Copycat Twinkies Recipe

With a little patience and creativity, you can make a reasonable facsimile of those beloved Twinkies® at home. They won't be quite the same, but close. You might even like these little filled cakes better than the popular commercial brand. This would make a great supervised project for the kids.

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

• Supplies:
• 1 round spice bottle, the size of a Twinkie
• 12 (12 x 14-inches each) pieces non-stick aluminum foil
• Pastry bag
• Toothpick
• Vegetable oil spray
• .
• Cake:
• 16-ounce box golden pound cake mix
• 4 egg whites, beaten until stiff
• 2/3 cup water
• .
• Filling:
• 1/3 cup vegetable shortening
• 2 teaspoons butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
• 1/3 cup evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 drops lemon extract

Preparation:

Faux twinkie cakes: Fold each piece of foil in half with the nonstick side out. Then fold in half again. Roll foil pieces around the spice bottle to form a tube. Fold down edges to seal, leaving one end of the tube open to be filled with the batter. Remove the spice bottle. Spray the insides with vegetable oil and set each tube open-end-up in a muffin tray.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

Beat cake mix, whipped egg whites, and water on medium speed until completely blended, about 2 minutes. Carefully fill the foil tubes, leaving 3/4-inch headspace. Bake about 30 minutes until golden and toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let cakes cool, then remove foil. Use a toothpick to make 3 holes along the length of each cake. Wiggle the toothpick around the center to make room for the filling, taking care not to poke through to the other side.

Filling: Cream shortening and butter together in a medium bowl. With mixer running on medium speed, add powdered sugar and granulated sugar, a little at a time, until smooth. Add evaporated milk, vanilla, and lemon extract. Continue mixing until fluffy.

Spoon filling into a pastry bag with a No. 5 tip. Inject filling into each of the 3 holes in each faux twinkie cake and place hole-side-down on a serving platter or store in a covered container.

Yield: 12 faux twinkie cakes 

Facial Masks for Your Skin Type

If you're looking to add a beneficial step in your skin care regime, a weekly facial mask is a great addition. No matter your skin type, there is a facial mask suited for you. Usually used once or twice a week, facial masks can deep down clean your face, tighten your pores, or brighten and exfoliate your face. Masks are not a "one size fits all" product though. There are clay masks, fruit extract masks, yogurt masks, and gel masks, just to name a few in a long lineup. Before you buy a facial mask, you must recognize your skin type and buy accordingly.

Oily or Combination Skin

Image Courtesy PriceGrabber

People with oily or combination skin do best with regular use of a clay mask. Clay is great for removing excess oil, deep cleaning your pores and preventing and clearing up blackheads. Natural clay is a great detoxifying treatment for your face without leaving your skin extra dry. Most clay masks work fine with sensitive skin.
Freeman Superfruits Detoxifying Clay Facial Mask is a great example of a natural based clay mask that will deep clean your skin and leave it smooth and soft.

Dry Skin

Image courtesy PriceGrabber

People with dry skin use a mask for a very different reason than those with oily skin. You are not looking to reduce oil, but add moisture. Using a moisture mask will rejuvenate and plump your skin. Many masks for dry skin include at least a bit of “sink-in” effect. You leave the mask on your skin for up to 10 minute and then rub it in a bit more before wiping off the excess. You’ll notice immediately smoother, softer skin.
Get immediately noticeable results with Dermalogica: Intensive Moisture Masque.

Dull Skin

Image courtesy PriceGrabber

If you’re looking for a boost of radiance, exfoliating masks will certainly help you. Look for a peel off mask which will exfoliate your skin leaving it smooth and fresh. Many exfoliating masks use fruit extracts to naturally exfoliate and usually smell fantastic.
When peeling off some exfoliating masks, your mind will wander back to peeling off Elmer’s glue in elementary school. But not all exfoliating mask are uncomfortable. You'll be so glad you tried it when you see how happy you are with the noticeable results. Try Zia ZIA: Pumpkin Exfoliating Mask.

Normal Skin

Image provided by Sephora

If dryness or breakouts are of no real concern for you, you have many options when it comes to masks. You can use one that will give you radiance, one for deep cleaning or a gentle one for sensitive skin. Regardless of how “normal” your skin may be; you’ll see benefits from using a weekly mask.
Try the Yogurt Velvety Moisturizing Mask from Korres to get a boost of hydration with a cooling sensation.

Mature Skin

Photo provided by Nordstroms

If you’re looking to firm up the skin on your face and neck, chances are good you have dry skin. You can either use a mask meant for dry skin or a mask specified “firming”. A firming mask will boost your skins moisture content which will reduce fine lines caused by your skins dehydration. This will give the appearance of a more youthful, firmer face. Massage onto your face and leave for about 10 minutes before you rinse off.

Antioxidants - What Are Antioxidants

Question: Antioxidants - What Are Antioxidants

I'm 30 years old. I keep hearing about antioxidants in skin care products, but I'm not sure if I need to use them. What are antioxidants, and should someone in their 30's use antioxidants?

Answer: Absolutely.
To make it really easy to understand, antioxidants prevent and actually repair damage to your skin caused by free radicals such as the sun, pollution and smoke. All of these things cause your skin to show signs of aging, such as wrinkles and discoloration. By using products with antioxidants such as serums and moisturizers, you're skin is soaking in the antioxidants to protect your skin.

Because you're just starting your 30's this is a great time to add antioxidants to your skin care regime. You'll get a head start on the aging process that's to come in the next decade. Stick with products that you don't wash off. Serums in particular are a great way to get antioxidants into your skin because they sink a bit deeper into your skin's layers than a moisturizer. If you have oily or combination skin, a serum may be all you need to get the moisture needed. If you have dry or normal skin, you may want to add another moisturizer to your face after your serum sinks in.

Lip Balm with SPF - 6 Top Lip Balms with SPF

You always remember to put on sunscreen when you go outside, but do you remember to protect your lips? Your lips are more susceptible to burning than most parts of your body, yet many people don't think about protecting them from the sun. If you replace your regular lip balm with a sun safe lip balm, you can play in the sun without worrying about peeling lips.
Here are 6 lip balms with SPF levels ranging from 8 to 25.

1. Biotherm: Aquasource Moisturizing Balm Protective Lip Care SPF 8

Image courtesy PriceGrabber

Biotherm Aquasource Lip Balm will sooth and moisturize your lips with macadamia oil, and will leave a beautiful glossy shine. You can this alone, or you can put this gloss over your lip stick for style and protection.

Ads

Tips for Beautiful SkinKayaclinic.comGet the right beauty tips for your skin from the Experts. Apply Now!
Buy Lip Gloss Onlinewww.24x7style.com/lip-glossL'Oreal,Lord&Berry&Many More Brands Upto 20% Off.COD, Free Shipping!
Olay Skin Carewww.olay.inExplore Olay Product Range Online. Visit us to know more!

2. Rilastil - Suncare Lip Balm SPF 10

Image courtesy PriceGrabber

Rilastil Lip Balm is perfect for not only your lips, but other areas of your body as well, such as the tops of your ears. If you're an athlete or love to swim at the pool or beach, you'll love the fact that this is water resistant.

3. The Naked Bee: Lip Balm SPF15

Image courtesy PriceGrabber

Get the recommended SPF 15 protection with The Naked Bee Lip Balm. Your lips will not only get sun protection, but will get super hydration with organic olive oil, beeswax, soybean oil and honey. With a name like The Naked Bee, and a price of only $3, you can't go wrong.

4. Dirty Girl: Raspberry Lip Balm SPF 18

Image courtesy PriceGrabber

For all of the "girly-girls" in the group, or those who just love their fruity scents, this raspberry lip balm is for you. Dirty Girl's best selling lip balm leaves your lips super soft and has a sun protection level of 18.

5. Juara: Candlenut Lip Balm SPF 20

Image courtesy PriceGrabber

I fell in love with this citrus-flavored lip balm by Juara. Coming in an adorable compact, you'll feel glamorous while being smart about sun protection. With candlenut, jojoba and olive oils to soothe your dry lips and a protection level of 20, you'll be set.

6. MD Skincare: Powerful Sun Protection SPF 25 Lip Balm

Image courtesy PriceGrabber

5 Dry Skin Remedies For Your Shower and Bath

If you deal with dry skin on a regular basis, you might think it's a problem you'll always have to deal with. If that's the case, you're wrong! You may be committing some of the easiest skin care sins to fix.
Dry skin isn't mandatory, no matter the season or the location. There are easy things that you can change in your daily routine that will make a big difference to the health of your skin.
Follow these 5 dry skin remedies and see how quickly your skin makes a turn-around.

1. Watch the Temperature of the Water

If you're anything like me, you love a hot, hot bath. While it may feel relaxing, it's no good for your skin. Hot water will strip the moisture and oils out of your skin, leaving it parched, dry and scaly.
As hard is it may be, use warm water instead of hot water, and limit your bath to 15 minutes at the most. Showers, even less. You shouldn't have to wipe the steam off of the mirror when you step out. You'll notice that your skin is less dry if you play it safe and watch the time and temperature.
And as a side note, that hot water is going to make your hair frizzy and dry. It's best to rinse your hair in cool water.

2. Skip the Bubbles

Who doesn't love a bubble bath? It's something that most of us have grown up with, and many of us carry it on into adulthood. A few cap fulls of bubbles is almost a ritual. But, did you know that many of the bubbles you put in your bath will leave your skin stripped of the oils your skin needs?
Instead of using a bubble bath, find a soothing oatmeal or milk powder that will enhance your bath experience, and leave the oils where they belong. Another product you could try is a bath oil. A cap full of oil will leave your skin even more hydrated than before you hopped in, so you may be able to skip the moisturizer.

3. Skip the Shaving Mistakes

You probably have heard the age-old advice to shave in the direction of your hair growth for safe shaving. And while that's a nice thought, realistically most people shave in the opposite direction of hair growth to get the closest results.
If you want the safest shave, go with your hair growth. If you just can't follow that rule, make sure you follow these shaving tips:

• Use a moisturizing shaving gel or cream. The $1 bottle at the drug store is likely to leave your skin dry and more susceptible to nicks.
• Look for a product that offers moisturizing components such as aloe and essential oils.
• Skip the ones that have alcohol listed in their top few ingredients.

You can always use hair conditioner in a pinch for a close, nick-free shave.

4. Pat Dry, Don't Rub Dry

When you get out of the shower and grab your towel, gently pat the water off of your skin instead of rubbing your skin dry. This will save your skin the misery of "towel abuse" most men (and some women) hibitually inflict on their skin.
By patting dry (or gently rubbing), your skin will be able to retain more of the moisture you're going to seal in with our next step: body moisturizer.

5. Never Ever Skip the Moisturizer

The very most important step to remember is to moisturize every single time you get out of the shower or bath. It is never OK to skip, so find a favorite lotion, butter or oil and keep it in your bathroom.
When you skin has been dried off, it's important to seal in the moisture from the shower, and the quicker you do this after your shower, the better your skin will look and feel. And if you moisturizer of choice is a body oil, it's actually best to apply it to damp skin. Make sure you are careful for drops that might spill, oil will make your tub or floor very slippery.

O’Reilly Doesn’t Get Success of “Gangman Style”

A university student recently interviewed me about the ways that race relations and music overlap. One point I made during the interview is that the popularity of Psy's "Gangnam Style" is a sign of racial progress. While K-Pop's popularity in the U.S. has been growing for years, just a decade ago the idea of a Korean rapper topping the music charts in the U.S. would have been unthinkable. But not everyone's happy about Psy's success. Bill O'Reilly just doesn't understand why "Gangam Style" is the most viewed YouTube video ever.

On a recent episode of "The O'Reilly Factor," the conservative commentator even brought in a psychiatrist to discuss the phenomenon that "Gangnam Style" has become. I know that pop music isn't everyone's cup of tea, but O'Reilly took shots at Psy that seemed racially-tinged. He not only referred to Psy as a "little fat guy from Yongyang or some place" but also cracked that he knows a lot of guys in Long Island with the same name and "none of them look like him." In other words, they're white guys named "Cy." O'Reilly and the on-air psychiatrist also repeatedly called the song unintelligible. Um, the song is in Korean. That doesn't make it unintelligible. That makes it a foreign language.

O'Reilly also remarked that he understands why Elvis Pressley, the Rolling Stones and even Justin Bieber are popular, but he doesn't get Psy's appeal. Why is it so hard to believe that a dance song with a catchy chorus would be popular? Silly dance songs have topped the charts for years--from the "Macarena" in the 1990s to "Hey, Mickey" in the 1980s to the "YMCA" in the '70s. But it's "Gangnam Style" with which O'Reilly takes issue? Hmmm.

Start Your Child in Gymnastics

Gymnastics is a wonderful sport for kids, and can help them develop coordination, strength, balance, flexibility and so much more. It can also build self-esteem, and improve skills such as self-discipline and concentration. Plus, being a gymnast is a lot of fun!

The Right Age

Children can start in gymnastics as young as 18 months in a "Mommy and Me" class with a parent. If your child is older (usually around age three or four), s/he is ready to be enrolled in a beginner gymnastics class. Gymnastics clubs vary, but usually classes are grouped by age, and as your child progresses in the sport, s/he will later be grouped by ability level.

Finding a Gym

First, find a local gymnastics club in your area. This tool will help you find one that is a member of USA Gymnastics, the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Clubs that are members of USAG have to meet minimum requirements for liability insurance and coaching expertise, and must pledge to follow USAG's Code of Ethics. Also, check out our reader reviews of gymnastics clubs. You may want to pick a few gymnastics clubs in your area and go in for a visit. Gyms vary significantly in the facilities they have -- some are enormous buildings with all sorts of equipment and mats, while others are much smaller. Oftentimes, beginner gymnasts have a lot of fun on some of the "extra" equipment such as climbing structures, foam pits and trampolines. Visiting a few gyms may help you decide what's important to you and your child. Be sure to look for:

• A visitors' viewing area where you can see your child during his/her class
• A well-lit, clean facility
• An office manager who will help you with administrative items (registration, payment, assistance with any questions that you may have)
• A gymnast-instructor ratio that seems appropriate (there is no magic number, but the children should look as though they are being monitored at all times by an instructor)
• An emphasis on safety: Are instructors spotting (helping) the children? Does it seem as if there is adequate padding (mats) throughout the gym? Are there signs up describing safety procedures and rules? Also ask if the instructors are safety-certified by USA Gymnastics.
• Happy-looking gymnasts enjoying themselves and the sport.

Gymnastics is a wonderful sport for kids, and can help them develop coordination, strength, balance, flexibility and so much more. It can also build self-esteem, and improve skills such as self-discipline and concentration. Plus, being a gymnast is a lot of fun!

The Right Age

Children can start in gymnastics as young as 18 months in a "Mommy and Me" class with a parent. If your child is older (usually around age three or four), s/he is ready to be enrolled in a beginner gymnastics class. Gymnastics clubs vary, but usually classes are grouped by age, and as your child progresses in the sport, s/he will later be grouped by ability level.

Finding a Gym

First, find a local gymnastics club in your area. This tool will help you find one that is a member of USA Gymnastics, the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Clubs that are members of USAG have to meet minimum requirements for liability insurance and coaching expertise, and must pledge to follow USAG's Code of Ethics. Also, check out our reader reviews of gymnastics clubs. You may want to pick a few gymnastics clubs in your area and go in for a visit. Gyms vary significantly in the facilities they have -- some are enormous buildings with all sorts of equipment and mats, while others are much smaller. Oftentimes, beginner gymnasts have a lot of fun on some of the "extra" equipment such as climbing structures, foam pits and trampolines. Visiting a few gyms may help you decide what's important to you and your child. Be sure to look for:

• A visitors' viewing area where you can see your child during his/her class
• A well-lit, clean facility
• An office manager who will help you with administrative items (registration, payment, assistance with any questions that you may have)
• A gymnast-instructor ratio that seems appropriate (there is no magic number, but the children should look as though they are being monitored at all times by an instructor)
• An emphasis on safety: Are instructors spotting (helping) the children? Does it seem as if there is adequate padding (mats) throughout the gym? Are there signs up describing safety procedures and rules? Also ask if the instructors are safety-certified by USA Gymnastics.
• Happy-looking gymnasts enjoying themselves and the sport

 

A Prayer for Our Married Community

King of Kings, Prince of Peace,
We exalt You and praise Your name.
We daily delight in your endless love
And bask in Your saving grace. 

We come to You on bended knee,
In earnest prayer and petition:
Help us to live in harmony;
This is our goal and our mission. 

"United as one, till death do us part,"
We lovingly spoke our pledge.
Help us defend and keep safe our cause;
In marriage we became one flesh. 

Where there is brokenness, we ask You to mend it.
Where there is weakness, we ask for Your strength.
Where there is sin, we beg Your forgiveness.
Where there is doubt, we invite more faith. 

Where there is pride, help us be humble.
Where there's resentment, help us find peace.
Where there is threat, we ask for protection.
Please shelter our love beneath Your wings.

Where there's a need, let us help one another.
Where there's temptation, help us resist.
Where we stumble, help us recover.
Where praise is needed, let it come from our lips.

Where there is pain, we ask for healing.
Where there is hate, replace it with love.
Where all seems hopeless, we beseech Your blessing.
From the depth of our heart we ask all the above.

This is our prayer and our deep desire,
This is the passion that consumes our hearts.
Help us to be an example for others—
Living happily forever 'til death us do part.

Prayer for the Work Day

Almighty God, thank Thee for the job of this day.
May we find gladness in all its toil and difficulty,
its pleasure and success,
and even in its failure and sorrow.
We would look always away from ourselves,
and behold the glory and the need of the world
that we may have the will and the strength to bring
the gift of gladness to others;
that with them we stand to bear
the burden and heat of the day
and offer Thee the praise of work well done. 

Amen.

Prayer for Comfort in Loss

Loss can come upon you suddenly and overwhelm you with grief. Giving yourself time and space to heal, and being real with the Lord about your pain can help. Consider these sure words of comfort from Scripture and pray the prayer below asking the Father to give you new hope and strength to go on.

"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit."
Psalm 34:18 (NLT) 

 "The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, 'The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!' 

The LORD is wonderfully good to those who wait for him and seek him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD. 

For the Lord does not abandon anyone forever. Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion according to the greatness of his unfailing love."
Lamentations 3:22-26; 31-32 (NLT)

Dear Lord,
Please help me in this time of loss and overwhelming grief. I don't understand why my life is filled with this pain and heartache. But I turn my eyes to you as I seek to find the strength to trust in your faithfulness. I will wait on you and not despair; I will quietly wait for your salvation. My heart is crushed, but I know that you will not abandon me forever. Please show me your compassion, Lord. Help me through the pain so that I will hope in you again. I believe this promise in your Word to send me fresh mercy each day. Though I can't see past today, I trust your great love will never fail me.
Amen.

A Prayer for Salvation

If you believe that the Bible offers truth about the way to salvation, but you have not made the decision yet to become a Christian, it's as simple as praying this prayer. You can pray by yourself, using your own words. There is no special formula. Just pray from your heart to God, and He will save you. If you feel lost and just don’t know what to pray, here’s a prayer of salvation that you can pray: 

Dear Lord,
I admit that I am a sinner. I have done many things that don’t please you. I have lived my life for myself. I am sorry and I repent. I ask you to forgive me. I believe that you died on the cross for me, to save me. You did what I could not do for myself. I come to you now and ask you to take control of my life, I give it to you. Help me to live every day in a way that pleases you. I love you, Lord, and I thank you that I will spend all eternity with you.
Amen.

Getting a Mortgage When You're a Contractor

If you're contracting for a living, getting a mortgage is a lot tougher than you might expect. Thankfully, there are a number of ways to get your financials together and buy a property like a regular employee.

Walk into any high street bank looking for a mortgage and no matter how big your deposit is, they're going to be nervous about lending you money. May high street banks refuse contractors outright, or their rates will be excessive to say the least.

This is because they're only set up for people with a regular income from permanent employment, and because that's what their staff are trained to deal with as well.

This is why freelancers, contractors, consultants and tradesmen often go through contractor mortgage brokers in order to get a decent mortgage like everybody else.

Get Your Financials in Order
But before you start calling up mortgage brokers to get you a good deal, as a contractor you need to account for a number of things, just like a permanent employee, plus a few more.

High street banks base how much they will lend on percentage, times salary plus dividend. For tax reasons, both those figures will be low for many self-employed people, but this can mean that it's difficult for contractors to get the mortgage that they need.

This is why a good broker or mortgage provider will calculates mortgages on daily rates or gross revenue for contractors instead.

For example, the Halifax will accept the gross value of the contract as evidence of income whether you're employed, self-employed or being paid through an umbrella company. The only condition is that you need to have been contracting for at least 1 year.

It's also a good idea to show them the best contracts you're working on to give them an idea of how much you actually earn. You will also need a good credit score and demonstrate evidence of consistent contracting for the future.
However, before you walk into a high street bank, it's always worth talking to a broker to see if they can negotiate a better deal on your behalf. Sometimes a good broker will eat into their sale commission a little to get you what you need rather than lose you as a customer.

When choosing a broker make sure they are working for you and not the lender. This is because many brokers get an incentive from the lender based on the interest rate the loan is sold at. So it can be difficult to figure out if the advice you're getting really is impartial.

Alternatively...
If your partner has a high enough income from permanent employment you may find that they can get a better interest rate than even a joint mortgage with someone self-employed. This is because contractors are considered a higher risk by many banks.

Also, if you trade as a limited company, ask your accountant about the necessary paperwork as an employee not a director. This can open a few more doors when it comes to borrowing large sums of money. However, this is a little more involved, so it's always best to have a chat with your own financial adviser about how this works.

There are also ways to invest in properties on behalf of your limited company and effectively rent the premises back to yourself. But once again, it's best to talk to an accountant about how all this works while ensuring that you stay honest in your business practices.

And Finally...
It's always worth reading the small print, but in the case of contractor mortgages, check for any mortgage related insurance policies for things like redundancy or loss of earnings cover. This is because you may find that your lender will not pay out if you are self-employed.
You may also find that you are paying a premium for those policies. And since you cannot claim on them, you might be able to change them or save money by simply cancelling them.

Summary
So be sure to get all your accounts in order, demonstrate at least 12 months of consistent contracting, have a good credit rating and look at all the options from both banks and brokers. Then simply take your pick of the best offers that suit your circumstances.

Finding a contractor mortgage that's right for how you generate income may take a little bit longer than the average contractor mortgage, but that's not to say there isn't a good deal out there if you don't do some digging around.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7391933

How to Exercise in College

Finding time to exercise in college can be a challenge for even the most diligent of students. At the same time, however, being physically active can be an important part of staying healthy during your time in school. So how can you find the time -- and energy -- to make sure you exercise in college?

 

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: 30-45 minutes

Here's How:

1. Go to class in your gym clothes. Keep it appropriate for class, of course, but if you're already in comfy shoes, running shorts/pants, and a t-shirt, you'll be much more likely to pop into the gym after class. 
2. Walk to class the long way. Sure, you could take the campus shuttle, catch a ride with a friend, or cut through that creepy grove of trees behind the library, but taking the long way to class is a great way to sneak in a 20-minute workout during an otherwise-busy day.
3. Bike to class. You don't have to treat your ride like the Tour de France to have it be productive. But riding your bike to and from class is a good way to get a little exercise in -- and help the environment, too.
4. Hit the gym between classes. You know that hour you usually use to chat with friends, grab a coffee, and generally just mosey around? Mosey to the gym, catch up with your friends while on the treadmills, and grab a coffee en route to your next class. You'll still get your regular between-class activities in while also sneaking in a quick workout.
5. Exercise with a friend. One of the best tricks for making sure you get your workout in is to do it with a friend -- at the gym, in a pick-up game, playing touch football. No matter what you do, you can hold each other accountable, motivate each other, and make the time go quicker once you do start your workouts.
6. Do your homework at the gym. Have some less-than-exciting reading you just need to get through? Set yourself up on a bike at the gym, put in some headphones, and get through your reading while also getting through your workout.
7. Sign up for an exercise class and treat it like an academic class. Sign up for a yoga or other exercise class and treat it just like a "real" class. Make sure you show up every week and do what you're required to do each session. Added bonus: A scheduled class means you don't always have to feel like you should be going to the gym, since you know you'll be going every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 3:30.
8. Sign up for an exercise class that is a real class. Many universities offer exercise classes that you can get credit for. True, they may be harder than your normal whenever-I-feel-like-it workouts, but they may make you more likely to workout.
9. Make a reward system. Consider setting something up, like a Google shared calendar or even something you hang up in your room, where your friend and you keep track of your workouts. At the end of the month, for example, whoever was most consistent, worked out the most, etc., gets treated by the others to something fun (dinner out? pedicure? iTunes gift card?).
10. Join an intramural sports team. Intramural teams are a great way to get exercise while in school. The workouts are fun and you can meet a lot of new people, learn more about a sport, and generally have a great time that doesn't feel nearly as dreary as running laps alone.

College Stress? Read to reduce it... :)

At any given point in time, most college students are stressed about something; it's just part of going to school. While having stress in your life is normal and often unavoidable, being stressed is something you can control. Follow these ten tips to learn how to keep your stress in check and how to relax when it gets to be too much.

 

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: Minimum

Here's How:

1. Most Importantly: Don't Stress About Being Stressed This may seem ridiculous at first, but it is listed first for a reason: when you're feeling stressed, you feel like you're on edge and everything is barely being held together. Don't beat yourself up too badly about it! It's all normal, and the best way to handle stress is to not get more stressed about . . . being stressed. If you're stressed out, admit it and figure out how to handle it. Focusing on it will only make things seem worse.
   
2. Get Some Sleep Being in college means your sleep schedule is, most likely, far from ideal. Getting more sleep can help your mind refocus, recharge, and rebalance. This can mean a quick nap, a night when you go to bed early, or a promise to yourself to stick with a regular sleep schedule. Sometimes, one good night's sleep can be all you need to hit the ground running amidst a stressful time.
   
3. Get Some Food Similar to your sleep habits, your eating habits may have gone by the wayside when you started school. Think about what -- and when -- you've eaten over the past few days. You may think your stress is psychological, but you could also be feeling physical stress (and the "Freshman 15") if you're not fueling your body appropriately. Go eat something balanced and healthy: fruits and veggies, whole grains, protein. Make your mama proud with what you choose for dinner tonight! Lastly, if your meal plan itself is one more thing making you stressed, learn how to pick a plan that's right for you.
   
4. Get Some Exercise You may think that if you don't have the time to sleep and eat properly, you definitely don't have the time to exercise. Fair enough, but if you're feeling stressed, it may be that you need to squeeze it in somehow. Exercise doesn't necessarily have to involve a 2-hour, exhausting workout at the campus gym. It can mean a relaxing, 30-minute walk while listening to your favorite music. In fact, in a little over an hour, you can 1) walk 15 minutes to your favorite off-campus restaurant, 2) eat a quick and healthy meal, 3) walk back, and 4) take a power nap. Imagine how much better you'll feel!
   
5. Get Some Quiet Time Take one moment and think: when was the last time you had some quality, quiet time alone? Personal space for students in college rarely exists. You may share your room, your bathroom, your classrooms, your dining hall, the gym, the bookstore, the library, and anywhere else you go during an average day. Finding a few moments of peace and quiet - with no cell phone, roommates, or crowds - might be just what you need. Stepping out from the crazy college environment for a few minutes can do wonders for reducing your stress.
   
   
6. Get Some Social Time Have you been working on that English paper for 3 days straight? Can you even see what you're writing anymore for your Chemistry lab? You could be stressed because you're being too focused on getting things done. Don't forget that your brain is like a muscle, and even it needs a break every once in a while! Take a break and see a movie. Grab some friends and go out dancing. Hop a bus and hang out downtown for a few hours. Having a social life is an important part of your college experience, so don't be afraid to keep it in the picture when you're stressed. It could be when you need it most!
   
   
7. Get Some Fun You may be stressed about one particular thing: a final paper due Monday, a class presentation due Thursday. You basically just need to sit down and plow through it. If this is the case, try to figure out how to make it a little more fun and enjoyable. Is everyone writing final papers? Agree to work together in your room for 2 hours and then order pizza together for dinner. Do a lot of your classmates have huge presentations to put together? See if you can reserve a classroom or room in the library where you can all work together and share supplies. You may just lower everyone's stress level.
   
8. Get Some Distance You may be handling your own problems and trying to help others around you. While this can be nice for them, check in and be honest with yourself about how your helpful demeanor may be causing more stress in your life. It's okay to take a step back and focus on yourself for a little while, especially if you are stressed and your academics are at risk. After all, how can you keep helping others if you're not even in a state to help yourself? Figure out which things are causing you the most stress and how you can take a step back from each. And then, most importantly, take that step.
   
9. Get a Little Help It can be hard to ask for help, and unless your friends are psychic, they may not know how stressed out you are. Most college students are going through the same things at the same thing, so don't feel silly if you need to just vent for 30 minutes over coffee with a friend. It may help you process out what you need to do, and help you realize that the things you are so stressed about are actually pretty manageable. If you're afraid of dumping too much on a friend, most colleges have counseling centers specifically for their students. Don't be afraid to make an appointment if you think it will help.
   
10. Get Some Perspective College life can be overwhelming. You want to hang out with your friends, join clubs, explore off campus, join a fraternity or sorority, and be involved in the campus newspaper. It can sometimes feel like there aren't enough hours in the day . . . because there aren't. There's only so much any person can handle, but you need to remember the reason why you're in school: academics. No matter how exciting your co-curricular life can be, you won't be able to enjoy any of it if you don't pass your classes. Make sure to keep your eye on the prize and then head out and change the world!

Top Five Things Beginners Need to Know About Databases

Just getting started with databases? Here's a rundown of the top things that I wish I knew before I got started in the field. These facts are guaranteed to make your life easier!

1. SQL Forms the Core of Relational Databases

You can't avoid it. The Structured Query Language forms the core of all relational databases. It provides a uniform interface to Oracle, SQL Server, Access and other relational databases and is a "must learn" for all aspiring database users. In fact, I encourage you to take an introductory SQL course before you even attempt to learn any specific database software. The investment of time will help you build a proper foundation and get started in the world of databases on the correct foot. For a quick start, read SQL Basics or, for a more comprehensive introduction, take our free Learning SQL e-course.

More Info

Ads

Work at home ? Try SohoOSwww.sohoos.comFree Online Business Management Time Tracker Free Invoicing & more
Block Unwanted Websiteswww.nevales.comControl School / College Network Internet usage-Bandwidth Management
1 lakh IT jobswww.Aptech-Education.comGet a global career through Aptech Career building ACCP Pro Course

2. Selecting Primary Keys is an Extremely Important Decision

The selection of a primary key is one of the most critical decisions you’ll make in the design of a new database. The most important constraint is that you must ensure that the selected key is unique. If it’s possible that two records (past, present, or future) may share the same value for an attribute, it’s a poor choice for a primary key. When evaluating this constraint, you should think creatively. You'll also need to avoid sensitive values, such as Social Security Numbers, as they raise privacy concerns. For more information on selecting a strong primary key, read Choosing a Primary Key.

More Info

3. NULL Is Not Zero or the Empty String

NULL is a very special value in the world of databases, but it's something that beginners often get confused about. When you see a NULL value, interpret it as "unknown". If a quantity is NULL, that doesn't necessarily mean that the quantity is zero. Similarly, if a text field holds a NULL value, that doesn't mean that there isn't an appropriate value, it's simply unknown. For example, consider a database containing information about children who attend a particular school. If the secretary entering the record does not know a student's age a NULL value is used to indicate the "unknown" placeholder. The student certainly has an age, it's just not present in the database.

More Info

4. Converting Spreadsheets to Databases Saves Time

If you already have tons of data stored in Excel (or other) spreadsheets, you can save yourself mountains of time by converting those spreadsheets into database tables. Read our tutorial on Converting Excel Spreadsheets to Access Databases to get started.

More Info

5. All Database Platforms Are NOT Created Equal

There are many different databases out there and all offer a variety of different features at different price points. Some are full-featured enterprise databases designed to host huge data warehouses serving multinational enterprises. Others are desktop databases better suited to tracking inventory for a small store with one or two users. Your business requirements will dictate the appropriate database platform for your needs. Read our article Database Software Options for more information.

Software for Making and Receiving VoIP Calls

A VoIP app (new word in the jargon, for application software) is synonymous to VoIP client. It is a piece of software that allows you to use VoIP on your computer and other devices like mobile phone or tablet PC, to make and receive phone calls.

Why Use a VoIP App?

This question brings us back to why we use VoIP. VoIP has a lot of advantages over landline and traditional mobile telephony (GSM). The main advantage is the cost. With a VoIP app, you can make calls worldwide for very cheap, and most of the time for free. Besides, there are a lot of interesting features that enrich the communication experience. Included are the benefits associated with unified communications. VoIP apps are also a fundamental element in cloud communication systems.

Requirements for Using a VoIP App

What you need for using VoIP software is most probably what you already have at home, in the office or in your pocket. They are:

• A computer or a mobile device
• An Internet connection, with sufficient bandwidth for VoIP communication
• Hearing devices (earphones or speakers) and a microphone, which are often embedded in the device you use (in the case of a mobile phone)
• A VoIP service that offers the calls
• A number or address that identifies you uniquely on the Internet. This number or SIP address is most of the time offered by the service provider, so if you have an account with the service, you won’t have to technically bother about this requirement. To know more on how this works, see what Enum is.

Types of VoIP App

VoIP apps are so many and so varied in their nature with overlapping features that it is difficult to categorize them. However, we can place them under the feature that characterizes them most.
Free vs. Paid. Most VoIP apps are free. They are those that come with a VoIP service like Skype; those that are offered by the prominent software manufacturers like Microsoft (Live Messenger), Yahoo! (Messenger), Apple (iChat); and those that are offered free for other benefits, like for advertisement or for promoting a web site, a line of enhanced paid products or services. Paid VoIP apps have something above the free ones, additional features that entitle the manufacturers to call for payment. You will want to pay for VoIP apps, for example, in the context of a business where you have a VoIP system deployed for advanced communication and collaboration processes, with business-related features like call recording, filtering, and all the other features related to IP PBXs. 

OS-Based vs. Web-Based. You don’t have to download every VoIP app you need. Some apps can be used embedded in your browser. An example is Gmail calling, which you can use within your GMail inbox. Also, when you download an app to install on your computer, you need to know whether there is a version for the operating you are using and get that one.

PC vs. Mobile. The way you download and install a VoIP app is not the same when you do it on your mobile device. In that case, you need to log on from your mobile device to a special page of the site and follow instructions. Also, the service needs to support the mobile model you are using, and needs to have provided a version of the app for it.

Service-Based vs. SIP-Based. Each VoIP user has an address or number through which the user is contacted. It can simply be a username (like for Skype), a phone number or a SIP address. Apps released by VoIP services allow you to use, in most cases, the username or phone number you got when you registered with the service. There are third-party apps that are service-independent, allowing you to use them with any service. These use SIP addresses. If you intend to use that kind of app, look for services that support the SIP protocol.

Drawbacks of Using VoIP Apps

VoIP apps have proved to be very useful and they form a complete paradigm in themselves in the communication context. There are however inconveniences with them, as there are with any other item of technology. They require you to have a computer switched on (in the case of PC-based apps). Imagine having to keep you PC on so as not to miss calls, or have a PC each time you need to make a call. But VoIP is now quite diversified and this problem is not as acute, with all the other types of VoIP services available.

Want to know how to taste beer? Here is our view.....

Tasting beer can be very rewarding. As you encounter new styles or brands it helps to know what to look for in a new beer as well as how to evaluate it. Take your time and work through the aspects of the brew one by one.

 

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: Various

Here's How:

1. Pouring the Beer
   
   If you are pouring the beer yourself from a bottle gently run it down the side of the glass. Judge your pour speed based on the head that is forming. Aim to have about a two finger head when you're done. Some beers contain visible yeast at the bottom of the bottle that is meant to be drunk with the beer. If this is the case, stop the pour with a bit of beer left in the bottle. Swirl the remaining liquid to lift the yeast sediment and pour it into your glass.
   
2. Appearance
   
   Note whether the head is dense or thin. Heads are sometimes described as rocky if they are especially dense with dips and peaks forming as some of the bubbles pop. The color of the head is also worth noting and can range from pure white on Pilsners to light or medium brown on some stouts and porters.
   
   Examine the appearance of the beer itself. Hold the glass up to the light and note the color and whether it is cloudy or clear.
   
3. Aroma
   
   Note whether it smells primarily of hops or malt. Generally speaking light colored beers will smell more of hops while darker beers tend to have a pronounced malt, roasted, chocolate or coffee aroma. Many ales have a hard to pin down spiciness or fruitiness from their yeasts.
   
   Take your time with the aroma. Try to take three good sniffs before your first sip. If you're taking notes, stop to write your impressions before the first sip distracts you.
   
4. First Sip
   
   When taking your first sip, try to note the initial sensation as the beer enters your mouth. Think about whether it is sweet, bitter or something else. Beer, especially ale, can be very complex. There can be quite a difference between the first taste and the finish.
   
5. Mouthfeel
   
   This is the texture of the beer or how it physically feels in your mouth. Beer ranges from silky dry stouts, to thick and chewy Scotch ales to thin and fizzy Berliner weisses. This is an important characteristic of a beer.
   
6. Finish
   
   Note the lingering flavors after you swallow the drink. Often it can be bitter from the hops or a lingering malty sweetness.
   
   Stop before your next drink and try to write down everything that you just detected. Try to confirm it all with your second drink or see if you need to rethink your conclusions.
   
7. Styles
   
   There is a lot of variation from one beer to the next with regards to what is "correct," stylistically speaking. For information about style specific issues such as whether the yeast should be poured with the beer or left in the bottle, what color the head should be, whether the beer should appear clear or cloudy, and so on, consult the Beer Styles section or another great resource for beer style information are the Beer Judge Certification Program's Style Guidelines.

Tips:

1. Do not taste new beers with food or soon after eating. The lingering flavors from food can greatly affect your impression of the brew.
2. Cleanse your palate with water. Crackers or cheese are fine but you should remember that even these foods can affect the apparent flavors of the beer.
3. If you're tasting a number of different beers, let the color be your guide. It is best to taste from light to dark.

How To Wax Belly Hair

Is belly hair embarrassing you at all the wrong times? Safely wax it away and you'll have a fuzz-free stomach for weeks. It's always best to seek out a professional, but if you're willing to give it try, here is the way to get rid of that unsightly hair for yourself.

Difficulty: Average

Time Required: 15 to 45 minutes to remove belly hair by waxing

Here's How:

1. Buy waxing kit or strips. Waxing kits can be purchased a local beauty supply or online (compare prices). Or try the less messy method by purchasing pre waxed strips such as Parissa Tea Tree Wax Strips for full body (read review).
2. Have enough hair, but not too much. The hair should be trimmed to about 1/4" long. Clippers are the best way to trim.
3. Make sure your belly is clean. Use a pre-wax cleanser and apply a light dusting of powder. Don’t over do it on the powder, more isn’t better. Most kits will come with a cleanser and powder. If not, a mild cleanser is fine. Cornstarch can be used instead of powder.
4. Wax on. Evenly apply wax in the direction of hair growth using applicator (wooden stick). Do not put it on too thick. A thin layer is perfect.
5. Apply a strip. Apply a pellon or muslin strip over wax to remove the hair. Leave a small part of the strip up and away from any wax so you can use it as a tab or handle. Press and firmly smooth hand over strip in the direction of hair growth a couple times, to ensure wax is attaching to hair. Or use the pre wax strip and apply the same way.
6. Remove the strip and wax. Hold onto the end of strip that isn't attached to hair. Pull skin taut with one hand, and remove strip in opposite direction of hair growth in one quick pull, with the other hand. Do not pull up. This can cause bruising and tearing of the skin. Pull at a 45-degree angle. Press hand down on the belly hair you just removed the hair from to help relieve some of the pain. If a little bit of wax with hair remains, simply put strip back on hair and pull off.
7. Work through the pain. Work your way through legs repeating steps 4-6.
8. Tweeze the lingering hair. Use clean tweezers to remove any lingering hair. Reapplying wax can lead to skin irritation, burns, and tears and skin removal. Try not to go over a spot you already waxed.
9. Soothe skin. Apply after-wax lotion, or an aloe based lotion or gel. Tend Skin (read review) is a great product to keep from getting ingrown hair and relieving skin irritation.
10. You’re done. And still alive!

Tips:

1. Test the heat of the wax on the inside of your wrist. Wax that is too hot will burn and wax that is not warm enough will not spread easily.
2. Use a product numbing product prior to waxing (compare prices) your belly hair. It will help alleviate some of the pain you may experience. Remember, the more you wax, the easier and less painful it becomes. Read: Top Ten Tips to Reduce Waxing Pain for the full run-down.
3. Preparing is just as important as doing the task. Make sure everything is clean and sanitary you use to wax with- including your hands. When finished, keep from adding bacteria to the freshly waxed area by not touching it unnecessarily.
4. Waxing can cause red bumps, ingrown hairs and bruising. Read more about how to prevent and stay clear of waxing side effects.
5. Learn about other hair removal methods, temporary and permanent: How To Remove Stomach Hair

What You Need

• Wax kit
• Pre-wax cleanser
• Powder designed for waxing or corn starch
• Muslin or pellon strips
• Applicators
• Wax remover for the skin
• After wax lotion or an aloe-based gel

Movie Reveiw for "Sleep Tight"

In one of the most famous scenes in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, Anthony Perkins tries to dispose of a murder victim by putting her in the trunk of her car and then pushing it into a swamp. As the vehicle sinks—way too slowly—the film momentarily encourages the audience to sympathize with a madman’s frustrations. Jaume Balagueró’s Sleep Tight is like a feature-length version of that Psycho scene. Luis Tosar stars as a misanthropic, suicidal apartment-complex doorman/handyman who’s dedicated himself to making the residents’ lives miserable, in ways both subtle and horrific. He waters the plants at the wrong time of day, so they’ll die; he feeds one old woman’s dog the wrong food, to give it diarrhea; he hides rotten fruit in the back of a refrigerator; and so on. He’s especially determined to depress the chipper, pretty young Marta Etura. He sends her threatening letters and texts, and sneaks into her apartment to inject skin-irritants into her beauty products and to plant insect eggs. As Tosar perpetually skirts around the edge of being caught—or being exposed by Etura’s nosy pre-teen neighbor Iris Almeida Molina—the viewer has to decide whether to root for this creep to succeed.

Granted, it isn’t that big of a dilemma. As much of a sad-sack as Tosar is, he’s never likeable, per se—which means Sleep Tight is mainly just a clever exercise in inverting a common suspense plot, by holding to the prowler’s point of view. The shift in perspective also means Sleep Tight isn’t terribly scary, because the audience is stuck with the person who has almost all the power: the stalker, not the stalkee. But Balagueró—best known for directing the first two parts of the [Rec] series—has a fine control of pacing and tone, and is able to keep Sleep Tight gripping throughout, right up its shocking final act. The whole movie could be seen as a high-difficulty challenge for the director and for screenwriter Alberto Marini, who try to keep viewers involved with the machinations of a terrible human being. This is a crime story with little to no interest in the who or the why, but only the what and the how. It’s a reverse-procedural, tracking not the solution of a crime, but all of its awful particulars.

Movie Review for "The Loneliest Planet"

At almost precisely the midpoint of The Loneliest Planet, Julia Loktev’s gorgeous meditation on trust, masculinity, and the subtle dynamics of relationships, something happens. It only lasts about three seconds and represents the only major plot point in a film that has no interest in providing any more of them. Spoiling it here would diminish its power and surprise, but suffice to say, this pivotal event completely alters the characters’ understanding of each other and themselves, and turns the entire movie on a dime. There are times in everyone’s life that test their resolve and reveal who they are, and Loktev (Day Night Day Night) focuses with extraordinary acuity on the lead-up to and fallout from one such moment and where it leaves a couple in love. 

Based on Tom Bissell’s equally evocative short story “Expensive Trips Nowhere,” The Loneliest Planet follows two young adventurers, Gael García Bernal and Hani Furstenberg, on a fateful trip through the stunning Caucasus Mountain range in Georgia. Bissell’s story had them as a married couple trudging through Kazakhstan, but Loktev discards any such emotional baggage: When they set off on their backpacking tour, Bernal and Furstenberg are utterly compatible and passionate about each other, and merely engaged to be married. Leading them through the uncertain terrain is Bidzina Gujabidze, an amiable but mysterious and troubled guide who has some military background, but like a lot of things about him, the details of his experience are vague. After they spend a day trudging through magnificent scenery—a travelogue-pretty mix of lush hillsides, arid mountain faces, and glistening streams—three men approach. One of them has a gun.

In extending a short story to feature length without embellishing it—at least in the plotting—Loktev suffuses the film with the kind of intimate, microscopic detail and observation that’s more common to literature than cinema. Much of the real story in The Loneliest Planet is told nonverbally, in the physical distance between the characters or the palpable tension that develops between Bernal and Furstenberg when they lose that ease of communication. Loktev builds tension masterfully in the first half, but with small moments of danger and discord that trouble what is otherwise a pleasant outing. And when the thing happens, Gujabidze, a fascinating and sometimes tremendously funny presence, complicates the relationships all the more. Though it heavily reworks Bissell’s story, the film feels as beautifully calibrated as a great piece of short fiction, only with visual accents and emphases filling in for the prose. It’s a relationship movie where the most important exchanges remain unspoken.

Review: 'Beware Of Mr. Baker' Is A Rollicking, Dangerous & Ultimately Transcendent Ride With Cream Drummer Ginger Baker

This year’s SXSW had a few strong themes running throughout its selections. In the documentary category, this was seen in the numerous films about '70s rock icons such as “Paul Williams: Still Alive,” “Marley,” the preview of “Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me,” and heck, even “Bad Brains: A Band in DC” fits into this category. But the Documentary Feature winning film, “Beware of Mr. Baker,” about Cream drummer Ginger Baker, certainly earned its award, as it blows those other (quite remarkable) films out of the water, starting with one vicious rap to the nose.

The film’s title is a literal one, taken directly from the sign at the gate of Ginger Baker’s South African compound. It also refers to the opening sequence of the film -- the camera obscured, with Baker shouting “I don’t want those fucking people in my film!” before lashing out with his cane rapping the camera in the same way he might beat the skins with a drumstick. Director Jay Bulger then climbs out of his car, blood pouring from his face, and exclaims, “Ginger Baker just hit me in the fucking nose!” Yes, this opening sequence lets us know we are in for a bit of a tangle with the talented Mr. Baker, and oh, what rollicking scrap it is.
 
The film follows Baker from his earliest days, during WW2, in which bombs rained on London, and his father was killed when Baker was only 4 years old. It was a rough childhood for Ginger, a hoodlum and troublemaker who stole records, ran around with a gang, and then was viciously attacked and slashed across the face and arms by the gang after he stopped hanging out with them. But always there was the drumbeat coming through him, the sound of bombs mixing with the Max Roach jazz records he nicked from the corner shop, and exploding out of his hands and fists, onto desks or a schoolmate’s face. When finally he picked up the sticks, he found a mentor in Phil Seamen, who introduced him both to heroin and to the drums of Africa, two influences that would follow Ginger his whole life.

Explaining all the ins and outs of Ginger Baker’s crazy life would take the fun out of watching it onscreen, because the breakneck pace and layers upon layers of photographs, footage of Ginger playing with Cream, Fela Kuti and more, and interviews with Baker and his former compatriots (Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, Femi Kuti and many more) meld into a staccato of sights, sounds and story that is utterly compelling. The film is expertly edited, and it comments on the documentary form while extending it at the same time. The use of split screen is genius and takes the typical documentary style of juxtaposing images or sound sequentially and puts them together spatially: one of Ginger’s old pals or fans speaking about him reverently, onscreen next to an image of Ginger huffing, puffing and talking smack about just about everyone he used to be involved with. The film also utilizes animation to visualize stories and sequences told through memory and voice-over, and the artwork is both stunning and metaphorical. When Ginger starts to discover African drumming, the animation sits him aboard a slave ship, pulling the oar to the beat of a masked drummer, his flaming red hair setting him apart from the others.
 
Ultimately, the film is an apt representation of the man, the myth and his wild antics. It includes his failures and shortcomings honestly, and never attempts to sugarcoat any facts from his past (this would be extremely difficult with the prickly Baker), but the close relationship between the filmmaker and subject creates for an affectionate portrayal as well. The combination of compelling subject with an exciting and expert approach to documentary form achieves that transcendence you hope for in this genre: a melding of subject and text that is its own beast but also perfectly reflect each other. “Beware of Mr. Baker,” indeed, but don’t stay away. [A]

Permanent Hair Removal. Is It Possible?

We would all love to get rid of hair one place or another, and say good-bye for all eternity. But, is permanent hair removal something you can get?

Here's the fact: There is no 100% guaranteed permanent hair removal method. Electrolysis is approved by the FDA for permanent hair removal, and has the best overall results over any other method for ridding hair for long periods of time, or even permanently. But studies have shown it doesn't give everyone these permanent results.

We've All Heard the Claims

Yes, there are plenty of gadgets, machines and treatments promising permanent hair removal. These companies are outright lying or twisting the term 'permanent' when you read their fine print. You not only have to watch out for products you see on the Internet, even professional treatments guaranteeing you'll be hair free forever.

Isn't Laser Hair Removal Permanent?

Some laser centers make it sound that you'll never have to be reunited with your hair again, just by getting the right amount of visits with their machine. As to date, there is no laser equipment that has been approved by the FDA for permanent hair removal. However, the FDA has approved laser hair removal machines with permanent hair reduction because it can rid hair on the right candidates for long periods of time, with multiple treatments.

Hair growing back at some point is still possible, whether it's a reduced amount, finer version, or combination of both. According to The Mayo Clinic, lasers can reduce hair counts 40% to 80%.

Read my reviews and results trying home laser and IPL (intense pulsed light) hair removal devices cleared by the FDA: Tria and Silk'n.

Other hair removal methods may also reduce the amount of hair over time. Repeated tweezing, waxing, sugaring, and threading can damage the hair follicle to the point where it no longer grows hair.

5 Tips for Buying Comfortable Baby/Infant Clothing

Infants can be fussy little creatures, but one sure fire way to get them screaming is to put them in uncomfortable infant clothing. But since you can't actually try them on yourself, how do you make sure that the clothing your buying will pass the test? Keep these 5 things in mind when you're making any clothing purchase.

Check the Seams

Seams on the insides of your infant clothing should be smooth and lie flat. You can check the seams by turning the garment inside out and looking at them or simply putting your hands inside the tops and bottoms to ensure that, when running your hands along the seam, nothing pokes or scratches your skin.

Avoid Tight Elastic

Tight elastic bands at the arms, lets, neck or waist can irritate your baby's sensitive skin as well as cut circulation, making for a very uncomfortable tot. Sometimes it's obvious when baby and infant clothing is too tight, but when you're at the store purchasing it, it might not seem so simple.
Give each area with elastic banding a gentle tug - how much give is there? If there is a lot of stretch, your baby should have room to grow, if not, it's better to skip it. And remember, let your baby's weight determine what size he should wear, not his age.

Scratchy Baby Clothes

Metal zippers, appliques or snaps with rough or uneven backings can all create scratch. Many baby clothes now come with appliques, so it's important that you double check the backings for rough edges. And don't be fooled into thinking that the backing will soften up with a few washings - it won't happen.

Possible Choking Hazards

I'm a big believer in avoiding the small things that can end up in your baby's mouth, possibly presenting a chocking hazard. And I believe that many other moms are too. But, there are a lot of places that these items show up you wouldn't even think about - like your baby's clothes. Seen a shirt with sequins or buttons on it lately?
If you do buy items like this because you just can't resist their inevitable cuteness, give sequins, buttons and snaps a quick tug to make sure they don't come off. In addition, be sure to recheck these after every single washing because these items can come loose during any part of the cycle.

Consider Fabric Content

Check labels for fabric content before making a purchase. Remember that infant clothing comes in a variety of fabrics; while natural fabrics are best for sensitive baby skin they're not always the practical choice. Other things to remember: cotton can shrink up to 10% with the first wash, polyester/cotton blends tend to be less expensive and don't wrinkle and thin fabrics are the least durable.
Keep these 5 things in mind when buying infant clothing and you should have one happy baby - at least when it comes to his wardrobe.

9-Ball Game Rules & Strategy

9-Ball game rules and strategy are deceptively simple. But there is far more to the action than meets the eye.

For decades, 9-ball has been the darling of televised pool for its explosive open break and pocketing action.

9-ball is a rotation game. You shoot at the lowest numbered ball on the table, with the caveat that if the 9-ball falls on any shot anytime, even on the break, it's a win! Take full advantage of 9-Ball's rules for your benefit.
The balls numbered one through nine are racked in a diamond shape, the 1-ball in front (so the player may hit it as proscribed first without added difficulty) and the 9-ball in the center (for added protection from pocketing on the open break).

Beginners forget to hide the 9-ball in the center. If the nine is moved to another position, a pro or hustler could sink it on the break or soon after most every time to win.

You must hit the lowest numbered ball first with the cue ball. Following that hit, one of the ten balls on the table must touch a rail or sink in a pocket or your opponent receives ball-in-hand.

Skilled 9-Ball players always have an eye to the strategy of pocketing the 9-ball early for the win.

The above are the rules and strategy at their most basic but there are warnings ahead as first class 9-Ball takes much time to learn. The game of 9-Ball is a shark pool where hustlers find victims swimming in abundance.
Typical rule additions include the "Three Foul Rule" where three fouls or scratches on three consecutive turns end the game. Of note, the rule is enforced only if the opposing player has verbally announced when two fouls have been "achieved" before the third infraction is made. Skilled hustlers often position the balls to make their prey foul three times to lose the game.

The "Push Rule" allows the incoming player (following the break shot only) to shoot the cue ball anywhere without touching the lowest ball for a safety or defensive play. The other player may accept the new position or force the person who made the push to shoot again and attempt a regular shot. Again, the hustler is well placed to start hiding the cue ball immediately.

On the next page are the three mistakes intermediates make the most often when playing 9-Ball. Be cautious.

Take my 9-Ball hints and miss the three traps almost every 9-Ball player drowns in.

I've taught hundreds of students 9-Ball and have noticed three pitfalls that hurt nearly every beginning (and intermediate) player:

1. Greed--There is a rush for the 9-ball early yet a miss often leaves the nine near a pocket, vulnerable to the other player or team. Game over!

2. Ignorance--Top 9-ball players realize they have lots of room to play lock safes if they cannot simply run to end the game.
So the unwary play stronger 9-Ball players, even with handicaps, at their peril. Don't be ignorant, 9-Ball is a much tougher game than it looks at first try.
I recommend 7-Ball instead to start your experience with rotation games. 7-Ball is also a superb method to practice 9-Ball runouts with less balls on the table to interfere with one another. Try this fun and fast game.

3. Waste--9-Ball presents many difficult shots, so many in fact, that new pool players who limit themselves to 9-Ball waste time and opportunities to practice basic but important shots.

Readers may dislike my comments but I want to keep my teaching honest. Great pool is less about shooting long, hard 9-Ball-type shots as it is about making simple shots and wisely positioning the cue ball for upcoming shots.
Only a few players on Earth can run 10 difficult shots without a miss, but shooting simple shots and rolling the cue ball accurately, you can make 50 balls in a row...

Watch for upcoming articles on 9-Ball hints, moves and strategy including the links below. It takes much mental energy and added patience to become a 9-Ball star. Yet 9-Ball still is loads of fun for most players so enjoy and also please consider pool lessons from myself or another top instructor, too.