Lung Cancer Center

“What type of dress would look best on me?” This is a question that I get over and over again. And it is a very good question to ask. Because some body types just don’t do well is certain dresses, and since you want to look as stunning as possible on your big day, you want the dress that will make you look as good as possible.

Fact: Just because a dress comes in your size, does not mean that it is going to look good on you. All women are shaped differently, and because of this there are many different types of wedding gowns. Each will make the right shaped bride look stunning, but if you pick wrong, you may be very unhappy with the results.

By knowing before you go shopping, what type of dress would be the most flattering for your body type; you can easily save yourself a lot of headaches. I have seen it time and time again. A newly engaged bride finds her dream dress in a bridal magazine. She must have it; this is THE dress for her. So she travels 120 miles to the one bridal shop in her area who sells this designer, only to try it on and absolutely hate the way it makes her look. Any dress is going to look fabulous on the modals in the magazines, but for the rest of us real people, we have to be more realistic.

Another advantage to looking into this before you shop is to try to help you narrow down your choices. There are hundreds of thousands of wedding dresses out their. Unless you have a proportionate and slender figure, at least half of these can be eliminated as options right off the bat making your shopping trips less intense and stressful.

“So what type will look best on me?”

For Slender / Short Brides: You should look for a simple style. Strait or slight A-Line style will make you look taller. Choose a gown with princess seams, that is not too full. If it is too full, it will make you look shorter. Too much beadwork or beaded lace can make you look shorter as well if it covers up the heightening princess seams.

Things to avoid: Really full or puffed sleeves. These make you look wider and that will also make you look shorter. Gathered skirts or tiered skirts, these will also make you look shorter.

For Full-Figured / Short Brides: You should look for styles that will make you figure look longer and leaner. Vertical silhouette lines like A-Line, princess and strait styles will achieve this. Do not pick a dress that is clingy or too tight. The dress should just skim the body and flow down without hugging your curves too much.

Things to avoid: You should stay away from bouffant or tiered silhouettes and very full veils. These will give the illusion of more bulk, and that is what you are trying to avoid. Stay away from large prints, even if the pattern is all one color. Heavy and shiny fabrics are also best avoided since they can make you look heavier or draw attention to curves that you may prefer to keep hidden.

Average Weight / Average Height Brides: Well, if you are reading this section then you are in luck. You are also the minority, but you are the category of women that most designers target. So you have the most options available to you. Almost anything will look good on you, especially defined waistlines like basque and gathered skirts. You will also look good in fitted styles of any type.

Full-Figured / Average Brides: You should look for silhouettes that are flowing and draw attention to your face. The princess cut, strait style and A-Line gowns will look good on your body. An empire waist is also a good choice if you have a thicker waistline that you would like to hide. Dresses that flow over the hips and do not gather too much around the waist will be the most flattering on you.

Things to Avoid: Very large or very tiny prints are not flattering for you. Heavily beaded gowns or heavy fabrics should not be used when picking your dress since these can make you look heavier. Avoid any dress that hugs or is snug around the waist or hips. These will just make you look larges and accent curves that are best not showing off. Round necklines can also make your face look rounder. You may not want this with your body type.

Full-Figured / Tall Brides: You should look for styles that will make you look more slender. A-Line, strait or princess styles all will accomplish this, especially an empire waist that will hide your waistline. This will make you look thinner and accentuate your height.

Things to avoid: Anything that adds bulk or makes you look larger should not be considered. Full skirts and veils, puffed sleeves or gathered waists will add bulk and not be your best choices. Very heavy or heavily beaded fabrics will make you look larger, and shiny fabrics could draw attention to areas that you want to keep un-notices.

Slender / Tall Brides: You are the lucky ones who look good in almost anything, just like the modals in the magazines. But if you want to look shorter or if you are very thin, there are ways to add some fullness to your figure. Dresses with features that extend past the silhouette, like tiered skirts, French bustles, ruffles and beaded laces. These will all add some fullness. Another great choice is a layered tulle skirt. Puffed sleeves and flowing fabrics that don’t hug your figure too much will also make you look a little thicker and shorter.

Things to avoid: Very straight dresses or something fitted skin tight. These will make you look very thin and tall. Also steer clear of blush length veils that may look too short compared to your height.

For the Plus Sized Bride: You should look for simple designs that hide some of the bulk of your figure. Avoid anything that is overly frilly, shiny or heavily beaded. Princess seams and A-Line styles can help hide some of your natural curves. Empire waist dresses that flow from under the bust instead of the waist can make you look fabulous and hide a lot since they are not clingy.

Things to avoid: A tight fitting dress or clingy fabrics will accentuate curves that you may want to hide. Gathered skirts or full skirts can make you look bigger. Textured or printed fabrics will give the illusion of more weight, compared to a plain matte satin or luster free fabric. A full veil or long train is also not the best choice if you are trying to minimize your figure.

It doesn’t matter what body type you have, there is a wedding dress out there that is perfect for you. The right dress can mean the difference between you having the perfect wedding day, and being disappointed with the way you look. If you follow these guidelines, then you should be able to make the most of your time and money when dress shopping.

Nancy Seguin is the owner of an online bridal shop named “Fairytale Endeavors Bridals”. She has been selling Wedding dresses online since 2002, and loves helping brides find the perfect gown, that can easily fit into any budget, without sacrificing style or quality.

Wedding guests often like to retain a keepsake of a wedding of family members or
friends to go with photographs of the big day. They may keep the wedding program
(or, as my family traditionally calls it, the ‘race-card’) to put in a scrapbook album.
Wedding favors are another popular idea that allows the wedding couple to offer
their guests a memento of their special occasion.

Wedding favors aren’t just a little souvenir of the wedding: they’re also a token of
appreciation to the guests for their efforts in attending the ceremony or reception
and for their love and support. As such, favors come in all shapes and sizes, can be
lavish or inexpensive according to what the couple can afford and can be themed in
almost any way to complement the overall design of the wedding itself.

Even if the wedding is being organized to a strict budget, the bride and groom can
find imaginative ways to offer their guests charming wedding favors that they will
treasure. They don’t need to be expensive — they can even be homemade — and
it’s more important that the favors be a personal expression of the couple’s
gratitude.

The habit of giving favors to wedding guests goes back many generations and
varies according to different national customs. Tradition has it that at special
celebrations an upper class French family would distribute a decorative box or
container of bonbons (sweets, candy or other sugar-coated treats) to their
guests as a small parting gift. Gradually this tradition spread as a way of wishing
good fortune on friends and family.

Some modern couples still retain the tradition of giving sugar-coated wedding
favors: candied almonds remain a popular gift, not just at weddings but also for
christenings, birthdays and other special occasions.

Nowadays there is a vast range of possibilities for wedding favors to suit every taste
and pocket. Contemporary wedding themes range from Hollywood glamor to
Hawaiian beach weddings, from Las Vegas casino themes to traditional English
country ceremonies. Couples can choose favors to complement their wedding
design, shopping with specialist online merchants or using their imagination and
creative skills to make their own.

Practical gifts such as soaps and candles are perennial favorites, as are small
practical items such as cookie cutters, chopsticks, coasters and other utensils and
accessories. It’s popular to match favors to the season of the wedding, particularly if
it takes place in the winter or around the time of a seasonal holiday such as
Halloween or Thanksgiving.

Personalized favors represent a unique memento of any celebration. Marrying
couples can have their initials placed on boxes, cards and many other items.
Depending on the size of the wedding, the bride or groom may wish to write a short
greeting on a note or scroll to accompany the gift. Even if they buy the favors from a
supplier, the couple and their family can customize the container, decoration or
presentation to create an individual effect.

Carole Anderson is a writer for http://Inexpensive-Weddings.com, an online guide
to creating your dream wedding on a tight budget.

Visit the site for tips and advice on affordable wedding favors, wedding dresses and
gowns, wedding invitations, wedding rings, wedding cakes, flowers
and more …

Weight loss using a good Treadmill workout program has worked for many people – and it can work for you too.

Treadmills can be used by virtually any age group, and by individuals of any activity level. Treadmills can help you lose weight, and maintain your weight loss.

It really is a numbers game. The more time you spend doing cardiovascular exercises the more calories you are going to burn and the more weight you will lose. And if you are looking for fitness equipment that will get the maximum burn, then a treadmill should be at the top of your list.

The treadmill is unsurpassed for a cardiovascular workout. According to a study done by the Medical College of Wisconsin and the VA Medical Center in Milwaukee, calories burned on the treadmill for 60 minutes averaged 865 – 705. This compares to:

Stair machine 746 – 637

Rowing machine 739 – 606

Stationary cycle 604 – 556

Cross-country ski machine 678 – 595

This is one of numerous studies, that rank a treadmill as the number one cardiovascular machine.

Here are a few steps you can take to develop your own weight loss treadmill program:

Find ways to make your Treadmill session enjoyable, by listening to music, books on tape, or teaching tapes. Or, some people prefer to just enjoy nature and life around them, and the time to think, pray, or just let their mind wander. The more you enjoy your Treadmill workout, the more likely you are to workout consistently.

Make it a DAILY habit – just like brushing your teeth. Working out on your Treadmill daily makes your weight loss ambitions much more likely to succeed than if you are working out two to three days a week. And, most people that make the switch will tell you that it’s easier to workout every day. You don’t have to think about whether it’s a workout day or not and get geared up for it – you just do it every day and your body gets used to it. It soon becomes a normal part of your day and you begin to look forward to it.

Incorporate “intervals” into three or four of your Treadmill sessions each week. Intervals are brief periods (about one minute) of more intense exercise mixed into your Treadmill sessions. For example, you would do a one minute interval of faster walking about every five minutes throughout your exercise session.

Here’s how it will look; you’ll start with your normal three to five minute warm-up and then five minutes into your walk you do your first interval, one minute of faster walking (or perhaps jogging). At the end of that minute you should be “winded” and ready to slow down. You’ll slow down to your normal walking speed for the next four minutes and then your fifth minute is another one minute interval. This pattern continues throughout your exercise session.

Intervals increase your aerobic fitness level by “pushing the envelope.” While doing your interval you cross the anaerobic threshold into anaerobic metabolism, forcing your body to become conditioned to more intense exercise and making it a better weight loss program.

Intervals increase your basal metabolic rate (BMR), causing you to burn more calories 24 hours-a-day, and intervals can make your exercise less monotonous and help the time pass more quickly.

If you’re not weight training, walk on your Treadmill with light (one to two pound) hand weights two to three days per week. Swing your arms and also use a variety of arm movements while walking to tone your upper body muscles and further increase your basal metabolic rate.

If at all possible, do your Treadmill workout first thing in the morning. Over 90% of people who workout consistently, do so first thing in the morning. If YOU want to exercise consistently, odds are in your favor if you hop to it early.

Make one day a week your “easy day.” Make this a very leisurely workout. Appreciate how good your walks are starting to feel as you lose weight and tone your muscles.

Keep a record of your workout. There’s something very motivating about seeing your workout accomplishments and paper. Record the date and time-of-day of your workout, and the distance and/or time you walked. Keep a running total of the miles or minutes you’ve walked. Also, record your thoughts or feelings for that particular workout.

By taking these steps you’re making this time each day a special time to take care of yourself. Make that a priority in your life and don’t let anyone or anything keep you from that time. Working out on your Treadmill every day will help you achieve your weight loss goals and have a positive impact on all aspects of your life, including fitness level!

So, from the simple perspective of weight loss, the treadmill is by far the best exercise machine given its significantly associated energy expenditure. Treadmills have consistently provided quality results and lasting benefits. Treadmills allow you to work at your own pace, but don’t allow you to slack off. You’ll be able to burn calories effectively and reach your weight loss goals. It’s that simple.

If you’re in the market to seriously educate yourself about treadmills, visit http://www.treadmilladviser.com where you can obtain more detailed information.

About The Author

Paul Reeve is a Personal Trainer responsible for training individuals one-on-one and assisting them in achieving their health and fitness goals and providing them with guidance, support and motivation. Presenter and lecturer for Fitness Professionals, Sports Organizations, Sport Coaches, Corporate and Community Organizations. Webmaster for www.treadmilladviser.com – providing informed advice on exercise treadmills.

Electrolyzed Alkaline Water is becoming the sports drink of choice for professional and college universities world wide.

Electrolyzed Alkaline Waters, such as Fitness Fuel Alkaline Water Concentrate, go through a proprietary process that re-configures the molecular structure of purified water, making the water molecules more easily absorbed into the bodies cells.

Current studies from Japan on the science of electrolyzing water have shown that when drinking normal drinking water, the body becomes hydrated but the cells of the body do not become hydrated. By drinking Electrolyzed Alkaline water, the cells of the body actually become hydrated.

The initial benefits of drinking electrolyzed alkaline water include: Improved Cellular Structure, Decrease in your bodies Acid content, Increased Athletic Performance, Increased Metabolism, Increased Stamina, Decreased Fat Storage, Decreased Water Storage, Increased blood flow and movement of oxygen to the brain, Increased Immune System and an Overall Proper Hydration.

Chris Harris, Certified Personal Trainer, Author and President of Image Body Consultants wrote: “Electrolyzed Alkaline Water Concentrates, such as Fitness Fuel from AlkalineWaters.com, work very well with High Protein Diets. Protein has a dehydrating effect on your muscles. The alkaline water concentrate will rehydrate your muscle cells and prevent cramping due to Lactic Acid build up caused from the stress’ of everyday activities and working out. Aches and pains are also caused by a build up of acid in the area of pain.

Electrolyzed Alkaline Waters will also put your body in the correct state so that it does Not have to store fat or water. You only utilize 20% of the water you drink now. Your body stores water because it thinks that it is not getting enough. Your body will do the same with energy(calories/stored fat). If your body thinks it is not getting enough food, it will store energy as fat. To counter this effect, you must eat small meals more frequently. You also store fat and water to protect your organs against deterioration from the Acid that is being produced inside of your body. Increasing your alkaline intake will correct your bodies PH environment. If your body is alkaline instead of acidic and you are being properly hydrated, then you Will Lose Fat and Water Weight! The absolute fastest and safest way to overall health and Energy is Alkaline.”

Anthony Galvan, a World Champion Cyclist and holder of many world records for senior cyclist has stated, “The difference between drinking micro structured water and any other water is the difference between actually being hydrated with water and just pouring it over your head.”

Something else you should know…Some Sports drinks actually Cause diabetes with prolonged use!

Electrolyzed Alkaline Water was used by the University of California at Santa Barbara Womens Volley Ball Team and they had one of their Most Successful seasons Ever!

For a Free detailed report, Email us at info@alkalinewaters.com or visit http://Alkalinewaters.com

Have you ever wondered if what you know about wedding rings is accurate? Consider the following paragraphs and compare what you know to the latest info on wedding rings.

The wedding ring is perhaps the single most important piece of jewelry that you will give to your spouse in your lifetime. It is important that you choose a timeless ring that will not become outdated or unstylish after a length of time. Men and women have different options available to them when choosing a wedding ring and it is not required that they choose matching rings. The couple traditionally picks out their rings together so there is no need for either the bride or groom to become unnecessarily stressed out about choosing the perfect wedding ring. Choosing the rings together takes a great deal of pressure off of the couple because they do not have to worry that their spouse may not like the ring that is expected to last for their entire lifetime.

The material of the ring is an important consideration for both men’s and women’s rings. The most common materials include gold, silver and platinum although the rings can be made of any material that the couple chooses. Gold is the most popular wedding ring material. Gold can be 14 karat gold, 18 karat gold and 24 karat gold. Of these three options 14 karat gold is the type that is most recommended for wedding rings. 14 karat gold is durable without sacrificing luster. 18 karat gold can also be used for wedding rings but because it is a softer metal it is more prone to scratches. 24 karat gold is even softer than 18 karat gold and many do not recommended creating rings out of 24 karat gold because it is so prone to scratches. Silver is another metal that can also be used in creating a wedding ring. Silver is a soft white metal that is very soft and therefore prone to scratching. Additionally it is also prone to tarnishing and discolorations but it is still a popular choice because of its relatively low cost. Platinum is a precious metal that is becoming increasingly popular as wedding ring material. Although platinum is considered too soft to be used in making rings, small amounts of ruthenium and iridium can be added to platinum to increase the hardness and result in a wedding ring that is extremely durable.

If you base what you do on inaccurate information, you might be unpleasantly surprised by the consequences. Make sure you get the whole wedding rings story from informed sources.

After choosing a metal for the wedding ring, it is time to consider the style of the ring. When it comes to style there are even more options available then there are for metals. Some of the basic wedding ring styles include flat bands, half-round bands and comfit bands. A flat band is one that is rectangular in cross section. These types of bands are also decorated with engravings. Half-round bands are the most traditional style available. These bands are flat on the underside or against the finger and have an arched structure on the top. Comfort-fit bands feature an oval cross section and they are heavier and more expensive than the other types of rings. If a bride intends to wear her wedding band with her engagement ring, she should consider choosing a wedding band style that matches her engagement ring so that neither one overpowers the other.

Once you have decided on a metal and style, it is time to choose whether or not to engrave your wedding ring. A good jeweler should be capable of engraving anything you want onto your ring including letters, numbers and symbols. Many couples choose to have their names or initial along with the wedding date engraved on the inside of the ring. This is not necessary though as the couple is not required to have the rings engraved. If the couple does opt for engraving though, they must realize that they can choose to engrave anything they wish on the rings. It could either be names and the wedding date or a phrase that has significant meaning to the couple.

The wedding ring is a very important piece of jewelry because it is meant to be worn for a lifetime. When choosing a wedding ring the material of the ring, the style of the ring and whether or not to include an engraved sentiment are just a few of the factors to consider. Shopping for a wedding ring can be a wonderful experience if the couple makes an effort to enjoy the experience instead of stressing about it. That’s the latest from the wedding rings authorities. Once you’re familiar with these ideas, you’ll be ready to move to the next level.

So you have been invited to a wedding. Whether you are a friend, family member or the proud parents, one of the most important, if not stressful decisions is what to buy the new couple. This new union will require a unique gift, a gift the newlyweds can actually use and enjoy. Is there such a gift that can provide these qualities while still being original?

Well there is, and just when you thought all of the best wedding gifts and ideas have been taken. Here is a gift that will create a memorable presentation at the reception by including everyone at the wedding while simultaneously providing the newlyweds with a lifetime wedding display to remember their special day.

It is called a signature frame, and if you’re not familiar with this gift, it is a picture frame that can display photos of the newlyweds surrounded by signatures of their guests. It is a modern combination of a wedding frame and guestbook, it is the best of both and much more.

Most brides will buy a traditional wedding photo package and use the traditional guestbook, but how often do couples really revisit their photo albums and what happens to that guestbook after the wedding? That’s the great benefit of a signature frame because it will actually display those precious memories so they can be celebrated every day. In other words, the newlyweds can have their cake and eat it too.

The other great benefit of a signature frame is that it can be part of a rehearsal dinner and/or wedding reception. Not only can it be signed by everyone in attendance but a fun idea is to fill the frame with pictures of the newlyweds when they were kids, dating, or during their engagement. That way, when guests autograph the signature mat, they can also view these fun pictures and be included in the couple’s past history and memories.. The signed frame, complimented with the fun pictures, can then be presented to the new couple at the end of the reception as a gift from everyone. The newlyweds can later add their wedding and/or honeymoon photographs when they are ordered in the future.

This special gift can give newlyweds a permanent framed display allowing them to re-live and celebrate their wedding day, everyday. This gift will truly become their first family heirloom.

Shar Calder is the owner of First Class Framing, a picture framing company specializing in designing custom quality collage frames that allow you to display all of your special memories.
http://www.firstclassframing.com

When you are just about to start to play cricket it’s not always easy to know what you should buy. If you go into a sportswear equipment retail store and ask them what you need, you will probably finish up coming out with lots of kit that you don’t need. With this in mind, it’s wise to figure out what you may want prior to you going shopping. That way you are very much more likely to receive what you require, rather than what the store owner advises you require.

Below, is more or less a thorough cricket equipment inventory, you do not need everything on this list, as a substantial number of organisations will loan you gear particularly at junior level:

Cricket whites, cricket bats, balls, helmets, gloves, batting (wicket keeping) inner gloves, wicket keeping gloves, batting pads, wicket keeping pads, box, chest pad, arm guard, inner thigh pad, cricket boots (bowling boots; batting boots), box (groin guard), stumps and bails. Find superb deals on cricket balls.

For most of the cricket games you participate in you will require your own set of whites. Cricket whites contain white cricket trousers and cricket shirt. It is very important to make sure that you get hold of an excellent set of cricket trousers as well as a good white cricket shirt & jumper as it can turn pretty cold if you are standing out on the pitch for a lengthy period of time in particular if plan to play in England (the start and end of the cricket season are the coldest).

If you can not rent gear from your club the other most important items of equipment are a cricket bat and box. An excellent cricket bat is crucial if you aim to score heaps of runs & is a very individual piece of equipment, spend a few hours picking your bat, in an ideal world you would be advised to go to a sports shop and pick one up before you buy in order for you to know how it feels to hit with. When you know what you want you can often buy bats online noticeably cheaper). You need a good box to protect your groin from the ball, as getting hit down below’ is tremendously painful, so investing in a good box before you start is a clear must – you can’t bat without one.

Q. I find breathing exercises very boring is there anything I can do to make less boring?

Have you ever used visualization when you are doing your breathing exercises, a lot of people think that breathing exercises are only a manner of sitting down and concentrating as they inhale exhale, which to the outsider can seem as being very boring and monotonous but here’s a few things you can try out the next time, try…

• concentrating on a particular colour on inhalation and another colour on exhalation
(for example some colour you link with calmness or purity, and another colour for stress or impurity)

• having a picture in your mind of your body and as you breathe in, think of all the extra parts of your lungs that have been under used because of bad breathing habits.

• Taking a breath and picturing the air coming into your body from different areas (such as the soles of the feet for example.)

It can especially seem complicated for beginners when starting out to do breathing exercises as you can’t see the muscles that they are working on but by visualizing their lungs in action in their mind it makes it all the easier to do…and remember when you’re doing your breathing exercises you’re not really learning anything new but undoing all the bad habits you’ve picked up over the years.

To find out how myself and others have turned our health and energy levels around using just the power of breath visit http://www.scienceofbreath.be and we’ll show you how!
Visit today and receive $30 of free gifts.

Twenty years of research has shown Dr. Batmanghelidj what nature has always known: that water is critical to life. So critical, in fact, that the lack of water–or dehydration–actually produces most of our chronic pains and ailments. He reveals the exciting news . . . it is possible to treat and prevent pain for free!

Finally . . . a natural element that can counteract those agonzing degenerative diseases! If you are concerned about the negative effects that prescription and over-the-counter drugs have on your body, please read this report in its entirety and consider obtaining more information on the subject. It can change the way you look and feel.

Seventy-five percent of Americans are dehydrated. Instead of consuming life-giving water, we reach for a cold soda or high-sugar juice (and this is after our morning coffee, which also depletes our bodies of necessary fluids). Unfortunately this has taken a serious toll on our health-care structure, for our natural drought management system dictates that when we do have a water shortage certain parts of our bodies are forced to go without water. This is why a blood test is a poor diagnosis for whether or not someone is dehydrated: for obvious reasons, the blood is the last remaining area from which water is taken.

Dehydration is evident. It can be seen in frequent headaches, muscle pains, cramping, heartburn, dizziness which increases upon standing, dry skin, inability to produce tears, poor short-term memory, poor digestion, constipation, nosebleeds, and, lastly, dry mouth. A surprising fact is that thirst is actually a very poor indicator of your need to drink water. The less water you drink, the less often you will feel thirsty; dehydration “shuts off” our thirst perception, so to speak.

Dr. B happened upon some information that is so little known that it isn’t even publicized in medical textbooks: the role of histamine. Histamine is basically a chemical messenger messenger that is in charge of drought management in the body. Not surprisingly, it is more active when we are dehydrated and makes itself be known through aches and pains that we cover up with medicines. Also not surprising is the fact that most if not all of the medications that we take are antihistamines. What are we doing? Dehydrating ourselves more and more . . .

As far as hydrating and back pain go, water is a major component of cartilage. It follows then that if we dehydrate ourselves, the cells in our cartilage will shrivel up and eventually be worn away. Not only that, but without adequate fluids, the body can’t move toxins through the body which causes them to accumulate in the joints–a condition known as osteoarthritis. Even if you don’t have arthritis, chances are good that your back pain is from dehydration, for another common symptom is muscle spasms.

A brief explanation of why cartilage breaks down: water is the lubrication for the cells in the cartilage. When you don’t provide enough fluid, the cells are no longer able to glide over each other and the friction becomes very abrasive (like rubbing a piece of granite against some chalk). It is easy to see why water is so important to our joints.

While it is true that most back pain is related to strain, injury, or overuse, pain can still be the result of a lack of fluids. The cells need copious amounts of water to flush out the acid particles created by the increased work or stress that caused the strain. When dehydrated, the acid builds up and sends out pain signals–cries for water . . . not motrin.

“Incurable” diseases have fallen prostrate before the power of water. The Mayo Clinic told an elderly gentleman who had suffered for over thirty years from arthritis in his spinal column that there was no hope for him. He lived in such excrutiating pain that it was impossible for him to stand; as a matter of fact, he resembled a comma (in his words). One year after consistently hydrating himself he was pain free–and not only that, but he had lower blood pressure too!

Here are some interesting facts about hydration:

–even mild dehydration slows down metabolism by as much as 3%

–lack of water is the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue

–drinking just 5 glasses a day reduces your risk of colon cancer by 45%, breast cancer by 79%, and bladder cancer by 50%

–a glass of water before bed stops midnight hunger pains (but you might have to get up to use the restroom!)

–cold water is absorbed faster than warm water

–drinking 6-8 glasses/day improves memory and concentration

–in 37% of Americans the thirst mechanism is so weak that it’s usually mistaken for hunger

Your joints are not the only area of your body that are negatively affected by lack of water. There is one very important area, that should strike you even if nothing else does–your brain. This all-important organ is made up of 85% water! And unfortunately for us, when we deprive ourselves of water it is one of the first places that the body automatically squeezes fluid from. When water, the “messenger” of the brain, is reduced, we suffer from headaches, poor short-term memory, dizziness, poor balance, and general “fogginess.” Indeed, migraines can often be treated successfully with improved hydration.

How much water do you need? A good rule of thumb is to divide your body weight by two: for example, a 160 pound person should drink at least 80 ounces of water a day. Obviously more should be consumed if you exercise or live in a hot climate. And while water is the basis for many other drinks including coffee, soda, juice, and alcohol, there really is no subsitute for it by itself. All of those drinks contain substances that are detrimental to your overall health and wellbeing.

Dr. Howard Flaks of Beverly Hills has this to say about the subject:

“As a result of not drinking enough water, many people encounter such problems as excess body fat, poor muscle tone and size, decreased digestive efficiency and organ function, increased toxicity in the body, joint and muscle soreness (particularly after exercise) and water retention.”

So go ahead. Drink to your health!

Brianna Stanley has turned her passion for health and wellness into her business. To learn about the Freedom Project’s simple 3-step process visit: http://www.miniofficeoutlets.com/stanley

Very few people really enjoy going to their jobs. Let’s face it, most bosses are a pain, the work isn’t very interesting and even if it is, after a while it gets routine. The days are long and when times are slow, they are even longer. Boredom can easily settle in. Some people try to combat this boredom by bringing a little humor into the work place. What follows are two true stories.

One gentleman worked for a medical software company. It was their slow sales and support season and finding things to stay busy was not easy. So this man, who was also an amateur ventriloquist, brought one of his dummies into work. Fortunately, this guy was very well liked and the people in the office, including his supervisor, all got a kick out of it. The jokes and one liners were flying fast and furious. Everyone was having a good time. Then, one worker walked in who had a terrible phobia of dummies. She verbally abused the other employee and then filed a complaint. The employee was ultimately asked to put the dummy away and never bring it back.

Another gentleman who was working at a business school as a computer instructor held a joke session in the teachers’ lunch room. All the teachers were asked to get up and tell their favorite jokes. This was all well and good until one of the teachers told an ethnic joke. One of the people in the room was of this ethnicity and became very insulted. He filed a complaint and a lawsuit resulted against the school.

These are just two of the probably many cases of humor at the work place turning into an ugly scene. The truth is, what one person finds funny or entertaining, another person may find offensive. When that happens, complaints are bound to be made and that’s when the trouble starts.

So what is a company to do? Do they allow humor? Do they post rules that no forms of humorous entertainment or even casual talk be allowed? What if two friends are talking in private on the job and are telling each other jokes? What it somebody walks by and overhears one of the jokes and is offended by the joke? Is it the fault of the two employees that a private conversation was overheard? Where do we draw the line when it comes to allowing humor in the work place?

Unfortunately, what many companies do and a big reason why work is such a miserable place to be, is prohibit all conversation on the actual work premises that does not directly involve doing the job itself. People who are caught breaking this rule are given a reprimand the first time and on a second offense are given some sort of punishment. If the violations continue, they are let go.

Fair? Maybe not. But in an age where everyone has to be politically correct or face possible lawsuits it may be the only course of action they can take to solve the problem.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Humor