Permanent Makeup

Permanent makeup gained worldwide popularity as a simple way to retain the makeup all day long. The most popular permanent makeup options consist of tattooed eyebrows, eye liner, and lip color. But it is not only the women who go for it. Even men are choosing permanent makeup due to many reasons like hiding burns and skin discoloration.

Most of the permanent cosmetics procedures last for 1-2 hours and cost nearly $600. The price will be decided by the type of makeup you prefer. The tattoo artist or technician will use standard tools like pen or rotary machine. Weigh your options carefully prior to selecting the appropriate procedure for you.

Should You Go For Permanent Makeup?

Permanent makeup is highly convenient for most people. You can get up in the morning and save yourself the time and trouble of applying makeup to some portions of your face. It's a great choice for athletes as perspiration doesn’t affect tattooed makeup. You'll also note that this type of makeup is not only for the face. Those with scars or discoloration on other areas of their body can also go for permanent makeup. Color displaced during surgery like pigment of the areola, can be tattooed once mastectomy is done.

People with unwanted features like absence of eyebrow line or eyelashes can easily opt for tattooed makeup. It can improve their look and raise their self-confidence. But you have to make a tough choice with this procedure as you cannot undo the results after the procedure is finished. You'll have to put up with the colors and type of makeup for a long time. Erasing tattoos can be a painful and a very difficult process.

Permanent cosmetics are for people who rarely alter their makeup technique and colors. To pick the suitable colors, be honest with yourself and take a good look at your present choice of colors. For lips, you might select a light shade, as they can be hidden with darker shade to get a different look. For eyeliner or brow, think about the shape and thickness you want carefully.

Always get a qualified technician to do your makeup. The Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals can help. Carry out background research on the technicians in your locality and select a well known professional, having adequate experience and training. When selecting an artist, check out the facilities. It should be clean, well-lit, and have a professional touch. Also, look at a portfolio of work done. Look carefully at the pictures of those who have undergone the procedure that you want to do.

After your procedure, you'll notice that your permanent makeup is darker than anticipated. But it lightens after some time as little color fades away. After many weeks, check your new makeup and find out if you approve of it. If you're dissatisfied with the result, contact your technician or tattoo artist. They can do something to alter your look slightly.

Choosing Home Tanning Beds

Before buying home tanning beds, you'll have to get some elementary information about them. The information you need is not simply about what you should look for in a model but rather it is all about buying the best products in the market. There is a major difference amongst the models and being aware of this difference will help you purchase smartly instead of going for unnecessary items. By using internet, you can get a great choice for your entire home tanning beds.

There are some differences between these and commercial products. In commercial products, there are hardly any frills. They may be highly durable. Although you want a residential model, you can save some money if you are open to the commercial products. Usually they have better warranty and better varieties in terms of quality standards as they have been designed to face higher level of abuse. In case, you go for this option, ensure that the products are safe for your home and that you have the appropriate power supply for them.

These are a few things you'll have to consider while selecting a home tanning booth.

v Consider the brands, but don’t focus on them. There are some excellent ones in the market like Wolff. But simply because it is branded, doesn't mean it is a perfect fit for your needs. Spend time to determine its best features, warranty and quality before looking at the name. Or else, you will simply end up paying more for the name tag instead of the actual product.
v Don’t let it burn you. Take care that the product you buy gives a safe tan. It should protect against both UVA and UVB radiation. It should be safe to use and fitted with the important timers to protect you. Spend some time to ensure that the product is easy to maintain, so that you can do it yourself.
v Find out if it has all the essential features. People think more features implies better product. But you don’t need all of them. Though you should check out those that enhance your experience, remember that features cost money too.
v Always shop around for your booth purchase. You can get great bargains and even some good discounts when you shop on the web. You can save some money even if you buy used models.

You can buy a great booth at an economical price. This is possible if you spend some time looking through the choices available on the web.

Sedu Hairstyles

Sedu hairstyles allow any common man to flaunt a hairstyle of the rich and famous that in some cases can look better. They bring all the people on the same level.

Hairstyles affect the way we view people we meet. Those with long flowing sedu hairstyle are viewed as secure and independent persons. Those with short hair are considered to be intelligent but slightly insecure. But sedu has completely changed the scenario. Sedu hairstyles can be worn by anybody, both insecure and secure or shy and outgoing person.

The sedu flat iron consists of a gemstone known as tourmaline. It is a wonderful gem that is an excellent conductor of heat. The flat iron gets heated very quickly within 30 seconds. Sedu actually reduces the normal time required to flat press your hair by 50%.

The sedu is very light weight and reduces the flat pressing time. Moreover its compact user-friendly design reduces its time further. The unique benefit of the sedu tourmaline flat press straightener is that it is available for home use. There is no need to visit the beauty salon just to style your hair.

You can enjoy yourself by creating your own sedu hairstyles. But prior to that, it is essential to consider these certain preparation tips for your sedu hairstyle.

1. Our scalp contains natural oils that penetrate the hair and lubricate it. This provides your hair a natural sheen. Check if you have long hair. Near the ends your hair can dry up and split as it does not benefit from these scalp oils.
2. While washing your hair, apply more wash and shampoo near the scalp. Your natural oils are quite concentrated there and have higher potency in that region. The heat of the sedu straightener can heat the oils if they are not removed thoroughly.
3. If you have long hair, use more conditioner on your hair that is farthest from your scalp. The conditioner protects and replenishes oils.
4. If you blow dry your hair, ensure the distance between the blow dryer and your hair is at least 6 inches. It will avoid excessive damage due to the heat.

Blow dry your hair down the length of shaft of your hair. Blow drying this way will give a smoother look. Your hair will have a shine and feel thicker. The sedu straightener will improve the look of your split ends.

Follow these easy, intelligent steps to enjoy the benefits of sedu tourmaline straightener. You will get a nice surprise when you note the response of your hair to this method of consistent treatment. Whenever your hair has been prepared correctly, the sedu straightener will weave its magic on your hair.

Bad Credit Loans

There are many reasons why people get into debt and destroy their credit history. Then they have problems paying the bills already due and their financial life steadily goes downhill. However for those who want to eliminate debt and repair their credit, they can take the help of adverse credit loans.

Normally these loans are more expensive than those offered to borrowers with good credit. The interest rates are higher because the lender bears higher risk. But with little help or proper searching you can get adverse credit loans with good interest rates.

E.g. if you have repaid back or settled the bills due to which you damaged your credit history in the beginning, your chances of getting a better rate on a poor credit loan are higher.

The secret that can benefit the borrower is that they take on these adverse credit loans and then repay them on time. This means the borrower must not skip or delay even one payment.

Adverse credit loans have more stringent repayment criteria than normal loans. Skip one payment on a bad credit loan and your rate will rise and you may even have to face a foreclosure.

Irrespective of how low or high the interest rate on the adverse credit loans is, there are some things you should be careful about. If possible, stay away from adverse credit loans that include late payment increases. Lenders have just found out that they can make more money simply by increasing adverse loan rates for delayed or skipped payments instead of rushing into foreclose. While the best solution is never to skip a payment, as a smart consumer you should stay away from bad credit loans that have this clause.

If possible, avoid any poor credit loan that includes a clause for charging prepayment penalty. If you want to eliminate debt, it doesn’t make sense to accept a clause where you will be forced to pay more if you pay your dues earlier. This is what a prepayment penalty is. It means you pay more than necessary every month or even once so that your balance is paid before the agreed end of the loan, you will have to bear extra fees and charges. These lenders just want to make money out of your problems.

Bad credit loans can have inbuilt balloon payments. This means you pay a ridiculously low amount for a significant term of the loan but later on you pay a huge amount of the balance when the loan terms ends. This is ridiculous. If you could make a big payment you would not have considered adverse credit loans to begin with.

Healing Joint Pain

If you are more than 25, you might have suffered from some type of joint pain. The bad news is that as we grow older, we are more likely to suffer from consistent joint pain of some type. If you play sports, jog or weight train, you are bound to suffer from tendinitis at some time or other and as you grow older, arthritis becomes a reality. Nearly 68% of population above 65 is suffering from arthritis. It can be very incapacitating. With computers being used in all walks of life, we are likely to have tendinitis in our fingers and wrists, others can have lateral epicondylitis or tennis elbow if their work involves any sort of lifting.

The good news is today there are supplements and therapies to treat the pain. Before you begin any treatment for your joint pain, better consult a doctor to decide the nature of joint pain you have and find out the various healing options.

These are certain things you can do to get relief from the pain and begin healing:

v Rest: Take a break from sports or activities that can irritate your joints. Allow sufficient time for it to heal.

v Massage: Get a massage from a professional or gently massage your joints by yourself.

v Hot and Cold Therapies: Apply heat pads and/or ice on the area to relieve the pain and reduce inflammation.

v Stretching and Exercise: Physical therapy that involves stretching and strengthening the muscles and tendons is important for pain relief and healing.

v Supplements: Supplements containing nutrients known as chondroprotective agents and include glucosamine and chondroitin are essential for healthy joint structure and working.

Low Voltage Landscape Lighting

Make your outdoor landscaping beautiful all day long by installing low voltage lighting. Low voltage lighting is sold in many styles and stress important parts of your home or garden at night. Outdoor lighting will also increase the safety of walking on your walkways after sunset. Low voltage landscape lights are simple and safe to install even if you don’t know anything about electricity. Simply follow these easy instructions.

When installing low voltage landscape lighting, don’t forget the fact that you are working with electricity, so adequate precautions need to be taken. Always switch off the power before working and don't touch the wires around electrical panels. Your hands should be dry and wear rubber gloves for better insulation. Read the manufacturer's safety instructions and always get permission from your utility company before digging so they can tell you about the location of underground wires or pipes.

Fit Transformer - The transformer should always be fitted close to a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet. A GFCI outlet is meant to protect you from severe or deadly electric shocks. Because the GFCI finds ground faults, it can also stop some electrical fires by disrupting the flow of electric current. The GFCI regulates electricity flowing in a circuit and immediately stops power to that circuit if the current flowing through the circuit varies from that returning by a small quantity. The transformer should be fitted within a foot of the GFCI outlet and at least one foot above the ground. For an area far from the house, you can fit a small post in the ground close to the receptacle and mount the transformer on the post. Put on a weatherproof cover to protect the transformer from sun and rain. Switch off or unplug the transformer or while installing the lights and wires.

Position Lights – Position the landscape lights and cable above the ground where you want them fitted. Keep an approximate distance of 8-10 feet in between each light, with the first light being nearly 10 feet away from the transformer. Connect the lights fixtures and fix the cables to the fixtures. Most lights are attached with quick connectors to ease installation. Place 2 parts of the connector on the cable and tie them together. Uncover the ends of the cable wire close to the transformer and connect them to the transformer’s terminals. Switch on the system to check the lights to ensure they operate properly before burying the cable. If any one of the lights does not work, check the connections to ensure the connectors penetrate the cable.

Inter the cable – With a small garden hand shovel, dig low trenches nearly 3-5 inches deep to inter the cable. Put the cable into the trenches keeping a little slack at every fixture to accommodate for light adjustment if required. Fill the trenches with soil or mulch to cover the cable.

Final Touches – Fix the light fixtures to the ground stakes as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Carefully force the stake underground till the light is at the correct height while taking care that it is straight. If the ground is very hard, slice the dirt first with a hand shovel and then shove the light into this slice.

If installed properly, you will get a soft nightly glow instead of a harsh glare in your yard.
For more advanced installations, buy a transformer that supports multiple cable connections letting you light separate areas. This offers higher flexibility in lighting and more lightning in specific zones if so required.

There are 3 questions that you must ask yourself before applying for secured credit cards. If you go for a secured card without finding answers to these 3 questions, you may regret it later.

1. Is the Interest Rate Sensible?

If you've applied for secured credit cards, it is quite likely that you have some credit problems. Don't let this force you into paying high interest rates. Most of today's secured credit cards have good interest rates with some having as low as 10%. If the company to whose credit card you have applied, charges you a very high interest rate, avoid it. Don’t allow the company to con you. You will be better of with another secured credit card company.

2. Do they charge any Fees?

When you apply for secured credit cards, you'll find some companies will charge you an annual fee. It is ok in certain cases. An annual fee not exceeding $60 is acceptable. But don’t pay over $60 in annual fees for a secured credit card. When you get a secured credit card, you are using a savings account as collateral for that line of credit. This puts the creditor in a safe position. Don’t allow the creditor to charge you heavy fees. Select secured credit cards with nominal fees or no fees at all. They are available.

3. Will Your Credit Line Ever Turn Unsecured?

When applying for secured credit cards, ensure you only apply to the companies who will reward you for a good payment history. Find out the credit card company's policy regarding hiking your credit limit without asking for extra security deposit. You can get this just by asking. If you've paid your statements on time for a year without a single late payment, the credit card company will be very glad to raise your credit limit, ultimately giving you an unsecured line.

Always answer these three questions whenever you want to apply for secured credit cards. If you ask yourself these questions and get positive answers, rest assured that applying for secured credit cards will certainly help your financial future.

Korean Hand Acupuncture

Acupuncture is normally associated with the Chinese, but other people too have introduced their own versions. One of them is Korean hand acupuncture.

Korean Hand Acupuncture

Although there are different types of acupuncture that vary in some ways from Traditional Chinese acupuncture, Korean Hand Acupuncture is comparatively new treatment. It was first introduced in 1971 by Dr. Yu Tao Woo. Since then, it has rapidly become popular. The underlying assumption of Korean Hand Acupuncture is that the hand can mirror the whole human body. A mini version of all of the bodies Meridians and acupuncture points are present in the human hand.

As the hand is really a map of the acupuncture points of the whole body, treatments can be carried out by solely arousing the points on the hand. This is achieved by inserting very small needles that hardly penetrate the skin or by exerting manual pressure. Small acupatches are very effective in this procedure. The “surround the dragon” concept of acupuncture is frequently used. As points associated with specific organs are all placed very close to the hand, these points can be subjected to a massive pressure attack simultaneously.

Of all the reasons responsible for the popularity of Korean Hand Acupuncture, one is that it is far safer than traditional acupuncture. This is taking the things too extreme because acupuncture is regarded as safest procedure. So if you get similar results with even safer procedure using the same general principles, it would certainly become popular.

But proponents of Korean Hand Acupuncture are very practical. They do not labor under the illusion that this procedure is a type of miracle treatment that will one day replace all other types of Medicine, not even body acupuncture. It is regarded as a tool that is beneficial in treating specific conditions. Korean Hand Acupuncture, and its concept of Koryo Sooji Chim, can rank along with Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine to cure and eliminate pain and disease in humans.

Relaxing Techniques

After a hectic day at work, a lazy soak in a warm, soothing tub of water sounds very inviting. Spas and hot tubs offer a mode of treatment for various medical conditions, injuries, or providing relaxation and stress relief. Hot tubs are also a romantic way to relax with your loved ones.

The Romans were the first ones to use spas and hot tubs as is evident from their famous bathhouses that became the center of social life and a normal routine for the elite. The earliest spa users (Romans, Japanese and Chinese) knew the health benefits of using hot water to relax the body and promote overall health.

When first immersed in hot water, the body tries to restore to its normal temperature by pumping the heart faster leading to short-term rise in blood pressure. The longer you remain in the spa, the more times the blood flows through the body. The warm blood results in dilation of the blood vessels, thus reducing the resistance to blood flow and lowering the blood pressure. The muscle-relaxation effects of hot water also benefit dull muscle pain and help eliminating lactic acid and other metabolic wastes.

The water jet found in spas can also help healing by increasing oxygen supply to the affected area. This results when the heat and pressure from the jets increase the level of antibodies and white blood cells sent to the area, leading to destruction of harmful cells and helping the formation of new tissue. There are various spas with water jets but choose the one with less piping as it causes less friction being applied to water flowing through the pipe. The massaging water jets hence work with great force in all the seats of spas.

People with conditions that hamper body motion, like arthritis, multiple sclerosis, or paralysis will benefit from bathing in a hot tub. The warm water provides relief from aches and pains, while loosening joints.

Historically, spas and hot tubs have been regarded as a luxury item for the elite. With the rapid development in spa technology, materials and manufacturing in the last some years, they have become dependable and cheaper for many people. This has made it popular not only for the relaxation and stress relief but also to treat various medical conditions and injuries.

Walking to Improve Your Fitness

Walking is one of the most common physical activities we perform. However when using walking as a type of exercise, start slowly. Starting any exercise quite quickly can lead to injury. The same holds true even for walking.

It is an excellent workout for people leading a sedentary lifestyle or are grossly overweight. It is also a great choice for those who are recovering from an injury or undergoing rehabilitation.

The drop out rate in a walking program is much lower than in other types of exercise. It is far easier to take to walking for 20-30 minutes daily instead of other activities like aerobics, running, swimming or cycling. In all these other exercises you need special equipment or clothing and certain place to work out.

You can carry out your routine anywhere you want. It can be done indoors or outdoors. You can also walk indoors in many shopping malls that open early in the morning. Or walk on a treadmill in your home or the gym.

Walking is cheap, all you need is a pair of supportive shoes and any clothing you want. Moreover it is convenient. Walking lets you introspect daily. Many people regard this as the most creative time of their day as there are no external disturbances to bother them.

Walking with a partner provides you the dual benefits of socializing and exercising. While walking you should be able to talk or you are going very fast and should ease a bit. By increasing the intensity of walking very quickly, you actually lose the advantages.

When you start a program, it is essential to remember various factors. Make a promise to yourself. Set a short-term goal with the deadline of 4-6 weeks. Write down the goal and read it frequently. Honor your commitment, because it is the sole method of achieving your goals.

Though not necessary, carry a bottle of water with you and prevent dehydration. In walking, you don't sweat as profusely as with other exercises but you tend to cover a lot more distance while walking than running. Though sweat loss isn't obvious, you should still drink to retain your hydration.

It is easy to become bored with your walking routine if you stick to the same routes and times daily. Change the route and the time of day if possible. The area at dawn looks different from how it looks in the noon. Vary your routes, time of day, and your speed and bring along some friends. Make it interesting. You are more likely to stick to a schedule if it is interesting.

Walking enhances your overall wellness, respiratory system, joints, weight loss and circulation. It is free, convenient with a low drop out rate. As regards the exercise schedule goes, it provides a complete body workout. It will certainly make a difference in your life.

Acupuncture For Headaches

Results of latest clinical trials have proved that acupuncture can be very helpful in fighting headaches. More and more people are considering alternative therapies. While many just want to take pills prescribed by their doctor, there is an increasing problem with the traditional treatment of headaches.

The problem with traditional medicine

The fact is that conventional medications are ineffective at treating headaches. Some are believed to become effective at treating migraine headaches and others work well with tension headaches. The major problem with these medications is that they convert a migraine into a Chronic Daily Headache – or CDH that is far difficult to treat.

CDH is on the rise. The present definition of CDH is the one that occurs at least 15 days a month. It is an irony that a medication meant to treat one type of headache is believed to help the development of another type. Due to this strange situation, both doctors and patients have been motivated to consider alternative therapies.

Many types of headaches have certain triggers like lack of sleep and certain types of foods. Normally the headache sufferer can stay away from these triggers, but at times, it is difficult. So if medications do not help but instead aggravate the problem, what is the solution?

Considering acupuncture

Acupuncture is a type of therapy in China and other Eastern civilizations, used for more than 5,000 years. It operates by inserting very small needles into certain points of the body. They are then allowed to stay for some minutes or at times even hours. Oriental medicine assumes that the energy force of the body, or Qi (chee), can be disturbed. By keeping needles at certain places where the energy lines first come close to the skin’s surface, the Qi can be rebalanced, thus curing the patient. Though acupuncture has been used for healing people for ages, it is only now its effectiveness for treating headaches has been studied deeply.

Is it effective?

A study of sufferers in the UK showed that those who stayed off work because of headaches took fewer sick days on receiving acupuncture for 3 months. Another study performed at the University of North Carolina showed that patients suffering from CDH showed clear improvements in their headaches.

Extra benefits

Studies showed an interesting result. Acupuncture eased tension and migraine headaches in the patients who underwent acupuncture as compared to those who received no acupuncture. But there was no noticeable difference in results between ‘real’ acupuncture and placebo acupuncture where needles were simply inserted into areas that did not have any benefit.

Whatever the cause for the results, acupuncture is a safe method of headache treatment, with no adverse effects. Due to this, many GP Practices today provide acupuncture as an alternative therapy.

Wu-Long Tea for Weight Loss

Wu-long tea has been considered as a boon for fat loss by many. There are lot of crazy and unsubstantiated claims about which foods and herbs are efficient fat-busters. So it's a change to know that wu-long tea, regarded by many as the latest fat-buster, actually has supporting evidence to prove it.

The funny thing is that it’ll cost you less if you buy this tea with its traditional spelling of its name. Oolong tea and wu-long tea are one and the same, just spelt differently.

In August 2003, researchers at the University of Tokushima School of Medicine observed that oolong tea raised the rate of burning of calories by 10%, while those drinking green tea saw a metabolic rise of 4%. Both teas helped in burning of fat when consumed after a meal, but wu-long tea was more effective.

Another study conducted in 2006 showed that oolong tea could effectively lower the absorption of fats consumed during a meal. They observed that lipids (fats) were excreted at a higher rate from the stool of those who drank the tea after their meals as against those who did not. The tea also had a beneficial effect on the cholesterol levels.

Green tea, oolong (or wu-long) tea, and black tea are all obtained from the same plant. The difference in the end product we drink comes from the differences in the time required for processing and fermenting all the 3 varieties of tea. Green tea is the least processed, while black tea has highest processing. Oolong tea comes in between.

Oolong tea has nearly 50% less caffeine than green tea, but higher polymerized polyphenols, the chemicals believed to increase the metabolism of fats. Although caffeine can speed up the metabolism to certain extent, it is certainly not caffeine that increases the efficiency of oolong tea in losing weight.

But wu-long tea has fewer cancer-fighting properties than green tea. If you are worried about cancer and are drinking green tea, you may not opt for oolong tea. But if weight loss is your goal and are not consuming any type of tea, your metabolism will increase when you choose wu-long tea.

The results of the studies indicate that you will be greatly benefited from the metabolic boost provided by wu-long tea if you drink it immediately after a meal. Oolong tea has a delicious, complex flavor that is regarded by some as a "nuanced flavor profile."

Sadly, increasing number of people today, are purchasing this tea for its limited weight loss results. This has caused in escalation of its prices.

Chocolates For Your Brain Power

Chocolate may give a short-term boost to cognitive skills and sharpen the mind, as per the University of Nottingham researchers. The researchers credit flavanols, a compound found in chocolate and certain fruits and vegetables with helping people combat fatigue, the results of aging, or sleep deprivation.

Chocolate plays an important role in increasing blood flow to certain areas of the brain causing an improvement of brain performance for 2-3 hours, according to the main researchers of the study.

The results indicated that certain ingredients in chocolate can be used in treating dementia, vascular impairment, or strokes. They are also believed to be beneficial in improving cardiovascular health.

They noted increased activity in certain areas of the brain in those people who drank a cocoa drink rich in flavanol with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Flavanol is present in other food items apart from chocolate. The other sources are: red wine, blueberries, or green tea. Researchers showed the effect of the high-flavanol cocoa drink on blood flow to the brain and suggested that certain ingredients can improve brain function especially in those people suffering from sleep deprivation or fatigue.

Fats That Make You Skinny

With growing awareness regarding health issues, some parents are restricting the quantity of sweet treats and instead including non-edible gifts and toys in filling the basket. Here are some more expert tips to make your child’s Easter healthier without compromising on the fun.

1. Choose the chocolate or jellybeans but only fill the basket with those items that the recipient is actually going to love. Don’t cross the limits.
2. Include fun fillers that motivate playing or sports. An Easter basket is an excellent time to add toys and items that can be used in physical activity.
3. Encourage playfulness and child-like fun. Include a bubble-blower in the basket, some Easter arts and crafts, or some Play-Doh and become innovative.
4. Include something religious or spiritual. Easter is not a religious holiday for all, but if it has religious importance to your family, utilize it to the fullest.
5. Select attractive, nutritional food stuffs. Include few food items suitable for the age like sugar-free chewing gum and breath mints, flavored green tea, cans of nuts, fruit, etc.

Another excellent option is to make the yearly Easter egg hunt into a scavenger hunt about the house by writing clues on paper and the chocolate bunny is the gift the winner gets ultimately. This way, your kids don’t fatten up on the never-ending supply of chocolate eggs.

Self Acupuncture

The mere mention of the word acupuncture brings to our mind an old Chinese man with a long, white beard and needles. But self-acupuncture dispels this notion.

The idea that self-acupuncture was possible, sounded preposterous and unbelievable. It contradicted the whole concept of Traditional Chinese Medicine and clubbed it with other New Age self help treatments. The theories that support the foundation for acupuncture are based in centuries of experimentation, study, and philosophical contemplation. You cannot just read a book and master it.

But it is not totally wrong as well. Acupuncture is not an activity that can be carried out by a person with hardly any training. But at same time, it is quite harmless. If you use sterile needles and keep the insertion points clean, there is not much harm caused by a novice. But still there are no great benefits too.

However there is a legitimate form of self acupuncture that was developed some years back by a Dr. Zu De Ye at the University of Arizona. Since then, it has spread and is available in clinics across the world. It is based on a theory called as the “fractal theory.” This theory was developed on the basis of principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, but improvised them more. To understand its operation, you should be open to accepting the idea the Universe is made up of parts that are microcosms of the whole.

E.g. our body is a microcosm of the Universe itself. The forces that operate in the Universe are also operating within the human body. When the human body is out of sync with this cosmic unity, sickness occurs. When in harmony, wellness occurs. The fractal theory improvises this concept further. Parts of the body can also denote the whole. This idea is the basis of things like ear acupuncture where the ear is regarded as being a human form curled into a fetal position. It is also the basis of Korean Hand acupuncture in which all the points and Meridians of the body are found within the hand.

The completely developed fractal theory has helped in discovery of specific certain points on the human body that are really microcosms of whole organic systems. Results can be achieved by stimulating these points with very small needles. It consists of inserting only one needle in certain very specific and easily located key points on the body. Dr. Ye’s treatment has helped patients to practice this type of self acupuncture. The needles are small, and the points in safe positions, thus reducing the danger. The benefit of self acupuncture is that there is no need for practitioner for the treatments, thus saving time and money. Although there is a need to carry more research, there are some signs showing that the self-acupuncture using principles of fractal theory may very soon become another healing treatment.

Chinese Weight Loss Secrets

The conventional methods for losing weight and flattening the abs are usually difficult and most of the times they don’t work. They need plenty of sacrifice and are very costly. But with many people wanting to lose weight, there are new methods coming in the market on how to lose inches.

But there is a simple way to eliminate fat from your belly. It is an easy 5000 year old Chinese method that requires hardly 2 minutes of your time.

Start this exercise by lying on your back. Keep the palm of your hands on your navel and then just rub it as described below.

With your right hand, rub clockwise from the center i.e. from right to left, initially in small circles that later on go on increasing till the upper and lower abs are rubbed. At this point, you cover both the lower and upper abs, change the direction of rubbing (counter clockwise) and go on reducing the circles till you reach the navel.

Do not use force, just a simple gentle rub will do. When you reach the navel, begin again. Repeat this 10-12 times.

Your chi (invincible energy) goes from the hands through the skin to your belly. So as you make circular movements, you are transmitting energy to the muscles of the stomach. This occurs when you move your right hand on your belly and execute the clockwise motion.

Imagine the energy from the hands passing through the skin, reaching your belly, gently massaging and removing fat from your abdominal area to increase the effectiveness of this exercise.

This electricity (chi) from your hands massages your intestines, blood vessels and your digestive and bowl system.

Fat deposits are shifted from their resting place and broken down, from where they enter the bowl system and ejected.

This way you can burn the hard-to-remove fat just by rubbing away.

Another benefit of rubbing your abs in a clockwise direction is that you are stimulating proper bowel movement. This eases constipation that normally leads to water retention and weight gain. Hence if you suffer from constipation, this exercise will help you in having regular bowel movements that will help you shed little weight.

Acupuncture for Weight Loss

Weight loss is an important goal for many people due to their ever-growing waist lines. Acupuncture for weight loss is a distinct approach to the subject.

Acupuncture for Weight Loss

Acupuncture is a highly effective treatment method to treat weight loss. Weight loss is one of the most classical examples illustrating the similarities and differences in the treatment procedures followed by Tradition Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine. They are similar as both of them accept that a person can have weight problem due to various reasons. Also both of them accept that any treatment must be accompanied by diet and lifestyle changes to get results. They differ a lot in the treatment methods from a clinical overview.

The acupuncturist uses a treatment regimen that works to effectively eliminate the main problem that leads to higher weight. This regimen will depend on the patient taking into account those factors that are ignored by the Western Medicine. Even the diehard skeptics of acupuncture accept its effectiveness in treating weight loss. They focus their criticism on explaining other reasons for the effectiveness of the treatment. One reason attributed is that on inserting the needle, endorphins are released into the body. These “feel good” chemicals are believed to help in suppressing the appetite.

There may be some truth in this as many acupuncture treatments are followed by keeping a small pad on the acupuncture point. A little pressure is exerted in between treatment sessions. This pressure is applied when an urge to overeat is experienced and helps in controlling the urge and keeping the diet on track. Even the diehard skeptics accept acupuncture is harmless. Unlike various types of chemical diet treatments, the prospects of addiction or harmful side effects are absent.

The acupuncture treatments will depend on the actual diagnosis made by the practitioner. The first step involves complete physical examination. This examination may look strange to a person who is ignorant about the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It will examine the tongue minutely and include palpation of internal organs. It will consider the full history of the patient and his lifestyle. Note that there are various schools within acupuncture itself. Classical Five Element acupuncturists will concentrate deeply on various lifestyle issues. This type of acupuncture aims to treat the body, soul, spirit, and mind of the patient, so as to bring about total harmony.

Acupuncture treatments for weight loss consist of many long sessions. Sometimes results are evident very quickly. At other times, it can take a long time and sessions must be repeated for a long time to achieve any weight loss success. For complete success, the acupuncture treatments should be used in conjunction with different herbal supplements. The treatment plan should also incorporate other issues like diet and exercise. If performed properly and with a strict adherence to the full program, the chances for success are very bright. But it is not the “quick fix” that many overweight people resort to.

How To Lose The Pot Belly

Weight loss is both a mental and physical process. First, you must have a strong desire to lose weight and look stunning. So once you've decided to lose weight and burn all the fat in your body, you should make that commitment and follow it with a positive attitude. Another is a physical process of exercise. Cardio workout is an excellent way to lose weight. But many are scared by the thought of losing potbelly with cardio and sit ups. Though we would wish for a miracle to occur, it is not possible. Losing weight needs time and effort if you don’t have the suitable approach and encouragement to help you.

But there is a way out where we don’t have to perform the painful situps and yet lose weight and enjoy a flat abs. By following the right directions and correct guidelines, you can get a flat stomach and look shapely. These are some simple and useful tips and ways you can follow easily to get the desired results.

POSITIVE ATTITUDE:
To achieve something in life you must think like a winner. Always tackle it with a positive attitude and commitment. Slimming down and losing weight does not simply involve diets. It's about reinventing yourself and the prospect of creating a new life for yourself.

SET GOALS:
It is possible to lose 50 pounds in a week if you keep on exercising all day long and eat nothing but celery. But this is not practical and safe. Remember slow and steady wins the race. Set your goals small, achievable and practical. You’ll see you have achieved more.

WALK TO LOSE WEIGHT:
Walking to lose weight is simple, fun, inexpensive and low impact form of exercise to include in daily life. Walking for weight loss is a simplest weight loss exercise that is an alternative to increase the calorie deficit needed to bring about weight loss. It is one of the excellent slimming methods.

KEEP A FOOD DAIRY:
Always keep a food dairy of what you had eaten and what you plan to eat. Eat 5 small meals daily instead of 3 big meals and always begin your day with a break fast and don’t eat 3 hours before sleeping.

AVOID WHITE BREAD:
White bread is not healthy. Research has proved that people eating more refined products like white bread have higher chances of putting on belly fat.

AVOID SHOPPING WHEN HUNGRY:
Don’t shop when you are hungry or you will wind up purchasing more fattening food. Always eat before shopping for food and carry a grocery list. Buy only the food that is on your weekly diet program.

WEIGH YOURSELF:
Weigh yourself once each week and keep a record of your weight loss.

DON’T SKIP MEAL:
Don’t skip your meals as eating increases your metabolism hence skipping meals can reduce your metabolism. Always eat slowly and chew each morsel fully to reduce your appetite. Chew everything 10 - 20 times and count. Drinking hot water instead of cold water can increase the pace of your metabolism and burn more calories.

EGG WHITES:
Always use egg white in preparing dishes like Omelettes. It has very low fat and lot of protein.

PARTICIPATE IN SUPPORT GROUP:
When you want to achieve any goal you have set for your self you always require a moral support and the best moral support can be given by those who have already achieved the goal or on the way to achieve. Hence find a weight loss buddy or participate in support group. It will let you stay on course with your goal.

Lastly, remember lose weight for yourself, not to keep others happy. Also drink at least 8 glasses of water daily. Water helps in reducing water retention, as it is a diuretic.

Cabbage Soup Diets For Weight Loss

Cabbage soup diet has become one of the popular diets throughout the world. People who want to lose weight must have attempted it or thought about following it at some time or other. Cabbage soup has yucky taste but because people consider it to be beneficial, they opt for it. But besides being a fad diet it can also harm your health. Cabbage soup for rapid weight loss is a very dangerous diet. This is why.

Although there is no "official" version of this diet, as nobody wants to take credit for introducing it, there are different cabbage diet plans based on eating plenty of cabbage soup, and hardly anything else. Claims made for the cabbage soup diet include the cabbage soup’s fat burning properties and huge amount of weight you can lose weekly. This diet is usually considered as a fast method of losing weight for a special occasion and most followers recommend that it should be followed only for 7 days. The method of preparation of cabbage soup to increase its effectiveness for weight loss is just to boil it in water, add little salt and you are through. It has the most disgusting tastes amongst all the soups.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of cabbage?

The good news is that cabbage is a great source of vitamin K and vitamin C. Eating a raw cabbage salad maximizes the intake of vitamin K and C (vitamin C deteriorates rapidly at high temperatures so cooking the cabbage more reduces the chances to save its essential vitamins). Moreover a cup of cabbage provides you with nearly 15% of your daily fiber needs.

The cabbage diet uses the fact that though rich in vitamins, minerals and omega 3 fatty acids, the cabbage does not contain calories. A cup has nearly 33 calories and keeps you full longer. Cabbage moves very slowly through your gut, thus delaying hunger pangs.

What happens when you eat only cabbage soup?

If you eat nothing more than cabbage soup, your body will quickly detect you have a problem and will stubbornly hold onto its fat reserves. A healthy amount of fat is necessary for the functioning of the brain, so your brain will shift from using fat from food and reserves to using fat present in muscles and important organs. The brain is the most self-centered organ in our body. It will shift your body’s metabolism to ensure nothing will hamper its proper working. You become lethargic as the brain “realizes” there is a shortage of food and it will reduce your activity to save your energy for as long as possible. So all that happens is that you lose muscle tissue and feel down and depressed.

Chocolate Labradors

Chocolate Labradors are highly popular due to their beautiful color and rich appearance. Chocolate Labradors perform nicely in dog shows, but are usually seen more in families as both the family guard dog and the children’s play mate. This is essential because of the good-nature of these dogs, making them best companions for children. Like all dogs they have to be trained not to pounce on kids, chew things, and become house-trained.

Training Regimen For A Chocolate Labrador

As puppies are undisciplined they can be risky for children because they do not still know what is harmful and what is not. This is truer of chocolate Labrador puppies and other large breed puppies as they grow very quickly. They become big and strong very quickly and look like they are full grown, yet they are just puppies for at least one year. This means they contain plenty of energy and playfulness that can create a problem if the puppy is not well-trained. A professional training class is usually the best choice for a chocolate Labrador puppy, just like any large breed dog.

As The Puppy Becomes A Dog

As the chocolate Labrador puppy becomes an adult dog, it becomes little quieter, but chocolate Labradors are still very energetic dogs and will continue to be so till they become old. Consider this point very carefully before getting a chocolate Labrador. Large breed dogs normally live for at least 10-12 years and the energy level will be high for the initial 7-8 years at least. This is a very long time for a person to work and live with a highly energetic animal. Although most people will have no problems with this issue, nonetheless it is a point to consider while getting a chocolate Labrador.