Many artists do not see the importance in giving sales receipts to a customer when they purchase an artwork. The reasons for this vary, but three of the more common reasons are:

1. Its time consuming — Many artists are pushed for time due to other work commitments, family responsibilities or simply procrastination.

2. Paperwork is boring — Come-on, lets face it, many artists prefer to paint, draw or sculpt rather than complete paperwork. Unless payment is being withheld in exchange for a sales receipt, many artists would prefer to do something else.

3. Its not important — Many artists are only concerned about the creative side to their art and don’t appreciate the business side. However, purchase receipts are an important part of the selling process for both the seller and the buyer.

Those are three common reasons why many artists choose not to provide a sales receipt when selling artwork. So what are three reasons why they should give them to their customers?

1. It records the sale — Most artists sell artwork with the intention of making a profit. If this is the case you are liable to declare your income to the tax department. During an audit they will want to see evidence of your income which is easily done by showing your receipt book.

2. It records the customers purchase — A receipt will provide proof of ownership for the customer, give them details of the transaction, and confirm the value of the artwork at the time of purchase. It is often used for archival and/or insurance purposes.

3. It shows professionalism — This concept is very simple. If you conduct your art sales in a business like manner by providing adequate paperwork to support the sale, the customer will see you as a professional. There is no down-side to this. The more professional you are, the more integrity you will have as a successful artist.

We have covered three reasons why many artists don’t like to give sales receipts, and three reasons why they should. Here are three ways how to provide a sales receipt, along with some pros and cons for each method:

1. Use an accounting software package — If you have multiple sales and expenses you may want to consider purchasing some accounting software such as MYOB etc. Pros: It will calculate the tax and totals automatically. It will provide you with an accurate, easy way of tracking your income with unique receipt numbers and multiple reporting options. It looks professional and clean. Cons: It can be costly to set up. It takes initial training and some basic accounting knowledge to use the software adequately. It can be time consuming. Change any PC into a cash register with store manager point-of-sale for Windows and purchase an Epson receipt printer.

2. Print out a receipt on your computer — It is relatively easy to create a basic receipt in a word processing programme. Pros: They look clean and professional. You can save each receipt individually onto your hard-drive or onto disc. You can custom-make your receipt to suit your needs. Cons: You will need to give each receipt a unique number each time. If you want paper copies you need to print duplicate receipts and file them away. It takes longer to complete printed receipts than hand-written receipts.

3. Buy a receipt book — You can either buy a regular receipt book or one specially designed for artists. Pros: Each invoice is uniquely numbered. You will automatically get a duplicate copy which is retained inside the receipt book. They are pre-bounding making filing easy. They are extremely quick to complete. Buyers of original art value handwritten documents from the artists. Cons: Handwritten receipts cannot be stored electronically unless individually scanned into a computer. To complete accounting reports you need to manually key in the sales figures.

We have briefly discussed three reasons why artists choose not to provide sales receipts, provided three reasons why they should, and then gave three alternative ways of producing a receipt. As you can see, completing paperwork is an important part of the artistic process and with some careful choices you can make this relatively pain free. This allows you to get on with more exciting things - like creating artwork!

Every spring school children across America bring home notices about the upcoming Dove Family Film festivals. For approximately six weeks, selected movies are shown for free to children 12 and under and for only $2 for adults. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see some age appropriate family movies without denting the family budget.

However the Dove Foundation, who sponsors the film festivals, does so much more than offer free movies. The Foundation is a non-profit organization established to promote and support the creation, production and distribution of wholesome family entertainment. The Foundation, which doesn’t operate under commercial pressures, awards a blue and white Dove Seal to any movie or video that is rated “family-friendly” by its film review board. The review board is made up of parents who have been trained to evaluate each film or video based upon Judeo-Christian ethics. To date they have approved over 3,000 videos and movies.

That amount of R-rated movies that have been released since 1968 is staggering. Of all films released since then, 60% have been rated-R. Parents are fervently seeking high quality, wholesome entertainment options for their families. They don’t want their children exposed to all the unnecessary sex, violence and anti-family values that runs rampant at the movie theaters and on their own entertainment centers. Now, because of the Dove Foundation, there is a reliable indicator to identify movies that are safe for family viewing. The Dove Seal makes it easy for customers to recognize titles that are safe for family viewing.

In addition to the film festivals and the review board, the Foundation also has a Children’s Hospital Dove Movie Channel. The goal of this channel is to provide Dove-approved movies to hospitalized children. Day-time television is loaded with soap-operas and talk shows which are not geared toward the younger audiences. This Hospital Movie Channel is free to hospitals and provides a welcomed break for kids who have nothing to do all day long between treatments, therapies and surgeries.

Steve Allen, comedian, author, composer and former “Tonight Show” host says it best, “There is no doubt that our entire culture is experiencing a moral breakdown. People can get more family-friendly movies on film and television by supporting the Dove Foundation.”

Don’t forget to look for the blue and white Dove Seal of approval while browsing the video stores! Also, if you’re interested in reviewing the Dove evaluations for a particular movie, visit http://www.dove.org.

Mention the word “moving” and you’ll most likely receive a barrage of negative comments and opinions: “It’s a nightmare.” “My moving company held my items hostage and ripped me off.” “My friends all avoid me when it comes time to move.” “I hate moving!”

With careful planning and a little bit of advanced research, your move does not have to be a struggle. Follow these 7 steps to a smooth move.

STEP ONE - DO YOUR HOMEWORK

NEVER choose a moving company at random from the phone book. Instead, ask your family and friends for referrals. Which local moving companies have they used recently? Were they pleased with the service? Was the pricing fair?

Once you have a list of recommended movers, check to see if they are all registered with your state’s Department of Transportation. All reputable moving companies are registered with the DOT, and will have a current certificate of registration — you may also call your DOT to verify the registration.

Check with your local chapter of the Better Business Bureau to see if any of the movers on your list have complaints against them. If they do, read through the complaints to determine if there is a consistent pattern, or if the complaint was a one-time problem.

Armed with this information, trim your list down to the top three candidates and call each moving quotes. Make sure they give you a “binding” quote that cannot be adjusted up dramatically after the move is completed. Get these quotes in writing to protect yourself, and then make your choice based on the total price as well as your comfort level with each moving company’s customer service level.

STEP TWO - PACK CAREFULLY

If you pack in a careless manner - just tossing your things into boxes and then taping them shut - you can expect to find a lot of broken items at your destination. Take the time to wrap fragile items individually, pack them tightly together to avoid shifting during travel, and use quality boxes. Those used banana boxes from the supermarket aren’t going to protect your items as well as brand new shipping boxes purchased specifically for your move. Go ahead and spend the extra hundred dollars to pick up a nice collection of moving boxes from your local warehouse superstore — your belongings will thank you.

STEP THREE - LABEL EVERYTHING

Label each box with the room the items came from as well as the name of each major item inside. When you get to your new home you will be faced with a sea of boxes, and detailed labeling will save you hours of searching. Proper labeling will also help the moving company place your items in the proper room of your new home so you have less work to do after they leave.

STEP FOUR - EVERYTHING IMPORTANT STAYS WITH YOU

Do NOT pack medications, contact lenses, jewelry, laptop computers, passports, mortgage papers, or anything else that would cause you great distress if they were lost, stolen, or damaged. Keep all of these items together in a box or two that always travels with you in your vehicle - NOT on the moving truck. Include some bottled water, snacks, cell phones, and any other items you may need within arms reach. Your move will go much smoother with some careful forethought.

STEP FIVE - TRIM DOWN, SAVE MONEY

Moving is an excellent opportunity to trim down your belongings. As you pack, set aside the items you no longer use on a daily or weekly basis, including clothes that are worn or no longer fit. Sell everything you can at a garage sale and then donate the rest to charity. Do not just pack everything and tell yourself that you’ll sort through it at the new house - you’re paying for every box moved, so why move junk? You may find that the proceeds from your garage sale will cover the entire cost of the move!

STEP SIX - ACTIVATE UTILITIES IN ADVANCE

So your belongings are stacked neatly in your new home and you’re ready for a nice meal. You go to turn on the stove, but nothing happens! You forgot to get the utilities turned on! You make some calls with your trusty cell phone, but find out that it will take a couple of days to get everything turned up.

With proper planning, this will never happen to you. Call the phone company, the electric company, the cable company, etc. TWO WEEKS prior to your move-in date and get the process started. By the time you move in, everything will be in working order and your life will be a lot less hectic.

STEP SEVEN - SUPERVISE EVERYTHING

Always be on hand during the moving process - both during loading and unloading. Never assume that your instructions will be followed. Watch and direct your moving company on both ends of the process, and always make yourself available for any questions or problems that may arise. If you’re off doing other things, you may be in for a big surprise when you get back.

Also, make sure to tip your movers for a job well done. Tip each mover individually to insure that each of them is rewarded in direct proportion to the job they have performed. You should make it well know up front that you will be tipping based on speed, careful handling of your items, and careful treatment of the walls, paint, and floors of your new home.

If your moving company did a good job, keep a few of their business cards available for your friends to begin their own moving process.

Enjoy your new home!

It has become a sort of dilemma for most weight watchers to try different types of lose weight programs only to find themselves unsuccessful at every try. This has brought others to try more drastic measures to tackle their weight issues. Many individuals each year elect to have weight loss surgery. These types of surgery have given new life to those who previously found themselves trying all the different diet fads in the market and the best weight loss supplements.

Despite the success of weight loss surgery there are disadvantages to take into consideration. It pays to make informed decisions before jumping into extraordinary weight loss measures.

The most common procedure today involves making the individual’s stomach capacity smaller. When it takes someone much faster to feel the fullness of their stomach then their food intake is drastically lessened. The result is loss of weight due to smaller food intake and the effects are quick.

The benefits can be enormous. Troubles with high blood pressure and sugar levels are reduced. Exhaustion due to high body mass is also lessened. The main benefit would be a more secure sense of well being which could result to greater opportunities for social interaction.

Despite the benefits an individual still has to take into account that because of lower food intake one has to make sure that daily nutritional intake remains balanced. Like any other surgery, sufficient time is also needed for the body to recuperate and to adjust itself to it’s new condition. Other symptoms could include nausea and vomiting.

Medical tests are required to ascertain if surgery is possible for an individual. Surgery could have serious consequences if sufficient analysis has not been performed.

Individual lifestyle is also taken into account. If a person has not reacted favorably to weight loss programs the underlying reasons has to be analyzed. The mental health of the individual also needs to be tested. Does the patient have the mental agility and strength to meet worst outcomes?

It pays to attend seminars and to talk to other people who have undergone a similar surgery. Other weight loss centers actually ask patients to be involved in a weight loss program prior to be eligible for surgery. These are meant to allow you to be more at ease with what is to come.

While surgery provides a quick fix it is best to find out if such is the best option. A lengthy and open discussion with your doctor is always the best road to take when considering weight loss surgery.

Joining a fitness center is a big decision, mainly because of the cost involved. If you are like most people, you want to get the best value for your money. A lot of fitness centers will want you to sign contracts. These contracts may be very hard to get out of, so it is important that you are happy with the fitness center that you choose. This information will give you a few tips on how to choose the best fitness center for you.

The first thing to consider is what kind of workouts you want. Do you want to swim, do aerobics, weight train or have access to classes like Karate or Pilates? Once you decide on the type of workouts that you want, the next step is to look around. Do some research. Compare the fitness centers in your area to see what is available to you. The following is a list of things to consider when choosing a fitness center.

+ Check the overall cleanliness of the fitness equipment and the exercise areas. Ask the staff what measures are taken to disinfect equipment between uses. Diseases and fungal infection can be spread very easily on poorly disinfected surfaces.

+ How far is the fitness center from your home and your workplace? If it is clear across town, what are the odds that you will go often?

+ Take a tour of the facility during the times that you are likely to use it yourself. This will give you a good idea of the crowd that will be there.

+ Most places will give you a free pass to try out the facility. Take advantage of this and talk with the other members to get their feedback.

+ Check with your employer to see if you can receive a discount to a fitness center. Occasionally, health insurance companies will provide a discount also.

+ Another important point; know exactly what is in your contract before you sign it. Read it carefully and if you do not understand something, have someone on staff explain it to you.

What are the benefits of joining a fitness center compared to just working out at home? A fitness center will give you access to many different types of exercise equipment and should have professionals on hand to help you use it. There are also a variety of exercise programs you can join for a more structured weight loss plan. A very important point is that if you are paying for something, you are more likely to use it. Joining with a friend can even be a greater motivator. It is always more fun to workout with someone else, than by yourself.

The decision to join a fitness center is totally up to you. But if you are serious about wanting to get in shape and lose weight, it can be a good decision.

Starting a craft business can be a great way to make extra income. But, to turn your hobby into a business, you need to be professional.

These five tips will help you be more professional at your first craft show.

Tip One: Be Prepared

Practice setting up your booth before you actually go to the show. Where will everything go? Keep a list of everything you use, so you know you won’t forget anything. Also, take a picture so you won’t forget the layout.

Pretend you are buying something from your booth. What do you need? Be sure you have enough pens, order forms, bags, wrapping, change, etc. Go through the process - actually write the sale and bag your item. You’d be surprised what you might miss or forget.

Be prepared for the unexpected as well. Bring extra tape, display stands, tablecloths, and any duplicate items you may need more of. Sometimes, the layout may be different that you expected, or you may need thumbtacks instead of tape. Bring extras of everything you can.

Tip Two: Promote Your Business

Even if this is your first craft show, you need to look like a professional business. At the very least, you need business cards. If you have a website, include that on your cards.

Even better would be a coupon for a discount on a future purchase. This works particularly well if you have an online store. You may pick up sales after the show.

Give people a way to be notified about your future shows. This could be as simple as a sign up sheet for notifications, or a free newsletter subscription offer. You could also have a customer drawing where you collect their information.

Tip Three: Use Professional Materials

There is a big difference in quality between “professional” crafters, and beginners. Be sure your quality is in the professional category.

That means no glue guns, use professional adhesive for whatever medium you work in. Use quality canvas, quality thread, and professional adhesives. Use stitching whenever possible, instead of glue. Finish edges and seams, cut loose threads, do everything you can to make your craft look as good as possible.

Tip Four: Plan Your Display

Have you ever been to a craft show where there are hand-lettered signs, and stuff is just piled haphazardly? To be professional, you must look professional.

If you have signs, at the very least print them out on a printer. Better yet, have some of your signs made professionally. These signs can include product information, sales policies; sign up sheets and so on.

For your actual display, use tablecloths, pop displays, and other professional looking items to organize and display your space. You can group things according to item type, or price, or some artistic display pattern. The key is to plan.

Tip Five: Practice Professional Customer Service

There is nothing worse than going to a craft fair and being ignored. When someone comes into your booth, greet him or her warmly. Let them know you are there to help them decide what they want to buy. Don’t be an artisan snob, you’re working. Make the most of every customer contact.

And, if you can manage it, take credit cards. Even if you use Paypal, you at least have that option.

There are so many different brands of anti-again creams in the market today. They all come with high promises and feature some kind of new technology. Choosing which one to invest your hard earned money in can be a difficult task indeed. You don’t want to end up buying an expensive cream after reading their very convincing advertisements only to discover it does nothing for your skin.

So, how can you make an intelligent choice when shopping for an anti wrinkle cream? Here are 4 things to consider:

1. Your Age
Your skin is different at different stages of your life. If you’re in your 20s, all your skin needs is an effective moisturizer. Collagen production decrease when you’re in your 30s. Skin rejuvenation slows down too. This is when most people start to use anti-aging products. You’ll want to choose products that help your skin’s elasticity and cell rejuvenation. Sun protection is very important. Antioxidants will help too. As you hit 40s, your skin may start to develop age spots. You’ll need a cream that can improve your skin tone. Hydration will be a problem too, so find a cream that can seal in moisture.

2. Your Skin
Different people have different skin types. Is your skin dry or oily? Make sure the cream you get is suitable for your skin type. Get the wrong kind and not only will you get negative results but you may make things worse with breakouts and rashes. Don’t forget to consider your skin’s sensitivity. You might be better off using fragrant free creams.

3. What do you want the cream to do?
Different people have different skin aging problems. Are you trying to get rid of wrinkles, fine lines, sagging skin, crows feet or blotchy skin? Most aging creams tackle only one or two specific skin aging problem. For example, cream A helps you overcome wrinkles while cream B firms up the skin.

4. What ingredients does the cream contain?
It will do you a world of good to be acquainted with ingredients that have been found to effectively fight aging. Here are a few examples:
- Hyaluronic Acid (HLA) maintains collagen levels and helps the skin stay hydrated.
- Idebenone is a good alternative to botox.
- Retinol can stimulate cell regeneration and build collagen.
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) come in many forms such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid and malic acid. They help to improve skin thickness, skin elasticity, skin tone and texture.
- Antioxidants help repair your skin and protect it from sun damage.

Some companies will offer a money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the product. Take advantage of that as it means you can try the product without fear of losing your money. It pays to be wise when shopping for an anti-aging cream. Don’t be blinded by advertisement hype.

First things first, exactly what are hormones? They are the very small chemical messengers that enable our bodies to perform various tasks. It is the body’s endocrine glands that produce them and these glands exist all over the body and their function is to secrete hormones that stimulate various bodily functions.

Human growth hormone or HGH is produced by the pituitary gland which is situated right in the center of the brain.

As the name would suggest, human growth hormone exists to promote physical growth in humans and HGH production is at its peak in the human body at the time of adolescence. HGH is made up of proteins called amino acids.

Adolescence, of course, is the time of many changes in the human body of both sexes, so it isn’t surprising that human growth hormone is present in maximum quantities in the body at this time. But don’t think that this particular hormone disappears altogether after this period. Human growth hormone continues to be produced, especially during periods of deep sleep.

Human growth hormone is responsible for affecting the growth of all of the body’s tissues and, indeed, the repair of tissues that have become damaged. They also help with bone strength, brain function, the function of the sexual and reproductive organs, the production of enzymes and other bodily functions.

Human growth hormone in modern times has become the focus for the anti-aging industry. It is certainly true that just about everything that goes on in your body is in some way affected by HGH and if you have artificially high levels of HGH in your body you will feel more energetic and youthful.

Before you rush off to find a source of human growth hormone to rejuvenate you, be aware that you will need to have very deep pockets, because the stuff isn’t cheap. In fact, a year’s supply of HGH can cost approximately $20,000.

Even if you have pockets deep enough to afford it, there’s no guarantee that you’ll be allowed any HGH injections, because it’s usually only available on prescription.

Ok, let’s say that, if only for reasons of personal vanity, you can afford and have been granted access to a supply of human growth hormone, are there any dangers or side-effects associated with its use?

Some research that has been carried out suggests that injecting human growth hormone can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome and enlarged breasts.

More research needs to be done to verify these findings and work out whether carefully controlling the amounts of HGH injected can mitigate the side-effects in any way.

Do you suffer from a pot belly? Are you constantly gassy, bloated or nauseous? Is diarrhea or constipation the norm for you? One of the keys to overall well-being is detoxifying your system. Colon cleansing can release pounds of toxic waste from your system so you look and feel lighter.

Doesn’t Our Colon Cleanse Itself?

Our colon is designed to naturally expel waste. However, increasing toxins in our environment make it impossible for our bodies to process them quickly enough. As a result, waste builds up in the lining of your intestines.

This caked on waste does not allow all the essential nutrients from the foods you eat to be absorbed by the body. Meanwhile, the toxins from this undischarged waste build up in your system and gets released into your bloodstream. The result is a pot belly, gas, bloating, water retention, constipation and diarrhea. More serious problems from ongoing toxins in your colon include immune deficiencies and certain types of cancers.

What Is Colon Cleansing?

There are several ways to get rid of the waste built up in your colon including:

1. An old-fashioned enema such as Fleet can be inserted in the rectum to flush out bowel movements and cleanse the lower third of your colon.

2. For a quick release of bowel movements, you can move your system by drinking prune juice.

3. Colon hydrotherapy is done in a medical setting and cleanses the entire colon by using tubes with water inserted in your rectum as the technician rubs your belly until you release your bowels.

4. Natural colon cleansing through OTC remedies with herbal ingredients such as cascara sagrada, aloe, garlic extract, flax seeds and bentonite clay.

What Happens After Colon Cleansing?

When you move your bowels with a natural colon cleansing remedy, unusual stuff may come out of your body. Rubbery strings, green lumps, mucus and small worms are commonly found in bowel movements made after colon cleansing. And many people lose five to ten pounds after flushing out these toxins. Although its disgusting coming out, remember it’s far more hazardous inside your body.

How Can I Keep My Colon Clean?

A well-balanced lifestyle will help your digestive system and colon working properly. Greens, vegetables, whole grains, fish, chicken and six to eight glasses of water are a colon-friendly diet. Avoid eating fried food, fatty snacks, sugar, alcohol, processed foods and red meat more than two or three times weekly. These foods are difficult to digest and remain in your system for days, decaying in your intestines.

A key to better health, fitness and well-being is keeping your colon clean.

If you want to lose weight you have likely already heard the praise being given to the latest in natural cures - Hoodia Gordonii. So, is it as good as they say? How does it work? And most importantly - will it help you lose weight?  Is it the best weight loss supplement?

STUDY SHOWED HUNGER PAINS TURNED OFF

The most frequently reported study to promote Hoodia Gordonii as a weight loss supplement was conducted with obese individuals who were given Hoodia Gordonii and left in a room with little to distract them except TV, reading and eating. This group consumed on average 1000 less calories a day than the control group given a placebo.

The active ingredient in Hoodia Gordonii appears to tell the brain that the stomach is full. No hunger pains could mean less eating, which would naturally cause a loss of weight.

AFRICAN BUSHMAN USED HOODIA TO STAVE OFF HUNGER FOR LONG TRIPS

Hoodia Gordonii is an African cactus that grows naturally only in the Kalahari desert. For thousands of years the bushman of this region have eaten Hoodia Gordonii with no apparent ill side effects, like the racing heart experience of Ephedra or other supplements.

In fact, the only known side effect seems to be an overall good feeling. However, the bushman used the Hoodia Gordonii sparingly and further studies are required to examine the possible side effects of regular doses over a long period of time.

WILL THE HOODIA GORDONII HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT?

The molecule that has been linked to the appetite suppressing abilities of Hoodia Gordonii, now called P.57, appears to affect both humans and animals. One study showed a decrease in appetite by 30-40%. There are documented personal experiences showing the immediate effects of eating Hoodia Gordonii.

It is important to note that the molecule isolated in Hoodia Gordonii does not necessarily affect the appetite when eating high carbohydrate or sugar diets or when hunger is caused by physical exercise. While P.57 can signal to the brain that the body is full, the sugar drops and physical requirement for nourishment can counteract these effects.

As with any weight loss program it is necessary to adapt diet and lifestyle to experience the most profound changes. Suppressing the appetite should not be a replacement for good nutrition and healthy living. It is also important to note that further testing of the safety and effects of Hoodia Gordonii are sure to continue and not all products that are advertised to contain Hoodia Gordonii are prepared equally. The active ingredient in many products is not enough to produce the desired effects and should be chosen wisely.

The cold air during winter could prove disastrous on your skin. Cold dry air makes the skin dry, irritated and chapped. To take care of your skin, try using a cleanser that is designed for dry or sensitive skin. But remember to use it only once a day. Use a circular motion when you massage your face. The circular motion improves the circulation of blood on your face, so that skin looks healthy. If you are using a tretinoin product, try to be careful because sunscreen and tretinoin do not mix well. You could end up getting sunburn. If your skin is sensitive, you might need to minimize the use of products such as alpha-hydroxy acids. These types of products only make dry and irritated skin much worse.

Even when it’s winter, the sun could still damage your skin. Do not forget to rub sunscreen all over yourself. Putting on makeup or a moisturizer with SPF 15 on your face during the whole winter is guaranteed to protect you from the sun. You wear sunscreen too if you decide to go skiing. Likewise if you decide to go on a cruise, wear a good deal of sunscreen the same way you would be doing during the summer season. For your lips, apply lip balm or lipstick that contains sunscreen.

Hot showers and especially long ones tend to remove natural moisturizing lipids from your skin. An alternative would be a short, warm shower. After your shower, pat your skin until it is almost dry and then you can apply moisturizer on your skin. For your hands and heels, and for areas that have dry, cracked skin, use a lotion that is super-emollient.

In choosing a moisturizer, pick on that contains the most oil. A moisturizer that has more oil usually has greater efficacy in combating loss of moisture. Moisturizers derived from ointment are the ones usually with most oil constituent. This is because ointments are composed of 80% oil and only 20% water. A water-in-oil solution acts on the skin by forming a protective layer. Thus, it is more effective in giving moisture than most creams and lotions.

If you have eczema, its dryness and itching usually get worse with dry air. Hence, in order to counter the dryness, use a humidifier. The humidifying system will bring back moisture in the air. There are expensive as well as cheap humidifiers. Depending on your budget, you can buy a humidifier at a local drug store. Two or three humidifiers strategically placed in the house should be ample help to moisturize the air.

If you experience minor bleeding and dryness in the nose, try using a moisturizer to soothe the affected area. Your dermatologist could prescribe you a mild steroid cream or other treatment if you have severe dry skin, winter itch, or eczema. This should bring your skin back in good condition.

Let your fingers do the walking… Remember that Yellow Pages Ad Campaign? Excellent advice if you’re shopping for auto insurance. Shop around and do it yearly. Don’t just keep paying the invoice over and over without comparison shopping. Below are a few suggestions to help you get cheap auto insurance.

Insurance agents really have a lot of leeway. They can price match and they can offer many discounts. There are also many decisions you can make about your policy that will save you a bundle. For example, if you change your deductible on your collision from a $50 deductible to a $1000 deductible, you’re inline for a huge premium savings. If you don’t think you could come up with $1000 out of pocket, then change it to a $500 deductible; you’ll still save a sizable amount on your annual premium payment.

You can also get more of a savings if you change your comprehensive deductible. Many people needlessly carry full coverage on their older vehicle. They originally purchased the vehicle new, paid for full coverage and to this day, continue to pay the same high rate. Their ten year old vehicle may be worth $1000 or less, yet they continue to pay $250-$450 every six months (total $500 to $900 dollars a year) to keep full coverage on their old vehicle.

However, if they have an accident and totaled their vehicle, the insurance company will only pay them the wholesale value of the vehicle. The amount they would receive could be $1000 or less. A vehicle that old just needs the insurance that protects the other person in case of an accident.

Another method to save more on your insurance is by combining your vehicles and other insurance together to get you additional savings. All insurance companies offer a multi-car discount (if yours doesn’t, it’s time to switch companies). Further, many will discount more if you have your homeowners or renters policy with them.

There are a few other discounts that you may not be taking advantage of. It seems obvious, but make sure you are getting the correct rate for your age. There are discounts for various ages than can save you lots of money. Check with your agent on this one. Also alarm systems on your vehicle are usually good for a discount. Additionally, anti-lock brakes and air bags can also help lower your premiums.

Don’t just keep paying the invoice when it comes in. Your insurance bill should be an automatic trigger for you to make a few phone calls to see if you can save even more money on your auto insurance premiums.

Every vehicle should have certain emergency assistance items on hand at all times. Should you be involved in a break down or other emergency, the items you have in your car can save your life.

Always have a spare tire and jack that are in proper working condition to allow you to get back on the road in case of a flat tire or damaged tire. Carry jumper cables in your trunk in case you accidentally run your battery down by leaving the lights on or other items in the car. These items should be in the trunk of your car at all times.

It is a good idea, if you live in areas where cold weather occurs, to always carry a blanket or two in your trunk as well in case you are stranded without being able to run the car engine for heat. If you do run a car engine for heat, be sure to allow the fumes to escape and prevent carbon monoxide poisoning which can kill a person very quickly.

Carry a basic tool kit in your trunk that includes screwdrivers, wrenches, and a socket set suitable for your vehicle, and other items. Spare fuses should be included in case a blown fuse prevents your lights from working. A tail lamp or even a headlight is not a bad addition if you are traveling extensively. If you are mechanically inclined, you might include a set of belts and hoses as well.

At all times, you should have a set of flares in your vehicle to alert other drivers if you break down in a place where you might present a hazard. This can save someone from hitting you, saving both your life and theirs.

Inside your car, preferably in the door storage area of each front seat, carry a tool capable of cutting throughout the seat restraints. Special tools are made for this purpose but a strong knife can work in a pinch. This can allow you to exit a car that has been in a collision before the fuel tank can explore or to escape the vehicle if it is underwater. Be sure the same tool can also be used to break the glass to exit the car if the windows will not go down.

Add a general first aid kit to your car and you are ready to go anywhere safely. Always use common sense if you break down or have an emergency. Use your cell phone to call for help before exiting the vehicle if possible and always stay out of traffic.

When it comes to drugs and alcohol….either one is bad enough, but not always both are involved. Alcohol is the more accepted of the two in society and can be the main cause of problems in a marriage or any relationship.

While both can have the same consequences. Most of the time you only hear about how it’s the male that has the drinking problem, however sometimes it is the female ,either way the effects it has on the families are still the same. With everyone’s situation being different the effects of alcohol or drugs take it’s toll over time with usually the same results.

One of the many ways the person involved has a huge effect on the family is the fact that they are very irresponsible, not only with the normal family functions but also with employment.
The majority of society has had some form of a alcohol or drug related experience with a person whether they be a spouse,friend,employee or even an employer.

Most families try to work things out, especially when children are involved which is not always the best route to take. The children are then exposed to the yelling and screaming and even further violent behaviour that usually comes with an alcohol and drug related incident.

Depending on which stage the relationship is at, one can be in a very irrational state of mind thus becoming unpredictable and creating unstable situations in the family environment.
Even with repeated arguments there can still remain love for one another. Once the love is lost from either of the spouses there is a slim chance of ever retaining the love that was once there.

From then on the relationship has the possibility of becoming very unstable. The drinker can stay in denial which is the common term for people with drug and alcohol addictions.
Again everyone’s situation can differ, some still stay together while others separate which is not always easy but usually the better choice.

If a person with the problem decides to seek help through various services offered for drug and alcohol addictions, AA or NA, that is not always the cure for the relationship or the addiction. It might be a step in the right direction but a long road to recover especially if other family members have had the same problem throughout their lives, which is usually the way they have been brought up.

One of the problems with a person that has the drinking problem is the fact that only the person with the problem can help themself. There is nothing anyone can do until the person is willing to help themselves. When they are trying to get clean they are always vulnerable around others that drink and do drugs. Sometimes they fall back into the normal pattern they are so familiar with.

At that point deciding to separate or divorce may be best for all involved. It may be a good thing in the long run. The children can grow in a better environment and can see the difference between the one parent that is clean while the other continues to struggle through their everyday life. Hopefully when the children get older and have grown to see what happens with addictions it will have a strong influence when they become of age and begin to explore in the social world.

Once the children enter their teen years they are more likely to understand that drug and alcohol addictions are diseases not just bad behaviors. Children with parents who have drug and alcohol addictions are at a much higher risk of falling into the same lifestyle.

Drug rehab support groups such as Al-Anon and Alateen are available for them to help understand the disease. Most schools even have a D.A.R.E program (Drug And Alcohol Resistance Education) which can also offer guidance if the cycle is ever to be broken.

As with any disease, drug and alcohol addictions will worsen if left untreated and the children sometimes might feel that they are betraying the parent if they seek any kind of support group.
They must realize that it is still possible to love their parents equally and not feel disloyal when seeking help.
Love and support are very important but they must also think of their own well being.

The most prevalent question for most patients with skin problems is how to get rid of the painful sores, bumps, whiteheads and blackheads for good?

How to get rid of acne is a common question. There are many cures both natural and commercial. Check out www.muradreview.com for a product comparison. The treatment you choose will depend on the severity of your condition. Treatments can get a little expensive so it is best to start with an over the counter medication to begin with. You can use one that contains benzyl peroxide and apply one to two times per day to the troubling areas. It is advisable to start with a low potency and work your way up. Medicines containing these ingredients are the ones of choice for most dermatologists.

You can improve your condition by taking a few simple precautions. Firstly it is important to take care not to touch the pimples if possible. Especially do not pick at them rub or press them. This aggravates the condition and spreads the bacteria. You can also risk permanent scarring if you do this. Try not to touch your face. The fewer germs that are in contact with your face the better. Our hands have a surprising amount of germs even if we keep them clean.

Spot treating is not the way to get rid of acne. You need to prevent it before it attacks. So rub it on your entire face, avoiding sensitive areas like the lips and eyes and do not forget to include your back and chest. To avoid drying your skin and causing more problems do not use too many harsh soaps and scrubs they may clean your face but they also irritate your sensitive facial skin.

Just wash your face once or twice a day doing this in the morning and evening is fine. Use a mild soap that will not irritate your skin. Harsh abrasives can damage your face and aggravate the situation, as can oily substances like moisturizers. Be careful of make up and try not to use heavy foundation. Use a water-based makeup and avoid getting a facial.

When trying to get rid of acne you do not really have to watch what you eat unless you notice a certain food produces breakouts, although doctors do suspect iodine as a possible cause for this problem. Iodine is found in seafood so you might want to exercise a little caution here.

Drinking more water and less soda pop will help your complexion. Water cleanses your whole system naturally and will get rid of toxins in your body. It also helps to keep your skin well hydrated cutting down on dead skin accumulations and blemishes. Well-hydrated skin remains healthier and you should be able to reduce many of these unsightly blemishes.

If you follow these points you will reduce your symptoms and possible prevent severe outbreaks but you may have difficulty in completely eradicating it. However with careful maintenance it is possible to prevent lasting scars from forming and definitely improve your condition.

As more and more people are becoming health conscious, diet programs are becoming more popular as well. Diet programs are popular because they work–but not all programs work for everyone.

There are a number of ways to discover which diet program is right for you. You can research on the Internet by simply doing a search on the program you are considering, for example, Jenny Craig review. Read the information about how the program works, the costs involved, the support offered, and any other information that is important in your decision-making process. Some sites will offer a quiz in which you answer pertinent questions about lifestyle, habits, the way you eat, the amount of stress in your life, family members, and other questions deemed necessary by the quiz producer to help sort out which diet program is best suited to your specific needs.

Most information points to the fact that the best diet programs are flexible and sustainable, and that a successful plan must be adaptable to the individual. It should take into consideration not only the weight you want to lose, but also your personality type, level of activity, do you live or work in a stressful situation. others living your household, and any special situations or conditions that are likely to affect your attempt to lose weight.

When choosing a diet program, remember that you will be eating this way for the rest of your life if you want to maintain your new healthier weight. It will probably mean a conscious effort to change habits, since the old habits got you where you’re at and you don’t want to go there again. The two biggest reasons people give up their diet programs are impatience and unrealistic expectations regarding the time, effort and results of a safe and lasting weight loss process.

Health, fitness and diet programs are a great way to learn efficient ways to get healthy and in shape. To help dieters do this, many professional weight-control programs offer special dietary and exercise plans, as well as psychological support. Most diet programs are designed for people with no specific health problems, but all recommend checking with a doctor before starting their diet program.

Weight Watchers, Atkins, South Beach, LA Weight Loss, and NutriSystem are only a few of the many well-known diet programs available and there are hundreds of lesser known diet programs that are worthy of consideration.

Before you begin any effort at weight loss, you will want to do some research into what the various plans offer and look at the costs involved. Programs with meals prepared and delivered are the most costly and convenient, but you also want to consider whether there is continuing support to maintain your weight loss once you have reached your goal. Plans that involve you in the preparation of the foods you eat are without doubt the best way to go because they are more likely to be sustainable. The downside is that much more time is involved and more knowledge of what is and what is not healthy is also necessary. There are many diet programs that offer a middle-of-road program.

Don’t be too hasty in your decision. Choose a diet program wisely after you have educated yourself a bit and you will be able to reach your weight loss goal.

It seems that, everywhere you look, everyone is trying to lose weight. If you are in a network marketing company that has a weight loss product line, you have a huge, hot, and hungry market that you can sell to.

One of the easiest marketing strategies that you can implement is starting a diet club in your town. Here are tips to get your diet club started off right.

1. Host a diet club in your home. If you cannot do it, one of your friends, family members, or colleagues may be willing to be the host, especially when you offer them free samples of your network marketing’s company’s weight loss product.

2. The host will need to invite six or more people to your diet club. The invitations can look something like this:

“Your Dieting Days are Over!”

The problem with diets is that, whenever you go on a diet, eventually you have to get off the diet. What usually happens? The weight returns.

*Drink a shake. Lose weight! Eat a cookie. Lose weight! Try these and other fun and easy ways to lose weight!

*Never be hungry! (that’s better than willpower!)

*Enjoy great tasting cookies between meals!

*Lose weight and keep it off!

Come to our diet club kick off! Meet new friends, bring your favorite dish and recipe, and lose weight while snacking with us!

Fun! Healthy! Plus it all tastes so good!

3. Purchase a scale so that you will have one for the official “weigh-in”.

4. Plan to have your diet club meet on the same day and time every week. Every member will need to weigh in each week. The member who loses the most weight will get to keep the special “Weight Loss Trophy” for the week. You will need to remind them to bring it back for the next group meeting’s winner. When you do it like this, you will only need to purchase one trophy.

5. The member that loses the least amount of weight or gains the most gets a booby prize. This can be anything, such as an embarrassing poster they have to put on their refrigerator for the week. Get creative! Whoever gets the booby prize will need to bring it back to the next meeting so that the new winner can receive it.

6. After the weigh-in, trophy, and booby prize awards, give your diet club members a tip or two about proper eating and dieting. Share with them how your weight loss product can help them meet their goals.

7. Lastly, socialize! Share recipes, give out cookies, shakes, or whatever weight loss product your network marketing company promotes. Dig into the delicious dishes that members bring. Overall, just enjoy the fellowship and then repeat next week!

That’s it! This is all it takes to start your own diet club in your hometown. Your members will appreciate your efforts, and it’s highly likely you will get lots of orders for your weight loss products! So, get going with your first diet club today!

Choosing a good vitamin supplement can be a frustrating ordeal. There are 1000’s of supplements to choose from - some are good, but many are total rip-offs.

Many vitamin companies depend on the average consumer not being very well informed and they’ll take billions of dollars from them this year.

In this article, you’ll learn vital facts 90% of vitamin buyers do not know. Plus - 5 sure-fire ways you can use to judge every new vitamin supplement that comes along. Once you’re armed with the information revealed here, you’ll be “bullet-proof” against vitamin supplement hype.  So, before you buy any old one a day vitamin, consider these tips.

HOW DOES THE SUPPLEMENT DISSOLVE IN THE STOMACH?

Not too long ago a TV news program showed a couple vitamin supplements found in hospital bed-pans. They were completely whole. You could even see the brand name on one of them. It was one of the most popular drug store vitamin supplements sold in America today. The hospital staff finds these often and call them “bed-pan bullets”.

There are basically 3 types of supplement delivery systems. Liquid, tablets, and capsules.

Liquid, of course, is ready to go but there’s not currently many choices. Liquid supplements are a bit inconvenient and taste like cough syrup. But, they’re perfect for those having trouble swallowing pills - and for youngsters.

Tablets are the most common vitamin supplement. They are formed by mixing in an organic or inorganic cement and compressing into shape. To dissolve properly, an organic cement should be used - but it’s more costly for the company. Also, there are coated tablets, as mentioned above, that look like little candy-coated M&M’s. These are quite common with the one or two per day cheap drug store vitamins.

Capsules are loosely packed gelatin containers that dissolve quickly. My first choice. Because they’re not compressed like tablets, you will usually have to take two of these to equal one tablet.

HOW WELL ARE THE VITAMINS AND MINERALS ABSORBED?

Fact is - studies have shown individual vitamin isolates in supplements are about 10% absorbed. Compare this to vitamins directly from a fresh plant source which are 77% to 93% absorbed. Minerals in a supplement are even worse - 1% to 5%. But, from a plant source like raw broccoli, the minerals are 63% to 78% absorbable.

The reason for this difference is, in nature, each vitamin and mineral molecule is attached to a protein molecule.

Dr. Gunter Blobel, in 1999, received a Nobel Prize for proving this attached protein molecule acted as a “chaperone”. It’s the chaperone that tells the body the vitamin or mineral is food, not just another chemical. He discovered this was the KEY to getting the vitamin or mineral into the blood-stream - and, most importantly, into the cells.

Vitamins in supplements are the very basic isolated form of each vitamin - completely stripped of any proteins. Like a Christmas tree with all the limbs cut off.

That’s why vitamin supplements MUST be taken with meals - unless stated otherwise on the label.

In the digestion process, only about 10% of the vitamin and mineral molecules, with the aid of enzymes, will attach to protein molecules in your food. This allows them to be absorbed and used by the cells. Without these protein chaperones, the body sees the vitamin isolates as foreign chemicals. The body actually will absorb some of these too, but they’re quickly filtered out through the kidneys.

Have you noticed a bright yellow urine soon after taking a vitamin supplement? Excess riboflavin causes the yellow color and it shows the body is getting rid of what it feels are foreign chemicals.

HERE ARE 5 TIPS FOR CHOOSING A SUPPLEMENT THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU!

1. Does the supplement provide sufficient quantities of each vitamin? For example - 50mg. to 100mg. of the B vitamins, 500mg. of vitamin C, 1000mg. of calcium. Remember, 100mg. of a B vitamin is needed to provide your body with about 10mg. of actual, useable nutrition. This is usually plenty. Use the 10% rule to know exactly what you’re getting. The one or two per day supplements only start with about 3mg. or less of the B vitamins. 10% of this amount is like taking nothing at all.

2. Look for the USP (United States Pharmacopoeia) or BP (British Pharmacopoeia) designation on the label. This means that the vitamin isolates are the highest quality you can buy, and are the most easily dissolved in the digestion process. Each vitamin that is USP or BP will have those initials next to that vitamin.

3. Look for “chelate” or “chelated” in relation to the minerals. This means the minerals are attached to protein before they are added to the supplement. This increases absorption both in the bloodstream and cells by an amazing 400% to 800%.

4. Look for enzymes in the formulation. These are, among other things, essential for attaching protein molecules to the vitamins in digestion. Cooking food destroys these enzymes.

5. Look for a supplement that has a “food base”. A food base is concentrated plant material to which the vitamins and minerals are added. These will contain the enzymes and nutrients to greatly boost the absorption and utilization of the vitamins and minerals. This makes a GREAT supplement package. But it does make them more bulky. Expect larger tablets, and more quantity needed per day.

All in all, keep in mind that nutritional supplements are not food and do not take the place of real food. They only provide an additional boost to our current food choices.

Most importantly, listen to your body! What’s right for others may not be right for you. You definitely should FEEL a measurable difference in your health and energy within a few days with the right supplement. If you don’t, try a different vitamin supplement.

It is a known fact that vitamins are essential to good health. In a perfect world we would obtain all needed vitamins directly from the food we eat on a daily basis. However, because this is not reality for many individuals, there are some convincing reasons to consider taking vitamin supplements.

Vitamins can help us overcome our lifestyle problems. On the whole, we are not very responsible when it comes to healthy habits. Many people play with their lives by smoking an endless number of cigarettes, drinking alcohol to excess and live in suffocated air-conditioned homes without ever considering the harm that they unknowingly invite into their lives. By taking vitamin C every day, some of these negative effects may be counteracted.

Women in particular have special vitamin needs related to both osteoporosis and pregnancy issues. Although men can also have osteoporosis, it tends to attack women more and cause them greater suffering. By supplementing with calcium on a daily basis, much of the risk for osteoporosis can be offset. For women who are pregnant or considering having children, begin taking the best prenatal vitamins. These will contain folic acid which is an essential supplement. This B vitamin can prevent birth defects such as Spina Bifida in newborn babies.

Men have issues as well that can be fought through proper vitamin intake. Cardiovascular problems are thought to be reduced by taking vitamin E supplements. They are believed to play an important role in keeping the blood pressure and cholesterol levels low in most males aged forty and over. Keeping the arteries clean is an important factor in preventing heart attacks and vitamin E has been shown in research studies to accomplish this task.

Dieters have special supplementation needs of their own. Many young girls diet on a regular basis and consume far to few calories to accommodate their vitamin needs. While the wisdom of going on particular weight loss diets is a topic for another discussion, anyone on such a diet should look to vitamin supplements to avoid malnutrition and other maladies. Inadequate nutrition and vitamin supplementation can cause a person to be vulnerable to various ailments and a weakened immune system

Another great reason to consider vitamin supplementation is the potential cancer prevention some vitamins are believed to provide. Research has suggested that vitamin E and vitamin A prevents skin cancer. Many studies in recent years have found that other types of cancers can be similarly prevented by taking certain vitamins.

While there is never a fail proof plan when it comes to vitamin supplementation, the evidence does suggest that risk may be reduced and conditions may be improved through vitamin supplementation. Due to all of the possible benefits, supplementation is definitely worth considering.

Cleansing diets have become very popular in the last few years. Cleansing diets are also known as detoxification diets. They are considered detox diets because they are reported to remove toxins or poisons from the body that have purportedly built up due to years of eating an unhealthy diet or because of being exposed to pollution and other toxic chemicals in everyday life.

One very popular result of cleansing diets is that they help people lose weight very fast. This is most likely due to a combination of factors. One of the main things that happens during a cleansing diet is that quite often you get a release of waste from your colon. This waste may have been impacted or lodged there for some time. This release of waste will cause a loss of weight when you weigh yourself which is why colon cleansing weight loss programs are popular.

However, another more common factor that causes weight loss during a cleansing diet is that the person doing the cleanse is changing their diet to one that contains more fresh fruits and vegetables. When raw fruits and vegetables are the bulk of a person’s diet rapid weight loss often occurs. Fruits and vegetables are full of fiber and many fruits and vegetables are low calorie with a high water content. This helps the person doing the cleanse to feel full, eat less, and feel satisfied.

Besides fast weight loss, some other great results that have been reported after doing a cleansing diet are:

Overall health improvement — less achiness in joints and bones, better and more restful sleep at night, and more clear thinking (not foggy or clouded).

Mild depression can dissipate — for many cleansing diet has been found to restore a zest for living.

Younger looking body, skin and face — a nice side effect of many people enjoy after a cleansing diet is that their skin has a new refreshing glow. Their appearance may appear more rested rather than previously haggard and drawn.

A cleansing diet can be a great way to rejuvenate your body and have more energy. It gives your body a clean slate on which to build a more healthy way of life. Even if you’re not ready to commit to a cleansing diet, simply adding more raw fruits and vegetables to your daily diet will flood your body with pure nutrition. Your body loves to get “real food” to eat each day. So give it a whole fresh food treat often!

As always, if you’re not in good health or you have a serious medical problem, be sure to check with your doctor before beginning a cleansing diet.