Coffee Is Friend or Foe For Health: Brewing A Cup Of Anxiety or Health?

Panic attacks are on the rise and studies have shown that many doctors relate it to over stimulation of stimulants in everyday products: one being coffee. Psychologists have even started questioning patients with acute anxiety as to how much coffee they consume in the morning and if the attacks come shortly afterward.

More Coffee is what the doctors are ordering to help seek relief from caffeine induced stress. How is that? Well doctors are hoping that the symptoms with intentional consumption will shed light on the true undertones of the heightened anxiety right before an attack. By monitoring physical reactions and responses to testing, doctors can rule out pounding heart and sensitivity to heightened pulses as just part of their coffee buzz.

Coffee consumption is at an ever increasing level with consumers. Coffeehouses are around every bend and coming out with new flavors and enticements seemingly daily. There has to be side effects to this mass consumerism of the steaming concoctions.  It seems simultaneously that there are increasing number of anxiety related disorders so researchers are looking at the correlation that could be in our own homes and treated more so than prescribing medications with side effects.

Caffeine as a foe
Scientists at the American Psychiatric Association have recognized that caffeine affects our bodies in a consistent way, so much that they have added 3 new disorders based on coffee side effects: intoxication by caffeine, anxiety related to caffeine, and sleep affected disorders rooted in caffeine.

Caffeine is becoming the most consumed mind altering drug in the world. These are not simply beverages scientists at well known research centers have proclaimed; these are vehicles and vessels for “psychoactive” drugs.

Coffee and Caffeine get the most attention as over 85% of adults drink it and the American Coffee association forecast that coffee consumption will rise another 9% in 2012.

Caffeine as a friend
Caffeine can be a friend or foe for health, as benefits include an increased sense of pleasure, energy and extreme focus with motor tasks. That’s something most people can be increasing addicted to, and therein lays the problem. Mix that with heightened alertness and improved memory, it’s a welcome foodstuff. But we pay the price with too much of a good thing.

Caffeine consumption, when it surpasses your tolerance levels, causes a jittery nervousness and if you are predisposed to an anxiety disorder, it’s a recipe for a disaster. Without moderation and awareness a full blown panic attack can ensue. Start slowing by monitoring your coffee intake and then skipping days and your reactions can tell you if coffee has become a friend or foe, if the latter, follow up with professional help. You may be able to avoid long term medication and treatment for something simply treated by avoidance of an everyday substance.

The article is authored by Davis Miller. Davis is a fitness freak who loves to blog on fitness, grooming, style and nutrition. 

The Death of the Dinosaur Fax Machine

Do you remember those archaic machines, allowing you to put all kinds of documents through it and type in a phone number? Then you wait a minute for it to slide the paper slooooowly through as it dials for another minute. Sort of reminds you of the original dial-up internet service?

Those days are long gone for the "dinosaur" fax machine. These days, faxing has gone optimal.

And by optimal, this particular meaning calls for online — online faxing, that is.

Online Faxing

Online faxing is the wave of the future. When you think about it, it's a wonder why it never bothered to come around sooner — after all, e-mail had been around for more than two decades.

However, smartphones are the key. These days communication has been optimized in such a way that you can even fax a document by smartphone! No joke. Online faxing services have their share of apps to use for such brands as the Blackberry, Droid, iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. With the kind of memory available in these smartphones, you can fax any document you want with just one touch of the phone.

Imagine if Robinson Crusoe had one of those babies, he'd be off the island in no time.

Other Benefits of Online Faxing

Some of the other possibilities make faxing that much easier than having to slip that piece of paper into the machine and wait for it to beep and swallow it up (like the dinosaur that it is).

You're looking at....

• No login required
• Easy composition right on your phone
• Quick access to contacts for fax numbers
• Faxing photos
• Convenient status checks

They should be self-explanatory, but here's some more elaboration. Typically, with these smartphone apps for online faxing, logins and passwords aren't necessary. Can you imagine just how much more convenient that really is?

Additionally, if you happen to want to immediately send something by fax, but you don't have the document — simply type a new one right on the phone, and get to sending it in right away!

Remembering your fax numbers is a breeze since a smartphone's already got the contacts menu for you; and unlike those dinosaur fax machines, you can repeatedly check on the status of faxes. In addition, there's the amusing feature of being able to fax your photos!

Are the Fax Dinosaurs Really Extinct?

Traditional fax extinction seems very possible, especially considering the reviews are so incredibly positive about online faxing apps. Even in office complexes, online and e-mail faxing services are the rage. However, if you're on the move, it's even better with that trusty smartphone.

Access, functionality and a wealth of options — yes, the dinosaurs are dead. And Robinson Crusoe with his trusty Blackberry has just been saved by the Navy — thanks to one online important fax.

About the Author: Jacquues Kozlow is a business and technology specialist. He enjoys sharing technological advances with companies who want to streamline their day to day practices.

Top Rated Cars of 2011

This has been a banner year for automobile manufacturers. Many new models have been released, and many more traditional models have been redesigned or retooled. While several models stood out, only a few deserve to be called the best cars of the year. The following vehicles are our picks for the four best cars of 2011.

Volkswagen Jetta
The Jetta sedan was given a complete overhaul for the 2011 model year. It may be the single best car of the year. The higher trim levels vehicle are supremely well-equipped, while a stripped-down base model is also available for those who want to get the legendary German engineering ingrained in these cars without paying the high price tag. The diesel engine gives you up to 42 miles to the gallon. The Jetta has four and five-star crash test ratings.

Mazda 3
The Mazda 3 is the zippiest car on our list. This little car is really fun to drive. It is also inexpensive; the sedan’s base price is $23,000, while the hatchback version is even less expensive. Both manual and automatic transmissions are available. Despite its sportiness, the M3 is also a great family car; it is easy for even the smallest of children to get in and out. The M3’s estimated fuel economy is 22/29, and the vehicle has good crash test ratings. It comes standard with antilock brakes, an electronic stability system that also has traction control, and side/curtain airbags.

Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai gave the Sonata a complete make-over for the 2011 model year, and the results are nothing less than stellar. The car looks much more expensive than its $19,000 base price would suggest. The cabin is comfy, and the car has plenty of room in the trunk. The ride is smooth. The Sonata scored four and five-star crash test ratings. The EPA gives it an estimated 35 mpg on the highway. It comes with Hyundai’s lengthy warranty. On the downside, the optional V6 has been eliminated, and taller drivers may not have enough headroom.

Toyota Corolla
The 2011 Toyota Corolla remains a great car for young families and anyone interested in buying a less expensive and reliable sedan. With a base MSRP of only $15,900, the Corolla is highly affordable. Toyota revised the styling this year but otherwise left this successful model alone. All trim levels come with side/curtain airbags, traction control and a tire pressure monitoring system. It also has impressive gas mileage and can get up to 40 mpg on the highway.

Richard has been in the automotive industry for years. Currently he blogs for a company that helps people sell cars. His company specializes in purchasing cars.

The Many Benefits of Zinc for Women

Zinc deficiency is no laughing matter, especially for women.  In fact the benefits of zinc for women might just surprise you.  But first, just what is zinc, and why is it so important?

What is Zinc?

When you were a kid your mother probably told you to make sure to take your vitamins or to eat all your vegetables before all the vitamins went out of them.  Turns out she wasn’t that far off.  Vitamins and minerals are indeed a very important part of your dietary intake, and zinc is definitely one of those elements that should not be skimped on.

Used to keep the body functioning properly, zinc is a key part of a number of different enzymes and is one of the few elements to actually be found in every cell in the body.  So yes, zinc is important to keep your body healthy, but how exactly can zinc benefit women especially?

Zinc for Women

If you’re female you’ll understand just how important it is to always look your best.  Seriously, it sometimes seems that every time we turn around we are being judged on our appearance, which is why giving ourselves the very best advantage is always a good idea.  One of the easiest ways to do this is to take care of the fundamentals; those basic needs that the body has including good nutrition, lots of fresh clear water, good hygiene and plenty of sleep. So where does zinc fit into all of this?  Shall we start with skin care?

Taking care of your skin is a primary part of taking care of your entire body, and studies have shown that ingesting zinc as a supplement can actually help to improve the skin’s appearance, including the reduction or elimination of acne.  In fact, topical applications of zinc on the skin can help with outbreaks as well.  Zinc is also used in special combinations to help give the sun protection from the sun and to reduce swelling and redness in everything from sunburns and burn blisters to itchy or painful gums.

Another thing that women take great pride in - and which their physical appearance is judged by – is the condition of their hair.  Thick, healthy, shiny hair is something that everyone wants, but which is harder and harder to achieve over time or due to abusing our hair with chemical treatments and repeated straightening and curlings.  The use of zinc in dandruff shampoos or in other kinds of hair treatments can help to prevent fungal infections of the scalp and reduce or eliminate dandruff or even hair loss.

One problem that many women face and that few want to talk about are rashes and irritations of the skin in very sensitive areas.  When it comes to treating these kinds of conditions, zinc oxide (ironically often used in diaper rash creams) can be incredibly helpful in eliminating these kinds of issues.

Finally, zinc may actually have a beneficial use in the treatment of eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia.  While there is more research needed to back this up, patients that have received zinc supplements have shown a decided improvement in their eating disorders.

As you can see, while only one of many vitamins and minerals needed to keep the body functioning and healthy, zinc plays a major part in overall health, and the benefits of zinc for women can be particularly helpful in helping us to keep up our appearances and vitality.

Sam Ken loves to write about the benefits of vitamins, minerals or many other health supplements. You can read more about how to support your immune system by visiting his website.

SPOTLIGHT: Lizzy Ford author of Damian's Oracle

About the Book...

Damian’s Oracle
By Lizzy Ford

Genre: sweet paranormal romance

Inspired by Slavic mythology, Damian’s Oracle is the entree into the ongoing battle between good and evil over the fate of humanity. The White God, Damian, and his Guardians protect the world from the Black God and his monsters while rescuing Naturals – humans with extraordinary paranormal gifts – from the Black God, who would kill or convert them.

Caught in the middle is cool-headed Sofia, a Natural whose gift will tip the scales in the war. Sofia begins her transformation from human into oracle, the first in thousands of years. Damian rescues her from the Black God in time to complete a ceremony that will bind her to him for eternity. Sofia struggles with her new world and her role as an oracle and Damian’s mate while haunted by a mysterious man from Damian’s past who’s supposed to be dead. Unbeknownst to her, her link to the dead man may be all that saves Damian, his Guardians, and the fate of humanity.

While he wants nothing more than for the petite beauty to take her place at his side like the oracles of legend did his White God forefathers, Damian can’t quite rationalize having to win her over instead of command her. Further complicating his life is the sobering realization that there are spies in his organization who are helping the Black God take out his Guardians. Damian must help Sofia reach her potential fast, especially when a threat from his past returns.

Damian’s Oracle links:

BN: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/damians-oracle-lizzy-ford/1029664032

iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/damians-oracle/id416014301?mt=11

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10183211-damian-s-oracle

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Damians-Oracle-War-Gods-ebook/dp/B004JN0KHM/

Read the Excerpt...

Sofia froze as the scene straight out of her vision—the little boy, Cody, spread-eagled in the street near the storm drain—materialized before her. They boy’s mother was hysterical, screaming at once at the driver and her dead son. Coldness seeped through Sofia as she watched the familiar scene before her. In the distance, she heard her cell phone ring. It ceased and began to ring again. As if in a dream, she pulled it free and answered.

“Ms. Fast?” The deep baritone voice pierced her thoughts. “This is Damian Bylun. You left a message with my receptionist?”

Her world was beginning to spin as she realized her vision had come true. Her legs felt weak, and she sat heavily on the curb, struggling to control her breathing so she didn’t pass out.

God, what’s wrong with me? I saw him die …

“Pardon?”

Realizing she clenched the phone in her hand, she locked the screen and sat staring at the asphalt. Someone touched her, and visions flared across her mind. A pretty brunette, mugged in a back alley, raped and killed.

“Hey, are you all right?” someone else asked. As the man took her arm to help her stand, his haggard face appeared in yet another vision. An older man with dementia left to rot and finally die in an old folks’ home.

“Get away from me!” she cried, tearing her arm away. She fled, staggering as she bumped into more people and more visions flashed. She ran until the cold air burned her lungs and the people were far behind her. She retreated to her apartment, breathing raggedly, with cold tears stiffening her cheeks.

She closed and locked the door behind her. She froze when she saw the disaster that was her apartment. Everything was overturned or shredded, from the furniture to the bookshelves to the TV lying on its face. The windows were open and the apartment cold.

Her headache was now a migraine, and she shielded her eyes against the light from the street that filtered past her honeycomb blinds. She all but staggered into her bathroom. She wrenched open the medicine cabinet for the most powerful of the drugs Dr. Mallard prescribed for her and slammed the cabinet shut.

Her eyes were fully silver, swirling and glowing in the dark bathroom. Whatever she was, she wasn’t a normal human.

“What is wrong with me?” she screamed, slamming her fists against the mirror.

Her blood spattered on the wall, and buzzing filled her ears. She sank to the floor. Her phone began to ring again as she slid into a dead faint.

SPOTLIGHT: Shevi Arnold author of Toren the Teller's Tale

About the Book...

Toren The Teller’s Tale
By Shevi Arnold

Have you ever been swept away by a story? If you have, you know the magic of the storyteller--and you know that magic is real. That is seventeen-year-old Toren's magic . . . but is she brave enough to accept the power that lies within her?

When Toren returns home, her little sister, Noa, is full of questions. Noa demands to know why Toren wakes only at night; what causes her almost constant pain; and above all, why, after completing her apprenticeship, she has decided not to become a wizard.  To answer, Toren weaves a tale about a journey that leads her to discover the greatest source of magic in her world--herself.  It is a revelation that comes  at a high price.  Through her darkest years, Toren finds solace and strength in the stories she tells.  But her greatest tale is not yet finished.  Together with Noa, she sets out on a new adventure. And in the end, she must choose: will she continue to cling to her dream of an ordinary life, or will she dare to let her own magic shine?

TOREN: THE TELLER’S TALE is more than an inspirational fantasy. It is a philosophical tale about the enchantment of literature, because in Toren's parallel world there is no greater power than the magic of storytelling.

TOREN: THE TELLER’S TALE is intended to be the first book in the Toren the Teller series.

About the Author...

Shevi Arnold started telling stories when she was just a kid looking for a way to pass the time on the long, boring ride to school. Not long after that, she started telling herself her own stories--letting them play through her mind, like favorite TV shows--as she was about to fall asleep or whenever she was bored. One night when she was seventeen, she encountered Toren for the very first time. The magical storyteller left quite an impression. But Shevi didn't have the time to write Toren's story down. She had degrees to earn in college, and when she was through with that, she had her work in newspapers and magazines, her marriage, and her family to keep her busy. Then in 2001 Shevi returned to the USA in search of a better education for her autistic son, and she had to leave her job and  her old life behind. She had only ever worked as a writer and an illustrator, and she couldn't work full-time for newspapers or magazines anymore. What was she going to? She sat down and began to write Toren the Teller's Tale. Since then Shevi has written six other novels for kids and young adults, but after thirty years simmering in her mind and countless edits, she considers this novel her greatest masterpiece.

Links:

Website: http://www.shevistories.com

Blog: http://shevi.blogspot.com

Blog: http://shevisworld.blogspot.com

Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shevi-Arnold/280260788675096

Google+:https://plus.google.com/111110645305858254999/posts

Twitter:http://twitter.com/#!/@SheviStories

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Shevi-Arnold/e/B004UHP7EI/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1320179018&sr=8-1

Read the Excerpt...

Toren closed her eyes. “So, you want to know who I am,” she said. “It seems a simple question: ‘Who are you?’ And we always give it such simple answers. ‘Who am I?
I’m Toren. I’m Noa. I’m the eldest daughter of Omri the vintner. I’m the youngest. . . .’

Of course, these answers aren’t true. They are simple, quick and easy, while the truth is none of those things. Even a mouse has a story as grand as the sky.

“You want to know why I’m not a wizard. The simple answer is I do not wish to be. But you want the truth: you want to hear my tale. Where should I begin?"

In Shevi's Own Words...

Writing the Rainbow

Since I've decided to e-publish my own work, I've been reading many books on successful self-publishing, like Smart Self-Publishing: Becoming an Indie Author, and marketing, like ProBlogger:Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income and Author101: Bestselling Secrets from Top Agents. Nowadays it's all about platforms and branding, which are basically nice, tidy little boxes readers can put writers in, so they know what to expect when they buy one of that writer's books or check out her blog.

That's all very well and good for someone who just writes picture books, romantic ghost stories for teens, illustrated books for middle graders, epic fantasy for girls, or funny, geeky ironic-vampire Science-Fiction novels. But what do you do if you write all of that and more?

Ask me what my favorite color is, and I'll tell you it's rainbow. It's not that I'm indecisive and can't choose a favorite color. I honestly like a variety of colors at the same time. Blue is nice. Red is nice. Pink is nice. Yellow is nice. Green is nice. Purple is nice. But I wouldn't buy a painting that was all one color, and I wouldn't want to paint something that was all one color. That's a wall, not a work of art.

So how does a writer create a brand when her favorite color is rainbow? How can I help you stick me in a nice, tidy box so you can know what to expect when you visit my blog or buy one of my books? I've been puzzling over this question for the last few weeks, and it wasn't until this morning that I came up with the answer: the rainbow is my brand.

And in that rainbow you'll find a variety of colors like none you've ever seen before. Colors to entertain and inspire. Colors to make you laugh, think, dream, fall in love, and embrace your inner magic or your inner geek.

I hope that somewhere in my many mixed-up worlds, you’ll find a color that you like.

**  Thank you Shevi for your wise words...my youngest daughter told me the other day that rainbow was her favourite colour...LOL...I think this post is most fitting~!!  I wish you the best in all that you do and may 2012 be most grand and groovy for you~!!  **

6 Things Rebecca Black Taught Me About Life

1. Life is an obligation.

You can clearly see from the moment Rebecca Black wakes up, that she feels like she must be a lot of things to other people. She gets out of bed and already she is already running a list of things that she must do to please other people.

7 a.m., waking up in the morning
Got to be fresh, got to go downstairs
Got to have my bowl, got to have cereal

Using “Got to” is considered slang for “have to” and usually connotes doing something out of obligation as opposed to I “want to”. It depicts a pretty sad image of a 13 year old girl who faces much pressure from her own home and from school.

2. Life is one big ticking clock.

Our life here on earth can be symbolized by the tick tick ticking of a clock. Everybody is in constant motion, trying to accomplish a whole lifetime in the span of 24 hours. This results in mornings that go by in a whirl, as people struggle to fit in their to-do lists.

Seeing everything, the time is going
Ticking on and on, everybody’s rushing

Modern technologies have also been crucial to making everything happen at the speed of light. Messages are transmitted in the touch of a button from as far as New Zealand to Zimbabwe. Pictures are videos are shared real time and almost no one is excused for not knowing what is happening in Israel. There is transparency in journalism and censorship no longer exists in internet media.  There is speed like never before. There is opportunity too. How you make use of these is up to you.

3. Friends Make Life Better. Always.

In an increasingly difficult world where you often feel trapped by obligations, pressure and uncertainty, friends or someone you can simply talk to is extremely important. Rebecca Black’s morning has been going by in a whirl of obligations and pressure but as soon as she sees her friends, she breaks into a smile and gives us the clue that everything is fine after all. The role of friends in a teenager’s life is monumental.

You will share most the firsts in your life with these people. More often than not, your core being and personality will be shaped in a big way by the people you hang with in High School. Research shows that hanging out with friends significantly reduces the stress of home and school and results in a well-balanced and healthier development of a teenager.

4. Life is full of choices.

All throughout your earthly journey, you will be faced with seemingly small decisions that have huge repercussions.  Your values and principles will be reflected by the small decisions you make and your future will depend greatly on the paths you choose to take.

Kicking in the front seat
Sitting in the back seat
Got to make my mind up
Which seat can I take?

Kicking in the front seat means taking your heart and leading it to where you want it to go. It is not so much an act of defiant rebellion but more of a guided leadership. Are you willing to be the navigator of your own soul or will you sit in the back seat and let faith or fate take care of you? It’s also a question of being an active player or passive spectator through the course of life. Some choose to boldly lead the way, while others are more content to surrender to the course of life, sit back and take in as much scenery along the way.

5. Life rewards you.

Partying, partying (yeah)
Partying, partying (yeah)
Fun, fun, fun, fun
Looking forward to the weekend.

A lot of people complain that life is not fair, that they are always getting thrown lemons and lemon peels even. But the truth is, life is fair. It is a simple case of getting what you deserve. For people like Rebecca Black who spend the whole week struggling with schoolwork, or handling pressure from home, Friday is their reward. Nothing speaks salvation from a dreary life of homework and lessons and the alarm clock ringing in your ear at 7:00am. To have a party waiting for you on the weekend is your greatest reward for toiling all week.

6. Life is full of blessings.

I got this, you got this
My friend is by my right
I got this, you got this

Here Rebecca Black illustrates how life actually surrounds us with many gifts if you would only open your eyes. If you looked to your immediate surroundings and count how many of these things make you happy, you will learn to be content. Sometimes life feels like one never ending acquisition of achievements, of clothes and of money. When will it end? It won’t. Man’s natural desire for more is never quenched. You must learn to understand the beauty of simple gifts and how you already are a rich man in more ways than one.

What has been bashed and called an insignificant and dumb song might actually have some semblance of wisdom. What looks shallow and superficial on the surface is usually worth scratching and even the fool on the street will have a thing or two to tell you about life. Whether you agree or not is up to you. But whatever, it’s Friday and I must go.

Mariana Fang Lin is all about technology, social media and fun, fun, fun. She a likes reading humorous eHarmony reviews on Fridays.