GuidanceLine

Cosmetics make you attractive, but some of the ingredients in your cosmetics and personal care products may be killing you!

If you’re like most Americans, you may be unknowingly poisoning yourself and your family everyday with the many cancer-causing ingredients in today’s cosmetics, toiletries and personal care products. Makeup, shampoo, hair coloring products, baby powder (Yes, baby powder!), shaving cream, mouthwash and toothpaste are just a few of the products that contain cancer-causing ingredients.

But don’t despair! In just a minute, you’ll know what products to avoid and how to choose those that are safe for you and your family.

You may be asking yourself, “Why do I have to check the ingredients to see if they’re safe? Doesn’t the government do this?” The answer is: Well, kind of…, but not really!

The truth is the cosmetics industry is very poorly regulated. With the exception of a handful of extremely toxic chemicals, manufacturers can put almost anything in their cosmetics without testing to see if the ingredients are harmful. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can only make suggestions or recommendations to manufacturers about cosmetic products or their ingredients, but the manufacturers don’t have to follow them.

To make matters worse, most products are labeled to “sell” rather than to provide accurate information. Words like “natural” and “hypoallergenic” (which give us a nice warm feeling about the product and persuade us to believe that a product is safe) do not have official definitions. This means the manufacturers can use them to mean anything they want and not get in trouble with the regulatory agencies. This often leads to misleading information on the label…and more sales.

Here’s a rogue’s list of ingredients in cosmetics, toiletries and personal care products you should avoid:

Fragrances. Each fragrance can have up to 600 different ingredients which are not required to be listed on the label. Even if you’re not sensitive to fragrances, it’s wise to avoid them because they often have hazardous ingredients and there’s no way of knowing if they do.

Preservatives. Many preservatives contain or release formaldehyde which is a carcinogen, neurotoxin, irritant and sensitizer. These include DMDM hydantoin, Imidazolidinyl urea, Diazolidinyl urea, quaternium 15, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate and bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol). Other preservatives that may also cause reactions include the parabens, methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone.

Talc. It may contain carcinogenic contaminants and products containing talc, including baby powder, should never be used on babies and children.

Artificial colors. Many of them cause cancer. Most of the D&C and FD&C colors are derived form coal tar, a known cancer-causing agent.

Silica. By itself, silica is not harmful, but it’s often contaminated with crystalline silica which causes cancer. Manufacturers are not required to list contaminants so you’ll never see it on the label.

How big of a threat are contaminants to you and your family? From 1978 to 1980, the FDA analyzed 300 cosmetic samples for carcinogenic contamination. Forty percent of the samples analyzed contained carcinogens. Things actually got worse the next time they analyzed cosmetic samples. In 1991-92, they found that 65% of the cosmetic products sampled contained carcinogenic contaminants. Most recently, in 2004, the Environmental Working Group evaluated 7,500 personal care products for safety. They found that “nearly 70% of all products contain ingredients that can be contaminated with impurities linked to cancer and other health problems.”

Polysorbate 60 or 80, polyoxyethylene, polyethylene, polyethylene glycol, PEG, anything ending in “-eth,” such as sodium laureth sulfate. These ingredients may be contaminated with cancer-causing 1,4-dioxane, which is easily absorbed through the skin. Again, manufacturers are not required to tell you about the contaminants.

Diethanolamine (DEA) and triethanolamine (TEA). These two ingredients are found in many cosmetic and personal care products. Even though they don’t cause cancer by themselves you should avoid all products that contain them because DEA and TEA can react with nitrites to form nitrosamines which can cause cancer. The tricky thing is that nitrites can be present as a contaminant and not listed on the label. So there’s no way of knowing whether or not a product with DEA or TEA ingredients is contaminated with the cancer-causing nitrosamines.

Propylene glycol and sodium lauryl sulfate. These are common ingredients in shampoos and they’re both toxic. Propylene glycol is a skin irritant which causes kidney and liver damage. Sodium laurel sulfate causes genetic damage.

So what’s the bottom line? Even though a great many cosmetics and personal care products are harmful, there are products that are safe and healthy to use. But you’re the one who needs to know what cosmetic and personal care products you’re using are safe. The way the current regulations are structured, the government simply cannot protect you. Their hands are tied. According to John Bailey, Ph.D., director of the FDA’s Office of Cosmetics and Colors, “Consumers believe that ‘if it’s on the market, it can’t hurt me,’ and this belief is sometimes wrong.”

Knowing how to read and interpret the ingredient label on cosmetics, toiletries and personal care products is a powerful shield. But the manufacturers are fighting back. They’re designing packaging with seductive designs to make it look like their products are healthy and made from natural ingredients. Don’t be fooled by the fancy packaging and persuasive words like “natural,” “gentle” and “hypoallergenic.” When you read the label, you’ll probably find that is not the case.

As you might suspect, there are more ingredients that can harm you. But if you start avoiding products with the above ingredients, you may find that you and your family feel better and more energetic, allergic reactions may disappear, and your risk for cancer will, most definitely, be decreased.

Beginners just learning to play tennis are going to face a lot of frustration. It takes time and patience to start getting the hang of things. The most importing thing, however, is to avoid beginner mistakes so that you can minimize the frustration to a minimal level. I am going to share with you 5 tennis tips for beginners that will help you get started the right way.

One. The first tennis tip for beginners is not to try too hard. Yes, do not try to hard at first even if your coach tells you to. It is common to try too hard to get a better result, but that is often not the case in tennis. If you find that you are having trouble with a stroke or technique, try softening your grip and muscles and don’t worry about hitting the ball perfect at first until you have the technique down. It takes time to get the required skills to play tennis. Start with normal soft hits at first.

Two. The second tip is try not to have any expectations. If you find that you are expecting a certain result every time you will find yourself getting more and more frustrated. You will develop at your own pace so try not to stress over it. It will all come to you in time but if you start expecting certain results you can set yourself back.

Three. Next I want you to realize that there are no mistakes, only feedback. If you shoot the ball into the net hit the ball higher next time. You don’t need to complicate things live follow through, with your knees, or other things as this will come naturally.

Four. This tip involves movement. No matter what is happening on the other side of the court I want you to constantly be moving. You can jog, make small hops, dance, or whatever you must do to keep moving. Standing still will only make your movements more stiff and you will have a harder time getting to the ball and making a good shot. Keep Moving!

Five. This last tip is my favorite. It is to wait. Wait and be patient because it will take time for all of this to start making sense to your brain. It takes time for your brain to adjust to all of the information that you are feeding it. When you get instruction to do a certain shot, do your best then wait. The result will come soon enough, I promise!

So, this concludes my 5 tennis tips for beginners. If you are serious and want to learn how to play tennis the right way, you need to have proper instruction and training.

Individuals of all age groups follow fitness programs. The younger generation follows them to maintain and develop health. However, even older people are making sure that they are not left behind.

Doctors and physicians advise older people to opt for senior fitness programs. These programs are specifically designed to cater to the needs of aging individuals. Exercise has become mandatory for senior people who are suffering from diseases such as osteoporosis or arthritis. These fitness programs offer exercises that are safe for senior citizens to follow.

The main aim of these programs is to improve cardiovascular fitness. They also help to improve strength and flexibility of different muscles and tendons. These programs also help individuals fight chronic diseases. In short, they ensure the overall well being of the individual. Fitness programs are designed after taking into consideration risk factors, doctor’s recommendations and personal interests. Most fitness clubs require a fitness certificate from doctors for senior members.

The program works first from the consultation level where individuals are suggested a program after taking into consideration the medical history of the person. Health risk assessment is also done at this level. The next step is evaluation. Blood pressure, flexibility and strength are monitored during this stage. Individual capacities are assessed and guidelines for the program are set. At the instructional level, the individual is passed through a progressive exercise program that slowly increases in intensity. The sessions include warm-up exercises, followed by aerobic conditioning. The individuals would also be trained in strength training and stabilizing exercises. If a person does not enjoy the exercising, personal fitness programs can be designed.

Research has proved that senior fitness programs have helped people considerably by ensuring an active life during old age. It helps in dealing with chronic ailments such as arthritis that otherwise impair normal activities. It improves stamina and immunity to various diseases. Older people find senior fitness programs beneficial in maintaining weight. They are able to live healthier lives due to these fitness programs.

The number one problem the average golfer encounters with their golf game is slicing the golf ball. We’ve all been through it. Some players will even aim their drive to the extreme left side of the fairway to try and compensate for it going way over to the right side. By simply correcting your golf slice you will cut several strokes off your scorecard.

Many golfers will spend years living in frustration with their golf game because they never take the time to learn why they slice the golf ball, or how to fix the problem. If you ever expect to become a better golfer, you must learn how to correct your slice. Listed below are some tips that will help anyone cure a slicing problem.

A Good Stance

The right stance should put your feet about as wide as your shoulders. Be sure your shoulders are aligned to the target you’re aiming for. If you are questioning whether or not you’re lined up to the target, lay a golf club down on the ground against your toes. See if it is aiming at your target. If not, simply adjust your stance so that you’re lined up correctly. Your right foot should be straight ahead and your left foot should be pointing a little to the left.

Be sure your elbows are natural and comfortable. Keep in mind that even minor adjustments or changes can make big differences of where your golf ball will end up. Be sure to spend time at the driving range practicing your stance. Make the changes you need to make to align yourself properly. This time will be well spent. You’ll be amazed at the results.

Grip The Golf Club Correctly

By adjusting your golf grip correctly, you can help cure a slice quickly. The proper grip will have your left hand and your thumb along the shaft. It should line up pointing toward your right eye. Next, wrap your right hand over your left and be sure your right palm is sitting over your left thumb.

Another common problem is gripping the golf club tightly with your right hand. This will cause you to hook the ball. On the flipside, a weak grip will keep the clubface open and cause you to slice.

To correct your golf slice that is caused by a weak grip is to roll your hands back so that your weaker back hand faces the target and your stronger back hand faces in the opposite direction. This grip will eliminate your slice.

By going to the driving range and practicing this new golf grip you will know immediately if this is what has been causing you to slice the golf ball. Be sure to take your time and make small adjustments to your grip. This may sound too simple, but an improper golf grip is the cause to most slicing problems. By changing your grip you may be able to correct your slice in a quick amount of time.

Good Swing Mechanics

Correcting your golf swing mechanics is yet another good cure to fixing a golf slice. A correct backswing begins with your hands, followed by your arms and then your shoulders, all in one fluid motion.

The right downswing starts by turning your hips, keeping your eyes focused on the golf ball and your head should be behind the ball as you go into your follow through.

Once you begin practicing using these tips on the driving range, you’ll quickly overcome any slicing problem you may have. Getting good at golf is simply a matter of practice and developing good habits. Tiny changes have a way of producing big results. In a short amount of time you will see yourself saying goodbye banana ball and hello green!

Vagina Shaving is really a serious thing because it is a very sensitive area and any mistake could lead to extensive bleeding. It takes a lot of carefulness to perform vagina shaving. The vaginal area becomes ultra sensitive, just before, during and after the menstrual cycle. So, it is better to perform vagina shaving after the periods for this area.

Women often seriously injured themselves while shaving vagina shaving when they are not fully awake. Many women do it while standing in the tub or taking a shower with one leg up, with taking support of something not slipper. Some women use a toilet seat. It is easy to reach all of vagina and it makes the shaving easy.

Before the shaving, the hairs should be trimmed down to stubble using a scissors or a hair trimmer. This will show the shaving progress clearly and also the hairs will not stick in the razor.

Shaving should not be done with dry hairs. As the skin cells are dead on dry skin. They just scrap into the hair follicles at the time of shaving. It is really a worse combination as dry hair is tough and pubic hair is coarse, which makes the shaving impossible. The hairs will break more often at the time of shaving. It causes severs skin irritations.

A long hot shower or bath can be taken. A moisturizer should be applied to open the skin pores. The moisturizer should be remained on the hairs and skin for several minutes. Hairs down there are coarser, it will make the shaving easy.

A new blade should only be used with a good quality razor.

The shaving should be performed in the direction the hair growth. It should be started at the back of the vagina, first the sides should be done and then the front. After removing the bulk, shaving should be performed against the hair growth. This gives very close and clean vagina shave.

Too much pressure should not be applied on the razor and also repeated strokes should be avoided on the same area.

The hairs just inside the major labia lips should be pulled tautly with one hand while slowly moving the razor. This part of the shaving should be given very-very careful attention.

After the shaving the vagina should be washed with cold water. The lubricant should be rinsed off completely.

A skin moisturizer should be applied to smooth the skin and some good powder for dryness. Scented products should be avoided.

If you’re primary goal with your workout program right now is to build muscle, you may see the most results from actually performing fewer gym workouts and spending less time in the gym for each session. Sound like a completely backwards approach? Read on to see why this is the case.

More Available Calories

You likely already know that the body requires so many calories to build new muscle tissue. If your daily intake is not high enough, you aren’t going to see the results you’re looking for regardless of how great your program is.

Further, as you continually build muscle, you will require even more calories to keep the muscle growth coming.

Now, if you are in the gym six days a week for an hour or two each time, think about how many calories this is burning.

Unless you are replacing these calories with more food, plus enough food to create that caloric surplus, your efforts to build muscle will be shorted.

While the simple solution may seem to be that you should just eat more calories, it’s not quite that simple. Once you’re already at an intake of 4000 calories a day, adding more on top of this can be a

challenge.

More Time To Get Stronger

The second BIG reason why fewer gym sessions can be a good thing is because when you lift weights, you are actually not getting stronger. No, in fact, you are getting weaker!

During a weight lifting session the body is breaking down its muscle fiber tissues in response to the stress - you lifting weights, that is being placed upon it.

It is when you rest that you actually build yourself back stronger. The muscle tissue will start to repair itself, making each fiber larger and stronger so that if it encounters that same stimulus again, it can handle it.

With more time to do this, you will be sure you fully complete this process each and every workout thus seeing better results from your bodybuilding program.

More Motivation

Let’s face it. Going to the gym for 5-10 hours a week takes a lot of dedication. If you aren’t getting superb results, are you going to continually devote this much of your time each week? Motivational issues are something that everyone experiences from time to time and the more time you are spending in the gym, the harder this is going to affect you.

By doing fewer and shorter sessions in the gym right from the get-go, you’ll find that your motivational levels stay higher all the time thus this doesn’t become that much of an issue for you.

So, if you currently feel like your gym is your home away from home, you may want to look at the big picture here and reconsider your training principles.

Shorter, intense workouts with plenty of rest in between have been proven time and time again to be the number one technique for building muscle.

Of the thousand and one weight-loss schemes, there are fast ways to lose weight. Of those there are the quick fixes that will get you the figure you want immediately. But you should be aware of the caveats attached to them.

Going under the needle is unarguably one of the fast ways to lose weight. Of course it is very expensive and have associated risks as with any surgical operation, but it’s easy and has a lasting effect.

Dieting on juice and cabbage soup is one of the certified quick ways to lose weight as well. However at best, they are only a temporary weight loss method.

There are other safer but also fast ways to lose weight. The results they give may not be as dramatic as those mentioned above but they are immensely healthier for your well being.

One of the fast ways to lose fat is to start with what you’re eating. Cutting your calorie intake say from 2,200 calories daily to 1,200 calories will surely make a big difference. Just make sure that you’re keeping healthy and nutritious food in your daily diet. Also try to break up big meals into smaller ones throughout the day to keep a fast-paced metabolism.

Choosing the right food is also considered one of the quick ways to shed pounds. Read food labels and determine the nutritional value of the food you’re about to purchase. Watch out for excessive sugar, salt and fat content. Aside from that, learn about the ingredients used in food because it can make a huge impact on your health plan.

Engaging in physical activity is also among the foolproof fast ways to lose body fat. If you’re a health buff, hit the gym on a regular basis and stick to your workout plan. If you’re not a fan of the health club, create your own workout regimen at home. Whether at home or the gym, the crucial thing is to stick to your exercise routine.

Avoid being idle. Remain active at all times even if you’re at home, school or work is one of the fast ways to lose weight. Walk short distances instead of driving. These minor physical exertions make a difference.

Ditch the quick fixes and choose fast ways to lose weight that won’t jeopardize your health.