Description:A member of the parsley family which has commercial importance of approximately $300 million per year to the United States. It is a root crop which originated in Afghanistan, northern Iran and Pakistan. All around the world in temperate locations with adequate moisture, Queen Anne’s Lace is a wild carrot which can occur along roadsides or in vacant fields. In the U.S., the predominate color is orange while in Europe there are some white types, some red in Japan, yellow and purple in the Mideast, and some purple, yellow, and red from Turkey to India and China, according to USDA.

Nutrient content: Carrots have the most antioxidant beta-carotene than any other vegetable. Also, carrots are rich in vitamins B, C, D, and E. Carrots have a cholesterol-lowering property in the pectin fiber also found in carrots. Minerals included are calcium, potassium, thiamine, folic acid and magnesium, plus others. Our benefits from carrots in the following ways:

* Boosts immunity
* Protects the skin from sun damage
* Eases alcohol withdrawal symptoms
* Helps wounds and injuries healing
* Reduces risk of heart disease and high blood pressue
* Cleanses the liver
* Fights bronchitis
* Improves muscle, flesh, and skin health
* Helps fight anemia
* Reduces acne
* Improves eye health

Peak season: Available all year round. Most crops are found in Texas and California. Fall crops are the sweetest.

Selection: Select carrots with fresh-looking tops with good green color. Carrots should be smooth, firm and good color with a deeper color indicating more vitamin A. Avoid roots that are soft and show signs of wilting. Smaller carrots are sweeter than larger ones and the baby carrots are good in soups or stews since they have a tendency to loose moisture.

Storage: If carrots have tops, twist off and discard before storing. Store in the crisper area of your refrigerator for greatest time which will be about a week.

Preparation: According to Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 48: 1315-1321 (2000) study shows that at least some processed and canned vegetables can be just as nutritious as raw ones. The study also noted that in areas where fresh produce may not be available year round, or where frozen vegetables are not practical, canned vegetables are an idea option. Carrots should not be overcooked.

A Screening That Could Save Your Life!

If you’re over 50, if cancer is part of your family history, or if the assessment shows your risk for the disease is high, promise yourself that you will take advantage of one of several screening devices for colorectal cancer detection.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. The good news is that when detected in its early stages, colorectal cancer is one of the most curable of the cancer group. The bad news is that many of us fail to employ screening procedures that could lead to early diagnosis and treatment and ultimately save our lives!

This year over 56,000 Americans will die due to complications of this disease. Until science finds the cure to eradicate this predator, we can launch a crusade of our own.

Prevention measures such as diet and exercise are beneficial for health and longevity in general, but research has shown that both of these are of particular importance in the cancer arena. Fruits and vegetables, with their stash of phytonutrients and fiber, continue to demonstrate the power to decrease the risk of cancer, including the colorectal variety.

Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant found in many fruits and vegetables, has been shown to reduce the risk of many cancers. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2000, 72 (1): 139-45.) published a study indicating that participants who had the least amount of vitamin C circulating in their bloodstream had a 62% higher risk of dying from cancer than those with higher amounts.

And while the once touted beneficial relationship between plant-based fiber and colorectal cancer has been disputed in at least one clinical study, the overall positive benefits of fiber as a health-promoting agent remains untarnished. Proponents of fiber point out that it helps to move waste products in the feces through the colon, decreasing the time that they are in contact with the inner lining of the colon. This benefit alone supports the intake of fiber for health purposes. (Do remember to increase your fluid intake when increasing your fiber consumption, or constipation could be the result.)

In upcoming articles we will explore ways to incorporate food sources of both vitamin C and fiber in your diet. In the meantime, continue to eat a diet abundant in fruits, vegetables, and fiber-rich whole grains. And don’t forget that colorectal screening!

You will need:
1 Cup of Water
1 Tablespoon Glycerine Soap
1 Teaspoon Fragrance or Essential oil
1/8 Teaspoon Borax (20 Mule team)

Grate the glycerine soap, OR Chop it up into small pieces.

Boil the water on the stove.

Add the glycerine soap.

Stir until the soap pieces are melted.

Add your favorite essential oil blend or fragrance oil.

Stir well.

Add borax and stir well.

Pour into a squeezable container.

Allow to cool.

This mixture will be thin at first, but it thikens as it cools.

Since thishas so much water in it, the soap should not be stored for a long period of time.

To be able to store it for longer periods, grape seed extract or tincture of benzoinshould be added. Some folks do not like using these preservatives, though, so thechoice is up to you. I have made it with the preservative and with out.

Variation:

Try adding some glitter or colorant (if your container is clear) to add fun to yourgel.

Use as a hand soap.

Add some sea salt to make this an exfoiliating soap.

Enjoy!

It is often wise to purchase one of the many kinds of international phone calling cards because it is an inexpensive way for people to stay connected; they can stay within their budgets.

Which are the best type of international calling cards? When making an international phone call, what should a person be looking at? Read on to learn more.

Helpful Guidelines For International Prepaid Calling Cards

• What is the billing system - a rounding system?

• Find Out the Rates - Within the terms of service, many companies list these guidelines. Are you charged by the minute? Are there different charges for different times of the day? More money is charged to your cell phone bill when you make an international phone call.

• Hidden Fees - Are the services explained in a way you fully understand or do they charge you for additional services you don’t know anything about?
• Confirm the Advertised Rates - Be certain that the international phone card has a nonfluctuating set rate.

• Is there an expiration date? - Some calling cards have an expiration date - do you know if this one does? Know what the expiration date is so that you don’t use your minutes all at once.

• Does the Company Offer a Guarantee? - Are the actual minutes you will receive the minutes that you pay for?

• How is your Calling Card Accessed - Did you get your card through email or in the mail? As you would expect in our increasingly electronic society, online calling cards are more and more popular. They are available immediately and are simple to access. In virtually no time at all, this makes it easier to connect to your friends and family members.

• Customer Service - When you have problems with service, do they have live agents available 24 hours a day?

• Connection Fees - If you are unable to connect to the person on the other line, will you be charged for a phone call?

• Is the Company Trustworthy? - Doing business over the Internet is commonly done by scam artists. The company should have positive feedback and be legit before you make your purchase.

By checking the facts and reputation of the company you are buying from, you can rest assured that your money is spent wisely, especially because there are so many international calling cards available. Without having to deal with unforeseen circumstances you would likely encounter had you not done fact checking prior to your purchase, it makes it a lot easier to connect to the ones you love.

Fad Diet Signs: It’s Centered Around One Food or Food Group

The cookie diet, grapefruit diet and cabbage soup diet are examples of these kinds of diets that fade in and out of popularity. These diets might cause a little weight loss in the beginning, however these diets don’t work for the long run. What do you think about eating cabbage daily for your entire life? Avoid fad diets that concentrate on a limited range of foods. You might eventually have bad nutritional deficiencies.

Fad Diet Signs: It’s Simple and You Don’t Need To Change Your Lifestyle

More “you can have your cake and eat it too” promises. If this is so simple to do, then what is the reason for the extra weight or obesity that sixty percent of Americans have? It’s doubtful that someone on a late night infomercial endorsing the latest weight loss magical formula is aware of something that scientists don’t know yet. If there is really a magic weight loss formula created, it will be on the headlines of Yahoo.

Diet Fad Signs: It’s Fast, but fast isn’t always the best way

The best way to lose weight permanently is to drop one pound weekly, which means reducing calories or burning more calories by five hundred calories daily. Losing too fast can cause lean body muscle to be lost and decrease the metabolism - which means that you have to eat less after you stop losing weight and this happens when your body adjusts. “Fast” shouldn’t be the main point to make a sale when it deals with a weight loss plan.

Diet Fad Signs: It’s Right For Everybody

However everyone is somewhat different and there are various reasons that people are overweight. Some people eat for emotional reasons, some people eat without thinking, and some people just don’t understand how to pick the correct foods to eat. A good weight loss plan has to deal with these issues and must be created for each person individually. There is not just one diet for everyone when it deals with weight loss.

Signs of a Fad Diet: It Focuses On Supplements

There are a limited amount of natural supplements that can do anything significant to burn fat. The metabolism is raised a little with green tea and caffeine; however, the effect is minimal and it takes some time to notice the results. Many diet pills and weight loss supplements have substances in them that can be harmful for people with hypertension or heart ailments. Take notice of this when you chose it.

Fad Diet Signs: The Main Point?

Don’t be fooled by the current diet fads and weight loss scams. The point is to choose a healthy way of eating you can stay with for the rest of your life. Use it with an exercise routine and you will notice the extra weight gradually go away - permanently.

Did you know that, according to the National Breast Cancer Coalition, a woman dies of breast cancer every eleven minutes? That is approximately 130 deaths each day.

As of this writing, for women who are between the ages of 15 and 54, breast cancer is the leading cause of death. It is the second leading cause of death for women between the ages of 55 and 74.

In 2002, the National Breast Cancer Coalition also claimed that one in every eight women living to age eighty-five will develop breast Cancer.

Currently, only 26% of breast cancer cases develop in women who posses any known risk factors. This means that the remaining 78% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have had no risk factors.

So, while it is important for “at-risk” women to conduct Breast Self Examinations (BSE) each month, it is also important for women who do not feel that they are at risk for developing breast cancer to conduct self examinations.

How to Perform a Breast Self Examination

After reaching the age of twenty, all women should examine their breasts once a month. For women who still get their menstrual periods, it is advised that the BSE take place seven to ten days after the start of the period, when any tenderness and swelling of the breast is over.

– Lie down so that your right arm is behind your head, and place a pillow under your right shoulder.

– With your left hand, use the top third of each of your three middle fingers (this portion of your fingers is referred to as your finger pads) to feel for lumps or thickening in your right breast.

– Learn what your breast typically feels like, and press heard enough to notice any changes. If you are unsure of how much pressure to apply, do not hesitate to ask your Health Care Provider. It is normal to feel a firm ridge in the lower curve of each breast, but of course, if you are concerned, the best thing to do is to ask your Health Care Provider.

– Move your finger pads around the breast in a set pattern. Using the same pattern every month will help you to remember how your breasts typically feel. Make sure you go over the entire breast area, including the armpits.

–You examine your left breast in the same manner that you examined the right, only this time use the finger pads of your right hand. Next, you should check your breasts while standing in front of a mirror right after your BSE. You may be able to visually notice changes in your breasts.

Conducting an extra BSE while you are in the shower is also a good idea. Because your hands are soapy, they glide over your skin, which makes it easy to examine your breasts.

Other planned topics of exploration include “well-being and the overscheduling of children,” “self-esteem across the life course,” “love in Latino couples,” “tradition and healing in the Canadian Inuit,” and “support groups and the experience of breast cancer.”

There are several good ways to find out if your body needs a detox. Odds are that you have noticed a majority of the symptoms, but you have either blown them off, or basically didn’t have the time in your busy schedule to remedy the problem. You may have become accustomed to these symptoms and have come to believe they were ordinary. The following are a couple of things that may indicate you could benefit from a detox. How is your appearance and how do you feel? Look at your answers to the questions just asked to know if you are a candidate for detox.

Before coming up with your answer, there are a few things to consider. Do you appear bloated? Can you not get sleep during the night? Do you feel dull and fatigued all the time? Do you see a healthy complexion and eyes when you look in the mirror? Are anxiety, depression, or even mood swings things that you experience regularly? Are you experiencing a lot of headaches? Do you notice a complexion that is often blemished? Are you experiencing difficulty concentrating on simple tasks, along with a higher stress level? Are you noticing an increase in illnesses? Do you feel, in a word, off? Detoxing the system may be what you need.

But what, precisely, is detox? The process of flushing the waste that is toxic from the organs and fat tissue is detoxification. Your body, like your automobile engine, needs regular maintenance and a flush of the fluids. What we put in our bodies is what they run on. If you desire premium performance from your body, you will need to put premium nutrition into it. Quite simply, an internal cleanse of the body is what detoxification is all about. You are free to choose the method you prefer, but prior to beginning detox, it is safer to consult with a health professional, especially if you have a medical condition or disease. Many people use herbs and/or fiber supplements to do toxic cleanses, like the ultimate colon or liver cleanse systems available. Other people detoxify using a combination of diet and fasting, eating raw fruits and vegetables, and drinking herbal teas and juices. You will think differently, too, as you progress through the detoxification process. You will have a much clearer thinking process. Although there are side effects, these are most certainly outweighed by the pluses of detoxification. You will experience better concentration and a healthier body.

You will see dramatic changes as you detoxify your body. Loss of weight, skin outbreaks, bad breath, and weight loss are symptoms. These symptoms are an indication that toxins are evacuating the body. Perhaps the most vital part of detox is to drink adequate fluids. For best results, put some thought into your detox in advance. Body shock is what you do not want. You should slowly decrease and eventually altogether cease consuming caffeinated drinks, pork, and red or other heavy meats. Introduce the body to light foods like legumes, raw fruits/vegetables as well as fresh juices. This will prevent you from becoming shocked when you cleanse yourself. To be safe, consult with your health care professional before undergoing detoxification if you have a medical condition.

How come folks pay so much money for HGH? What are the other choices out there for possible users of HGH therapy and are they safe?

Since people are more health conscious and aware of aging and its various issues, such as weight gain, loss of lean muscle tissue, anxiety, impotence, and lack of energy, many are eager to purchase exclusively tagged HGH boosters. In addition, HGH is an obvious treatment for children with stunted growth due to certain health conditions.

People with HGH deficiencies are motivated to buy HGH supplements because these herbal formulas help boost levels of HGH in the body by safely and slowly promoting the production of this hormone. On the other hand, synthetic HGH boosters, such as injections, may cause adverse side effects. A range of prescription and non-prescription supplements are on the market that can increase the levels of HGH present in the body, which include energy enhancers such as HGH sprays, powders and pills that can be purchased online. One product called HGH+ Releases is endorsed by physicians because they offer a consistent and safe way to improve the production of human growth hormone and one’s general health. Buying natural HGH has many advantages over synthetic products, including fewer side effects and stringent quality control standards, as well as being quite affordable at just $49 to $114!

Which populations should buy HGH supplements? Are there other options for dependable and cost effective HGH supplements for sale today?

Those who suffer from decreasing production of natural HGH levels, as well as those whose HGH levels fall due to a slacking pituitary gland as they age, tend to keep their eye out for reliable HGH supplements that can keep them looking young starting when they are young adults and then later in life. One indication of lowered HGH levels is if your physician records an igh-level under 190. This sign of HGH deficiency, left untreated, might lead to Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency. When the FDA approved HGH treatment for adults in 1999, the manufacturers made a mad dash to meet the demand for prescription HGH. But many of these drugs carried high price tags, with some costing as much as $25,000 per year, so when herbal boosters for HGH appeared on the market, many people hurried to buy HGH because they were effective and affordable.

This is the primary reason that women should try to get the most for their money. Purchasing in an online pharmacy is an excellent way to get the most for your money.

Let’s examine the reasons that conservative and committed treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV) is so critical, particularly in view of the current financial downturn.

You have an increased risk of getting HIV or a sexually transmitted disease if you do not get treatment for bacterial vaginosis. Those women exhibiting persistent symptoms of BV should look for medical attention, even though it is possible for the symptoms to spontaneously resolve on their own.

Prescription drug Metronidazole is one of the suggested treatments for bacterial vaginosis. For a one week period, metronidazole will be administered in an oral or intravaginal form. When taken orally, it is consumed twice a day as a 500 mg pill. Another form of use that carries less side effects is applying intravaginally once a day. In order to reduce fetus effects, smaller doses of metronidazole are given to pregnant women. Diarrhea, nausea, and/or a metallic taste in the mouth are common bad drug reactions from systemic metronidazole therapy. Patients should refrain from drinking liquor for twenty-four hours after treatment.

Clindamycin (Cleocin) cream is used intravaginally before bed for one week. Examples of different dosages are a 7 day oral course of treatment or vaginal ovules for 3 days. In the second part of a pregnancy, topical clindamycin preparations should not be used. Condoms made of latex and diaphragms might weaken from oil-based clindamycin cream for 5 days after using it.

If there is not a reduction in symptoms, follow up visits are needed. The treatment for a repeat infection is different from the original regimen.

Even though there is an association between the incidence of bacterial vaginosis and sexual activity, it is not considered a sexually transmitted infection. Male partners should only be treated for bacterial vaginosis if the infection is resistant or recurrent — which happens fairly regularly.

Knowing this, you will have all the information you need regarding the choices you’ll have to make regarding treatment for vaginosis.