A monthly self breast exam should be performed by all women starting at about the age of 20. A breast exam increases the chances of early detection and survival of breast cancer. Monthly Breast Self Exam 1. The first part of the breast exam is inspection, or looking at your breasts. Stand undressed from the waist up in front of a large mirror in a well lighted room. Look at your breasts. Don’t be alarmed if they do not look equal. Most women’s breasts are not. With your arms relaxed by your…

Nothing tastes better than a creamy dip with fresh vegetables and herbs served with toasted pita bread. Nonfat and low-fat cream cheese are mixed together to cut down on the saturated fat, but not on the delicious taste. Tofu is added for smoothness, which gives it a rich taste as well as extra protein – a win-win recipe!

Are all types of chocolate healthy? Before you grab a chocolate candy bar or slice of chocolate cake, it’s important to understand that not all forms of chocolate contain high levels of flavanols. Cocoa naturally has a very strong, pungent taste, which comes from the flavanols. When cocoa is processed into your favorite chocolate products, it goes through several steps to reduce this taste. The more chocolate is processed (through things like fermentation, alkalizing, roasting, etc.), the…

Facial aging is how the appearance of your face changes with age. It occurs mainly as the result of changes in the skin and the deeper soft tissues of the face. Factors that influence external skin changes include natural aging, skin type, sun exposure, facial movement and routine skin care. Facial fat deeper within the face thins with normal aging and, as gravity pulls on the face, the underlying soft tissues droop. However, facial aging can be treated. These two types of changes are separate…

Breast Cancer Guidelines Breast Self-Exams. Although monthly self-exams have been controversial, most women do find breast lumps themselves. Examine your breasts each month after age 20. You will become familiar with the contours and feel of your breasts and will be more alert to changes. The best time to examine your breasts is after your menstrual cycle is finished. Clinical Breast Exams. Have your breasts examined by a healthcare provider at least once every three years after age 20,…

A sensational and explosive combination of roasted sweet yams, crunchy corn, black beans in a light jalapeño dressing.. This recipe is from Holly Clegg's Trim & Terrific Gulf Coast Favorites: Over 250 easy recipes from my Louisiana Kitchen.

Figs, high in fiber and potassium, combined with sweet caramelized onion, salty prosciutto and creamy goat cheese turn pizza into a palate-pleasing masterpiece.

Regular guacamole gets a different flavor with this Mediterranean alternative. Feta cheese, rice vinegar and dried oregano leaves add a delicious taste to traditional guacamole. Shake things up by combining two different flavors into one mouth-watering dip. This dip definitely satisfied the cravings of this avocado and feta addict.

Grab a large skillet for a quick journey to the Mediterranean. Take advantage of the scrumptious sauce. Serve with pasta or rice (try whole grain pasta or brown rice).

Chocolate sandwich cookies and reduced-fat cream cheese come together to make an appetizing combination. Sprinkle in white chocolate chips for that extra burst of flavor. Close your eyes for this bite of ecstasy — it takes only three ingredients. Make ahead of time and enjoy this rich and satisfying treat!

This is a go-to, make-ahead recipe when you want an impressive knockout appetizer. Hummus, feta cheese and Kalamata olives come together to create an exotic taste for your next gathering. Not only does this Greek Dip taste great, it’s low in calories as well. Move over Mexican — this Mediterranean-inspired dip will be your new party favorite! Serve with pita chips.

Rosacea Rosacea is a common disorder that mainly affects facial skin. It causes redness on the nose, chin, cheeks, and forehead. Over time, the redness can become more intense, taking on a ruddy appearance. Superficial blood vessels may become visible. In some cases, rosacea appears on the chest, ears, neck, or scalp. Red solid bumps and pus-filled pimples can sometimes develop. The disorder can cause the nose to take on a bulbous, swollen appearance called rhinophyma. Rosacea can affect the…

Fruit tarts are very easy to make and can vary as the seasons change. Mix in your favorite fruits to make different tarts year round! The whole wheat crust adds a crunchy texture and extra fiber to any fruit tart. An addition of chocolate is just what it needs. Get your daily servings of fresh fruit by eating these yummy snacks.

General suggestions to reduce exposure to airborne allergens Keep windows and doors closed. Avoid using window or attic fans that draw in outside air. Use air conditioning. Refrain from outside activities, if possible, during times of high pollen counts (if you are sensitive to pollens). Note that peak pollination occurs at different times of the day for different plants (e.g., ragweed in the late morning, grasses in the afternoon). Shower or bathe and change clothes following…

Factors that can cause sleep problems Physical (such as ulcers) Medical (such as asthma) Psychiatric (such as depression and anxiety disorders) Environmental (such as alcohol) Short-term or acute insomnia can be caused by life stresses (such as job loss or change, death of a loved one, or moving), an illness, or environmental factors such as light, noise, or extreme temperatures. Long-term or chronic insomnia (insomnia that occurs at least three nights a week for a month or…

In many cases, a woman can experience pain during sex if there is not sufficient vaginal lubrication. In these cases, the pain can be resolved if the female becomes more relaxed, if the amount of foreplay is increased, or if the couple uses a sexual lubricant. In some cases, a woman can experience painful intercourse if one of the following conditions is present: Vaginismus — This is a common condition in which there is a spasm in the vaginal muscles, mainly caused by the fear of…

Warm yourself on a cool fall day with these baked beans. Mix peas, beans and onions to bring out the flavor. These baked beans can be made with or without the kielbasa. Either way, they are a tasty and nutritious side dish for picnics or at dinner.

Clever Crazes for Kids (CCK) is a project of a 501(c)(3) not-for profit organization. Clever Crazes for Kids focuses on children (ages 6 through 12) and aspires to:

1. Teach the perils of "overeating" (childhood obesity) and leverage the benefits of healthy nutrition,
2. Teach the benefits of exercise and physical activity,
3. Teach "living green" and improving the sustainability of the planet, and
4. Teach character and self-esteem building behavior and discourage bullying.
5. Enable Kids to compete for prizes to benefit their schools!

Clevercrazes.com is an outstanding and creative way for kids to be educated and entertained, "edu-tained." They created a School Competition portal on their website. This school competition allows kids to help their schools win prizes. The prizes will give schools the opportunity to acquire the supplies and equipment that we know they so dearly need. There will be a way for the students to chart increased physical activity and changes in healthy eating, tracking both students' personal bests and aggregate data for school competitions.

What are the symptoms of motion sickness? The symptoms of motion sickness include dizziness, sweating, a general feeling of discomfort and not feeling well, nausea, and vomiting. Symptoms can strike suddenly and progress from simply not feeling well to a cold sweat, to dizziness, and then vomiting. What can I do to prevent or minimize motion sickness? If you know you have motion sickness or might be prone to it, consider this advice: On a ship: When making your reservations, choose a cabin…

Heartburn and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Heartburn is a burning sensation in the center of the chest that often occurs after eating, bending over, with exercise, and sometimes at night when lying down. Approximately, 1 in 10 adults has heartburn at least once a week and one in three monthly. Although, its name implies otherwise, heartburn has nothing to do with your heart. Rather, these symptoms indicate a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. What is GERD? When you…