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Throughout time there have always been two opposing points of view as to how to maintain good health, or how to regain it after having lost it. This conflict has continued since ancient times … and no doubt will continue well into the future.
One ’side’ believes good health is as a result of outside intervention… drugs, surgery etc. The other ’side’ believes that good health results from living in harmony with natural law… correct nutrition… cleanliness etc.
The ancient Greeks had terms for these two groups of people. As was often the case in those days each group came under the umbrella of a ‘god’. One was ‘Asklepios’… the god of medicine, whose proponents advocated the ‘intervention’ approach. These people were known as ‘Asklepians’. Those who believed that the secret of good health resulted from living in harmony with nature looked up to ‘Hygeia’… Goddess of health. These people were known as ‘Hygeian’.
Asklepians versus Hygeian
Both sides tended to be critical of the other… nothing much has changed over the ages. Modern mainstream western medicine takes the ‘Asklepian’ approach. However, in recent years the Hygeian approach which has always been the underlying principle behind Chinese traditional medicine has gained much ground. The increase in the popularity of the ‘Hygeian’ approach is no doubt due to a combination of several factors:

Dissatisfaction of traditional mainstream medicine.
Increasing cases of medical ‘misadventure’. (Hospitals are places to stay away from)
Awareness that good health is primarily a personal responsibility… not of overworked physicians.
An increasing awareness that the medical industry is highly influenced by drug companies and that there are often better, safer and more economic natural alternatives to drugs.

In spite of this justified ’swing’ away from mainstream medicine, mainstream medicine does have a place in everyone’s health program … apart from the obvious ones in treating accident cases or chronic urgent illness. So, if you are already a ‘Hygeian’ don’t over look the benefits that mainstream medicine can offer to you in your overall quest for good health and longevity.
These benefits are primarily in the early detection of a pending disease that you may not as yet be aware of!
An example
Let’s assume that you are over 40 years of age… you are healthy, fit and not overweight. You eat well, you don’t smoke, don’t drink excessively and rarely get sick. You probably think that you will live forever… well at least into ripe old age! Right? Maybe… or maybe not.
Reflect on this for a moment. Have you ever known anyone around this age that has died suddenly to your amazement because you thought they were so healthy? That person may even have been a competitive athlete!
Let me tell you a true story.
About 15 years ago a friend of mine who was around 40, a former competitive body builder who was still in great shape and extremely fit was at a lake water-skiing. He was watching some young water-skiers doing some ‘tricks’.
Being the competitive person that he was he waited until they came in and went down to the waters edge and said “Now, I’ll show you how to really do it”. Those were the last words he ever uttered… a couple of minutes later he was lying on the ground dead of a massive heart attack.
My friend died instantly. He could just as easily had a stroke which he may or may not have recovered from… which would also have been a major tragedy.
Tragedies can often be avoided
Tragedies like this happen every day and the results are devastating not only to the victims but also their families, friends and loved ones. Sadly, many of these tragedies could have been averted … if more people were aware of their risk factors and could correct any abnormalities before it was too late!
Now back to the point of this story. My friend died of a blockage in his artery. Only takes one! If 15 years ago the technology for measuring ALL the ‘predictors’ which indicate your risk of such an event were available AND my friend had understood what they meant he would probably still be showing those young fellows how to do water-skiing tricks!
How many thousands of people are still dying needlessly because they do not know how to take advantage of current technology … or, in some cases are so opposed to mainstream medicine that they do not take advantage of the ‘good’parts!
OK… what should you do?
First of all, if you are over 35 and have not had a blood test within the last few years … arrange one… NOW!
Get a general one, which tests for:

Cholesterol. Both LDL and HDL
Triglycerides
Homocysteine
Lipoproteins
Liver Function
Renal Function
Plasma Glucose

If you are a man over 40 make sure you also have a PSA. (Prostate Specific Antigen) test) Hint: There is recent evidence that suggests that if you have had sex within the previous 72 hours your PSA levels could be affected. Play it safe and abstain for 2 - 3 days before your test.
Irrespective of your gender ask your physician if any other tests are also recommended for you. If each test is within the normal range, that’s great, you can rest easy knowing that you are unlikely to be subject to any immediate health risk. You can then direct your efforts towards improving the way you feel and slowing down your aging process.
If any of your tests are abnormal you will need to do something about bringing them back to within ‘normal’ ranges … and possibly be subject to more tests. It is the treatment of any abnormalities from these blood tests that create a potential conflict between ‘Askelepians’ and ‘Hygeians’.
Here is an example of potential conflict
Let’s say your tests show that your cholesterol is ‘out of whack’, your ‘mainstream’ physician may first propose lowering your intake of diet cholesterol. That’s unlikely to be successful as ingested cholesterol only makes up a relatively small percentage of blood cholesterol.
They will next likely propose one of the cholesterol lowering drugs commonly known as ’statins’. These are drugs that work by blocking an enzyme that your liver needs to manufacture cholesterol. (Up to 80% of your blood cholesterol is manufactured by your liver, NOT from the ingestion of cholesterol within your diet).
These statin drugs are very powerful and have been known to cause serious side effects including deaths. In fact Bayers were recently forced to withdraw their statin drug from the market place because of ‘unacceptable’ levels of fatalities. In spite of these risks, sales of statin drugs amount to billions of dollars per year and are commonly prescribed.
It’s ironic that there are natural alternatives to these statin drugs which can assist in lowering cholesterol, and do it safely, and without side effects. But the general public hears very little about them as they are not patentable and there is not the financial incentive for the big corporate’s to promote them.
The same principle applies for many different ailments. There can be many legitimate methods of treatments. What is important is that you seek out the natural alternatives and apply them before agreeing to subject yourself to the negative side effects of pharmaceutical drugs.
Pharmaceutical drugs are ‘blockers’ whereas natural remedies are ‘enablers’
Pharmaceutical drugs are ‘blockers’ and do not normally heal the underlying ailment. They generally work by suppressing natural functions such as certain enzymes which I mentioned earlier when giving the ’statin’ example. Because of this process, results are often ‘instant’ and as such there is sometimes a place for these powerful prescription drugs in the case of life threatening emergencies.
In contrast, natural products such as herbs, vitamins etc are ‘enablers’. They work at correcting the cause of the ailment which is often a nutrient deficiency of some sort. The results are not immediate and have to be measured in weeks, or even months.
If you have a serious ailment, work with your physician to try and correct it… by first using natural remedies. If she or he is not familiar with the treatment you would like to try, do some further research and get hold of supporting information so you are in a better position to discuss the options intelligently. If your physician has a closed mind to natural remedies it may be wise to ask around and find another qualified physician with an open mind.

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At one time or another, we have all awakened to the sight of empty soda bottles, pizza boxes, candy bar wrappers, or ice cream containers strewn about our bedroom, den or kitchen and asked ourselves: “Did I really eat all that?”
Rather than accepting binges as temporary relapses, we tend to react by beating ourselves up for falling off the wagon and failing to follow through our healthy eating plan. Here are a few concrete actions you can take after a binge to successfully coach yourself from relapse to recovery in as little time as possible:
Go Ahead and Vent!
Give yourself 10 minutes to vent about your setback. Set a timer to make certain you don’t get carried away, and then use this time to whine about why you can’t eat whatever you want. Complain about how much you hate to exercise. Blame your mother and rave on about why it is not your fault that you like ice cream. Give voice to everything you are feeling and thinking - expressing anything that might be contaminating your brain. But when the 10 minutes are up and the timer goes off, stop venting and move on.
Focus on Facts, Not Faults
Writing a clear and objective description of what you ate during a binge can help you put an end to the blame game. Try to focus only on what you ate and not how you felt about what you ate. Focusing too intently on our feelings can sometimes interfere with out ability to move forward, because they can distort our objectivity. A written description can serve as a window through which we can assess our behavior without making judgments about ourselves. When we can begin to make distinctions between who we are and what and how much we eat, binges will lose their power to derail our weight loss and healthy living goals.
Reframe Your Binge
Reframing or putting a positive spin on your overeating incident doesn’t mean that you don’t accept responsibility for your actions. It means that you look at the experience with a positive, constructive attitude. For instance, rather than telling yourself that you have lost your way, reframe the incident by telling yourself that you merely took a detour. Remind yourself that no matter how much you ate, your binge did not cause the world to stop spinning. Life will go on, and so will your journey toward weight loss and healthy living.

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A Medical Insurance policy is a contract between an insurance company and an individual or a group which promises to pay for medical care reasonably required by the insured policy holder for treatment in case of any injury or illness. Even now a day’s medical insurance policy is provided for disease like obesity.
If an individual has taken up a medical policy then he pays the premium according to a specific time frame as decided between the two groups. Usually, the policy takes care for the health and medical acre of an individual but if the premiums value is higher the insurance covers the family members also. In the case when the policy is taken by a group or an association, then all the individuals under the association receive the certificate of insurance. Some key points like payment of premiums, deductibles and co-pays are decided at the beginning and both the parties have to abide by these rules.
Searching a Medical Insurance Plan?
The terms in the policy may be hard to understand at times and the person may stand confused. So here is list of some terms commonly used up in an insurance plan:
Deductible-The deductible refers to the yearly amount of money that the insured would need to pay before any benefits from the health insurance policy can be used.
1. Co-insurance / Co-payments- This is the amount that would need to be paid by the insured before the insurance pays and in addition to the deductible.
2. Out-of- pocket- An out of pocket expense can refer to how much the co-payment, coinsurance, or deductible is.
3. Waiting Period- This is the time one would have to wait until certain health insurance overages are available.
4. Grace Period- This is the amount of time one has to pay their health insurance premium after the original due date and before insurance coverage would be canceled.
5. Lifetime Maximum-This is the most amount of money the health insurance policy will pay for the entire life. Pay attention to individual lifetime maximums and family lifetime maximums as they can be different.
6. Out-of-Pocket - This is the cost one would pay out of their own pocket. An out of pocket expense can refer to how much the co-payment, coinsurance, or deductible is.
Is Medical Insurance Necessary?
Man saves money for a better and safe future. But life is a string of surprises. A serious medical situation can strain one’s pocket, thereby emptying all the lifetime savings. The best option to save oneself from this situation is to secure your future with the help of a medical insurance policy

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For one who takes pride in being involved with different community organizations, possessing a high level of confidence is essential. Especially when that involvement includes speaking to large and small groups requesting donations for numerous non-profit organizations.
Such is the case with Teresa Bock, Assistant Vice President of Wells Fargo Bank’s Olympus Hills Office in Salt Lake City. Not only is confidence a key to her success with all the community work she does, it is vital in her professional position.
When one first meets Teresa, they encounter a woman who is constantly smiling. This wasn’t always the case. Before marrying media personality Tom Bock, Teresa overcame numerous obstacles in her life.
At age seven, Teresa became completely deaf in her right ear due to Scarlet Fever. During that same period she lost most of the hearing in her left ear. Teresa has so beautifully conquered the command of her ability to communicate, most people would have no idea she is a master lip reader unless she tells them.
Another obstacle Teresa overcame was her struggle to make ends meet with two small children from a previous marriage. With food and shelter as a priority there were many things that were put on the back burner until they became absolutely necessary. Things like visits to a dentist. During those trying times dental visits were strictly for emergency and maintenance purposes. Although Teresa secretly desired a smile that would turn heads, with the incredible financial pressures that come with being a single mom, she wondered if obtaining a beautiful smile would ever be within reach.
With a strong drive to succeed, Teresa began her career in banking in 1987 as a teller. Taking on her career challenges with the same zest that she took on her physical challenges, Teresa found opportunities to move up in the banking industry as well as continue her involvement with non-profit organizations. During her employment, she learned that Wells Fargo has an ongoing commitment to giving back to the community. Seeing an opportunity to develop a career and contribute to her community, Teresa knew she had found a great match for her life’s passions.
It was during this time she met Tom Bock. What started out as two single parents enjoying each other’s company blossomed into love and marriage. In 2000, they married, bringing together a combined family of five children eight grandchildren. A strong tie for their marriage is love and respect for their individual interests and the fact both Tom and Teresa are actively involved in giving back to the community.
Not being one to settle for giving her energy to one organization, Teresa has been involved with Ballet West, Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, Living Planet Aquarium, Audiologist Association, NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners) and various Chamber of Commerce organizations. She is absolutely convinced that being able to communicate both in one-on-one and public situations is critical to achieving the greatest outcome when it relates to raising money for an organization.
Not one to let go of her dreams, Teresa was also convinced that an improved smile would directly impact her confidence level. Although she had the desire to have her smile cosmetically improved, the cost was still a huge consideration.
What first sparked Teresa’s interest in a smile makeover were pictures of people who didn’t have obvious black lines near their gum lines. She also had a distinct taste of aluminum in her mouth. Having been to countless dentists over the years not one of them ever took time to explain what this was about. That is until she was introduced to Dr. Scott Kiser.
Teresa was referred to Dr. Kiser by a friend. She was so confident in his recommendations she didn’t bother with a second opinion even though he recommended she do so. She knew he was fair and would do the right thing.
When Teresa decided to invest in her smile makeover, Dr. Kiser showed her how to make it possible. He helped her to figure out the best way to move forward and help her fulfill her dream. Not only did Dr. Kiser address all of Teresa’s questions and concerns about her dental care, he showed her that with a good plan, her dream of a beautiful smile was well within reach.
As with many accomplishments in Teresa’s life, she had to develop a plan of action to determine how to afford what she wanted. One of the first things she did was to prioritize. First, she determined where she could cut spending. Secondly, she participated in the Wells Fargo Healthcare Spending Account. The program allows for having a portion of one’s paycheck put aside for various healthcare costs. Depending on the program, the monies can be used for vision, medical and/or dental fees. These programs allow you to set aside a specific pretax dollar amount to be used for unreimbursed healthcare expenses. Many employers now offer healthcare spending programs in their employee benefit packages.
“If someone thinks they can’t afford it they need to ask themselves if they really can afford not to do it. It can change someone’s life in ways they never dreamed possible,” beams Teresa. “There are always ways to figure out how to afford something if it becomes a great enough priority.”
Teresa will be the first to tell you that once she made the decision to move forward, things seemed to magically fall into place. She will also tell anyone who wants to know that her Smile Makeover is one of the best investments she ever made.
As she suspected, once she had an improved smile, her confidence rose incredibly. She found she was more willing to smile when talking to people and any insecurity she had about what people thought of her smile completely disappeared. She also found her confidence when speaking to groups greatly increased.
Teresa has been so pleased with her results she always refers people to Dr. Kiser. Many of Teresa and Tom Bock’s friends are patients of Dr. Kiser.
Although she didn’t always realize the importance of a great dental care provider, today she will be the first to admit you have to find someone you can trust. Someone who really cares about their patients and won’t rush through an appointment.
“When I visit Dr. Kiser I feel like I am the only person that matters. And when it comes to my dental care, that’s the way it should be. I didn’t always believe that but today I know I deserve that kind of treatment.”
Teresa also appreciates the commitment and care of the Smiles Dentistry staff. Teresa knows their staff is the best around. With state of the art equipment and decor that is extremely pleasing, she knows the investment Dr. Kiser has made to create an atmosphere that will be appreciated by even the most discriminating tastes.
“They really care about each patient. The first encounter one has is with Vicki. Whether they meet Vicki over the phone or in the front office, it is an incredibly positive experience. Complimented by Vicki’s “can do” attitude is an overall atmosphere that is beyond compare.”
“There are people in my life who never knew me before I had my smile makeover. Shock is often the response I get when they look at before and after pictures. Just to see their reaction makes me realize how great an investment Dr. Kiser’s work has been. Without a doubt, it is one of the best investments I have ever made. I will reap the benefits for years to come. It is such a great feeling when someone will comment on what a beautiful smile I have. I cannot begin to tell you what it has done to improve the quality of my life.”
“To Dr. Kiser and his entire team, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
About Dr. Scott Kiser
Dr. Scott Kiser has been practicing general dentistry in Salt Lake City, Utah for over 20 years. Dr. Kiser has used only mercury-free substances in his treatments since the mid 90’s and concentrates his practice in the areas of sedation dentistry and complete smile makeovers. Consumer Research Council of American selected him as Utah’s Top Cosmetic Dentist of 2003 - 2004. Visit www.greatsmilesutah.com for your FREE online Great Smiles Newsletter.
Copyright: andcopy; 2004 by Kathleen Gage
Publishing Guidelines: You may publish my article in your newsletter, on your web site, or in your print publication provided you include the resource box at the end. Notification would be appreciated but is not required.

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It is not uncommon, in a country like Bangladesh, that conversation about sexual issue remains a taboo. It is high time, that such taboo should be unshackled. Else, the ticking time bomb of HIV/AIDS could peter out risking 23percent adolescents of 130 million adolescents population of Bangladesh or face the supposedly sub-Saharan Africa’s consequence- it is said, within a span of ten years millions of children’s will vanish in the Sub-Saharan Africa, who are born with AID.
Recently, during a news briefing at Dhaka on 29 September 04, an official of UNFPA, said, poor knowledge of sex among adolescents poses a threat to their reproductive health. According, to Suneeta Mukerjee, the country director, Bangladesh UNFPA, “Parents must speak freely with their growing children about sex to ensure healthy living.”
On 31 August 04, at Rangpur a town in Northern Bangladesh, 335 kilometers from Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, an advocacy meeting was arranged by Social Marketing Company (SMC).
Severe concern over the prevailing Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD), Human Immune Defiance Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Syndrome (AIDS) in Bangladesh and in the surrounding countries was discussed in the meeting. The present number of 13,000 HIV positive patients in Bangladesh is not an accurate figure, the number is higher, reported the Non-Government Organisations (NGO).
Some NGO officials working in the field in Rangpur region said, the number of STD patients is alarmingly rising. The patients include even a large number of school going children from class eight up to university levels. They are taking all types of drug,
Adopting all means opening the huge door for HIV/AIDS vulnerability.
The advocacy meeting was participated by Government, NGO officials, physicians, journalists, Imams ( who leadprayers in the mosque, also it refers to titles of various Muslim religious leaders.)of different Mosques and the elities of the town.
Most opposition to sex education in Bangladesh is based on the assumption that knowledge is harmful. But research in this area reveals that ignorance and unresolved curiosity, not knowledge, are harmful. This issue was identified in a face to face interactive dialogue jointly organised by UNFPA (The United Nations Population Fund) and CWD (Concerned Women Development) in observance of “World AID Day” Participated by some twenty-four teens of both sexes from the country. The teens identified religious ignorance, absence of appropriate approach on sex education in the curricula at secondary level of education as impediment to organising effective programs against HIV/AIDS.
Recalling, what La Rochefoucauld, (French classical author) said, about youth-”youth is a perpetual intoxication; it is the fever of reason,” it is this fever of reason, that is driving the adolescents who due to obscenity and ignorance indulge in early sex, being vulnerable to STD and AIDS infection. Our failure to tell children what they want and need to know is one reason why we have the out-of-wedlock teen’s pregnancy and abortion, even risk them to sexually transmitted diseases (STD) acquired immune deficiency (AID).
For parents of today, sex is a dirty word. They feel uncomfortable in discussing sex education with their children. But are we aware on an average a child is exposed to 9000 sexual scenes per year. These parents should know that sex is not always a dirty word. It is an important aspect of our life. The main reason parents do not or cannot discuss sex education with their children is because of the their cultural upbringing, their religious training. They are often brought up in a state of ignorance in regard to sex issues.
What is sex education and who should give it?
Is sex education about knowing the anatomy and physiology of the human body or about the act of sex or about reproduction and family life or about prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy? The problem with this is that at the present time sex Ed taught is incomplete. It does not cover morality associated with sex, sexual dysfunction and deviations.
Who should teach sex?
With regard to the question that should teach sex education, I believe everyone has to play his or her role. Parents have to assume a more responsible role. A father has a duty to be able to answer his son’s questions and a mother has the same duty to her daughter. We can hardly influence the sex Ed taught schools but we could supplement that with ethical and moral dimension adding family love and responsibility.
Hazards of early sex: A variety of injuries are possible and do happen when sex organs are not ready for sex in terms of full maturation. Some of these injuries have Cervical cancer has been thought to be related to sex at an early age and with multiple partners.
Why do children get involved in sex?
There are many reasons why children get involved in sex. The most common reason, detachment from home can lead to attachment elsewhere.
Sexual pressure on them is everywhere, from the TV where about 20,000 sexual scenes are broadcasted in advertisement, soap operas, prime time shows and MTV. The hard core rock music nowadays fans the flames of sexual desires. Most parents do not know what kind of music their children are hearing. If they care and listen to rock songs like Eat Me Alive (Judas Priest), The Last American Virgin, (Tina Turner), Material Girl (Madonna), they will know that these songs have pornographic words and sentences which made Kandy Stroud, a former rock fan, begged parents to stop their children from listening to what she calls ‘Pornographic Rock”. Six out of ten as young as eight years in Bangladesh watch Indian TV channels. These channels can be termed as sex stimulators, be it a music or a serial. Instead, the parents should encourage their kids to watch channels like Discovery, History and Animal Planet; they are both educative and entertaining.
Research shows music does affect sexual mood. It does so by activating melatonin, the hormone from the pineal gland in the brain, which is turned on by darkness and turned off by flashing lights. It is the same gland that has been thought to trigger puberty and affects the reproductive cycle and sex mood.
What is the role of parents?
Parents should control the music children are listening to or the TV program they are watching, the magazines they are reading, and the clothes they are wearing. Take the case of Phola Baisak, you find young girls attired in Holud Sari (Turmeric Colour) with matching bangles and Tip(a colourful spot) in the forehead not only they look graceful but reflects our cultural value and very next day back to jeans and tops- which may provokes desire amongst the young opposite sex.
About dating:
Many of the pregnancy occur at the end of the date and are not reported. According to a news agency in one it’s write-up reports sex dating in Bangladesh is prevalent, however it mentions,”even though there is no reliable statistics, the incidence is growing, expert says.” Few notorious cyber cafes are hub of porno with cozy coops ideal spot for “smooch dating!”
Anything which breaks down sexual inhibition and loss of self-control i.e. alcohol, drugs, petting or just being together for two member the opposite sex in a secluded place should not be allowed for teenagers. We must remember that, these young adolescents are a major segment of our population who will soon enter the reproductive and sexually active stage of life all potential target to STD and HIV.Therefore, before it is too late, the teaching of reproductive health to adolescents is basic life support. Parents act now!
In summary parents should teach their children that our values systems are different from western way of life. Having a feeling and love in your heart for someone of the opposite sex is different and beyond control, while _expression of the same through sex is entirely different and should be under control.

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Most people are aware of the threat of bird flu and the possibility of it creating a pandemic, a worldwide epidemic of an infectious disease breaking out and affecting a large geographic region. Although the virus affects an extensive geographic region, this virus has not yet reached pandemic proportions.
According to the World Health Organization, in order for a pandemic to occur, three conditions must be met: the emergence of a disease new to a population, the agent affects humans and causes serious illness, and the agent spreads easily and sustainably among humans.
The first of these three, “the emergence of a disease new to a population” has occurred. Although bird flu is in no way a new disease, as it was first identified in the early 1900’s, it was not infectious to humans until the late 1990’s. Therefore, this particular strain has emerged “new to a population”, being the human population, which was previously unaffected by the disease.
Likewise, the second criterion has been met, “the agent affects humans and causes serious illness”. The virus has infected 131 people and killed 68. Therefore, the severity of the disease is apparent. H5N1 causes an exaggerated response in cytokines, hormones that regulate the immune system, therefore, limiting the effectiveness of the body’s ability to fight the infection. This virus is also partially resistant to other cells of the immune system, making it especially resilient.
The third condition has not been met, however. At this point, the virus does not spread easily and sustainably among humans. Currently, the H5N1 virus is only transmitted from poultry to humans, and is not able to pass through human contact. Unfortunately, the virus is mutating and may be able to do so in future months, increasing the speed and efficiency in which it spreads.
Human to human transmission has been suspected, though not confirmed. Several isolated cases in which the cause of infection was not clear have prompted questions of the virus being passed through human contact. In particular, cases of nurses becoming infected after treating patients, children being infected with no poultry contact, and parents being infected after treating children with the disease. However, until confirmation is attainable that the virus has mutated to the point human transmission is possible, the third criterion will not be satisfied and H5N1 will not be classified as a pandemic. Likewise, the fatality rate will also have to increase to change the classification of bird flu.

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Hello Magnanimous You!
Isn’t magnanimous an incredible word? It’s a four syllable word…WHEW! That’s who you are! How could you not be since you are made perfect as a child of God?
WOW! Each day keeps getting better and better, doesn’t it? Imagine over the course of the last few months how your life has changed. You’re becoming more and more aware of the daily focus on you that is required for your life to be vibrant.
What happens when you give to yourself? You become more connected to God. Giving to yourself is the key to receiving everything that you intend to attract. In Conversations with God, Neale Donald Walsh mentions that it is truly about Self. Who are you being in every moment? Did you know Neale Donald Walsh used to be homeless? Now look where he is. He has learned to give to himself and let the abundance flow to him.
What happens when you give to everyone else and leave yourself last? You become disconnected to God. You’re running around ragged and wonder why you’re so exhausted. Can you really be loving towards your family when you’re so run down?
What is the solution? Make a commitment to you and spend time doing something that brings you joy. Listen to music, go for a walk, take a nice relaxing bath, light some candles, go to a park and stare at the clouds, journal, meditate, read a book…whatever it is where you can have some quiet time.
Just for today…..choose at least 15 minutes to do something for you.
You know what I’m going to do? Right now….okay, after I write this newsletter….I’m going to put on Earth, Wind and Fire and go sit outside in the sun and make clouds disappear. I may just sing really loud and dance which could alarm my neighbors. I love stirring up things. It’s about having fun, isn’t it?
I believe in you and am glad that you are part of my life! My life is abundant because you’re in it.
Love and hugs,
Tami
http://www.tamiclose.com

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If you are between jobs and you are considering not paying for COBRA health insurance benefits, you may need to look at alternative interim insurance coverage. COBRA is the law that allows employees to keep their health insurance coverage for 18 months once they leave their job by paying expensive premiums. While COBRA may not be your best option for health insurance, Less expensive medical plans may be an important and necessary expense.
All new health insurance plans are allowed to force new subscribers to suffer a 12 month waiting period for pre-existing conditions. Fortunately there is another law that allows for portability of coverage without having to suffer pre-existing condition waiting periods. That law says that if you have had CONTINUOUS COVERAGE for the 12 months prior to and leading up to the beginning of the new insurance coverage, you will be given credit toward any new pre-existing condition waiting period. If you had 6 months of continuous health insurance coverage prior to taking out your new policy, 6 months would be applied to the 12 month waiting period and bring the new pre-existing condition waiting period down to 6 months. If you had 12 months of continuous coverage, you will not have any waiting period for a pre-existing condition on the new health insurance plan.
CONTINUOUS COVERAGE is defined as continuous health insurance coverage with no lapse of more than 62 days. If you go more than 62 days without coverage, you may have to suffer the full waiting period for pre-existing conditions. For example, if you were taking High Blood Pressure medication, you may have to wait 12 months after starting and paying for the new insurance before the insurance would cover the High Blood Pressure medication.
COBRA might be too expensive for you. However you can get a high deductible individual plan that will satisfy the continuous coverage requirements at a much lower cost. Some short-term insurance plans do not meet the requirements to satisfy the portability law. Speak with a health insurance agent like those at http://www.thackeragency.com to make sure you maintain continuous insurance coverage at the most affordable price. Tell the agent your particular situation and they’ll be glad to put you in the best insurance product for you.

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The essentials of golf begin with the clubs you choose. Shopping on the Internet will save you time and money but choosing can be difficult, as there seems to be endless options. From our work with different golfing web sites we have seen sales for golf clubs dramatically increase in the past two years but do people really know what they are buying? I think the answer to this is yes if you have been playing for a few years and no if you are a total beginner. Some people starting out in the golf world have more money than sense. At the start of every golfing year (generally in March) you see new members on the first tee with thousands of dollars worth of equipment beside them and the golfing skills of a squirrel.
Excuse the expression from above but you really need to go back to the basics when starting golf. Golfing is a skill that needs to be developed, by having clubs worth thousands will not help you any more than the person starting with second hand clubs worth fifty dollars, I had that told to me from more than one Irish professional during my time. All the major club manufacturers are selling online at great prices, choose carefully and get well within your budget, the left over money can be well spent on other golf apparel.
What are the essentials to have?
Without being silly and mentioning the usual such as golf balls etc you should have the following:
Good waterproof golf shoes
Waterproof Jacket and Pants
Golf Cart (Manual or Battery)
Golf shoes are essential, and if they are not waterproof put them in the garbage. Your feet must be kept dry at all times. Golf is not always in great weather. If your feet are wet for a number or hours you will not feel comfortable and run the risk of catching a nasty cold or flu like symptoms. There are plenty of cheap golf shoes on the market along with cheap so called waterproof pants and jackets, but by spending carefully on the golf clubs allows you spend wisely on essential clothing.
Golf Carts:
Some people prefer still to carry their bags but most will purchase a golf cart. The carts can either be manual or battery operated. The manual speak for themselves and can be a folded away in the trunk of your car the battery are a little more complex and need some careful taught before purchasing. Battery operated carts need maintenance and constant recharging. Check out the battery life expectancy before you buy. Some are like buying a car, they have a speedometer, mirrors and a light, do you really need all that?
Golf Balls:
Yes the ball will make a difference to distance and spin but don’t be foolish, if you are a beginner you should expect to loose plenty so don’t go mad buying the latest and greatest, you need to improve you overall accuracy and game in general. The more experienced golfer should pay more attention to the ball they are using, you could be losing valuable distance from the tee meaning the difference on your next shot from an eight iron or a comfortable pitching wedge.
Golf Tee:
Short and simple, if you are using oversized heads allow for a higher tee. Plastic tees do not break as easily as the wooden type.
Golf Glove:
I have seen many a good golfer never wear one but in hot weather it gives you added grip and in damp conditions it could be your only grip. Should not cost you an arm and a leg.
Putter:
I’m not one for getting into graphite shafts and other related metal when purchasing a putter. I prefer something that I feel comfortable with, if that happens to be graphite and within my own budget, so be it. The putter today comes in all different shapes and sizes, from the standard height to the putter that tucks just under your chin. Beginners start with a basic putter and move on, basic meaning something that is not costing you an arm and a leg. Experienced golfers will have their own unique putter style they prefer.
Overall - Internet golf shopping:
The prices will seldom be beaten if you purchase online, do not worry about quality as the products are the very same as what you will find in your local sports store. The variety is very large and tempting and delivery is to your door. Before you do go shopping online make a quick list of the essentials that you need.

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Many people think that creating a home workout gym is either too intimidating or too costly. So, often they instead invest their money in a health club membership not realizing that for the same amount of money (or even less) they can create a very effective gym right in their own home.
For an effective home gym, all that is required is a little bit of planning. Don’t fall into the trap of purchasing random fitness equipment because of fancy advertising for the latest infomercial fad or the great “sale” at your local fitness store. That type of purchasing leads to a house littered with equipment that’s only use is as a clothes hanger or dust collector. This often happens because the equipment is either useless, poorly constructed or quickly loses its value because it doesn’t progress with your fitness level.
To avoid having a basement filled with expensive dust-collecting equipment, keep these points in mind when making a purchase:

What are your fitness goals?
How often do you realistically think you will use the equipment?
What fitness level do you expect to be at in 3, 6, 9 months?
Will the equipment meet your needs as you get more fit (at the 3, 6, and 9-month marks)?
Does the equipment offer enough variations in use that you can change your workouts frequently to prevent your body from hitting a plateau?
Will you enjoy the exercises or will you quickly grow bored of them?
And, of course how much can you afford?

Once you have answered all of the above questions then you are ready to make some purchasing decisions. Of course, how much you can afford to spend may dictate what you can actually purchase. Don’t get discouraged. For as little as $100, you can have a very effective total strength training home gym. Even for as little as $35, you can create an effective workout that will tone your entire body.
Regardless of what your fitness goals are, there are a plethora of equipment options to consider. For building muscles and/or toning-up you can choose from free weights, selectorized machines, resistance bands, benches and even no-equipment. For cardiovascular improvements (e.g. running, walking, etc), there are even more options. They range from treadmills, to elliptical trainers, to bikes and beyond. So, answering the previously mentioned questions is very important.
To help make your decision easier, below are several recommendations based on costs and needs, along with benefits of the exercise equipment.
If you want to create a gym that will provide you with a total body workout (cardio, strength and flexibility) and you have a budget of at least $1000, consider the following recommendations:

Treadmill - The best option for cardiovascular equipment because it can be used for running, walking, and even some leg strength training. Plus, workouts can continually be varied based on speed, incline, even direction. And, it easily progresses as fitness levels improve.
Full dumbbell set with weights ranging from 5 pounds to 50 pounds. - Great for light toning, to intermediate strength training to building muscles. Less expensive than selectorized machines and usually provides more flexibility and variety in workouts.
Fitness Ball - Provides exercise options for toning, strengthening and stretching.
Resistance Band - Provides another option for strength training. Can alternate use with free weights for a great challenge that will help prevent plateaus.
Step Bench - Can be used for both cardio workouts and strength training workouts.

If you want a home gym specifically for building muscles (or just can’t afford cardio equipment), and can afford at least $100, consider the following recommendations:

Dumbbell set.
Fitness Ball
Resistance Band
Jump Rope - Offers very challenging cardiovascular fitness workouts at a very low price.

If you want a total body home gym but can only afford less than $100, consider the following recommendations:

Three dumbbells sizes (e.g. 5, 10 and 15 pounds)
Resistance Band
Jump Rope

If you are limited to purchasing just one very affordable piece of equipment, consider buying a Fitness Ball. As mentioned above, it provides many different exercise options. With the ball you can get an upper body workout, a lower body workout, very challenging abdominal workout and a stretching/flexibility workout. And, you can get all of this for around $35.
Also, don’t underestimate what you can do with things that are already in your house, like stairs, a chair, milk jugs and others. There are a lot of exercises that require no equipment at all. For example, push-ups, tricep dips, squats, calf raises, etc. You can even create your own “weights” through milk jugs filled with water or sand.
As you can see, there are a lot of options available for creating a home gym that will meet your individual needs and will provide a lot of workout variety. Even on a shoestring budget, you can still make a wise purchase that will be invaluable in helping you get more fit and healthy. And, you’ll enjoy all the benefits of working out at home.
What are the benefits of working out at home? Well, here are some highlights:

No wasted time driving to and from a fitness club
No waiting in line to use the equipment
Workout on your schedule, rather than just when the health club is open
No expensive monthly membership fees or long-term contracts
Motivation to workout as you pass by the equipment every day

Of course, you will need previous knowledge of how to use your home equipment or you will have to be willing to learn. But, it’s not difficult. Most equipment will come with basic instructions and a few sample exercises. You may want to enlist the help of a professional to provide additional exercise options and guidance that will ensure that you get the most out of your fitness equipment through every fitness level stage.
For an affordable workout plan personalized to your individual needs and available equipment, enroll in a WorkoutsForYou.com online fitness program.

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