuse products of cold and use heat products. Do not forget this article contains only general recommendations. For drawing up your food program depending on your power constitution, you should address to a Su Jock therapist. At last it would be desirable to notice that we are what we eat. Eutrophy is a pledge of health and longevity. Food is capable both to cure, and lead to illness. Pay attention to structure of products, buying them in shop. Without saving on food, you can save much more on medicines, cosmetic means and beauty salons. Listen to requirements of your organism - it will tell better than any doctor and dietician, what exactly it does not suffice at present. In this connection it is not recommended to force a child eating what he does not want - a child’s organism itself will prompt what it needs for high-grade growth and development. Be healthy and beautiful, blossoming day by day! [Source:http://www.womanspassions.com/articles/974.html

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Fashionable items in your spring 2009 collection

Before the spring comes, we’ve tried to examine all major trends of spring-summer 2009 season, to help you making the right choice - and find most fashionable bags, shoes and other trendy new items that will not allow you getting lost in crowd.

It seems that Spring-Summer 2009 season will go down in history as time of a real fashion revolution in the field of clothing, accessories and, of course, shoes. Original, extravagant, and even strange things are most important trend of the year. Moreover, prestige and worth of materials is not important here - bold, creative solutions play a crucial role. It seems, for example, that some sandals were made from ladies’ handbags: metal parts used as key parts of such models are clearly reminiscent of decorative bags’ elements. Of course, they are not luxurious, exquisite or simply elegant, but such original, playful accessories will not allow you getting lost in crowd, and become a boring person, fearing to experiment. Fashion for shoes tends to change and transformation. Stylish, graceful, elegant, beautiful and fashionable spring / summer footwear is presented in stunning diversity. Elegant simplicity and florid decoration, classic and modern, glamor, and sports, technology and ethno. Good old platforms and wedge-heeled shoes neighbor with extremely high heels, elaborate eccentric forms - with impeccable rigor lines, massive plastic accessories - with exotic luxury serpentine or alligator leather and a wooden sole. Colors and textures of this season - white, beige, mustard, yellow, green, gold, red, warm brown, pink, silver. Modern materials for footwear: python, crocodile leather, snake skin, suede, lacquer, satin, cork, wood, rubber. But particularly fashionable footwear demonstrates mix, mixing of two or more colors or materials. The main trend of this spring - shoes of bright colors in bold and eclectic combinations. Heel this season has become a fashionable means of implementing the most bizarre, and sometimes - just a subtle imagination of designers’ shoes, it was thanks to His Highness, that this spring-summer collection, indeed, makes a sensation, it is just fantastic. Shape, height, finish - every detail of a heel, one way or another, came to attention of fashion footwear legislators’ world. In a flight of designer’s idea, inspired by - what? well, whatever, from baroque ornaments to precise geometric computations, they are constructing fantastic intricacies of spikes, or as if string a few round, oval or square beads on heels, decorate heels with chains or enchase with gems. So it is definitely better to walk in step with fashion wearing high-heel shoes, moreover, designers offer lots of variations. From extremely high, original and eclectic, beveled and shaped - to dial-resistant, good, designers also took care of comfort for our feet : with all its geometric variations, heel of the season is rather «reliable». For example, shoes with sustainable high triangular shrinking down heel are very fashionable. Shoes where heel is combined with a small platform are even more striking . Black, gray, brown, beige … all this are actual colors of the season. This also concerns bags, but sometimes it is so boring! As if humouring whims of admirers of such bright (in the strictest sense of the word) life, designers prepared for us great bags of most unexpected colors. Creating colored bags, they allowed themselves departing from strict and consistent shapes. So, this fall green knapsacks or yellow clutches suddenly appeared on podiums. However, this is acceptable not in all cases. Ideal variant is a complete wardrobe in one color (for example, all yellow or red - including tight tights). But not every modern young lady knows how to wear these monochrome outfits properly. In this case, try the opposite option - playing contrasts (eg, classic suit of gray tweed, gray shoes, thick gray tights plus red gloves and bag). Style a la 70-ies was also noted in bag fashion through use of applications from small pieces of colored leather. These sets can be very different: strictly geometric, abstract, blurry, psychedelic. Conquer, amaze, inspire, seduce - along with the most fashionable shoes and bags! [Source:http://www.womanspassions.com/articles/1526.html]

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Planning For Pregnancy

Technology can help in many ways, but don't overlook basic health practices. For example, one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your baby is also one of the simplest: remember to take a daily vitamin before you try to get pregnant and throughout your pregnancy.

Folic acid, found in prenatal vitamins, can slash the risk of major birth defects of the fetus' brain and spine between 50 and 70 percent. There's even some evidence it can reduce the risk of other birth defects, including cleft palate, stomach problems and defects in arms and hands. That's why the U.S. Food and Drug Administration mandated fortifying all cereal products with folic acid in 1998. Since then, the incidence of neural tube defects dropped 26 percent. All of which makes pre-pregnancy planning important, says Michelle Collins, CNM, a certified nurse midwife and clinical faculty member at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. Pre-pregnancy or "preconception" planning involves a visit to your health care provider for a full medical evaluation, including a detailed medical history before you begin trying to get pregnant. It's a time to consider how you'll treat any preexisting condition that requires medication, such as depression, diabetes or epilepsy. A woman with diabetes, for instance, runs the risk of having a child with cardiovascular disease or other problems if her blood sugar levels aren't well-controlled before and during her pregnancy, says Ms. Reynolds. Plus, certain anti-seizure medications may cause defects in the infant by interfering with a woman's ability to use folic acid. And in late 2005, the FDA warned pregnant women not to use paroxetine (Paxil), a popular antidepressant, during pregnancy because of a potentially higher risk of birth defects. That doesn't mean you have to stop taking all medications during pregnancy, says Ms. Reynolds. Usually, there are alternatives available that have been shown to be safer during pregnancy. The time before pregnancy is also the time to address any weight problems. Studies find that being overweight can increase your risk of gestational diabetes and may even make it harder to get pregnant. Conversely, being underweight can interfere with fertility. And, of course, it's a time to quit smoking. Smoking not only increases the risk of having a low birth-weight baby, but also a baby with Down syndrome and a multitude of other birth defects. In addition to preconception counseling, women might consider genetic counseling before they get pregnant, says Ms. Reynolds. During genetic counseling, a specially trained counselor takes a detailed medical history of you and your partner, as well as your families, to identify any potential or known genetic disorders. "Often, it is only when a woman becomes pregnant that genetic disorders come up, and for some, it's too late to make a difference in promoting a healthy outcome," she says. But even here, technology can step in. A relatively new form of in vitro fertilization called preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) can enable couples who carry genes for genetic disorders like Tay-Sachs or sickle cell anemia to have a healthy child. The procedure involves removing one cell from an eight-cell embryo and studying it for any genetic abnormalities. Only those embryos with no obvious problems are implanted into the woman's uterus. The procedure isn't 100 percent effective, however. University of Florida researchers find that about 1.5 percent of embryos may be implanted with undetected genetic disorders because of a rare condition called chromosomal mosaicism. But for women who know they have a genetic risk for one of these devastating diseases, PGD can be a tremendous advantage. Another advantage is a test given to women in the first trimester of pregnancy who have a risk of having a child born with Down syndrome. The disorder is the most common chromosomal abnormality, affecting about one in 800 babies born each year. Previously, the only way to know if a woman was having a baby with Down's was with second-trimester blood tests and/or invasive amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS) tests, all of which carry a slight risk of miscarriage. If a woman then decided to terminate the pregnancy, she faced a more complex and emotionally wrenching second-trimester abortion. But a major study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in November 2005 found that screening in the first trimester with an ultrasound and blood test can identify most fetuses with Down syndrome between the 11th and 13th weeks of pregnancy, allowing women to decide what they want to do earlier in their pregnancy. The blood tests measure levels of certain proteins and hormones that could indicate Down's, while the ultrasound assesses the thickness of the fetus' neck, called the nuchal translucency. By learning of her risk in the first trimester, often before she even starts showing or telling people about her pregnancy, a woman has more privacy to make her decision and, if she decides to continue the pregnancy, more time to grow accustomed to the idea of having a child with Down syndrome, says Dr. Wu. [source:http://www.healthywomen.org/healthcenters/pregnancyandparenting/planningforpregnancy]

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Canopy Bed Accessories

If you want to make the most of your bed, canopy bed accessories are indispensable. The bed may be the highlight of your bedroom but without accessories it will be very bland.

Types of Canopy Bed Accessories When you are choosing accessories for your bed, consider the material the bed is made of. Carved mahogany will need a different fabric than wrought iron, for example. There are four basic types of accessories for your canopy bed. Each one serves a different function and creates a total look. To some extent you should use similar weights and types of fabrics for each type of accessory to give the bed the cohesive look that it is known for.The Canopy Top What is the point of having a canopy bed without having a canopy? The canopy gives a luxurious, romantic, or exotic look to your bedroom. It can be made of a heavy, brocade fabric and give a medieval look or it can be whisper-light netting and be used to give a dreamy, romantic look to your bedroom. The two different types of canopies are: Attached to a frame on a four poster bed: These are the traditional types of canopies. They can be flat on top or arched, and the fabric is placed over a frame that attaches to the posts of the bed. Generally the canopy fabric will be cotton weight or heavier and will have a ruffle or pleats that hang over the sides of the frame. Some beds have an open work crochet type canopy that can be beautiful. Attached to the ceiling with a frame or hooks: This type is very versatile as it can be used with almost any sort of fabric to give a variety of looks. This is the type of canopy used to hang light fabrics and mosquito netting. Usually the fabric used will have some body and fall in graceful lines. There are times, however, when someone will hang brocade or a tapestry fabric from the ceiling with hooks, giving the bed the look of a traditional canopy without the need for a specific style of bed. The Canopy Curtains Long ago when canopy beds were first used, the side curtains served an important purpose. At night the curtains would be pulled around the bed and they would keep out the cold drafts that swept through the stone manor houses and castles. Nowadays most people don’t need those curtains to keep warm in the winter. The curtains are usually there just for the look of them and are often tied at the side of the posts on the bed. This can give a room a country Victorian look. Many times the canopy and curtain fabric will be white eyelet to achieve a sweet, pristine romance. You can make your own canopy bed by hanging the canopy from the ceiling. You can also use hooks to hang side curtains around the bed. It is important that you not pull on them because they can fall easily. This is not the best choice for a child’s room. The Comforter The comforter is one of the most important canopy bed accessories because it will pull the curtains and canopy together and give a finished look to your bed. It is not necessary to have it completely match with the curtains and the canopy but coordinating fabrics, carefully chosen, should be used. Often matching or coordinating pillow shams will be added as well. The Dust Ruffle The dust ruffle can also be matched or coordinated with the canopy and comforter. A flat piece of fabric fits between the mattress and box springs and a gathered fabric cascades down from the box springs to the floor. If the bed is very high a special order size may be needed. Using two dust ruffles, one layered over a longer one in a different color or pattern, can be a charming addition to the right style of bedroom. [source:http://furniture.lovetoknow.com/Canopy_Bed_Accessories

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Diamonds are girl’s best friends …

Women are just created to be admired and loved. And each woman should have a possibility to stand out in front of pleasant (and not necessarily only pleasant) man. What you need for this purpose? Read this article.

Female beauty, moreover increased by means of beautiful and bright jewels, is an invincible power any man cannot resist. However, which jewels should be presented to a woman and how to choose them correctly? Let’s talk about it.

If a woman looks and dresses in romantic style, she will accept jewels executed in the form of bouquets, bows, hearts and other «love features». Jewels should underline not only appearance of our fine lady, but also be her soul mirror, show people her private world and mood.

If a girl prefers classical style and business suits, something not so bright, gracefully underlining gravity of a lady will be most pertinent – earrings-carnations, tiny ringlet, thin gold chain. If you choose rings or earrings with jewels for such style, diamond is the best stone here.

You can accentuate grace of elegant official style with a massive bracelet or earrings. The main thing is not to go too far, do not present a woman many big jewels, as this will look, directly speaking, ugly.

Jewels, undoubtedly, are one of the most desired gifts for a woman and urged to underline her individuality. But any jewel should be chosen not only in tone to clothes, but also taking into account character of a person, her age category, colour of skin, eyes, face type.

Young girls, for example, accept inexpensive courageous compositions more. Adult women will accept strict classical forms. It is necessary to choose jewels taking season into account. After all, each jewel looks in own way in winter or summer, gets special paints, shines under the sun or stands out on the general background of a snow-covered city.

If you wish to present jewels to your loved one – know that jewels with diamonds, rubies, emeralds will never get out of fashion. Diamond is considered the most desired and beautiful stone, which as it is considered, strengthens memory and creates cheerful mood. Black diamonds are especially appreciated.

However, at a choice of jewels, you still should take into consideration individual taste of a woman: you can understand it through jewels she already wears. Therefore, dear men, look closer at your woman’s jewels: you will be able understand a woman’s style, and also guess that if she wears a ring with sapphire, earrings with same stone will be great for her.

So, what to present your loved one for birthday or wedding anniversary? The most important thing you should consider at a choice of jewels – desires and feelings of a person you wish to make a gift to. No matter how perfectly gold ear rings or a graceful diamond ringlet look, first of all, you should take interest at your passion’s likes. Do this accidentally, not to give out secrets, after all, all charm of a gift is in unexpectedness, pleasant surprise.

[Source:http://www.womanspassions.com/articles/1415.html]

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