Cold season is almost here and sometimes no matter what you do to avoid it, you always end up sick. Thankfully, there are several tried-and-true home remedies you can use to help ease the discomfort and pain from cold symptoms and speed up your recovery. Here are 10 home remedies to try this cold season:

• Drink your fluids
  Water, juice, clear broth and warm lemon water with honey are suitable liquids for cold sufferers. These types of drinks will help loosen congestion and prevent dehydration that occurs during mucus production or fever. It is best to avoid alcohol, coffee and caffeinated sodas and tea that could worsen dehydration and cause negative side effects.
• Eat soup
  When you’re as sick as a dog, nothing seems to taste better than a bowl full of steaming soup. Whether it’s chicken noodle, tomato or French onion, soups work wonders for cold sufferers. According to MayoClinic.com, soup, specifically chicken soup, helps relieve cold symptoms by inhibiting the movement of neutrophils, producing an anti-inflammatory response, as well as temporarily speeding up the movement of mucous through the nasal passages to relieve congestion.
• Sleep it off
  Rest is the best medicine for getting over a cold. If you can, stay home from school or work and sleep as much as possible. This will help speed up your recovery by improving your immune system, as well as prevent the spread of infection to others.
• Use a humidifier or vaporizer
  Relieve the pain and discomfort of a stuffy nose and sore throat by using a humidifier or vaporizer in your home. Cool-mist humidifiers add moisture to the air, which helps ease congestion, coughing and irritated mucous membranes. The added moisture may also cause unwanted mold, bacteria and fungi growth in the humidifier, so be sure to clean the unit daily.
• Gargle salt water
  Soothe a sore, irritated throat with a basic saltwater gargle, consisting of 1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt mixed in 8 ounces of warm water, gargle and repeat as necessary.
• Eat garlic
  Garlic has been known to have many health benefits, including the ability to reduce the severity of upper respiratory tract infections. In order to achieve the maximum health benefits from garlic, you’ll want to crush the garlic at room temperature and let it sit for about 15 minutes before eating. This is thought to trigger an enzyme reaction that boosts garlic’s benefits.
• Use saline nasal drops
  Saline nasal drops and sprays are used to treat stuffiness and congestion caused by the common cold. Nasal drops and sprays are beneficial for moistening the nasal passages and soothing irritated sinuses. A neti pot will give similar results, by using saline and a spout device to flush the nasal cavities with the flow of gravity.
• Use a salve under your nose
  To soothe a dry, irritated nose and relieve nasal congestion, try using a dab of menthol salve underneath your nose during a cold. Menthol’s cooling and numbing effect feels great on a feverish body, so you can rub it on your temples, chest and forehead for relief you can feel.
• Take your vitamin C
  Even after you’ve caught a cold, you should keep taking vitamin C to shorten the duration of your cold. Vitamin C acts as a natural antihistamine and may reduce the severity of other cold symptoms. Vitamin C may be ingested through tablets, powders, liquids and food.
• Take a steamy shower
  A steamy shower will help cold sufferers relieve their nasal congestion and soothe achiness. Just getting up and bathing will make you feel a lot better after lying in bed all day. If you are dizzy, feeling weak or running a fever, you may want to avoid taking a steamy shower or try sitting in a chair while running the water.

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Fad diets have been all the rage for decades, enticing people with doctor-approved meal plans, success stories and guarantees to help you lose weight quickly. Even with the fancy marketing, scientific support and desirable eating plans, fad diets don’t stick around long for a reason. Whether they cause health problems, are impossible to follow or simply don’t work, fad diets are often looked down upon by diet experts and physicians who believe a well-balanced diet is the only way to go. Here are 10 fad diets that do more harm than good:

• Sugar Busters! Diet
  Sugar Busters! is a fad diet that involves cutting out certain foods that contain refined sugar or too much sugar from your diet. The diet claims to lower your cholesterol, increase energy and treat diabetes. Experts consider Sugar Busters! a controversial and misleading diet because of its claim to cause insulin resistance and control certain types of diabetes-related problems. The diet also promotes high-protein intake, which experts say could increase calcium excretion and result in kidney and liver damage, fatigue and irritability.
• Eat Right for Your Blood Type Diet
  The Eat Right for Your Blood Type Diet suggests people eat certain foods and avoid others based on their individual blood type. While the overall diet recommends healthy food and exercise choices, it does not take into account individuals’ dietary needs and tastes. Diet experts have criticized this diet because of its lack of scientific background and its claims that there’s a connection between blood types and specific diseases. This blood type diet may sound more scientific than others, but the lack of evidential support and dietary limitations could do more harm than good.
• The Atkins Diet
  The Atkins diet is one of the most popular and controversial diets of all time. Atkins claims that by eating more protein and fat, while restricting carbohydrates, people will lose weight by burning stored body fat through a process called ketosis. One of the selling points of the Atkins diet is the fact that you can eat lots of delicious, rich foods like cheese, bacon, steak, eggs and other high-protein foods that are banned from most diets. While many have experienced weight loss and great success with Atkins, diet experts worry about the dangers of high-fat and high-protein intake that could result in a temporary spike in cholesterol levels and promote heart disease. Atkins has also raised concerns about the safety of restricting carbs, which are needed for healthy functioning and normal metabolic activity. The Atkins diet is still a controversial weight loss plan that experts worry may cause more harm than good.
• Protein Power Diet
  Protein Power is a high-protein and low-carb diet that promises weight loss in weeks. The Protein Power diet focuses on eating meats, dairy and some fruits and vegetables you won’t see on other low-carb diets. Like Atkins, Protein Power works by putting the dieter in a state of ketosis, meaning you lose fat without actually having to burn it off. Experts worry that ketosis can be dangerous if fluid intake isn’t doubled. Because people on the protein power diet tend to lose weight quickly it can be seen as a fad diet and one that will be hard to keep up with when normal foods are reintroduced. Also, this eating plan causes concerns because people may experience nutritional deficiencies and spiked weight gain when they stop the diet.
• The Fast Food Diet
  The Fast Food diet may sound like a dream come true, but this diet doesn’t include French fries, sugared sodas, fried chicken or many of the greasy foods you’d expect. Instead, the fast food diet encourages dieters on the go to choose healthy meals and snacks, like diet sodas, seltzer with lemon, grilled chicken sandwiches, fruit parfaits, chili, baked potatoes and salads. Condiments like mayonnaise, ranch dressing and special sauces should be forgone or replaced by lighter alternatives. If you follow the recommended food and beverage choices, dieters should only be consuming about 1,500 calories a day, in addition to walking a mile per day. The fast food diet can be a bit misleading because people think they can eat anything they want, and may be tempted to choose an unhealthy meal when they pull up to the drive thru. Experts also believe that people following this diet cannot get the daily recommended amount of foods, like vegetables and fruit servings from fast food restaurants alone.
• The 3-Day Diet
  The 3-day diet is a fad diet that has proven to cause rapid weight loss, but has not proven to be effective, healthy or safe. The 3-day diet promises dieters to lose up to 10 pounds in three days if you follow the specific food regimen that consists of low-calorie meals. After three days, you can eat normally for four to five days and return to 3-day diet again. Experts strongly discount the health benefit claims that the diet causes a unique metabolic response and immediate fat burning, because exercise is not recommended in the plan, nor is there scientific proof to back these results. Instead, a crash diet like this will usually cause spiked weight gain when you return to normal eating and possible nutrition deficiencies.
• Cabbage Soup Diet
  The cabbage soup diet is an infamous crash diet that claims to help patients lose 10 to 17 pounds in seven days. According to the diet, cabbage soup is supposedly a fat-burning soup and should be eaten mostly with fruits and vegetable for optimal results. Experts do not like this diet for many reasons. First, the cabbage soup diet overemphasizes one food and completely ignores the idea of eating a balanced diet of all food groups. Second, the cabbage soup diet is down-right boring and repetitive, which takes the joy out of eating and makes it difficult to keep up for a long period of time. Experts also say that the cabbage soup diet can cause negative side effects, such as physical discomfort from gas and stomach aches, nutritional deficiencies, fatigue and disappointment when your weight plateaus.
• Raw Food Diet
  Raw food diets mainly consist of eating uncooked, unprocessed plant foods, with vegetables and fruits making up 75 percent of the diet. Most followers of this diet are known as raw foodists and raw food vegans, who don’t eat animal products or only eat raw eggs and cheese from raw or unpasteurized milk. Unlike most diets, the raw food diet is not designed to be a weight loss plan, but it claims that you’ll achieve a leaner body, clearer skin and more energy. Since the raw food diet does not advocate cooking foods because high heat strips the food of essential vitamins and enzymes, raw foodists use dehydrators for texture and taste. However, this is one of the big reasons experts criticize the raw food diets. Dehydrators use heat but not high enough temperatures to kill dangerous food-borne bacteria, which can cause illness. Experts have also found that people who ate a raw food diet had low cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as vitamin B12 deficiency, which is found in animal products and is important for nerve and red blood cell development. There are also concerns of low bone mass because of rapid weight loss in the beginning of the diet.
• The Hallelujah Diet
  The Hallelujah Diet is a low-calorie, vegan and faith-based diet program that suggests eating 85 percent raw organic foods and 15 percent cooked foods for optimal weight loss and nourishment. The diet emphasizes juicing vegetables and plant foods to increase the absorption of nutrients, but experts discount this theory and say juicing reduces the fiber content of foods. Also, the Hallelujah Diet has a long list of foods that are prohibited, which experts believe may cause nutritional deficiencies and increased hunger. Nutritional experts also worry that dieters are missing out on specific nutritional benefits, by not cooking certain foods and not eating animal products. Overall, the Hallelujah Diet will help people lose weight because of the food limitations and reduced calorie intake, but experts believe it could do more harm than good to followers because it lacks scientific backing and may cause serious nutritional deficiencies.
• Martha’s Vineyard Diet Detox
  Martha Vineyard’s Diet Detox claims to help dieters lose 21 pounds in 21 days with a nontraditional diet, but rather a detoxification to cleanse the body and lose weight. This liquid diet involves drinking every two hours either vegetable or fruit juices, homemade soups, water or powdered antioxidant berry and green drinks available through the author’s site. Once cleansed of toxins, dieters are supposed to feel better, have increased metabolism and be 21 pounds lighter. After 21 days, dieters return to their normal diet but must avoid processed and junk foods because the cleansed body cannot tolerate them. Experts say that this detox can help you lose weight because of strict caloric reduction, but dieters may end up heavier in the end because their bodies burned up more muscle mass than fat during the diet. Experts also discount the diet’s claim to cleanse your body of harmful toxins, arguing that our bodies do this naturally. All in all, experts suspect people who complete this detox will end up hungrier, heavier and deficient of important vitamins and minerals.

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Influenza, commonly called the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness that plagues about 5 to 20 percent of the U.S. population and puts more than 200,000 people in the hospital every flu season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The flu may cause severe illness and life-threatening complications for people of all ages. The best way to protect yourself from contracting the flu and avoid transmitting the virus to others is to receive the seasonal flu vaccine every year. The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against the dangerous 2009 H1N1 and two other influenza viruses, which comes in the form of a shot or nasal spray. Although the CDC recommends everyone receive the flu vaccine, it is strongly advised for certain groups of people, such as these:

• Young children
  Children younger than 5, especially 6 months and older, should get a flu vaccine because they can easily contract the virus from daily interactions and unclean hands. Children also have weaker immune systems, making them more susceptible to developing serious flu-related complications. Children who have chronic health problems, like asthma, diabetes and heart disease have a greater risk for complications from the flu and should be vaccinated every season. Even though children under 6 months old are at the greatest risk for flu complications, they cannot receive the vaccine. The CDC recommends all members of the child’s household and caregivers be vaccinated to protect the infant.
• Health care workers
  Health care workers, including doctors, nurses and even medical students, need to get vaccinated because they are constantly surrounded by patients who may have the flu. Without vaccination, the health care worker is at risk for becoming infected and transmitting the virus to others. Considering the amount of influenza outbreaks every year, many of which are hospitalized, health care workers need to be healthy to treat patients.
• Pregnant women
  Pregnant women are another group who should receive the flu vaccination, because the flu can cause serious complications during pregnancy, such as pneumonia and preterm labor that may put the mother and baby in danger. Getting a seasonal flu shot during pregnancy is not only safe, but it also may protect your baby from getting the flu after birth, which is important for infants who can’t be vaccinated until they are 6 months old. Pregnant women cannot receive the nasal-spray flu vaccine, only the flu shot.
• Nursing home residents
  People who live or work in a nursing home or long-term care facility should be vaccinated. Elderly people account for the most influenza deaths overall, and are strongly urged to get the flu shot to protect themselves and prevent transmitting the virus to others. Elderly people also tend to have weakened immune systems, making them more susceptible to contract the virus. Employees of a nursing home or long-term care facility should also be vaccinated because of their prolonged exposure to patients.
• Older adults
  Older adults, specifically 50 years of age and older, are advised to get the flu vaccination every season. Although many people over 50 years old are healthy, there are plenty of individuals who are considered high-risk patients because they have chronic health conditions or have weakened immune systems. People 65 years of age and older are the most at risk for flu complications and account for the majority of influenza deaths in the nation.
• People with chronic medical conditions
  People who suffer from a chronic medical condition at any age are strongly advised to get vaccinated. Someone who is battling an ongoing medical condition typically has a weakened immune system and could easily contract the flu virus, especially at hospitals and doctors’ offices. In addition to the patient, caretakers and family members should also be vaccinated for their safety and the safety of the patient.
• Teachers
  Whenever students have the flu, teachers are at risk for contracting the virus too. The constant exposure to people, like students and faculty, make it easier for the virus to be transmitted from person to person. It’s in a teacher’s best interest to get the flu shot to protect him or herself and prevent transmission of the virus to others.
• People with weakened immune systems
  People with weakened immune systems are some of the most at-risk individuals for flu complications, because their bodies don’t fight infections as well as someone with a healthy immune system. If someone with a weakened immune system contracts the flu, they will generally take longer to fight the viral infection and face serious complications from the virus. It’s vital for these individuals to get the flu vaccination every season for their own safety and the safety of others.
• Home caregivers
  Both household and out-of-home caregivers are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated because of their exposure to high-risk individuals, including children, elderly people and people with chronic medical conditions. Home caregivers are much like nurses because they are depended on to monitor the health and well-being of certain individuals. Therefore, caregivers need to be vaccinated to remain healthy and prevent transmitting the flu to others.
• People who live with or care for high-risk individuals
  People who live with or care for individuals who are at high-risk for flu complications should be vaccinated, as well. People can contract the virus and bring it home to their family members, roommates and anyone who lives in your residency. Therefore, it’s very important to get vaccinated so you and high-risk individuals won’t be in danger.

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Organic cooking takes health, flavor and eco-consciousness to another level. Organic cooking uses all organic ingredients that meet the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s strict organic standards, which means no pesticides, herbicides or insecticides are used on produce, and eggs, dairy and meats come from grass-fed animals that don’t receive antibiotics, growth hormones or GMOs. The result is delicious, healthy and high-quality products that you can make into wonderful organic meals. Here are the ABC’s of organic cooking:

• Alcohol
  
  Organic alcohol, such as organic beer, wine or vodka is suitable for cooking organic meals. Organic alcohol is made from ingredients that are grown on certified organic farms without the use of pesticides or potentially toxic chemicals. Even the distilling process must be done organically, without nitrogen or other chemicals.
• Baking powder
  Organic baking powder is vital for making baked goods because of its leavening agent, which increases the volume of baked goods. Organic baking powder has the same double- acting components of regular baking powder, minus the sodium aluminum sulfate, a genetically modified ingredient.
• Chocolate
  Organic chocolate is packed with all of the delicious and nutritious goodness that you get from regular chocolate, but it’s made from organically-grown cacao beans that are free of toxic chemicals.
• Desserts
  From flour, eggs and chocolate, organic desserts are made with all organic ingredients, and, best of all, you don’t have to skimp on taste or variety. Chocolate chip cookies, vanilla ice cream and cheesecake are just a few of the many desserts that you can bake organically.
• Eggs
  Organic eggs are fed organic feed, which prohibits the use of GMOs and animal byproducts. Organic eggs are a healthy and delicious option for organic cooking and baking.
• Fruit
  Organic fruits are bright, delicious and full of nutrients, which makes them an important asset to any organic meal. Certified organic fruits are grown without pesticides and toxic chemicals that linger on conventionally-grown fruits, and it’s a difference you can taste and see.
• Garlic
  What dinner would be complete without garlic? Organic garlic packs the same nutritional benefits of nonorganic, but without the icky pesticides and chemicals.
• Herbs and spices
  Organic herbs and spices are all natural and of high quality because they are non-irradiated and don’t use ETO chemical sterilization. These herbs and spices are fresh, fragrant and will bring a wonderful flavor to your organic meals.
• Infant formula
  Organic infant formula is a healthy alternative to nonorganic infant formula because it doesn’t contain any growth hormones, antibiotics, steroids or harmful pesticides. In addition, organic infant formula is made to replicate breast milk with high quality proteins, vitamins, minerals and added omega fatty acids, such as DHA and ARA. For organic cookers, you can also make your own natural, organic infant formula using top-quality organic ingredients.
• Juice
  Organic juices come in a variety of types and flavors. Organic fruit and vegetable juices are grown organically, without pesticides and harmful chemicals. Many organic juices are not from concentrate, they’re cold pressed directly from fresh fruit and flash pasteurized to maintain the nutrients and taste. Organic juice can be used in cooking, baking and are delicious on their own.
• Kosher
  Kosher foods can also be organic because they conform to the Jewish biblical laws and USDA certified organic standards. Kosher and organic foods actually have quite a bit in common because both require that animals be fed organically grown food and be treated humanely. Organic kosher food is tasty and a delicious option for organic cooking.
• Legumes
  Organic legumes, such as beans, peas and lentils are grown without pesticides and harmful chemicals that would otherwise seep into the seed, pod or shell of a nonorganic legume. Organic legumes are excellent for organic cooking, and they pack a lot of flavor and health benefits too.
• Milk
  Organic milk comes from cows that are given certified organic feed, without antibiotics, synthetic hormones, animal byproducts or pesticides. Organic-fed cows are raised humanely and graze freely, which promotes healthy cows and better quality products. Organic milk comes in a variety of types and can be used in numerous organic meals.
• Nuts
  Raw organic nuts are a healthy alternative to roasted nuts because they don’t contain pesticides or potentially harmful chemicals, and organic nuts don’t have the threat of dangerous acrylamides like roasted nuts. Whether you munch on them out of the can, make your own peanut butter or throw them into a salad, organic raw nuts are tasty and better for you.
• Olive oil
  Organic olive oil is made from organic olives that are grown without pesticides or chemicals. Olive oil is a staple of the Mediterranean diet and it’s great for organic cooking, as well.
• Peppers
  From bell, jalapeno to cayenne peppers, organic peppers pack the same flavorful punch as nonorganic, but have the added benefits of being pesticide-free. Organic peppers are an excellent addition to organic meals because of their nutritional benefits and powerful taste.
• Queso
  Organic cheese comes from cows that are fed organic feeds, without antibiotics or synthetic growth hormones, and many graze naturally on organic pasture plants. Organic cheese comes in a wide variety of flavors and it adds a nice touch to any meal.
• Recipes
  In order to cook organically, you’ll want to follow organic recipes that can be found in cookbooks, online and on organic food packages, as well as at organic grocery stores. Following an organic recipe that only uses organic ingredients will give you the joy of cooking healthy and doing good for the environment.
• Sugars
  Organic sugars are excellent replacements for refined sugars. Organic sugars, including white, light and dark brown and powdered sugar, are made from certified sugar cane and are perfect for sprinkling in beverages, on foods and for baking.
• Tea
  Organic tea is grown on land that doesn’t use pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, chemical additives or other potentially harmful chemicals. Organic tea is completely natural and makes for a delicious beverage or ingredient for cooking.
• Utensils
  Yes, even your utensils can be organic and super stylish as well. Most organic utensils are made of organic bamboo, which is extremely durable and eco-friendly because it’s made without toxic chemicals.
• Vegetables
  For organic cookers, organic vegetables are the only way to go. Organic vegetables are grown without pesticides and toxic chemicals. This can affect the size, taste and nutritional value of your organic veggies, which makes cooking them a healthy and delicious option.
• Whole grains
  Organic whole grains, like wheat, oat, barley, rye and brown rice are packed with more nutrients and pesticide-free benefits that you can’t get with refined-grain foods.
• Xtra good for you
  Organic foods are extra good for you because they are grown and processed without pesticides and potentially harmful chemicals that you won’t be ingesting.
• Yogurt
  Organic yogurt is made with organic milk from cows that are given organic feed, without antibiotics or hormones. Many organic yogurts are also free of artificial sweeteners, artificial colors, MSG or gelatin. Organic yogurt has the same, if not more, live and active probiotic cultures as regular yogurt, and is just as delicious and great to cook with.
• Zest
  Zest is a piece of the peel from a citrus fruit, such as a lemon, orange, citron and lime. Zest is added to foods and desserts to add a fruitful flavor. The same flavorful effect can be achieved by using an organic citrus fruit and zesting its outer, pesticide-free skin.

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Smoking is arguably the world’s worst habit, and a tough one to kick at that. In a day and age when the dangers of smoking are crystal clear, it’s surprising that anyone still smokes. Unfortunately, an estimated 47 million adults in the U.S. currently smoke and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 70 percent of those people want to quit smoking completely. In addition to the health risks, there are numerous reasons to quit smoking today and live a healthier, happier life without cigarettes. Here are the top 10 reasons to quit smoking:

1. Smoking increases the chance of heart attack, stroke or cancer
   Cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke, is a major concern for smokers. For every cigarette you smoke, the greater your chances of getting heart disease become. According to MayoClinic.com, quitting can lower your risk of having a heart attack by 50 percent in the first year. Smoking also increases your chance of smoking-related cancers, which make up 30 percent of all cancer deaths. Some common smoking-related cancers affect the lung, larynx, mouth, tongue, lips, pharynx, stomach and other vital organs.
2. Smoking can lead to lung cancer, emphysema and other lung diseases
   Smoking every day for years increases your chance of getting lung cancer and smoking-related diseases. According to MayoClinic.com, smoking is the cause of nearly nine out of 10 lung cancer cases, as well as emphysema, chronic bronchitis and other lung diseases. Quitting smoking today can prevent further damage to your lungs and reduce your chances of developing cancer and lung diseases.
3. Smoking can give others secondhand smoke
   In addition to risking your own health, smoking puts other people in danger from secondhand smoke. For every puff you take in front of your spouse, family members and friends, the greater the chance that they’ll get lung cancer, heart disease and infections from inhaling nicotine and other toxic chemicals. Smoking around children can cause sudden infant death syndrome, lung infections, asthma, ear infections and colds. When you consider the dangers you are putting your loved ones in by smoking – is it really worth it?
4. It’s a very costly habit
   Smoking is an expensive habit. On average, a pack-a-day smoker spends upwards of $30 per week and over $1,600 per year on cigarettes. For every year you keep smoking, the more money you will burn through and not save. In addition to purchasing cigarettes, smokers also pay more for health insurance because they are a greater risk to health insurance companies than non-smokers.
5. Smoking weakens the immune system
   Smoking weakens the immune system and puts you at greater risk for infections and illnesses. Cigarettes depress antibodies and cells that help fight infections. Those who smoke may be more prone to respiratory infections, such as pneumonia and influenza, which may take longer to fight off and recover from. A weak immune system is very dangerous to those who already have ongoing health problems and generally gets worse over time.
6. You will look, smell and feel better
   Smoking cigarettes has lost the sexy, glamorous appeal that it once had. Cigarette smoke permeates through everything, including your hair, clothes and skin. Over time, smoking cigarettes can stain your fingers, nails and teeth yellow. Smokers also tend to have dull skin and hair because they aren’t receiving enough oxygen. The list goes on and on, but one thing’s for sure, quitting smoking will drastically improve your outward appearance and make you feel better all around.
7. You will regain control of your life
   Like any addiction, cigarettes are highly addictive and can negatively affect your physical and mental health. When you are driven by an addiction, such as nicotine, your brain craves the drug and you respond by feeding it. When you quit smoking, you can regain control of your life and confidently say no to your cravings.
8. Your family and friends
   If you don’t want to quit for yourself, quit for your family and friends. Chances are you have a handful of people in your life who’ve been begging you to quit smoking, but you never did. The truth is it’s never too late to quit. There is so much more to live for than cigarettes could ever give you, and it will mean so much to those who love you to give up smoking.
9. You’ll live longer
   According to the American Cancer Society, smoking takes an average of 13.2 years off an adult male’s life and 14.5 years of a female’s life. Quitting smoking adds years to your life because you are reducing the chance of disease, cancer and other smoking-related illnesses. Your overall physical and mental health will improve when you quit smoking, which will do wonders for your state of mind and happiness.
10. Smoking causes wrinkles
    Smoking can accelerate the normal aging process, resulting in wrinkles and skin damage on the face and body. Smokers can start to show skin damage after only 10 years of smoking, so unless you like the look of sagging skin and wrinkles, now is the time to quit and let your skin come back to life.

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The skeleton system is an amazing piece of work. Each of the 206 bones within the adult human body have a specific purpose to support, protect and move the body every which way. Considering the amount of accidents and strenuous activities we endure over a lifetime, it’s no wonder why so many bones get broken. Broken bones may be common, but not all of them will be treated with a bright colored cast. Depending on the severity of the fracture, there are certain bones that can heal well without a cast, and here are 8 of them:

• Toes
  A broken toe usually occurs when something is dropped on your foot or you stub your toe. Fractured toes don’t usually need a cast to heal because they can be immobilized by buddy wrapping it, or bandaging the broken toe with a healthy one. Broken toes can take anywhere from four to six weeks to heal.
• Fingers
  Depending on the particular bone and type of fracture, broken fingers are usually treated with buddy wrapping, by bandaging the broken finger next to a healthy one. This method of immobilization usually takes about four to six weeks to heal. A splint may be applied to align the fracture fragments.
• Ribs
  Broken ribs can be a bit trickier than other broken bones because of their closeness to internal organs and threat of pneumonia. Thankfully, most broken ribs are only cracked and can heal on their own in six to eight weeks.
• Collarbone
  A broken collarbone is often treated with little more than an arm sling, medication and physical therapy. Depending on the severity of the injury, it could take anywhere from six to 12 weeks for the collarbone to heal, but movement should be restricted during this time.
• Skull
  Many fractured noggins can heal without a cast because the bone surrounding the brain naturally heals on its own. For example, a linear skull fracture is a break in the cranial bone that looks like a thin line but does not splinter, depress or distort the bone. Because linear skull fractures occur without damaging the brain, there is no treatment required.
• Nose
  Talk to hockey and football players – a broken nose, also called a nasal fracture, can heal without a cast by being realigned. With the help of your doctor, the broken bones and cartilage in your nose can be manually realigned by a procedure called closed reduction, which is done no more than 14 days after the incident.
• Tailbone
  A broken tailbone, or fractured coccyx, is a slow healing and often painful injury. The good thing is broken tailbones can heal without a cast. Because it’s such a painful injury, pain management is very important during the recovery stage, and certain measures should be taken to avoid placing pressure on the tailbone.
• Pelvis
  A broken pelvis can heal without a cast and surgery, but it depends on the severity of the fracture. Stable fractures of the pelvis can heal without a cast and surgery, but patients will likely have to use crutches or a walker and can’t put all of their weight on one or both legs for nearly three months. Despite limited mobility, stable pelvic fractures generally heal well in a three or more months.

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Granola is natural, simple and healthy. The same can be said for granola moms, who are conscious of the environment, their health and the health of their children from infancy and beyond. Granola moms are often lumped into the attached parenting style that includes giving birth at home, sharing a bed with your infant, breastfeeding into the toddler years and much more. Call it kooky, but this new style of parenting has major health and relationship benefits for mothers and their children. Here are 10 ways to tell you’re a granola mom:

• You only do homebirths
  Many granola moms prefer giving birth at home with a midwife’s assistance, rather than at a hospital. For women who are healthy and having a normal, uncomplicated pregnancy, homebirths
  are considered to be just as safe as having a child in the hospital, and they provide a more familiar, relaxed setting for labor. It is also seen as a gentler way for babies to be born, because they are not rushed or separated from their parents and they experience fewer medical interventions.
• You practice exclusive breastfeeding
  Granola moms are well aware of the health benefits of breastfeeding infants, especially exclusive breastfeeding, which involves no food or liquid other than breastmilk during the first six months. Many granola mothers believe in breastfeeding exclusively until the child weans themselves, typically around 2 or 3 years old. Exclusive breastfeeding is thought to enhance the bond between mother and child, provide optimal nutrition, as well as increase immunity, prevent illnesses and reduce health risks for both baby and mom.
• You practice co-sleeping
  The close bond granola moms have with their children does not end at bedtime; they are big proponents of having a family bed and co-sleeping. Co-sleeping is the practice of sleeping next to your infant in your bed, which is supposed to promote breastfeeding and bonding, as well as provide a safer alternative to crib sleeping when done correctly. For many granola mothers, co-sleeping involves nursing throughout the night and into toddler years and beyond.
• You do not vaccinate your children
  Granola mothers are typically against vaccinating their children for a number of personal, health and religious reasons. Many believe shots will do more harm to their children than good, like
  causing illnesses, neurological problems and cancer. The more parents question the effects of immunizations, the more it has become a personal choice to forgo shots all together.
• You do not let your children cry it out alone
  Granola moms aren’t the type to let their babies fuss all day and cry all night. If they practice co-sleeping, crying at night can be avoided more easily. During the day, granola mothers may tote their babies around in a body sling or wrap to keep them close and avoid fussing.
• You only use cloth diapers
  It is very common for granola mothers to use cloth diapers instead of disposable ones. Cloth diapers are extremely cost-effective because they can be washed and reused over and over again. In addition to the money saved by using cloth diapers, mothers will be helping the Earth by reducing the amount of waste disposable diapers create.
• You let your kids run around in the nude
  All parents want their children to feel comfortable in their own skin, but some granola parents mean that literally. Whether it’s to overcome society’s nude taboo, or to limit the amount of clothes parents have to wash, children of granola parents may be more likely to run around in their birthday suits than other kids their age.
• You make homemade and organic-only foods
  Once weaned from breast milk-only diets, the children of granola mothers will start to incorporate organic, all-natural foods into their routine. Many granola moms are all about homemade baby food and snacks that use all-natural ingredients, in addition to eating organic foods themselves. Certified organic foods are free of toxic pesticides, fertilizers, preservatives, artificial ingredients and irradiation, in order to meet strict standards and uphold the integrity of the food. For the health and earth-conscious mother, organic is the preferred way to go.
• You do not support circumcising infants
  Granola mothers tend to say, “no” to circumcision because of the potential health risks involved with the procedure. Newborn circumcisions can have negative side effects, such as excessive and dangerous bleeding, damage to the penis, infections, urinary blockages and chronic pain. Because circumcisions are not medically necessary, many granola mothers will avoid having the procedure done all together to prevent any potential risks.
• You want your kids to experience experiential learning
  Many granola moms believe in experiential learning for their children, which involves the active engagement in what is being taught. Granola moms want their children to understand concepts, through observation, interaction and personal experience, rather than just hearing or reading about others’ experiences. Experiential learning is usually best achieved when kids are homeschooled and the parent(s) can guide their learning experience and focus on individualized learning.

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With today’s rate of immediacy and emphasis on convenience, why would you drive to the pharmacy and wait inline when you could order your medications from the comfort of your home or office? Those who want quick, convenient and larger supplies of their medications can do so through mail-order pharmacies, which are designed to meet your prescription needs in an easy, safe and affordable manner. Here are five advantages to mail-order your prescriptions:

• Convenience
  When you are prescribed to a long-term or maintenance medicine, going up to the pharmacy and standing in long lines every month can become quite a nuisance. Mail-order services provide a 90-day supply of your medications, so you’ll always be prepared in case you need backups or you have to pack for a long trip. Mail-ordering prescriptions is also beneficial for elderly, terminally ill or immobile customers who to have their medications hand-delivered.
• Save Money
  Not having to drive up to the pharmacy each month, combined with online pharmacy discounts, you’ll end up saving a significant amount of money by mail-ordering your prescriptions. Some health plans are partnered with pharmacy benefit managers, the group that handles processing and paying prescription
  claims, and they may have lower copayments for buying medications in bulk through mail-order and online pharmacies.
• Easy, Safe Refills
  Refilling prescriptions has never been easier than using mail-order pharmacies. As long as your prescription is current, you can order refills online, by mail or by phone throughout the day. Once your refill order is received and verified, a pharmacist will dispense the medication, using top-notch technology to ensure accurate orders and mail it to your home or office usually within 14 days or less. In addition, you’ll receive patient-education materials and information about each medication for your records.
• Customized Service
  Mail-order pharmacies are committed to meeting your individual needs. From customized order forms to handy refill reminders, mail-order pharmacies are equipped to make all of your prescription needs easier. If you’ve got questions about your medication, mail-order services will have a pharmacist on-hand who can answer them for you. Many mail-order pharmacies also let you track your order online or by phone, access prescription history and receive important documents regarding your medicine.
• Less Paperwork
  Less paperwork equals less hassle. Many mail-order pharmacies won’t make you wait for reimbursement, and will skip the claim forms process to minimize your waiting time and keep your money in your pocket.

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You haven’t lived until you’ve broken a bone. Most fun activities when you were a kid involved physical risk – like football, basketball, climbing a tree and fighting – though not all were condonable. As you get older, you might suffer a fracture while performing normal day-to-day activities. Often times, adults break their arms, legs and collarbones in car accidents or accidents within their households. Most broken bones are more of an inconvenience than a major medical issue, but you probably already know that. Here is a list of commonly broken bones; chances are you’ve injured at least one of these during your lifetime.

• Arm
  According to emedicinehealth.com, arm fractures account for almost half of all adults’ broken bones, and forearm fractures are the second most broken bone among children. Most broken arms occur during direct trauma or falls. Direct trauma is caused by a foreign object, and such breaks typically occur during car accidents. Breaking a big fall by stretching your arm beneath your body usually results in a hospital visit.
• Collarbone
  This is the most commonly broken bone among children. Breaks usually occur while they’re participating in sports, though such occurrences can be prevented by wearing proper equipment. Shoulder pads in football, for example, protect the clavicle from direct trauma. Adults are more likely to suffer a fractured clavicle during a car accident.
• Ankle
  Fractured ankles often occur when people roll, twist, or extend their foot in a manner that’s unnatural. Gravity can also be a factor – if you fall from a high place and land onto your ankles, the force can cause it to break. When serious, the injury can prevent you from walking, and surgery may be needed. Wires, screws, plates and rods could be inserted in order to ensure the bone heals correctly.
• Foot
  The human foot contains 26 bones. So given how much we depend on them during our day-to-day activities, it’s no surprise that the foot accounts for one out of every ten broken bones, according to emedicinehealth.com. Broken feet are more common among children because their ligaments and tendons are generally stronger than their bones.
• Toe
  Few experiences are worse than the pain felt when your toe comes in between your bare foot and a door, wall, table leg or any other piece of furniture. Here’s an informal statistic: walking increases your chances of breaking your toes by 100 percent. Most cases aren’t severe enough for any kind of special treatment; taping it and keeping it immobilized will enable it to heal.
• Hand
  The human hand is composed of 27 bones – one more than the foot. More so than any other extremity, losing use of your hand can make the easiest of activities difficult, especially when it’s your dominant hand. Most breaks are caused by the misuse of tools, sports injuries and falls.
• Finger
  Although fingers are a part of the hand, they belong in a class unto themselves – they’re that important. It’s not unlike the relationship between your feet and toes. Informally, we recognize a broken toe as just that – a broken toe. Broken fingers can hinder your ability to write, eat and do just about anything. It’s not fun.
• Leg
  A broken leg entails a broken femur, tibia, fibula or patella. Because the bones are so strong, it usually takes quite a bit of force to break them – like a large fall or a major car accident. An open fracture may occur during a serious injury. This is when the bone breaks the skin and becomes viewable.
• Nose
  A broken nose is the least attractive break you can suffer. Noses that have been broken multiple times can lose their form, becoming asymmetrical and unrecognizable to their owners. Typically, the injury occurs as a result of fights, contact during sports games and car accidents (of course).
• Jaw
  The second most common broken facial bone after a broken nose is a broken jaw. It’s much more common among men than women – three times as many suffer the injury, and it occurs most among men aged 20-29, emedicinehealth.com asserts. Also known as a mandibular fracture, it’s caused by direct trauma.

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It’s a pleasure to watch a skilled athlete dominate his sport. When Michael Jordan was at the top of his game during the ’90s, the NBA experienced all-time highs in television ratings and merchandise sales. People who previously didn’t care about the NBA tuned in to watch MJ duel against other stars like Magic, Ewing, Barkley, Stockton and Malone. Children emulated his iconic one-handed open legs dunk and later his fade-away jumper. But what if Jordan’s broken left foot – which caused him to miss 64 games during the 1985-86 season – never quite healed right and he never became the great player we all knew and loved? Certainly basketball wouldn’t be the same.

On the other hand, what if players like Grant Hill and Penny Hardaway never had to endure career-altering injuries? Perhaps they would be mentioned in the pantheon of all-time greats. Perhaps they would have transcended basketball. Injuries are a reality in professional sports and many gifted athletes have fallen short of their career’s full potential because of brittle bones, weak tendons and bad luck. Below is a list of players from the last few decades who were extraordinarily gifted, but their bodies – and fate – disallowed them to reach the statistical and team milestones they were capable of achieving. Some are Hall of Famers and some are not. But all still have kept us wondering: “what could have been?”

1. Bo Jackson

   Jackson was one of the rare modern athletes who managed to excel in two major professional sports, but he was most heralded for his ability to carry the pigskin. His size and speed on combination is unparalleled historically. Even at 6′1″and 227 pounds, he was still one of the fastest players in sports; his 4.12 40-yard dash in the Louisiana Superdome in 1986 made NFL scouts drool. His production reflected his ability. He average 5.4 yards per carry during his brief career with the LA Raiders, which was ended in 1991 when he suffered a severe hip injury during a playoff game.

2. Ken Griffey Jr.

   “The Kid” was arguably the best player in baseball during the ’90s. He was an exceptional defensive and offensive talent. His trophy case is filled with Gold Glove Awards, an All-Star Game MVP trophy and an AL MVP trophy. He has more than 600 career homeruns, and his swing remains silky-smooth today. But his accomplishments could’ve been even greater. His health problems started with hamstring and knee injuries during the early 2000s with the Reds, and he went on to miss hundreds of games. The decade hindered him from becoming the greatest baseball player ever and the career homerun leader that many expected.

3. Grant Hill

   The 2000s were also cruel to Hill, who entered the NBA in the mid-’90s as the league’s most exciting young superstar. As a rookie, he led the league in All-Star votes, and during his second year, he received more votes than Michael Jordan. The 6′8″ forward was an excellent scorer, rebounder and passer – only his injuries could stop him. During the 2000 playoffs, he played on a sprained ankle, which eventually caused him to play just four games in his first season alongside Tracy McGrady with the Magic in 2000-01. He wouldn’t play more than 30 games until 2004-05 or a full season until 2008-09.

4. Penny Hardaway

   Penny was the other amazingly talented player who burst onto the NBA scene during the mid-’90s but failed to meet fans’ expectations because of injuries. The 6′8″ point guard was compared to Magic Johnson; he could fill the stat sheet and look pretty doing it. The Penny/Shaq Magic were supposed to be the NBA’s next great dynasty. But Shaq left for LA in 1996 and Penny injured his left knee in 1997-98. His athleticism was never the same. He played for the Suns, Knicks and Heat before retiring in 2008.

5. Terrell Davis

   In April of ‘95 when Davis was selected in the sixth round of the NFL Draft, nobody expected him to eventually win a regular season MVP and a Super Bowl MVP. His ascendancy as one the elite running backs was brief, but he stuck around long enough to assist John Elway win two championships. In 1999, Davis tore his ACL and MCL, causing him to play just 17 games over three seasons. He retired in 2002 was the Broncos all-time leading rusher.

6. Bill Walton

   Because of his great career at UCLA, Walton seemed like a sure thing during the 1974 draft when the Blazers selected him first overall. And when he actually played, he was one of the elite big men in the NBA history. He was the catalyst of the Blazers run to the championship in 1977 when he won Finals MVP. But Walton’s injury problems were all-time bad. He missed two full seasons after fracturing his foot early in the 1979-80 season. He played more than 65 games just three times during his ten season career.

7. JR Richard

   The consequences of Richard’s health problems were far greater than just lost acclaim. His downfall was made famous during the ’90s when he was spotted living under a Houston freeway overpass. His bad luck began when he suffered a major stroke prior to game in 1980 – a season in which he had a 1.90 ERA and 119 strikeouts in 113.2 innings. Although he was one of the best pitchers of the late ’70s, his improvement continued. If he had remained healthy, a Richard and Nolan Ryan duo would’ve been tough to beat in the postseason.

8. Ralph Sampson

   Sampson was another Houston professional athlete who couldn’t escape the cloud of bad luck that perpetually looms over the city’s sports teams. But before his knee and back injuries, he was the only 7′4″ player who could move and handle the ball like a guard. When he teamed with Hakeem (then known as Akeem) Olajuwon to form the “Twin Towers,” the Rockets seemed like an emerging dynasty. His series-clinching shot that eliminated the Lakers in the ‘86 Western Conference Finals is regarded as one of the great moments in NBA history.

9. Bernard King

   King was one of the great scorers in NBA history, averaging 22.5 points per game during his career and shooting just under 52 percent from the field. He was famous for his ferocious 50 point outbursts, and he’s one of the handful of players to score 60 in a game. In 1985, he tore his ACL, and missed the entire 1985-86 season as a result. His prime-years were stolen from him, though he did manage to rebound and make the All-Star team in 1991.

10. Eric Davis

    Davis possessed a combination of power and speed comparable to Mays and Bonds. His best season came in 1987, when he hit .293 and tallied 37 homeruns, 100 RBIs, 120 runs and 50 stolen bases in 129 games. From ‘86 to ‘90, he had more than 20 homeruns and 20 stolen bases in each season. But Davis never played more than 135 games. His career began to slide after 1990, when he lacerated his kidney during the World Series and underwent offseason knee surgery.

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