There is bad news for boys in North America: they are being blown out of the water by girls in academic achievement, and psychologists say young men are becoming more socially awkward, making relationships with young women difficult.

Sidney Gale, a medical doctor and author of Unto the Breach (www.sidneygale.com), an outdoor adventures book for boys, is concerned about the following statistics:

• Boys are 30 percent more likely than girls to drop out or flunk out of school. In Canada, five boys drop out for every three girls.
• Boys are underperforming girls at every level, from elementary to grad school.
• Boys are less likely than girls to get bachelor's of arts (44% vs. 56%) and graduate degrees, (45% vs. 55%).

Most parents take great care to monitor their children’s sugar intake, but Halloween is the one time of year when the rules of dental care are often broken.  The endless candy from trick-or-treating can wreak havoc on teeth, so when a dentist tells parents their children’s teeth show signs of decay it obviously comes as an unpleasant surprise. Tooth decay is caused by frequent exposure to foods containing carbohydrates (starches and sugars), which mixes with the mouth’s natural bacteria to form a mild acid that erodes tooth enamel.  Common culprits are soda pop, candy, ice cream, milk,  and cakes.  Therefore, Halloween candy is public enemy #1 when it comes to teeth. (more...)

Originally posted 2011-10-30 09:00:30. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

As many moms strive to set the best example for their kids, a new survey from Reader's Digest and Humana reveals that few Americans are making the right choices when it comes to living healthy lifestyles. Despite our best efforts to make healthy decisions, the survey of 1,000 Americans polled consumers on their health and well being and showed that many Americans are continuing to compromise their health in ways that can lead to chronic disease.

Humana Inc., one of the nation's leading health and well-being companies, and Reader's Digest, one of America's most recognized brands, announced results of a nationwide survey that highlights an intriguing fact about health in America – despite our best intentions, Americans continue to make unhealthy choices.

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We've all heard the saying, "You are what you eat," and it couldn’t be more true when it comes to your skin. A nutrient-filled diet based in whole foods directly translates into clear, healthy skin.

Here is his list of the top 15 nutrients needed for healthy skin and a more youthful appearance:

• Olive fruit extract. This extract helps protect the skin from free radicals and the oxidative damage associated with aging, as well as improves the overall health and beauty of skin.
• Kiwi seed extract. Studies have shown that kiwi seed extract improves radiance, reduces the appearance of fine lines and dark circles, and improves skin moisture.
• Kudzu extract. This is an ancient Chinese and Japanese vine extract that helps support collagen production and the skin’s natural support structure, improving skin tone and firmness.
• Astaxanthin. Astaxanthin is a naturally-occurring carotenoid pigment responsible for the characteristic pink color of salmon and it packs a powerful antioxidant punch, helping protect the skin from the free-radical damage associated with aging.

Tough financial times call for smarter shopping measures. For some of us this means going to extremes and cutting up credit cards. For others, it just means clipping coupons and unplugging appliances.

No matter what your money-saving solution, merchants are catching on to these smart shopping tactics. Stores are constantly developing their own methods to make sure we keep buying. Many times, this comes in the form of a sale that looks great on the surface, but actually ends up saving next to nothing.

In fact, recent studies suggest that plenty of shoppers are overwhelmed with the flood of daily deals they receive. With so many special offers flying around, here are eight tips to help you avoid drowning in deals.

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Originally posted 2011-10-08 18:00:18. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

According to the authors of Freakonomics, people who purchase gym memberships overestimate their attendance by 70 percent. As a result, over $500 of the average annual cost of memberships is simply lining the pockets of gym owners -- and doing absolutely nothing for your waistline.

If you struggle with getting to the gym every day, try getting fit at home for a fraction of the cost. Though you may not have the fancy equipment offered by fitness clubs, you can still meet your goals affordably by considering the following tips.

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The Internet is useful for many reasons, not the least of which is answering questions that range from the mundane to the truly profound. To say that not all websites are useful is a massive understatement, and yet sometimes its hard to navigate between the good, the bad and the ugly.

Though hundreds of wonderful websites are likely overlooked each day, here are seven unique resources that do a great job of answering common questions.

1. What to Cook?
Your kitchen likely contains all the food you need to whip up a meal; You just have to put them together in the right combination. Based on your preferred list of ingredients, Gojee.com helps you create a meal out of items you already have stored in your pantry and fridge.

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Barack and Michelle do it. Brad and Angelina do it. John and Yoko did it. How?

As the divorce rate hovers near an estimated 50 percent in the United States, many blame career stress as a major cause of separations. But somehow some couples grow stronger, especially when they work together.

One couple who have worked together for nearly a decade in the stressful world of theater, producing Off-Broadway plays, has decided to share their secrets.  "In part, it is because we work together that our bond has strengthened after 10 years of marriage," says Jamillah Lamb, co-author along with her husband, David, of Perfect Combination: Seven Key Ingredients to Happily Living & Loving Together (www.acoupleoflambs.com).

The couple has worked together professionally in their stage company, Between The Lines Productions, Inc., for nine years. But the Lambs say even couples who aren't business partners are working together every day; because being in any relationship requires negotiating, compromising, and decision-making. Just think about the last time you had to decide whose mother's house you were going to for Christmas or where you were going to go for vacation or even which movie you were going to see last weekend.

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