Warhammer online

WARHAMMER ONLINE: AGE OF RECKONING. GAME



The creators of Dark Age of Camelot, present you with a new and exciting game with war as its basic theme. War is everywhere in Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning (WAR). This new game is of the MMORPG genre. Based on Games Workshop's popular Warhammer fantasy war game, WAR features next generation Realm vs. Realm (RvR) game play that will immerse players in a world of perpetual conflict.



War is all about good versus bad. Upon entering WAR, players must determine their allegiance and join an Army. If you feel it is worth your time to fight for something positive and those inclined towards the side of good may fight for the Armies of Order. You have three choices to of roles to fight in the Armies of Order. You may take on the role of an obstinate Dwarf, or the role of the noble High Elf, or be the loyal strong and dedicated human soldier of the Empire.



Those who feel they posses tremendous destructive power and can overpower the good Armies of Order destroy may join the Armies of Destruction. Become a part of the Armies of Destruction only if you are inclined towards darker and sinister deeds. In the evil and dark Armies of Destruction you have a choice of three roles to play. You can play the role of a savage Greenskin; here you have the choice of being Orc or Goblin. If you want to you may become the corrupt Dark Elf, or you can exercise your choice of playing the marauding human worshipper of Chaos.



Whatever role you choose to play Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning is bound to be an exciting and adventurous game. You will have to use all of your mental abilities to try and succeed. The fight is bound to be intense and likely to give you many thrills. It is not going to be easy to fight either the Armies of Order or the Armies of Destruction. Both are equally strong and ready for a pitched battle with each other. In the role of the corrupt dark elf or the noble High elf you have to use all your wits in this eternal war between Armies of Order and the Armies of Destruction.



You can have more fun by donning different roles at different times. Use your ingenuity to succeed in each of the major roles. The skills required to fight in this game are similar to those you will be using in real life battles. So take on these roles and become a real warrior. Or just sit back and play the game as a game. You are bound to enjoy every moment of it. The thrills it is bound to give you will not be found anywhere else.



This fantastic fantasy game Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning can be purchased directly from the internet. You can shop for it from e-bay and down load it instantly. You can pay with your credoit cards or with pay pal. You can even gift it to a friend. Colorful exciting posters of Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning is also available online. You can keep it is a part of your personal collection.

6 Tips For Getting New Ideas For Video Games

No matter how creative a game developer you may seem to be, there will always be a time when you will suffer from brain drain and the end result would be a lousy game made out boredom thus it begets the same. Well let's just say an idea popped out but it still doesn't look exciting at all. Fret not because in this article we will discuss a few creative ideas that may yet, let you create the next big game of the year.

1. Humor Injection- making your game funny will definitely pave the way for a well accepted and a relaxed gaming atmosphere, as many would say boredom may seem to be an illness, then the cure will come from laughter and infusing funny characters and images with a dash of funny images too may get your players laughing and gaming addictively. Thus injecting humorous stuff into your game may spell the ultimate success you have been searching for.

2. Never be afraid to explore and go to the extreme, think out of the box once in awhile, get out of your comfort zone and let out your wild side and make the game your stage for creativity. It is not impossible for you to integrate this utter creativity of yours into the game no matter how irrational it may seem at first. Remember we wouldn't have the coolest gadgets and the most creative things if it wasn't due to this free form thinking. Experiment and innovate, take the risk as you can always fall back to the standard stuff whenever you feel like it anyway.

3. Well they say some dreams are more likely the impossible things that stay in our thoughts, super power scenarios, horrific monster chase, or a hilarious action scene. You can turn your dream into reality by infusing them into your game, or give it a twist to divert them into a special game event , that way it will make the game more addicting and would give your players a unique gaming experience they never had before.

4. Imitate Nature

All You Need To Know About Sparkling Wine

If you fancy something bubbly for your next party or get-together, why not go for a sparkling wine? Sparkling wine makes a great value alternative to Champagne and can be served in a similar way. Read on to find out more.



Sparkling wine shouldn't be underestimated



A sparkling wine may not have the status of a big brand champagne but you'll get all the style and elegance for a fraction of the price. Sparkling wine has become increasingly popular in recent years and there is a good selection to choose from, so why not give it a try and see for yourself?



Sparkling wine to start



Sparkling wine is a really good aperitif and looks good when welcoming guests to a party or celebration. However, the key is not to go overboard. If you are hosting lunch or a dinner party, it is likely that most of your guests won't have eaten for a while and because sparkling wine is fairly acidic, more than one or two glasses per person will simply kill their appetites.



Sparkling wine with food



Like Champagne, sparkling wine goes well with food. Drier versions of sparkling wine are best enjoyed with fish and chips, seafood and sushi, as the acidity of the sparkling wine works against the oils and fats in the fish, while slightly sweeter sparkling wines go better with fruit.



Serving Sparkling wine



A sparkling wine needs just 45 minutes in the fridge before serving. Don't be tempted to chill it for longer, as the taste and smell of the sparkling wine will be lost. Ideally, sparkling wine should be served in tall, thin flutes, although standard wine glasses are a good substitute. If drinking as an aperitif or without food, consider serving sparkling wine with canap

Do You Know What Chocolate Truffles Are?

Many know the word truffle as a type of fungus and are therefore a little set back when they hear the term truffle but what they need to realize is that the chocolate truffle is not a truffle like they are thinking. It is not a chocolate covered fungus, the entire thing is made in the kitchen and no fungus is involved in the making of it!



First off the actual ingredients of a chocolate truffle are liquids, flavorings and chocolate which is called a ganache. For a long time the confectionary treat was only available to the wealthy and affluent just as other chocolate treats were for so long. Some people even still conjure up the image of some famous person lying on a lounge chair by a pool sipping champagne and eating the delightful chocolate truffles.



Gone are those days when the sweet treat was only for the rich, now they are available just about anywhere from candy stores and chocolate shops to even supermarkets. It is amazing what competition can do to the market.



Another big improvement is that chocolate truffles now come in just about any possible flavor you can imagine from milk chocolate or dark chocolate to white and even with fruit flavors included. If you are the type of person that enjoys the fine liqueurs they also come with flavors such as Frangelico and Kahlua. Now you can find truffles that will suit nearly anyone's taste and they are also reasonably priced.



If you live in an area where truffles may be hard to find you can always take the do it yourself route. With the internet you can find tons of websites that will have recipes, ideas, and tips with a wide variety of flavors of truffles that you can make. You will make your family ecstatic by giving them home made truffles and make them love you all the more.



Making this chocolate treat doesn't require any unusual ingredients as you can create a chocolate truffle with cocoa, corn syrup, whipping cream, and butter which you probably already have most of in your pantry already.



So now you know that the chocolate truffle is not just for the wealthy anymore and you know it isn't a chocolate covered fungus. Once you try one you will probably be hooked just like everyone else and you will have to have them on a regular basis. Treat yourself to a rare chocolate treat and take the time to enjoy every morsel.

Tea Pot Can be a Medicinal Answer

Tea pot, also called cannabis tea or sometimes weed tea, is exactly what it sounds like. It is a method of making tea using marijuana. It is not done with the intention to get stoned, as the levels of psychoactive ingredients are dispersed when added to hot water. There is nothing new about brewing cannabis into a tea. A number of cultures, including some tribes of Native Americans, Chinese and citizens of India have used cannabis as both the brewed tea and as an additive to other types of brewed tea. For example, in India the process of brewing tea using parts of the cannabis plant is referred to as Bhang, which simply means a tea and cannabis mixture.



Despite the ongoing controversy regarding marijuana as a medicinal plant there is enough proof to show that is can help with certain conditions. One of the benefits to this tea pot instead of smoking pot is that it eliminates the need to smoke it. That in itself is a health benefit. Especially since the ingestion of the cannabis in this manner seems to be as beneficial as the other method. One testimonial to this method of using medicinal pot comes from a British athlete, known as one of the best cricket players of the last one hundred years that it helps him to control eye problems he has. Ongoing research into the use of marijuana also indicates that drinking cannabis made into a tea has the same pain relieving benefits that some terminal cancer sufferers receive when smoking cannabis.



Interestingly this tea pot, or Bhang, is very popular in India to be drunk on special occasions for traditional Hindus. They drink it usually during the Holi festival or during the Festival of Kali. Many of the more conservative Indians think it is wrong to use but enough Hindus believe in its use that it is readily available. Oddly growing marijuana is illegal in most places in India, yet there must be some where it is not only legal but encouraged to grow since this drink can be found in many Indian restaurants throughout the country. There are stores that are allowed to sell and serve this type of tea.



Typically it is prepared in a cup and served as it would be in a restaurant. The product can also be sold as a paste that can be used to make into your own tea at home. However, no vendor may sell the paste unless the business has specifically obtained government permission to do so. This restriction on the sale of the paste helps to control the quality of the product and eliminate any type of additives that would make the paste cheaper to produce, but dilute the health benefits.

The Best Indulgent Chocolate Dessert Ever ! (And it

A friend recently told me that she has a particular love for praline in white chocolate, which is not easy to find, she says, so she's pleased that we sell it (Princess, a heart shaped chocolate in gold foil).



Because my busy little mind is always working on new dessert recipes, I wrote this one and dedicated it to her; so Sarah, this one's for you!



It's an easy recipe, shouldn't take you more than 30 minutes to make, and will dirty about 2 pans, 1 bowl, 1 cake tin and 3 spoons (the amount of washing up a recipe calls for is important to me because I'm lazy and don't have a dishwasher!) The total cost of the ingredients was about

Using Coffee Pods to Make an Excellent Coffee Called Coffee Senseo

Attention, coffee lovers of this world, here is another beautiful way to make your favorite drink. If you like espresso coffee, it is almost certain that you will also like a thing called coffee senseo! Introduced all over the world by the consumer giant, Philips, Senseo is an acronym given to the new machine that uses round packages of high quality and premium grade coffee pods. If you ever want your coffee pods to be used in a more sophisticated way, you never have to go too far! Using a Seneso machine to brew a cup of coffee from an exotic blend of coffee pods is the ultimate way of creating a coffee.

The finest system of making Senseo espresso is an art by itself; a few top grade coffee pods are enough to lend you an exotic coffee that is full of high quality fragrance and taste. Seneso espresso has taken the European mainland by storm and everyone likes to use their coffee pods to make a cup of superior Seneso Espresso! This system offers many benefits and advantages like a fine filter that doesn't clog the system and an innovative way of brewing that is the trademark of this machine.

Coffee pods could be turned into a superb cup of coffee by using a Senseo machine. Simply place a coffee pod into the machine, switch on and Presto, your drink is ready within the nest 25 seconds. Take out the coffee pod and dispose off the wastage! It is as simple as that! There is no wastage of coffee pods and you will almost forget about mess that you would usually see in a coffee filter! With coffee Senseo, every time, you can make an exotic blend of rich and frothing coffee! Coffee Senseo pods are specially processed and supplied in light, medium and strong dark roast, and each and every cup is as good as anything you can hope for!

The new coffee pod system is being used by several coffee makers, who have now found a unique way presenting coffee pods. In fact, coffee pods can now be found everywhere on the internet: light, strong, decaffeinated, and flavored. There are hundred of coffee pod varieties that are available over the internet and you can choose the best coffee pod for your Senseo machine.



If coffee is grown by Mother Nature, it is brewed by master blenders assisted by coffee tasters. However, notwithstanding this fact, the quality of coffee brew depends on several factors and parameters. Coffee making is an art and this art form is perfected by many factors like quality of coffee pods, roasting parameters, time since grinding the beans, time since roasting, and cleanliness with brewing equipment, bean quality and water quality. However, the final quality of brew is entirely dependant on the quality of coffee pods.

How to Purchase Best Coffee Bean Grinders

Know your requirements



Coffee bean grinders come in different models and features. There are two main types of blenders available in market, Blade and Burr. Blade bean grinders just like their name use blade to cut the beans into small pieces whereas Burr bean grinder uses the pressing technique and cost you more. Besides the big difference in price between Blade and Burr grinders there is also big variation in the quality of brew created by them. Being pressed by burr grinder the brew comes up fine and in similar size but beans cut by blades can vary in shape and affect the taste. So is up to you to spend more money for superior brew or get blade grinder and limit the expenditure.



Is your coffee bean grinder durable?



Another point to think about while selecting the coffee grinder is that it should be easy to maintain. For example the body should be made from high quality durable material, and it should not feel flimsy. Just like any other kitchen appliances always prefer a coffee bean grinder which you can wash easily using your dish washer system and clean easily using hand.



Confirm with seller for warranty cover on its electric machinery part, because that going to be the costliest repair in case of a fault.



Contemporary Product Design



As per design is concerned select the coffee bean grinders with detachable parts, as they are easy to clean. Another feature seen in new designs is the broad neck so that user can dispense beans into the coffee grinder with ease. Other features like well balanced shape and anti-spill container should also be noticed. Try not to buy a grinder with unconventional shape and complex machine parts.



We hope this small guide has explained you adequate regarding coffee grinders and you can easily get yourself the best coffee bean grinder.

How To Stay Healthy When Eating During The Holiday Season

I don't know about you but I am like most people and I find the weight I lost over the summer and fall during the holiday season from November through Christmas. It is difficult to stay on a half way decent healthy diet when all the sweet stuff is calling your name! Still, it is possible to enjoy the holidays and still taste some of the forbidden fruit while eating healthy and avoiding the holiday weight gain that most experience.



Traditional holiday foods can be prepared to be low fat in most cases. For example, the turkey that just about everyone has for thanksgiving or Christmas dinner is extremely lean if you remove the skin and you can make a lean gravy to go over it as well. Potatoes are very good for you, until you load them up with butter and sour cream. Even pumpkin pie can be made to be healthy and nutritious if you forego the mound of whipped cream.



One of the other reasons that people gain a lot of weight over the holidays is because they decide to skip out on exercise. Half the battle of keeping the pounds off during the holidays is regular exercise, and maybe even a little extra to get rid of those extra calories you are taking in. It is a good habit to get into taking a walk after every meal and do some extra walking when you go shopping, park way out instead of looking for the closest spot. Not only will this help you to reduce your weight but it will reduce stress as well.



When it comes to the food itself, fill up on things like fresh vegetables, fruits and lean meat. That way you won't have the room to even feel like eating all the fattening desserts and you will choose a tiny sliver of pie instead of choosing a quarter of the whole pie.



Alcohol is another big culprit for excess calories and in addition to the empty calories it takes away your will to diet and also will make you eat more. Make sure that you choose water instead which will keep you from adding all the extra calories as well as help you to feel more full. Try to totally avoid eggnog which is loaded with belly building calories and fat.



You don't have to be super strict to the point of not enjoying the holidays, just remember to eat in moderation and limit the fatty foods to not much more than a taste, balancing that with some additional exercise and you will avoid the holiday bulge.

Most Popular Cake Ideas

Have you browsed online for cake ideas lately. Not all of the latest and greatest cake designs are complicated. Many of these cake ideas for birthdays and other celebrations look like just plain ol' fun! And if you've visited with wedding cake designers lately, then you know that the times are a changin' in this area.



Party Cake Ideas



Whether it be a guitar for a teen musician's birthday, a ship for a going away party or a Scooby Doo cake for a child's birthday; the character or novelty cake continues to be a favorite, especially the kind that is so easily made with a mold cake pan. Character and novelty pans are sold at large craft stores and baking supply stores. You can also find them online from well- known suppliers.



We're seeing more and more castle cakes at parties now too, from Cinderella's castle to enchanting sculptures for Renaissance events.



The more unusual birthday party cakes are getting lots of attention lately, such as the volcano cake. It's not your typical chocolate lava cake that's for sure! This one steams and spews lava, thanks to dry ice and one of the fun cake recipes from the "Cake Decorating Made Easy!" Video Books.


Another unique and fun cake idea is the beach pail cake. A variation of the flowerpot cake (a fun one for a gardener or kids by the way), the beach pail cake is a big hit with toddlers who enjoy really digging into their cakes. A plastic beach pail is filled with pudding cake and topped with a thin layer of cookie crumb sand. Vanilla sandwich cookies are a good choice for this because the filling adds some moisture to the crumbs. And when the cake's "all gone" your toddler has a new toy!



Speaking of toys, doll cakes continue to please. Barbie type dolls featuring a real doll with a cake and icing dress are popular not only with young school age girls, but grown up girls as well. Creating this type of cake appeals to the fashion designer in us!



And last but not least, buttercream and royal icing roses continue to be a top request for cakes from a young girl's birthday to a grandmother's retirement party.



Wedding Cake Ideas.



The word from wedding cake designers is "Less is more." Today's bride prefers a far less ornate design. Whether classic or whimsical, understated is often preferred. Fondant continues to be a favorite cake covering because its satiny smooth finish lends itself well to the wedding cake ideas that brides are bringing to their cake decorators. Many of the more popular cake ideas are coming from an Asian influence, such as white decorations on white icing, accented lightly with red.



Popular wedding cake ideas are also influenced by the current wave of colors that are replacing the white fondant and buttercream. Ice blue, light blush, rum pink, and lavender

are providing the backgrounds for quietly elegant or whimsical decorations such as

silver polka dots, sugar crystallized fruits and daisies. Roses, orchids and lilies continue to be part of today's wedding cake ideas.



Of course, decorating alone doesn't make a great cake. Taste and texture count too!

To learn more, check out our article on cake recipes.



And here's one more cake idea: For an easy to make castle cake, use empty paper towel tubes and ice cream cones (the sugar cone variety) for the turrets. Or just the cones alone can be used. Cover them first with icing and glue with royal icing to a graduated square or round, stacked cake (use two or more graduated square pans to create the cake). Fly colorful flags off the top of the turrets. These can be made with construction paper, cut in triangular shapes and attached with icing or glue to toothpicks. If you have enough ice cone turrets to go around, you could even fill the cones with icing - that is if you do this just before serving!

The Perfect Low Carb Diet Food

Whatever diet you choose, low carb, low fat, low sugar, all of the best tasting foods are always the villains! All the comfort foods are high in carbohydrates, high in calories, and are highly processed. All three of these things are to be avoided when trying to lose weight and/or gain health.



Carbohydrates are literally in just about everything. There are simple and complex forms of carbohydrates. We need a certain amount of carbohydrates to function. We just need LESS of a good thing. So the phrase low carb diet food, simply connotes those foods that are lower in carbohydrates.



Simple forms of carbohydrates burn faster, so you are hungry again sooner, and for one thing, this leads to cravings and binges. Simple carbohydrates are for instance those that contain sugar. While refined sugar (sucrose) is the worst enemy, there is also fruit sugar (fructose) and milk sugar (lactose).



A low carb diet food would be those that limit all carbohydrates, but especially the simple carbohydrates. Of the simple carbohydrates the only one we really don't need much of to be healthy is sucrose. Particularly, refined white sugar. We would not be wise to eliminate milk (as long as it is skim or low fat), and certainly fruit is always associated with a healthy diet.



Complex carbohydrates are those that are more healthful, such as whole grains and vegetables, which are less processed. It seems the processing is what removes the nutritional value of the foods. Complex carbs take longer to digest and are therefore available to generate energy for a longer period. However, these whole grain foods would also need to be limited due to them being considered high in carbohydrates. In that they are healthy foods, however, small amounts would provide more nutrition than a large amount of processed foods.



The only foods that don't have carbohydrates are meat and fat. Both of these, if eaten in excess can be detrimental to your health. If I eat only meat and fat, I will indeed be on a low carb diet and may lose weight. However, while I may look better, I may die of clogged arteries or a number of other diseases caused by too much meat or fat. No use being a svelte corpse. I'm vain, but not that vain



Pastries are usually made from processed flour, and refined sugar is their main ingredient. Almost as tragic as a life without pastry, is a life without pasta or rice. However, this wonderful food is also one of the main foods that would not ever be considered a low carb food! Eat these very sparingly.



So besides avoiding these major villains, the operable concepts in describing the low carb diet food are limiting or reducing, (not omitting) most carbohydrates; and choosing natural or unprocessed forms of carbohydrates, rather than processed or refined; moderation, as in all things, is key to a low carb diet plan.

A Pondering About Absinthe for Bartenders

Absinthe is one of those historic fascinations that never quite go away. We were just on the verge of letting absinthe settle into the dustbin of history when two events happened. One, the Goth kids heard about it, especially that (whoever the 19th century poet they pretend to have read) drank it, which means they must have a glass immediately so everybody knows how cool they are. Two, the cult classic (and tragically short-lived) HBO series "Carnival" featured a character who drank absinthe the way the Small Lebowski drank White Russians, so the art scene found out about it.



For satisfying this crowd of looky-loos, you could just about add green food coloring to ordinary vodka and slap on a new label and most of them wouldn't know the difference. Truly, would you yourself know absinthe if you tasted it? But for the barkeep who's serious about doing their homework and offering the real deal, here's all the research in one place.



Absinthe is (or was) a highly alcoholic, distilled liquor with a kick of anise flavoring, made from a complex set of herbs including the plant known as "grand wormwood", with a light bitterness and great complexity imparted to the flavor by multiple herbs. Be sure to correct those who call it a 'liqueur' - it had no added sugar. That's why you have that goofy spoon - you put a lump of sugar on the spoon and hold it over the glass and pour the absinthe over it. It was consistently green in color, like watered-down green apple schnapps.



Due to its sky-high proof (around 75 percent pure alcohol) and concentration of oils, absinthe drinkers typically add from three to five parts ice-water to a shot of absinthe, which causes the drink to turn cloudy; often the water is used to dissolve the added sugar (from step one) to increase bitterness. This preparation is considered an important part of the experience of drinking absinthe, so much so that it has become ritualized.



Now, here's where the kid angle comes in: The ingredient wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), contains the neurotoxin thujone. Thujone is chemically similar to THC, which is the active ingredient in marijuana, and some speculate that the two compounds act on the brain in similar ways. Of course, the first thought running through the head of a shrouded Goth is "So it's like legal pot???" Well, try to break it gently to them, but no, it isn't. Thujone is only similar to THC, not equal. You'd have to chug a gallon of the stuff to get the thujone effect, passing out in a drunken stupor first. And finally, it is, for the most part, illegal in many parts of the world even today.



The reason behind its illegality is that it was demonized as a ruining influence in 19th century France. All their poets and painters, gargling their late night glasses by gaslight in the cafe society of the belle epoch, supposedly went mad or at least slacked off on production. Vincent van Gosh lopped off his ear and he drank absinthe, so, with the same logic that causes today's courts to ban violent video games whenever kids go on a shooting spree, absinthe was promptly outlawed.



Studies have since shown that the real problem was probably alcoholism in general (including wine served at every single meal), that any specific drink. Perhaps, because absinthe was so strong, alcohol poisoning and the occasional shot of methanol (after all, it was the 19th century, and they were working by gaslight) probably struck the absinthe drinker with more regularity.



Today, most countries do not have a legal definition of 'absinthe' like they do 'scotch whiskey'. But it is technically illegal in a patchwork quilt of countries all over the globe, whatever it is. In some places the laws say absinthe's OK as long as it isn't so-and-so percentage this and that, some countries outlaw it based on its alcohol content alone, and some countries make no sense and ban drinks with wormwood in them, while ingredients like sage and sage oil (which can be 50% thujone!) get off Scott free.



Hey, sage! That's a plan. Maybe you could take Everclear, dilute it with something weak but complicated-tasting, add some sage oil, and sell it as "absinthe"! All it would take is a patent and trademark on the name, you'd have brand recognition for years to come. What's that, Everclear is illegal in some states, too? Oh, phooey, they won't let us have any fun.

For One Cup Convenience Use A Tea Pod

For many years, a person who wanted a good cup of coffee, but only one, had many methods for making it. If they wanted it to be really easy they bought a packet that had a one cup serving of coffee, put it in the brewer and waited for it to be ready to drink. Now that same convenience is available for tea drinkers. You can by a tea pod with the exact right proportion of tea sealed in a pod and ready to be put into your pod brewer. This is probably the quickest way to make gourmet tea. You can have a cup ready to drink in half a minute and because the pods are sealed they remain fresh.



The only problem is that sometimes the tea pod made by one company will not fit in the pod brewer made by a different company. This can be handled one of two ways. Either make sure that the tea you prefer is available through the company that makes the brewer you like best or buy the tea packets that say on the package that they are compatible with a variety of brewers. Check to be sure your brewer is listed. Some of the companies that make the pods have a little device they will sell you that will make them compatible with just about every pod brewer you can buy. If you are also a coffee drinker you can buy brewers that can use pods for both tea and coffee.



Although a somewhat more expensive way to buy tea these pods are catching on. An average price is five dollars for a tin of thirty pods. This is for a variety of types of tea including your old standbys like Earl Grey, other black teas and green tea as well as a variety of herbal teas. The tea pod brewers cost anywhere from two hundred to two hundred and fifty dollars. But, for many who are looking for speed and convenience with little mess to clean up, this is the way to go when making tea.



Not all retail outlets will carry the pods, so you may have to do some checking around town before you find a store that will carry what you need. Health food stores, as well as specialty supermarkets are good places to begin your search. Should you have no luck finding what you need locally, then log onto the Internet. There are a number of online stores that will provide you with a wide variety of teas available in pods, as well as quick shipping and handling.

Bulk Candy Chocolate

More than 35 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate changed hands in the United States on Valentine's Day this year. The holiday's total chocolate sales approached $1 billion. Yet this confection's link to hearts is extending beyond the lucrative candy business.



Bulk candy chocolate and cocoa powders are derived from beams that contain hefty quantities of natural antioxidants called flavonoids. In recent years, research has correlated consumption of tea, red wine, and other foods rich in these compounds with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Realizing that this observation might transform chocolate's reputation from junk food into health-promoting snack candy companies and the American Cocoa Research Institute (ACRI) in McLean, Va., have begun pumping money into studies of chocolate's antioxidants.



Those investments now hint at big payoffs. New findings - many reported for the first time last month in Washington, D.C., at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) - suggest that chocolate's chemistry confers cardiovascular benefits.



Though preliminary, the research indicates that cocoa and chocolates not only contain natural compounds that can protect the heart and blood vessels but also that the quantities present in commercial products may be sufficient to exert measurable effects.



These studies are prompting manufacturers to reevaluate how they make chocolate, since some techniques unintentionally eliminate flavonoids. Mars, Inc., recently developed a proprietary process to preserve flavonoids. By next month, the company plans to be labeling U.S. products made with the process, which they call Cocoapro. Then, observes Harold H. Schmitz, Mars' director of nutrition and analytical services in Hackettstown, N.J., consumers can identify chocolates retaining much of a cocoa bean's initial flavonoid riches.



A 40-gram serving of milk chocolate typically contains around 400 milligrams of antioxidants, about the same quantity as a glass of red wine, according to research published last year by Joe A. Vinson of the University of Scranton (Pa.). Dark chocolate aficionados will be happy to learn that a serving of their favorite contains more than twice that quantity - roughly the same amount as a cup of black tea. Unsweetened powdered cocoa starts out with almost twice as much of these antioxidants as dark chocolate. But to make a cup of hot chocolate, the cocoa is diluted with water or milk and sugar, so the flavonoid total per serving plummets to about half of that present in milk chocolate.



At least as important as the total amount of flavonoids, however, is the potency of these antioxidants, Vinson notes. And the potency of those in chocolate is impressive, his team reported in the December 1999 JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY.



Vinson and his colleagues found that, matched molecule for molecule, chocolate's flavonoids are more powerful than vitamins such as ascorbic acid in limiting the oxidation of cholesterol circulating in low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) and very-low-density lipoproteins. Arteriosclerosis studies have suggested that oxidation of these lipoproteins is an essential step in the creation of artery-clogging plaque.



Vinson, whose work was supported by ACRI, doesn't know which chocolate products the institute gave him to test or the complex mix of flavonoids within them.



Yet individual flavonoids - some 4,000 have been identified in plant products so far - vary not only in potency but also in mode of action. The primary family of flavonoids contributing to the antioxidant prowess of chocolates is the procyanidins, notes Schmitz. Their basic unit is a three ring molecular structure. The mature cocoa bean contains pairs known as dimers, triads known as trimers, quartets known as tetramers, and larger ensembles of these units.



Test-tube studies by German scientists recently showed that chocolate's tetramers were the top performers among this group in curbing the type of oxidation that free radicals can wreak in blood vessel walls. That's potentially important, Schmitz notes, because such naturally occurring radicals can inflame vessels, a process that fosters a dangerous rupturing of arteriosclerotic plaque (SN: 2/6 99, p. 86).



Chocolate's tetramers and larger procyanidins also help relax the inner surface of blood vessels according to studies in isolated tissues headed by C. Tissa Kappagoda of the University of California, Davis School of Medicine.



This relaxation "is a major player in vascular health," he explains. People in whom it's absent or grossly impaired often have high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, or other symptoms of cardiovascular disease.



In healthy blood vessels, Kappagoda noted at the AAAS meeting, much of this relaxation is controlled by the production of nitric oxide (SIN 3/23/96, p. 180). His research, funded by Mars, indicates that chocolate's compounds exert their relaxing effect by increasing nitric oxide concentrations.



Test-tube studies by Schmitz's team at Mars dovetail with the findings by both groups. Chocolate procyanidins can dampen the activity of enzymes that trigger inflammation and ratchet up production of nitric oxide, Schmitz reported at the meeting. Moreover he notes, both of these actions may be independent of the flavonoids' antioxidant role.



Yet Cesar G. Fraga of the University of Buenos Aires hails the procyanidins' antioxidant activity. In work funded by Mars, he has demonstrated a rise of chocolate-derived procyanidins in the blood of men and women who had just eaten semi-sweet chocolate candies. His team found that blood sampled 2 hours after candy consumption protected its circulating lipids from oxidation. The more chocolate eaten, the better the protection.



Earlier test-tube studies, he says, indicate that the procyanidins may function as a first line of defense against damaging oxidants - sparing vitamin C and other antioxidant vitamins that would otherwise be destroyed in the battle. In these experiments, while all of the tested procyanidins appeared active, the pentamer offered the best protection.



Nutritionist Carl L. Keen, Fraga's collaborator at UC Davis, has conducted additional Mars-funded work. At the AAAS meeting, he unveiled data from new studies indicating that flavonoid rich foods may benefit the heart yet another way, by damping the reactivity of blood platelets.



When stimulated by any of several chemical triggers, these cells turn sticky, helping blood to clot. Doctors often recommend that people at risk of heart attacks take aspirins to reduce clotting. Keen's data now show that chocolate's procyanidins work like especially mild aspirins.



His group gave water, procyanidin-rich cocoa, or alcohol-free red wine to groups of 10 men and women. The researchers sampled and tested the volunteers' blood 2 and 6 hours later.



"This is important," Kris-Etherton says, "because a higher ratio of HDLs to LDLs is associated with a decreased risk of heart disease."



Why should consumers trust the tantalizing data on chocolate if they're all coming from industry-funded research? 'That's a valid question," acknowledges nutritionist John W. Erdman of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign who co-chaired the AAAS symposium on chocolate. Though he believes people should be skeptical, he also points out that these studies would never get off the ground without candy industry financing.



Erdman likens the situation to Quaker Oats' funding of research that laid the foundation for studies that proved oats' ability to lower serum cholesterol. Similarly, soy producers funded most of the initial work showing that proteins and antioxidants in their crops could fight heart disease. When it comes to potential neutraceuticals - foods offering health benefits - publication of a critical mass of promising, peer-reviewed, industry-financed studies appears necessary before the government will step in with financial support, Erdman says.



While U.S. chocolate makers would love to be able to adorn their labels with health claims, Schmitz says that "a lot of research needs to be done before we get to that point."



If that ever happens, chocolate will have come full circle, says Louis E. Grivetti, a nutritional historian at UC Davis. His research team is documenting extensive medicinal use of chocolate and cocoa that dates back at least 500 years throughout Europe and the Americas. Healers used them to treat dozens of conditions, including tuberculosis, anemia, gastrointestinal upset, and kidney stones.



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Why Cook with Cast Iron Cookware?

I'm a recent fan of cooking with cast iron cookware. My interest started with my frustration with Teflon coated pans and their tendency to lose their nonstick coating over time. I really dislike replacing my pans. And of course some people express concerns about the safety of ingesting tiny particles of Teflon, although there's so far no definite evidence of health hazards.



While talking with my mother I learned that she was looking at cast iron cookware as an alternative. When properly seasoned it is fairly nonstick, and it can last for generations.



I guess my husband paid attention to my complaints about my nonstick pans. He got me a cast iron pan the following Christmas. I was and still am delighted. I now also have my grandmother's old cast iron pan. It's a true delight.



Cast iron cookware can actually make your cooking a bit healthier. It adds a bit of iron to your food. How much depends on the age of the pan and what you're cooking, but the tests have been done, and they are quite clear. It's really nice knowing that something good for you is being added just through your choice of pan.



Cast iron heats very evenly. It may take a touch longer, but it's really not that much of a wait for it to heat up. You can even use it in the oven, which most other pans are not supposed to do.



It's very affordable. When I price cast iron in comparison to stainless steel pans, the iron ones often come out cheaper.



It's more nonstick than stainless steel or aluminum pans. Food can still stick, but in my experience it really doesn't do so all that badly. And if you want a quick way to remove it, I've read that filling the pan with water and then heating it to boiling makes it easier to get the food off.



One thing you will always have to do with cast iron is make sure that you dry it completely, or you do risk it rusting. The easiest way to do this is to place it on the stove and turn on the burner until the pan is completely dry. Give it a light coating of vegetable oil, and you're in good shape.



This bit of extra care is very much so worth it to me. I have pans that I will probably never need to replace, and can be handed down after I am gone. No health worries due to what the pan is made of. All in all I find it to be a very good deal.

Beyond the South Beach Diet - How to Cook Low-Carb Long Term

The South Beach Diet is one of the most popular diets in decades. All over the world, people are taking off weight by stripping carbs and, in the process, learning to eat healthier meals. One of the true beauties of South Beach is that it teaches you a whole new way of eating for a healthier, happier lifestyle. Eating healthy the South Beach way requires an adjustment in your cooking styles, too, though. Once you learn to cook low-carb, you'll find it easier to maintain your new weight and your new healthier lifestyle. Here are some tips to help you put it all together.



1. Invest in a good cookbook.



The third phase of the South Beach diet is a lifetime maintenance plan that lets you eat a wide variety of healthy foods. If your recipe repertoire was based on high-fat meals with creamy sauces and processed foods, you'll need to build up a stock of new recipes. The South Beach Diet book is a good start. It contains a lot of easy to cook recipes that will get you started on building a new repertoire of healthy meals. You'll also find dozens of South Beach cookbooks on the market that will give you some ideas on the best ways to put your new-found food savvy to use.



2. Think fresh!



Processed foods are the very antithesis of healthy low-carb eating. Even processed meats are packed with fillers that add in carbs and calories without offering anything in the way of nutrition. Try to shop the outside aisles of the supermarket - fresh fruits and veggies, meats and dairy - and avoid all the filler meals in between.



3. Learn simple cooking methods.



Learning to cook the South Beach way is surprisingly simple - a lot simpler than the techniques you probably use for cooking now. Steaming, poaching, braising, roasting and grilling involve very little prep time. If a recipe calls for dredging in flour or dusting with breadcrumbs, throw it out. You'll learn a whole new appreciation for real, whole foods when you cook them simply.



4. Color your plate pretty.



A healthy plate is full of vibrant, brilliant colors. When you prepare a plate for yourself, think in color. Deep green, dark orange and bright red vegetables are low in healthy carbohydrates, minerals and vegetables. White potatoes, rice and breads are not. Your best bet is to eat your veggies when they're at their peak of color - before overcooking robs them of their minerals and vitamins.



5. Spice it up!



Spices are a great way to brighten up flavors in your foods. There's a whole world of spices at your fingertips, and learning to use them can really wake up your plate and your palate. Learning about the spices used in various regional cuisines can help you turn a meal from bland to POW with just a few shakes of the spice bottle. Some spices and spice combinations to try are:

Curry isn't just for Indian food anymore. A sprinkle of curry (use a light hand!) can really wake up the flavor in a fresh fruit salad, especially when you add a dab of vanilla.

Cinnamon is an unusual and delicious spice addition to chicken dishes.

Lemon grass oil adds a tart edge to salads and vegetables. Just a dash added to the olive oil when you saut

Fast Foods Don't Have to be Fat Foods

Let's admit it, man cannot live on bread alone. Day in and day out, we consume fast food like we need to drink water or take a bath. And can we help it? Those scrumptious mouthfuls satisfy our fancy like we couldn't imagine. We eat away not withstanding the fact that they contain very high amounts of fat, calories, cholesterol, sugar and sodium. Not all fast foods though are unhealthy and by eating them in moderation, we are not putting our bodies too much at risk. Luckily, there are a lot of things you can do to alter your daily intake of fast food.



If we limit eating or skip the fattening dressings or toppings on burgers and salads, then we can guiltlessly enjoy them on occasion. Avoid sandwiches with cheese or mayo dressing topped with soda. Pick broth-based soups instead of the cream-based ones. Try to eat healthier, grease-less breakfasts at home as much as you can. Keep away from having them from your favorite diner or taking them to-go. Usually too, crispy foods means deep-fried so this is one more thing to watch out for. Stay more on the likes of broiled, grilled, baked or stir-fried ones rather than deep fried. Try not to order combo meals as well as they force you to finish up what you could normally eat sometimes. Instead, order the smaller servings/sizes. If it cannot be helped to order in bigger amounts then you can just save what you have left to-go and have it for lunch or dinner.



If you really have that itch and are going fast food crazy, try substituting your diet with "alternative" fast foods such as canned tuna, canned juices, cereals, instant oatmeal, granola bars, dried/fresh fruits, yogurts. These stuff you can add in your grocery list and you can easily stock them up in your kitchen and pack them with you for work or anywhere you need to be.



It wouldn't hurt to satisfy our taste buds with the traditional fast foods we come to know and enjoy once in a while. But always remember that you are what you eat. Hence, be mindful of the nutritional content of your meals. There's nothing more rewarding than giving your body what it's worth and by changing the way you define and eat fast foods, then you are giving yourself a delightful treat more than you know.

How To Take Care Of Your Dry Skin

Dry skin can be a real pain to care for and to live with. If you have dry skin you know exactly what I mean. Your skin can become flaky and sometimes may even appear red and irritated. There are many over the counter skincare products that make promises to cure dry skin problems most usually these claims are unfounded and they rarely live up to the hype.



You don't have to be stuck with dry skin. We will share some simple changes you can make in your daily skincare routine that will help you to make your skin more healthy and vibrant in no time.



People suffering from dry skin have exactly the opposite problem of those with oily skin in that they suffer from a lack of sebum or oil production where people with oily skin have an overactive production. Sebum, which is made from skin cells, is vital to healthy, elastic skin. Because people with dry skin have insufficient oil production it must be replaced from the inside and the outside.



For starters, find a good moisturizing cream that is very rich but not too heavy. Natural creams that contain chamomile and aloe vera are very soothing and will help with dryness and healing.



The next thing you need to look at is your diet. You must take a hard look at what you are eating and how healthy or unhealthy it is. Your skin is actually the largest organ of the body and needs nourishment just like the rest of the body. Some of the best supplements for your skin include Omega-3 oils, Vitamin E, and B-Complex vitamin. This is one of the easiest and best things you can do to take care of your skin.



Taking this two pronged approach will reward you with lasting results that you will be able to see in a short time.

Hollywood Actress Exposes Horror of Breast Implant Complications

At a 35th birthday party for rapper P. Diddy in November of 2004, actress Tara Reid exposed more than just a left mammary; she exposed the truth about breast implant complications and the horrifying effect that breast augmentation surgery can have on a woman's body. While she posed on the red carpet for photographers, the top of Reid's dress fell, exposing her left breast and what looked like a completely reconstructed nipple.



The actress, evidently mortified as photographers snapped pictures, fell prey to the all-too common complications associated with breast implant surgery. But, this wasn't even the first time that Tara Reid's breasts became water cooler fodder.



Shortly after filming American Pie, the world noticed as her breasts grew from a measly A-cup to D-size overnight. It became immediately apparent to all of America that the actress underwent major breast implant surgery at the very young age of 18.



At the time, no one realized the extent of the actress' battle with her breast implants, probably due to some hard PR work on behalf of the actress. But, in 2004 as Reid and her augmented breast strolled down the red carpet on the way to Diddy's 35th birthday bash, no amount of PR could hide the fact that the actress suffered from some horrific complications associated with her breast implants.



Every year in this country, thousands upon thousands of women undergo some type of breast enhancement surgery, but thousands also have their breast implants removed due to associated complications that most commonly include breast implant rupture or shifting, to more serious complications such as chronic infection of the breast, in some cases leading to breast cancer.



Luckily for the women who choose surgical methods of breast augmentation, no paparazzi follow them around, waiting patiently for a breast to slip and expose their secret breast implant complications. If America could feel the pain that everyday women experience for larger breasts on a regular basis, it would certainly result in a sharp decline in the number of breast implants performed by plastic surgeons each year, especially for women who decide to go under the knife at such a young age as actress Tara Reid.



Fortunately today's woman can choose from a veritable buffet of natural breast enhancement options. No longer do women need to suffer the horrific complications associated with breast implants in order to achieve the larger breasts that they desire. In today's market, there are other safer, all-natural breast enhancement alternatives for a woman looking to increase the size of her breasts.



These options boast safety for any woman, in an over-the-counter alternative, with none of the side effects or complications involved with breast implant surgery, and a fraction of the cost associated with breast enlargement surgery.



As for Tara Reid, reporters now argue that the actress actually has the ugliest breasts in the world. But, it's pretty apparent that the complications that the actress suffered due to her breast implants are more common than women want to admit.



Fortunately, many women can look in the mirror happily and appreciate their natural breasts, and others who aren't as happy with the way they look, choose safer, more natural breast enhancement methods of increasing their breast size.

Searching for the Ultimate Antiaging Skincare Product

It may seem unbelievable but in my search for the secret to the best antiaging skincare product, I found my self traveling to many interesting and mysterious places. I visited the cool crisp mountains of the Swiss Alps, the hot, beautiful african jungles and the ancient, rich ungerground domains of some of the most secret Egyptian tombs. At the end of my search I was surprised with what I had learned and realised that I had learned far more than which antiaging skincare product to look for.



The Power of Tea



I discovered many things but one thing that kept coming up all around the world was the claim that a high quality green tea product was one answer to my search for an antiaging skincare product. Tea is an ancient drink that has been used for centuries and many of us know and love tea in various forms. Green Tea is considered by many to be a health food because it has so many benefits one of which is the properties that help with detoxification. Many claim that green tea helps with anti aging, helps protect against cancer, helps to prevent heart disease, gum disease, and even has been said to help with the weight loss battle as well.



Back To Antiaging Skincare Product



To get a little technical for a moment, we need to discuss what is in the tea that helps the antiaging process. Tea conatains polyphenols that do a significant amount of work. These polyphenols effectively fight against the signs of aging by keeping our bodies healthy inside. These are known as catechins. There are many different catechins in tea and it is these catechins that perform the bulk of the effects.



Why green tea?



Green tea has almost twenty times the amount of catechins in it that black tea has. Green tea elevates the antioxidant effects of your skin, cells and even blood by allowing it to fight the devastating aging that is caused constantly by the effect of oxygen on the body cells. This means that the higher the level of polyphenols in a product that you have working for you, the greater the anti aging effect on your skin. It may sound like an an unusual method in terms of your skin care routine, especially when we live in a world filled with expensive lotions and creams, but it is exciting to think that it is possible that, maybe, the best antiaging skin care product out there could be something you could just drink. Of course a really important point to remember is that while you are taking care of your skincare needs you will also be benefitting your body because the green tea will not only help your skin but all the cells of your body. It seems that it is becoming widely accepted that green teas actually do help us with our skin care and our search for having young looking skin.



Information Is The Best



As I searched for information on I realised that the search became almost as important, if not more important than the search for the ultimate antiaging skincare product. In my search around this varied world, I became amazed with the quantity of information that is available about the skin already and I came to realize that we should be using that information to our advantage first and leave the search for the ulitmate skin cream until last. While we must always take care of the surface of our skin, we must remember that it is a living organ and if we can have an effect at the cellular level where the skin is formed then we will be much more effective in our fight against antiaging. It may turn out that our best weapon to fight the signs of aging could just turn turn out to be education. Now that is a thought!

Skin Care Essentials To Weather The Years

Loss of skin moisture is related to structural skin changes that can be linked back to aging. The reduction of the protective skin barrier requires continuous attention. The less protection your skin has, the less moisture it retains, therefore speeding up the aging process.



A well balanced diet, adequate fluid intake, proper sleep and exercise are some of the most important factors in skin care. With the media revealing more than before, it is important to maintain healthy and protected skin. Most stars have a strict skin care regimen. Here are some suggestions to help keep your skin looking fantastic and young.



Letting your skin "breathe" is a frequently overlooked factor of maintaining healthy skin. Proper elimination of toxins, salts, and water from the pores is important. By blocking the pores in the skin, the skin becomes filled with substances that are unwanted and this causes the aging process to increase at an alarming rate. By keeping your skin well cleansed, the pores stay open and this helps keep the skin healthy.



Cleansing the debris from them can minimize the appearance of skin pores but the size of your pores cannot be changed since this is a genetic characteristic that cannot be eliminated. The pores are needed to help with proper elimination of skin toxins and help with the natural lubrication of skin. By keeping skin well cleansed and moisturized, your skin will be able to draw back water from the barrier and thus becomes more resistant to physical and chemical attack. Moisture is crucial in having healthy, younger looking skin.



When using makeup, proper care must be observed. Some makeup can clog the pores and trigger acne. Be sure to thoroughly cleanse the skin with a mild cleanser every morning and evening. Be sure to give your skin a rest from makeup once a week. Try a detoxifying mask to help further cleanse and maintain your skin.



Try a clay mask to help with the detoxifying procedures. They seem to cleanse the skin surface very well, improve circulation and revitalize the skin. There is also a lesser chance of allergic reaction to the clay mask.



Clay masks have been used for generations. They are used for health purposes and used in many professional and high quality spas. Since clays have the enhanced ability to absorb toxins, they minimize the excess oil in the skin, reduce redness and tighten the pores. The clay contains elements like silica, aluminum, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and other trace elements.



Your skin care routine should be simple and should fit into your busy schedule. Make sure it includes cleansing, moisturizing and that it protects your skin from the harshness of the environment. Make sure to give your skin time to breath and relax. Eat natural foods and avoid the ones that cause breakouts.



With simple and natural skin procedures and healthy living, you should be able to regain vitality and the youthful look with excellent results and very little expense.

Do You Know How Alpha Hydroxy Acids Can Help With Oily Skin?

People with oily skin find that their skin produces more oil in a variety of conditions, both internally and externally.



Internally, medications, stress, and hormones can trigger the oil glands to overproduce and cause breakouts while external factors that trigger this reaction include: certain foods (usually those high in fat), humidity, and overly hot temperatures (whether inside or outside).



Aside from skin care techniques, people with oily skin can watch for these factors and compensate for them in order to help keep their oil glands stable.



It is important to understand that, in the case of oily skin, Mom is not always right. Old skin care methods taught us to use rather harsh cleansers, exfoliating treatments, masks, and toners. These were developed to strip the skin of its natural oils.



Exfoliating treatments designed for oily skin both scrubbed a light layer of dead cells from the skin and stripped oils from the skin. The oil stripping action of the cleansers, masks, and toners combined with the abrasiveness of exfoliating treatments designed for oily skin managed to create irritated, dry skin. Dry skin, in turn, begins to produce more oil in an attempt to compensate for the lack of moisture.



A modern treatment that many women seem to prefer is the use of fruit acids. These tend to soften and brighten complexions at the same time that they help the skin control its oil production. This stabilized oil control helps makeup stay smoother, giving an overall pleasant appearance.



Fruit acids also have an outstanding effect on moisture within your skin because they encourage the production of a chemical within the skin. This chemical gives the skin the ability to hold water within it at a greater ratio than skin which lacks in the chemical. While Moms treatment removed moisture from the skin, the use of fruit acids helps the skin to regulate and retain natural moisture.



Fruit acids work as a light chemical exfoliation by removing dead skin and old oil which build up in the uppermost layer of your skin. These old oils on the surface are excess oils and not being utilized by the inner workings of your skin, so removing them does not affect your skins moisture content.



The skin is stimulated by this removal and produces new cells, which are necessary to have that fresh complexion. Large pores appear smaller with the use of fruit acids because the acids break down oils and dirt built up within the pores. Some people believe that the pores actually shrink, but science disagrees with this.



The most likely explanation is that the pores appear smaller because they are no longer full of the dark material; therefore they are not as obvious to the naked eye. If there is any truth to pore shrinkage, researchers agree that it can only happen through a long time of keeping the pores free of any build up.



You often hear of alpha hydroxy acids, some of these are natural and some are chemical compositions which are an attempt to recreate natural substances. Either way, you can use them yourself without purchasing mass created skin care treatments which may carry unwanted chemicals to your skin.



Dip a cotton ball in the juice of a fresh, organic lemon and apply to your face (especially oily areas and areas with larger pores), let sit for 3 minutes, cleanse with a mild organic cleanser, and moisturize with an appropriate moisturizer.



This should be done daily and the amount of time the lemon juice remains on the face should not be increased as a general rule. By using the juice daily, the build up break down will be gradual, but you will keep future build up under control.



Many people want to hurry the process of the initial build up removal, but if you irritate your skin by leaving the lemon juice on too long, you will not be able to use the juice on a daily basis. This defeats the plan of keeping future build up under control.



Remember that your oily skin may be irritating to you, but proper care of it will alleviate that. There are great side effects for you because of your oily skin: it usually does not burn as easily, does not usually freckle as quickly, develops fine lines and wrinkles slower, and does not discolor early. Care for your oily skin and it will care for you!

The Importance of Understanding the Causes of Dry Skin

As we age, our skin produces less of the natural oil that helps it retain its moisture. Skin is not dry because it lacks oil, but because it lacks water. Xeroderma literally means "dry skin".



Skin is considered one of the most important parts of the body. Skin also receives less blood flow and lower gland activity. Skin contains the hair follicles, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, apocrine glands and blood vessels.



Epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin. The epidermis contains no blood vessels, and cells in the deepest layers are nourished by diffusion from blood capillaries extending to the upper layers of the dermis. The dermis is the layer of skin beneath the epidermis that consists of connective tissue and cushions the body from stress and strain.



Nutritional deficiencies, especially deficiencies of vitamin A and the B vitamins, can also contribute to dry skin. Dry skin is common. The skin loses moisture and may crack and peel, or become irritated and inflamed. The oil glands do not supply enough lubrication to the skin: as a result, the skin becomes dehydrated.



Dry your skin gently and thoroughly, patting not rubbing. For any skin condition, it's always better to take a natural approach. Natural treatment should always be the first type of treatment to consider when you want to take the best care of your skin.



You want to work from the inside out too. The two most common digestive culprits, that affect your skin, are not enough water and not enough fiber.



Drink plenty of water, a minimum of a quart a day. Concentrating on a diet of lots of fruits and vegetables (preferably uncooked) and no junk food, should give you an observable improvement within 30 days. Use olive oil, flaxseed oil or walnut oil in your salad.



Apply coconut oil to heal and soothe your skin. Use bath oils and moisturizers, especially coconut oil, at least daily. Use coconut oil to remove your make-up at night, like I do; it leaves a fine layer of oil to nourish your skin all night long. The best treatment I've found for dry skin is coconut oil.



Functions of the skin are disturbed when it is dirty; it becomes more easily damaged, the release of antibacterial compounds decreases and dirty skin is more prone to develop infections. The skin supports its own ecosystems of microorganisms, including yeasts and bacteria, which cannot be removed by any amount of cleaning.



The skin must be regularly cleaned or it'll become cracked or inflamed.



And did I say to drink lots and lots of water every day! Skin doctors are called dermatologists; hopefully you'll never need one. Continue using coconut oil and the healing benefits of good, clear skin, free of dryness and other skin conditions should be your reward.

Natural Remedies for Your Dandruff Problem

Dandruff is extremely annoying and it can often be really itchy too! It generally involves the shedding of dead skin cells on the scalp which usually is unnoticeable, but with dandruff the problem is noticeable.



Why Dandruff Occurs and the Natural Ways to Get Rid of It



Most people believe that dandruff is due to a dry, itchy scalp. However, what you may not know is that dandruff is actually caused by too much oil on the scalp.



Ordinary dandruff is often confused with Seborrheic Dermatitis which causes large flakes to appear, usually with symptoms also showing around the nose, eyebrows or ears.



Also, if the dandruff is quite severe, it could be the result of Psoriasis. Generally, dandruff can occur at any age and on both sexes and it should be treated as soon as possible, otherwise it can get worse.


There are plenty of medication shampoos our there to treat dandruff but not everybody finds these useful. So, more and more people are turning to natural ways to prevent their dandruff.



They are cheaper, sometimes more effective, and a lot gentler on the skin so it is understandable why natural products are becoming more popular.



Some natural remedies for dandruff include:



Ayurveda



This kind of therapy includes massaging the scalp. It is believed that bad circulation can often be a cause of dandruff and by massaging the scalp; you are helping to restore the circulation again.



It is important to use sesame oil whilst massaging the scalp and it should be done for around five to ten minutes, at least once a week. After you have massaged the oil in, you should then shower it out with your evening shower.



Fenugreek is a herb which is also used in Ayurveda, and it is thought that if you mix it with honey and eat it, or you can eat it on its own daily, it will help to relive dandruff.


Aromatherapy



If you still want to use a dandruff shampoo, there is something else you can do to increase the chance of eliminating the problem. That includes shampooing as normal, then let the hair dry thoroughly before poring a few drops of both rosemary and lemon essential oils into the palms of your hands.



Massage the oils into the scalp thoroughly and then brush the hair with a soft brush. This is known as an aromatic formula to help with dandruff.



Homeopathy



It is thought that various homeopathy remedies can effectively help to eliminate dandruff. If you have particularly thick dandruff which really itches and washing the hair makes the scalp really dry, then Sulphur is recommended. Sepia is also thought to help to soothe the scalp and treat moist, sensitive areas of the hair.


Vitamin and Mineral Therapy



Flaxseed oil is known to reduce dandruff and just a tablespoon a day on something such as potatoes, could really help you with your dandruff problem. The flaxseed oil cuts down skin oil secretions which often flake and cause the dandruff.



You can buy flaxseed oil in tablet form which may be easier for some people and it is thought that one teaspoon of the oil is worth around three capsules. You can find flaxseed oil in most health food stores.



Overall dandruff is treatable and it should never be left untreated. If it is left, it can really become a lot worse and in extreme cases, hair loss has been known to occur. If you are having trouble eliminating the problem and you have tried everything out on the market, it would be better to consult your doctor.



They will be able to give you a proper diagnosis and suggest effective treatments for you.

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA

Michelle Obama has been the first Lady of United State American since January, 2009, Who is beloved and admired not only in USA, but all over the world.

When people ask Michelle Obama to describe herself, she doesn't hesitate. First and foremost, she is Malia and Sasha's mom.

But before she was a mother — or a wife, lawyer, or public servant — she was Fraser and Marian Robinson's daughter.

The Robinsons lived in a brick bungalow on the South Side of Chicago. Fraser was a pump operator for the Chicago Water Department, and despite being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at a young age, he hardly ever missed a day of work. Marian stayed home to raise Michelle and her brother, Craig, skillfully managing a busy household filled with love, laughter, and important life lessons.

A product of Chicago public schools, Michelle studied sociology and African-American studies at Princeton University. After graduating from Harvard Law School in 1988, she joined the Chicago law firm Sidley & Austin, where she later met the man who would become the love of her life.

After a few years, Michelle decided her true calling lay in encouraging people to serve their communities and their neighbors. She served as assistant commissioner of planning and development in Chicago's City Hall before becoming the founding executive director of the Chicago chapter of Public Allies, an AmeriCorps program that prepares youth for public service.

In 1996, Michelle joined the University of Chicago with a vision of bringing campus and community together. As associate dean of student services, she developed the university's first community service program, and under her leadership as vice president of community and external affairs for the University of Chicago Medical Center, volunteerism skyrocketed.

As First Lady, Michelle Obama looks forward to continuing her work on the issues close to her heart — supporting military families, helping working women balance career and family, and encouraging national service.

Michelle and Barack Obama have two daughters: Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7. Like their mother, the girls were born on the South Side of Chicago.

(Source: www.whitehouse.gov)

Cellulite - What Exactly Is It?

Cellulite can best be described as a lumpy looking substance that can be seen on the person's stomach, thighs, and rear end. Cellulite is, in reality just a name for build-ups of fat that bear against the connective tissues underneath an individuals skin, this then causes the surface layer of the skin to sort of dimple and appear lumpy. Contrary to popular belief, cellulite is not just seen in overweight people, as it can also be found on people of average weight and on thin people.



There are several factors which may influence whether you as an individual have cellulite and to what degree. Your gender, genes, how much fat there is on your body, how thick your skin is, and your age, are all factors which can affect the amount of cellulite you have, and how it appears.



Whatever causes cellulite, you must realize that there are not any quick cures or treatments that can get rid of it. For instance, I have seen some treatments advertised purporting to banish cellulite, when in reality all they do is temporarily improve the appearance of it.



Liposuction and mesotherapy treatments can be expensive and may produce improvement, but usually only in the short term. Warnings have been issued by many doctors that liposuction is not a good treatment because it is designed to eradicate deep fat, not fat that is near to the skin.



If your intention is to try to lessen the amount of cellulite on your body, you must try to reduce any excess body fat. Combine this with strength training and aerobics for best results. Even with this course of action, cellulite may still be seen, even on women without excess weight problems.



With the number of obese people rising everyday in certain western countries, cellulite is sure to become an ever-increasing problem, particularly in obese women. Because, at this point in time there is no absolute cure, most women just learn to put up with it.

Facelift Surgery - The Benefits And The Risks

The last and most pronounced signs of aging occur in the lower face and neck. Gravity wipes joy and youth out of the face and makes you appear older than you feel. The underlying muscles in the face and neck weaken and sag; excess fat accumulates in the neck; and jowls, laugh lines, and sagging "turkey-neck" skin form. Because excess skin must be removed to correct these particular signs of aging, the endoscopic technique is not used.



Rhytidectomy procedure, or traditional facelift, smoothes and tightens the skin of the lower face and neck, reduces jowls, and tightens the underlying neck muscles. In fact, Face Lift surgery can be done as early as your mid forties can significantly slow the aging process in the lower region of the face.



Preparation

Eat a balanced, nutrient-rich diet before surgery. A healthy diet will help speed recovery. Also plan ahead and prepare nutritious meals that are easy to warm up so that you won't need to spend too much time in the kitchen during your recovery.



If you smoke, abstain from smoking for at least six weeks before and after surgery. This reduces the risk of infection and encourages faster healing.

Do not take any medicines containing aspirin or ibuprofen during the two weeks preceding surgery.

Do not eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery.

Be certain you do not have a cold or sunburn the day of surgery.

Do not wear make-up or contact lenses to surgery.

Arrange to have someone take you home after surgery and, if possible, help you around the house for a few days while you recover.



Procedure

A facelift usually takes two or more hours, depending on the extent of the procedure. For extensive procedures, some surgeons may schedule two separate sessions.



The incision line is hidden in the scalp. It starts at the temples and continues around and behind each ear. The incisions are made without clipping or shaving hair at the incision site.



The skin is raised from the temples, cheeks, and neck and the underlying connective tissue is lifted and repositioned. Excess fat and skin are removed.

The surgeon redrapes the skin over the new underlying structure and closes the incisions with stitches and small metal clips. Bandages are applied.



If necessary a drainage tube will be inserted.

If the neck muscles are tightened, a small incision is made underneath the chin. The muscles are drawn together and stitched together at the midline forming a strong sling of muscles that supports the entire neck and jaw.



What to expect

After the procedure is over, patients may experience some numbness, bruising, swelling or discomfort at the incision site. This is normal and will pass with time. Incision site pain is usually minimal and can be controlled with medication, if necessary. Keep your head elevated and as still as possible for a couple of days after surgery to reduce swelling.



Within one to five days, bandages and drainage tubes are usually removed. The skin on your face and underneath the hairline will be tender during the first few days, so be careful not to pull your hair. You should be up and about after two days, but should continue to take it easy and avoid vigorous activity for at least two weeks.



Stitches are removed after about five days, except for the stitches and metal clips in the hairline, which may be left in a few days longer. Bruising may persist for two to three weeks, but can be covered with special camouflage make-up. Because you have undergone invasive surgery, you'll probably have less energy for the first two weeks.



By the third week, you'll look and feel much better. Most patients are back at work by about two weeks after surgery. It is important to get plenty of rest and allow your body to heal.



Risks

As with any surgery there is a slight risk of infection. Other possible complications include hematoma, nerve damage (usually temporary), and reactions to the anesthesia. You can reduce your risks by closely following your surgeon's advice both before and after surgery.

The Process of Breast Massage

The most effective, natural and old method that women over the ages have been using for breast enlargement is breast massage. Not only is this easy, but also inexpensive, and also devoid of any side effects. Those of you who would think twice before going under the knife, breast massage is the ideal way of breast enlargement.



Before we move into the process of breast massage, let us know what breasts are made up of. Tissues along with adipose fat are the main constituents of female mammary glands. Massage helps in toning these and thereby promotes the growth of breasts, making them full, firm and pliant, just the way you would want them to be. Additionally, an effective massage can solve the problem of sagging up to a large extent, and also help to flush out toxins from the lymphatic system within the breast tissues.



Now let us go into the procedure of breast massage. It is a very simple process to massage breasts. In fact you can do it yourself, in the privacy of your home. All you require is some good cream or growth serum, and some time in your hands. So now you know, it is not only an easy process, but also brief and inexpensive.



Here are the steps to an effective breast massage:



Start from the nipple area and slowly proceed downwards, using the entire length of your fingers. Be careful not to apply a lot of pressure. You need to press down moderately.



Avoid taking away your hands too soon. Make the touch soothing and lingering. It will enhance the effect of your massage.



After you are done with the above step, cup a breast in your palm and press in a kneading motion. You may use both hands to hold a breast, to get a better grip. In this case also, keep the pressure to a moderate level only. Do not overdo the thing. Also do not hurry; take one breast at a time.



Now, cup each breast again as you had done in the earlier step. But, instead of applying a kneading force, move the breast within your hand in a circular motion. Do it both clockwise and anti-clockwise. You have to repeat this up to ten times for each breast. This kind of a massage will impart a well-rounded shape to your breasts.

Sports Eyewear by X-Loop: 3 Sunglasses You Should Keep Your Eyes On

X-Loop is a lesser known dealer of eyewear. Its sports shades designs particularly stand out. However, if the dealer isn't that famous yet, it may be difficult finding reviews and such online, which could serve as a guide to the pros and cons of this particular accessory line. If you're not sure what design you want yet, but you're already thinking about what to get from X-Loop, 3 sunglasses should be on your watchlist.



There are some notable designs turned out by X-Loop. 3 sunglasses in particular stand out among its sports lines: the "Swift" Polarized, the "Meteor" Polarized, and the Polarized P1 with its light frame finishing. These sunglasses fit the requirements for good sports eyewear.



Sports shades are a must in this day and age, when the sun's rays are piercing through the ozone layer and all but directly getting into our eyes. If we're going to hold activities at a prolonged time outside the house, we need an arsenal of protective gear. But what does "protection" mean exactly for sports shades?



UV protection is paramount. And these three X-Loop sunglasses come fortified with lenses made of polycarbonate materials that provide 100% UVA and UVB protection. In fact, even if you're choosing sports shades from more famous manufacturers, such as Oakley, Maui Jim and Ray-Ban, you can expect that their sports shades come stacked with UV protection.



Polarization is also a must. Not all sports shades come with polarized lenses, but those who do ought to get one's special attention. These special lenses are used to reduce glare, which is quite useful to people who actively engage in fast-paced sports, such as cycling or driving. A sudden blinding glare from out of nowhere could spell out the end of one's career, among other things. Water activities such as fishing and water-skiing also especially need glare protection. Always shoot for optimum vision in outdoor locations.



The strength of the lenses is also important. Impact-resistant lenses of course provide added value, especially if you plan to engage in rough activities. Open-air sports such as cycling and motorbiking would also require you to wear glasses that won't be easily scratched by dust and small debris which may fly against them at high speeds. As for X-Loop, 3 sunglasses may stand out for their designs, but this manufacturer has yet to made a claim to including impact-resistant lenese. If you're after flashy, highly affordable sports eyewear, keep an eye on this seller and its new designs.

Skin Care The Natural And Cheap Way

There are many skincare products on the market and it may overwhelm you to try so many of them. Some of them are very expensive and may burn a hole in your pocket if you need to try them for a period of time to be effective.

It is essential to take care of your skin. Most children's skin is beautiful and needs nothing more than the care of sunscreen when they go outside, but once they reach their teens, all sorts of problems begin to manifest. Acne is one of the problem. Even if you are fortunate enough to escape acne, you still need to take care of your skin. Most people know if their skin is oily or dry. Often skin that is a bit oily has dry patches in a T-section that includes the nose. If your skin seems dry and scaly here, you should apply moisturizer to it, but astringents to the oily part. The skin around the eyes is more tender and fine and should be treated with a product especially designed for it.

There are some fun and inexpensive products you can make from the ingredients you can find right in your kitchen:

If brown spots trouble you, use a vitamin C lotion under your make-up. This will help to neutralize free radicals that sabotage your skin after exposure to sunlight. Revlon has a sunscreen that contains vitamin C in it already.

Oatmeal paste.
Mix 2 tbsp oatmeal, 4 tbsp plain yoghurt, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp chopped parsley, and 1 tsp olive oil together. Massage into the skin, rinse off after about 4/5 minutes. This is great for oily or irritated skin. You can put a handful of oatmeal into the toe of your old pantyhose and use it to scrub your whole body, too.

Mask to treat wrinkles.
Beat 1 egg into 2 tbsp of milk. Wash your skin first then gently dab this concoction on. Rinse with warm water after 4/5 minutes. Add moisturizer.

From about age 30 the skin's natural ability to get rid of dead skin is impaired and this makes it look dull. Exfoliating your skin regularly, will keep it in good condition and help to create that translucent look. Look for products that contain alpha-, beta-, and poly-hydroxy acids. They will help slough off the dead skin, bringing fresh new cells to the surface.

Copper peptide is one of the newest patented ingredients that works against sagging. It is an antioxidant thought to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin in the skin.

Lastly, remember to remove make-up every night and cleanse with a gentle toner. If you do nothing to your skin will not be able to rejuvenate itself to a great degree, thus giving wrinkles and pimples to your face.

Don't Just Leave Your Shoe Color To Chance, Now You Can Choose The Color You Want

It used to be that if you were searching for a specific color of shoe you might have to travel to the ends of the earth to find them. One store would have the style you were looking for, but they wouldn't have the color you needed. So then you went across town to another store that had the color you wanted, but in totally the wrong style. Often if you needed a specific color in a specific style you'd have to have them specially ordered, which took extra time and, of course, costs extra money.

Say goodbye to such hassles. This is the 21st Century where all your dreams can come true! OK, maybe that's a bit of a hyperbole, but modern times have brought modern conveniences, and one of those modern conveniences are dyeable shoes. Now you can walk into a store and find the right style of shoe and have them dyed any color you wish. True 21st Century convenience has brought us the Internet and the World Wide Web which allows you to find the perfect shoes with the perfect color from the comfort of your home and have your perfectly dyed shoes delivered promptly to your doorstep.

You may not have known this, but dyeable shoes have been around since the 1960's. However, it wasn't until the late 1980's that they became widely available. Even though they'd been around for a good twenty years or so, when you went into a bridal shop to purchase dyeable shoes for that important day, you were often only able to buy pumps. Apparently there just wasn't enough demand to warrant retailers maintaining an inventory of a variety of dyeable shoes.

Advances in dyeing techniques and a lowering of the costs of individual retailers doing their own shoe dyeing helped change things. For a long time it just wasn't cost effective for stores to do a lot of their own shoe dyeing. It was easier and more profitable for them to farm out the work or special order the shoes. But once these advances came about, the availability of dyeable shoes bloomed. Whether it was the advances which fueled the demand, or the demand which made dyeing shoes more profitable, suddenly bridal shops and shoe stores in even the smallest of towns offered custom dyeing. Now you can get dyeable shoes in a variety of styles. It's not just pumps anywhere. You can get dyeable Mary Janes, sandals, and even platform shoes. In addition to having many style options, dyeable shoes are now available in different fabrics. Satin, ultra-satin, silk satin, peau de soie, and others are now widely available.

There are basically two types of dyeable shoes: factory and custom. Both are "custom" in the sense that you can get almost any color you want, but factory dyed shoes are more color-fast then custom ones. Custom dyeable shoes are done in the store or at home. This kind of dye will bleed and stain if they get wet. The big advantage to custom dying is that you can re-dye these shoes. That's right: they can be red for your brother's wedding and white for your neighbor's baby shower.

Dyeable shoes are now widely available. Find out more from your local bridal shop or shoe store. Look online, too. This allows you to find the best prices and gives you the most choices.

Girls Games Colection

Wedding in Snow Country Wedding in Snow Country: Nobody knows where Snow County is but it is really exist. It is said that a beautiful ice princesses is living there. Come to see!

Short Cute Dress Short Cute Dress: She may be short in height but definitely she doesn't come up short when it comes to fashion. Dress her up and enjoy!

Audrey Hepburn Dress Up Audrey Hepburn Dress Up-Audrey Hepburn Dress Up: Dress up Audrey Hepburn the famous actress! rn

Bratz Fish Tank Bratz Fish Tank: Choose 4 critters, decorate your tank and take care of your fishy friends.

Moka Dress Up Moka Dress Up: Pink wallpaper, hot clothes and a girl named Moka waiting for your help to dress her up.

Night Wedding Dress Night Wedding Dress: An evening wedding gown for this night wedding dress up. Try on wedding dresses that suit your figure and pick a wedding bouquet to go with your shoes.

Bratz Big Night Out Earn points on the matching game, design jewelry for your Bratz, dress her up and take her out for The Big Night!

The Attraction of Galicia and Northern Spain

Galicia in particular and Northern Spain in general have long been considered to be a hidden jewel in the entire Spanish tourist industry. The climate is much milder than in the southern Iberian Peninsula and all of the autonomous regions in Northern Spain can provide all of the necessary ingredients that can make up a successful holiday. The Atlantic coast of northern Spain boasts extremely attractive sandy beaches whilst inland the mountain ranges are criss-crossed by numerous foot paths. If you look at all of the autonomous regions that make up modern day Spain, Galicia has to be the most remote. Located in the northwest corner of the Iberian Peninsula Galicia is a green, rain swept region remarkable for the diversity of its landscape, where coastal cliffs alternate with lowlands and ldquo;rias.rdquo; Galicia is proud to be the home of one of the most visited religious pilgrimage sites in the world whilst of a more earthly nature the region is extremely famous for its excellent cuisine especially the seafood. Indeed a whole tourism industry has sprung up around Santiago de Compostela and the whole Way of St. James otherwise known as the ldquo;Camino de Santiago.rdquo; The Galicians, whose origins are Celtic, are fiercely proud of their culture and language. Historically, always classed as the poorer cousin to some of the other richer regions Galicia had an economy that did not easily lend itself to modernisation. Because of its location and partisan traditions Galicia was always fairly inward looking having managed to survive throughout the centuries without ever really been conquered by anybody. It was only very briefly an independent monarchy in the 10th and 11th centuries. Bordering Portugal to the south and enclosed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean in the west Galicia could offer its inhabitants little in the way of new land for cultivation. The end result of all this was that like Ireland in the north in Galicia, emigration became a major industry. Thankfully slowly throughout the 20th century Galicia has begun to develop a way in which to manage the traditional lifestyles with a modern community to ensure that none of its rich history is lost. Galicia has always maintained strong links with the sea and the port cities of Vigo and Corunna are centres of culture and industry. As befits a province that has such reliance on the sea, the seafood here is amongst the best in Spain and fishing is vital to the economy. As well as the major ports the coastline of Galicia is dotted with tiny little fishing villages. The Galician coastline which was devastated in 2002 with the sinking of the oil tanker prestige has slowly managed to recover and in some cases is now better than ever. The major geographical point on the Galician coastline is probably Cape Finisterre which is the westernmost part of the Spanish mainland. Inland, the hillsides which are quite often shrouded in mist conceal the remains of Celtic settlements throughout the region. Other examples of the Celtic traditions can be found in the many stone crosses found at crossroads and junctions throughout the region whilst also the continued use of the old traditional stone granaries found in many villages. As with other Celtic regions, the love of music and the arts is very common in Galicia and as well as its own traditional language, Gallego, Galicia has its traditional musical instrument the bagpipes! The other way the Celtic tradition is also represented in Galicia is within the various art and Cultural forms. With respect to the Galicians, there is a certain Melancholy to their traditional songs and poetry and this too they have in common with the Irish, Breton, Scottish, Welsh and other Celts. With regards to Galicia (as with County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland), as anyone who has experienced some of the fierce storms coming in from the Atlantic perhaps this is understandable.