Deep breathing is a technique that helps you have better self control. If you practice deep breathing, you can not only control your senses but you can also cope easily with symptoms that arise when you stop smoking. Inhale deeply and exhale slowly. Let your chin sink over your chest and rest calmly. This technique can be the most powerful one if you practice it properly. Do this three times in a row every time you want to smoke a cigarette.

Visualise that tension is leaving your body and you are free from the urge to smoke. Deep breathing will also help you deal with other stressful situations in life. If you do not see the expected results with deep breathing, try doing it more often. You can start by performing the deep breathing technique right in the morning. You can also use medications such as Champix, which can help in quitting. Champix works by reducing the amount of cravings you have for nicotine and also controls the withdrawal symptoms. Another smoking cessation drug, Zyban, is also helpful for smokers to stop smoking.

Want to fall off the weight-control wagon? Just a few of these fattening foods are all it takes

You watch your weight. You cut back on snacks. You even hit the gym twice a week. But no matter how hard you try, the pounds come creeping back. The culprit? It could be one of these inflationary foods. Each is so fattening that just the occasional indulgence could result in major weight gain–even if you do everything else right. Read on to uncover nine foods that can make anyone fat.

1. MuffinsEating a muffin on your way to work may seem like a healthy breakfast, but most store-bought versions are simply cake in disguise. A Starbucks Blueberry Muffin contains 430 calories, an Au Bon Pain Corn Muffin has 530, and a Dunkin’ Donuts Chocolate-Chip Muffin packs a whopping 630.
The bottom line: If you eat one of these three times a week, you could gain one to two pounds a month.

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2. Cinnamon rollsThese sweet, sticky treats are favorites in shopping malls and airports across the country. But a regular habit could be enough to declare war on your waistline. A classic Cinnabon Roll, for example, tips the scales at a staggering 730 calories.
The bottom line: If you frequent the food court for one each week, prepare to gain an extra 10 pounds a year.

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3. Onion rings How bad could onions be? Well, it’s the batter, the breading, and the deep-frying that make this crispy side order so diet-deadly. Jack in the Box’s version has 500 calories, while Nathan’s Famous Onion Rings weighs in at 745.
The bottom line: Eating one order of onion rings a week could translate to an annual weight gain of seven to 10 pounds.

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4. NachosFast-food nachos are usually one of the most fattening choices on the hors d’oeuvres menu. Taco Bell’s Mucho Grande Nachos boasts 1320 calories, while On the Border’s Stacked Border Nachos contains a mind-boggling 2,740.
The bottom line: With these kinds of calories, you could gain one-third to two-thirds of a pound in a single sitting.

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5. Buffalo wingsThese sports-bar staples are coated in butter and hot sauce, deep-fried to a crisp, then slathered in blue-cheese dressing. Is it any surprise that they can instantly undo virtually any diet? Denny’s Buffalo Wings have 974 calories per plate, while Ruby Tuesday’s popular appetizer boasts a whopping 1,090.
The bottom line: Indulging in just once plateful a month is all it takes to pack on four extra pounds per year.

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6. Cheese friesAs if classic French fries weren’t fattening enough, these cheese-smothered versions are positively calorific. One of the worst offenders is Outback Steakhouse’s Aussie Cheese Fries with Ranch Dressing, which contains a stratospheric 2,900 calories.
The bottom line: This appetizer can pack on the pounds almost overnight. In fact, you’re almost guaranteed to gain an extra three-quarters of a pound every time you eat one.

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7. Chicken pot pieOnce you look at the nutritional label, this classic comfort food seems anything but soothing. Pepperidge Farm’s Chunky Chicken Parmesan Premium Pot Pie contains 520 calories, while Kentucky Fried Chicken’s version packs 770.
The bottom line: Eat this diet-buster once a week, and you could weigh seven to 10 pounds more this time next year.

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8. Carrot cakeIt’s hard to believe that only one slice of anything could undermine an otherwise healthy eater, but with carrot cake, it’s almost guaranteed. A slice from Denny’s contains 799 calories, while the Whole Foods version has 830.
The bottom line: Is this decadent dessert really worth the caloric cost? Just a slice a week could cause you to gain one pound a month.

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9. MilkshakesThese beverages may seem benign, but don’t be fooled: Milkshakes often contain more calories than banana splits or hot-fudge sundaes. A large Strawberry Milkshake from Dairy Queen contains 980 calories, while a Jack in the Box Chocolate Malted Crunch version has 1,310.
The bottom line: Sip at your own risk: Just two a week could make you gain two to three pounds every month.

Although it may be an exciting prospect, undergoing breast enlargement is not a decision you can or should just jump straight into. There are of course implications: it costs a lot of money, it’s a painful process and it’s also life changing!

Breast surgery has been developed over the years and there is now a wide range of implants available in all shapes and sizes! It’s important to find the right clinic with the right team of experts to meet your needs and wants.

If you want more information on Breast Enlargement UK then check out The Hospital Group and you can get yourself a consultation with the experts. Other breast surgery is also available such as breast reduction as well as breast uplift surgery.

Cleaning your ears

• Clean your ears with extra care. Wipe the outer ear with a washcloth or tissue. Do not put anything into your ear smaller than your elbow. Do not use Q-tips, bobby pins or sharp pointed objects to clean your ears. These objects may injure the ear canal or eardrum.
• Earwax is the ear’s mechanism for self cleaning. If you have a build-up of wax that is blocking your hearing, see your ear physician to have it removed.
• If you experience itching or pain in your ears, consult with your ear physician to determine the appropriate treatment.
• If you have pierced ears, clean your earrings and earlobes regularly with rubbing alcohol.

Illness and Medications

• Reduce the risk of ear infections by treating upper respiratory infections promptly.
• Some illnesses and medical conditions can affect your hearing. If you experience sudden hearing loss or persistent noise in your ears or head, see an ear physician immediately.
• Drainage from the ear is not normal and should be evaluated promptly.
• Some medications can affect hearing. Take medications only as directed, and consult your physician if you experience unusual hearing, balance symptoms, or ringing in the ears.

Noise

• At home or work, wear hearing protection during exposure to loud levels of noise. This includes mowing the lawn, leaf blowing or using power tools. By law, a noisy work environment will require the use of hearing protection.
• When using stereos and home theater systems, avoid excessive volume. If you think it is too loud, it probably is.
• When using personal sound systems, the volume should be comfortable. If someone else can hear what you are listening to, the volume is too high. Remove the headphones from time to time to give your ears a rest.
• Wear earplugs at rock concerts, nightclubs and motor sporting events.
• Keep automobile sound systems at sensible volumes. This can help you avoid hearing damage and allow you to hear and yield to emergency vehicles.

Safety Issues

• Always wear a helmet when you bike, ski, and roller blade or in any other activity that puts you at risk for head and ear injuries.
• If you scuba dive, learn and practice proper underwater techniques to avoid potentially damaging changes in pressure inside your ears.
• When flying in an airplane, swallow and yawn frequently when the plane is ascending and descending to equalize pressure in your ears. If you have an upper respiratory problem such as a cold or sinus infection, take a decongestant a few hours before descending, or use a decongestant spray just prior to descent and on landing.
• Earplugs with special filters can be purchased to help equalize air pressure in ears during air travel.

General Care

• Have your ears checked regularly by your primary care physician and your hearing checked regularly by an audiologist. Consult an ear physician as necessary.
• When outdoors in sunny weather, remember to use a sunscreen on your ears.
• If you notice unusual bumps or scaly areas on the exterior ear, consult your physician immediately.
• Know the warning signs of hearing loss:
  • Difficulty hearing conversations, especially in the presence of background noise
  • Frequently asking others to repeat what they have said
  • Misunderstanding what other people say and answering inappropriately
  • Difficulty hearing on the telephone
  • Requiring the television or radio volume to be louder than others in the room prefer
  • Feeling that people are mumbling or have marbles in their mouth when they talk
  • Difficulty hearing environmental sounds, such as birds chirping
  • Agreeing, nodding your head, or smiling during conversations when you are not sure what has been said
  • Withdrawing from conversations and social situations because it is too difficult to hear
  • Reading lips so you can try to follow what people are saying
  • Straining to hear or keep up with conversations
  • Noise within your ears or head called tinnitus not caused by an external sound source
• See an ear physician immediately if you injure your ears, experience ear pain, or notice changes in your ears or hearing.

1. Regular eye tests: There is some debate about what constitutes regular, but normally this should be roughly every one to two years – even if you aren’t buying new glasses. If your eyes do develop any problems, then your regular eye tests will identify these and steps can be taken to rectify any issues.

2. Wear your glasses: Ignoring medical advice regarding eyesight can exacerbate the problem. There are many reasons for not wearing glasses, varying from vanity to simply forgetting to bring them out. However, this can place your eyes under unnecessary strain and lead to damage.

3. Clean lenses regularly: It’s not the most exciting of chores but as far as jobs go, it is fairly important. The state of cleanliness in which you maintain your lenses can have a major bearing on how your eyes are performing; an unclean lens can strain your eye. This is even more important for those who wear contact lenses, which are subject to bacteria and protein build up. Eye infections are not pleasant and are massively debilitating.

4. The Sun is potentially harmful: The sun’s ultra-violet rays can be harmful and very damaging if your eyes are over-exposed. If you are planning on spending a lot of time out of the shade, then make sure your eyes are protected with some decent sunglasses. Cheap sunglasses can be even more damaging than wearing no sunglasses at all, as they dilate the pupil (rendering it vulnerable to the sun’s rays), while offering insufficient protection.

5. Change lens cases: The cases in which contact lenses are kept need to be changed regularly (around every three months), in order to prevent dirt from building up and spreading infections to your lenses.

6. Eat a varied and healthy diet: Your diet is one of the most important factors in your overall health, and that includes the health of your eyes. Food that typically has nutritional benefits for your eyesight contains zinc, vitamins E, C and A, and folic acid.

7. Make sure your eyes can breathe: This is for those who like to wear contact lenses. It is important to sometimes wear glasses, if only to give your eyes a chance to move freely.

8. Let your eyes rest: If your work requires you to spend large amounts of time staring at a computer screen, it is advisable to take periodic breaks in order to relieve your eyes of strain. There is no point damaging your eyesight unnecessarily.

9. Ensure adequate lighting: The environment in which you use your eyes has a huge influence on their long-term health. It is important to ensure adequate lighting when reading – not too dark and not too light. Don’t lean too close to a book or a monitor.

10. Coloured Contacts: If you like to wear contact lenses with a dash of colour, make sure they are providing proper protection from sunlight.

Company Profile:

LensWay.co.uk is your complete optical store. We design, produce and distribute a wide selection of eyeglasses, contact lenses, sunglasses and accessories for you and your entire family. With our online model we are proud to offer consumers an affordable, convenient, friendly option for high quality brand name and private label vision care products.

This and more can be found at: http://www.lensway.co.uk/aboutus

One of the staple foods of the famously long-lived centenarians in the Hunza valley of the Himalayas is the apricot. Here is some information about apricots and one great way to work them into your diet for your health and longevity.

Apricots: the Secret Anti-Aging Weapon

Research shows that of any food, apricots possess the highest levels and widest variety of carotenoids. Carotenoids are antioxidants that help prevent heart disease, reduce “bad cholesterol” levels, and protect against cancer. In traditional Chinese medicine, apricots are considered helpful in regenerating body fluids, detoxifying, and quenching thirst.

The kernels also have several healthy properties, including toning the respiratory system and alleviating a cough. However, be cautioned that the tip of the apricot holds a concentrated amount of the chemical laetrile, which can be upsetting to the system. To safely reap the benefits of apricot kernels, remove the tips of the seeds and do not eat more than five a day.

Honey-Glazed Masala Chicken with Apricots

Serves 4

Many of our everyday cooking seasonings are actually spices and herbs that possess powerful healing properties. Many spices such as cinnamon, coriander and ginger have been clinically shown to prevent blood clots and improve circulation. One of my favorites is the Indian spice blend masala. It is not “tongue-burning” but rather a gentle, tummy warming spice mix that improves digestion, absorption and helps reduce abdominal bloat.

Masala chicken is a popular Indian dish. People not used to the spiciness of masala may find it a little strong. Adding apricots gives it a mild sweet-and-sour taste, balancing the spiciness of the masala.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs boneless chicken pieces (thigh and breast)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 medium onions, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 inch piece of peeled fresh ginger, finely chopped
• 1 1/2 tsp masala spice (ground cumin, cinnamon, clove, bay leaf, peppercorn, coriander, cardamom)
• 2 tbsp tomato puree
• 1 tsp fine sea salt
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 10 dried apricots
• 2 tbsp honey
• Parsley, for garnish

Directions

1. Cut chicken into 2-inch pieces. Heat oil over medium heat in a deep skillet. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened.
2. Stir in garlic, ginger and masala. Add chicken and stir-fry until cooked through, about 5 minutes.
3. Add tomato puree, salt and 1 cup water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 20 minutes.
4. Add vinegar and apricots to skillet, cover and simmer 15 minutes more. Transfer to a serving platter, drizzle honey over top and garnish with parsley, if desired.

I hope you incorporate apricots into your diet as your own anti-aging secret weapon. I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me.

May you live long, live strong, and live happy!

Not everyone wants a complete makeover as some like to preserve a more natural appearance. Let’s face it, many men are attracted to the low-maintenance, “girl-next-door” look and accomplishing that can be just as challenging as looking model-perfect.

So, how do you achieve a desirable look without the heavy use of cosmetics and makeup? Our natural beauty tips and advice will help you do just that, and put you on the path to a beautiful, unaffected, you.Practice a Healthy Lifestyle

Natural beauty is akin to an overall healthy appearance. Start with a better lifestyle. Your own attitudes and daily life reflects in how you look to others. Take care of your body and it will take care of you.

Eat a proper, well-balanced diet. Food that’s good for your body helps your internal organs function properly and shows on the outside as well. The trick is to read the labels carefully and eat healthy foods with minimal preservatives. Good nutrition is key to your outward appearance and longevity.

The best skin in the world will not overcome a flabby body. Get in good physical shape if you’ve been slacking off. Set some reasonable fitness goals to get your body fit and trim. Begin with short-term goals and set new ones once they’re achieved.

Skin Care Tips

Water plays a crucial role. For radiant skin, drink plenty of water to keep it hydrated and supple. Seal in water externally after a shower by applying lotion to damp skin.

Look for all-natural, organic and herbal recipes for basic skin problems. Whether it’s dry skin or blemishes, you can target the areas that need it most, foregoing chemicals that can be irritating to your skin.

As you age, you’ll hit some bumps along the way. Care for your skin as you do your most prized possession and you’ll see the benefits quickly, as well as years from now.

Don’t want leathery skin? Lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by reducing exposure to the sun’s dangerous rays.

When enjoying outdoor activities, apply a sunscreen with SPF of at least 15 and re-applying when necessary.
Wearing Makeup, Naturally
If you wish to wear makeup, utilize only the best cosmetics brushes and beauty tools to enhance your finest features and cover flaws.

This allows you to apply only the amount that is needed while blending in any excess color.

Apply a tinted moisturizer or sheer foundation with a damp sponge. Either one will allow your natural skin tone to show through while covering minor imperfections.

Creme or liquid blush blends more naturally than powder. Apply to the apple of your cheeks, outwards, into your hairline to prevent makeup lines.

Don’t want to overdo your eyes? You can now enhance your own eyelashes without adding clumps or colors. New, clear mascara is available to separate your lashes and give them luster and shine.

Reduce Stress

Stress is an unfortunate fact in today’s fast-paced lifestyle and often reflects in your skin and eyes. Make it routine to relax and pamper yourself, daily if possible. This will give you time to slow down and plan the following day.

Become aware of the facial expressions you often make when stressed-out.

If you raise your eyebrows often, you could very well end up with permanent wrinkles on your forehead. If you squint because you don’t understand something, lines between your brows may become evident.

Don’t expect to live without facial expressions, they’re part of you. What you can do is be aware of those expressions you make when nobody is looking. Replace those with something else, such as fidgeting and ease up on your face.

This is why it is so important to detox your body. A good detox can make you feel like an entirely new person. It doesn’t have to mean eating prunes all day or trying something dangerous like laxatives, in fact this is not recommended. However, it does mean allowing the body to flush out many of the built up toxins that make you feel awful and often heavy and lethargic.

By undergoing a healthy detox program, you can stimulate the good things in your body like the fauna in the digestive system and start to clean out the waste that we have built up through our modern lifestyles. This will mean better health (particularly in your digestive system and bowels) as well as potential weight-loss without compromising on your wellbeing. However, some of the most astounding effects can be found in the performance of your mind and your emotions. A healthy detox is one of the best ways to improve concentration and focus, as well lighten a heavy mood.

Head/Face

Because the face is often the most visible area in social situations, it has also been the biggest target for revision. Common procedures include nose adjustments, lip augmentation, and facelifts. Other less known facial surgeries include chin and cheek augmentation, hair transplants, and forehead lifts. If you have large, unusually shaped, or distended ears, you may be a candidate for ear surgery. Eyelid surgery may be an option for those seeking to reduce droopiness, puffiness, bags, or excess skin. To combat the effects of aging or help reconstruct the face after illness or injury, facial implants are also available.

Skin

Chemical peels can help correct wrinkles, damage from sun exposure, or unevenly distributed pigmentation. Fat injections and some other types of injectables can be safely used in many areas of the body—like the face, depressed skin, hands, or lips—where the individual might desire a fuller, firmer look. Micropigmentation is a procedure done to give the appearance of “permanent make up” and enhance certain areas of the body. Other common skin-related treatments include microdermabrasion, laser hair removal, and spider vein treatments.

Breasts

Cosmetic surgery related to the breasts includes breast reduction, breast reconstruction, breast lift, and breast augmentation. Breast reduction is most common in women whose breast size causes pain in other areas of the body. If a woman has severely asymmetrical breasts (one breast is much larger than the other), breast reduction or breast enlargement with implants may be considered. Reconstruction (including of the breast, nipple, and areola) is an option for women who have lost one or both breasts because of an accident or illness like cancer; or for women whose breast development was severely impeded because of an abnormality. Implants breast augmentation can help women who have felt self-conscious about small breast size to gain more confidence. Breast lift is often an option for women who are happy with the size of their breasts but prefer that they be positioned differently.

Other Areas of the Body

Most other areas of the body are targeted for removal of excess fat. This includes tummy tucks, general liposuction, lower body lifts, and arm lifts. In some cases, individuals who have undergone weight loss surgery may want to have extra, loose skin removed in a post-bariatric surgery procedure.

What Are B-Vitamins?

B-vitamins are water-soluble vitamins (a complex group of chemically distinct vitamins) that are crucial for normal cell metabolism, which is necessary for many normal body functions, like: metabolising calories to create energy, cell division, strengthening immunities to fight off invading viruses and bacteria, repairing skin cells, providing muscles with what they need to secure tone, helping to replenish red blood cells, and enhancing neurological functions like alertness, cognation, and memory.

B-vitamins can be taken in a supplement, usually a B-Complex (all B-vitamins) supplement, or they can be ingested by eating foods that contain B-vitamins, such as:
• Red meat
• Poultry
• Tuna
• Molasses
• Whole grains
• Bananas
• Beans
• Lentils
• Chili peppers
• Nutritional yeasts

What is B-Vitamin Deficiency?

Because B-vitamins are water-soluble they must be replenished daily as most B-vitamins that aren’t used within the body are flushed out in the urine. Not getting enough B-vitamins (B-vitamins deficiency) can cause conditions associated with poor cell function. These conditions include:
• Acne
• Depression
• Dermatitis
• Mental confusion
• Diarrhea
• Swelling in the mouth
• Sensitivity to sunlight
• Weakness

And in extreme cases:
• Memory loss
• Paralysis
• Mania
• Psychosis
• Birth defects

Creating a healthy diet that includes a daily intake of B-vitamins will help you stay healthy, remain alert, and burn calories. Further information on vitamin supplements can be found at
myprotein.com – a trusted online sports nutrition store established over 10 years. Myprotein is an approved member of ESSNA the European Specialist Sports Nutrition Alliance, with the best prices on discounted supplements.