Product Description
Today seven million African American women are living in their prime, experiencing the joys and challenges of middle age. Now, at last, here is the book that addresses our total health needs—physical, emotional, and spiritual. Written by a distinguished physician and a clinical psychologist, Prime Time is the first complete guide that empowers us to take charge of our lives and attain the well-being we deserve.

In many ways, it’s true that we are b… More >>

Prime Time: The African American Woman’s Wellness Guide to Midlife Health and Wellness

Technorati Tags: African, american, Complete, Guide., health, Midlife, Prime, Time, Wellness, Woman's

Below is a high-level overview of the timeline.  It is important to note that many of these reforms and their effective dates are subject to the rules and regulations process both at the state and federal levels – which could alter the intended timing of implementation.

2010

New Programs:
* Temporary retiree reinsurance program is established
* National risk pool is created, small business tax credit is established
* $250 rebate for Medicare members who reach the “doughnut hole”

Insurance Reforms:
* Prohibits lifetime benefit limits – based on dollar amounts
* Allows restricted annual limits on the dollar value of certain benefits
* Coverage rescissions/cancellations are prohibited (except for fraud or intentional misrepresentation)
* Cost-sharing obligations for preventive services are prohibited
* Dependent coverage up to age 26 is mandated
* Internal and external appeal processes must be established
* Pre-existing condition exclusions for dependent children (under 19 years of age) are prohibited
* New health plan disclosure and transparency requirements are created

2011

Insurance Reforms:
* Uniform coverage documents and standard definitions are developed
* Minimum medical loss ratios are mandated

Medicare Reforms:
* Medicare Advantage cost sharing limits effective
* Medicare beneficiaries who reach the doughnut hole will receive a 50% discount on brand name drugs
* A 10% Medicare bonus will be provided to primary care physicians and general surgeons practicing in underserved areas, such as inner cities and rural communities.
* Medicare Advantage plans would begin to have their payments frozen.

Other:
* Employers are required to report the value of health care benefits on employees’ W2 tax statements.
* Annual industry fee for pharmaceutical manufacturers of brand name drugs.
* Voluntary long term care insurance program would be made available to provide cash benefit for assisting disabled individuals to stay in their homes or cover nursing home costs. Benefits would start five years after people begin paying a fee for coverage.
* Funding for community health centers would be increased to provide care for many low income and uninsured people.

2012

* Hospitals, physicians, and payers would be encouraged to band together in “accountable care organizations.”
* Hospitals with high rates of preventable readmissions would face reduced Medicare payments.

2013

* Individuals making $200,000 a year or couples making $250,000 would have a higher Medicare payroll tax of 2.35% on earned income —up from the current 1.45%. A new tax of 3.8% on unearned income, such as dividends and interest, is also added.
* Medical expense contributions to flexible spending accounts (FSAs) limited to $2,500 a year—indexed for inflation. In addition, the thresholds for claiming itemized tax deduction for medical expenses rise from 7.5% to 10% of income.
* Medical device manufacturers would have a 2.9% sales tax on medical devices; devices such as eyeglasses, contact lenses, and hearing aids would be exempt.
* Eliminates deduction for expenses allocable to Medicare Part D subsidy for employers who maintain prescription drug plans for their Medicare Part D eligible retirees.

2014

Coverage Mandates & Subsidies:
* Individual and employer coverage responsibilities are effective. 
* Individual affordability tax credits are created and small business tax credits are expanded.

Health Insurance Exchange & Insurance Reforms:
* State individual and small group health insurance exchanges operational.
* Guaranteed issue, guaranteed renewability, modified community rating and minimum benefit standards (“essential benefits” plan) effective. 
* Lifetime and annual dollar limits are prohibited for essential benefits.
* Pre-existing condition exclusions are prohibited.

Taxes & Fees:
* Addition of new taxes on health insurers

Medicaid and Medicare Reform:
* Medicaid expanded to cover low income individuals under age 65 up to 133% of the federal poverty level—about $28,300 for a family of four.
* Minimum medical loss ratio of 85% required for Medicare Advantage plans

2018

Taxes & Fees:
* Tax (“Cadillac tax”) imposed on employer sponsored health insurance plans that offer policies with generous levels of coverage.

2020

Medicare Reform:
* Doughnut hole coverage gap in Medicare prescription benefit is fully phased out. Seniors continue to pay the standard 25% of their drug costs until they reach the threshold for Medicare catastrophic coverage.

Author  Resource: Easy To Insure ME http://www.easytoinsureme.com/

Technorati Tags: Federal, Future, health, Insurance, Reform, Tasks

Most people look up also other products or services like the local dentist office or dentist or the beauty centre in the neighborhood. Buying skin care or beauty products should be no different, you should read the beauty product reviews also before you buy anything.

Most of us don’t do this, they walk to the nearest drug store or mall and see what skin care or beauty products they have to offer and buy on impulse or on advise from the store. Most stores do not let you try the various products and they often have so many products that this would not be an option any way. But just buying something will cost you a fortune because beauty products are very expensive and you still do not know if you are buying a good product. The best way to get more information on products is to look at different beauty product reviews, it is better to make a well informed decision and it is also better for your wallet.

The best place to look is online.

A great place to look for beauty product reviews is to look at online forums and review sites. These forums and most review sites are written or commented by people just like you. just people who bought something and want to let others know about their experiences. Almost all these people have nothing to gain and have no affiliation with the product or the company that made the product. They just want to tell others if they have good or bad experiences with the product and do this in the form of writing beauty product reviews on forums or review sites. These people write their comments to let others in this case you know, that the product was a pleasant surprise because…, or the purchase was an absolute waste of money because… There are so much forums and review sites that are dedicated only to beauty product reviews, that it will not be hard to make good decisions.

Who else to trust more than your family

When you do not like to look for beauty product reviews online or you do not trust all these people you do not know, you can ask your family, friends or even coworkers. If you see someone with great skin, or a wonderful color of lipstick you can ask what they use and if they are satisfied by the products they use. This way you see the result and they tell you their own beauty product reviews. This is a good way to be sure that you get honest beauty product reviews because you know these people and why would they lie to you, they have absolutely nothing to gain from it.

There is one other plus-point in asking your family, they often have the same skin type and allergies as you have and this means their advise can prevent allergic reactions if they have experienced this with certain products.

Don’t just go out and buy this or that beauty product to make a decision on which ones are the best. Instead, make an informed and educated decision on the best beauty products by studying several beauty product reviews. That’s the only way to know exactly what you’re getting and it’s the best way to look and feel your best.

Technorati Tags: beauty, First, Planning, Products, Read, Reviews

If you are fortunate enough to have an herb and/or flower garden, or have access to fresh cut herbs and flowers, you can make your own essential oils quite easily. Sweet almond oil with Vitamin E will be the base of all your essential oils. Vitamin E will act as a natural preservative. You essential oils will last 6 to 12 months if kept in a dark, dry, and cool place. Remember to sterilize your containers and start with clean utensils.

Ingredients: Day 1, Repeat for days 2 through 4

1/2 Cup Sweet Almond Oil
couple of drops of vitamin E
1 Cup packed fresh herbs OR 1/4 cup chopped fruit peel, such as orange, grapefruit, lime, lemon, etc. or 1cup freshly cut flowers. Rinse herbs, fruit or flower petals thoroughly.

Day 1
Every day for four days place 1 cup of flowers or 1/4 cup herbs or chopped fruit peel in the plastic bag.

Close the bag securely and lightly tap the materials in the bag. Do not beat them to a pulp, as this is a gentle process.

Add the sweet almond oil and the flowers, herbs or citrus peel into one wide mouth glass jar. Close and shake gently to distribute the almond oil thoroughly. Place bottle in warm place.

Day 2:
Transfer the materials in the jar into a cheesecloth or gauze and strain the oil into the second glass jar. Squeeze as much as possible to extract all the oils. Discard material.

Day 3, Repeat Day 1

Day 4, Repeat Day 2

On the 4th day, when all oils have been extracted into jar 2, strain the oil one last time. Pour into pretty bottle

Below are some fun recipes.

Scented Rocks (A Nice Alternative to Potpourri)
1/2 cup plain flour
1/2 cup salt
1/4 tsp. essential oil in your favorite scent
2/3 cups boiling water
Food coloring, if desired
In bowl, mix dry ingredients well. Add essential oil and boiling water to dry ingredients. (Scent will be strong, but will fade slightly when dry.) For colored stones, blend in food coloring, one drop at a time, until desired shade is reached. Blend ingredients and form balls. Allow stones to dry. Place rocks in a bowl or dish to scent a room.

Oriental Nights Perfume
4 drops sandalwood
4 drops musk
3 drops frankincense
2 tsp. jojoba oil
Mix all the ingredients together and shake well. Allow perfume to settle for at least 12 hours. Store in a cool dry place.

LUSCIOUS BODY POLISHER
2 C. plain yogurt
1 T. wheat germ
1 T. honey
1 T. almond oil
Omit almond oil if skin is acne-prone.
Mix all ingredients. Dampen skin in shower and massage mixture all over. Rinse with warm water. Rinse immediately with cold water to boost circulation.

Lemony Lavender Toner
3 drops lemon oil
3 drops lavender oil
3 teaspoons of distilled water
Use a soft cotton ball to massage mixture into the skin after cleansing. Follow with a moisturizer if desired

For skin care recipes, how to videos, and informative articles about skin care and essential oils, visit Complete Skin Care Therapy

Technorati Tags: essential, recipe

Technorati Tags: Elmo, Kulturhaus, Wassenberg, Wellness

Technorati Tags: FRUIT, Good, Natalie, nutrition

Technorati Tags: 4Life, Foundation4Life, Research

Technorati Tags: Bios, Life, slim, Works

I. Definition
Essential fatty acid is also known as vitamin F. It is a type of substance that cannot be constructed within our body, therefore it has to be consumed with diet.
There are 2 types of essential fatty acids:
1. Omega 3 fatty acid
2. Omega 6 fatty acid

II. The effects of fatty acids in endometriosis
1. Uterine muscles
Essential fatty acids play an important role in balancing the protagslandins hormones, without enough essential fatty acids, it causes the over-production of certain prostaglandins hormones that increase the risk of over-active uterine muscles causing menstrual cramps for women with endometriosis.

2. Nervous system
Essential fatty acid is necessary for oxygen metabolism. Without enough oxygen for our body’s cells it causes a variety of malfunction of the body, such as increasing fatigue, memory loss, and diminishing the electrical transmission of the cells in the brain resulting in many symptoms of endometriosis.

3. Circulatory system
As we mentioned in other articles, essential fatty acid helps to lower levels of bad cholesterol and triglyceride in the bloodstream thereby increasing the transportation of oxygen and circulation of blood to our body’s organs in the bloodstream lessening the blood flow during menstruation.

4. Hormone balancing
Since essential fatty acid helps in fat metabolism, it prevents excessive estrogen production from our body’s fat resulting in reduced symptoms of endometrial cramps.

5. Immune system
Essential fatty acids also play an important role in detoxifying our body caused by environmental toxins or man-made compound with its antioxidant property.

I hope this information will help. If you need more information or insurance advices, please follow my article series of the above subject at my home page at:
http://medicaladvisorjournals.blogspot.com

To read the series of endometriosis visit:
http://endometriosisc.blogspot.com

Technorati Tags: Acids, Endometriosis, essential, Fatty, Part

What theme is good for a spa party?

Well let’s look at a just a few:

Plan a spa part
A spa party is an innovative way to celebrate any occasion while getting spa treatments with your friends. The perfect planning of spa party enhances the enjoyment of the host as well as guests. So firstly decide a location to host the party as it can be arranged in the house or a salon. Now a days various salons offer special packages for spa parties. Now after finalizing the party location send the invitations to the friends and crosscheck that how many are attending the spa party. After that decide about the spa treatments you want for the party. And set the scene that reflects a spa-like atmosphere by using light aromatic candles, dim lights and set up a waterscape along with soothing music in the background. This will provide calm ambiance to the guests and they will also enjoy in it.

With the arrangement of pool, hot tub, sauna and steam room the guests can sit back and relax before and after the spa appointments. You can also offer wine and herbal tea to the guests while they are waiting for their appointments. The host can engage the guests in other activities like designing body glitter and giving each other pedicures and manicures. After the spa activities they all can play some traditional games also.

Spa party ideas
A spa party idea for the mom to be is a great gesture. The soon to be mom won’t have a lot of time to spoil herself after the birth of her baby, so now is the perfect time to indulge. Little luxuries like bath accessories, nourishing body treatments and healthy spa food will be enjoyed by all. How about a chocolate lovers retreat? A chocolate theme for a spa party is a unique idea. Whether held at a luxury spa or hosted at home, this party will be memorable. Serve chocolates and chocolate covered strawberries, have chocolate scented candles and invitations. Indulge in thick fluffy towels, luxurious lotions and mini-pedicures. Your guest will think you’re the chocolates best.

At home spa parties are popular with every type of party. From bridal showers to sweet sixteen parties, women every where love to be pampered. When hosting a home spa party you have many options to lavish your guests with the little luxuries found at day spas. There are countless recipes for spa treatments. Provide scented candles, fresh flowers and soothing music. Hire a professional massage therapist. Do facials and manicures for each other and provide refreshments of chilled beverages for each guest. Bridal showers are perfect spa party ideas. Instead of the usual tea, cake and games at someone’s home, the spa shower has gained in popularity. The invitations should relate to the spa themed. Let your guests know what to expect. This theme works well for a day spa or a spa at home party. The bride-to-be will certainly enjoy a little pamper before her big day. Whatever occasion you are celebrating, the spa party ideas are unlimited.

Technorati Tags: Ideas, Imaginative, Party