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Rick Young Profile and Articles
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1). Space-Saving Appliance Saves Homeowners Money
Wall-hung boilers are here to stay in North America.
Used in Europe for more than 35 years, North Americans are increasingly embracing the space-saving appliances for their ability to cut home heating and hot water bills in half.
Many wall-hung boilers, such as the Baxi Luna, are environmentally friendly and so quiet that they can be installed in the bedroom.
2). 5 Tips for Shutting Out Unwanted Noise at Home
What do homeowners complain about the most? Not crime or litter, but noise. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 4 million people said street noise in their neighborhoods was so bothersome that they wanted to move.
In addition, researchers say that for some groups like young children, consistent exposure to noise, even at the level of a conventional dishwasher or raised voices, can elevate stress hormones, blood pressure and heart rates.
3). Survey: Women Want Shorter, Lighter Periods
A new oral contraceptive that makes a woman's period shorter and lighter is now on the market.
Loestrin 24 Fe is the first oral contraceptive approved by the Food and Drug Administration that provides 24 days of active hormonal therapy and only four days of placebo pills, compared with traditional 21-day oral contraceptives, which have seven inactive pills.
4). Don't Catch a Bug This Cold and Flu Season
Do you usually find yourself sneezing and coughing during cold and flu season? If so, why not take some simple actions that could help you stay sniffle-free this year.
The following tips from CyberWize, a company that makes supplements for stress, may help you avoid getting sick:
* Eat a cup of low-fat yogurt daily. Some studies show that low-fat yogurt can reduce your susceptibility to colds by 25 percent.
5). Tips to Fight Anxiety And Live Stress-Free
Being plagued with excessive, irrational fear and dread is the way of life for many people who suffer from an anxiety disorder.
If you suffer from anxiety, you're not alone. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the condition affects approximately 19 million U.S. adults. Symptoms of anxiety include sadness, lack of motivation and significant weight change.
6). Tips to Stop Tension Headaches Before They Start
While many tension headache sufferers simply take a painkiller to make the pain go away, few tackle the culprit behind the pain - stress.
According to the National Institutes of Health, you can avoid a tension headache, a common condition that involves pain or discomfort in the head, scalp or neck, by reducing this state of mental pressure or strain.
7). 4 Tips to Curb Your Appetite
How does the United States compare to its northern neighbor, Canada, in the war on obesity?
Though the number of people who are overweight in both countries is astounding, a study released by The NPD Group, a market research firm, shows that Canadians are making more of an effort to choose smarter food choices than their U.S. counterparts.
For instance, when it comes to snacking, fresh fruit is the fastest-growing food of choice in Canada.
8). Walk-In Tubs Make Bathing Safer for Seniors
One-third of all elderly men and women fall at least once a year, according to the National Safety Council. And a prime culprit for many accidents in the home is the bathtub.
In fact, more senior citizens have given up the simple pleasure of taking a bath for fear of slipping and falling as they attempt to step over the side of the tub. Others may not be able to lift themselves back into a standing position once they have finished their bath.
9). Prepare Your Car for Wintry Weather
Will your car be ready for winter?
For Rent-A-Wreck, a company that specializes in renting used cars at lower prices, maintaining a fleet of mechanically sound vehicles is a high priority. The company offers some tried-and-true tips on preparing your car for winter.
* Replace worn windshield wipers and refill the wiper fluid reservoir. With worn wipers that are not making even contact with the windshield glass, being able to see the road in front of you in heavy rain or snow becomes difficult.
10). Nutrients in Noni May Treat What Ails You
Noni is the common Polynesian name for morinda citrifola, also known as Indian Mulberry. The plant is indigenous to India, Malaysia and Southeast Asia and thrives in the rich volcanic soils of Hawaii.
The power of its juice has been celebrated for centuries in the Polynesian and Tahitian islands. The people there have used noni for nourishment and as a remedy for many different ailments ranging from respiratory problems and poor digestion to high blood pressure and immune deficiency.
11). Sew Your Own Home Decor For a Personalized Touch
There are two situations when you should think seriously about redecorating: when you've just moved into a new place and when you want to feel like you've just moved into a new place.
Whatever your circumstances, you can freshen up the look of any room with a few easy-to-sew items.
Window coverings, such as curtains or valances, have a dramatic effect and can be as quick to make as sewing a few straight seams.
12). 'Restless Legs' Can Cause Many Sleepless Nights
For eight years, Janis Lopes of Orange, Calif., couldn't sleep because she felt like she had worms crawling in her legs.
Only getting up and walking around the house seemed to relieve the unusual and sometimes painful sensations that she was experiencing. She was sleep-deprived at work, depressed throughout the day and anxious when she had to sit through a play or movie.
13). Natural Remedies Can Heal the Healthy Way
When you have a cold, do you head for the pharmacy or do you bundle up, brew some herbal tea or take a supplement and wait it out? If you choose the latter you're not alone: Studies show that more than one-third of Americans use natural remedies for what ails them.
Natural and herbal treatments have been around for centuries and are experiencing a resurgence as people look for safer, healthier ways to deal with common ailments.
14). Company Celebrates 100 Years Of Medical Innovations
Millions of lives have been changed for the better by the discovery of a revolutionary class of tranquilizers called benzodiazepines.
Discovered in the 1950s by Leo H. Sternbach, Ph.D., Lowell Randall, Ph.D. and Earl Reeder, the benzodiazepines - including Librium and Valium - safely and effectively brought relief to millions of people suffering from the symptoms of anxiety disorders, with fewer side effects than earlier psychiatric medicines.
15). Be Prepared in the Cold and Flu Season
Studies show that the average person contracts about three colds per year. While there is no cure for the common cold or the flu, there are a number of steps you can take to protect yourself and your family.
Health experts offer the following prevention tips:
* Get adequate rest to keep your energy levels high. When your body is well-rested, has proper nutrition and is in good physical shape, it is better able to fight infections.
16). Alternative Treatments Taking Tinseltown By Storm
What do Madonna, Sting, Cindy Crawford and Gwyneth Paltrow all have in common? They are all fans of Ayurveda, according to Ancient Remedies Inc., a manufacturer of products with natural ingredients.
Ayurveda is the ancient Hindu science of health and medicine that is becoming one of the fastest-growing alternative medical treatments in the world. Dr.
17). 5 Common Myths About Hard Water
If you consider hard water in your home to be a demon, then you may have fallen victim to a few hard water myths. Here are five common myths that have been "floating" around for years:
1. Hard water clogs pipes.
Fact: Calcium and magnesium do not build up and clog copper pipes. Between 1950 and the late 1970s, most homes were built using steel (galvanized) pipes.
18). Breakthrough Technologies Are Saving Energy Dollars
Soaring energy costs are causing financial hardships for local governments, school districts and many U.S. businesses, diverting money once committed for education and other public services. To help mitigate the problem, many are increasingly turning to energy conservation.
"A significant portion of a building's energy consumption comes from a building's lighting system, motors for air conditioning and heating for domestic hot water," says Jeff Stokes, a vice president at World Energy Solutions Inc.
19). 'Hair of the Dog' Takes Bite Of Energy Drink Market
When Red Bull splashed onto the U.S. market during the height of the dot-com mania in the mid-1990s, it heralded a new day for the beverage industry - one that was not going to be fueled solely by alcohol and soda, but by a new type of thirst-quencher.
Today, caffeinated energy drinks still enjoy an enormous amount of success, capturing $3 billion worth of business in the $93 billion U.
20). Healthy Ways to Lose Weight
The last few decades have seen more books, magazines and diet gurus urging us to eat less and exercise more.
Sounds simple, right? Wrong.
As the media has made us embarrassingly aware, the United States continues to be the fattest nation in the world, despite the fact that Americans spend more than $50 billion a year on dieting and diet-related products.
21). 2006 Brings Fresh Takes on Casual, Traditional Design
What are the hottest trends in kitchen and bath design? For 2006, expect fresh takes on casual and traditional styles.
Casual Redefined
For the bath, think subtle textures and soft, soothing accents.
"The look is going very organic for the bath," said Judy Riley, Moen's vice president of design. "Natural elements, including light woods and sandstone, as well as colors such as slate and rich brown, are expected to be very popular.
22). Sunshine: The Invisible Homewrecker
A trend in home building today is larger windows and more of them. Windows not only reduce the need for artificial lighting, they increase a home's "curb appeal" and value. Yet there is a hidden cost to all that sunlight: irreversible damage to indoor furnishings.
Upholstered furniture, hardwood floors and carpets are at risk whenever they are exposed to sunlight shining through a home's windows.
23). Surprising Facts About the Pill
First they say it's good for you. Then they say it's bad for you. "It causes cancer." "It helps prevent cancer." "It makes you more fertile." "It makes you less fertile."
All of the conflicting information about the birth control pill is enough to make any woman's head spin.
Wondering what to do? The answer is simple: Educate yourself. Gather all the information you can from reliable sources.
24). Enhance Your Steam Bath With Aromatherapy
At one time, steam baths were found only in upscale athletic clubs and in opulent homes. Now that steam-bath technology has become much more mainstream, however, many people have been able to discover and enjoy the many healthful benefits of steam.
In addition to its ability to relax sore muscles, steam helps promote natural perspiration that assists in removing impurities from the body.
25). More Choices in Men's Skin Care
Open a medicine cabinet and there's a good chance that it will be stocked with anti-aging creams, cleansing balms and toning gels for men.
Just a few years ago, men had little choice but to sneak a dab of their wives' or girlfriends' cleanser or moisturizer. But today, companies are responding to men's interests and needs by developing lines of skin care expressly for them.
26). Installing a Stair Lift Requires Professional Service
All seniors want independence, mobility and self-sufficiency, especially those who are determined to stay in their homes as long as possible.
Whether it's something as simple as brighter lighting, trimmed shrubbery or telephones with larger-sized numeric keypads, or more complex home improvements like installation of curbless showers, comfort-height toilets or stair lifts, seniors are implementing changes around their properties to remain independent.
27). Tips on Sprucing Up Your Home's Exterior
Does your home's exterior need some fixing up? It can be an overwhelming task, but there are some easy steps you can take to quickly improve the look of your home.
The experts at Nailite, a manufacturer and distributor of premium residential and commercial siding, provide the following tips:
* Give your home a "face-lift." Re-siding your home can dramatically change its appearance.
28). A Gift of Massage Takes The Stress Out of Giving
Picking out the perfect gift can be a stressful experience no matter who it's for. Is it the correct size? Is it the right color? It's enough to make even the seasoned shopper nervous.
But there is a way to avoid all the worry and anxiety: Consider giving the gift of massage.
Gift certificates for massage therapy give friends or loved ones the chance to escape the stress of daily life, while also enhancing their overall health.
29). 6 Tips to Combat Fatigue
Feeling fatigued? You have lots of company. Health experts say one in four Americans complains of being tired all the time.
One way to combat fatigue is to strengthen your immune system. The immune system functions to maintain a healthy balance in the body, producing proteins and antibodies that help control the growth and development of the harmful bacteria that affect our health and drain our energy.
30). Effective Arthritis Pain Relief Is Key to Staying Active
As Americans get older, they find themselves walking just a little slower, running almost never and aching a lot.
Known to the medical profession as osteoarthritis, this joint-stiffening indicator of age is keeping many people from the activities they love: running, gardening and even playing with the grandchildren.
Medical professionals say there are many things to do that help slow this progressive disease or at least make it easier to bear.
31). Green Tea: What Is the Hype All About?
Green tea has been a staple for centuries in Asia, long touted for its health benefits. Today, it is fast becoming popular in Europe and the Americas and is increasingly valued as a possible cancer preventive.
The cancer-fighting properties of green tea are thought to come from compounds called polyphenols, or catechins, which are chemicals that naturally occur in plants.
32). 4 Ways to Fight Arthritis Pain
Osteoarthritis affects approximately one in 10 people in the U.S. and Canada, with most people developing the condition after the age of 45.
As reported in Time magazine, 20 million Americans currently suffer from osteoarthritis. This number is expected to grow to 40 million by the year 2020.
Osteoarthritis, also called "wear and tear" arthritis, is caused by the gradual breakdown and loss of joint cartilage.
33). Portable Units Prove Costlier Than Whole-Home Air Cleaners
Millions of consumers have purchased portable, one-room air cleaners to remove harmful particles from the air to maintain a clean home and improve their health. But do they really work?
Consumer feedback and industry research shows that portable air cleaners have many shortcomings, the most serious being overall performance. Some homeowners complain that they make too much noise.
34). Digging Deeper Than Da Vinci To Explore Digital Images
While experts examine and evaluate Leonardo da Vinci's work for hidden clues and mysterious meaning, digital images are also under scrutiny for powerful information that can be unlocked, uncovered or utilized.
While artists of long ago used their paint brushes to incorporate secret messages into their work, image manipulation still exists today. Instead of paint, there are pixels, which can be moved, eliminated or altered to achieve the desired outcome.
35). Talladega Treats Fire Ant Problem
For a change, racing fans were the only visitors at Talladega Superspeedway last season.
For the first time ever, the 1,400-acre track and surrounding areas were treated with Extinguish Plus fire ant bait. The preseason application covered the entire facility, including campgrounds, and was one of the largest agricultural applications attempted in Alabama.
36). The Value of Certification
What is certification? Why is it important to homeowners who are looking for a technician to service the heating and cooling systems in their homes?
Choosing a heating or cooling contractor isn't a random act. Consumers want value for the money they spend. Therefore, many choose contractors whose technicians know heating and cooling because they don't have time for expensive and time-consuming call-backs.
37). Seniors at Risk for Medication-Related Problems
Generally, older people are at a higher risk for medication-related problems because they have more chronic conditions and are taking more medications. At least 243,000 seniors end up in the hospital each year due to adverse reactions caused by the combination of over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications.
Whenever two or more medications are taken concurrently, there is a chance that there will be an interaction among the drugs.
38). Feeling Frazzled? Here's How To Cope
How do you handle stress? Statistics show that many people don't cope well.
Americans are so stressed out that 75 percent to 90 percent of visits to primary care physicians are stress-related, according to the American Institute of Stress, and the cost of stress on workers in the United States is reportedly $300 billion.
While stress is an inevitable and natural part of everyday life, excessive stress has been linked to an acceleration of the aging process, digestive and mental health problems and a host of other issues.
39). A Sweet Weapon in the Fight Against Obesity
Americans grow in ways that sometimes do more harm than good. One of the most harmful ways is around their waists. According to nutritionists and medical professionals, America is in the middle of an obesity epidemic. Whether they are just a few pounds overweight or morbidly obese, Americans eat too much.
To combat this epidemic, all kinds of diets have been touted, from the low-carb diet to the grapefruit diet.
40). New to Noni? What You Need to Know
If you like to use natural supplements, you may have heard of noni, a funny little tropical fruit that is generating quite a buzz these days.
Noni, with the scientific name of morinda citrifolia, is a flowering shrub native to the Pacific islands, Polynesia, Southern Asia and Australia.
What is it about noni that has everyone so excited? Traditional.
41). Simple Steps to Refuel While On the Go
In a country where snacks come out of vending machines and dinners are frequently served through drive-through windows, nutritious choices can often be limited.
In a survey of 1,880 adults aged 24 and older conducted by Harris Interactive Inc., 90 percent of respondents indicated that they eat meals or snacks on the go and 60 percent do so on a daily basis.
42). Common Household Myths Debunked
Can talking on your cell phone at the gas station cause a fire? Can household bug bombs cause explosions? Do "heavy duty" batteries last longer?
These notions may sound familiar, but are they actually true? To find out, Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage from the Discovery Channel's hit show "MythBusters" span the globe putting these and other well-known urban legends to the test.
43). Better Brushing Could Mean a Healthier Pregnancy
It has long been known that alcohol and drug use, as well as smoking, are contributing factors in premature births.
However, now there is mounting evidence to indicate that gum disease may also be a risk factor for pre-term labor.
In fact, according to the American Academy of Periodontology, women who are pregnant and who have periodontal disease are seven times more likely to have a baby born too early.
44). Survey: Better Sleep Linked to Better Mood
If you're one of many Americans who often feel moody or irritable, better sleep may help you beat the blues, according to a new survey by the Better Sleep Council.
The national poll compared the quality and quantity of people's sleep to their reported mood levels over a one-week period. The results showed that those who received the recommended amount of sleep per day (seven to nine hours) were much more likely to report their mood as "excellent" than those who received six hours of sleep or less.
45). In a Slump? Revitalize With These 4 Tips
Picture this: The baby's sick and so is your baby sitter; your husband's out of town; you've got a meeting in 10 minutes; and a report due by Friday that's not even close to being done.
Sound like an energy-sapping day?
You're not alone. It seems that most people are striving - but failing - to find some kind of balance between work and home. The result is that Americans are feeling more run down, exhausted, fatigued and depressed than ever.
46). Study Reveals Best In Web Site Development
Sites promoting video games are the best in Web development today, followed by music, automobile and sports-related sites, according to the Internet Standards Assessment Report released by the Web Marketing Association.
For the past decade, the WebAward competition has been reviewing Web site development in more than 80 industries and has released its finding based on nearly 10,000 Web site reviews.
47). Don't Let Sniffles and Sneezes Ruin Your Holiday
Between the dip in temperature, making last-minute party arrangements and being in contact with an abundance of shoppers, many people's holiday season often turns into "cold and flu season" when stress weakens their immune system.
If you happen to be one of the sufferers, quickly getting over a cold or the flu will help reduce the chance of you giving the gift of illness to your loved ones and other people you're in contact with.
48). Ancient Remedies: Thousands Of Years in the Making
The answer to curing whatever ails you may lie in all-natural remedies, some of which have been used to heal the sick for centuries.
The use of an herb called shilajit, for instance, dates back so far that the substance is described in Ayurvedic texts, ancient Hindu writings on the science of health and medicine. In fact, in Sanskrit, an ancient language of India, the word shilajit means "conqueror of mountains and destroyer of weakness.
49). New 'Superhero' Spreads Word on Fire Safety
Fire has a new enemy.
The National Concrete Masonry Association recently introduced Blockman, a new "superhero" whose mission is to block fires. His body is constructed of concrete masonry blocks and he wears an emblem with the words "Official Fire Blocker" on his chest.
NCMA created the cartoon character to get the attention of architects, designers and building occupants and help spread the word about the role of building materials in fire safety.
50). Research Shows Herb Blend Is Key to Relieving Stress
Whether it's a result of sitting in rush-hour traffic or running around after the kids, stress tends to be a common reality in many people's lives. But as normal as stress may seem, it's important to know that chronic stress can take a toll on every part of your body.
Cortisol is a steroid hormone that plays an important role in regulating carbohydrate metabolism and maintaining blood pressure.
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