DEFY ANY OBSTACLE

One Olympian doesn't need gold medals to feel like a champion…

Take it from Olympic Swimmer Eric Shanteau: You're in control of your life and things you want to accomplish.

Seven weeks before the start of the Olympics, 24-year-old Shanteau got some staggering news from his doctor. He had testicular cancer and needed surgery. Shanteau could have—some say should have—let go of his Olympic dreams and undergone treatment, but for the athlete who missed out on Athens four years ago by a hair, it was Beijing or bust.

Shanteau's doctor agreed to postpone treatment until after the Olympics, since testicular cancer has more than a 90 percent cure rate when spotted early. It's one of few diagnoses that have minimal risk associated with delaying action, according to a blog by Abraham Morgentaler, the director of Men's Health Boston, a urology clinic, and an associate professor at Harvard University.

Shanteau's public battle—often compared to Lance Armstrong, the cyclist who originally transformed testicular cancer into a source of motivation and strength—offers more than a lesson in following dreams and battling disease. He finally agreed to see a doctor when his girlfriend refused to back off or take no for an answer.

Studies show a similar pattern of men being more likely than women to avoid healthcare. And even when guys finally get in the exam room, they rarely ask the right questions or follow doctor's orders after they leave.

Shanteau, who made it to the 200-meter breaststroke semifinal at the Water Cube Tuesday, may never win as many medals as Michael Phelps, but he's just as much an inspiration to viewers across the nation.

Copy his courage to dispel fear of the unknown and learn how to make the most of your next doctor's visit. You'll clear your head of worry and cancer-proof your body.

Sorting Out Coffee's Contradictions

Sorting Out Coffee’s Contradictions
Jane E. Brody New York Times

Coffee and Tea	Caffeine
Decaffeinated coffee or tea, 8 oz.	2 mgs
Black tea, brewed, 8 oz.	47
Green tea, brewed, 8 oz.	30 to 50
Plain coffee, brewed, 8 oz.	95
Starbucks Coffee Grande, 16 oz.	330
Soft drinks and energy drinks
Coca-Cola Classic, 12 oz.	35
Diet Coke, 12 oz.	47
Mountain Dew, 12 oz.	54
Red Bull, 8.3 oz.	76
Monster Energy, 16 oz.	160
SoBe No Fear, 16 oz.	174
Foods and other products
Hershey’s chocolate milk, 8 oz.	5
Hershey’s milk chocolate, 1.5 oz.	10
Dannon coffee yogurt, 6 oz.	30
NoDoz Maximum Strength, 1 tablet	200

When Howard D. Schultz in 1985 founded the company that would become the wildly successful Starbucks chain, no financial adviser had to tell him that coffee was America’s leading beverage and caffeine its most widely used drug. The millions of customers who flock to Starbucks to order a double espresso, latte or coffee grande attest daily to his assessment of American passions.

Although the company might have overestimated consumer willingness to spend up to $4 for a cup of coffee — it recently announced that it would close hundreds of underperforming stores — scores of imitators that now sell coffee, tea and other products laced with caffeine reflect a society determined to run hard on as little sleep as possible.

But as with any product used to excess, consumers often wonder about the health consequences. And researchers readily oblige. Hardly a month goes by without a report that hails coffee, tea or caffeine as healthful or damns them as potential killers.

Can all these often contradictory reports be right? Yes. Coffee and tea, after all, are complex mixtures of chemicals, several of which may independently affect health.

Caffeine Myths

Through the years, the public has been buffeted by much misguided information about caffeine and its most common source, coffee. In March the Center for Science in the Public Interest published a comprehensive appraisal of scientific reports in its Nutrition Action Healthletter. Its findings and those of other research reports follow.

Hydration. It was long thought that caffeinated beverages were diuretics, but studies reviewed last year found that people who consumed drinks with up to 550 milligrams of caffeine produced no more urine than when drinking fluids free of caffeine. Above 575 milligrams, the drug was a diuretic.

So even a Starbucks grande, with 330 milligrams of caffeine, will not send you to a bathroom any sooner than if you drank 16 ounces of pure water. Drinks containing usual doses of caffeine are hydrating and, like water, contribute to the body’s daily water needs.

Heart disease. Heart patients, especially those with high blood pressure, are often told to avoid caffeine, a known stimulant. But an analysis of 10 studies of more than 400,000 people found no increase in heart disease among daily coffee drinkers, whether their coffee came with caffeine or not.

“Contrary to common belief,” concluded cardiologists at the University of California, San Francisco, there is “little evidence that coffee and/or caffeine in typical dosages increases the risk” of heart attack, sudden death or abnormal heart rhythms.

In fact, among 27,000 women followed for 15 years in the Iowa Women’s Health Study, those who drank one to three cups a day reduced their risk of cardiovascular disease by 24 percent, although this benefit diminished as the quantity of coffee rose.

Hypertension. Caffeine induces a small, temporary rise in blood pressure. But in a study of 155,000 nurses, women who drank coffee with or without caffeine for a decade were no more likely to develop hypertension than noncoffee drinkers. However, a higher risk of hypertension was found from drinking colas. A Johns Hopkins study that followed more than 1,000 men for 33 years found that coffee drinking played little overall role in the development of hypertension.

Cancer. Panic swept this coffee-dependent nation in 1981 when a Harvard study tied the drink to a higher risk of pancreatic cancer. Coffee consumption temporarily plummeted, and the researchers later concluded that perhaps smoking, not coffee, was the culprit.

In an international review of 66 studies last year, scientists found coffee drinking had little if any effect on the risk of developing pancreatic or kidney cancer. In fact, another review suggested that compared with people who do not drink coffee, those who do have half the risk of developing liver cancer.

And a study of 59,000 women in Sweden found no connection between coffee, tea or caffeine consumption and breast cancer.

Bone loss. Though some observational studies have linked caffeinated beverages to bone loss and fractures, human physiological studies have found only a slight reduction in calcium absorption and no effect on calcium excretion, suggesting the observations may reflect a diminished intake of milk-based beverages among coffee and tea drinkers.

Dr. Robert Heaney of Creighton University says that caffeine’s negative effect on calcium can be offset by as little as one or two tablespoons of milk. He advised that coffee and tea drinkers who consume the currently recommended amount of calcium need not worry about caffeine’s effect on their bones.

Weight loss. Here’s a bummer. Although caffeine speeds up metabolism, with 100 milligrams burning an extra 75 to 100 calories a day, no long-term benefit to weight control has been demonstrated. In fact, in a study of more than 58,000 health professionals followed for 12 years, both men and women who increased their caffeine consumption gained more weight than those who didn’t.

Health Benefits

Probably the most important effects of caffeine are its ability to enhance mood and mental and physical performance. At consumption levels up to 200 milligrams (the amount in about 16 ounces of ordinary brewed coffee), consumers report an improved sense of well-being, happiness, energy, alertness and sociability, Roland Griffiths of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine reported, although higher amounts sometimes cause anxiety and stomach upset.

Millions of sleep-deprived Americans depend on caffeine to help them make it through their day and drive safely. The drug improves alertness and reaction time. In the sleep-deprived, it improves memory and the ability to perform complex tasks.

For the active, caffeine enhances endurance in aerobic activities and performance in anaerobic ones, perhaps because it blunts the perception of pain and aids the ability to burn fat for fuel instead of its carbohydrates.

Recent disease-related findings can only add to coffee’s popularity. A review of 13 studies found that people who drank caffeinated coffee, but not decaf, had a 30 percent lower risk of Parkinson’s disease.

Another review found that compared with noncoffee drinkers, people who drank four to six cups of coffee a day, with or without caffeine, had a 28 percent lower risk of Type 2 diabetes. This benefit probably comes from coffee’s antioxidants and chlorogenic acid.

As with any product used to excess, consumers often wonder about the health consequences. And researchers readily oblige. Hardly a month goes by without a report that hails coffee, tea or caffeine as healthful or damns them as potential killers.

Can all these often contradictory reports be right? Yes. Coffee and tea, after all, are complex mixtures of chemicals, several of which may independently affect health.

Caffeine Myths

Through the years, the public has been buffeted by much misguided information about caffeine and its most common source, coffee. In March the Center for Science in the Public Interest published a comprehensive appraisal of scientific reports in its Nutrition Action Healthletter. Its findings and those of other research reports follow.

Hydration. It was long thought that caffeinated beverages were diuretics, but studies reviewed last year found that people who consumed drinks with up to 550 milligrams of caffeine produced no more urine than when drinking fluids free of caffeine. Above 575 milligrams, the drug was a diuretic.

So even a Starbucks grande, with 330 milligrams of caffeine, will not send you to a bathroom any sooner than if you drank 16 ounces of pure water. Drinks containing usual doses of caffeine are hydrating and, like water, contribute to the body's daily water needs.

Surprising Truths About Fruits And Vegetables

Surprising Truths About Fruits And Vegetables

By Robin Lloyd LiveScience

Tomatoes, japaleño peppers, serrano peppers and now avocadoes are all under scrutiny due to the recent Salmonella outbreak, making many Americans nervous about eating their vegetables.

Or make that, their fruits. Oh, drat. Which is it?

Actually, all four of these produce items are classified as fruits by scientists, regardless of what consumers, grocers and nutritionists think, said Amy Litt, director of Plant Genomics and Cullman curator at The New York Botanical Garden.

"The thing that is funny from my point of view, and it's always a mystery to me, is that everyone knows that a tomato is a fruit, but they don't know that a squash or a string bean or a cuke [cucumber] is also a fruit," said Litt, who lately is studying the genes that make tomatoes fleshy. "I'm not sure how it got into the public realm of knowledge that a tomato is a fruit. But it's like, well, all these other things are a fruit too."

In reality, the public is fairly clueless on all of this. In a straw poll of 35 people in Manhattan yesterday, about half (18) said tomatoes were a fruit. All but one person said string beans were a vegetable and most (30) said squash is a vegetable.

Avocadoes, string beans, squash, eggplant, green pepper and okra are all technically fruits, Litt says. On the other hand, rhubarb is not a fruit. Let's not even start with strawberries just yet.

Totally lost?

OK, in the world of botany, a fruit is the structure that bears the seeds of a plant. It is formed in the plant's flower. In the center, the female parts of the flower include the ovary. The ovary has structures inside that become the seeds when fertilized. So the ovary will develop into the fruit.

To the plant, fruits are basically a means of spreading the seeds around, generally by wind or animal poop. In the latter case, fruits such as raspberries become thicker and accumulate sugars and bright colors, thereby attracting birds or other animals that eat and then "we say, they deposit the seeds in a package of fertilizer," Litt said. In other cases, the fruit dries out and opens and the winds carries the seeds to their next home to start the cycle over again. A good example is cotton or a milkweed pod.

How about vegetables?

The term vegetable has no meaning in botany, which is the study of plants, Litt explained. Instead, the other produce is also classified, like the fruits, by whatever part of the plant they are. For example, rhubarb and celery are the stems, albeit very enlarged and juicy stems, of a leaf.

Lettuce, kale, spinach and cabbage are the leaves of a plant.

What about legumes? They're easier because that is one situation where consumer lingo mirrors botany's. Legumes are family of plants and they all have the same type of fruit — a bean, actually, that is technically called a legume. Examples: snow peas, string beans or sugar snap peas. All fruits (of the legume variety).

Peas (also kidney beans, chick peas and fava beans) might fool you. They are fleshy and don't look like stems or leaves, but they are not fruit. The pea (or bean) is the seed. They all grow in the same kind of pod that is the fruit, and are very high in protein. The plant, the pod and the vegetable are all called legumes, Litt said. Obviously.

Berry complicated

Berries are fruits. Botanists agree with us on that one. Mostly. To botanists, a berry is a fleshy fruit that has multiple seeds on the inside, embedded in the flesh of the ovary, such as a blueberry.

Strangely to us, that makes all these other things berries to botanists: tomatoes, eggplants, grapes, persimmons and chili peppers.

And guess what aren't berries to botanists? Strawberries, blackberries, mulberries and raspberries, of course. They are aggregate fruits, because they form little fruitlets from many ovaries that remain separate, rather than being fused into a single structure.

Strawberries, with their seeds on the outside, are especially weird. In your classic fruit, the apple or the peach, the seeds inside are surrounded by the ovary wall. That applies to blueberries. But in strawberries, for instance, "the ovary wall sort of drops off and what enlarges is the patch of tissue that is underneath the structures that contain eggs (the ovules) which then develop into seeds," Litt said.

"As it enlarges, it separates all the seeds from each other and they end up on the outside of the fruit," she explained.
In another twist, pineapples are called a multiple fruit. Each one is actually a whole bunch of fruits, formed from the fused ovaries of many different flowers, Litt said.
"That is also a very different fruit type," Litt admitted. "There are many, many different variations."

12 tips on How to Have a Great Conversation with Anyone

12 tips on How to Have a Great Conversation with Anyone

The art of conversation takes practice, and is not as hard as you might think. It will take some knowledge, practice, and patience, and you can learn to relax and enjoy a great conversation.

With these tips you will be well on your way to having a good, meaningful and entertaining conversation with anyone!

1.) Make a good first impression. Smile, ask questions that require more than a yes/no answer, and really listen. Maintain eye contact and keep as friendly and polite as possible.
2.) Listen. This is the most important part of any conversation. You might think a conversation is all about talking, but it will not go anywhere if the listener is too busy thinking of something to say next. Pay attention to what is being said. When you talk to the other person, injecting a thought or two, they will often not realize that it was they who did most of the talking, and you get the credit for being a good conversationalist - which of course, you are!
3.) Find out what the other person is interested in. You can even do some research in advance when you know you will have an opportunity to talk with a specific person. Complimenting them is a great place to start. Everyone likes sincere compliments, and that can be a great ice-breaker.
4.) Ask questions. What do they like to do? What sort of things have they done in their life? What is happening to them now? What did they do today or last weekend? Identify things about them that you might be interested in hearing about, and politely ask questions. Remember, there was a reason that you wanted to talk to them, so obviously there was something about them that you found interesting.
5.) Forget yourself. Dale Carnegie once said, “It’s much easier to become interested in others than it is to convince them to be interested in you.” If you are too busy thinking about yourself, what you look like, or what the other person might be thinking, you will never be able to relax. Introduce yourself, shake hands, then forget yourself and focus on them instead.
6.) Practice active listening skills. Part of listening is letting the other person know that you are listening. Make eye contact. Nod. Say “Yes,” “I see,” “That’s interesting,” or something similar to give them clues that you are paying attention and not thinking about something else - such as what you are going to say next.
7.) Ask clarifying questions. If the topic seems to be one they are interested in, ask them to clarify what they think or feel about it. If they are talking about an occupation or activity you do not understand, take the opportunity to learn from them. Everyone loves having a chance to teach another willing and interested person about their hobby or subject of expertise.
8.) Paraphrase back what you have heard, using your own words. This seems like an easy skill to learn, but takes some practice to master. Conversation happens in turns, each person taking a turn to listen and a turn to speak or to respond. It shows respect for the other person when you use your “speaking turn” to show you have been listening and not just to say something new. They then have a chance to correct your understanding, affirm it, or embellish on it.
9.) Consider your response before disagreeing. If the point was not important, ignore it rather than risk appearing argumentative. If you consider it important then politely point out your difference of opinion. Do not disagree merely to set yourself apart, but remember these points:
It is the differences in people–and their conversation–that make them interesting.
Agreeing with everything can kill a conversation just as easily as disagreeing with everything.
A person is interesting when they are different from you; a person is obnoxious when they can not agree with anything you say, or if they use the point to make themselves appear superior.
Try to omit the word “but” from your conversation when disagreeing as this word often puts people on the defensive. Instead, try substituting the word “and”, it has less of an antagonistic effect.
10.) Consider playing devil’s advocate - which requires care. If your conversation partner makes a point, you can keep the conversation going by bringing up the opposite point of view (introduce it with something like “I agree, and…”). If you overuse this technique, however, you could end up appearing disagreeable or even hostile.
11.) Do not panic over lulls. This is a point where you could easily inject your thoughts into the discussion. If the topic seems to have run out, use the pause to think for a moment and identify another conversation topic or question to ask them. Did something they said remind you of something else you have heard, something that happened to you, or bring up a question or topic in your mind? Mention it and you’ll transition smoothly into further conversation!
12.) Know when the conversation is over. Even the best conversations will eventually run out of steam or be ended by an interruption. Shake hands with the other person and be sure to tell them you enjoyed talking with them. Ending on a positive note will leave a good impression and likely bring them back later for more!
Warnings:
Choose carefully when asking personal questions. You do not want to venture into overly personal issues. Even if the other person might be willing to talk about it, you may end up learning things that you really do not want to know. You certainly do not want the other person to think afterward that you coerced them into revealing personal information.
Be sincere! Compliments are great, but too much flattery is obvious and will reveal you as being insincere.
Beware of topics that can be inflammatory - such as religion and politics - and don’t venture into them unless you know the person has roughly the same convictions as you, or the circumstances otherwise allow for pleasant discussion. Again, it’s fine to disagree and can be nice to talk about differences, but it can also be a quick step toward an argument.
Try not to argue! You do not have to agree with everything someone says, but you do not have to tell them all about how you disagree. If you feel the need to explain an opposing viewpoint, express it simply and without putting the other person on the defensive. It is better to simply change the subject in a casual conversation than to get involved in an argument.
Try not to nod or respond with “Yes” and “I see” so much. It might make the person think you are bored and sometimes it may seem like you are rushing them along. Never say anything hurtful or offensive to the other person, this may project a bad feeling between you.
If it is a planned conversation, try listening to the news in case you run out of thing to say, it is always a good solution.
Also try not to cut the person off mid-sentence. It seems disrespectful and it makes it seem like what you have to say is more important than what the other person has to say. Let the person finish their thoughts and then continue on with thoughts of your own.

3 Signs You Are A Match Made In Romantic Heaven

3 Signs You Are A Match Made In Romantic Heaven

It is so easy to rush into a new relationship. When you are filled with the fantastic enthusiasm for new love with which we are all so familiar, it is all too possible to make rash decisions. There is, of course, nothing wrong with spontaneity. However, the rush for companionship can often lead people to make mistakes, the most fundamental of which could be to end up with the wrong person.

This may well describe a situation in which you have previously found yourself. If this is the case, it is perfectly understandable for you to have doubts about the suitability of your current partner. But how can you be sure? To try to solve this tricky conundrum, I have compiled a list of tell-take signs that your lover is, indeed, the one for you.

In Your Comfort Zone:

One of the most important prerequisites for a successful relationship is, of course, a mutual feeling of comfort in one another's company. If you are truly compatible, then spending time with your lover will come as second nature. How often do you feel awkward around your partner? If this occurs on any but the most unusual occasions, perhaps you should think twice about the match. If, however, you are happy to be yourself, then display all your characteristics and you are on your way to romantic bliss.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall:

Are you worried about your appearance when you see your partner? It is, of course, understandable to worry about how you look in the early stages of a relationship because you want to appear as attractive to the object of your affections. Relax! Just make yourself as attractive as you can and then proceed ahead to be your true self. It is much more important for your partner to really care about you as a person.

Laugh and Laugh:

Relationships can be intense, and this is for the best. Strong feels are a must if your partnership is to last. However, this should not mean that your romantic life is one of constant head-scratching or doom and gloom. One of the most important signs of a successful future match is a tendency towards laughter. If your lover makes you laugh until your sides hut, or if thinking about seeing them fills you with anticipation about the entertaining times you are going to have, then you can be confident that you have passed another of the most important relationship tests.

Often people suggest that if you have doubts about a relationship, then it is probably not working. It is better to consider your match from every angle and, if it emerges unscathed, then romantic success is yours for the taking!

Randy Gardner is Romeo and is the exclusive writer for "Got To Have It Romantic Gift Creations".

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5 Tips To Attract Good Men

5 Tips To Attract Good Men

One of the hardest parts of dating is not only finding available men, but also finding the right men for you. Most of us have suffered through at least one relationship we regret, and we don’t want to waste our time with dealing with partners who are never going to develop into a lasting relationship. But what can you do to attract the right man? A lot of it comes down to the way you approach dating in general. Here are some strategies you can use to help weed out the undesirables.

Know What You Want

It is very important to have a clear concept of what you want in a guy before adjusting your dating habits. Think about the things you like to do and what expectations you have of your men. Do you like a guy who provides constant attention, or do you like someone who gives you a little space? This is just one example of the things you should be asking yourself.

Present Yourself Accurately

One key to attracting a man with similar passions and interest is by simply being yourself. It is amazing how many people try to make false impressions about their career, education, or hobbies just to impress someone. While this may work initially, the other person will eventually discover the untruths and this will likely end the relationship. Thus, it is much better to be honest from the start.

Be Unique

Remember that the best men are being sought after by other women as well, so distinguishing yourself from the pack will help you gain an advantage. Don’t ever be ashamed of your hidden talents or pastimes. Sometimes people cover so much of their life up that they come across as shallow or boring. Be proud of what you can bring to a relationship and share it when appropriate. Ultimately, this will make you stand out from the crowd.

Go to the Men

Think about the places you frequent on an everyday basis. Are these the same spots you typically find good people? Stop wasting your time at bars and speed dating events. Instead, focus on places that represent your interests like church, volunteer events, and even the gym. You are much more likely to find a compatible man when you are doing the things you like to do anyway.

Never Settle

As frustrating as dating can be when you are on a cold streak, you should never feel pressured to settle for someone who doesn’t meet your expectations. Besides the fact that it is a waste of time, it could also hurt your chances to meet a better man. Of course it is acceptable to date new people and learn about them, but you also need to know when to let go. You don’t want to send the wrong message to potential suitors who see you with someone else.

Finding a good man could happen anywhere at any time, but there are things you can do to increase your chances. Start by knowing what you want and be proud of what makes you attractive and unique. From there you just need to put yourself in the right situations and distinguish yourself from the competition. Stay persistent and the right men will begin to notice.

About the author
http://attractyourman.com

8 Steps to a Natural Youthful Complexion

8 Steps to a Natural Youthful Complexion

Do you long for that fresh, dewy, glow of youth? Pure, clean, baby soft skin? A natural and healthy complexion? Well look no further. The following steps could help you achieve the goddess like beauty you’ve always wanted!

1 – DIET. Yes – you are what you eat! It is true. The less junk that you eat, and the more clean foods that you eat, the better your skin will appear. Eat fresh fruits, veggies and salads, … particularly those rich in antioxidants such as dark berries and leafy greens. Other foods known to benefit your skin are salmon, and eggs (in moderation).

2 – WATER. No it’s not just an old wives tale. Proper hydration is vital for keeping your skin plump and youthful. Just look at the difference between the skin of a ripe and juicy apple, and the skin of one that has been left out in the sun too long. Try to drink pure, mineral or filtered water where possible.

3 – SLEEP. Beauty sleep isn’t called beauty sleep for nothing! A good nights sleep can do wonders for your looks. Make sure that you have a comfortable bed, clean bedding, and sleep in a well ventilated room to ensure that you wake up refreshed and rejuvenated each morning.

4 – FRESH AIR. Get out and about in nature. Breathe deep and enjoy the outdoors. A brisk walk will get your circulation pumping and it will show in your face.

5 – CLEANSE. Healthy skin is clean skin. Always remove make-up before going to bed. At night, use a natural and gentle cleanser to remove the grime from your day. Always be gentle, especially around the eye area.

6 – MOISTURISE, Keep wrinkles at bay by investing in a quality moisturising product made of natural ingredients. This will feed your skin from the outside, and keep it soft.

7 – PROTECT. Buy a moisturiser that contains an SPF of 15 or higher in order to protect your skin from the sun’s rays. Alternatively wear a sunscreen, but try to find one that uses mostly natural ingredients and that is kind to your skin.

8 – DE-STRESS. Smile and be happy. It is often said that the face uses more muscles to frown than it does to smile. Have a really good laugh, have regular breaks from your work, treat yourself to an indian head massage … there are many ways to de-stress and keep the worry lines at bay.


About the Author:
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