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Wednesday, July 31, 2013

4 Home Improvements That Will Save You Money

By Geoff Williams | U.S.News & World Report LP
Frequently, those TV spots are spot-on. It is fun to have a new kitchen or to show off your newly installed hardwood floors to your friends and family. But it's all too easy to forget about home improvements that will only get you a polite nod when showing them off - and yet if you ignore them, they could cost you serious money.
So if you're a homeowner with some extra cash this month, look around. There's plenty you can do.
The basement. Particularly if you live a humid climate, you could install a dehumidification system, suggests John Isch, co-chair of the American Institute of Architects Custom Residential Architects Network. This is a much more sophisticated operation than your basic humidifier and will get rid of the humidity in the basement, and some are designed for the entire house.
It may not sound like much of an improvement at first, especially if your family and visitors aren't complaining about the humidity in your home, but even if it isn't noticeable, the humidity may well be there. As Dawn Zuber, another American Institute of Architects member, points out, if the humidity is removed, the house will feel cooler - which may mean you use the air conditioning less.
A dehumidifier may also protect your collectibles. "I run one in my basement and as long as it takes the humidity out of the air, it's keeping all the junk I am storing downstairs from decaying," Zuber says.
Typical cost: Expect to spend at least $1,000, depending on the system.
Typical savings: It is impossible to say, and it may not be worth the cost. But consider how often you use your air conditioner and how much the stuff in your basement is worth.
The attic. If you're interested in only heating and cooling the parts of the house that you live in, and not, say, the drafty attic you rarely visit, Zuber suggests homeowners seal up the air in the upper part of their homes.
"Have someone go up in the attic and seal any penetrations between the ceiling and the attic, like where the pipes and vents go through, and add spray foam insulation to the rim joists in their basements or crawl spaces," Zuber says. "This is the area above the concrete or concrete block wall, where the floor framing meets the exterior wall. Adding attic insulation also provides a nice return on investment if there's less than 10 inches of existing insulation."
Why is that important? The thinner the walls, the faster heat passes through. The more insulation you have, the longer your house stays warm in the winter, and in the summer, it'll stay cooler longer, since the heat from outside can't get inside as quickly.
If you're really into this project, Zuber suggests hiring an energy auditor or home energy rater to test your house and recommend the most cost-effective insulation and air sealing techniques.
Typical cost: A can of spray foam insulation only costs about $6. Of course, if you hire an energy auditor or home energy rater, plan on spending $400 to $500. And if you send a professional handyman up to the attic with a can of $6 spray foam insulation, you may want to add another $100 to your cost.
Typical savings: Again, it's hard to quantify, but if all you have to spend is $6 on a can of spray foam insulation, and you find even one gap to fill, you'll probably come out ahead.
Cracks under windows and doors and holes near the foundation. Unfortunately, there probably aren't just cracks and gaps in your attic - your basement may have them, too, and there may be spaces around your windows and doors where air is getting in. (If you want to, you could spend a good month or two, and quite a bit of cash, sealing up all the cracks in your house.)
Dean Bennett, who owns Dean Bennett Design and Construction, Inc., a design and building firm in Castle Rock, Colo., suggests looking for gaps in the walls of your basement. "It's very common to have these gaps in houses that are more than 15 years old," Bennett says. "Construction techniques did not involve sealing between the sill and foundation very well. Now, they use a layer of foam between the two."
If you live in an older home, Bennett says you can do yourself a favor by doing a "close visual check" for any holes around your basement or foundation. He says filling in the holes could help prevent hot summer air or cold winter air from filtering into your home - not to mention mice and other critters.
Advertisements will tell you to replace your current windows and doors with energy-efficient ones, and maybe you need to. But many home improvement experts will tell you that if there's a draft, it may be adequate to simply weather-strip your doors and windows.
In fact, "the biggest home-energy and money wasters are windows and doors because of the heat they let out and cool air they let in, depending on the season," says Andrea Thomas, Wal-Mart's senior vice president of sustainability.
Typical cost: The can of spray foam insulation to use in your basement runs about $6. As for weather stripping, the price varies, but a 10-foot strip of rubber window weather stripping can be found at many stores for less than $10.
Typical savings: If you weather-strip, Thomas says the average homeowner can save $160 every year in heating and cooling costs.
Decks. Have a wooden deck? Don't forget to put a new coat of stain on it, once every three years, according to Bennett. "It will weatherproof it as well as make it look better," he says.
Typical cost: Deck stain can cost anywhere from $40 to several hundred dollars. Add a couple hundred dollars if you hire a professional to do it. And if you want to replace a deck, Bennett points out that those made of composite materials don't require staining.
Typical savings: A wood deck that is stained regularly can last 20 to 30 years, Bennett says. "If you never do it, you'll shorten the life of your wood deck by 50 percent or more."
credit to: Geoff Williams | U.S.News & World Report LP

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

How to Erase Stretch Marks

How to Erase Stretch Marks


Some people are desperate to find a way to erase stretch marks. Many people, especially women, see their stretch marks as unsightly and embarrassing, so it's no surprise that there are so many stretch mark removal products and procedures available. However, some of these stretch mark removal treatments are pricey and ineffective, or work only on certain types of stretch marks.

Stretch marks are actually deep scars and have two main causes: physical and hormonal. Physical causes are typically sudden weight gain, weight loss or growth spurts of some kind. This extreme stretching of the skin can damage the skin fibres, causing them to tear. Stretch marks can also develop as a result of long-term steroid use or diseases such as Cushing's. There's few ways to completely erase stretch marks, but there are some treatments available that will help you significantly reduce their appearance. Read on to learn more about how to erase stretch marks.
Instructions



    • 1
      Take steps to prevent stretch marks. The key to keeping your skin clear of stretch marks is prevention, because there are very few stretch mark removal treatments that will be able to adequately and completely clear up your skin. It's recommended that when pregnant or developing that you keep your skin properly moisturized. Of course, for some people, it's simply impossible to completely prevent stretch marks completely. But keeping your skin moisturized will go a long way and typically helps most people in staving off the development of scar tissue.
    • 2
      Exfoliate your skin to erase stretch marks. Some people may notice significant improvement in the appearance of stretch marks when they exfoliate and remove the top dead layers of skin. Make sure to use a moisturizer after exfoliating.


        • 3
          Use stretch mark remover creams and lotions to erase stretch marks. These are usually most effective on new stretch marks; those that have been on your skin for many years typically may not respond to these removal creams. AHA, or alphahydroxy acid, is one of the most popular solutions developed to treat stretch marks.
        • 4
          Try laser treatments or skin peels to reduce the appearance of older stretch marks. These stretch mark removal treatments are typically much more effective than the usual creams or exfoliaters, but they also can be quite painful. Talk to a doctor or dermatologist to learn more about these treatments.
        • 5
          Try cosmetic surgery to completely erase stretch marks, or at least get rid of their appearance significantly. This is probably one of the most radical methods of treatment, but also one of the most -- if not the most -- effective. While it's impossible to repair the damaged scar tissue, the surgeon can pull the skin taut to reduce the appearance of stretch marks in the affected area.
          Note: when using any creams,treatment be under supervision of your doctor.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Male Stretch Marks-How to Get to Reduce


It make sense that stretch marks are more frequently associated with women than men, as nine out of 10 pregnant women and seven out of 10 adolescent females have them. However, a significant portion of the male population gets stretch marks too: Four out of 10 male adolescents and many older males have them. 







Things You'll Need


  • Cocoa butter
  • Shea butter
  • Massage
  • Laser treatment
  • Scar treatment cream
  • Bleaching cream
  • Chemical peels
Instructions




    • 1
      Apply cocoa or shea butter to the stretch marks. These natural butters are highly hydrating and deeply penetrate the skin. Since stretch marks are more apparent on dry skin, your stretch marks will be less noticeable after regular application.
    • 2
      Massage your stretch marks. Apply firm pressure and use circular motions to rub your stretch marks twice daily, for at least 90 seconds. Massage helps to break up scar tissue. It also encourages circulation so that essential nutrients can reach the area more easily, aiding the healing process.
    • 3
      Get laser treatment. Laser light is highly effective at treating stretch marks. The laser burns away the top layers of skin, revealing younger, less damaged skin below. It also breaks up scar tissue and increases collagen production so that your skin will look firmer and more even in tone. With repeated sessions, your stretch marks can be completely removed.
    • 4
      Rub scar treatment cream on your stretch marks twice daily. Since stretch marks are scars, such creams are effective at gradually fading the marks. Most scar treatment creams contain onion extract which works to fade scars. You can find scar treatment creams at most drug stores.
    • 5
      Use bleaching cream on your stretch marks. Bleaching creams work best on fresh stretch marks, when they are still dark or red. The cream will lighten the marks so they better blend in with the surrounding skin. Over-the-counter bleaching creams are available at most cosmetic and drug stores. You can also obtain prescription-strength bleaching cream via a doctor's prescription.
    • 6
      Consider chemical peels. A skincare professional will apply chemicals that react with the top layers of your skin, burning them away. After your skin heals, it will look younger and smoother, and your stretch marks will be less noticeable. Often, a series of peels are necessary to achieve desired results.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Tips: Get daily exercise. This increases circulation which aids the skin's recovery process.  

      WARNING:    Do not expose your stretch marks to the sun. The sun's rays can further damage the skin and impede the healing process.
      Note: The truth is To get rid of stretch marks whether male or female permanently is to consult a dermatologist and getting back to many sessions in using the method that you and your dermatologist had chosen. And it will cost a lot. so I will try to find natural ingredients for more easy access and safety. Just have patience in applying it will really takes a while until it reduces the marks.
      Note: When applying anything on the skin whether natural or specially ointment it needs to test a small portion of your body to know how it will react on your skin. If you feel discomfort wash it right away.

      SOURCE: http://www.ehow.com/how_4857226_reduce-male-stretch-marks.html#ixzz2Z50dW29K


Friday, July 26, 2013

Health_Dengue and Chikungunya Differentiation

When I reviewed all I had posted about Health articles I had come to conclude Dengue and Chikungunya have some cases of being diagnosed of having both the illness is because the common factor that is transmitted to people/humans by the bite of an Aedes mosquito but THEY HAVE common and different symptoms. Fatalities related to chikungunya virus are rare. Some of the The preventions are the same to maintain cleanliness where a species of mosquito that breeds in household containers( clean water and stagnant with no cover) and surrounding like in gutter, flower pot, drainage, in the playground where there is unused rubber tire.This mosquito is an aggressive biter during the day, and is attracted to humans for bloodmeals, mosquito repellent and wearing long pants and long sleeves.



The Dengue is transmitted to people by the bite of an Aedes mosquito that is infected with a dengue virus. The mosquito becomes infected with dengue virus when it bites a person who has dengue virus in their blood. The person can either have symptoms of dengue fever or DHF, or they may have no symptoms. After about one week, the mosquito can then transmit the virus while biting a healthy person. Dengue hemorrhagic fever is characterized by a fever that lasts from 2 to 7 days, with general signs and symptoms consistent with dengue fever. When the fever declines, symptoms including persistent vomiting, severe abdominal pain, and difficulty breathing, may develop. This marks the beginning of a 24- to 48-hour period when the smallest blood vessels (capillaries) become excessively permeable (“leaky”), allowing the fluid component to escape from the blood vessels into the peritoneum (causing ascites) and pleural cavity (leading to pleural effusions). This may lead to failure of the circulatory system and shock, followed by death, if circulatory failure is not corrected. In addition, the patient with DHF has a low platelet count and hemorrhagic manifestations, tendency to bruise easily or other types of skin hemorrhages, bleeding nose or gums, and possibly internal bleeding. Dengue cannot be spread directly from person to person.

 The principal symptoms of dengue fever are high fever, severe headache, severe pain behind the eyes, joint pain, muscle and bone pain, rash, and mild bleeding (e.g., nose or gums bleed, easy bruising). Generally, younger children and those with their first dengue infection have a milder illness than older children and adults.

And while 

The Chikungunya fever is a viral disease transmitted to humans by the bite of infected mosquitoes. Chikungunya virus is a member of the genus Alphavirus, in the family Togaviridae. Chikungunya fever is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings (e.g., joint swelling), laboratory testing, and the possibility of exposure to infected mosquitoes. There is no specific treatment for chikungunya fever; care is based on symptoms. Chikungunya fever is not usually fatal. Aedes aegypti 
(the yellow fever mosquito), a species of mosquito that breeds in household containers, is an aggressive biter during the day, and is attracted to humans for bloodmeals.
 Aedes albopictus (the Asian tiger mosquito) has also played a role in humantransmission in Asia, Africa, and Europe. Various forest-dwelling mosquito species in Africa have been found to be infected with the virus.
Image: Aedes aegypti mosquito



The Aedes aegypti mosquito is the principle vector responsible for transmitting the chikungunya virus to humans.




Chikungunya virus infection can cause a debilitating illness, most often characterized by fever, headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, rash, and joint pain. The term ‘chikungunya’ means ‘that which bends up’ in the Kimakonde language of Mozambique.
Acute chikungunya fever typically lasts a few days to a few weeks, but as with dengue, West Nile fever and other arboviral fevers, some patients have prolonged fatigue lasting several weeks. Additionally, some patients have reported incapacitating joint pain, or arthritis which may last for weeks or months. The prolonged joint pain associated with chikungunya virus is not typical of dengue. No hemorrhagic cases related to chikungunya virus infection have been conclusively documented in the scientific literature. Co-circulation of dengue fever in many areas may mean that chikungunya fever cases are sometimes clinically misdiagnosed as dengue infections, therefore the incidence of chikungunya fever could be much higher than what has been previously reported.
The incubation period (time from infection to illness) can be 2-12 days, but is usually 3-7 days. “Silent” chikungunya virus infections (infections without illness) do occur, but how commonly this happens is not yet known. Chikungunya virus infection (whether clinically apparent or silent) is thought to confer life-long immunity. Fatalities related to chikungunya virus are rare.
I have posted/published complete information about
Health-Dengue:Frequently Asked Questions on March 30,2013 and
Health-Chikungunya on June 26,2013.
note: I hope this can help to make everyone to understand both viral infection.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

The Story Behind the Crying Cop(Policeman)

The story behind the crying cop

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/
Posted at 07/23/2013 3:54 PM | Updated as of 07/23/2013 11:17 PM
PO1 Joselito Sevilla. Photo by Rem Zamora for ABS-CBNnews.com
MANILA - It all started peacefully.
People were starting to converge along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City early Monday morning, a few hours before the State of the Nation Address.
Street vendors were selling kwek-kwek (quail eggs), bottled water and other drinks while kids were roaming around the car-free Commonwealth Avenue looking for coins dropped by passing vehicles the previous days.
What set the scene apart from an ordinary day along the busy highway: container trucks and barbed wires were in place, signs of things to come.
On the other side of the fenced area, policemen were lying on the road resting. Some of them had been posted there since two days ago.
Chaos
Around 11 a.m., a big group of activists arrived near Ever Gotesco Mall. The protests began.
Activists hurriedly removed the metal fence on the island, allowing them to bypass the police barricade. Anti-riot policemen from the other side of the road ran and tried to block them, but the protesters pushed through.
There was one policeman who flashed a peace sign to the protesters, asking them to remain calm. He urged activists to hold a dialogue instead of resorting to violence.
And then chaos began.
On one side, policemen blocked and pushed protesters away. On the other, activists told the first line of security that they wanted to go near Batasan Complex.
Rocks were thrown and people were hit with truncheons and shields. Most of the members of the media stayed on top of a dump truck to give them a good vantage view, while some remained in the middle, sandwiched by the clashing protesters and policemen.
Crying cop
It was a long and tiring dispersal. According to reports, at least 50 were injured in the clashes.
But amid the chaos, my lens caught a scene I thought I would never see during a dispersal.
A foreign protester was berating a policeman asking him why they were hurting the people. “Why are you doing this to us? Why are you hurting us?!”
PO1 Sevilla talks to a foreign participant in the protest. Photo by Rem Zamora for ABS-CBNnews.com
The officer simply stood his ground. “I am a policeman, I’m just doing my job.”
He said his job was to maintain peace and order. He said they were given orders and they had to follow.
Suddenly, the police officer cried.
The foreigner kept on shouting at the cop. But the policeman couldn't stop crying. He was trying to hold his tears, but he couldn't.
Another round of clashes erupted. The policemen were still trying to push and shove the protesters away. The crying cop simply stood his ground. He was still holding his shield firmly. Still weeping, sobbing.
Later, I approached the policeman and asked him his name. He said he is Joselito. A quick glance at his name tag revealed he is policeman Joselito Sevilla.
He said he is a private, and his uniform patch showed he is from the Marikina police unit.
Asked why he cried, he only said: "Sa gutom at pagod. Walang tulog. Walang pahinga. Dalawang araw na kami naka-deploy dito. Tapos ganito, nagkakagulo."
It was also PO1 Sevilla's first dispersal assignment.
Realization
I finally understood him. No sleep. No food. No rest. And he came face-to-face with protesters whose goal was to break the police line.
Sevilla was physically and emotionally exhausted.
But he was following orders. He was just doing his job not to let protesters get near the Batasan Complex.
He did not hurt the protesters, even if some were already throwing rocks and hitting cops with wooden sticks.
Finally, some protesters noticed him, too: a policeman, whom they expected to retaliate, was in front of them, holding his shield firmly, weeping.
And then they started to console Sevilla. A man held his shoulder, telling him that everything would be all right. Another woman comforted him, as she tried to give him a handkerchief to wipe his tears.
Protesters pacify PO1 Sevilla. Photo by Rem Zamora for ABS-CBNnews.com
Amid the chaos, these two protesters hugged Sevilla and assured him everything would be fine.
Seconds later, other policemen noticed what was happening and they moved Sevilla away from the front lines, away from the activists.
I was caught in the middle and I couldn't find him anymore. He was gone.
Show of strength
State forces, especially policemen, are expected to be firm and to not show emotions. What Sevilla did was not what was expected of him.
Did the other anti-riot policemen remove him from the front line?
This incident only shows we are all human beings. It is not bad to show weakness by crying; that we can still do our job, stand our ground, but still be peaceful and not hurt another human being; that two opposing groups can still show compassion as shown by the man and woman who hugged Sevilla.
Hours after the violent protests, I reviewed my set of photos taken during the day. I smiled when I saw the photo of the policeman flashing the peace sign before the dispersal. It was Joselito Sevilla.
Police Officer 1 Joselito Sevilla flashes the peace sign in between scuffles. Photo by Rem Zamora for ABS-CBNnews.comsource: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/focus/07/23/13/story-behind-crying-cophttp://www.abs-cbnnews.com/
The images had been shown is no longer available from the original source; My apologies.

Open Letter to Crying Cop

Posted at 07/23/2013 8:37 PM | Updated as of 07/23/2013 8:37 PM
PO1 Sevilla talks to a foreign participant in the protest. Photo by Rem Zamora for ABS-CBNnews.com
An Open Letter to Policeman Joselito Sevilla,
23 July 2013 at 20:10
To Policeman Joselito Sevilla,
I was the foreign protester who was actively denouncing to you the violence used against the activists yesterday at the SONA Protest. I was one of the 41 injured activists in the protest. Many of the injured received head wounds and contusions, two of the injured were senior citizens. They were attacked simply because they exercised their constitutional right to assemble and protest.
I came to the Philippines as part of an International Solidarity Mission and as a delegate of the International Conference on Human Rights and Peace in the Philippines. I attended the SONA protest because I had been outraged by the human rights violations committed by the corrupt Aquino regime. I am tired of the extrajudicial killings, the illegal arrests, the forced demolitions, the land-grabbings, the puppetry to US-imperialism, tired of all the oppression and exploitation of the workers, farmers, students, women, indigenous, urban poor, LGBTs, and all other oppressed groups. I have integrated here in the Philippines with many different sectors to directly see the effects of the basic problems that the Filipino people face. I personally knew people like Willem Geertman, a Dutch community worker who moved to the Philippines, who was brutally murdered by this regime last July 3, 2012. Many of the protesters have many experiences with family members, friends, and acquaintances who have been murdered or tortured by this regime. They had every reason to demonstrate against the Aquino government.
It was by chance that I was facing you. Just before our encounter I was part of the group of peaceful protesters in the front who were beaten with police truncheons. We did not carry any weapons, we only had our banners and flags. After that initial confrontation I got angry and started shouting at the police officer standing in front of me. That police officer happened to be you. I continued to ask you why the police was beating and hurting us. Your response was flashing a peace sign while saying "relax, relax". While you were doing this, a few metres away from us the police was again beating the activists. I started pointing at the attack and shouted "You are the ones that are hurting us! You started this conflict! Why are you doing this?". At this point you started getting emotional and I responded by repeating again and again the question why they were doing this. During your crying you responded to me that you were only following orders. My initial reaction was that this was a legitimization of the violence and a way to absolve yourself of any complicity in the incident. "take responsibility" I repeated over and over.
Then there was a stand-off while negotiations with the police were taking place. We were told to wait for the results. However, even before the results of the negotiations were made known, the second wave of the dispersal started to happen. Our side stayed calm while your side started coming closer and closer. It was obvious that they wanted to start a commotion on our side, which would give them a reason to start attacking the activists with full force. Despite my rage, I remained nonviolent and even put my arms behind my back to show clearly who was the attacker and who was the target. The police started to push us away but I did not see you joining them. You stayed at the same place, crying behind your shield. I was wondering whether you did not attack us because you were overwhelmed of the situation, or if you had a genuine realization about who was causing this excessive use of repressive violence. I did not have long to think about this because I got taken to the back of the protest by comrades who were afraid that the police would be out to arrest me. I tried to look for you after the clashes to have a talk with you, but you were nowhere to be found.
I write this letter because unlike the other police at the protest, you did not act violently like your mates and you did not attack us. You did what you thought was right. You were confronted with the repressive character of the police and did not follow the orders of your superiors. This is a noble act. Historically, the role of the police force is to suppress any type of resistance that has the potential to truly threaten the status quo. I hope you realize that when you follow orders that are detrimental to the people, you become complicit in the crimes that are carried out. If you are really genuine about resisting when it is right, if you really want to serve the people, then you should know that when you take orders, you have a choice and a moral responsibility to refuse to carry out any type of anti-people acts, because when you do choose to carry them out, you are complicit in the crimes that are carried out.
You alone are responsible for your actions. I hope to see you again next year, during the SONA protest of 2014. But then I hope that we will be on the same side. Together against the crimes of the state and against the violent forces that exist purely to defend that state. Together in upholding the interests of the Filipino people.
Take your responsibility and join the people's movement.
Thomas van Beersum
Tuesday, July 23, 2013

source:http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/focus/07/23/13/open-letter-crying-cop
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/

Can Stretch Marks Go Away?

Can Stretch Marks Go Away? thumbnailIdentification

  • More than 75 percent of your skin is made up of collagen and the rest of elastin. Collagen is a fibrous protein found in bones, tendons and skin. Elastin is a protein that allows your skin to stretch and flexible. Each stretch mark is an area where the elastin fibers have broken down. It's a combination of the hormone cortisone, as well as your skin physically stretching that causes this type of skin scarring to appear. The damage occurs in the middle layer of your skin, called the dermis. New stretch marks are purplish, pink or reddish streaks. With time, they usually fade to silver or white streaks. You may have just a few of them and in different parts of your body.

Types

  • Women and men can get stretch marks. You can often find them on your breasts, upper arms, buttocks, thighs, lower back and abdomen. They tend to pop up when your body undergoes physical changes that affect the skin. They are common in teenagers during puberty, pregnant women and weightlifters. Other reasons for stretch marks include losing too much weight or rapid weight gain. Genetics may also play a part in whether you get stretch marks.

Prevention/Solution

  • There is no magic cream that will erase stretch marks completely. Creams that have Retin-A can help the appearance of stretch marks that are only a few weeks old. Dermabrasion can work on older stretch marks. This involves freezing the affected skin. After this is done, a high-speed rotating instrument removes the top layer of your skin. Or consider a chemical peel in which chemical solution is applied on the area, causing your skin to flake off. Many of these procedures can improve the texture and appearance of your skin.
    Warning to Pregnant women just wait until you give birth to make any steps to reduce/eliminate stretch marks even use with ointments.  THERE ARE LOTIONS AVAILABLE IN THE Market made for Stretch marks and safe for Pregnant women even at the beginning the marks has not yet begun for prevention. If you are pregnant or nursing, don't use retinoids at all.

    Expert Insight
  • If you can't give up your daily cappuccino, make sure you drink enough water. Eat a healthy, balanced diet rich in zinc, Vitamin A and Vitamin C. These vitamins are essential for healthy skin, and eating a good diet will help you maintain a normal weight. Pregnant women should moisturize their skin generously to minimize their chances of getting stretch marks. It's not the ingredients in these creams, such as Vitamin E or jojoba oil, that prevents these streaks, but the massaging of the skin itself.

Considerations

  • Stretch marks are not dangerous to your health. If you decide on treatments, understand that your insurance may not cover the cost because the procedures are considered cosmetic. There are risks involved in treatment, including infection, permanent discoloration or scarring. Stretch marks that appear without a physical cause or over large areas of skin should always be discussed with your physician. Certain medical conditions such as Cushing's Syndrome and Marfan Syndrome have been associated with stretch marks.
    Note: I specified more on men because they do not show their concern on their skin specially on the growing up age .
Credit to: By Sky Martin, eHow Contributor 
Source: http://www.ehow.com/about_4617037_can-stretch-marks-go-away_.html

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Marketing Tips-The Psychology of Color Manipulation for Advertising

pic credit to- homedesignamerica.com
 Yahoo! Contributor Network-May 21, 2013                                                                                                                                                 Using the right colors to promote a business during a marketing and advertising campaign is extremely important. This is because a color can represent many different energies, emotions, and feelings. For example, the color red can stimulate excitement but at the same time can also represent danger. For businesses that are marketing a relaxation service the color red would not be wise to use within their advertisements. However, for businesses that are promoting a fun filled event the color red within advertisements may actually increase the turnout of potential customers. It is very important to study the psychology of color manipulation and color use prior to promoting a business through a marketing and advertising campaign.
White
White represents purity, innocence, and cleanliness. The color white is most often used with products and services such as charitable organizations, spa's and salons, and even technologies such as Apple. This is because the color white helps create a calming sensation as well as feelings of peace and relaxation in order to put potential customers at ease while making their purchase decisions. The color white is especially useful for businesses that deal primarily with alternative medicine, natural health, and health products due to the feelings of goodness and perfection that the color white invokes.
Black
The color black usually represents authority, boldness, and elegance. However, while marketing either a product or a service the color black can also represent power and strength. For example, automobile manufacturers such as Jaguar will use the color black during their marketing campaigns in order to attract a specific target market of individuals who are the heads of their households, earn a higher income, and have a higher level of education. This is because the color black during these marketing campaigns denotes a feeling of sophistication as well as a prestigious lifestyle for the end users of this product. The color black should be used alongside marketing campaigns to help contribute to the seriousness and formality of either the product or service being sold.
Red
The color red is associated with action, excitement, and passion due to the fact that the color red symbolizes fire. During marketing campaigns the color red should be used for products and services that require the end user, or customer, to 'act now.' For example, Coca Cola uses the color red so that their consumers will feel that they are drinking a more exciting soft drink as well as the company Target uses the color red in their logo to direct customers to their 'one stop shop' location. The color red can also be used to denote feelings of power such as the representation of the flags used by communist countries. Businesses that are marketing energy drinks, food, and products that require the participation of the end user will benefit from the use of the color red during their marketing campaigns as it will help to instill additional feelings of speed, energy, and desire.
Blue
The color blue is one of the most common colors used during marketing campaigns because it represents feelings of confidence, trust, and security. The reason for this is because the color blue is found all throughout Mother Earth. The color blue is associated with the ocean and the sky and therefore denotes feelings contrary to the color red. For example, the color red is often used to inspire individuals to take action however, the color blue has a reverse effect inspiring individuals to relax, think intelligently, and reevaluate their decisions. Also, using the color blue during marketing campaigns can help potential end users to read messages more clearly allowing them to become more confident about their purchase decisions. The color blue can be used with all types of businesses especially for businesses that stress the importance of loyalty, stability, reliability, fiscal responsibility, and open communication.
Orange
Orange represents creativity and enthusiasm and is best used with businesses that promote energy and playfulness. Examples of businesses that use the color orange in their marketing campaigns are Nickelodeon; a children's television network, The Home Depot; a do it yourself home repair, and Reese's; the candy company that produces peanut butter cups. Using the color orange to attract additional customers may be especially useful for businesses because the color orange also represents affordability due to its similarity to the color red.
Yellow
Yellow is commonly associated with sunshine therefore creating feelings of warmth, happiness, excitement, and fun. Businesses that specialize in social events, clubs, feel good products, and social activities will especially benefit from using the color yellow within their advertisements because the brightness of the color attracts attention. Some examples of businesses that are associated with the color yellow are McDonald's, IKEA, The Yellow Pages, and Chiquita Bananas.
Green
The color green symbolizes freshness, growth, health, and nature and is most commonly associated with money and wealth. Therefore businesses that market products and services associated with healthy living, "green" foods or organic foods, and Eco friendly products will see a rise in their potential target market. Other businesses that specialize in financial securities, investments, and various return on investment (ROI) services will also benefit from using the color green to represent money and wealth during their advertisement campaigns.
Purple
For hundreds of years the color purple has represented both spirituality and royalty. This is because the color purple is a combination of the energies from the strength of red and the stability of blue. Purple is most commonly associated with ambition, nobility, luxury, and wisdom. Products and services that deal with finance, higher education, relaxation, and even prestige will benefit greatly from using the color purple within their advertisements.
Pink
The color pink is most commonly associated with youthfulness, playfulness, energy, and fun. However, the color pink is still considered to be a gender defining color therefore it is primarily used to market products and services specifically for girls and women. Some examples of products and services that use the color pink are Barbie™, The Breast Cancer Research Center, T Mobile, and Victoria's Secret.
Brown
Brown represents stability, age, and relaxation. The color brown is also associated with Mother Earth therefore making it a great color to promote alongside eco friendly products and services. One of the most popular businesses that use the color brown in order to represent not just stability but also reliability and security is UPS which can be seen on both their trucks and uniforms.
Gray/Silver
Both gray and silver are colors that should be used conservatively. The reason for this is because both of these colors represent authority, creativity, and practicality making them ideal colors to be used in fields such as Information Technology, Manufacturing, and Consulting Industries. Gray and silver are also colors that exemplify business wisdom, seriousness, and confidence therefore making them ideal colors to use with advertisement campaigns for lawyers, medical professionals, and even financial advisers.

Sources: yahoo.com
http://voices.yahoo.com/marketing-tips-psychology-color-manipulation-12142220.html?cat=3
"How to Manipulate Colors in Advertising." Written By Justin Miles Wednesday, 05 October 2011.                      "The Language of Advertising. Unite 13: Colors and Advertising." Peter Sells and Sierra Gonzalez

Monday, July 22, 2013

Estrada to Sir Paul: Mali is our Problem, not Yours

Estrada to Sir Paul: Mali is our problem, not yours

Posted at 07/21/2013 

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada on Saturday asked music icon Sir Paul McCartney to stop interfering in the controversy surrounding Mali, the lone elephant at the city zoo.
In a telephone interview with The STAR, Estrada said McCartney has no personality in the issue on whether Manila Zoo has to free Mali from its care.
“Foreigners will not be entertained here. He (McCartney) should not interfere with our local problems here. What is his personality here? We are not interfering with their local affairs,” Estrada said.
McCartney, in a letter to President Aquino circulated by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), McCartney urged the President to transfer Mali from the Manila Zoo to an elephant sanctuary in Thailand.
Estrada said McCartney might as well change his citizenship from British to Filipino if he wants to interfere with purely Filipino affairs.
“That is sending a wrong signal and it is giving us a bad image. If we will allow his suggestion to push through, it is like admitting that we cannot even take care of one elephant. We (Filipinos) are competent and capable to take care of Mali,” he said.
Estrada said the owner of the Ocean Park Hotel – whom he identified only as a Singaporean national, “Mr. Lim” – has agreed to invest P500 million for the total rehabilitation of the Manila Zoo.
“It will take one year and a half to finish the total rehabilitation of the Manila Zoo. It will be located in the same place, which is five hectares. It will be up to the city council’s decision to set the start of Manila Zoo’s total rehabilitation,” he said.
McCartney described a video footage of Mali as “heartbreaking” and cited the elephant’s “debilitating foot problems and the unimaginable loneliness of a herd animal kept alone.”
“Action must be taken for this ailing elephant, and you hold the key,” McCartney told Aquino in the letter. “With the stroke of a pen, you can bring an end to her suffering, and I urge you, with all my heart, to direct that Mali be given that joy now.”
source:http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/07/21/13/estrada-sir-paul-mali-our-problem-not-yours
The Philippine Star

Reasons for Male Stretch Marks-


Reasons for Male Stretch Mark

According to Medical News Today, men are just as likely as women to get stretch marks. Stretch marks are caused by a hormonal imbalance that changes how the skin produces collagen. While this imbalance typically occurs in pregnant women, both men and women can develop stretch marks.                credit pic to ehow.com

Hormonal Imbalance

  • A hormonal imbalance can be triggered by a range of activities that can cause stretch marks. Reasons for stretch marks in men include undergoing rapid growth as adolescents, athletes bulking up quickly to build muscle and undergoing fast weight loss or gain. Nutritional deficiency can also cause stretch marks in men.

Strength Training

  • It is more common for men to develop stretch marks during strength training because they tend to gain muscle mass more quickly than women. Body builders taking supplements to speed the development of muscle mass may develop more stretch marks than men who do not engage in this type of exercise.
Affected Areas

  • Men who lift weights will typically develop stretch marks on their shoulders because this is the part of the body where the greatest muscle development typically occurs. Stretch marks caused by rapid weight gain or loss are typically found on the arms, legs and buttocks.

Treatment

  • Stretch marks in men can be treated with creams and moisturizers designed to repair the skin and rebuild collagen needed to accommodate the stretched skin caused by new muscle mass and rapid changes in weight. Various cosmetic procedures such as chemical peels and dermabrasion can also reduce the visibility of stretch marks.

Fact