Pro Advice
March 10, 2016

WHAT ARE YOU FEEDING YOUR SKIN?

​Aesthetician- Rachel Sharoff

Aesthetician- Rachel Sharoff

SKINTOLOGY SKIN AND LASER CENTER SERVES UP SOME COMPLEXION SAVING ADVICE

Want truly fabulous skin — glowing, vibrant, and younger looking skin? Make sure you’re putting foods for healthy skin on your plate. “Everything you eat becomes a part of not only your inner being, but the outer fabric of your body as well. The healthier the foods are that you consume, the better your skin will look,” says Rachel Sharoff, a licensed aesthetician at Skintology Skin and Laser Center in Manhattan. The reverse is true as well. The less attention we pay to what goes in our mouth, the more problems we may see cropping up with our skin. “You could have sallow, dry and older-looking skin. It’s not going to happen overnight, but starve your skin long enough, and it’s going to show,” says Rachel Sharoff. What’s more, some health experts believe that when your diet is missing certain foods for healthy skin, other, even more serious skin problems can result. Sharoff points out that, “a number of conditions, such as acne, can cause you to suddenly break out. And some chronic skin conditions, such as eczema, may be linked to diet.”

Berries
Strawberries, blueberries and blackberries pack high amounts of antioxidants. Antioxidants help block “free radicals,” such as the sun’s rays, from damaging skin cells. But don’t toss your sunscreen. Eating berries is an extra step you can take to help protect your skin from damage and prevent premature aging. “Free radicals; like the kind formed from sun exposure damage the membrane of skin cells, potentially allowing damage to the DNA of that cell,” says Rachel. The antioxidants and other phytochemicals in these fruits can protect the cell, so there is less chance for damage.” When you help protect the cells from damage and disintegration, you also guard against premature aging. In this respect, these fruits may very well help keep your skin younger looking longer,” says Rachel.

Sweet Potatoes
Vegetables such as sweet potatoes contain beta-carotene and vitamins A and C — a good formula for beautiful skin. These nutrients can help retain skin moisture and prevent dryness.

Low-Fat Dairy
One the most important components of skin health is vitamin A. One of the best places to get it is low-fat dairy products. In fact, experts say that the health of our skin cells is dependent on dietary vitamin A. “The A in dairy products is true A, so everyone’s skin can use it,” says Rachel Sharoff. She adds, “low-fat yogurt is not only high in vitamin A, but also acidophilus, the “live” bacteria that is good for intestinal health. It may also have an impact on the skin. Anything that helps keep digestion normal, any live bacteria or enzymes, is also going to be reflected in healthy-looking skin.”

Salmon, Walnuts, Canola Oil, and Flax Seed
These seemingly unrelated foods all deliver essential fatty acids, and thus are key foods for healthy skin. Essential fatty acids are responsible for healthy cell membranes, which is not only what act as barriers to harmful things but also as the passageway for nutrients to cross in and out and for waste products to get in and out of the cell. Rachel Sharoff explains that, “Because it is the cell membrane that also holds water in, the stronger that barrier is the better your cells can hold moisture. And that means plumper, younger looking skin.” The same inflammatory process that can harm our arteries and cause heart disease can harm skin cells. Essential fatty acids can offer protection to both. The best-known essential fatty acids are omega 3 and omega 6, which must be in balance for good health (and good skin). Though we all seem to get enough omega 6, Stuart says many people lack omega 3s. Fish, walnut, and flax seed oil are among the best sources.

Oils
Oils can give your skin much needed moisture. Just make sure you’re using healthy oils, such as olive oil. Adding just 2 tablespoons a day to your diet will help keep your skin properly lubricated and healthy.

Whole Grains
The mineral selenium is an antioxidant found in whole-grain products. Selenium can help control cell damage that can lead to skin cancer. Filling up on whole grains will help you avoid refined white flour and starchy foods that can increase your insulin levels. High insulin levels can induce inflammation and irritate your skin.

Green Tea
This beverage deserves its own category in any article about foods for healthy skin. The skin-health properties in this beneficial drink just can’t be beat. “It has anti-inflammatory properties, and it’s protective to the cell membrane. It may even help prevent or reduce the risk of skin cancer,” says Rachel Sharoff. Indeed, a study published recently in the Archives of Dermatology shows that whether taken orally or applied to the skin, green tea can reduce the risk of damage from ultraviolet light (such as the burning rays of the sun), and thus reduce the risk of skin cancer.

Water
While the exact amount you should drink each day varies, no one disputes the role good hydration plays in keeping skin looking healthy and even young. When that hydration comes from pure, clean water; not liquids such as soda or even soup, experts say skin cells rejoice. “It is my belief that our skin needs at least eight glasses every day,” says Rachel Sharoff. In addition to keeping cells hydrated, water helps cells move nutrients in and toxins out, which Rachel Sharoff says automatically leaves skin looking better. She adds that, “when we’re properly hydrated, we also sweat more efficiently.”
SOME COMMON MYTHS DEBUNKED

Chocolate Causes Acne
Fried foods don’t, either. There is no little pipeline that carries oil from your intestines to your skin. Oily foods have nothing to do with the skin’s oiliness, and oil isn’t the cause of acne, anyway. Acne occurs when testosterone and other hormones stimulate the growth of skin over pores so that the oil, sebum, that keeps the skin flexible and wrinkle-free, gets trapped inside. When bacteria degrade this oil, then there can be whiteheads, blackheads, and various kinds of inflammation.

Junk Food and Dark Colas Cause Acne
Experts agree that there is no evidence to support the claim that gorging on pizza and Coke leads to acne. However, if you notice that your acne flare up significantly after consuming certain foods or beverages, eliminate those items and watch your skin. You may have stumbled in your own free brand of treatment.

Vitamin A Prevents Acne
The Truth – Vitamin A is an important part of skin health. Basically, if you don’t have enough Vitamin A in your system, your sebaceous glands produce excess lipids, causing pimples, but if you have too much vitamin A, while your pimples might not be the issue, other parts of your body, like your liver, may be negatively affected. The optimal daily intake with food and supplementation is about 15,000 IU.
ABOUT SKINTOLOGY
Skintology Skin & Laser Center is an all-inclusive destination for all your beauty needs. Whether it’s laser hair removal, Botox injections or a hydrating facial, our trusted staff is dedicated to making your experience comfortable and pleasant. We offer customized treatments that are specifically designed for your skin type. Patient satisfaction is our top priority and we design treatments to produce the best results possible. Experienced Cosmetic Surgeons and Laser Technicians utilize the most advanced FDA approved laser technologies from renowned companies such as Cynosure, Candela, Lumenis, & Deka, to provide the most effective and safe treatments.

Locations: 157 East 57th Street, New York, NY
181 7th Avenue, New York, NY

For services offered at Skintology please visit www.skintologyny.com

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March 4, 2016

Learn These Tips to Select the New or Used Cars

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Are you planning to buy a car this year? Do you want to buy a new one or a used one will serve your purpose? Just take a pause and do some effective research before finally buying. Here are some tips that can help you to select the car which will be useful in the long run.

Create A Budget:   Budget creation must be the first and foremost activity before the initial planning, because car buying is an expensive venture. Make sure you can afford the car model you desire to buy. If you are obtaining an auto loan, your calculation must include the operating costs as well as the loan repayments. You can use budget calculation software, if you are not accustomed manually.

Shorten The List: You must have created a wish list of your favorite cars. Now, it is the time to narrow down your list according to your affordability. You can gather information from various sites and can compare the features of different cars. You must select cars which costs less than 5% of your monthly budget so that you can obtain some room for yourself. This gap may be utilized in covering the repairs, maintenance, car insurance, gas costs and the operating costs. You can maintain an electronic file to keep the details recorded carefully.

New or Used: After narrowing the list, you must decide whether you are going to buy the new car or the used one. The certified pre-owned cars can be more affordable than the new ones. For the used cars you are actually paying a higher interest rate, but obtaining more interesting features than the new cars. You can also choose the lease option for buying a high-end car, but should be careful about all the parameters of the lease.

Identify Ownership Costs: The auto research websites can help you in determining your actual ownership cost. You can calculate your fuel cost my measuring the total number of miles you generally drive in a year. You can call up your insurance agent to obtain the best quote for the car you are considering.

Secure Financing: Before going to a dealership store, you must secure your car financing with a credit union or bank. As soon as you visit the dealers, they will convince you to take the loan from a particular financer as they receive a flat fee or commission from them.

Identify The Invoice Price: While doing the negotiation for buying your car, you may keep the invoice price in your mind. Though you will keep a target that the sale price remains close to that number, remember that the dealers are serving costly efforts with lot of overheads. Therefore, they will definitely want to keep their profits.

While doing the research, you must be aware of all the possible discounts that can be availed for buying the car. When you are all set to buy, keep all your researched discounts in your mind. Your research will definitely help you to determine that whether you are being offered with the fair price or not.

Author Bio: Robert Jackman is a well known car dealer who sells certified pre-owned cars. In this article, he is providing some essential tips for buying new or pre-owned cars.

 

 

 

 

 

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February 26, 2016

How to limit your carbon footprint and drive cheaper

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The environment has suffered considerably the effect or careless use of resources and emission of toxic waste. Everyone has a role to play in ensuring they safeguard and utilize well what remains. You can play a role in environmental conservation efforts through many ways. A little goes a long way.

One of the ways that you can help is through thinking green when it comes to buying and using vehicles. Fuel emissions account for about 30% of greenhouse gases released into the environment. Therefore, making the right choices when it comes to choosing which vehicle to operate and how to operate it is essential.

Buying a car

Your choice of car is very important and there is a lot of variety in the market. In case you need to buy a car, buy new because newer vehicles pollute less due to more efficient systems in development than older models. Buying a new car also allows you to use it for longer without needing to buy another car.

Make sure the size of the car is tailored to your needs. Preferably, you should buy as small as possible, especially if you operate within a 50-mile radius on a daily basis. You can even share a car with neighbours and workmates to reduce the number of vehicles on the road. This will not only save you gas money but also reduce the amount of carbon dioxide the car releases into the environment daily.

Fuel efficiency is very important when it comes to buying a new car. What most people do not know is the fuel efficiency ratings for vehicles of the same size may vary by up to 45%.therefore, size alone is not enough of a determining factor.

Driving green

Once you have chosen the right vehicles, you also need to learn how to drive green. The following are some of the key things you need to do when travelling a cheap car journey.

  • Reducing weight on the tires also helps to reduce the fuel consumption. You should remove anything that is not necessary for the journey and try to pack light.
  • Roof racks cause much wind resistance, which also makes the vehicle use more fuel. If you are travelling over a long distance, you can remove them.
  • Under inflated tires, affect fuel consumption by up to 1% for every 6psi. Make sure you have the correct tire pressure before you start.
  • Proper vehicle maintenance is essential to keeping it at peak performance. You should always maintain and check your car before any long driving journey.
  • Drive with windows up to reduce drag and increase fuel consumption efficiency.
  • Limit air conditioning when it is not necessary as it also uses the fuel.
  • Driving at speeds of less than 60mph keeps your emissions as low as possible; it also costs you less fuel. When the vehicle is stationary, you should also switch off the engine.
  • Avoid harsh acceleration. Rapid braking not only wears out the vehicle but also increases fuel use by up to 30%.

Bio

Raphael Tucker, a researcher at the National Research Council has helped come up with various policies regarding pollution and motorists. You can read more about cheap car journeys here.

 

 

 

 

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February 24, 2016

Debt relief options: Understanding various forms of Debt Relief

 

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While some of us can responsibly deal with our debts, it is common to find a few people are drowning in unmanageable debt. There are individuals who found themselves in this situation due to spending imprudently. However, others are in unmanageable debt due to circumstances beyond their control. They include medical emergencies, unemployment, and other changes that were not predicted.

Monthly payments for credit cards, student loans, and mortgages can become burdens we are unable to cope with. Essentially, these debts are the reason why we live from paycheck to paycheck on a hand to mouth shoes string budget.

However, there are debt relief options that you can use to manage your debt and live a more organized lifestyle.

Debt relief services include:

  • Debt settlement
  • Debt consolidation
  • Debt management plan
  • Credit counseling
  • Bankruptcy

The above services are costly and often involve plenty of paper work. The terminology used in these services is complicated and unfamiliar to our daily lives. That is why you need to leave debt relief settlement options to professionals.

Debt settlement

Debt settlement is also known as debt negotiation or resolution. It involves a settlement company bargaining with your creditors the lump-sum settlements that you owe them. The principle used in debt settlement is reduction of the principle you own and the eventual settlement of the debt. The advantage of using debt settlement companies is that they have experience and expertise dealing with your creditor. You are assured that you will not find any hidden surprises that you may miss out when trying to settle the debt on your own.

The disadvantages of using debt settlement countries are that it is hard to find the right company. Additionally, it is costly to use the services of debt relief companies.

Debt consolidation

Debt consolidation is taking another loan that you can use to consolidate and pay off all other debts. The scenario is similar to “borrowing from Peter to pay Paul”. Debt consolidation seeks to combine all debts into one manageable monthly payment that helps reduced interest rate on the debts when not combined.

Advantage of using debt consolidation companies is that they are trained to find you the lowest monthly payment that is available through expert negotiation skills with the lenders. They are also experienced and trustworthy when dealing with money lending financial institutions.

There are two disadvantages to dealing with debt consolidation services. Some of the more successful debt consolidation companies charge you highly for their services and require a certain percentage of the money that they help you save. Additionally, finding a dependable debt consolidation company takes time, and some research.

Debt management

Using a debt management program, you can handle credit card bills, student loans, medical bills, unsecured credit lines, and department store cards. Essentially, you are looking to reduce monthly payments by gaining reprieve from interest rates. Late fees or penalties from creditors can also be prevented by using a debt management program.

The advantage of a debt management program is that it is efficient and organized, improves your credit score, and helps create a realistic budget. The only disadvantage is the enrollment and maintenance fee.

Credit counseling

You can work with credit counseling agencies to review your budget and help evaluate your debt relief alternatives. The advantages of using credit counseling agencies is that; most of them are free, they use certified counselors who arm you with practical knowledge on debt management and budgeting. Additionally, credit counselors make use of more than a phone call to sort out any financial issues you may have. However, it is always important to do your research as not all credit counseling agencies hire certified counselors.

Bankruptcy

In case your debt situation is dire, then you can file for chapter 7 bankruptcy. This procedure cancels your debts. Chapter 13 bankruptcy helps you set up a long repayment plan. The main goal for bankruptcy is giving you a fresh start from debt burdens.

The advantages of using bankruptcy as a debt management option include

  • Having professionals who understand the legal jargon
  • Having protection from creditor harassment
  • Having help with paperwork

The disadvantages include the attorney cost that you will incur. In addition, there are the legal fees that you have to cough up and the research you need to do in order to get the best attorney. Ensure you use referrals from friends, family members, and credit counselors you may know.

Author Bio

is a corporate tax attorney and credit counselor who specializes in helping people with their debt problems. In order to know more about debt relief and other services offered by Simon, you can find his articles on debt relief online.

 

 

 

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February 22, 2016

10 WAYS STRESS IS WRITTEN ALL OVER YOUR FACE

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According to Dr. Sanam Hafeez Psy. D, Neuropsychologist, Colombia University Professor and Founder of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services in New York City; stress is written all over our face and can result in looking years older when stressed for prolonged periods of time.

Dr. Hafeez whose expertise is in understanding neural pathways as they respond to anxiety, stress and trauma explains that how we think directly impacts how we age and how youthful we appear. The routine stressors in our lives really impact how fast or slow we age. When stressed, we see it in our skin tone, texture, elasticity, and over all glow.

“When someone is under stress they can appear up to 5 years older, 10 years if they don’t manage stress or make changes to their lives. Stressful relationships and careers age people. I have seen patients end relationships or get new jobs and look 10 years younger within days. People are spending money on creams, facials and cosmetic procedures but if the stress is still there it will still show on their face,” offers Dr. Hafeez.

Here are Ways Stress is Written All Over Your Face

1. You have dark circles. Stress results in blood flow to main organs plus capillaries under eyes are fragile and break under stress leaving your face looking sallow and tired. Dark circles seem more apparent.

2. Mini-Menopause
The jury is still out on exactly how or if this is possible, but it appears that the constant flow of cortisol that goes along with chronic stress causes a dip in estrogen, one that mimics, on a smaller scale, the dip that occurs during menopause. Less estrogen means less collagen and less moisture. So, while estrogen levels may not drop enough to shut down your period, stress may make them dip enough to make your skin look dull and dry.

3. You notice more wrinkles. Life’s stress due to divorce, death of loved one, job-loss, financial concerns; impacts our brain chemistry. When we feel sad or anxious, are crying or not sleeping well it’s common to see deeper lines around the middle of the eyes, forehead, under eye area and mouth.

4. You itch, flake and even have hives. Stress leads to inflammation which may lead to rashes, rosacea, eczema flare ups and changes in skin moisture.

5. People ask if you’re feeling okay. When the Starbucks barista or guy at the dry cleaners asks if you’re feeling okay, pay attention. These people may not know the details of your life but they know how you look because they see you quickly.

6. Under-Eye Bags: Tomorrow’s to-do list can weigh on your mind, keeping you from getting enough beauty sleep. This can cause fluid to pool below your lower eyelid area, and what you end up with is a puffy mess in the a.m. Stomach sleepers, bad news: You can expect the puffiness of your under-eye bags to be even worse because of gravity.

7. Increased jaw size – Heavy jaw
Grinding teeth and clenching of the jaw are common symptoms of stress. Unfortunately, these habits can cause the jaw muscles to work overtime. This can result not only in damaged teeth, but also a heavier than usual jawline, as the muscles become larger with the grinding action.

8.Hair Loss
Stress can cause sudden hair loss by literally flipping the switch on the hair follicle’s growth stage from an active to a resting phase. Once the follicle enters this resting phase prematurely, it stays there for about three months, after which time a large amount of hair will be shed. When you experience an overall shedding of hair, you must cast back a few months to find the trigger. Rest assured that in most women, this hair will grow back.

9. Adult Acne
Acne isn’t just for hormonally crazed teenagers. Many adults can’t seem to outgrow it because of stress hormones. What makes it worse is that tense people often can’t leave pimples alone. Squeezing, poking and picking at them becomes an almost obsessive way to release tension, but it also makes breakouts worse, exacerbating the inflammatory response, and you’re left feeling a bit more stressed. So no picking

10. Hormonal Mood Swings
There is a lot of interaction between hormone physiology and mood that works both ways. Our mood can impact our physiology, and our physiology can influence the balance of our hormones. If stress can sit at the top of a cascade of events that lead to undesirable hormonal changes in the body (like those that trigger insomnia, insatiable hunger and weight gain, and collagen breakdown), then what we want to do is find ways to gain the upper hand on our stress level and ensure that we keep all those hormones in check.

According to Dr. Hafeez, “The good news is that we can get to the root cause of our stress and manage it. When you notice changes in your facial appearance take inventory of what is going on in your life and what may be stressing you out. Simple things like sitting quietly for 10 minutes focusing on breathing, writing in a journal, exercising or taking a walk outside, reading, baking, painting, listening to music and reaching for an activity that takes focus off the stress is helpful. If you find yourself reverting back to the stressful issue consider therapy. Clearly there is a connection between how we look and how we feel and think.”

About Dr. Sanam Hafeez:
Dr. Hafeez is available to speak to media on a plethora of topics that connect stress, anxiety and depression and its negative impact on our wellbeing and physical appearance. She provides neuropsychological educational and developmental evaluations in her practice. She also works with children and adults who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), learning disabilities, autism, attention and memory problems, trauma and brain injury, abuse, childhood development and psychopathology (bipolar, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, etc…) In addition, Dr. Hafeez serves as a medical expert and expert witness by providing full evaluations and witness testimony to law firms and courts.

www.comprehendthemind.com

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February 19, 2016

How Not to Let Your Fashion Addiction Lead You into A Debt Trap

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For most of the people around the world, fashion is a harmless indulgence that makes them feel good about themselves from time to time. For many women (and men) fashion is a craving that refuses to be controlled. For those who are unable to resist the allure of the latest fashion line-ups so extravagantly displayed by seductive models across all the media, it can lead to an uncontrollable addiction that can have a multitude of very grave financial complications. However, the fashion industry, already raking in billions, can only hope to continue on their high growth trajectory by making people addicted to shopping for the latest.

The Fix of the Fashion-Junkie

The fashion industry incessantly attempts to reinvent itself and exert increasing pressure on its customers to keep up with the latest trends. The customers are usually at the end of very high-profile and seductive publicity campaigns that force them to try and emulate the idealized images of the rich and the famous in the ever-elusive quest for the perfect look. The incessant pressure forces women and a lot of men too, to buy expensive articles of clothing only to discard them at the end of the season and buy new ones coming into vogue.

Spending hard-earned money on clothes and fashion accessories is bad enough, but it is made far worse with the easy availability of personal loans, credit cards, and store cards. Millions have discovered that it can be very easy to succumb to the charm of fashion with a quick swipe of the card. It’s only when you end up spending far more than what you can afford that the dreamy look on your face can get somewhat fixed.

Manage Your Credit Card Use

If you have already accumulated a lot of debt on your credit cards, then it is time to take urgent action. Make a list of all the outstanding balances on each card and try and identify a credit card that is offering a zero-balance scheme. Switch all you debt into that card and stop using all the other cards immediately. Make sure that you pay off as much as possible before the zero interest period runs out. If you have other personal loans outstanding then it may be a good idea to find out more about bill consolidation loans that will make the task of debt management far easier by leaving you with just one loan amount instead of multiple ones.

How to Keep Your Fashion Addiction in Check

With new style appearing on the catwalks of the fashion capitals of the world every season, it can be really tough not to succumb to the glitz and glamour of the make-believe world with a simple swipe of the credit card. The Internet has also made it very easy for people to know what exactly is happening all over the world and to buy exotic stuff from specialist online retailers. Unless you keep a strict watch, it is very easy to get ensnared in a debt trap that will engulf you slowly but surely.

Fast Fashion – Is It For You?

The amount of money that you could be spending on items that remain trendy only for a few months and have no use thereafter could be substantial. You need to ask yourself whether it is important for you to stay on top of the fashion curve, because if the possessions are no longer in fashion after a few months, it might be wiser to stay away from them altogether or seek cheaper substitutes. However, apparels that stay perennially in the fashion such as tailored shorts, jeans, fitted pants, knitwear etc. you may wish to pay a premium for the quality as you would be using them for a long time.

Getting fashionable items from end-of-season sales can also be a very good idea for saving money as you can expect substantial discounts.

Author bio: Susan Brown is a personal debt counselor at a leading debt consolidation company. Passionate about personal finance management, she has written a number of articles on bill consolidation loans in the online media.

 

 

 

 

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February 17, 2016

How Single Moms Can Solve Their Transportation Problem

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Life can indeed be very difficult for single mothers. Not only do they have to earn enough to support themselves and their children but also need to play the roles of both the mother and the father. Single moms, who are trying their best, to take care of their children often discover that after food and shelter, dependable transportation is one of life’s most basic necessities.

Lack of reliable transportation can be among the biggest barriers in the efforts of single mothers to work and be self-sufficient. Apart from the really big cities, it can be next to impossible to go to work and come back home without a personal vehicle as public transportation can be completely absent. Among the other challenges faced by single moms are taking the kids to school, and thereafter haul them to activities or day-care or even attend social functions.

Recognition of the Concern

Taking cognizance of the huge problem faced by single mothers, the American government, both at the Federal and state levels, have put into place a number of programs to help out single mothers. A number of charitable organizations too have joined in to make their lives easier. A study of the people under the ambit of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, of which single mothers constitute a vast majority, revealed that most of them have no or extremely limited access to cars.

Without access to personal transport, the opportunity to be employed and hence the earning potential can be severely restricted. This limitation translates to an increased dependence on government assistance, and a poorer quality of life.

Car Donation Program

The federal government devised a program that incentivized car owners to donate their cars when they were replacing them with an offer of a tax deduction. This several decades old scheme has been successful to a certain extent and car donation has become popular. The scheme also makes it more convenient for car owners to dispose their cars when they no longer need them. The proceeds of the auctions held to sell off the donated cars have been of great assistance to non-profits and charitable organizations. Commencing form the mid-1990s, a number of state governments have also implemented such programs to improve the access to transportation of TANF recipients.

While some programs simply donated the cars to eligible recipients, others offered them loans with nil or nominal interest rates to enable the recipients to purchase the cars. A number of programs also made the cars available on lease contracts, though there are no statistics available on how many of them managed to be regular with their monthly payments. While all residents of US, irrespective of the state of residence, can donate cars and qualify for the tax deduction, not every state offers programs that match the needs of single parents under the TANF program. Unfortunately, even at the federal level such a matching program does not exist.

The Role of Charities

A number of charities have also started accepting donated cars and giving them to single mothers who are finding the lack of personal transport to be a big challenge in finding or holding jobs. People are also encouraged to donate their cars as the charities take it upon themselves to collect the cars, clean them up, and park them until a recipient is found so that the donor can proceed to apply for the tax credit.

A single mother’s life can be truly transformed by the access to a car. Single mothers can take advantage of car donor programs to open up new opportunities and lead a better life.

Author bio: Marjorie Frost is associated with a car donation program of a leading charity. She also writes for a number of auto and car finance websites, like http://www.leasequit.com/.

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February 7, 2016

A Word from the experts on Investing in Real Estate in Stowe

 

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Real estate is a difficult world to understand, and as a layman, you need someone to hold your hand and show you the ropes. Real estate in Stowe, Vermont has recently experienced an all-time high due to the great returns that some of the investors have made and have testified to. Stowe is located in an ideal area in the United States where real estate companies have profited in the purchase of areas for the popular ski resorts and mountain resorts.

In this high stakes industry, you need experts to help you along the way. Below are some important facts straight from the mouth of the winners in real estate Stowe, Vermont. It is important to note them down before you embark on real estate as an investor.

  •         Due diligence– you must confirm, research and find out everything about the property you are interested in. Try your best to obtain all information possible about your potential investment. Information such as the history of the property, potential future income and capital costs should be well understood and at your fingertips.
  •         Do not try to reinvent the wheel– What I mean by this is that you should follow the footsteps of the ones who have already made it in the real estate world. Talk to the experts and more so the winners. Do as they did. There is always a formula to success in every niche and it is simple to find out what the secret to real estate is.
  •         Collaborate with the right people-Partnering with the ideal real estate firm or agent can make or break you in the investment sector. A reliable and honest partner will be able to advise you on the steps you need to take in order to succeed. More importantly, investigate their track record before you collaborate fully with them.
  •         Never trust the spoken word– Although many deals are made and closed verbally, it is advised that you put everything in writing. Everything concerning your investment, such as leases, amendments, notices, addendums and even general communication should always be written down and where necessary acknowledged by all parties involved. This will avoid future conflict situations and lead to better understanding and referencing.
  •         Location, location, location– Those are the three golden words in real estate and are especially important to an investor. Location always relates to home value. It can have a great impact on your investment risk. Most people look at making a good deal based on square footage and property characteristics forgetting that location is the most important factor to consider

Buying and selling of homes has become more than what you see on the surface. The real estate industry is in fact a multi-million dollar industry in the United States of America alone. Investing in this industry has become an increasingly popular prospect for most Americans especially over the past fifty years. It has become a very profitable investment vehicle since it presents a large array of opportunities. You must however seek advice from the experts as owning real estate is a lot more complicated than investing in stocks and bonds.

 

 

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February 4, 2016

How to Stop Blame Game in Your Relationship

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Blame games occur often in relationships, particularly, when the problem arises and no one admits his or her fault. Every person bears some flaws. Most of the time, a person tries to defend his or her stance by putting the blame on others. When a person undergoes a negative experience, certain defenses develop in mind. These defenses do not allow a person to trust others. However, continuation of blame game does not make partners happy and may lead to separation, but there are ways to work on this issue and live a happy life.

Avoid Framing Case

When conflict takes place, it is easy to bring allegations on partner’s character with all kinds of proof. You may start pointing out incidents where your partner has failed to perform the prescribed task.

Framing case against your partner is problematic. Once you start to see your partner in a certain way, you often judge his or her actions in a negative manner. You often treat innocent comments as critical ones. Here, you need to maintain a balanced perspective on situations that occur. You can learn how to deal with such a situation by visiting good sources of relationship management like http://www.magicrelationships.com.

Maintain Calmness

When you enter into a relationship, you would notice how certain things set you off, when defenses are at work. The withholding attitude or the bad mood of your partner can make you land in the primal state and the situation becomes worse when the behavior reminds something painful from the past.

Most of the time, your instinct would direct you to enter into loggerhead with your partner. This would not solve the issue. When you feel triggered, you should relax before you react. You keep your partner’s temper under control by calming down yourself first.

Never Bring Things Back From the Past

When the blame game starts, it goes out of control. No one becomes ready to admit fault. Nobody can emerge as a winner through arguments. If you wish to improve your relationship, then you have to ensure that you should not speak any point, which is related to the past.

You have to shed your previous thoughts for ensuring the flow of positive feelings between you and your partner. This, in turn, allows you to drop your reactive defenses. Further, you can exchange feedbacks with each to lead a happy life.

Analyze Your Patterns

When you have calmed yourself and have stepped away from the argument, you start figuring out your patterns. When you get triggered, it is crucial for you to observe the moment. You have to analyze if you have overreacted. Is your reaction anything to do with the past?

You can think about what sets you off and the patterns that influence your relationship. Here, you need to accept that a couple is formed with two persons having different mindsets. You have to respect the compassion and differences when you are at confrontation with your partner.

Be Bold to Receive a Feedback

When you initiate a dialogue, it is important to listen to the points, which your partner says. Feedback should not be avoided. Do not think that you would be devastated when you receive feedback. A feedback has the power of bringing transformation to one’s life by helping him or her to live with honesty.

Develop the Sense of Compassion

When you start identifying your defenses and those of your partner, you would know why your partner behaves in a particular manner. When you find the reasons of getting triggered, you can develop the sense of compassion.

In order to stop the blame game, you need to calm down yourself first. Then you can easily analyze yours as well as behavioral patterns of your partner and ask for feedback. This way, you can settle for a happy deal with your partner.

Author Bio – Jenice Decosta is a life coach expert. She has prevented couples from getting separated by solving blame game issues. To know more about her tips on happy relationship, visit http://www.magicrelationships.com.

 

 

 

 

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January 31, 2016

6 Foods That Can Help Save Your Skin From Sun Damage

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FROM THE PROS:

Just as an unhealthy diet can have a negative effect on your skin and health, a healthy diet high in antioxidant-rich foods can help protect your body, even from the sun. Since antioxidants help reduce inflammation and free radicals, loading your diet with them will go a long way against sunburn and skin damage as a result of UV rays. Dr. Nicholas Sieveking is a Nashville, TN board certified plastic surgeons and the director of Ageless Solutions, a comprehensive anti-aging and wellness center.
To be clear, Dr. Sieveking is not saying you should completely replace your daily sunscreen with food, but what you eat can offer additional protection for your skin. So if you’re looking for some ingestible sun protection, add these six sun-friendly foods to your next shopping list.

1. Berries & stone fruits
Strawberries, blueberries and cherries contain high levels of vitamin C, which can reduce free radical damage caused by exposure to UV radiation. Vitamin C also stimulates collagen production, important for skin’s youthful appearance. As a bonus, cherries contain melatonin, which protects skin from UV radiation and repairs sunburn damage.
2. Leafy greens
If it’s green and it’s got leaves, chances are it’s good for sun protection. According to one study, spinach, kale and swiss chard can reduce the risk of squamous cell skin cancer by 50%. Broccoli is also a good choice: it’s full of sulphoraphane, an antioxidant that helps your cells protect themselves against UV radiation.
Fresh herbs like parsley, basil, sage and rosemary are also packed with free radical-fighting, skin-protecting antioxidants. Not sure where to start? Check out our guide to cruciferous vegetables.
3. Red & orange produce
The antioxidant lycopene has been shown to protect the skin against sunburn and is at least twice as effective an antioxidant as betacarotene when it comes to blocking UV light. It also helps rid the body of free radicals. Chow down on tomatoes, papaya, guava, red bell peppers and pink grapefruit. Watermelon is an especially good choice: it contains 40% more lycopene than tomatoes.
Betacarotene is another antioxidant that has natural sunscreen properties: it’s been linked to reduced reactions to sunburns. You can find it in carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, pumpkins, mango and apricots.
4. Micro-algae
Spirulna has been dubbed “the next great superfood,” and for good reason. This micro-algea — along with chlorella — contains the antioxidant astaxanthin, which has been shown to protect the skin and eyes against UV radiation. It also fights free radicals and inflammation to prevent sun damage by preventing UV-induced cell damage.
If micro-algea isn’t exactly your cup of tea, you can find this powerful antioxidant in shrimp and salmon.
5. Chocolate
As long as it’s dark chocolate you’re eating, you’ll be ingesting plenty of flavanoids, which can improve your skin’s ability protect against sun burns and other UV-induced issues.
Research found that people who ate about one ounce of high-percentage dark chocolate every day for three months could withstand twice the amount of UVB rays before their skin started to turn red, compared to those who didn’t.
6. Green & black tea
The myriad health benefits of tea are well-known, but it’s nice to know that the cups you’re drinking can also help protect against sun damage. Green and black teas are packed with polyphenols that can help stop cancer development by limiting the blood supply to the cancerous area.
Green tea can even help prevent non-melanoma skin cancer by enhancing DNA repair.
Bon appétit!

sievekingplasticsurgery.com
Dr. Nicholas Sieveking is a board certified plastic surgeon who completed his training in General Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Stanford University. After Stanford, he received additional fellowship training in Aesthetic Surgery in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Brazil. In addition to his plastic surgery board certification, Dr. Sieveking is also board certified with advanced fellowship training in Anti-Aging and Functional Medicine. This double board certification enables Dr. Sieveking to be the most complete anti-aging surgeon and physician to treat his patient’s age-related needs, from the inside to the outside. Dr. Sieveking’s comprehensive solo practice includes advanced cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries, state of the art cosmetic laser and skin care services, Bio-identical hormone replacement therapies, medically-supervised weight loss programs, and cutting edge laboratory testing for hormone, amino acid, vitamin and nutrient deficiencies as well as toxin analysis and food and chemical sensitivities testing.
Dr. Sieveking has operated and lectured around the world on topics of face lifts, breast surgery, and cleft lip and palate repair. He has authored a chapter on Rhinoplasty in one of the major training textbooks for plastic surgery residents. In 2012 and 2013, he was voted “Top Plastic Surgeon in Nashville” in two Readers Polls by the citizens of Nashville.

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