The Lucky Cabin

Many women have questions about benzoyl peroxide and pregnancy, as well as other common over-the-counter acne ingredients. Although these products are typically considered “safe” since they are available to you without a prescription, you still need to be cautious, especially during pregnancy.

The most common ingredients found in over-the-counter-remedies (topical form) include:

-benzoyl peroxide,

-salicylic acid,

-retinol,

-alpha hydroxy acids, and

-resorcinol and sulfur.

OTC Benzoyl Peroxide

Questions about benzoyl peroxide and pregnancy safety remain a concern. BP works by killing acne bacteria deep within the skin and is found in concentrations of 2.5%, 5%, and 10% in topical creams and gels. There are also prescription forms of BP or combinations of BP with other active agents that you can get from your doctor.

Here are the two sides of the debate for benzoyl peroxide and pregnancy safety:

Benzoyl peroxide is commonly used: Currently, there are no case reports about benzoyl peroxide and birth defects in research studies. So far it appears there is a low risk to the unborn child.

However…

Benzoyl peroxide is a category C drug: So far, there have been no studies on humans or animals that show risk correlations between benzoyl peroxide and pregnancy. This means the risk is still unknown. About 5% of each topical dose is absorbed systemically. It is unknown if BP passes into breast milk.
Make sure you consult with your doctor about taking BP safely.

Salicylic Acid

This medicine may be absorbed through the mother’s skin. Like benzoyl peroxide and pregnancy, there are no studies of topical salicylic acid and pregnancy showing risk to a fetus. Topical salicylic acid has not been studied in pregnant women.
Only oral salicylic acid (aspirin) studies in animals show that birth defects occur at very high dosages. But oral salicylic acid is unrelated to the topical form.

Generally, the absence of harmful feedback of topical salicylic acid means that the risk to an unborn child is low.

Retinol

Retinol is a form of vitamin A, which in high doses can be dangerous to pregnant women. Based on 1980 U.S. Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for vitamin A in the diet that is a combination of retinol and beta-carotene, pregnant women should not exceed a daily total of 2665-3000 units of retinol (900mcg). Breastfeeding mothers should not exceed 4000 units of retinol (1200mcg). Again, confirm with your doctor regarding a healthy amount for you.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Resorcinol and Sulfur

Resorcinol can be absorbed through the mother’s skin, but none of these ingredients have proven to be a risk in pregnancy.

Always read the labels on the products to see if they are pregnancy-safe. If you feel uncomfortable about a product, never second-guess yourself. See your doctor. Your caution will pay off for the health of your baby as well as your own.

Yvette Chau is a freelance writer based in Edmonton, Canada specializing in the area of skincare and acne treatment. Undergoing failed treatments herself before finding a solution for her own skin problems, she offers information and advice to others on http://www.your-best-acne.treatment.com/

Kitchen is the messiest area of your house. It should not be this way because constant maintenance must be done to keep it clean and free from dirt. This is the place where you cook the food you eat hence it should be dirt-free as possible.

There are also several types of kitchen equipment that you must use in order to do your cooking activity. One is the counter top. This is just like the workbench in the wood shop. It is considered to be the most important piece of equipment found in your kitchen.

Counter top refers to the work surface where you sort groceries. This is also the area where you can prepare the foods that you are going to serve. These are made from various materials likewise it has several types.

The kind of material that the counter tops are made of is characterized with durability and easier maintenance. These are also designed with bases that are impervious to water and stain.

The ideal measurement of the counter top is 24 inches deep and 36 inches from the floor. This is bigger than the bathroom countertops. The common materials that are used for making counter tops are wood, tile and natural stone. If you are planning to have your own counter top in your kitchen the kind of material that will be used will vary on your budget.

Make sure that when you have counter top it has also a pleasing appearance because it will already be considered an important area in your kitchen. A serviceable quality is also a major consideration that you should take note.

Below are some of the various types of counter tops:

• Faux Granite Counter tops
• Bathroom counter tops
• Kitchen Counter tops made from engineered stone
• Kitchen Counter tops made from ceramic tile
• Kitchen Counter tops made from stone
• Kitchen Counter tops made from wood

The variation on the type of counter tops depends on the kind of material. All of the types can be used for various purposes.

There are also people who have the expertise in the field of counter top designs. In fact, they can design and make their own counter tops without any hardship on their part. You can ask guidance from these people in choosing your own counter top.

Each of the counter top presents its own advantages and disadvantages for the household. You just have to remember that you must maintain it properly so that it will have a longer service for you.

Khieng ‘Ken‘ Chho is author and owner of Counter Tops. For related articles, visit Ken’s website: http://countertops.wicwoc.com

Autoimmune disorders, lupus, Sjogrens, MS, IBS, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, leukemia / cancer, and many autoimmune diseases, may have a bacterial or fungal related etiology. Ask the so-called medical specialists. Some seem to have all the answers. But this I do know, - when my 14 year old dog, Missy was diagnosed, by 2 vets, with chronic liver failure, leukemia, and many tumors over her outer body, and she had a specific liver enzyme count of over 2,000,- that what I gave her, helped her get much better. Both vets (now 3) gave her, at the best, 2 days, to 2 weeks to live. The first vet did the exam and blodd tests 16 months ago, Jan, 2003. The 3rd doctor examined Missy in April, 2005, and just could not explain what or how she was staying alive. She has lost 15 lbs, and her stomache (liver, spleen, and pancreas are so swollen), but still very active, eating, and no apparent pain! jw

Now, May, 2005, - she has very little trace of outer tumors visible, she is up running pretty well, and all the neighbors are in shock over her positive energy and health change. What did we do different? As a traditional naturopath, herbalist, and self taught - Whole-Life Extensionist, I simply gave Missy, what I would suggest to any of my other dog friends in a similar situation.

First see a qualified medical doctor. Which we did,- her 2 vets. They could do little to nothing, but volunteer to put her down. So I gave her my special formula, I call “ReFidolize”. Sort of named after her. Ha! Not really funny, but whatever, the vets asked me for the concoctions recipe. I, of course, just gave the basic ingredients: 3 mushroom and beta-glucan mixed supplements; olive leaf extract; pau d’arco; milk thistle plus; oregano; mixed brocolli and carrot powder, flaxseed oil (omegas), ester C; brewers yeast; multi minerals / aminos; lipoic acid; shark cartilage; green tea; and a proprietary blend of 14 other all natural organic herbs and food supplements.- And my special blend of Medicinal Mushrooms.

I am commenting here on the “Nutrition and the Immune System” articles, the ‘mushroom supplements’, because they are one of the important ingredients of this special formula, which I believe, helped her innate immune system to partially heal or balance her self, and or to help control the parasite or possible cause of the dis-eases. All we know is that seeing is believing.

We are also working on our own ‘rnai’ mushroom related process and product, which is in experimental, R/D trials, by applying the mushrooms own immune chemical creating immune defenses,- to be introduced into dogs, to kill specific parasites, just as if the culprit was attacking the mushroom itself.

Hey, who knows, with funding, our new product ‘ReFidolize’ could be ready for market by later this year.

In closing, follow a healthy natural lifestyle, eat live foods, exercise, and don’t sweat the small stuff. Anyone for a vegi - mushroom pizza? And please remember,- “gorillas-dont-cook”.

Peace,

Joe Ward
Traditional naturopath and herbalist, Joe has been studying, researching, and promoting natural health and Whole-Life extensionism for 30+ years.

ReFidolize (immune system and acid / alkyline balancing recipe), is just one of his all natural organic food supplement formulations. Especially developed for his dog Missy.

Contact Info:
Joe Ward
Kenton, Ohio
herbalist32@yahoo.com

You want to win a Texas Hold’em No Limit Poker Tournament? You’d like to see some of those winnings come your way?

Then here are some crucial tips to help you succeed in winning a poker tournament and making the big bucks:

1. Your biggest obstacle to winning a Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament may be the urge to bet on anything that resembles a good hand!

2. If you can’t spot the worst player at the table within ten minutes, it’s you.

3. Half of the players will be eliminated within the first quarter of the tournament. Don’t be one of them.

4. If you have the best hand, let your opponents think they have, by letting them lead the betting, and hit them on the river if you know you cannot be beaten.

5. Try not to raise early to eliminate weaker hands as some novice players will not get the message and hit a good hand on the flop.

6. Don’t worry about the amount of chips other players have accumulated; be patient and wait for the big hands.

7. The blinds will be quite high later in the tourney, so only call with good cards. Position is everything. Use it.

8. If you are chip leader, don’t play too loose, as blinds are very high and you can lose a lot of your chips in just a couple of hands.

9. If you have a larger stack of chips, make your opponents pay to stay. If you have a good hand, bet the stack of the player with the least chips.

10. The players with small stacks will be thinking, I’m in the money and will go all in on weak hands. If you think you have a chance, call. If not, fold, as you don’t want to increase their stack size.

Think like the pros when you play; you’ll learn to play like them with practice, concentration, and maybe a little luck!

Greg Purnell learned from John Holecz the intricacies of playing Texas Hold’em Poker like a pro. For an expanded version of this article and to find more winning poker tips, visit Texas Hold’em Poker Tips.

Athletes often ask me this question: “How do I know when a poor performance or error is a physical or a mental problem?” From my experience, here are a few hints that it may be a mental breakdown:

1. You perform much better in practice than during competition

2. You have a tough time performing well when others are watching you

3. You maintain many doubts about your sport before or during games

4. You feel anxious or scared when you perform in competition

5. You are not sure why you play your sport or what motivates you

6. You only participate in sports to feel better about yourself as a person

7. You lose focus or have mental lapses during critical times of the game

8. You can’t perform the way you did pre-injury, but are physically 100%

9. Everything is fine, but you just want to improve your mental attitude

Sports psychology sometimes get a bad reputation because of the association of psychology with pathology. That is why I prefer to call what I do mental game coaching or mental training, which athletes understand. Mental game coaching is for athletes who want to improve upon their current performance and take their games to the next level with the help of a mental coach like myself.

But most athletes, unfortunately, seek out my services because of an particular performance barrier or decrease in performance. As a mental game coach, I often become the last resort after athletes have tried other means to get beyond performance slumps. I wish it wasn’t this way, but athletes wait until some needs to be “fixed” and they have exhausted all other resources before they commit to mental game coaching.

How can sport psychology help you perform better? Here is the most obvious list:

1. Improve focus and deal with distractions.

2. Grow confidence in athletes who have many doubts.

3. Develop coping skills to deal with setbacks and errors.

4. Find the right zone of intensity for your sport.

5. Help teams develop communication skills and cohesion.

6. To instill a healthy belief system and weed out irrational thoughts.

7. Improve and balance motivation for optimal performance.

8. Get back into competition after an injury is healed fully.

9. To develop game-specific strategies and game plans.

10. To identify and enter the “zone” more often.

Sport psychology may not be for every single athlete. Not everyone involved in sport wants to “improve performance.” Sport psychology is probably not for recreation athletes who just like the social component of sport. Most of my students are committed to excellence and seeing how far they can go. They love competition and testing themselves against the best in their sport. They want every possible advantage they can learn including the mental edge over the competition.

Dr. Patrick J. Cohn is a leading mental game coach who consults with Tour Pros and amateurs. He is the author of Going Low, Peak Performance Golf, The Mental Game of Golf and The Mental Art of Putting.
For more information: www.peaksports.com

A Mechanical Metaphor

Over the years of reading self-help books, it’s become obvious
to me that I rarely find one that I could get my Dad, or most
other men, to read. They’re just not written in a way that men
can relate to. Interestingly, I’ve noticed that computer and
other gadget companies are beginning to catch on to this fact.
When we unwrap our latest piece of high-tech gadgetry, we now
have a choice to opt for the Quick Start Guide or plough our way
through the entire manual. For most of us men, that’s a no
brainer. We want to play with the toy, not find out how to build
it.

My Dad is a mechanic and he taught me that given a few basic
tools and a decent skill set most things can be fixed. When it
comes to engines he is a genius. He can tell you what’s wrong
with your car by just listening to it. His skill is so
fine-tuned; he can diagnose your car trouble over the phone.
Grown men used to bring their cars over to him in tears,
convinced this was finally the end. My Dad would take it to
bits, figure out if a fuel line was blocked, determine if there
was too much friction in one area, or if there was not enough
connection in another. Then he’d put it back together and just
like magic, the car would run again. To my father engines were
predictable; he knew what to look for.

Take the spark plug. If it stops sparking, your engine stops
running and your wheels stop turning. To a mechanic, it’s very
predictable that your spark plugs will last only a certain
amount of miles and then need replacing. So given that a spark
plug will cost you about £3.50 (let’s not talk about the labour
costs), how many of you would divorce your car at this point? No
you wouldn’t, because you understand that your car is a sizable
investment.

For some reason, we fail to apply the same logic to our
relationships. People start talking about how they’ve lost the
spark or they’ve got communication issues as reasons to leave.
We forget all the time and energy invested in getting to this
point and all we can think about is running for the hills. It’s
worth noting at this point that “leaving” happens on many levels
and even the subtle withdrawals damage our relationships. I know
this because I’ve done it myself. In fact, given my own wiring
I’m still prone to want to bolt when it gets rough.

This power struggle is a totally predictable piece of relating
with your loved one. It’s the time when Mr. or Mrs. Perfect
suddenly becomes one of your parents or an ex-partner. For some
complicated, yet unavoidable reason, this is always going to
happen. The best news is that the only way out is through.

Sometimes we just need some basic tools and good skills. You can
visit my website for suggestions of great books to get you up to
speed. http://www.therelationshipgym.com/stuff.htm

I guarantee that a relationship filled with romance and passion
is more fun than most gadgets. And remember, if you’re going to
get expert help make sure you find someone who believes in
fixing the relationship you are in. There are plenty of cowboys
all to ready to sell you a new car.

I have worked with so many people over the years that have made me wonder how on earth they can work at their desk when everything that was in their drawers and in their filing cabinets have ended up in piles on top of their keyboard. One co-worker of mine couldn’t remember what colour the top of his desk was! I had to say something, but when I did, he told me that he knew where everything was and needed all that paperwork for different projects he was working on.

Some study suggest that about 15% of our time is wasted on looking for misplaced files and paperwork at the office. People get really defensive when you tell them that their desk is a mess. They say that they don’t have time to clean up, as they are too busy. And if they would file certain items they would forget to work on it and would therefore miss the deadline.

Let me tell you a secret: You can’t work on four projects at once with a messy desk. You will misplace papers in wrong folders, spend 15 minutes looking for that form that you had right there, look for an important message that was in that folder but no longer is, etc. You will not be able to continue working like this without a major mistake happening.

Getting organised

It may take you all day to clean your desk but believe me when I say that it will save your sanity!

First things first. Get yourself some folders and a black marker. Take every piece of paper on your desk one by one and file them. Make sure that everything you need to do with these papers is written down on a ‘to-do’ list or even better in your computer organiser. For example, if you have to work on your budget next Monday, write down ‘work on budget’ in your computer organiser so that when Monday comes, your computer will send you a reminder that you need to work on your budget today. Then file that paper in a folder named ‘budget’. Put that folder away - not on your desk!! But in your filing cabinet. Proceed this way with every bit of information that clutters your desk. Do not get distracted by a form that reminds you that you need to do something. Instead, jot it down on your ‘to- do’ list or in your organiser. You won’t forget it as it has been written down. File it and move on. Keep focused. Only do one thing at a time for the moment and that is to organise and clean your desk.

Copyright © 2005 EffectiveTimeManagement.com All rights reserved.

My name is Catherine Nellissen. I have been organising events and training for over 11 years. I have learned the hard way how important it is to stay on top of what’s happening and making sure that everyone working with me knows what to do in a timely matter. I believe that organization is the key to a successful career and life! Over the years, I have created templates that help me and the people that work with me keep on top of our busy workloads and reach our personal goals. I have decided to share my knowledge of time management, hoping to help other people take control of their busy lives and make sure they accomplish what their heart desires. Life’s too short — get organised!!

If you would like more information about this subject and managing your time more effectively click on this link http://www.effectivetimemanagement.com

Insurance coverage for recreational vehicles (RVs) can be a
complicated issue. RVs combine many aspects of regular traveling
vehicles with aspects of a home. There are several issues that
need to be considered when purchasing RV insurance. First, all
conventional car insurance issues must be covered. Second, it is
a good idea to insure items inside the RV as well. Other issues
arise for people who live predominantly in their RV and do not
have a permanent residence anywhere else.

The definition of an RV is somewhat loose. An RV is
traditionally viewed as a motor home, but many travel trailers,
fifth wheels, and tour buses are considered RVs as well.

Since RVs are motor vehicles, they must be covered for
conventional car insurance issues such as liability, collision,
and uninsured or underinsured motorists. It is a legal
requirement to have liability insurance, which covers all
damages and bodily harm that is caused by the insured RV
motorist. This protects people who the RV owner may collide
with, and guarantees that they will receive compensation.
Collision insurance covers any damage done to the RV when a
collision occurs. This includes situations in which the RV
collides with an object or an object collides with the RV. It is
a good idea for RV owners to purchase uninsured or underinsured
motorist coverage as well. This type of coverage protects the RV
owner from having to pay for any damages caused by another
vehicle driven by someone who does not have enough insurance to
cover the damages.

RVs usually include appliances; it is a good idea, though it is
not legally required, to insure these as well. The main
difference between RV insurance and standard car insurance is
that RV insurance policies can cover appliances and personal
items in the RV. Plumbing, electrical problems, and other issues
can be covered by RV insurance policies. Other items in the RV
– like TVs, stereos, or furniture — can also be insured. This
is similar to homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. Usually, people
must ask for coverage of internal items because the law does not
require it.

People who live in their RV full time and do not have a
permanent residence have additional options. Many insurance
companies offer full time coverage specifically designed for
people who live in their RV. These types of policies often
provide total vehicle and home insurance for the RV.

It is important for RV owners to purchase appropriate coverage
for their vehicle. Many RV owners foolishly purchase the bare
minimum of coverage, and then have to pay out of pocket for
costly repairs on appliances and other items inside the RV.

Where should I get my ferret?

Many pet stores today sell ferrets. As with any pet purchased from a pet store, there can be problems you are not told about with your fuzzy in order to make a sale. We should point out this is not always the case. While there is certainly nothing wrong with purchasing a ferret from a local pet store, we feel that doing a little research first will reward you with the fuzzy that is right for you. Look into local breeders of ferrets. Many of these ferret breeders will have interaction with their kits from day one, which can lead to a better socialized ferret for you. Also, you can contact local ferret groups or forums to see what breeders in your area are reputable.

Look into getting a ferret from a local shelter. Shelter ferrets are usually a little older than kits from a pet store or breeder, but the adoption cost (around $50-$100) which is cheaper than the purchase of a kit (around $150). A shelter worker will know the full details of each ferret’s personality, and shelter ferrets are more likely to be litter-box trained and nip-trained. As we said earlier, there are so many ferrets out there that need good homes, and adopting a lonely shelter animal can be much more rewarding than training a baby ferret.

Do I want a Kit (Baby) or an Adult/Juvenile Ferret?

Purchasing a Kit has both it’s rewards and training problems. Kits, along with being adorable will provide any ferret owner with a few challenges. The two most important challenges would be litter training and nip training. Like any young pet, you will have to spend time training. Make sure you provide support and show patience, as these times can be challenging. Purchasing an Adult or Juvenile ferret should help to avoid the latter, however this is not always the case. Be sure to spend some additional time with any candidate(s) prior to bringing them home, because bad habits can be hard to break. Also, keep in mind that ferrets generally live between 5-10 years, by purchasing an older ferret, be sure to know their age to further help you determine which fuzzy is right for you.

Do I want a male or female ferret?

In regards to a ferrets sex, there are generally little to no differences between the two in regards to your ferrets personality. Usually ferrets are neutered prior to being placed, however it never hurts to ask, as non-neutered males can be more aggressive. What ferret, whether male or female really comes down to size. Males tend to be about twice the size of female ferrets. Females typically weigh in between 1-1.5-lbs., so expect your male to weigh in between 2-3lbs.!

Is there anything else I should look for?

When purchasing a new ferret check for clear eyes, a healthy coat, strong whiskers and teeth, and an alert and inquisitive nature. If you are looking at Kits, it may be some more time before their true personalities form (approx. 8-10 weeks), however if you find yourself snuggling up to them easily, most likely you will have a laid back ferret. The same can be said should you pick up a wiggle-worm, which will most likely become a joyful terror when they mature.

Matthew Humphries - http://www.ferret.com

Many credit cards online today offer a variety of benefits, low
rates and so forth. REDSTONE is one of the many Credit Unions
that offer credit cards. The credit cards offered are Visa
Platinum, Visa Gold, Visa Classic, Standard MasterCard, and Gold
MasterCard. Each card provides incomparable compensation
including, low APR, credit lines extending to $30,000, NO Annual
fees, PIN numbers to prevent Identity theft, including
protection on ATM, reports for lost or stolen cards, and 100%
Protection against fraud, including NO liability charges.

The cards also include $50,000 accidental and travel coverage
worldwide, secure activation and card receipts, cash advances,
Internet fraud protection, and the cards are accepted worldwide.

The VISA GOLD and GOLD MASTERCARD offers Cash Back benefits up
to 1% on spending equally $5000 and 2% annual purchases of $5000
or more. The card provides “$250,000 travel or accidental
coverage nation wide. The Visa and Master are registered cards,
and provides cash advances and coverage for cards, including
replacement. Visa and Master Offer’s automobile rental discount,
24-hour discounts on hotel stay, tours, and cruise. Included in
the package is road assistance and service. Other benefits
include one-year ‘extended warranty” on purchases and “90-day
purchase assurance against damage or theft.”

The Visa Platinum offers yearly statements for the purpose of
taxes and budget. Other offers include credit lines up to
$30,000, “warranty manager service - warranty registration and
extended warranty protection,” and coverage for travel,
emergencies, ‘pre-trip assistance,” and ‘lost luggage locator.”
Car rental coverage is also included in the package, as well as
services for translation, and transportation.

As you can see that the cards have many rewards, however the
cards demand that the applicant is a member of the RFCU. The
fine prints state that the APR rates vary, and that the cash
back rewards have stipulations. The cash back rewards are not
‘applied as a credit” and will not count as a ‘payment.” If the
cardholder closes his account, or else fails to make payments
then the rewards are retracted. To receive the bonuses in the
plans the cardholder must hold the card for the length of the
contact, and will start receiving cash back benefits after the
period has expired.

As you can see, it pays to shop around to look for the best
deals before applying for a major credit card. One advantage of
credit cards that offer cash advances is that the cards come in
handy when you are in trouble and need cash fast. Most cards
will charge fees for cash advances, therefore, make sure you
read the Terms & Conditions thoroughly, including any fine
prints to avoid overpaying for credit cards.

If you are already in debt, it makes sense to avoid card lenders
that are out to hurt you instead of helping you.

Many Credit Unions have credit card offers that work for people
with good credit, rather than those with bad credit. Therefore,
if you have bad credit you may want to find another source to
apply for a credit card, since many Credit Unions will often
reject individuals or families with bad credit.

High-Risk Credit Cards High-Risk Credit Cards are for people
that have severed credit. The Orchard Bank MasterCard may be a
good choice, since few companies provide reporting each month to
the credit bureaus. This means that you will build your credit
if you do not miss payments. The credit line starts at $300 to
$1500.” The card providers offer free account access online,
including free bill pay, and the cards are active all over the
world. The bad deal is that the credit card providers may charge
annual fees and high interest rates.

Another type of card offered is the First Premier Bank Credit
Cards. This is a card you may want to reconsider since the Terms
& Conditions state: The bank offers a credit line starting at
$250 with pending fees on the initial statement. FEES: Annual
fees are $48, Setup Account FEES $29, “Program Fee” $95,
Participation charge $6, card fee $20. As you can see, the
initial fees can set you back, especially if you have bad
credit.