How to Save on Gifts and Make Christmas Affordable

How to Save on Gifts and Make Christmas Affordable

There's a reason why churches frequently arrange to have me present the No Debt No Sweat! Christian Money Management Seminar in the late fall. It's to encourage their people not to go crazy with the credit cards at Christmas.

The most miserable walk in the world is the one many of use make in late January carrying the mail back to the house from the mailbox looking at all those bills. What makes it even worse: A lot of those gifts were for people we only halfway know, and who have either already returned the gifts we bought, or have given them to someone else! But there you are stuck having to make payments for the next year! Bad plan!

Many people spend more on gift buying than they can afford. There are probably several reasons for this: First, some folks, who don't have written monthly budgets, simply don't realize how much they're spending for gifts. Second, there are lots of people who would rather spend themselves into the poor house than to let their "friends" know they have financial limits. Third, there are a lot of people who really don't know how to give gifts without spending money.

It's this third group that I want to direct some ideas to in this section. First, understand that we give gifts to people whom we love-and, who love us back. By definition, these people care more about the giver than the gift. They don't care what you spend. They care about you. For people like this, it really is the thought that counts.

Maybe you'll find some good ideas below:

o Give gifts that you make yourself. If you have a garden why not give fruits, vegetables, or flowers? If you cook or bake -- why not give something from your kitchen? Personalize your homemade wonders by dressing them up with pretty ribbons and bows. Make a homemade label and hang it from a string. Attach a poem. Give "designer jars" of cinnamon sugar mix, pasta samplers, or homemade candies. Make it special.

o Give your time. Even if you don't make a product or craft, time is one thing you can give to others. The most valuable commodity any of us have is our time. Each one of us has 86,400 seconds in our day. The question is, "Who will we share our time with?" One of the best gifts we can give is a gift that represents our time. Why not give a certificate to a young family that can be redeemed for an evening of babysitting?

o Save money on gift-wrapping. One of the costliest parts of giving a gift can be the wrapping. Why not use the Sunday newspaper comic pages? It's a colorful, fun, whimsical way to wrap a present.

o Give personal gifts to family members. In our family, it's not unusual to get a certificate entitling the recipient to a 30-minute back massage. You could give "chore certificates" where the giver promises to wash dishes, make beds, mow grass, etc., for the recipient.

o Give "talent" gifts. My son Joshua is a fabulous artist. In the past, he has given his drawings as gifts. If you write poetry, why not a special verse for a friend? If you sing -- why not present a special song for the guest of honor at the birthday party?

o Romantic gifts for husbands and wives. The great thing about being married is that you can give your lover special gifts that are both personal and romantic. Why not candle light, beautiful music, and a review of your wedding album -- just before bed? Have you ever surprised your spouse (isn't that a wretched sounding word for someone you love?) with breakfast in bed? If eating out is too costly -- why not a late night cup of coffee in a quiet restaurant? You get the point. Be imaginative.

A Serious Plan For Holiday Savings

Now, I'm going to suggest something that not many of you will be willing to do. But, for that minority of you who try this -- the savings may surprise you.

Why not celebrate holidays like Christmas and Valentine's Day a few days late? Think about it. When do the really incredible Christmas sales usually begin? December 26, right? So, why not agree to have your family Christmas celebration on New Year's Day? That way you could do your shopping and decorating starting the day after Christmas. The Christmas tree lot would probably give you a tree just to avoid having to throw it away. The decorations will be reduced. And gifts in the stores will be on sale. What a deal!!! Of course, if you can't bear the thought of not celebrating Christmas on December 25th, you might consider giving gift certificates that can be redeemed on merchandise after it's on sale.

Now, if all of that seems a little too extreme for your taste, maybe you wouldn't mind to celebrate a holiday like Valentines Day a day or two late. (Have you ever noticed how much a heart-shaped box of chocolates goes down in price right after Cupid leaves town?)

Here's An Old Trick

Always buy a year ahead. Buy seasonal merchandise like gift wrapping, decorations, and ornaments immediately after a holiday is over. Frequently stores offer huge discounts simply to avoid having to warehouse their stock for another year.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Diggs

Fish Oil: The Essential Body Supplement

Fish Oil: The Essential Body Supplement

Benefits of Fish Oil

Fatty fish like salmon, tuna and mackerel have fats that can produce fish oil. Fish contains Omega-3 fatty acids which are recommended by health-care professionals to be included in a individual's diet. Omega-3 acids are mainly docosahexaenoic acid or DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA. Omega- fatty acids are essential in cell building. It is important to get them from our diet since the body cannot produce this kind of acid. Research showed that Omega- 3 plays a significant role in brain and fetal development during pregnancy and infancy. Fish oil are believed and proven to provide numerous health benefits. Aside from this, there are also a lot of advantages by taking oil supplements.

Fish oil can:

• Improve brain development and memory. There are studies showing that DHA actually plays a major role in brain functions. Low levels of DHA can increase the risk of having Alzheimer's disease. Intake of fish oil during pregnancy is also recommended. According to a research conducted by the University of Western Australia showed that pregnant women who ingest fish oil supplement actually give birth to babies with better hand and eye coordination, better in speech and better cognitive development at the age of two and a half.

Aside from Alzheimer's disease, fish can also help in reducing the risk of other mental illnesses like depression, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among children, dyspraxia, bipolar disorder and dyslexia.

• Reduce the risk of hear attack. Even if the DHA and EPA are fatty acids, they can reduce cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure. It helps in preventing blood clots in the heart. So aside from heart attacks,It is also important in reducing risks of coronary heart disease.

• Reduce the risk of cancer. Researches have shown that fish oil can help in reducing risks of developing breast, prostate and colon cancer. They stop the growth of cancerous cells and inhibit its growth. For postmenopausal women, those who consume more Omega-3 fatty acids from salmon and mackerel or fish oil supplements are less likely to develop breast cancer.

• Reduce the effects or helping patients deal with lupus, arthritis, colitis and asthma. Its natural anti-inflammatory capabilities can reduce pain brought by inflammatory arthritis and gastritis.

• Help a lot during pregnancy. Not only does Omega-3 fatty acids and helps in he fetal brain development, it can also reduce the risk of giving early or premature birth, post-partum depression for mothers, allergic reactions among babies an low- birth weight. Not only does it helps in pregnancy, there are preliminary researches showing fish oil to aid in getting pregnant or fertility.

• Help improve the body overall. Fish oil can help in producing serotonin, the happy hormones. Happiness can help a lot of people deal with stress and other emotional issues which can totally improve a person's emotional and mental disposition. They can also revitalize and rejuvenate skin, reduce wrinkles, weight loss and improve eyesight. It is even said that fish oil can reduce acne and make your hair a lot better.The oil is very important in building a better you. But doctors and experts suggest in taking pharmaceutical grade oil supplements. The problem with eating too much fish can actually lead to mercury contamination.So, ask yourself, are you getting enough oil in your body? If not, then it is time to start making sure that you do that.

Fish oil can:

• Improve brain development and memory. There are studies showing that DHA actually plays a major role in brain functions. Low levels of DHA can increase the risk of having Alzheimer's disease. Intake f fish oil during pregnancy is also recommended. According to a research conducted by the University of Western Australia showed that pregnant women who ingest fish oil supplement actually give birth to babies with better hand and eye coordination, better in speech and better cognitive development at the age of two and a half.

Aside from Alzheimer's disease, fish oil can also help in reducing the risk of other mental illnesses like depression, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among children, dyspraxia, bipolar disorder and dyslexia. There are studies showing that the lack polyunsaturated fatty acids can contribute to this disorder. This can also be the reason behind dyslexia. There were studies conducted among children, they were given fish oil supplements for the period of three months. These children showed significant improvements in behaviour, reading and spelling. They were also able to focus and concentrate more.

There were studies that showed that Omega-3 fatty acids had the same effects as Prozac which is a known anti-depressant. Studies showed that countries with high fish consumption have lower rates of depression. Aside from that, pregnant women and those who have just given birth who include fish in their diet regularly have lower risk of experiencing postpartum depression.

If you have decided to take the supplements to address these mental problems for yourself or for your kids or relatives, then it would be best to consult a doctor first. You would have to know how much you are going to take. Just like any vitamins or anything, when taken in excess it can have bad effects.Too much of the supplement can also cause some serious problems like oxidative stress. Some doctors would recommend taking Vitamin C along with the fish oil supplement. This would actually balance the nutrients that you are getting.Fish oil has amazing effects on our health and body, we just have to remember to keep it balanced with a healthy diet and healthy lifestyle. One of the reasons why people take these supplements is due to the various health benefits that they offer.It has long been known to contain essential fatty acids that are known to be very beneficial in maintaining one's good health. Here are some of those benefits.

Heart Disease One of the more common benefits that fish oil is known to offer people involves heart health. Various studies through the years have shown that the long chain omega 3 fatty acids contained in fish oil may help reduce the risk of heart diseases in humans. These essential fatty acids may also help lower LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream ad therefore help reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke. Not only that, omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oil are also known to increase the levels of HDL, or good, cholesterol.

Prevent Inflammation One of the more beneficial properties of omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oil is their anti-inflammatory effects on the body.It can be also used to prevent or reduce the inflammation of the tissues. Regular consumption of fish oil has been known to help those people who are suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases.It has also been known to be effective in treating certain gastrointestinal disorders as well as ulcerative colitis and inflammatory bowel disease.Arthritis Treatment Due to its good anti-inflammatory properties, fish oil is a good supplement that can help ease the pain brought about by arthritis and rheumatic.it's supplements can help reduce the use of NSAID's or Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs for treating such conditions. In osteoarthritis, fish oils prove helpful in trying to reduce the functions of certain enzymes that may destroy or damage cartilage tissues in the body.

Weight Loss Fish oil also proves beneficial for those people who are trying to lose weight. It sees that taking oil supplements may help a lot during the weight loss process. It has been known to improve the efficiency of exercise in trying to lose weight. Studies have shown that people who were given fish oil as part of their diet seem to lose weight more when exercising than those people under the same program but were not given fish oil in their diet.

Eye Disorders Another benefit that many experts have extolled on fish oil involves the treatment of certain eye disorders. Consuming it on a regular basis seems to help people avoid the effects of age related macular degeneration. More studies are being undertaken in order to prove further just how effective fish oil can be in trying to help people maintain good eye health.Skin Health Another known benefit associated with fish oil consumption is skin health.It is also known to contain nutrients that can help change dry and poorly maintained skin look shiny and glowing.It has also been known to be effective in treating other skin conditions such as eczema, skin lesions and rashes.It can be applied topically on the skin to help relieve the effects of psoriasis. Regular intake can also help retain moisture in the skin.

Your Ultimate Defense Against Silent Inflammation:

Silent inflammation has been linked to heart disease, cancer and dementia. It is a condition that occurs when the body's natural immune response goes awry. Silent inflammation is an inflammation without pain and it can continue undetected for years, continually assaulting your heart, arteries and even the brain - without you noticing it.According to Dr. Barry Sears, author of bestselling books "The Zone," high carbohydrate diet is the culprit to this kind of health situation. In his boos "The Anti-inflammation Zone," he had proposed taking supplements of high dose, ultra-refined fish oil as the best armor against inflammation.

The Japanese manage to maintain a state of wellness and away from silent inflammation by consuming copious amounts of fish. However, according to a research, the massive amounts of fish does not ensure them enough intake of omega-3 fatty acids or fish oil. Fish oil is ultimately the healthiest fat around because it has profiund anti-inflammatory properties. It has no long-term side effects and can even make you smarter.

The reason why high-dose fish oil is so effective is because it reduces arachodonic acid (AA) which is the building block of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids. By taking it within 30 days,it will increase your levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Fish oil is the only dietary supplement that is supported by robust clinical studes by treating chronic conditions like heart disease, cancer, immunological and inflammatory diseases, and neurological conditions like attention deficit disorder, depression, multiple sclerosis, and different types of dementia.However, taking oil fish as defenses to silent inflammation has a drawback, it might lead you to contamination. So in taking fish oil as dietary supplement, Dr. Barry Sears cautioned to ensure that its ultra-refined and use the SIP as guidance for exact dosage. On a scale of 1 to 10 for supplements, Dr. Sears give high-dose fish oil a 12. The EPA found in fish oil partially inhibits the activity of the delta-5 desaturase enzyme that makes AA.

This represents the primary anti-inflammatory effect of fish oil, he adds. To achieve a significant impact on AA production, a person must provide a lot of EPA. A high-dose fish oil, especially rich in EPA will likely lead you to success in reducing silent inflammation as reflected in the reduction of the AA/EPA ratio. The ratio can be measured by SIP.

The public and the mainstream medicine are starting to accept the importance of insulin control to well-being. Now is the perfect time to bring to public's attention the role of eicosanoids and the way high-dose it can manipulate them. Dr. Barry Sears that the role of fish oil in medical practice because it tells us that medical care is based primarily on the food we eat, not the drugs we take.Recent genetic research is forcing scientists to evaluate the value of fish oil in the evolution of modern humANS. It was genetic scientists who initiated the theory that consumption of high-dose fish oil was the reason why humans have the power to conquer the earth. A proper combination of insulin and high-dose pharmaceutical-grade of the oil may be the true miracle cure for the 21st century.It is so effective that having this dietary supplement is like having a miracle drug that has the perfect balance between eicosanoids with totally zero side effects.

• Reduce the risk of hear attack. Even if the DHA and EPA are fatty acids, they can reduce cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure. It helps in preventing blood clots in the heart. So aside from heart attacks, fish oil is also important in reducing risks of coronary heart disease.

• Reduce the risk of cancer. Researches have shown that can it will help in reducing risks of developing breast, prostate and colon cancer. They stop the growth of cancerous cells and inhibit its growth. For postmenopausal women, those who consume more Omega-3 fatty acids from salmon and mackerel or fish oil supplements are less likely to develop breast cancer.

• Reduce the effects or helping patients deal with lupus, arthritis, colitis and asthma. Its natural anti-inflammatory capabilities can reduce pain brought by inflammatory arthritis and gastritis.

• Help a lot during pregnancy. Not only does Omega-3 fatty acids and It helps in the fetal brain development, it can also reduce the risk of giving early or premature birth, post-partum depression for mothers, allergic reactions among babies an low- birth weight. Not only does it helps in pregnancy, there are preliminary researches showing fish oil to aid in getting pregnant or fertility.

• Help improve the body overall. The oil can help in producing serotonin, the happy hormones. Happiness can help a lot of people deal with stress and other emotional issues which can totally improve a person's emotional and mental disposition. They can also revitalize and rejuvenate skin, reduce wrinkles, weight loss and improve eyesight. It is even said that fish oil can reduce acne and make your hair a lot better.Fish is very important in building a better you. But doctors and experts suggest in taking pharmaceutical grade of oil supplements. The problem with eating too much fish can actually lead to mercury contamination.So, ask yourself, are you getting enough fish oil in your body? If not, then it is time to start making sure that you do.

Fish Oil Effects That You Can Avoid: There has been a lot of buzz about fish oil and its benefits. Researches and studies have proved the numerous health benefits that fish oil can give. But every coin has two sides. So, is it possible for something beneficial like fish oil, to have bad effects, as well? Yes, it is possible.

If you have fish oil capsules or liquid at home, then you would have to make sure that it would not be exposed to heat, light and oxygen. When exposed for too long,it would get oxidized and would get bad. Once the oil gets bad, it would lose its nutritional value. Aside from that, bad fish oil and fatty acids are said to contribute to the development of cancer and other diseases.Minor side effects of fish oil would include a fishy aftertaste, diarrhea, and fishy burps. Some would report nose bleeding as a side effect of fish oil intake. Aside from this, you would have to be conscious with vitamin A, E and D. Accumulated or large doses of these vitamins can eventually lead to poisoning.There are also serious side effects of fish oil. If these side effects happen to you, it is best to consult a health care professional. You would have to stop taking fish oil supplements or it could mean other serious ailments.

Fish is said to increase the risk of bleeding, especially gastrointestinal bleeding. So if you would notice red blood on your stool and vomiting blood, the consult a health care professional immediately. Serious effects could also include hemorrhagic stroke or bleeding in the brain. Common symptoms would include vision and speech changes, numbness or loss of strength in the limbs and frequent and painful headaches.If you have diabetes, then it would also be better to check with your doctor if taking fish oil supplements is safe. Taking fish oil supplements can sometimes result to hyperglycemia or high blood sugar. Be watchful or conscious of allergic reactions. Symptoms that you are allergic with oil supplements which includes rashes, itching, swelling, wheezing and difficulty in breathing or swallowing.

To avoid the minor side effects, you can take the oil supplement along with your meal. This would get rid of the aftertaste and make it easier to digest. It is less likely for you to experience abdominal or stomach pain. There are few who keep their supplements refrigerated. It is said that keeping them frozen or cold would help lessen gastrointestinal problems or side-effects.

Too much is always not good. The problem is we do not how much is too much. There is maximum amount that an individual should take. But there is a recommended amount, for male it is 1600 mg while women are recommended to have 1100 mg.As mentioned, we should be cautious with Vitamin A,E, and D overdose. How do we deal with this?Read the labels. Know what kind of supplement you are taking. You have to know if the oil supplements you are taking exceed the recommended level. To avoid an overdose of Vitamin A and D, avoid using fish oil that includes the internal organs like liver.

Fish oil is something that can very essential in improving our physical and mental health as long as it is taken in recommended doses and amounts. Let us remember that fish oil is not a magic pill that would immediately remove us of any ailments and pains. It's effects can be gradually noticed over time.

How Fish Oil Can Benefit Your Health:

Oil are extracted fats from fish, a concentrated solution of omega-3 EFAs. It is the best source of omega-3 EFAs. You could add more omega-3 EFAs to your diet in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). The richest plant sources of ALA are the leaves and seeds of the perilla plants common in North America, Japan, Korea, China and Vietnam.

Green plants and algae also contain ALA as well as linseed oil. However, fats or oil from fish is considered the most important dietary source of omega-3 EFAs because it has concentrated amounts of the ALA derivatives EPA and DHA. These two nutrients are found almost exclusively in seafood.

Eating fish on a regular basis has its own risk as you are can never be sure if the fish you are eating has no toxins on it such as mercury and PCBs. During the manufacture of fish oils, toxins are eliminated. The supplements are meticulously purified to remove heavy metals such as mercury, lead, PCBs and other toxins as well as to reduce the incidence of rancidity and improve the taste and quality of the fish.These makes fish as safe and effective food supplement. A 1-gram fish oil capsule contains about 180 mg of EPA and 120 mg of DHA. An intake of three 1-gram capsules would provide 0.9 gram (900 mg) of EPA and DHA. This means it comply the daily dosage recommended by the American Heart Association. However, you should always bear in mind that fish oil supplements are basically dietary supplements, not drugs.Studies shows that many people are getting too much of the wrong kinds of fats found in animals (saturated fats) and vegetables (polyunsaturated fats), and need the fish oil to "balance" the family of fat nutrients. Intake of the wrong kinds of fats should be lowered to total 20 to 30 percent of daily calorie serving while fats found in the oils of certain fish should be appreciably increased.

Fish oil prevents and/or alleviates heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis and migraine, headaches, may be protective against cancer, immune deficiency diseases, kidney disease and others.It also have two special nutrients that protect the heart and arteries, reduce pain, inflammation and swelling, and protect cell membranes. Omega-3 EFAs found in oily fishes are believed to be essential for the healthy development of brain, retina, and nervous tissue among fetus and infant.During pregnancy these fatty acids are transferred from the mother's tissues to the fetus. However, the FDA has strict guidelines on eating fish during pregnancy because of the possibility of mercury or other toxic substances that may contain in fishes and the best solution is to take fish oil as food supplement

Over the past 30 years more than 7,000 scientific studies have provided evidence supporting the effectiveness of fish oil and omega-3 EFAs in the prevention and treatment of our most common diseases. Hundreds of clinical trials support the efficacy of fish oil's omega-3 essential fatty acids in preventing, mitigating, and remedying an incredible range of health conditions. Some scientific and medical communities however are resisting to these facts and still support pharmacological treatment.

As a traditional dietary supplement that encourages good health,it is a preventive medicine but as a natural alternative to NSAIDs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and other pharmacological and medical treatments, it is complementary medicine.With all the undergoing studies to prove its affectivity, fish is on the threshold of crossing over into traditional Western medicine.

How Fish Oil Can Cure Inflammation:

Inflammation occurs as our body's natural protective response to fend off any outside aggressors and to begin the process of healing. Its effect on our tissues usually involves pain, heat and redness. However, there are some cases that this outward effect is not visible.

Inflammation is a double-edges sword; its effect can be helpful or harmful depending on the circumstances. When an inflammation is in chronic state, devastating consequences are likely to happen like arthritis, heart disease or stroke. It usually happens when the cause of inflammation is continually reintroduced or if the acute inflammatory response is not able to eliminate it. This situation is very likely to happen nowadays because of our exposure to implausible amounts of toxins.

Some of these toxins can be avoided like poor food choices, smoking, and prolonged sun exposure. While some things arise from things from things we don't have control like genetics, accidents and pollution. Inasmuch as there are factors you can't help being exposed to unnecessary and harmful factors detrimental to your good health, you can also take food supplements effective in strengthening your body against the sometimes lethal effect of inflammation. The most effective food supplement according to recent studies happens to be fish oil.

The prevalence of destructive or chronic inflammation among Western countries makes it imperative for many specialists to deal with preventive measures. The reason behind this is that the Western population is more exposed to stress, obesity and poor health in general. Many pharmacological anti-inflammatory drugs offer reduction of inflammation, however, long-term medication have potentially lethal side effects.

So what is your safest option if you have inflammation? Research on alternative medicines revealed that certain dietary supplements can help reduce levels of pro-inflammatory factors, with significantly lower side effects. One of these dietary supplements is the essential fatty acids or EFAs.

Essential fatty acids are necessary for various aspects of normal physiology like: mediating immune response, regulating bodily secretions and their viscosity, dilating and constricting blood vessels, regulating collateral circulation, directing endocrine hormones to their target cells, regulating smooth muscles and autonomic reflexes, being primary constituents of cell membranes, regulating the rate of cell division, maintaining the fluidity and rigidity of cellular membranes, regulating the flow of substances into and out from cells, transporting oxygen from red blood cells to the tissues, maintaining proper kidney function and fluid balance, keeping saturated fats mobile in the bloodstream, preventing blood clots, mediating the release of inflammatory eicosanoids that may trigger allergic conditions, and regulating nerve transmission and communication. (Source: Fish Oil: The Natural Anti-inflammatory by Joseph C. Maroon and Jeffrey Bost, 2006, page 39).

For this reason, it is very important for over-all health to have a regular intake of foods rich in omega-6 or omega-3 EFAs. The omega-3 pathway, activated by trauma, injury, or chemical stimulus, is the process of converting the omega-3 EFAs found in the cell membranes to various eicosanoids. If the omega-3 EFA components of the cell membranes become dominant, an anti-inflammatory state can result, with preventive health benefits.

Fish is the best source of the omega-3 essential fatty acids. But why fish oil, you might ask? The needed nutrients can also be found in green plants; algae (phytoplankton); leaves and seeds of the perilla plants; and linseed oil but fish oil is considered the most important dietary source of omega-3 EFAs because it contains concentrated amounts of the ALA derivatives with APA and DHA.

The two mentioned nutrients can almost exclusively found in seafood. Fish contains high amount of EPA and DHA because they are at the top of food chain based on algae, a single-marine organism that manufactures huge amount of EPA and DHA.

Surprising Benefits Of Using Fish Oil:

The known benefits of fish oil are not just limited to the more common conditions. Of course, many people have already known how using fish oil may help improve skin health and reduce the risk of heart disease. But there are also surprising benefits that it seem to offer to those who regularly consume them. Here are just some of them.

Depression And Anxiety People may not be aware of it, but fish seems to help put people in a good mood. In fact, many studies have shown that fish oil may be beneficial in trying to help treat depression and anxiety in people. Thanks to the omega 3 fatty acids contained in fish, it seems a good means to relieve anxiety, depression, stress and sadness in people.

Fish seems to have good mood stabilizing properties that make them quite interesting as a treatment for depression and other related conditions. Evidence suggests that countries where oily fish such as salmon is regularly eaten also seem to have low incidence of depression. Similar studies involving prisoners have also shown that having them on a diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids resulted in a significant drop in homicide rates. Although more studies may be needed in order for such findings to be conclusive, it already shows some good evidences of the other surprising benefits of fish oil.

Cancer Fighter It may seem quite surprising enough that fish oil may also benefit patients with certain forms of cancer. Preliminary studies have shown that fish oil may be useful in trying to delay the weight loss in people suffering from pancreatic cancer. Still further research may be needed to solidify this claim as well as how oily fish may affect certain types of cancers.

Type II Diabetes Some studies also have shown positive findings on the effect of fish oil in Type II diabetes. Since people suffering from this form of diabetes are also prone to developing diseases such as coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis and stroke, medical experts believe that taking fish oil supplements may also help in trying to reduce such risks in diabetics. Some studies have already shown that fish oil may also be effective in lowering triglyceride levels in people with diabetes.

Pregnancy Fish oil might also be able to help women bear healthier children. Taking the oil supplements may help pregnant women ensure the healthy development of their child while still in the womb. The DHA found in fish oil is known to help babies undergo healthy eye and brain development. Pregnant women who are also taking the oil supplements run fewer risks of having premature births, miscarriage or delivering babies with low birth weights. As an added benefit, pregnant women who regularly take fish oil supplements run lesser risks of getting into depression following the baby's delivery.

Fertility Fish oil supplements may also help in improving fertility. In a study done on male boars, those who were fed with a diet rich in fish oils were able to show better sperm quality. After ejaculation, the sperm from the boars fed with fish oil seem to resist the effects of lipid peroxidative attacks in the female boar genital tract, giving the sperm higher chances of conception.

The Benefits of Fish Oil Supplements: The benefits of fish oil supplements should not be outweighed the need to understand how these supplements should work or provide essential nutrients for the human body.

Although it is a general notion for nutrition experts to insist on regular food as the common and most basic source of vitamins and minerals important for the human body, oil supplements, be it in liquid or solid form, are needed to ensure a holistic enrichment and nourishment for the body.

Fish oil supplementation is ideally beneficial by providing for what the regular or daily diet may not provide, it can also be a preventive measure against diseases and illnesses.

Essentially, fish supplements are meant to complement a diet, not as a substitute for it, as what many believe to be the case. Since plant foods still contain many nutrients, among them phytochemicals, that still cannot be substituted or generated through synthetic means.

Why the need for fish oil supplements? Take for instance these circumstances;

Infants that are being breast-fed need to have their regular source of iron, especially when they reach their four to six months, since breast milk only provides little iron. This is where iron supplementation comes in with baby milk formula or alternative sources like fortified cereal meals or baby food.

Children also need fluoride supplementation to strengthen teeth and prevent tooth decay.

Pregnant women need multivitamin-mineral supplementation, to ensure that their nutrient levels are met for the development of the fetus inside the womb. Among those that need supplementation are increased levels of folate to prevent birth defects, as well as increased amounts of vitamins like B6.

You Gotta Love Fish Oil

One has gotta love fish oil. If you think that I'm kidding then go pick it up. Those who shun fishes like mackerel, tuna and salmon due to some personal and at times even weird preferences might have second thoughts, by going for fresh fish which has oil in them for vit. B6 supplement for your good health to come up.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=McDaniel_Mubbe

What Brings Happiness

What Brings Happiness?

What will make me happy? Is there a definite answer to this question? Or is this a question we answer, in ignorance? The astonishing truth to this question is that if you were to ask this question to anyone on the street, they would probably give you an answer that would come off confidently and very definite. Because 100% of all people feel as they know the answer to this question, at least in their own personal lives. But, as I said before this is highly ignorant, because even the best natural minds cannot come up with an answer for this question, take the Dalai Lama for instance.

A group of students were on a on a trip in India for a School study when they posed this question to the Dalai Lama. What brings happiness? The Dalai Lama thought for a moment and then responded with the answer, I don't know. Sadly, this group of students understood this answer as being very profound. They understood the answer to mean that happiness is really more of an individual perspective.

But, is this answer really then all that profound? No, they accepted this answer for a very key reason; it confirmed what they had already assumed. This is just how we as a people operate; we are always looking for someone to come into agreement with our own opinion. And our opinion on the matter of what makes us happy, is believed to be something that is personally decided.
We feel that we as an individual have the choice to decide what will bring us the most enjoyment and fulfillment in our lives, and this is exactly how we approach the matter. We in a large majority believe that a certain amount of success will bring us happiness. We believe that with this success it will allow us to achieve the funds needed to possess the desires that we hope our lives have time to fulfill. We look to these personal desires what ever they may be, cars, a wife, a family, a successful business that you become renowned for, or simply being able to do whatever you want with the time you have here on this earth.

We feel that once we achieve these "goals" we will experience "happiness." Many though never achieve their life goals, most never actually begin into this "dream life of happiness." The reason, 98% are not willing to pay the price, not willing to step out on a ledge and take a chance to achieve their "dreams." But, these 98% are really better off than the 2% who do achieve their dreams. Why? Because, once who arrive at that place of achievement you realise you have nothing to live for.

A great football quarterback came to this harsh realisation. This was a quarterback who, at a very young age had achieved greatness in the NFL. He had all the money in the world, could have any girl he wanted and basically had life made. Yet, when this great young quarterback was interviewed he made the statement, isn't there anything more than this. He had achieved all you really could in his sport and had become more than he had set out to. But, he was still empty, still looking for the future to satisfy his desires. The proof of this came in this question asked by the interviewer: Out of you three superbowls, which one is the greatest? His answer, the next one.

Maybe you also are one that has been willing to pay a price to achieve a goal set in your life; you then must also admit that happiness is not achieved by any means of "success." Just think of when you attained what you had set out to do, purchased that item, achieved that goal, and won that championship. It brought you happiness, did it not? Or was that happiness? At the time it filled you with life, but slowly as time progressed the feeling died away.

See, the things of this life, if not experienced the right way are nothing really. This is what happened to one young man who worked at an orphanage. He was a given a job at the orphanage just to clean and do some other small jobs. Now this young man was mentally a little slow, and the children at this orphanage like to humiliate him for fun.

Now, it was getting close to Christmastime and a bunch of kids got together and decided they were going to play a prank on this young man. They decided that they would put a gift under the tree, because this young man, more than anything wanted a Christmas gift. Well, sure enough this young man notice that there was a gift with his name on it and became very excited, and wondered just what exactly the present held. Well, Christmas morning came and everyone began to open their gifts. And the time came for the young man to open his gift. He began to take the wrapping paper off and then opened the box, it was empty.

The children laughed and laughed at the young man, and he ran away crying. The things of this life are the same way. They are nothing but empty boxes, if not attained the right way. These empty boxes give us a "happiness high" when we first receive them, but when opened they reveal themselves as what they really are, nothing but something that contains nothing.

But, as I said 98% of people never come to this realisation, because they never achieve their dreams. So they continue to live in ignorance, thinking they know what will make them happy. They go to the grave, never experiencing state of happiness, just "happiness highs" which are nothing but a cheap version of true happiness.

So, what then brings happiness, and what is true happiness. Happiness is described in the Webster's dictionary as favoured by circumstances, great pleasure and contentment. If we look into the languages the Bible was written in we receive more information on what happiness is. The Old Testament is written in Hebrew and the Hebrew word for happiness is asher, which means to be straight and level, honest, prosper and to lead and guide. The New Testament is written in Greek and the Greek word for happiness is makarimos, which means supremely blessed, fortunate and well off.

Happiness like all things must be built upon a foundation. Because if there is no foundation whatever that is built will be easily torn down, when difficult times manifest themselves. The substance of our happiness will be taken in the direction of the path of where the circumstance is headed. But, in reality our happiness should move the circumstance, not the other way round.
What then should we build our happiness be built on, God? No, it is something much deeper than that. Let's look to Ecclesiastes 12:13:

13All has been heard; the end of the matter is: Fear God [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is] and keep His commandments, for this is the whole of man [the full, original purpose of his creation, the object of God's providence, the root of character, the foundation of all happiness, the adjustment to all inharmonious circumstances and conditions under the sun] and the whole [duty] for every man.

Here we see that it is the fear of God, (which is to hate sin) worship, and obeying the commandments, which is now only one, to love every person and love God Himself. This not only is the foundation of happiness, but the original purpose for mankind, the root of our character and has the ability to make our circumstances come into perfect agreement. This is the avenue we are supposed to be taking and building upon, if we are to achieve the happiness we so longingly want.
We come to the realisation that happiness is something that comes from rules that have been set in place. And that it cannot be achieved by a desire of the human mind. So why is it that we look to the future to fulfill our happiness? Because there is a bigger picture, some of us though have smaller big pictures than others. For the Christian it will be going home, living in a place of glory, one in which is so magnificent that it cannot be even comprehended. This is what Jude is talking about in Jude 1:24, when he says we are to be walking all the way into the presence of God's glory.

Jude 1:24:

24Now to Him Who is able to keep you without stumbling or slipping or falling, and to present [you] unblemished (blameless and faultless) before the presence of His glory in triumphant joy and exultation [with unspeakable, ecstatic delight]--

25To the one only God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory (splendor), majesty, might and dominion, and power and authority, before all time and now and forever (unto all the ages of eternity). Amen (so be it).

So, I ask this question, what is your big picture? Is it owning that car, house or marrying that girl? Is this something you'll ever achieve? Because I am assured my big picture will come to pass. This is what brings me happiness, the total assurance that what I am looking toward will take place. It is not something I have to strive for, it is something given. It what allows me to have the hope, which is of the faith variety. We see this clearly in Romans 15.13:

May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope.

So, again I ask, what is your big picture? What are you living for and will it bring the enjoyment that you desire? And is this picture of what you feel happiness is, built upon anything? Or will it just be blown away by the wind?

There is only one happiness in life, to love and to be loved.

Viktor I. Saari was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario Canada in 1985. The purpose of his ministry is to preach the real gospel of Jesus Christ. To reveal to the world that the Bible is not, nor has anything to do with religion. It is a relationship with God the Father, given by the blood of Jesus and experienced through the Holy Spirit. To preach this gospel to the poor, heal the broken-hearted, deliver the capitives and give liberty to all. To experience life the way it was meant to be.

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Advantages Of Teaching With The Digital Microscope

Advantages Of Teaching With The Digital Microscope

Technology has been extensively used in the field of scientific research and much debate has been on for implementing it in the education system. The argument sighted in this regard is that introducing new technology at an early age would help students better understand the different aspect of subjects such as biology, chemistry, earth science and environmental science. Introduction of technology such as the digital microscope is now seen as an integral part of teaching rather than an add-on to the instructional methods already in place.

As stated by Kara Dawson,“We refer to our technology integration as a continuing evolution because each semester more faculty members are incorporating technology in their courses and more faculty members are experimenting with new forms of technology integration.” (Dawson, K. (2004). Illustrations of technology integration in the Unified Elementary Proteach program. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education, 4(1), 64-72).

Use of the computer microscope such as the SmartScope has changed the way both teachers and students view seemingly difficult subjects such as science. Educators especially see the digital microscope as a potent, hands-on tool for the students to handle with minimal supervision. Introducing such a technology at an early age also ensures that students who desire to take up teaching as a profession in future also learn the advantages of using such instruments while teaching.

The digital microscope allows a more inclusive and interactive classroom technology rather than the teacher getting entangled in teaching how to operate an instrument. The intuitive design ensures that even students from elementary school are able to operate with ease.

Different aspects being taught in the subjects such as biology can be easily conveyed using a practical approach with the digital microscope. For instance, students can be instructed to make a continuous video or a time lapse video to learn different stages of plant growth.

For this purpose they can plant a seed and keep it under observation using the video feature of the digital microscope. Once the germination period is over, they can wait till the first leaves start appearing and again take a video till the leaves come out completely. These two videos can then be viewed together, showing stages of plant growth in one continuous stream.

The digital microscope is a useful educational tool, enabling the teachers to show the finer details of the object under study. For instance, while teaching cell structure, students can actually view a cell through the digital microscope. The instrument offers high resolution imaging of up to 1280 to 1024 and magnification ranging from 10x to 200x.

Apart from this, there are 6 LED lights enable clear view of the cell being studied. The image taken through the digital microscope can be easily viewed on a computer monitor or projected on a screen, allowing the entire class to view and discuss different parts of the cell.

Implementation of technology in the field of education has given the teachers an opportunity to enhance their teaching skills. They can now concentrate on teaching the finer aspects of the object under investigation. This also allows them to be more interactive with the class, enabling in-depth discussion of the subject.

By: David Walling

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Who Has Scored the Most Goals in World Cup Soccer History

Who Has Scored the Most Goals in World Cup Soccer History
By Amy Nutt

Almost every culture around the world has some type of connection to the history of football/soccer. Such cultures as the Ancient Greeks, Persians, Vikings, The Chinese, Japanese, and much more, played a game that is much like today's football/soccer. For instance, The Chinese played "footballer" games dating as far back as about 3000 years ago. However, it was in England that soccer / football really began to grow in popularity. After becoming popular in England, soccer became a widely loved sport throughout the world. The celebrated FIFA World cup led the way to the rise of soccer stars, and conferred world soccer records holders such as the player who has scored the most goals in world cup soccer history.

Brazilian professional footballer Ronaldo Nazario de Lima has scored the most goals in Fifa World Cup history. Ronaldo Luís Nazario de Lima, more generally known as Ronaldo, was born in September 18, 1976. In 1993, Ronaldo began his professional soccer/footballer career playing for Cruzeiro. In his single year with Cruzeiro, he accumulated 12 goals in 14 games and led the team to win their first Copa do Brasil championship. After playing with Cruzeiro, in 1994, he joined with the Dutch football team PSV. In 1996, in his final year with PSV, Ronaldo aided the team to win the Dutch Cup.

Ronaldo is also an established national footballer for Brazil. He has played in 97 international games, accumulating 62 goals and standing 15 goals away from the Brazilian national scoring record. He was a member of the Brazilian team that won the 1994 and 2002 World Cups. During the 2006 World Cup, Ronaldo became the highest goal scorer in the history of the World Cup with his fifteenth goal.

Nicknamed 'O Fenômeno,' which is translated as ""The Phenomenon" in English, Ronaldo made the number 9 famous and made it tantamount with the position of center forward. During his footballer career in Europe, Ronaldo became one of the most celebrated 'strikers' throughout the world after he won his first Ballon d'Or as the European Footballer of the Year in 1997, and then once more in 2002. He is also one of only two players to have won the FIFA Player of the Year award three times. In 2007, he was named as one of the best starting eleven of all-time by France Football and was named to the FIFA 100, a list of the greatest footballers compiled by his fellow Brazilian soccer star, Pelé.

To many contemporary footballers, Ronaldo is a living icon who has been credited with encouraging a stronger marketing interest in soccer throughout the world, particularly because of his relationship with Nike who had in the past spent their marketing resources and time primarily on Basketball.

The soccer that we know today was shaped during the 1960s. Increased media coverage and TV broadcasts has made the game more popular than ever. With soccer stars such as David Beckham in the spotlight, the popularity of soccer will continue to grow.

A recognized leader in sports travel and tours provides 2010 world cup packages. Don't miss the largest sporting event in the world, book your 2010 world cup tickets from the industry leader in sports travel.

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Weight Loss - A Guide

Weight Loss - A Guide
By Juan C Ruiz

Appearances play an important role in today's world. Fitness is another thing many people look forward for when they hire someone for a particular job. All these issues make it mandatory to look and stay fit. When people become obese, there are many health issues they encounter with making life very difficult.

It also poses a social tension when others make fun of them. To avoid and prevent all this, many people have decided to cut their weight. There are many weight loss help centers which are very motivating and help in weight loss in a healthy way.

There are many modifications done to the body when there is loss in weight. Care should be taken that the process in which weight loss is achieved is free from such changes. The first thing is the change in metabolism. It is believed that when a person starts putting on weight, the metabolism starts getting reduced.

So, if one has to reduce the weight, they must first improve the metabolism of their body. This can be done by drinking honey and lemon juice with hot water. Once the metabolism is improved, immediately there are signs of weight loss.

The amount of calories must also be reduced in order to reduce weight. The calories can be reduced by eating food that is particularly less in fats and oil. Different foods have different calories and therefore it must be noted before eating.

They also must be healthy so that they do not affect the stamina of the body. The calories that are needed for day to day activities must be taken so that they are burned while doing normal chores. But in case extra calories are taken, they might be accumulated in the body and increases the weight. Hence make sure enough calories are consumed.

Some areas might have extra fats and these have to be reduced only by doing suitable exercises. For example, crunches can be done when there is fat accumulation in the abdomen region. These exercises must be done regularly for results to be shown.

A study has shown that exercises must be done for thirty minutes and five times a week. These exercises will also burn the extra fat in other parts of the body. Aerobics can also be done for a fit body.

There are some other eating habits that can be followed for reducing weight even further. It is good to eat slowly with small bites of food. Also consume large amount of water so that it will fill the stomach and reduce the amount of food consumed. This way the calories also are reduced and weight loss can be achieved.

Keep a note on the weight patterns. When there is sudden weight loss, it might not be permanent weight loss hence try to avoid such practices. Periodic and long term exercises and practices will reduce the fats in the body making weight loss very healthy.

All the above steps need dedication and some determination for weight loss.

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How to Motivate Kids to Exercise

How to Motivate Kids to Exercise
By Amy Brantley, eHow Contributing Writer

There was a time when going out and playing with your friends was something every kid loved to do. Times have changed though. Many kids prefer to stay indoors playing video games or surfing the Internet. In other words, parents need to get creative in order to motivate kids to exercise. This is something that parents shouldn't take lightly. Juvenile diabetes is on the rise, and one way to help beat it is for kids to exercise. Thankfully, there are fun things you can do to help motivate them.

• Exercise with them. Parents and kids both lead busy lifestyles. Exercising is not only a way to spend time together, but it's a great way to learn about each other. Go for a hike and talk about life, or even shoot some hoops. Children often long for a way to spend more time with their parents and this is an excellent way to do so.

• Find a sport that they like. Kids usually don't exercise because it's boring. Exercise needs to be something interesting. Once a kid finds a sport that he likes, exercise becomes part of his daily routine. This is mostly because sports don't seem like exercise. Sports are fun and a great way to spend time with friends.


• Incorporate video games. Video games have been looked down upon by parents for many years, in part because they are often played from the couch. Times are changing though. Kids can now exercise while playing video games. Thanks to "Dance, Dance Revolution" and the Nintendo Wii, video games now burn calories. You'll have no trouble at all motivating your kids to exercise when you bring out a great game like Wii Sports.

• Make it fun. Exercise has to be fun or it will seem like a chore. That's why things like sports and video games work so well. Kids are motivated by fun; try setting up a mini boot camp course in your backyard instead of just suggesting push-ups or a walk to give them something challenging and exciting.


• Offer a reward system. Just like chores, a reward system will also motivate kids to exercise. Start a chart and have kids write down how much they exercised each day and what type of exercise it was. Different types of exercise can have different points. Choose prizes for them to work towards and set a point's goal for each prize.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4914300_motivate-kids-exercise.html

Leveraging Business Through Seo

Leveraging Business Through Seo

Small businesses that are looking to compete in today’s cut-throat online environment are learning that SEO is the most cost-effective way to market their company and the products and services it offers.

Search engine optimization is an important marketing strategy that can bring long-term success to small businesses. Choosing a reputable and trusted firm with experience in website development and SEO services makes all the difference when venturing into the world on online marketing.

A good Internet marketing firm is necessary to reap the benefits of search engine optimization and that website owners can’t just wing it when it comes to SEO.

A quality website development firm with SEO know-how will have a team of experts who know the ins and outs of content creation, link building, and social media marketing. When shopping for an optimization firm, businesses should not be afraid to ask is the firm is familiar with the latest trends in organic SEO and the development online traffic for both new and existing businesses.

A typical search engine optimization strategy should include keyword research, keyword placement and density checks, content development, competition analysis, “meta,” “title,” “description,” and “header” tag integration, inbound link development, campaign tracking, and reporting.

If handled properly, by a knowledgeable Internet marketing firm, a search engine optimization plan will ultimately increase targeted traffic, increase a company’s market share, gain valuable leads, and increase sales through better conversation rates. A proper, long-term search engine optimization and online marketing plan can make a world of difference for small businesses that have an online presence.

Images also Play an Important Role in Search Engine Optimization Search engine optimization is not limited to site content. Search engine optimization should also include images, as major search engines use them when determining which sites are relevant enough to rank at the top of their results.

Optimizing images for better search engine ranking helps to attract more traffic to a website and helps to keep visitors interested.

Essentially, a website that has quality images that have been properly optimized will not only garner valuable traffic, but it will increase the website’s authority, more so than websites that do not properly optimize their images.

The proper way to optimize website images is to use keywords as image file names, separated using dashes not underscores. For example, if a company specializes in selling Christmas decorations, an image of a product such as Christmas tree lights might be titled, “white-Christmas-lights.”

For the best results, keywords should also be added in image’s alt attributes, as well as its title tags. Also, it is always a good idea to place images in the immediate vicinity of content that is keyword-related.

In addition to helping with search engine ranking, a quality image can also make a website look beautiful and keep visitors interested in the product or service that is being offered.

On another note Google has announced that it hopes to make web pages download up to two times faster using SPDY, a new application-layer protocol that is still in its experimental phase.

Google wants to improve on website performance without any changes being required to existing or new websites. This means that websites that may have been a little slow to load in the past, will be able to reach more users and generate more business.

We at dzine it must walk a fine line because we encourage the use of graphics, flash, and streaming video among our many clients. Unfortunately, such bells and whistles can slow down a web page’s performance.

Google’s planned SPDY overhaul will undoubtedly help negate any performance issues among sites that rely on multimedia to get their message across.

Google tested its new SPDY protocol by downloading 25 of the top 100 websites, ten times each, using simulated residential Internet connections and, thus far, the results have been promising.

In order for the SPDY protocol to truly be successful, however, all of the major Internet browsers must be on board with the plan. Mozilla, the maker of Firefox, will likely be on board, but Microsoft, the maker of Internet Explorer, may be a tough sell.

By: Linda Maberry

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