Life insurance does not apply to everyone; if you live alone and no one relies on your support in any shape or form then you probably will be wasting your money. If however you do provide some form of support whether it is financial or physical then you should certainly consider taking out life insurance as if you where to suddenly die, they could still receive support.

By paying small premiums each month you could ensure your loved ones would be well looked after in the event of your death.

There are two main types of life insurance, whole term and life term, both cover different things and suit different people.

Whole life insurance

This is pretty much exactly what it sounds like, the policy covers you to whatever age and pays out the amount set at the beginning of the cover, the premiums are usually a lot higher than term insurance

Term insurance

This type of life insurance cover will only cover you for an arranged set of time and depending on the length of time will depend on how much you will pay in your premiums.

Normally the amount of time is however much is left on the mortgage or however long it will take for your children to reach 18, if you happen to die outside the agreed time then your loved ones can expect no payout.

Due to the flexibility of term insurance, there are many policies that fall under its title such as level term insurance, increasing term insurance and decreasing term insurance.

Level term insurance has steady premiums for an agreed payout but again, it will only payout if you die within the agreed time.

Increasing term insurance has higher premiums to pay but you are rewarded with a higher payout which increases as the years go by. Its sister policy, decreasing term insurance works the opposite way, the lower premiums you pay then the lower payout becomes each year that your loved ones will receive.

Due to the insurance companies set to pay out thousands of pounds for a claim, they will try everything they can to find loopholes in your policy so you need to ensure that you do everything by the book.

Some policies state that they will not pay out if you die whilst partaking in dangerous sports, ensure you thoroughly read your policy.

Lying on your policy will result in it becoming void, declare that you smoke if you do or if you have any medical conditions as they will all become clear once you die.

It is best to seek professional advice before you commit to a life insurance policy.

Make-up timeline

To ensure your eyes stay healthy and free of infection when using make-up, heed the following due-date rules. Throw out your mascara after three months, powder eye shadows every nine to 18 months, and cream eye shadows every six to 12 months. Sharpen your eyeliners often to keep them clean.

Mascara mistakes

To avoid mascara flake-off or smudging on your face, apply a thin cost of mascara to top lashes only. Then run an eyelash brush through lashes to prevent clumpy mascara build-up.

Get a rosy glow

Want your face to radiate a healthy glow? Try using a gel blush or cream (instead of powder) in a rosy shade of pink to create a more natural look. Gels or creams are more transparent and blend smoothly – rub it on the apples of your cheek and blend up towards the eye for a glowing complexion.

Minute manicure

Need a fast fix for unpolished nails? File nails into a square shape, buff them to create a bit of shine and apply a clear coat of polish. Next rub in cuticle oil around the edges of the nail and moisturize your whole hand. It takes less than 15 minutes and will give your appearance a polished look.

Brow etiquette

The trend in eyebrows for this season is natural looking, not sparse and skinny. Use a tinted brow definer or eye shadow to fill in scanty brows.

Fix tired feet

Pamper your tired feet with a luxurious footbath. Fill a basin with warm water and add a few drops of essential oils. Next place marbles or small stones (found at your local garden centre) into the basin. Run your toes and soles of your feet over the marbles, and relax for 15 minutes.

Eye/lip pencil care

Before sharpening your eyeliner or lip pencil, place them in the freezer for 10 minutes. They will harden slightly and not break when sharpened.

Eyeliner hint

Women with deep-set eyes should use liquid liner instead of regular pencil eyeliner, to prevent smudging in the crease of the lid. Liquid liner does not smudge as easily.

Nail polish know-how

Is your nail polish from last season too thick? Chances are the polish has begun to thicken at the bottom of the bottle. Add a bit of nail polish thinner to the bottle to get the maximum use of your nail polish.

Foundation tester

When picking out a concealer or foundation, always test the colour on the inside of your wrist. The skin there is the most unblemished and will give you a good idea of how it will look on your face. Extend your foundation

Want to extend the life of your foundation and cut down on heavy concealer? Mix a drop of it with your natural moisturizer to create a luminescent look for your skin.

Curl your lashes

Before curling your eyelashes, heat the curler with a hair dryer for a few seconds. Test to make sure it is not too hot, then apply to eyelashes. The heat will lock in the curl on extra long eyelashes.

Foundation secret

Apply foundation to your face after you have done your eye make-up. This helps you to fix any last minute smudging from mascara or eyeliner under the eyes.

Lipstick trick

Love matte lipstick, but feel your dry lips wreck the look? Apply a lip balm to lips before starting your make-up routine. By the time you have done your eyes and rest of the face, your lips will be moisturized and ready for the matte lipstick.

Manicure tip

If you have been sloppy applying nail polish, simply soak nails (when dry) in warm water for a few minutes and then rub off extra nail polish gently with a finger.

Brides must look fabulous but also natural for the most important day in their lives but remain true to themselves; otherwise they will look like a stranger in their own wedding photos… So true and something you must take in mind if you are preparing your own wedding with cherished attention in each and every detail, but you have forgotten how important emphasizing the care of your skin and the right makeup for your face can be.

A corrective, subtle makeup that enhances your best features and makes you naturally radiant and beautiful is probably the best because the first thing people will notice alongside your gown on your wedding day is how stunning and radiant you look all overall, not exactly just the makeup itself. But first, start preparing your skin with some months in anticipation to your wedding. Program a regular series of weekly facials to get all the impurities out, and drink two glasses of water every day immediately after waking up in addition to the 8 daily glasses suggested, even if your skin condition is good. Along with bridal makeup an efficient skin hydration is important because the accumulative stress of all those months getting ready for the event may be reflected on your face THAT day when you want you don’t want is to look tired or withered.

Have your eyebrows trimmed one day before your wedding and sleep well, even a few more hours than usual, if you can! Nothing helps your skin more than relaxing and sleep. In the morning of the big day, make sure your skin is well moisturized about 10 minutes after having your hair done and before applying your makeup and before applying foundation; apply a transparent gel or “primer” to form a barrier between your skin and the makeup. This film industry trick keeps makeup out of your pores and make it stays longer on while keeping colors true for hours, but use extreme care with the foundation considering the environment in which the photographs will bet taken.

When defining your eyes always aim for a natural look shaping eyes softly with an eyeliner or smudge able powder liner that works best. Avoid harsh lines that look anti-natural. Curl your lashes gently by holding the curler against dry lashes for five seconds, then apply 2 or 3 layers of water proof mascara and choose your eye shadow carefully avoiding trendy colors such as blue, sometimes fashionable in the date of the event but mostly looking outdated when people look at the photos in the future.

In bridal makeup, bright and neon colors must be avoided… they simply scream out of photos, but do not go to the opposite side. The bright day of your wedding it is not proper to use gray. All the effort put in to making your skin look radiant will go to the trashcan because gray makes skin look ashy. The best bet for your makeup in the big day is to choose a neutral or true color.

Emphasize and make the most of your lips, but once again, choose a natural color avoiding those colors that too dark, especially dark red or black although sounds bizarre, but either too pale colors in your lips that will fade into your dress. To get the best results that last, brush your lipstick on and add a small amount of gloss, applied to the center of your bottom lip as a special bridal makeup glow.

Important! Keep a balance between your lips and your eyes, have you seen those funny bridal pics with the bride with a lipstick so pale that seems she has no mouth? Also, if you love tan leave it for your honeymoon. Tanning looks artificial, and hardly matches any bridal makeup chart and makes you look harsh in photos.

To conclude, your beauty routine make a quick check of your face and powder before you leave for the ceremony. If you can have your bridal makeup professionally applied, go for it and save stress. Besides, the difference in front of the camera will be startling, speaking good of you for the years to come.

Follow these tips to help keep your brain—and your body—vibrant and healthy throughout your life…

Do:

• Exercise your body regularly and get involved in physically active leisure pursuits
• Keep your mind exercised! Engage in active learning throughout life and pursue new experiences
• Stay socially engaged with friends, family and community groups
• Maintain a positive attitude and a sense of control over your life
• Take steps to manage stress
• Eat a balanced diet, and focus on brain-healthy foods that are rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, and consider taking a multivitamin supplement that includes antioxidants and folate
• Mind your numbers: Lose any extra pounds, lower your cholesterol if it is high, and keep your blood glucose and blood pressure under control
• Get adequate sleep
• Get proper medical attention and treatment for any underlying health problems

Don’t:

• Drink to excess, smoke, or use illicit drugs
• Ignore sudden changes in mental status (but don’t be overly concerned about normal slips of memory like forgetting names or where you put the keys)
• Avoid going to the doctor if you notice changes in your physical or mental health
• Overlook the possibility of drug interactions that can affect mental functioning, especially if you are taking more than one prescription medication
• Become isolated in your home
• Think you’re too old to take up something new!

DIARRHEA

Diarrhea is characterized by an increase in the number of bowel movements (going to the bathroom) that contain an increase of liquid. Diarrhea is a way in which the organism rids itself of toxins and bacteria, which is why it should not be stopped suddenly. Instead, it should be allowed to flow for one day in adults.

Symptoms: Stomach inflammation, stomach aches, and frequent visits to the bathroom to defecate. Some fever and dehydration may occur.

Causes: Diarrhea may be caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses, nerves, stress, incomplete digestion, decomposed food and colitis. Milk intolerance is one of the main causes of this illness, especially in small children.

Suggestion: The most important area to treat is dehydration, especially in small children that don’t know how to explain what is happening to them. They should be given plenty of serum-ORS (drugstore) or prepare it at home in the following manner. Put a table spoon of sugar or honey and a teaspoon of salt in ½ liter of water and mix well. Drink every half hour. After treating dehydration, you should begin to eat, slowly at first, consuming easily digested foods and avoiding those that irritate the intestine.

The following is suggested when suffering from diarrhea:

1. At least six hour fast, drinking liquids or the previously mentioned serum, drink rice water or hot tea several times a day.
2. Begin eating a little boiled rice without seasoning. Start with a few spoonfuls, increasing the amount every 3 or 4 hours.
3. If your stomach feels okay, take thin kichidi (Rice + Dal). The next day you can add white bread to the same diet, a little curd, boiled potatoes, carrots, and lightly mashed boiled apples etc. eat light food for few days.

You should eliminate the following:

1. Foods high in fiber.
2. Milk, greasy foods and cold cuts, since they take longer to digest.
3. Spices and seasoning that irritate the mucous membranes.
4. Sweetened orange juice.

Warning! If diarrhea persists it can cause dehydration of the body which is dangerous if not cared for, especially in children. consult your physician.

Suggested food supplements.

Suggested vitamins and minerals

Get that beautiful back Tips

• Ayurveda is a great way to get that glow on your back. There are certain herbs which act as detoxifying agents and can be used as cleansers. A combination of the herbs amalki, haritaki, and vibhitaki can be used for detoxification.
• There is no escape from exercise, if you really want a sexy back. Here is an exercise for your lower back: Lie flat on your back. Bend one knee at 90 degrees then slowly bring it towards your chest. Grasp with both hands. Hold for a count of three, then relax and let go.
• There is a price to pay for everything. So if you want a good skin, you will have to watch what you eat. Some of the foods you need to be careful not to go overboard on are rice, fish, curds, salt, radish, sesame, jaggery. Moderation is the keyword, Ofcourse, heavy, oily and spicy foods should be kept to a minimum.
• Your lifestyle too affects the skin. You need to have a healthy lifestyle to get a healthy skin. What are the things you should avoid? For one – forget about that leisurely afternoon sleep. Your mental state affects your looks too. If you store feelings of anger or are easily irritable, it has a negative effect on you and your skin.

Swine flu is on all of our minds these days. We see latest reports of contraction in neighboring cities, watch people don face masks, and listen to news correspondents inform us of what swine flu is- of course we fearful. We don’t know what this really means for us and our families? Moreover, we are unsure how to best prevent ourselves from getting swine flu. Below, we offer the best ways to avoid swine flu to keep you and your family at optimum health during this possible epidemic.

So the swine flu is here in the United States. Does this mean that we all need to build bomb shelters under our homes and hide in there until the epidemic passes and vaccines are passed out to all who want it? No, no…of course not. The swine flu-though possibly fatal if not treated-is just as harmful as the seasonal flu most of us get each year-this time it just may have created new strains to be prepared for.

Tips to prevent contracting the swine flu virus:

1. Wash your hands often- Though this may seem like a given, not everyone does. Yes, you may wash your hands after using the rest room, but this is not enough. You should be washing your hands every time you come in contact with someone or something touched by someone else.

2. Avoid touching your face- We all do it. We rub our eyes, our nose, itch our chin-whatever it is, know that you do it, and even if you are washing your hands constantly, you aren’t necessarily getting all of the virus germs off your hands. Be better safe than sorry and avoid touching your face.

3. Avoid breeding grounds- Of course, most of us must go out into public places. We work, grocery shop, exercise- we live; but there are places you can avoid that will greatly reduce your chances of getting the virus. For example, if you typically use a gym, opt to jog outside instead. If you take the train to work, bicycle, drive or walk.

Chicken-Pox Vaccine

Risks or side effects of the new chicken-pox vaccine?

Answer: ‘The chicken-pox vaccine is usually well tolerated,’ says E. Lawrence Hoder, MD, from the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine at Lahey Medical Center in Burlington, Massachusetts. ‘The most common side effects associated with the vaccine are pain and redness at the injection site.

Other reported side effects include respiratory tract illness, chills, fever, irritability, fatigue, sleep disturbance, gastrointestinal disturbance, rashes, itching, and joint and muscle aches, although these symptoms have not yet been positively identified as being vaccine related. Approximately three to five percent of vaccinated individuals develop a chickenpox-like rash within 5 to 30 days from vaccination.

Causes
Chicken pox is caused by exposure to a highly contagious airborne varicella-zoster virus (VZV). The illness typically begins with fever, malaise and a rash. The rash begins as flat red patches that evolve into patches with a central blister, the classic “dew drop on a rose petal.” These patches then dry and scab. New eruptions occur daily for four to seven days. The average child gets a total of 500 chicken pox sores.

Complications in healthy children are unusual but include secondary skin bacterial infections, neurologic complications, hepatitis and Reye’s Syndrome (a serious illness that can cause recurrent vomiting, liver problems and seizures). For most children, chicken pox will be a fairly benign illness. The economic consequences due to lost time at work for caregivers usually far outweighs any health risk. For adults and immunocompromised persons, however, infection with chicken pox may cause severe complications, such as pneumonia that requires hospitalization.

“Once a person has had chicken pox, he or she will usually have a lifelong immunity to the disease,” says Dr. Hoder. “Rarely, however, a person will experience a second, milder case of chicken pox later in life.” It is important for parents to understand that having the vaccine may not provide such protection. The need for revaccination has not yet been determined. Similar to measles vaccine, a “booster” dose may be required.

Vaccinations
Currently, the American Association of Pediatricians recommends a vaccination for all susceptible children greater than one year of age. As of August 1998, the State of Massachusetts requires the vaccine (or a physician-certified reliable history of chicken pox) for entrance into daycare or preschool for children who are 19 months or older and who were born on or after January 1997; by the 1999-2000 school year, vaccinations will be required for entrance into kindergarten or for those children already in school, for entrance into 7th grade.

When Not to Vaccinate
The chicken pox vaccine should not be administered to adults or children who have the following conditions:

• A history of hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine, including gelatin
• A history of an allergic reaction to neomycin
• Blood disorders (other than simple anemia) or cancer
• A condition or treatment resulting in an immunosuppressed state, for example, immunoglobulin deficiency, AIDS, or corticosteroid therapy
• A family history of an immunodeficiency
• Active, untreated tuberculosis
• Any illness that produces a fever
• Pregnancy (or a considered pregnancy in the three-month period following administration of the vaccine)

Precautions
Individuals who receive the vaccine should avoid taking aspirin (salicylate) for at least six weeks after the vaccination. Because vaccinated individuals may be able to transmit the virus to close contacts, vaccinated persons should avoid close association with susceptible, high-risk persons. This risk of transmission is probably small and is more likely to occur if the vaccinated individual developed a rash after vaccination.

More about skin rash

1- Soften your skin by filling a basin with warm water and add the juice of a lemon with one cup oatmeal. Soak feet for ten minutes. While soaking, rub the oatmeal all over your feet to exfoliate. Rinse with warm water.

2- Make a highly effective foot tonic by micro waving a cup of milk, one tablespoon dry mint leaves, one teaspoon rosemary & one teaspoon peppermint extract. Apply the mixture to feet with a clean, dry cloth. Brush off residue and wrap feet in plastic wrap. Wait 5 minutes and rinse thoroughly.

“He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything.” -Arabian Proverb

1. Move More
Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given a choice between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it’s a stress buster. Think ‘move’ in small increments of time. It doesn’t have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or kickboxing. But that’s great when you’re up to it. Meanwhile, move more. Thought for the day: Cha, Cha, Cha…. Then do it!

2. Cut Fat
Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats (i.e. pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and sausage). Dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, milk and cream should be eaten in low fat versions. Nuts and sandwich meats, mayonnaise, margarine, butter and sauces should be eaten in limited amounts. Most are available in lower fat versions such as substitute butter, fat free cheeses and mayonnaise. Thought for the day: Lean, mean, fat-burning machine…. Then be one!

3. Quit Smoking
The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since 1960 when the Surgeon General announced that smoking was harmful to your health, Americans have been reducing their use of tobacco products that kill. Just recently, we’ve seen a surge in smoking in adolescents and teens. Could it be the Hollywood influence? It seems the stars in every movie of late smoke cigarettes. Beware. Warn your children of the false romance or ‘tough guy’ stance of Hollywood smokers. Thought for the day: Give up just one cigarette…. the next one.

4. Reduce Stress
Easier said than done, stress busters come in many forms. Some techniques recommended by experts are to think positive thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like. (i.e.,Soak in a hot tub; walk on the beach or in a park; read a good book; visit a friend; play with your dog; listen to soothing music; watch a funny movie. Get a massage, a facial or a haircut. Meditate. Count to ten before losing your temper or getting aggravated. Avoid difficult people when possible. Thought for the day: When seeing red, think pink clouds….then float on them.

5. Protect Yourself from Pollution
If you can’t live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid smoke-filled rooms, high traffic areas, breathing in highway fumes and exercising near busy thoroughfares. Exercise outside when the smog rating is low. Exercise indoors in air conditioning when air quality is good. Plant lots of shrubbery in your yard. It’s a good pollution and dirt from the street deterrent. Thought for the day: ‘Smoke gets in your eyes’…and your mouth, and your nose and your lungs as do pollutants….hum the tune daily.

6. Wear Your Seat Belt
Statistics show that seat belts add to longevity and help alleviate potential injuries in car crashes. Thought for the day: Buckle down and buckle up.

7. Floss Your Teeth
Recent studies make a direct connection between longevity and teeth flossing. Nobody knows exactly why. Perhaps it’s because people who floss tend to be more health conscious than people who don’t? Thought for the day: Floss and be your body’s boss.

8. Avoid Excessive Drinking
While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day (two for men) can help protect against heart disease, more than that can cause other health problems such as liver and kidney disease and cancer. Thought for the day: A jug of wine should last a long time.

9. Keep a Positive Mental Outlook
There’s a definitive connection between living well and healthfully and having a cheerful outlook on life. Thought for the day: You can’t be unhappy when you’re smiling or singing.

10. Choose Your Parents Well
The link between genetics and health is a powerful one. But just because one or both of your parents died young in ill health doesn’t mean you cannot counteract the genetic pool handed you. Thought for the day: Follow these basic tips for healthy living and you can better control your own destiny.