You are here: Home / Archives for About

What are the Myths About Acne?

October 28, 2010 By Karen Hiser Leave a Comment

Whether  your a teenage or an adult, having acne can be embarrassing. If your unsure how to treat it, acne can control your self confidence. Socializing may become more difficult if you become unable to control your acne, and break outs happen more and more often. Identifying the myths about acne can help you.

Myth

Tanning does not “clear up” acne. Tanning will reduce the redness that occurs in the skin. It will also dry out the skin causes the acne to become more irritated. This is a temporary trick that your playing on your skin.

Myth

It has always been said that eating greasy food will cause you to to have acne. The same has been said of  chocolate, or sugary foods or soda. While those food choices aren’t a healthy choice for your diet, there is no proven link that these foods cause acne.  Having said that, some people do tend to notice their breakouts happening after eating certain foods. While for some it may be chocolate, others could experience it after coffee.

Myth

Washing your face more frequently will cut down down on the acne. While washing your face will open your pores and remove excess dirt, washing your face to often will irritate the skin. Scrubbing your skin vigorously will also irritate your skin and cause even further breakouts. Wash your face twice a day and apply your acne treatment. This is enough.

Myth

Acne is caused by poor hygiene. This is false. Acne is not based on how many times you shower everyday. It is purely the make up of your skin’s oil.

Myth

If you have more breakout’s use more acne medication. If you have breakouts frequently, using more medication will actually dry your skin out completely making  it irritated and susceptible to more breakouts. Most acne medication contain agents such as  benzoyl peroxide that are design to help clear up your skin at a certain rate. Over using these medications can potentially harm your skin instead of clearing it up faster.

If left untreated, acne can become such an overwhelming battle, that depression can occur. Seeking treatment with a dermatologist is your best course of action to determine what kind of care your skin will need. There are few suggestions to help you with your battle of acne.

  • Remember to wash after exercising . Sweat can clog your pores making your acne worsen. If you work around greasy food or oil or if you’ve been sweating from heat or because you’ve been working hard, wash your face and other acne-prone areas as soon as possible.
  • If you use skin products, such as lotions or makeup, look for ones that are termed “noncomedogenic” or “nonacnegenic”, which means that they don’t clog pores.
  • If you can’t live without your hair spray or styling gel, be sure to keep them away from your face as much as possible. Many hair products contain oils that can make acne worse.
  • If you get acne on areas such as your chest or back, avoid wearing tight clothes, which can rub and cause irritation.

Filed Under Health Tagged With , ,

What Guys Should Know About Dating

March 22, 2010 By Karen Hiser Leave a Comment

Men are less likely to share their feelings, according to clinicians. According to some women’s observations, most men are either too arrogant or too shy. The arrogant tend to believe that dating tips for guys are not needed for their portfolio, while the shy are too timid to even ask about dating tips for guys who are not so sure of themselves.

It’s a great thing that the Internet is filled with information about this topic! A shy guy can just Google up some keywords and learn how to drum up the courage to get a date!

Dating tips for guys are not the equivalent of brain surgery. They can be summed up in three points:

  • Learn to believe in yourself
  • Understand that women lose confidence in themselves too, and they might have preferences
  • Keeping it real is the best way to go.

Learning to believe in yourself is no smooth road. Everyone has to be contented with less than perfect lives; and in the course of growing up, you may have received criticism and disparaging remarks that undermined your self esteem. However, this is no reason to go on being timid and feeling worthless.

Believing in yourself is a matter of realizing that you have something of worth to offer, no matter how seemingly small. If you know how to make your mother laugh, that is already an asset in itself. If you can pick the prettiest flowers and astound your sister or female friends with your choices, that is already something phenomenal to start with.

Learn to find what you can offer to the world, and build your confidence upon the knowledge that you are of worth; and it’s not just limited to that one thing you can do excellently. This is one of the best dating tips for guys to be successful with women.

Understanding that women have shaky self-esteem also works wonders because it would make you realize that they are not like Catwoman who is ready to take a whip to ‘lesser men’ any day.

Women, in fact, have shakier self-esteem than men, and they crave to be found beautiful. Understand that when a woman rejects you, she’s just looking for a certain kind of person. It does not mean that you are worthless or that you will never find your special someone. There would always be a girl out there who would like you.

One great dating tip for guys who are often rejected is to just keep looking for the woman who would love and accept you, and one day you would succeed. The breakup line “It’s not you, it’s me”, truly means exactly what it says: these women are really looking for certain qualities in men that they do not find in those they rejected.

Lastly, keeping things real (meaning being a man of integrity) is the best way to go. When you understand that masks are just not attractive, and you put forth who you truly are (warts, bad dancing moves and all), a woman will appreciate you more. Honesty and integrity are far more important than shiny shoes, or the newest Armani line from clothes to cologne.

Integrity means being true to yourself wherever you are, even when no one is looking. That is far more important than smelling good will ever be.

Dating tips for guys are not all about dominating, controlling and getting a woman into bed to feed your ego. Let’s face it, at the end of the day, would you rather have a string of broken hearts, or that one great love to last you a lifetime? You decide.

Filed Under Dating Tagged With , , , , ,

I was wondering about ideas for making your own plantable wedding favors. Any ideas?

March 4, 2010 By Karen Hiser Leave a Comment

I like the idea of making plantable seed favors for my wedding. But I would like to make them myself. Any ideas as to where to buy materials and whatnot?

Filed Under Wedding Tagged With , , , , , ,

This great Information about Slim Fast & Weight Loss

March 3, 2010 By Karen Hiser Leave a Comment


The following article presents the very latest information on Slim Fast. If you have a particular interest in Slim Fast, then this informative article is required reading. See how much you can learn about Slim Fast when you take a little time to read a well-researched article? Don’t miss out on the rest of this great information. You may have seen one of the ever-present cans in the grocery store and been tempted to pick it up. Yet, you’re not sure whether Slim-Fast will be effective in helping you to lose weight. You should know that the Slim-Fast program is considered quite successful in the fight against fat—although not everyone is sold on the plan. Nearly thirty years ago, S. Daniel Abraham revolutionized weight loss programs with the Slim-Fast drink. According to the company website, Slim-Fast represents a sensible way to slim down. In fact, more than two dozen medical studies indicate that the diet program is a winning formula for losing weight. Slim-Fast is considered to be a nutritionally balanced plan, offering dieters proteins, carbohydrates, and a healthy amount of fat. One of the recommendations of the Slim Fast program is its convenience. You can drink on the run, enabling you to fit nutrition into your busy day. In addition, the program is considered far less expensive than other diet plans, particularly pre-packaged diet plans such as NutriSystem and Jenny Craig. Slim-Fast also now offers more variety. In addition to all the different flavors of shakes it offers, Slim-Fast also provides dieters with soup, pasta, and nutrition bars. In all, Slim-Fast now features more than a hundred different products. If you follow the Slim-Fast plan, you will need to eat three meals each day, along with three snacks made up of fruits and vegetables. Two of the meals and one snack must be made up of Slim-Fast products. Because of the frequency with which you’ll be eating, you shouldn’t suffer from hunger pains. One study actually showed that individuals who used Slim-Fast over a period of a decade were 33 pounds lighter than dieters were who did not use Slim-Fast products. Another advantage to the Slim-Fast program is that you don’t have to worry about counting calories, cooking meals, or figuring out portion sizes. Slim Fast has, in essence, done the work for you. Also, you can now choose between two different Slim-Fast programs: the Optima Diet and the Plan for a Low-Carb Lifestyle. The company’s website contends that the program is a proven weight loss tool. Dieters have had success in maintaining their weight over one to five years’ duration. A spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association has called the website “user-friendly. ” By visiting the site, you can be put in touch with registered dieticians who can answer your concerns. The website also offers a support group, which can be a critical factor in maintaining weight loss over the long term. Slim Fast goals as far as weight loss is concerned follow government guidelines. The idea is to lose ten percent of one’s weight over six months, meaning that one would shed no more than two pounds a week. Slim-Fast’s plan calls for only 30 minutes of exercise a day, which seems entirely doable. Dieters may also be inspired by the success stories posted on the company’s website. However, there are disadvantages to the Slim-Fast program. For instance, if you don’t like the taste of the shakes or food, you could find it difficult to continue with the meal plan. Also, some people report feeling hungry, despite eating the recommended portions of food. Slim-Fast, in essence, does the thinking for you, so, for the most part, you do not get the experience of shopping for wholesome food for yourself. You might also tire of the program quickly, causing you to gain back the weight you initially lost. While Slim Fast may be effective for the short-term, it is a difficult program to maintain for life. As a result, Slim-Fast gets mixed reviews even from members of the medical community. While some dieticians are fans of meal replacement programs, others see them as potentially harmful and nutritionally inadequate. Whether you can effectively lose weight with Slim-Fast depends upon whether you have the discipline and desire to remain with the program for the long-term. If you start to use Slim Fast for a while, then stop, you will likely gain back the weight you initially lost. However, for decades now, Slim-Fast has been winning the hearts of dieters and the company shows no signs of slowing down in the near future. Slim-Fast may be one way that you can drink yourself to optimum weight loss. I hope that reading the above information was both enjoyable and educational for you. Your learning process should be ongoing, the more you understand about any subject, the more you will be able to share with others.

Filed Under Health Tagged With , , , , , , , ,

The Truth About Nutrisystem – Does It Work?

March 1, 2010 By Karen Hiser Leave a Comment


Nutrisystem is a very popular weight loss plan that has become a very successful and healthy form of losing weight. Commercials are all over the television advertising the advantages of using their diet program, including eliminating those worrisome cravings that are felt throughout the day. On these television commercials, you will also see some of the most popular Hollywood starts who have successfully completed the Nutrisystem weight loss program, which is enticing to say the least. Does it work?As with any diet, if you stick to the weight loss plan you will find that it is working for you. Of course you must give it time, normally Nutrisystem says after 30 days you will notice a weight loss, depending on how strict you were in sticking to the diet. Of course exercise is important as with any weight loss plan, this helps with the diet to tighten up and shed the pounds as well. Eating smaller portions is definitely the primary solution when using Nutrisystems diet system. The meals are already prepared and to the perfect size. Basically if you stick to what is on your plate with a little fruit here and there, you will find that the diet is not as hard as it may seem. How does it work?Nutrisystem actually has its own line of weight loss food that is proportioned to the exact amount that the diet requires. The food comes to your door normally in a 28 day food plan. There food is tasteful and even includes desserts as a bonus. There is a menu on their site that allows you to choose what foods are more appealing to you; this way you will not receive food that will just sit in your cabinet. The tough part about Nutrisystem is getting used to the lower portions, but once you get accustom to the new portion size it will be much easier to consume. With the food delivered to your door, it makes it much easier to stay on track as well. This helps to make things much more convenient and helps to keep things on a good path. You can change your food around every month and have orders simply continue to renew arriving on time every month. The price of Nutrisystem is around $11 a day and they offer a free week of food upon signing up for the program. There are tips online that help you maintain their weight loss program. There is also a weight calculator that will help you figure out your ideal weight. The best thing about Nutrisystem is that you do not have to worry about counting calories, due to their already prepared food. There is also snack available to prevent cravings throughout the day. Portion control and remaining true to this control is perhaps the one thing that could make you get deterred, but really if you give it time, you will succeed in losing weight. Giving the diet a chance is the toughest part, but once two weeks have passed, it will be much easier.

Filed Under Health Tagged With , , ,

All About Carbs

February 26, 2010 By Karen Hiser Leave a Comment

Carbohydrates are made up of groups of molecules, known as saccharides. These saccharides contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms in different combination. There are two main classes of carbohydrates: simple and complex. Simple carbohydrates have one or two saccharides (mono- and di-saccharides, respectively) linked together. They are primarily the sugars, found in fruit, honey, milk (as lactose) and commercial sweeteners. Complex carbohydrates contain many saccharides (polysaccharides) and are known as the starches and fibers found in vegetables, grains and legumes.

The primary role of carbohydrates is to provide energy for the body. The breakdown of glucose within the cells produces molecules of energy that can be used. Glucose is the preferred source of energy within the body, although protein and fat can be used if necessary. Once energy needs are met, glucose is stored in the liver as glycogen, then can be diverted to making other compounds, such as keratin (found in fingernails), ribose (found in DNA and RNA) and hyaluronic acid (used to lubricate the joints). Excess glucose is converted to triglycerides and stored in fatty tissue.

The process of digestion begins in the stomach as carbohydrates are broken down into their monosaccharide components. Most digestion occurs in the small intestine as the mass of food is exposed to special enzymes. Starch is digested in a much slower fashion then simple carbohydrates. The human body lacks the necessary enzymes to break down fibers. Instead, fiber is broken down into water, gas and other components by bacteria in the intestinal track, slowing the movement of food leading to a feeling of being full.

Once the carbohydrates are broken down into their monosaccharide components, they are absorbed through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream where they travel to the liver and are converted to glucose. The liver then controls the secretion of glucose into the bloodstream. If the blood concentration is too high, the pancreas secretes insulin to move glucose into the cells and out of the bloodstream. If the blood glucose level begins to fall, glucagon is secreted to increase the amount of glucose that the liver secretes back into the blood.

Carbohydrates are found in every major food group, though in differing concentrations, from grains to fruits to vegetables and even protein. Grains contain the highest amount of carbohydrates per serving, with varying amounts of fiber. Whole grain and bran products have higher fiber then white and refined grains. Vegetables contain mostly starches, especially in beans, peas, corn and potatoes. Watery vegetables such as lettuce, cucumber and sprouts contain lesser concentrations of starch. Fruits contain mostly sugars, though the skins do contain a good deal of fiber. While no specific recommendations have been set, it is estimated that 50% to 60% of calories should come from carbohydrates, specifically complex carbohydrates. The average adult should consume 20g to 35g of fiber each day, and limit simple sugars to 10% of calories. That means that in an average diet of 1,800 calories, 900 to 1,080 calories should come from carbohydrates, and sugar should be limited to 45g per day.

A healthy diet should contain 6 one-ounce servings of whole grain carbohydrates, 3 to 5 servings of vegetables, and 2 to 4 servings of fruit each day. Select green-leafy vegetables whenever possible, and try to limit starchy vegetables like peas, corn and potatoes. Fruit makes a great desert or snack instead of processed sugars like cookies or cake. Try to avoid white and refined grains, and choose instead whole grain breads, pastas and cereals. By selecting healthy carbohydrates and monitoring calories, nothing has to be off limits. But be aware of the calories that sweets and carbohydrates are contributing to your daily intake.

Filed Under Health Tagged With , , , , ,

Movies About Long Distance Relationships

February 24, 2010 By Karen Hiser Leave a Comment

Relationships, life, love and anything else you can experience is now something that you can see in a movie. Movies are developed around people, lives and the imaginations surrounding them. Some movies are so in depth  about these situations it can feel as though your actually living them.  Relating to the audience helps draw an audience in and make the movie successful. Topics and story lines that touch someone, that can be heartfelt are movies that so many us will want to watch.  Increased popularity in movies about long distance relationships are so popular  with the massive amount of people experiencing them.  As the numbers increase for long distance relationships, the movie genre increases as well.

For some,  watching movies about long distance relationships helps ease the pain about their won long distance relationship. Being able to relate, even though it may be on screen  can ease the ache  of a long distance relationship. These movies are able to capture the longing and hopefulness a couple feels when they are apart. These movies also capture the trials and tribulations, about long distances  and what it can do to relationships. If these movies are on the list to watch, check out some of them now…

  1. The Notebook (2004)
  2. Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
  3. Frequency (2000)
  4. Casablanca (1942)
  5. 300 (2006)
  6. The Time Traveler’s Wife (2009)
  7. Going the Distance (2010)
  8. Ghost (1990)
  9. Cast Away (2000)
  10. Brokeback Mountain (2005)

These may be popular new releases or old classics which haven’t gotten the acclaim they deserve. Old classics while they may not be on the new release shelf still deserve  to be watched  for  the romance of the era. Regardless of the generation of these movies they are all in their own right classics. With the story lines of long distance relationships, they invoke all the emotions we feel in relationships. Whether your long distance relationship is about to end, or perhaps for some it is just about to start . What ever the case these movies can help ease the feelings of separation and despair that is so common in long distance relationships. Sometimes just being able to watch similar stories can give a little light at the end of the tunnel.

There are many movies out there designed around long distance relationships, whether with a spouse or a family member. Some may make you cry, many will make you laugh. In the end, these are some great movies and we recommend them to you. Each has their own take of long distance relationships allowing you to get a feel of each different one. Take the time to watch them all with your loved one, might make things easier on the both of you until you can be together forever without anymore distance.

Filed Under Dating Tagged With , , , , ,

Has anyone had, or heard about, a real eHarmony success story?

February 23, 2010 By Karen Hiser Leave a Comment

I heard that you cannot do the choosing and that they give you a run-around by saying they didn’t find any matches yet. Is it just a money-grabbing scam?

Filed Under Dating Tagged With , , , , , ,

Learn About Nutrisystem – Best Way to Lose Weight With Easy Diet Plan

February 22, 2010 By Karen Hiser Leave a Comment

The Nutrisystem plan is one of the most popular diet plans that you can try. They spend a lot of money on celebrity endorsements and advertising but you want to know will it work for you.

Learn how to find the:

Best Diet Plan

This diet plan is based on the Glycemic Index or the good carbs that you can find in healthy foods that are not starchy. The plan is so easy to use because the food is prepackages and if you are a busy person then it makes it easy because you do not have to cook. You just go and order the food that you need for the month and they deliver it to you.

Find Great Advice About:

Losing Weight

The other great thing about the Nutrisystem plan is that you have a lot of support systems in place so that you do not eat things you should not. There website is a great source for information and it has been developed so that it is easy to navigate around and find what you need. It is very important that when you are choosing a weight lose plan that you look for something that fits your needs and lifestyle so that you can have a greater chance of success.

Remember that it is important that when you start the new diet that you strictly follow the plan because you want that you get used to eating differently and if you cheat in the beginning it will make it harder to stay with it over the long haul. Many people find that the Nutrisystem Diet and Weight Lose Plan has worked well for them and maybe it is time you gave it a try.

Filed Under Health Tagged With , , , , , , , ,

Q & A About Medifast

February 18, 2010 By Karen Hiser Leave a Comment

Can I Replace All Food with Medifast?

Replacing all food with Medifast is an option, but must be done under a doctor’s supervision during weight loss and Transition because it is lower in calories than the 5 & 1 Plan.

Issues for Women

Rapid weight loss may cause an increase in the level of estrogen in the bloodstream, which may affect the regularity of menstrual cycles, possibly change PMS symptoms, and can also increase fertility. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use Medifast as a weight loss program. Note: It is not recommended due to the artificial sweetener.

What if I am not feeling well?

Most of our customers report feeling energized and better than they did prior to starting a Medifast program. If you are ill or do not feel well, see your doctor. Unless your doctor says otherwise, you should be able to continue with Medifast, as most symptoms experienced are temporary.

Do Any Medications Interfere with the Medifast program?

Most prescription medications will not interfere with the 5 & 1 Plan. As you lose weight however, dosages may need to be adjusted because the 5 & 1 Plan can improve blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. Make sure your physician is consulted PRIOR to and while you are on the Medifast program.

If you have diabetes and are taking medication, please check with your physician prior to starting a weight loss program, as your medication requirements may change during the first week on the plan.

Blood pressure medications usually need to be adjusted as you lose weight. Call your doctor prior to starting the program in order to avoid symptoms associated with reduced blood pressure, such as feeling tired or washed out, legs feeling rubbery or weak, headache, dizziness or light-headedness.

Antacids such as Maalox, Rolaids, Tums, etc. are acceptable to use with the Medifast program. You may also use acidblockers and related medications.

We do not recommend using Medifast as a weight loss program if you are using over 20 mg of steroids (such as Cortisone or Prednisone) per day, since these medications may prevent weight loss.

If you are currently taking a diuretic (water pill), check with your doctor before starting the Medifast program, as the 5 & 1 Plan may promote frequent urination.

If you are taking anti-seizure or thyroid medication, check with your doctor to see if this program is right for you.

Can I continue Medifast if I have a cold?

If you become ill with a cold or the flu, you can stay on the 5 & 1 Plan provided your symptoms are not too severe. Taking antibiotics (prescribed by your doctor) won’t harm your Medifast plan but may temporarily slow your weight loss.

Filed Under Health Tagged With ,