Saturday, 31 December 2011
Thursday, 29 December 2011
The Winter Weather Benefits of 4 Wheel Drive Cars
In the United States there are surprisingly large areas where 4 wheel drive cars can be a real asset in the slippery winter weather conditions that often prevail. In the more Southern parts of the nation a little snow is a big event but for Northerners it is simply a part of daily life for a fair part of the year. The percentage of the year affected by snowfall varies from season to season but in the farther reaches along some parts of the U.S and Canadian border it's actually a good part of every year.
If you live in one of these areas perhaps there is not really a need to convince you of the benefits of having a good all wheel drive system in your car. Perhaps it may be that you are one of the hardy souls who has the skill to traverse whatever winter throws your way in a rear wheel drive sports car. For many people though, especially new transplants to colder climates having a 4 wheel drive car can be a good thing and increase their level of safety while out on the slick winter roads. Obviously having an all wheel drive vehicle does not make you invincible but it does provide an increased level of traction to help get out of tough situations and avoid trouble in the first place particularly when climbing slippery uphill roads or driveways.
Two of the most popular makers of AWD vehicles are Audi and Subaru. They both make superb late model vehicles and Audi is a real pioneer in the all wheel drive traction system space as well as recently pushing out the availability of LED lighting with their new all LED equipped A8 model. The A8 is actually a particularly good model for long winters not only because of its Quattro AWD system but also because it's aluminum intensive construction can help mitigate the development of rust that often ravages cars constantly exposed to winter road salt. Since the A8 has been in production for some time and was essentially all aluminum from the start there are some good values on used models out there if you aren't ready to put down the major cash commitment for one of the new LED equipped models.
Of course the Audi A8 isn't the only show in town nor is it any longer the only aluminum construction vehicle on the market. Other Audi models as well as many Jaguars and BMWs use extensive aluminum for weight savings and rust resistance. When it comes to all wheel drive systems you'll find a proliferation of models both foreign and domestic now feature the traction enhancing equipment in one form or another. Your challenge? Find the perfect model for your needs.
You can find more about the 4 wheel drive cars available from the top automakers including information on their features, horsepower figures and more at: http://4wheeldrivecarsinfo.com/blog.
Monday, 26 December 2011
Using Food To Help In Dealing With The Body's Inflammation Response
There's a diet that's growing in popularity these days called the anti inflammatory diet. This diet advocates that the foods we eat either heighten or else diminish the body's inflammation response. Some foods lead your body to go on heightened alert, so to speak, while other foods have a calming effect. More and more people are beginning to believe in this diet. But why would food have anything to do with inflammation?
You'll first need to understand what inflammation is and what function it's intended to do ordinarily. Inflammation is a defense mechanism of the immune system that helps deal with traumas, poisons, and toxins to specific regions of the body. When a person gets stung by a bee, for example, the inflammation response goes to work to help seal off the affected region and keep the poison from spreading to other areas of the body. The area around the sting swells up and the poison is broken down and removed. This is a good and healthy reaction for that kind of issue.
Foods, on the other hand, don't usually set off the body's inflammation response. That being said though, when you consider all of the different artificial components in foods these days, you can start to understand why the body's inflammation response gets agitated. When you consume foods which your body doesn't recognize, it treats them as potentially dangerous, and thus, the inflammation response is boosted just in case the food you're eating really is dangerous for you. These artificial compounds vary from things like artificial colors, artificial sweeteners, preservatives residual pesticides to heavy metal contaminants. As you consume foods with these ingredients in them and they reach your blood, your body handles it as a potentially dangerous situation. It makes sense though because those things aren't a natural part of the human diet, and your body doesn't really understand why you are eating them. So as a result, the inflammation response can become heightened.
So what are a few foods that are considered anti inflammatory? In generalized terms, the more natural a food is, the better it is in arena of inflammation. However, there are some particular foods that have been shown to have powerful calming effects on the inflammation response and can cause it to decline. Among them are herbs and spices such as ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, red pepper, black pepper, garlic, cilantro, and St John's Wort. Adding these spices and herbs into your diet can be a very good idea for people suffering from inflammation. Most of these herbs and spices can also be purchased in supplement form as well. I know a lot of people who take turmeric supplements for its various health benefits, beyond just anti inflammation. If you are eating a lot of snacks, fast foods, and processed foods, and you're also experiencing a lot of discomfort from inflammation, you might want to think about trying to cut out a lot of those foods from your diet and going for more natural foods. Of course, consult your doctor before making any big changes and if you're thinking about taking some sort of supplement. The anti inflammatory diet really seems to help a lot of people, and just going more natural seems to have positive overall health benefits also.
Foods that reduce inflammation can be a wonderful ally in your fight against inflammation. So can mangosteen juice for arthritis.
Saturday, 24 December 2011
Learning About Your Body - Why We Have an Appendix
The 'Useless' Appendix and Its Amazing Role
In a general sense, those parts of the immune system and the lymphatic system that are located in the intestinal tract help to detoxify anything harmful that may come along with the food you eat. Through highly sophisticated processes, these systems are able to separate useful nutrients from unusable waste matter. Some potentially harmful waste products or natural food toxins such as plant-antibodies enter the lymphatic ducts for detoxification and elimination. Most of the nutrient elements are passed through the walls of the small intestine into the bloodstream, which carries them to the liver for further processing, distribution and cell metabolism. Other more specific nutrients, though, can only be absorbed through the walls of the large intestine. These nutrients are meant for nourishing and maintaining the nervous system. Any nutrients, minerals, water and waste products that are not removed by the small intestines now enter the ascending colon, just above the appendix.
In traditional Indian and Chinese medicine, the appendix is known to play a vitally important role. It breeds large quantities of friendly, probiotic bacteria and supplies them to the colon and other parts of the gut in order to neutralize any harmful substances. The strategic location of the appendix allows these useful microorganisms to blend with the fluid fecal matter as it begins its passage through the large intestine. More than 400 strands of beneficial bacteria live in the human gastrointestinal tract. By attaching themselves to the lining of the gut, they can elbow out potentially troublesome bacteria, such as Candida Albicans. Balanced populations of the friendly, probiotic bacteria in the gut effectively prevent vaginal and urinary tract infections. They also discourage tumors, particularly cancerous growths in the colon, either by emitting protective chemicals or by inhibiting the production of compounds that nurture cancers. A diminished population of probiotic bacteria, as caused for example by antibiotics, alcohol or junk foods exposes the gastrointestinal lining numerous toxins. This leads to an overstimulated immune system and, thereby, causes asthma, allergies and eczema.
Until very recently, doctors believed that the appendix has no real use or function. In 2005, 321,000 Americans were hospitalized with appendicitis. Removal of the appendix is one of the most commonly performed surgeries. Now, researchers comprised of surgeons and immunologists at Duke University Medical School say the appendix is there to protect the gut, which is not a small job by any means. This worm-shaped organ outgrowth acts like a bacteria factory, cultivating good germs, according to their study, published in the Journal of Theoretical Biology, October 2007.
Apparently, according to the 'new' discovery (which Ayurveda has known for 6,000 years), the function of the appendix seems related to the massive amount of bacteria populating the human digestive system. Most of the trillions of bacteria in the human body are beneficial and help digest food. But sometimes the flora of bacteria in the intestines die or are purged or are overtaken by destructive bacteria. Given the high number of congested colons and inflamed appendixes, this is a common phenomenon today. The appendix "acts as a good safe house for bacteria," said Duke surgery professor Bill Parker, a study co-author. Also, the worm-shaped organ outgrowth acts like a bacteria factory, cultivating the good germs, Parker said. The appendix's job is to reboot the digestive system.
For all practical purposes, and supported by the cleansing action of the bile from the liver, the appendix's job is to keep the colon neat and clean. If large quantities of undigested and decomposed foods reach this part of the intestines, congestion occurs. The intestinal congestion is followed by microbial infestation (through destructive bacteria), which can lead to thickening of the protective mucus membrane and ulceration of the intestinal wall. If microbial growth increases further, the appendix may become inflamed and even burst, undermining proper performance of the colon in the future. Removing the appendix can have long-term consequences for colon health and, as explained below, the health of the entire body. In most cases of an inflamed appendix, fasting for a few days and cleaning out the colon (colema, colosan, or colonic irrigation) can save it.
As opposed to the more continuous peristalsis of the small intestines, fecal contents are propelled into the large intestine (now commonly referred to as the 'colon') by periodic mass movements. These mass movements occur one to three times per day in this final section of the gastrointestinal tract. Once they have reached the rectum, the fecal matter stretches the nerve endings in the rectal walls and causes a reflex urge for a bowel movement.
The large intestine no longer breaks down food in this stage of digestion. It simply absorbs vitamins that are created by the bacteria inhabiting the colon. The large intestine is essential for absorbing water and compacting the feces.
The whole digestive and eliminative process - from the ingestion of food to the bowel movement - should ideally take approximately 20-24 hours, depending on the types of food eaten and also on the time of day when the food was consumed. However, in the majority of the population, the passage of food through the large intestine alone takes 25 hours or more. This condition is called constipation. I have had numerous patients who reported having a bowel movement only once every 2-5 days. In extreme cases, there was only 1 movement per week or 10 days. On the other hand, many people have bowel movements 3-4 times per day, and in some extreme cases, there may be up to 16 loose evacuations; these individuals cannot keep food in the body longer than 3 to 12 hours. Since most of the ingested food is not digested properly, it decomposes through the help of destructive bacteria. This is so irritating to the intestinal wall, that the body discharges it as fast and as often as possible. Consequently, waste eliminations are far too excessive and frequent.
Having regular bowel movements once or twice a day by itself does not necessarily indicate good digestion either. It's the quality of the eliminated waste that counts, and the seemingly unimportant appendix makes certain the waste is non-toxic and does not contaminate and harm the intestine.
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[This is an excerpt from the book TIMELESS SECRETS OF HEALTH & REJUVENATION by Andreas Moritz]
Andreas Moritz is a writer and practitioner in the field of Integrative Medicine. He is the author of 13 books ( http://www.ener-chi.com/book.htm ) on various subjects pertaining to holistic health, including 'The Amazing Liver and Gallbladder Flush', 'Heart Disease, No More', 'Diabetes, No More' and 'Cancer Is Not a Disease, it's a Survival Mechanism'.
'Vaccine-Nation: Poisoning the Population, One Shot at a Time' is his most recent book.
Moritz is also the creator of Ener-Chi Art and Sacred Santémony. Much of his life's work has been dedicated to understanding and treating the root causes of illness, and helping the body, mind, spirit and heart to heal naturally.
Connect with Andreas at: http://www.facebook.com/enerchi.wellness
Copyright © 2011 Andreas Moritz
Thursday, 22 December 2011
Celebrity Fitness for the Rest of Us
Many people have an empty jealousy of Hollywood celebrities: they claim that if they were born with the same genetics, and were luckily enough to run into the right producer at a party, they would have the same fame. Like with many endeavors, these people are overestimating how much luck the successful have and underestimating how much work goes into becoming and staying that successful. Celebrity fitness is an ongoing challenge for those who are famous and being constantly judged on their looks, and there are good lessons to be learned for those of us who are not Hollywood icons.
For one, many actors have had to do extreme workouts to get in proper shape for their movie roles. There have been cases where an actor has had to get thin to the point of being unhealthy for one role, then needed to put on pounds of muscle for another role shortly afterward.
These results are way beyond what most people need to achieve to reach their goals, and the process of earning them is no simple matter no matter how genetically blessed these actors are. Each of their workouts required serious commitment, which non-celebrities also need to put in for best results.
Celebrity fitness is made easier by several advantages that most of us do not have. These include dedicated personal trainers and nutritionists, who ensure that the actor works out efficiently and also replenishes the body with the right mix of protein and other nutrients between sessions to get the most benefit out of training. Those without access to these experts need to master the knowledge themselves, which is fortunately easier than many people suspect.
The first step is choosing an effective workout program. There are a number of good choices out there that emulate the challenge of celebrity training without needing quite as much time investment. One quality option is CrossFit, which gives a daily rotation through a number of different exercises to thoroughly train different muscle groups. Another is P90X, which has a set cycle of exercises that you repeat while favoring various muscle groups and training conditions.
There are plenty of other choices, and the important point is to pick one type of training program and follow through. The biggest mistake of most people aiming to get fit is haphazardly jumping from method to method without putting in the time to see real results. Meanwhile, typical celebrity workouts are focused on having the actor follow the same ideology consistently until they are in the shape that they need for a role.
The other key aspect of effective physical training is managing nutrition. While odds are that you do not have access to a personal chef, you can find a good diet to follow for building strength and getting lean. One popular choice for fitness elites is the Paleo diet, which focused entirely on the types of food available when our metabolisms evolved in our primitive days: lean meats, organic fruits and vegetables, no processed foods and grains, etc.
As with choosing a fitness program, there are a number of options that will work. The zone diet has worked well for many, as well as following simpler systems of eating a certain amount of protein each day and a controlled limit of fat and carbs. Your challenge is to research these choices and pick one that you can maintain over time.
While the rich and famous have advantages in this area, celebrity fitness is something that can be matched by anyone with the drive to research and choose good systems, then stick to them through the pain periods. Focus on the basics of exercise and nutrition, then follow through until you reach your goals.
Cody Everette has been a fitness enthusiast for years, and has tried out a number of workout programs as well as diets. His current favorite is CrossFit, though he keeps an open mind for new ideas and concepts to work with.
Celebrity Fitness
Why Study Celebrity Fitness?
Tuesday, 20 December 2011
Saturday, 17 December 2011
Thursday, 15 December 2011
Exhaust - It's More Than Smoke and Loud Tail Pipes
Most people climb into their car each morning, start it up and drive away. As long as the vehicle starts and sounds alright, we don't consider the small details about the different systems that make up the entire car. However, the moment something begins to sound funny or act funny we become more interested in those minor details and parts.
The one system that makes the most noise when it malfunctions is the exhaust system. When this system develops a hole or other problem with it, the noise can't be ignored. However, it can also be a more subtle issue. A damaged exhaust system will interfere with the car's performance by failing to get rid of the harmful elements from the engine. Exhaust that can't get away can release carcinogens into the atmosphere and even post a health threat if not found soon enough.
Vehicle exhaust systems carry away the gases that are created when the fuel and air are burned in the combustion chamber. These gases are harmful to humans and our environment thus the laws regarding emissions in highly populated areas. In larger cities all the traffic means a higher concentration of these harmful gases are released into the air every single day. It is in the best interest of everyone living and working in these areas to have every vehicle be performing at peak levels without having a high emission rating. That might be why in many larger cities we don't see very many really old worn out vehicles, they can't pass an emissions test.
The exhaust system is made up of many different parts and each one has a specific job to do but they also have different ways they can go bad. The worst problem for the entire system though is corrosion or rust. Rust is caused by moisture reacting with the iron in the steel forming iron oxide. Moisture is present in the exhaust as a by-product of combustion and the catalytic converter. It can also come from the outside elements and conditions of rain and snow. If you notice a car idling during the winter usually you will see little drips of moisture dripping off the end of the exhaust pipe. Over time, rust can eat a hole in the exhaust system causing it to be much less efficient and much noisier too. This is because rust weakens the spot welds that hold the heat shields to the exhaust system. When the weld fails, the shield comes loose just enough to vibrate and produce a rattle or buzz that reverberates throughout the entire vehicle. The noise may only be heard at certain engine rpms or when slowing down. If you live in an area which uses salt on the roadways during the winter time, it is vitally important to wash the underside of the car with water every few weeks to rinse off the salt. Salt speeds up the corrosion process. It is also important to run the engine after washing to dry all the water off the outside of the pipes.
Rust isn't the only problem that can bring about serious issues with your exhaust system. If a vehicle has been getting poor fuel economy or has a loss of power, the exhaust system might have an internal restriction or blockage. These restrictions can be caused by damaged or crushed pipes, or collapsed baffles inside a muffler. However, the most common cause often turns out to be a plugged catalytic converter. The catalytic converter converts harmful carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons to water vapor and carbon dioxide and is mounted between the exhaust manifold and the muffler. If you take the converter off and look into it with a bright light, you should be able to see all the way through it, if you can't then it is plugged and needs replacing.
The muffler does just what its name indicates; it muffles the exhaust noise down to acceptable levels. Most of the time mufflers rust through and need to be replaced. They also can become loosely attached; you know the sound of the muffler bouncing off the curb you just drove over. Then there is the sound of leaving the muffler behind entirely, the engine noise gets so loud you can't hear yourself think. Muffler's come in a variety of costs, some legitimate parts and some aftermarket. Very definitely with the mufflers, buying the cheapest one out there also buys the least amount of time between muffler repairs and problems. If you do have to replace the muffler, be sure you check the pipes around it and make sure they are in good condition. Pipes can appear to be fine on the outside and be rusting away on the inside so be sure to check both out and inside of pipes.
All modern fuel injected vehicles use an oxygen sensor to measure how much oxygen is present in the exhaust. From this the computer can add or subtract fuel to obtain the correct mixture for maximum fuel economy. This little sensor can also be the cause of a persistent check engine light. While it is small it can cause a few problems with the overall performance of the vehicle.
The main component of the entire exhaust system that links all the parts together is the exhaust pipe. This pipe carries the gas through its journey out your tail pipe. Exhaust tubing is usually made of steel but can also be stainless steel that actually lasts longer because it resists corrosion. It can even be aluminized steel which has a little better corrosion resistance than regular steel but not quite as good as the stainless steel has, but it is cheaper than stainless. These pipes should be tested by using a large pair of expandable pliers. The pliers will tell if the pipes are rotten or solid. If the pipe gives in when pressure is applied, it obviously needs replaced. Poking at rusted areas on the different areas of the entire system will also tell you if the corrosion is on the surface or if it goes all the way through the metal.
From the engine to the tail pipe there are lots of important areas that should be looked at once in a while. We sort of take our vehicles for granted and just make sure to add gasoline when necessary and occasionally make sure the oil level is ok. Other than that it's just a bunch of details. But details are important too. Especially details that either improve or lower gas mileage and even details that make the air we breathe dangerous. We need to be aware that the exhaust system is one such detail; it needs some attention once in a while. It is possible to give it a quick look see ourselves, but for a more thorough inspection we can take it to the local auto repair center and have them look it over. It is easier for the professionals to look under there because they can lift the car off the ground. All the "do-it-yourself" people have to crawl under the car and see what they can see. As vehicles age things begin to take on a less than shiny appearance. It is important to know which things need attention and which things might be best off replaced.
It is also very important to note that even a small exhaust leak that causes exhaust gases to get inside the vehicle can affect a driver's judgment and perception. As little as 0.08 percent carbon monoxide (that's only 800 parts per million) can cause dizziness, headaches, nausea, and bring on stupor in two hours. A one percent concentration level of carbon monoxide can kill a person in less than three minutes. Carbon monoxide isn't only found in your basement, it is part of your vehicles exhaust. Frequent check of your exhaust system is a must to ensure you and your family's safety.
All in that entire vehicle on four wheels can get you where you are going, but it needs maintenance too. Regular maintenance can help prevent major problems down the road. To help guarantee that your vehicle starts every morning and every evening and gets you safely to each destination, take a few moments to make sure it is in good condition from the engine to the tail pipe. It's all in the details.
D. Leonhardt writes for Good Works Auto Repair in Tempe, AZ and Mesa, AZ. We provide honest, professional car maintenance and treat you like family. Visit us at http://www.goodworksautorepair.com/ to set up and appointment today.
Tuesday, 13 December 2011
Saturday, 10 December 2011
Benefits of Having a Mobile Personal Trainer
There are many benefits to having a personal mobile trainer who will come to you to train you rather than you having to go to the gym. You can have the trainer come to your home or meet them at a park if you want to get out and enjoy the fresh air. When you are busy rushing to and from work, you really don't need another appointment to travel to the gym.
Mobile personal training may seem rather more costly than you would like, but remember that you don't have to pay gym fees. Often you join a gym only to find that you then also have to hire a trainer to teach you how to use the equipment. Then if you get sick and miss a few weeks you don't get any money back on the cost of your subscription. Add to that the cost of fuel to get to the gym and possibly even the cost of parking and you will realise that a gym membership is really costly. In fact, you may even have to pay a babysitter to look after the children while you are at the gym.
But when you have a personal mobile trainer you don't have such worries. You can oversee the children while still doing all those exercises that the trainer has prepared for you. Better still, you can have peace of mind that those exercises are the ones that will help you to reach your fitness goals more quickly. If you have to exercise on your own at the gym, how do you know you are doing the right kind of exercises? Not all exercises work on all areas of the body.
Having a trainer come to you saves you a great deal of time. Not having to travel to the gym could easily save you several hours a week and that is time that can be spent in actually doing the exercises. So if you are already really busy and don't know how you could fit in visiting a gym, think of the time you will save by having a mobile trainer.
Another pertinent point is that often those gyms are full of people and that means there are many different body odours as people start to sweat as they exercise. This often makes the atmosphere a little unpleasant. Moreover, people cannot help their sweat dripping onto the machines that you are waiting to use. It is not a bit pleasant to have to use a machine that is damp from someone else's perspiration.
And finally, if you are really out of shape it is sometimes quite embarrassing to appear in front of others and know they are watching you as you struggle to do those exercises. You feel totally embarrassed as you see them smile when your flab bobs up and down. With a personal trainer there is no chance of this happening. The personal trainer is used to working with plump people and takes pride in helping them gain the body shape of their dreams.
Dex has worked in the health and fitness industry now for over 20 years and has some great first hand advice on personal training, personal trainer activities, mobile personal training and outdoor fitness.
Thursday, 8 December 2011
Monday, 5 December 2011
The Best Secrets Of Healthy Living
The secrets of leading a healthy life are not undisclosed. Everyone knows them; they have heard of them, they know them but they don't follow them until it becomes absolutely necessary to. Basically, it comes down to the two important things - physical health and mental fitness. Only when body and soul are in harmony with each other and nature, you will live a life free of illnesses and fatigues.
Not Too Much And Not Too Less
Too much of everything is disastrous to the body. Doctors advise people to keep a balanced diet - involve fruits and vegetables and dissuade from the bad habit of eating junk food because that is what it is - junk. The worst thing you can do is block your arteries with cholesterol and make it difficult for your heart to pump blood. So, the first secret to the healthy body is eating right, in right amounts and at the right time. Instead of heavy meals three times a day, one can always take 6 small meals in a day. Simple.
Exercise Your Way Out
Come to think of it, exercise not only keeps you fit; obviously it maintains your weight and keeps it in check but it is also a way to let out your pent up frustration. Argument with your boss? Go for a run! It will help you de-stress yourself and also keep you healthy. People have been preaching that exercises are good for health; they have tremendous benefits and they can prolong your life. All of it is true. But what people lack is motivation to actually put on their running shoes and go to the gym. Once you find that drive inside you, you will make sure your body is healthy and your mind is free of all the negative thoughts.
Smile, Please
There is nothing better for the heart and mind than a good ounce of laughter. Happiness is what you feel inside - no one can teach you how to be happy. But it is also a primary factor in governing your mental health. Let's face it, there are a lot of worries in the world, and then there is stress, exhaustion, depression and a lot more bad things. Keeping your spirits up despite all the troubles in the world is the real success. Once you start being happy, you will start staying healthy. In any case, cutting off from the world, not socializing and working every minute of the day is unhealthy. Ask anyone!
Find out more on Health & Diseases and learn more about healthy living Healthy Living.
Saturday, 3 December 2011
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