Man's Best Friend

Among my earliest and fondest childhood memories was living in a "zoo." Aside from having two brothers and tons of cousins, we also had several furry, feathery and scaly friends to play with. I couldn't recall a single day in my life without a pet. At one time or another, our family has taken care of dogs, cats, birds, hamster, and fish. Also we have a backyard animals like, pigs and a lot of ducks!

Almost everyone has a special story about a pet, who's infact in one's life is cherished and tresured despite the passage of years. My grandfather, even though he's already 80, can still remember the carefree days of his boyhood when his dogs would join him and his friends for a swim in the river during hot afternoons. In exchange for food and shelter, pets have provided people with unconditional love, unwavering loyalty and true friendship. Unlike some "friends," pets can't spread your darkest secrets, or talk about you behind your back. They won't scold you like your parents or older sibs when you tell them about your gripes. read more...

A Perfect Life

I discover that being treated like a princess is not all fairy tales.

When I was 16-year-old, my life doesn't really reflect the kind of life like other girls out there dream of. Yes, I am the only daughter of a famous man in our town, I have two brothers. Yes, I'm a member of a prominent clan of business entrepreneurs. Yes, I do get what i want most of the time without any hesitations. Yes, I am a consistent honor student and I won first place in feature writing that time in Schools Press Conference. Yes, I passed every college entrance examination I took, which means yes, I passed the prestigious University of the Philippines College Aptitude Test. My whole family is actually proud of me, but I'm not happy. Why? It is for the simple reason that although my life seems perfect, my spirit is not free. read more...

Coffee & Tea

Coffee & Tea, Aye or Nay?

New research shows there's no reason to feel guilty about your daily cup of joe. Studies find that drinking coffee may reduce your risk of developing Parkinson's disease, diabetes, colon cancer
and cirrhosis of the liver. Coffee has even been shown to reduce the risk of inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases in postmenopausal women. One reason? It contains significant amounts of flavonoids, antioxidants that can combat a host of illnesses.

Since drinking too much coffee can have adverse health effects, however, it's best to limit yourself to one to four brewed cups per day. read more...

Six Steps to Smart Savings

Follow these steps to be on your way.

1. Get a financial planner
Women under use this resource, but 73 percent of those surveyed recently said working with an adviser made them savvier and 66 percent felt more confident about having money for the future.

2. Save aggressively, but invest cautiously
Risk does not always yield reward, according to the Schwab Center for investment Research. Since 1970, an aggressive investor earned an 11.2 percent average return while a moderate one got 10.5 percent. But the slightly higher return was offset by higher risk--and larger losses in the stock market--during down years. read more...

What Diet Fits Your Lifestyle Best?

There are many diets out there. Which is best for you?

1. Power dinner canceling
Power dinner canceling is a very popular diet version of healthy weight loss. You replace your dinner and one additional meal per day with an Almased shake.

2. The tasty-diet
Specific diets often encourage following selected recipes. An Almased shake in conjunction with these recipes ensures even more success and positive feelings. The metabolism activator goes well with every diet.

3. Fasting
People who want to lose weight fast can achieve this goal with protein modified fasting. Especially effective for this type of fasting is the first phase of the Bikini-Emergency-Plan. read more...

A Skeleton-Saving Workout

To prevent falls, exercise is called for. What is needed is regular strength and balance training.

For older adults, falling down is a Big Deal. It's a biggest risk factor for a fracture, which--particularly when it's in the hip--can be exceedingly dangerous. The one-year mortality rate after a hip fracture is a high as 25 percent. So, argue researchers in a recent analysis published in the medical journal BMJ, preventing deadly breaks should include preventing falls, not just treating osteoporosis with drugs.

Falls happen for many reasons, and studies have suggested that cutting back on medications that may cause dizziness, supplementing with vitamin D and calcium (to build stronger bones), and making sure the home is safe all have their roles to play. read more...

Now Even Small Firms Can Go Global

Four years ago, Houston-based SolArc was making plenty of dough selling it's energy management software and management software and services to big corporations like ConocoPhillips and Southwest Airlines.

All the company's clients, though, were domestic. With new airlines and energy companies popping up throughout Europe and Asia, company execs just knew there were great opportunities to be had if they were able to expand internationally, sys Tim Smith, the company's controller.

So SolArc set up offices overseas, later enlisting a consulting firm to help with a regulatory complexities. "We found it was too much to handle, Smith says. The result: It won new clients like Singapore Airlines. Smith says SolArc, with 135 employees, made about $10 million last year from foreign clients in nine countries, compared with "only a few hundred thousand" dollars from a single international deal in 2003. read more...

One Debt Begets Another

Credit card delinquency rates rise as housing woes spill over.

Danielle Mathias-Lamb, a second-year nursing student, received a letter from Bank of America in January with a shocking message: The credit card she used to pay for her tuition was going to jump to a 28 percent interest rate from 10 percent.

She didn't make any late payments but she just carrying higher levels of debt than she would have in a perfect universe. She was close to maxing out her credit limit with the $7,000 balance she kept on it. (The card originally came with zero percent introductory rate, one reason she decided to use it to finance her education.) read more...

Want Sharper Memory?

TV really does your work brain-specifically, your memory. Nearly 30,000 Australians took a memory test online to see how well they could recall faces, signs, lists and names. People who watched less than an hour of TV a day had high scores. But those who watched more than one hour a day did not fare as well. Other factors linked to higher memory scores: consuming fewer than two drinks a day, reading novels and playing trivia games. (Go to to more.com/memory put your gray matter to the test.) read more...

You Who Could Never Be Mine

Maybe you have noticed the sudden changes
I am having lately, I just couldn't handle it anymore
I cannot go on forever pretending that you are just my friend
When deep inside you are very special
I hate myself for not being able to admit
this stupid feelings I have for you
I am afraid for the consequences that are to happen.

You're smiles keep on haunting me
My mind is telling me to forget you, but how? read more...

Unspoken

You come to my life,
Quietly...
Simply...
Tenderly...
and the words stood still...
I could not say a word
Nor with a single gesture show
The feelings kept in my heart.

So, I Love You in silence...
Worshiped you from a distance
Dream of you from a far. read more...

Love Hurts

Why do I care much for you?
When you don't have a bit care for me;
Why do I think much of you
When you have no single thought for me.
Why do I send you a greetings?
Will for you they only mean nothing
Why do I waste my time for you
When I know you don't love me
These I have known for a long time
But I still have patience because of you read more...

I Hate You

I hate you when you smile
"coz you make me feel confused
I hate you when you talk too much
"coz you make me feel conscious
I hate you when I hear your sweet voice
"coz you make me feel uncomfortable
I hate you when you"re out of my sight
"coz you make me feel incomplete
I hate you when I see you everyday
"coz you make me love you so much read more...

14 Symptoms That Say You're Completely Lovesick

Him, he, his--that's all that comes out of your mouth!

1. Your smile. It never leaves your lips. You slip with a grin on your face and wake up still smiling! What's wrong with you!?

2. All of a sudden, you're dressing up for trips to the basketball court. He could be there playing ball for the village league, you know.

3. You start practicing your signature with the Boy's last name to see if its sound's nice with your first name.

4. And yes, you begin to refer to your guy as The Boy every time you talk about him--which is all the time! read more...

Five Things You Shouldn't Know About Guys

We are breaking the male code of honor (yes, there is such a thing--we're born with it, like some sort of genetic Geneva Convention that governs our every move) just by revealing this to you--but you deserve to know the honest truth.

1. We really are pigs. Whoever doesn't think of girls in that way is either a liar... or gay.

2. We believe that stupidity is the apex of humor. And that Jackass is the finest movie ever made. read more...

12 Things to Do with $20

Money can be tight and extra cash often seems a fantasy. But if you skip that afternoon latte or bring lunch from home once a week for a month, you can have a guilt-free date with Andrew Jackson--you know, that guy on the $20 bill. Where would you go and what would you do? Here are some ideas to get you started.

1. Create a little romance
Parents of five Wendy and Chris VerHague have found the secret to having a romantic date without the expense of a sitter and a night on the town. "I go to the dollar store and get a disposable tablecloth, a candle and a basket," says Wendy, 30. "Then I buy cheese, crackers, grapes and sparkling grape juice."She grabs a couple of wineglass from the kitchen, spreads a blanket on the bedroom floor, and once the kids re in bed, she and Chris have a candelit picnic.

2. Give yourself a gift card
Purchase a $20 gift card at your favorite store, but don't give it away. Instead, tuck it in your wallet, and next time you need a pick-me up or reward for a job well done, take it out and buy yourself a present. read more...

10 Things You Should Know About Guys

Guys, Yeah, we're all kinds of complicated--the stupid kind, the "Huh?" kind, the gross kind, the infuriating kind, the sweet kind, the all-kinds-of-everything-rolled-into-one kind. But we don"t want to be, really. So, I've complied this list of things you just have to know about the mysteries of male-hood. It's not a definite list, for sure (that will take the entire Encyclopaedia Britannica), but it ought to be enough for you to forgive me my nonsensical quirks.

1. We'll never take a hint
In hindsight, it should be stunningly obvious that the only reason you take us window-shopping with you is to drop a big fat clue...but our eyes were glazed over, our brainwaves were tuning out. We plead innocent! We'll clean our ears next time.

2. We are desperate for your attention
So desperate, in fact, that we will act all emo and loner and weepy and depressed just so you'll come over and ask, "Hey, is there anything wrong?" And when we say, "Nothing"' we actually mean, "Please stay with me and cheer me up...please!" Yeah, we know: we're pathetic. read more...

10 Ways to Boost Your Walking Workout

Pick at least one of these workout boosters to try each time you walk.

Bring a friend
When you have a walking buddy counting on you, you'll be less likely to skip a walk.

Add a walking accessory
My favorite is the Express Stretch. Just stretch the band in all directions as you walk for a safe, effective muscle boost.

Head for the hills
Find a route that goes over hills or steps, or climb up a set of stairs after your muscles are warmed up. read more...

Prevent Heart Disease

What you can do today to prevent heart disease.

1. Be pressured
Know your blood pressure - high pressure will age your arteries. Keeping it around 115/76 can make your body up to ten years younger.

2. Floss and Brush
Periodontal disease, such as gingivitis, affects more than the gum. Chronic infections require the body to defend itself and increase clotting to protect against bleeding - a recipe for heart attack.

3. Move it
Walking 30 minutes each day can add years to your life - regular movement is a powerful anti-aging treatment. read more...

Five Simple Strategies to Prevent Heart Disease

You know that heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women, but did you know that it's preventable?

Although you can't change genetic risk factors, like family history, age and race, there are steps you can take to protect your heart while improving your overall health and wellness.

Know it by your heart
Prevent heart disease by following a healthy lifestyle with this five prevention tips to get you started, lower your risk and help you feel years younger. And remember, always consult your doctor to discuss the best plan for your personal health.

Don't smoke or use tobacco products
When it comes to heart disease prevention, no amount of smoking is safe. read more...

Why Good Benefits Matter

Who wouldn't love to take a day off from work to curl up in front of Oprah when we feel a tickle in our throat? And what new mom wouldn't like more time to stare into her baby's big round eyes (and then take a much-needed nap)? But family-friendly policies like paid sick days and maternity leave aren't just luxuries that would make our lives more pleasant--they're essential, and they actually benefit all of us.

- Studies show that workers need a week of sick leave each year to take care of their own health needs, and moms needs paid time off to care for sick kids (and often ailing parents) too. Parents with paid sick days are more likely to take the time to provide preventive health care for their kids, and their involvement help kids recover more rapidly from illness and injury, which ultimately means fewer days off for the worker. sick employees actually reduce productivity, and workplaces with paid sick days experience lower job-turnover rates. read more...

Campaign '08: What the Candidates are Promising American Families

What The Candidates Are promising American Families.

Senator Hillary Clinton (D)
Plans to expand FMLA to cover businesses with 25 or more employees (13 million additional employees), to provide grants to support workplace flexibility and telecommuting options, and to raise the minimum wage. She aims to require that all employers provide seven paid sick days per year, and wants to ensure better access to affordable child care.

Senator John McCain (R)
Plans to encourage employers to offer flextime scheduling, compensation, and unpaid leave for family emergencies. He also plans to offer federal tax incentives to help families save for college. In a 2004 Project Vote Smart survey, McCain supported increasing funding for national job-training programs and providing tax credits for businesses with child care (in 2008, however, he refused to provide responses to the same survey). read more...

Top 10 Best Companies to Work at From 9-5 (or 10-6, or 11-3)

Some American companies rock at taking care of working moms--and all their workers. In 2007, Working Mother gave these employers tip-top scores for their family-friendly policies and attitudes.

1. Baptist Health South
Florida, Floral Gables, FL
Almost half of all employees at this health-care organization flex their schedule, meaning they work full-time but vary their arrival and departure times to meet their own needs. Plus, the company offers a loan of up to $10K to first-time home buyers.

2. Booz Allen Hamilton,
McLean, VA
Workers at this consulting firm receive a 10 percent discount at a national child-care chain, plus have access to low-cost backup care. There's also a career model for permanent part-timers. read more...

How to Make Your Working-Mom Life Work

Offers some stay-sane tips.

1. Give up the guilt.
It's a waste to spend family time stressing about being away from home. Remember that working is providing for your family--financially, of course, but also because it builds your self-esteem, which can make you more confident in your parenting decisions.

2. Make the job work for you.
Even if your company doesn't have flexible work policies, it might be open to them. Write a proposal for your boss that spells out what you're asking for, how you'd make it work, and how it would benefit your employer. If you're shift worker, would it be okay to trade shifts to get a coworker to cover for you.? If you're an office worker, could you share your office and therefore save the company money? They might turn you down, but it's worth asking. read more...

Five Stages of Sleep: What's Up While You're Down?

In a typical eight-hour night, if you sleep well, you'll experience four or five 90-minute sleep cycles before waking up for the day.

Waking Stage
Your body prepares for sleep. You're awake in this stage, but very relaxed. Your eyes can be open or closed.

Sleep Stage 1: Drowsiness
At this stage--lasting anywhere from 10 seconds to 10 minutes--you transition from being awake to falling asleep. Your breathing becomes shallow and irregular. People often say they are half-asleep in this stage. You respond fairly quickly to disturbances since you're still aware of your surroundings.

Sleep Stage 2: Light Sleep
During this stage, your eye movements come to a halt, your blood pressure drops, and your muscles relax more. This is the actual beginning of sleep, because at this point you're no longer aware of your environment. read more...

Three Sleep Myths -- Busted!

Eight hours of sleep a night is ideal.
We've heard of people who need just a few hours of sleep (Bill Clinton is said to get five or six a night; Martha Stewart, four), and others who require a lot (Albert Einstien thrived on 11). Most people need seven to nine hours of seep per night--but it can range from six to 10 hours. To find out how much sleep you really require, take a vacation and sleep in. When you don't feel the urge to nap on a slow and quite afternoon, that's when you know you've gotten the rest you need. You can also head to be 15 minutes earlier each night for two weeks. If you still can't keep your eyes open during a staff meeting or find yourself craving sweets or carbs in the morning--both sign that you're sleep deprived--try adding on 15 minutes more until you're well rested. read more...

Five Causes of Skimping on Sleep

Health hazard! Skimping on sleep can make you...

Fat
Research shows that people who get fewer than seven hours of sleep a night are 30 percent more likely to be obese. Lack of sleep alters the flow of hormones that regulate hunger and satiety, which can cause you to eat more. And when you're sleepy, you're more likely to reach for high-fat, high-calorie foods to keep you going.

Prone to Heart Disease
Women who regularly get fewer than five hours of sleep per night are significantly more likely to suffer from hypertension--a leading heart disease risk factor, according to a recent study. When you're sleep-deprived, your body produces more stress hormones and other substances that increase inflammation, which can up you risk of heart disease and stroke. read more...

You've Got Mail? Here's How to Stop Spammer and Chain-emailer

When you're going back and forth, messaging or emailing with someone who doesn't see to want to end the exchange, close things down by sending an unmistakably final salutation.

Try one of these:

- Have a good day.

- I'll get back to you soon.

- Okay, that covers it. I'm signing off now.

- Sounds great. No need to reply.
read more...

10 Sneaky Saboteurs That Make Sleep So Elusive

It seems so simple. Sleep. If only! Discover the changes you can make to your habits--and your habitat--that will turn you into an overnight success.

1. A disturbing story on the internet or a problem that lands in your inbox can set your mind running. Plus, lights stimulate your brain. Shut down to get some shut-eye.

2. Sharing a bed with a partner makes women sleep less soundly, according to a recent study. If your guy snores, convince him to see a sleep specialist--most snoring can be treated.

3. If a stuffy nose is keeping you up at night, you may have a dust mite allergy. Monthly pillow washings (not just the cases) will keep dust mite allergens to a minimum. read more...

The Five Nutrients You Need Most

Even a slight deficiency in one of these vitamins and minerals can put your health
at risk.

More than 75 percent of women don't meet the daily requirement for at least one vitamin or mineral. Popping a multivitamin is a smart move, but it's no substitute for a nutrient-rich diet, which can give you the full range of vitamins and minerals that help lower risk of diseases like cancer and heart disease. Here, the nutrients you're most likely lacking--and easy ways to get them.

Calcium
Why you need it: It's best known as a bone builder, but calcium also reduces PMS symptoms--such as mood swings and cramping--by about half. Research shows that those who get enough calcium have a 31 percent lower risk of premenopausal breast cancer and an 11 percent lower risk of high blood pressure.

How to get it: Start your day with cereal and milk, and you're 51 percent more likely to meet your calcium needs than those who skip breakfast or eat other foods, according to one study. Choose a fortified cereal with 10 percent or more of the RDA (1,000 mg), eat an additional one to two servings of dairy daily, and pick a mult that includes calcium (not all do!), such as One-A-Day Women's. read more...

Bye Bye B.O. (Bad Odor)

Here are some remedies to help you fight the funk.

Whether it's the nose-scrunching stench from a kick-butt workout, the whiff of last night's kung pao chicken lingering in your every word, or that less-than-fresh aroma that makes you say, "Not tonight, honey," your body gives off a myriad of scents that, while totally normal, can sometimes stink. Not to worry--these expert tips will help you battle B.O. for good.

Smelly Pits
Sweat is normal and odor-less--until it comes in contact with the bacteria on your skin. And bacteria thrive in warm, dark, moist places like your armpits. If you find your shirt is constantly drenched, you may have hyperhidrosis, a condition that sends sweat glands into unnecessary overdrive. Excessive sweat accompanied by nausea, dizziness, or weight loss could indicate low blood sugar or a thyroid problem.

What to do: Underarm products containing both a deodorant and an antipersperant help mask odor while stoping wetness, but most of us apply them at the wrong time. Moisture prevents the key ingredient in antiperspirants--aluminum-based salts-from plugging sweat ducts, so applying them after showering isn't most effective way to treat the probblem. read more...

Useless Facts are What I Live For

Music is my addiction.
Art is my love.
Traveling is my goal in life.
Life should have a soundtrack and people should have theme songs.
Friends make me happy.
Friends make me cry.
Love is beautiful.
Ignorant, small minded, vapid people make me wanna vomit.
iPods are going to take over the world.
Shoes are pointless, in my world we are all barefoot walking in clover.
Politics lie.
Math gets me confused.
Feminist want to be men.
The H2 is stupid.
Orange Juice makes up 1000% of me.
Directions get me lost.
On rainy nights i sleep like a champ.
I'v found that words don't make sense after you repete them over and over.
Who doesn't wanna be a pirate?
Ive got a utopia that i live in inside my head.
AIDS and the common cold are man made diseases. read more...

Four Ways to Unleash Your Passion

If you think you need a guy around to feel passion, think again, and think about you. Everyone has a passion, the collection of innate talents that drive them. The best part? It's never too late to find and explore just-for-you pursuits.

Here are the top tips for discovering the passions that will add uplift to your everyday.

Detach Yourself
Take a break from daily energy drains, like every-10-minute email checks. Why? The more outside distractions you clear away, the better able you'll be focus on what matters most to you. Consciously cutting back on energy-draining activities for even an hour a day will make a difference.

Discover Your Talents
Look inside to find what energizes you, then ask three people you admire to list five traits they see in you. Pay attention to where your list and theirs overlap. while you might not think being a good listener is anything special, it means a lot those around you. Once you see the talents they see you, you'll be more aware of how to explore and build on them. read more...

5-Factor Foods for Every Meal

What you need to include in every meal.

Sugar-Free Beverages
Provide the hydration you need for health and digestion and help you feel full. 8 to 12 ounces of liquid per meal.

Healthy Fats
(Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated) provide energy; help you absorb vitamins A,D,E and K; provide taste and consistency and help you feel full so you eat less. 65 to 100 grams a day.

Low- to Moderate-Glycemic Index (GI): Carbohydrates
Take longer to digest than those with high GI score. This helps you avoid sugar spikes that affect mood. They also help prevent mood swings by (1) making sure your brain produces enough of the chemical serotonin, which helps regulate mood and appetite, and (2) keeping your serotonin levels steady so you avoid emotional highs and lows. Good choices: vegetables, wild rice, beans, lentils, oatmeal, sweet potatoes and quinoa. 2 portions per meal (half your total calories). read more...

Five Ways to Update Your Look

1. Look in the mirror
Ask yourself: Am I doing this for me or to please someone else? if it's about you, keep going: How do I want to present myself? What do I feel good about? What do I want to update? Let the changes you make reveal the real you. (Have an out-going personality? Try some bolder colors!)

2. Clean out your closet
Make three piles: one for items that fit well and make you feel great, one for items that need tailoring, and one for items to donate or toss. Clearing out clutter helps you assess what you still need and makes room for a hot new wardrobe--and lets you appreciate what you already own. read more...

What's Really in Your Food? Top Eight Lines of the Most Common Claims You'll Find on Your Food

The foods on supermarket shelves have more health information on their labels than ever before--but that has only made it more confusing to figure out what to buy. Read on to learn which nutritional claims you can trust and which are pure hype.

With all of the health promises made on food packaging today ("100% natural!" "0 grams trans fat!"), you'd think it'd be easier than ever to eat right. But scan grocery store shelves to figure out what to buy, and you're bound to feel frustrated. "There's so much information on products that it can be challenging for the average consumer to figure out what it all means. While the government does regulate these claims, what's key to know is which labels represent truly useful health info and which are just marketing pitches. here, we read between the lines of the most common claims you'll find on your food.

1. "Good source of fiber"
If a package bears the words good source of followed by the name of nutrient--such as fiber, protein, or calcium--the the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandates that the food must contain at least 10 percent of daily value of that nutrient. The same is true if the words plus or extra appear before the name of nutrient on packaging. read more...

Five Easy Ways to Live Healthy

Stop Drinking all that water
Guzzling lots of agua is the one health move that most of people actually manage on a regular basis. So imagine the disappointment when you heard that it doesn't do a darn thing! "There was no scientific evidence that water can help rid your body of toxins, promote weight loss, ease headaches, or improve skin tone," says Stanley Goldfarb, M.D., author of a recent study review on the topic. "You drink more water, you just pee more." If you're convinced that your skin looks clearer thanks to H2O, it may be just a powerful placebo effect. So instead to trying to chug eight glasses of water every day, let your body be your guide. "Drink when you're thirsty and only enough to feel satisfied," says Goldfarb read more...

Top 10 Biggest Brain Damaging Habits

Avoid the to 10 biggest brain damaging habits.

1. No Breakfast
People who do not take breakfast are going to have a lower blood sugar
level.This leads to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain degeneration.

2. Overeacting
It causes hardening of the brain arteries, leading to a decrease in mental power.

3. Smoking
It causes multiple brain shrinkage and may lead to Alzheimer disease. read more...

What's Causing Your Headache?

Five surprising triggers--and cures for the pain.

About 80 percent of women in this country suffer from headaches. And something as seemingly innocent as chewing gum can bring the throb, explains Larry C. Newman, M.D., director of the Headache Institute at st. Luke's--Roosevelt Hospital in New York City. Whether you suffer from migraines or tension headaches, read on for smart ways to threat and prevent them.

Your local forecast
April showers bring... April headaches? It's true: Springtime storms and changing weather triggered pain in 83 percent of migraine sufferers, according to a study from the mayo clinic in Scottsdale, AZ. Experts speculate that changes in barometric pressure play a role, though it's not yet known how they affect your brain and make your noggin throb.

What to do: Sign up to receive weather alerts at weather.com. When the forecast looks lousy, pop a painkiller, suck as acetamonophen, as a preventive fix. read more...

Eight Daily Habits That Keep You Calm

These tips will help you relax.

Move
Regular daily exercise (such as walking for 20 minutes) can lower levels of stress hormones.
Take a deep belly breath.

Abdominal breathing increases the amount of oxygen in your blood, triggering the brain to decrease the concentration of stress hormones.

Get your zzz's
A good night's sleep helps your body
block the surge of stress hormones. read more...

Eat to Beat Cancer

According to research, these 9 foods can help protect against a variety of cancers.

1. Canned Beans
They're loaded with fiber, which help protect against colon and stomach cancer. Research also shows they may help reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence in postmenopausal women.

2. Broccoli
It's high in a phytochemical called sulforaphane, which helps fight carcinogens, and is rich in an antioxidant indole-3-carbinol, which has been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer. read more...

Top Cancer-Fighting Moves

Five top cancer fighting moves and three more you may not have heard of. Five Cancer Fighting Moves

1. Stay a healthy weight
New research reveals that carrying excess body fat increases your risk for colon, kidney, pancreatic, esophageal, endometrial and post menopausal breast cancer. While the healthy BMI is considered between 18.5 and 24.9, the lowest cancer risk has been found along people with a BMI of 23 or less. Calculate your BMI at nhibisupport.com/bmi

2. Add 10 minutes of walking each day
That's all you need to start slashing your breast cancer risk, reports a University of California study. Step it up and you'll fare even better: studies show that 45 to 60 minutes of moderate activity (a brisk walk, a rigorous bike ride) at least 5 days a week offers strong protection against breast and colon cancer. read more...

Three Ways to Boost Your Energy

Paying attention to what you eat and how you live will help reverse that rundown feeling.

Detox your diet
Fluctuating blood sugar, typically caused by caffeine and sugar, zaps energy. For a better, more long-lasting boost, eat a snack of protein and a complex carbohydrate, such as almond butter on whole-grain crackers.

Face your fears
Courage can be invigorating, says Cheryl Richardson, author of Stand Up for Life. Be the first one on the dance floor or voice your opinions at a meeting. read more...

Is Your Hair Healthy?

Surprising ways you might be taxing your tresses, and the easy fixes.
What's your damage?

Check the Bulb
Pluck out a strand of hair at the root and examine the base. Strong hair has a thick bulb. "If there's no bulb, the hair follicle isn't healthy." The cause? Damage from styling or, potentially, genetically linked hair loss.

Give it a Tug
Wrap a strand of hair around your index finger and thumb (like a piece of string), then use your other hand to tug on it. If it snaps immediately, your hair is lacking moisture: if it stretches "like bubble gum", it needs protein, which strengthens the hair's keratin bonds. read more...

50 Points to Pretty

Breezy, easy ways to look even more beautiful! No big budget involved.

HAIR
1. Try this cheap DIY conditioner at home: Mix together a cup of olive oil, one egg, and half lemon. Massage all over tresses. Rinse well.

2. For instant volume, flip head over, with your fingers, ruffle up hair at the roots. Spritz on hair spray, then style in place.

3. Create big braids before going to bed, and unravel them the next day. Voila! Sexy curls.

4. Use a little lotion to tame frizz or fly-away.

5. Got greasy hair, but have no time to wash your tresses? Smoothing a small amount of baby powder all over your hair does the trick! read more...

Is 50 the new 30?

How to grow old gracefully.

"Women are looking younger than ever because we know more about how to take care of our skin," says Doris J. Day, M.D., a New York City dermatologist and author of Forget the Facelift. In fact, only 30 percent of how we age is based on our genes
. "The rest are factors we can control." Try her skin saving tricks to welcome every birthday.

Make it a Habit
"Your skin is your greatest asset for looking good," says Dr. Day. She advocates cleansing (to prevent clogged pores), moisturizing (to quench dry patches) and using sun protection with at least SPF 15 daily. "There is no greater enemy than sun overexposure," says Dr. Day. Use an exfoliating scrub twice a week to slough off dead skin. Once a month, treat yourself to a tightening facial mask: Mix together 1 tsp each ground almonds and tea tree oil, 1 Tbsp honey and 1 egg white; apply to face and leave on for 3 to 5 minutes. read more

Get Salary Savvy

Even if you’re happy with your paycheck, your two X chromosomes may be shortchanging you, says Linda Babcock, Ph.D., coauthor of Ask For It. In a recent study, Babcock recruited volunteers to play Boggle, telling them they’d be paid $2 to $10 for their time. When it came time for payment, participants were offered $3. Men ask for more at eight times the rate of women! Follow Babcock’s negotiating tips to get paid what you deserve.

Do your homework
* Ask colleagues and other people in your department what the standard procedure usually is for evaluations and raises," says Babcock. Keep a running list of your accomplishments and contributions, and log on to websites like monster.com, salarydirectory.com, carrerjournal.com, or wageweb.com to get an idea of the salary range for the type of job you have. When it comes time for your next review, you'll be prepared.
Talk the talk. read more...

Learn to Love What You’ve Got

Take a good, long look in the mirror.
Most of the women on the show admit they avoid full-length mirrors, but the fact is, you need to take a good, realistic look at every inch of your body. We bet you'll find it's not as bad as you think.

Make a “fabulous” list.
“Start each day with the reminder that, yes, you are beautiful,” says Carson. “List all the gorgeous things in your body on Post-it notes and stick one on your bathroom mirror each morning.”

Break a sweat.
Find an activity you love and do it. You'll not only get a “happy” buzz from endorphins but you'll also start to appreciate your body for the physical things it can do. read more...

What’s the Right Age to Marry?

Getting your M.R.S. degree in college is a rare occurrence these days, as fewer and fewer couples across the United States are marrying in their 20s, according to recent census data. Is it better to tie the knot when you’re young, or live life more before getting hitched?

"Young is more fun."
My husband and I married when I was 23, he 20. We've grown up with our children, and we forget sometimes that we're parents, not a couple of kids ourselves. But that's the high point of marrying and having children young: You get to play them when you still feel like playing!
Michelle Dean, 35, Ellijay, GA read more...

Spice Up Your Valentine’s Day

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, you have an excuse to get naughty.

Tempting toys
From "turn-on" creams and erotic board games to handcuffs and vibrators, we got brave and tried all those saucy (and sometimes scary!) products you've always wondered about but were too embarrassed to buy. Find out which ones are worth blushing about and get in touch with your adventurous side!

Make a move
Too tame for toys? We experimented with no-purchase-necessary techniques and moves that fit every between-the-sheets style. Find out how simple tricks like going commando on date, talking dirty, spending a morning in the nude, and adding ice into the action will turn your sex life up a notch-or two! read more...

Fall in Love with Your Work

Fall in love with your work. Work is never going to be synonymous with play. Heck, that’s why they pay you.

Tap into your talents
Bonnie and Teresa had always loved jewelry, but it wasn't until the duo started helping their friends pick out the perfect baubles that they realized what they were doing was not only fun-it could be also be viable business. "Uncover your own skills by noticing what tasks you love to do," says Teresa. Do you lose track of time when you're scrapbooking? Do you actually look forward to organizing your closets? Once you know your strengths, meet with your manager to figure out ways to capitalize on them-or scout a new work environment where you can maximize these talents.

Build relationships
"You'll never know who might inspire you to perform your best work," says Bonnie. Invite a cube mate to lunch or ask a coworker what she thought of last night's Brothers and Sisters. read more...

Germ-proof Yourself and Stay Healthy All Winter!

You drink your juice and take your vitamins. But you may be overlooking some simple strategies that could stop you from catching a bug this year:

1. Using Hand Sanitizers
No question about it: Hand washing gets rid of germs. Studies show scrubbing with soap and water for 15 seconds before eating and after using rest rooms cuts the risk of infection 10 fold! But when you can't get to a sink, use an alcohol-based hand gel like Purell or Avant. They destroy up to 83% of germs in 10 seconds! "They're so effective, the CDC recommends them," notes Phillip Tierno, Ph.D., of the New York University Medical Center.

2. Sanitizing Your Cellphone
Sanitizing your cell phone and your home phone. Your remote control and any other gadgets that are commonly shared. In a recent study, One in five cell phones tested positive for dangerous types of drug-resistant bacteria, says University of Arizona microbiologist Charles Gerba. To de-germ shared devices, wipe them at least once a week with disinfecting wipes---not sprays or liquids, which might damage internal components. read more...

Thinking of Being a Photographer?

You've tinkered with Dad's old-school Polaroid, and you're saving up for that Lomo you saw at Greenbelt. Up and coming Photographer RJ Fernandez clues you in on what every newbie photographer should have.

The Ability to Multi-Task
Photography isn't just about pointing and shooting. Photographers have to do several things at the same time: wait for Polaroids, talk to models, make sure your lights pop, as well as focus on the actual shoot.

A Good eye for Images
A good eye doesn't have to be inborn; it can be self-taught. Look through photo books, fashion magazines, and design books. Good starter materials are Ways of Seeing by John Berger and Photography and Fascination by Max Kozloff. read more...

Do You Think He's Cheating?

How to tell if it's the real thing or if you're just being paranoid.

Texting
Get a grip, girl! It's just SMS. What you should be worried about is what was in the text. Was it a plan for a secret rendezvous or just hi, hello, nothing? That's not an excuse to go snooping into his cell phone, mind you, but one text too often may raise alarm bells.

Talking
You're not the only girl in the universe, you know. Believe it or not, guys often have perfectly legitimate reasons to talk to other girls. On the other hand, if he's talking to another girl, and he completely forgets you're there, prepare to raise hell.

Flirting
Some guys, just like some girls, are incorrigible flirts. Flirting is like walking on razor's edge. On one side, it's harmless; on the other, it's a road to damnation. If your guy is smart, he'll avoid flirting. read more...

Why Do Guys Cheat?

Finally, one guy gives you the real answer to one of life's greatest mysteries.

Cheating: It's a nasty, ugly business. First of all, there are no hard and fast rules. Every case is different, and only you will know what's acceptable and what's not, no matter what anyone says including me.

Why do guys cheat?

There are probably a hundred and one reasons why guys cheat. One common reason boyfriends cheat is because they feel something is missing in their current relationship. Thus, they try to find it elsewhere. There's an old saying that infidelity isn't the end of a relationship; it's only a sign that there is something wrong in the relationship. I once knew a guy who couldn't bring himself to break up with his girlfriend. Instead, he did everything wrong so she broke up with him. Happy boyfriends don't cheat. They already have a good thing going and will do everything they can to protect it. If you've been cheated on, it's time to reassess your relationship. read more...

I Like to Travel Light Even my Wallet Isn't Heavy

You can have the world on a shoe string budget.

Go forth and see the world! You won't know what you've been missing--stock in smog-city central--till you feel the fine sand under your kitten-heel slippers, see the Mon Lisa up close, or discover the delicate flavor of freshly grilled sawa.
If all that stands between you and a stamp on your passport is the slimness of your purse, don't assume traveling is for the rich and parentally funded. You can have the world on a (shoe) string budget.

Go Surfing

The Internet is the great place to fish for budget travel ideas and resources. Avoid commercial site advertising "cheap rates," and dig out personal sites from fellow travel-lovers who often post photos and journal entries. Cost-cutting tips are also just an e-mail away. Most people re more than willing to share their tried-and-tested insider tips on the best days to book a flight or where to get a decent home-cooked meal in the middle of small-town holiday hideaway. read more...

I Want to Look Like Million Bucks--without Spending That Much!

Better ways to deal with closet-phobia.

It's Monday morning. You open your closet and re faced with the debris for years of constructing your wardrobe--and you still have "nothing to wear." It's the problem that's been plaguing and puzzling the clothing clueless for years. Quick fix: head to the store, and buy ten outfits that should last you, well, until the next time you're feeling fashionably deprived. There are better ways to deal with closet-phobia.

Ukay Away!

One woman's fashion disaster is another woman's fashion find. Thrift stores, ukay-ukay racks, and garage sales could hold your next knockout knock-off. Baguio is the most famous haven for frugal fashionistas, but smaller surplus stores re opening all over the metro, too. Tag along with Manang next time she goes shopping
. No one needs to know you didn't spend a fortune to look so fabulous! read more...

A Good Education is Hard to Find

A good education is hard to find, and even harder to fund.

Once upon a time, the best education came from walking alongside a learned man and cost only as much as a new fair of sandals. Now, new school shoes are the least of your school-year worries. Tuition, books, housing--help! It's hard enough worrying about the entrance exams without thinking about the cost of entering college.

Goodwill Hunting

Financial aid out there, if you know where to find it. Your guidance counselor's office is good place to start, but don't stop the search there. Foreign colleges often send scholarship information only to the well-known schools because they may not know your tiny provincial institution exists! Government scholarships and funds from non-profit organizations are also not widely advertised. Check out websites, or go straight to their offices for hidden tuition treasures for promising (and resourceful) students. read more...

Be a Supermodel on a Low Budget

We can't all be J.Lo (her love doesn't cost a thing, but her flawless looks sure do),and for the amount of time and money it takes to get her into shape, why would we want to be?

There are days when your body feels like a wonderland--and then there are the other 300 or so days of the year. With all the pressure to look effortlessly beautiful, it's no surprise there are now entire stores devoted to achieving perfection. You've got shelf upon shelf of miracle cures masquerading as beauty essentials. We can't all be J.Lo (her love doesn't cost a thing, but her flawless looks sure do)--and for the amount of time and money it takes to get her into shape, why would we want to be?

Health Means Wealth

Want to look your best for free? Be healthy. A healthy body means clearer skin, bright eyes, shiny hair, and a body divas would die for. A healthy spirit keeps us looking youthful, nd nothing improves your appearance like a real smile. Don't forget to exercise your healthy mind. Intelligence is an underrated beautifier! read more...

Makeover: Your Soul

There's powder for your face, gloss for your lips and blush for your cheeks. It's the traditional way to glow. But here are some tips to keep you glowing inside as well as out.

Master the art of self discovery

They say that we learn something new everyday. It's even better if one of those things that you learn is about yourself. So step out of your comfort zone and discover what you can do! Embrace a new hobby, pick up a new language, or do something out of the ordinary. If life is buffet, taste every platter!

We fall to recognize the things we can do only because we've never had the courage to try it. You might end up discovering passions you never knew existed, or talents you never knew you had. The more you learn about yourself, the freer you are truly be you.

Share your shade with someone else

Cherish your relationships with your family and friends. When life turns cruel, they ill be the ones to hand you tissue when you're crying a river; or buy you gallons of ice cream when you are mending a broken heart. Strengthen your bond by buying chocolates for your girl friends, or cooking dinner for your mom. Knowing that you appreciate them makes them even happier to be around you. read more...

15 Signs That He’s A Bad Catch

Something smells fishy in the relationship when your guy starts exhibiting these signs.

If you're already thinking, "How can I tell if my boyfriend's a bad catch?" then you're on the right page. That's why I came up with this lovely list! The top four are obvious, but we all need to be reminded of them.

1. He hurts you physically. Duh!? Obviously, there's only one answer to this problem-get out of the relationship! And don't make excuses for him.

2. He hurts you verbally. Respect is very important in a relationship, so if your guy hurts you even with his words (calling you names or putting you down), he doesn't deserve you!

3. He's on drugs. Any drug, whether the "big bad stuff" or small stuff, is not acceptable! Experimenting with harmful substances like drugs can lead to a dangerous lifestyle. You don't want to find your self in the middle of all that. You want to be with someone who's responsible with his health and his life. That way, you know that you'll be safe with him.

4. He frightens or intimidates you in any way. If you don't feel safe with him, that's not good sign. Even if he's never actually hit you but you get the feeling that he could, end the relationship. read more...

The No Apologies Ego Boost

Let's take look at egos. Like most things in life, a healthy opinion of yourself can actually work--if it's taken in moderation. Too much of anything is bad, and that goes for blown-up egos, too.

Make your ego work for you, without going overboard, by making a mental note of the things you like about your self.

Even the most downtrodden gal can cook up one thing that's going right. Your amazing ability to listen to other people's dilemmas, your irresistible dimples-it can be anything!
Start by thinking of one thing that makes you proud of your self. Add more to the list. In no time, you'll radiate that elusive I'm-proud-of-moi glow! read more...

Pocket Money, Please

If you're a teen, you can make extra cash for the holidays or extra work experience for your future career.

If you can never seem to stretch your weekly allowance till Saturday, perhaps it's time for a new battle plan. Instead of stretching your money, why not earn extra cash and learn while you're at it? However, if you've cleaned your closet and nothing left to sell for another garage sale or if your neighbors are tired of seeing your face at their doors selling cookies every week, then you need fresh money making schemes and we've got a few suggestions. They might not earn you money to burn, but a few extra bucks by the end of the week wouldn't harm your social life. And more than the money, the training and exposure you get from these ides would be priceless.

Capitalize on Your Gray Matter

You've done the baby-sitting stint for as long as you can remember. But Meagan has finally gotten rid of all her baby teeth and is way past needing a baby sitter. It's time for a new marketing strategy. Why not reinvent yourself as a tutor? A tutoring job is a serious responsibility. Most tutors need teaching degree but if you could convince your aunt or your mom's best friend you could do the job just as well as at much more reasonable price, then everybody would be happy. It would be a big plus for your prospective employers because you could double as a tutor and a baby sitter. And if you have aspirations of becoming a preschool teacher or a university professor someday, this is the best way to start. Find out which subjects you're good at. If you've been acing Match class, teaching basic multiplication would be a cinch. Stick to grade levels one to three. At these ages, kids are more manageable and easy to teach. Beyond that, the fractions and the science projects might be too much for you. Preschoolers require more patience and expertise. read more...

Cure Those Cramps

PMS disappears once you get your period, but for some girls this isn't really a consolation because that's when the cramps start.

The body produces the hormone called prostaglandins, which makes the uterus contract more strongly during menstruation. Some girls produce more amounts of it, while other s may just be more sensitive to the "Menstrual cramps also help expel the discharge," says Ob-Gyne Joan Tan Garcia, MD. But how just do you make your period easier to bear? There are already a lot of medications available in the market. read more...

No More Pms!

Say goodbye to bloating, mood swings and those awful cramps.

Premenstrual Syndrome. The mere mention of the words is enough to make any girl wince (and any guy scurry to the nearest exit). It's a group of physical and psychological symptoms that occurs 5 to 11 days before you get your period. Those all too familiar body-related symptoms include: bloating sensation, breast tenderness, headaches and migraines, nausea, diarrhea or constipation, fatigue and vomiting. Pretty huh? As for the psychological or behavioral changes, when PMS hits suddenly you find yourself snapping at your seatmate for borrowing a pen or going into a sobfest upon seeing your crush laughing with some pretty girl; your moods from crappy to crappier.

Blame it on progeste-what?

Yes, every month our hormone levels, more specifically progesterone, normally rise and drop according to what our body normally needs. PMS is the abnormal response to those normal hormonal changes, according to the National Institute of Mental Health in the US. While research has proven that there is a link between the presence of female sex hormones and PMS symptoms, the hormones aren't necessarily the cause of disorder, because not all women experience PMS. As to why some girls have it and some blessedly don't, it's still not known.

We've got you covered!

Even if certain questions surrounding PMS remain a mystery, we've finally figured out how to cope during those totally dreadful days. Joan Tan Garcia, MD, an obstetrician-gynecologist from St.Luke's medical Center suggests the following: read more...

Asia Goes Hollywood

After Sadako climbed out of the TV screen in Ringu (The Ring) and freaked everyone out, it also made Hollywood sit up and start buying and remaking Asian movies for their side of the globe. While it’s still up for debate which version before lining up for the American adaptations.

With a spine-tingling plot that equals The Ring, the Pang brothers spin a terrifying web about a girl named Mun (Angelica Lee) who has an eye operation and suddenly acquires a third eye and the unwanted ability to see dead people. Sounds familiar? But with the Pang Brother's excellent story telling skills and wonderful shots, the movie has been a huge success in Thailand and other parts of Asia.

Take Two: Gothika screenwriter Sebastian Gutierrez has been tapped to do the US version of The Eye. read more...

Everyday Can be Christmas

Give someone a reason to smile today!

Sometimes the best gifts in the life are "free". I know that term sounds incorrect somehow, but stay with me. This being our gift guide issue, I got thinking about the kind of everyday gifts that make the most impact. And usually, they turn out to be non-material things, like a txt from your love one (tee hee). Or a hug from your best friend. Or a kind word from a stranger.
Recently, while I was shopping at Salabianca, a sales lady told me that she liked "the way I put [my] outfit together". (*Blush*)

Just when you think the world is getting to be such a cynical place, you get a delightful surprise-when people are sweet when they don't have to be. And I realized, it takes very little to brighten up someone's day. read more...