Mini-tramps are fun and quite inexpensive as far as exercise equipment goes. Using the mini tramp to lose weight and stay in shape is easy and when used properly, the mini tramp will provide fun as well as exercise.

• Just jumping and bouncing around on the tramp will burn calories. Start with some repetitious jumping. Try 20 jumps gaining the same height and speed from each jump. Relax and stay loose for a few minutes and repeat. Figure out a repetition plan that works for you. You can do this a few times a day, remembering to raise your heart rate keep that rate elevated for 10 – 15 minutes.

• Kick it up a notch add a high kick to each rep. Be sure to land on both feet. The next jump up, extend the other leg. Kicking out like this in a series of reps will add flexibility while burning up those calories.

• Stretch out each jump by stretching your upper body every time you bounce. Stretch out one arm with one bounce and the other arm the next bounce. Once you’ve got the balance down, stretch them out together. Modify your stretches to include stretching to the side, back, front, and up high.

• Remember in gym class how we had to do circles with our arms outstretched? Well, try adding those circles on each jump as you stretch out your arms. This flapping motion may cause you to bounce higher so check your balance. Play around with different motions and find the ones that work for you.

• Touch your toes while in mid-air may take some practice and you may want to start with the high kicks and work your way into touching your toes with your fingertips. You’ll need high jumps and straight leg motions. Be sure to land squarely on both feet. Do this a few times in a row and you’ll feel the results.

• Raise your knees for a quick squeeze on each jump. Or, use the opposite arm to touch the knee at the height of the bounce. Repeat, repeat, repeat.

• Work the abs and obloquies by adding some twists and turns. Try twisting your torso around and use the right elbow to touch your left knee. Switch it up any way you want. Have fun and exercise at the same time.

• If you have the balance down and a good rhythm going, you can actually run in place on the tramp. This type of running is easier on the joints and the feet than running on hard surfaces. You’ll need to keep the bounce rate lower and spread your legs out a bit but you’ll notice the difference right away.

Mosquitos are drawn to their quarry by a sense of smell. This sense allows them to target in on anyone whose scent they catch. The breath you exhale, your perspiration and even the scent of your toiletries like make-up, deodorant, shampoo, and perfume can attract the mosquito.

Mosquito bites react in a variety of ways on different people and no two bites are guaranteed to act the same even on the same person. They may ‘itch’ the same and since that is what we notice the most, the differences often go unnoticed. Some people seem to develop immunity to mosquito bites with hardly any evidence of being bitten while others react in the extreme with symptoms of welts, bruising and blisters. Most of us, however, fall somewhere in the middle with a raised bump, some swelling and with a definite, uncontrollable itch.

Upon being bitten, the first treatment should be a thorough cleaning with mild soap and warm water. Don’t rub dry as this will prolong the itching sensation. This is easy to say but not necessarily to do. Many of us don’t realize we have bitten until we have already started scratching. Scratching offers only temporary relief while introducing dirt and bacteria into the bit opening and increasing the risk of developing an infection.

Sometimes the urge to scratch is too overwhelming and this can drive us crazy. In those cases, a remedy is called for. Most itching remedies are topical although, if you have built up sensitivity to mosquito bites to the point of allergic reactions, taking a Benadryl or other antihistamine could be called for. Ibuprofen or another anti-inflammatory is also recommended to reduce swelling if topical agents offer no relief. As always, if the bite doesn’t look right or if the skin around the bite looks dark red and the swelling won’t go down, have a doctor take a look at it.

Topical remedies for easy the itch are as varied as they are plentiful. Take your pick:

Ice cubes to numb the itch

Use a fingernail to X out the bite bulge

Lemon juice

Baking soda mixed into a paste with water

Aloe Vera gel

Calamine lotion

Hydro-cortisone cream

Anti-itch cream

Topical analgesic containing pramoxine

Vinegar

Tea tree oil

Meat tenderizer mixed with water as a paste Lavender oil Aspirin ground and mixed with water as a paste Witch hazel For mild itch, a quick slap across the bite Rub the inside of a banana peel on bite mark  Unfortunately, mosquitos carry disease and they can transmit from person to person. If you begin to experience headaches, muscle aches, chills, fever, or vomiting, you should see your doctor right away.

If you know of any remedies for the itch of mosquito bites that aren’t listed above, please share them with us in the comment section below.

According to Dr. Wayne Westcott, an exercise physiologist, stair climbing is one of the more vigorous cardiovascular workouts. We may not have stairs in our home but we all have access to stairs in life around us. You don’t need a fancy stair machine because any stairs will do. For those who walk regularly on flat lands, try the stairs at the office, stadium or even the mall.

Due to how your body pushes the weight up each step, you burn more calories and use up energy very quickly. Your legs will strengthen and you will soon increase your endurance levels which will add zest to your whole workout. For those who have gym membership, look for the revolving Stairmaster, it is probably free. Pick your pace and start slowly. Climb to higher levels as your body adjusts. The target heart rate may differ among us; know what your target rate is and watch how fast you get there on the stairs compared to a treadmill.

Now many of you will half kill yourselves climbing for 30 minutes at a time. Although 30 minutes is good amount for the entire day, it isn’t necessary to do them all at once, especially for the beginner. Break them up into three 10 minute intervals. The real boon of stair climbing is in the recovery period following the climb. This is important. The body is building cardiovascular endurance during the recovery mode, so, you mustn’t go sit down and gasp for air afterwards. Walk it off. Maintain your breathing and allow your heart rate to adjust. Let your body do what comes natural.

While climbing the stairs may seem more difficult than descending, going down stairs is actually harder on your joints, ligaments and tendons. Those suffering from arthritis have a particular painful time going down stairs. Skip going down the stairs if possible, use the elevator or escalator. Remember to keep walking while your heart rate is elevated so don’t just stand there waiting for the elevator doors to open. If you are using the stairs in your home, step deliberately and use the handrails to ease pressure off the knees. Using those rails to help you climb up the stairs can help you tone your arms too.

• When climbing, be sure to wear good shoes. We’ve heard it all before but you protect your knees and joints from damage by having good supportive shoes.

• Warm up first by walking a few minutes and stretch your hamstrings, calves and quadriceps afterwards.

• Lean forward just a little as you climb but keep your back straight and keep your head up.

For busy moms especially, quick is better. Most of us would rather spend an extra 30 minutes sleeping than spending those 30 minutes taking care of our skin. Using natural products on our skin, as well as in our bodies, appeals to a vast majority of us, so give nature a try. See how these do-it-yourself skin treatments will make your skin feel. Used as a cleanser in the mornings this wash will start your day off just right.

• Instead of soap or that expensive facial cleanser, wash your face with gram flour, also known as besan flour. By adding a teaspoon of turmeric powder to a cup of gram flour, you’ll see even better results. Keep the ingredients in an airtight container to prolong freshness. However, if you add turmeric, wait about an hour before spending time in the sun. If your grocer doesn’t carry gram flour, you can make it yourself from dried chickpeas, look to an Indian or Asian store or purchase it online. This facial cleanser is popular in the Indian culture.

• Follow that wash with a pat dry and an application of rose water. This, you can buy in most pharmacy sections or health stores. Just dab a bit onto your face. It works similar to and has been used for centuries as an astringent but much more gentle for sensitive skin. You should store your rose water in the refrigerator. This makes for a great and refreshing way to start your day. Other natural face cleansers can be found right in your kitchen.

• Mix a teaspoon of regular oatmeal with milk or water to produce a scrub for your face. If you soak the oatmeal for about 5 minutes before applying to your face you may see even better results. You face will feel so smooth afterwards.

• Have dark circles under your eye? We know that cucumbers are suggested for this but how about a potato? Cut a thin slice of potato and rub it under eyes and over your face. Once the potato juice has dried on your skin, wash it off. The natural anti- oxidants in the potato really work on those dark circles. Natural products make terrific face masks.

• For a facial mask, mix together gram flour, yogurt or some lemon juice with rose water. Make into a paste and spread on your face. Leave it on for about 15 – 20 minutes and then you simply wash it off.

Fresh lemon juice makes for a great facial, helping to clear skin. If your skin is sensitive, you may want to add the lemon juice to rose water or honey. Apply the juice to your face and let it set for 30 -45 minutes. Wash off with warm water. Lemon juice is a natural lightener, as we all know from putting it into our hair for that sun kissed look.

• Lemon juice works as a natural bleaching agent on your face as well and gives quick results.

• Everyone knows that eating bananas are good for you, but the next time you peel a banana, save the bottom inch of a ripe banana. Mash it up and apply it directly to your face. Let it set on your face for 7 – 10 minutes. For even better results, add a few drops of honey to the mix before application. When adding honey, the mixture will not totally dry or harden on your skin. The banana mixture will turn dark brown and very ugly but when you rinse it off with warm water and pat your face with rose water, you will be amazed at the results. If you happen to run out bananas, try this mask with strawberries, pears, grapes, melon, or avocados.

Natural nighttime cleansers are great way to pamper your skin before bed.

• Mix 1 tablespoon of milk with 5-6 drops of coconut oil. Use cotton balls to apply this mixture to your face. Rinse it off with warm water. Afterwards, wash once more using gram flour and be sure to apply some cool rose water when you are finished.

• For those having trouble sleeping, dab a cotton ball in milk, or cold water if you prefer. Place that cotton ball directly onto your eyelids for a few minutes. It will help you relax and allow you to fall asleep in no time.

Don’t wait until your health demands a change. Be proactive and rejuvenate your health and lose those unwanted pounds now. When you find the right reason, look out, you are on your way. Below are some 20 really good reasons to start that low fat diet plan right now.

• Self Esteem– The loss of the first few pounds that you notice in the mirror will boost your self-esteem like nothing else can. Reach small goals and continually set new ones.

Your attitude changes about so much more than just your weight. Family relationships can improve and so can those with your friends, simply because your attitude about yourself is better.

• Quality Of Life – Life can be enjoyed at any size and at any age but just imagine the joy you will experience when that added weight doesn’t stop you from all that life offers.

• Improved Health – Although many would list this as a top reason to lose weight, it could probably be considered more of a side benefit.

• Reduce Risk Factors For Serious Illness – Added weight gain is one of the top risk factors for developing heart related illness and diabetes. Tummy fat in particular is at fault for many life threatening diseases, especially when genetics are involved.

• Pants Are Too Tight – Don’t laugh, this is a serious reason. It worked for me, after the holidays I had trouble with the waistband being too tight on my favorite pair of jeans. It is what got me motivated to lose those extra pounds quickly.

• Increased Longevity – Healthy people live longer; it’s a fact. Is it enough of a reason to lose weight so you can add a few years to your life?

• Look Better In Your Clothes – Even a few extra pounds can show in the clothes we wear. Thinner bodies have more clothing options and clothes tend to look smarter on a fit body.

• Improved Energy – Losing those added pounds will give you back the lost stamina so you can do more without getting tired.

• Reason To Buy Some New Clothes – Lose a few pounds and your clothes may start to feel too loose or may hang there unattractively. Sounds like a good reason to buy some new clothes.

• Feel More Attractive – It doesn’t matter whether you are married or single, everyone wants to feel attractive. While overweight people can be very attractive, they may not always feel like it. The mind is a powerful force and one that can be utilized for weight loss. If you feel attractive, that attitude shines through.

• Fitting Into Tight Places – It can be humiliating to try and fit into a tight booth at a restaurant or a chair at the theater. And then there are the added charges for airline travel. Getting stuck in a tight squeeze can be even more embarrassing. This can be a one of the reasons you choose to finally lose the weight.

• Better Insurance Rates – Often weight is a contributing factor in the mortality and morbidity rates used by insurance companies to calculate the rate of your premium.

Those who factor higher on the rate scale may end up paying higher rates.

• Increase Your Activity Options – Being overweight can often stop one from indulging in passions such as swimming, dancing and sports or even hang gliding. Family outings often have physical games that you may feel left out of. Go frolic with your friends and family.

• Prove You Can Do It – Sometimes all it takes is for someone to dare to you or tell you that you can’t for you to be able to make it happen.

• Decrease Medications – Don’t like all of the medication you need? Well, the need for many of the medications that you may have been prescribed could be traced to carrying too much weight around. Losing weight can alter the need or even eliminate the need in some cases. An added benefit that may help the pocketbook too.

• Employment Opportunities – Whether it is you holding yourself back or the job requirements that keep an overweight you from having the ideal job, losing the weight may open those doors to the job you have always wanted.

• Feel Sexier – Although the trend has been to highlight the sexuality of the overweight, self-esteem issues and sex often remain a hidden problem for many of those struggling with weight issues.

• No More Weight Related New Year Resolutions – Year after year making the same resolution and year after year falling off that diet has got to be a happy reason for finally losing the weight. The feeling of accomplishment is well earned.

• Increased Motivation – The minute you lose a few pounds and see the scale prove it or the day you see the results in the mirror, is the day that you will remember forever.

This day will prompt you to not only stay with your low fat diet plan but it will give you the motivation to tackle more and more in life. Nothing can stop you now. You are on to bigger and better things.

• You Become The Inspiration – You know the saying, if I can do it anyone can. Well you did it and now you are the one that others will look to as inspiration for them to lose weight. Even your kids will see that hard work and motivation pays off no matter what the challenge. Share what you’ve learned and let’s spread the love.

Recent tests have confirmed that cinnamon has an insulin-like property that can increase the overall effectiveness of insulin. It has been successfully tested as a replacement or insulin substitution in Type 2 diabetes. A bio active component within cinnamon has the potential to prevent and possibly subdue diabetes by regulating blood sugar and lowering high levels of blood sugar in subjects tested with Type 2 diabetes.

Research done at the USDA’s Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center in Maryland discovered this ability in cinnamon. Found in the bark is an active compound called methylhydroxy chalcone polymer. Plainly speaking, this compound makes cells absorb glucose faster and then converts it into energy faster.

Much of the research points to the cause of diabetes having a direct link to obesity. This we knew, however, the new thinking is that obesity, commonly thought to increase the risk of diabetes, does not cause the other, but instead, what is causing the one may be causing the other. Take margarine for example. Margarine is what we call a bad fat. It causes the body to store fat thereby causing one to gain weight. Well this research is showing that the margarine may also be causing the onset of diabetes as well as the weight gain.

In this study of 30 men and 30 women, the group was evenly divided. One group received cinnamon and the other a placebo. Every participant in the cinnamon group showed lower levels of blood sugar and their LDL cholesterol levels also dropped. This is big news and a very exciting breakthrough in the treatment and prevention of diabetes.

Incorporating cinnamon into your diet is easy. You only need a small amount, about ½ teaspoon; add it to a cup of tea or sprinkle it on some toast or oatmeal. The possibilities are endless for adding such a small amount to your daily diet.

Cinnamon comes in various forms and can be purchased at the grocery store. You can buy cinnamon as a powder, as sticks or even as a supplement in capsule form. If cinnamon is not something you can add to your diet, supplements are available. Pick the one that fits your diet and lifestyle.

While cinnamon may not be the total cure for diabetes, the promise of help for diabetics is surely found in cinnamon. A regular intake of cinnamon will lower your blood glucose levels and which in turn, reduces the amount of insulin you need to control your diabetes. Continuing studies are being done to properly use cinnamon to aid in the prevention of diabetes. Combined with a proper diabetic diet and exercise, cinnamon will help you improve your insulin resistance.

Some of us though, simply want to know ways to boost our metabolism so we can have more energy throughout the day. As research has shown, a lower metabolism can cause you to feel tired and lethargic all day long. Whatever your reason for wanting to bolster your metabolism, there are a variety of methods to choose from. The three primary ways to give you this boost is through:

The food you eat – Herbal or vitamin supplements – The level of activity or exercise you get each day.

Food

Changing your diet may not be the easiest thing to do, but simply adding certain foods to your low fat diet plan is a very simple way to boost your metabolism. Find foods that are harder to digest or take longer for the body to break down. Remember, the body works harder when it needs to digest high fiber and raw foods. This translates into burning more calories and stored fat cells. The harder the body works, the higher your metabolism rate goes. Often high protein foods can bolster your rates. And as we all know, whole grains top the list as a good work out for the body’s digestive tract.

Raw vegetables are a great source to boost metabolism rates. Don’t spoil it by adding a lot of dip or dressing to them; that sauce is all fat. Learn to love them raw. Your body will burn up energy while extracting the good vitamins and nutrients as it digests the raw veggies.

Supplements

Natural herbs and vitamin supplements that aid in boosting metabolism can be found in any grocery or health food store. The web is loaded with ads and pitches promoting the use of supplements to enhance metabolism. Be careful though, lots of these products may be better in theory than in actual results. Kelp is an herb that gets right to the thyroid where your metabolism is regulated. Adding kelp as a supplement may give you sluggish thyroid the kick it needs. Other popular supplements include cayenne, green tea, and acai berries and are beneficial at raising metabolism rates.

Exercise

By far, the best way to raise your metabolism rate is by exercise. Building and toning muscles raise metabolism rates. Muscles require more energy to maintain than fat does. By replacing fat cells with muscle forces your body to burn more calories. With the added activity of regular exercise, your body will automatically respond as though you’ll always need that much energy and will raise the metabolism rate to keep up with the activity level. It is almost like one big circle.

Interval training is perhaps the best way to utilize the body’s natural reaction to exercise and metabolism levels. Short intense action followed by longer moderate action such as a quick sprint followed by a longer walk. Playing a game of basketball or tennis are excellent examples of interval training games because of the quick burst of intense action followed by more moderate play.

Leading researchers who studied the results are quite surprised at the findings, not expecting to find such a striking difference between meat eaters and vegetarians.  Tests were completed for five risk factors including high blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose and waist circumference.  Adjusting for different aspects within these tests, the herbivore diet showed the same results when factoring in smoking, alcohol usage, and the age and the amount of physical activity of each participant.

Concurring studies back up the research supporting trends toward plant-based diets. In 2008 a German cancer study found that the risks of premature deaths among vegetarians were reduced by 30% for woman and up to 50% for men.

Another study previously published this year found similar results stating that meat eaters had noticeable higher cardiovascular risk factors than those who followed a vegetarian diet.  Also revealed in this study was the fact that true vegans, who eliminate all animal products, may have an increased risk of blood clots and hardening of the arteries, both of which can lead to heart attack and stroke.

The objective of the vegan study was to compare patterns in the diets with risk factors.  It also noted that a strict vegan diet showed clear trends among the test cases, the most significant being a lack of key nutritional needs in the overall diet.  Iron, Zinc, Vitamin B12 and omega 3 fatty acids are proven to lower the risk of heart related disease yet were some of the nutrients that found lacking in many of the vegans diets.

To ensure the overall health benefits of a plant based diet, a vegan diet needs a well-rounded diet that includes food items that contain omega 3 fatty acids and other nutritionally rich foods.  Achieving proper nutrition is necessary in every diet and all of our nutritional needs can be met by the foods we eat.

References:

Low body mass index in non-meat eaters

Thanks to the use of pesticides, first introduced in the 1940’s, the bedbug population had been diminished in America for decades.  However, due in part to world travel and the abundance of selling used and refurbished bedding, the bedbug is making a comeback.    Perhaps the main reason for their recent population growth and cause for concern is that the many of these hardy bedbugs are showing a high resistance to the pesticides that once kept their numbers down.

Over time, the bugs that weren’t killed by the pesticides, built up a resistance to the poisons and these bugs bequeathed that asset to their young.  Therefore, the population of bedbugs mushrooms.  While updated methods of cleaning and the use of different pesticides have kept our homes bug free for decades, we have also removed their number one enemy, the cockroach.

Hospitals and hotels, that once routinely sprayed pesticides generously, do not regularly use the harsh pesticides as a preventative any more as such use has shown to be harmful for humans with repeated exposure, preferring to use pesticides only when and where as needed.  This too has allowed infestations to grow and to be carried anywhere the host goes.  The host is whoever they found to accompany.

The misnomer here is that bedbugs live in your bed.  They will live anywhere they can. They hide well and only come out at night when they feed and since the bed is where you are at during the nighttime hours, that is where they want to be too.  They feed on blood.  They aren’t particular; any blood will do, animal or human.  Although these bugs have been shown to carry a number of diseases, there are no reported cases of a bedbug transmitting disease to humans.

The bite itself will look like a smaller version of a mosquito bite and will itch.  Some people have a delayed reaction to the bite but most fell that itch soon after the initial bite.  Symptoms cannot be diagnosed without the actual bug being analyzed, so infestation very often goes unreported.  Evidence left behind can give you clues.  Little brown stains, possibly as small as a pin head, on your bedding, wood frame or mattress may be dried blood fecal material.  The exoskeleton remains may also be found in the seam lines and pockets of the mattress or box spring.

If you see any of these clues, your best bet may be to call a pest control agency that specializes in bedbugs.  There are many fine mattress and box spring covers that will trap the bugs inside similar to the allergy mattress covers that block dust mites.  Check the label to be sure the cover protects against bedbugs; not all of them do.  Frequent vacuuming is certainly a deterrent and recommended for your mattress, although it doesn’t kill the bug and could simply lead to another outbreak wherever you vacuum next if you don’t remove and dispose of the vacuum bag properly.

Caught early in the process of making a home for themselves, bedbugs can be dealt with easily enough.  However, most infestations are not found until the infestation is quite extensive and as mentioned above, may need the services of a professional to eradicate them.

Power of attorney is a legal term used for any incidence where another party chooses to have someone take care of their financial, personal, and medical affairs when they are not capable of making the decisions associated with those elements. Even though many individuals are familiar with advance directives and living wills, there are few that recognize what durable power of attorney is.

It is a fact that only 15% of Americans have prepared a durable power of attorney, even though in most cases individuals already know what they want as far as health care,  life sustaining decisions, personally, and financially. Still many leave it until the last moments to participate in their own decisions in regards to their care.

Durable power of attorney is the most common type of power of attorney that there is, and it enables the power to persevere past that of death. Even when the circumstances after the principle loses capacity, durable power of attorney remains viable legally. However, to be legally binding a durable power of attorney must include the phrase” this power of attorney shall not be affected by subsequent incapacity of the principal” or something similar to these terms along the same lines of intention. There are many advantages of having a durable power of attorney drawn up for your best interest:

• A durable power of attorney remains effective until the principal dies, and it can endure past the death on an associated party, however it does not give the control of one’s assets after the principle has died or been revoked.
• A durable power of attorney is fairly cheap in comparison to more costly alternatives such as conservatorship or establishing a revocable trust.
• A durable power of attorney does not mandate court intervention or supervision.
• A durable power of attorney decreases delays in financial transactions, and certifies the principles  privacy
• A durable power of attorney can be immediately effective, under emergency circumstances.
• A durable power of attorney is flexible, and cover a narrow or broad realm of the principle.
• A durable power of attorney is a very simple measure to prepare.

What Makes a Durable Power Of Attorney Different From Other Types?

In a durable power of attorney the status of the granter is what differentiates it from other power of attorneys. In most situations traditional POA’s become null when an individual is incapable, because the court views the granter as unable to hand it over to a third party granter. However, durable power of attorney supersedes this by allowing the granter and principle to endure past these scenarios. It is also important to acknowledge that an individual may need separate durable power of attorneys to cover both financial and medical affairs.
A durable power of attorney grants individuals and their family members a great peace of mind.  Many can take advantage of the flexibility that durable power of attorney has in the event of an unexpected capacity or debilitating illness. Family members and the individual both gain the added peace of mind knowing that there will be stipulations and legal regards for what happens in the worst case scenario.

The many powers that a durable power of attorney consists of can be an asset for ones future. The solace of knowing that a person’s financial and medical decisions will be handled efficiently in the circumstances where they are incapable is solely a large reason to have a durable power of attorney produced. Understanding that one’s future is secure in safe hands and that direct choices and wishes are carried out is priceless.