Is a house rabbit the right pet for you?

Rabbits can make excellent pets, but they take a lot of work. For the rabbit lover it doesn't seem like a lot of work, but for those more familiar with dogs or cats or even fish as pets, rabbits can be a bit daunting.

Handling

The first thing you need to know about rabbits is that they are fragile, much more fragile than a puppy or kitty. Rabbits can't be roughhoused. They can't be tossed around or petted too harshly. They can't be plucked and prodded and treated rough. Not that you should treat any animal this way, but dogs and cats sometimes enjoy wrestling and some rough love. Rabbit's don't, won't and can't. Physically they are quite fragile critters, and need to be treated that way. You can pick up a rabbit, but you need to know how to do it, by scooping them up from below and preferably from behind.

Housing

Some people don't like rabbits as pets because they think rabbits are boring. Rabbits just sit in their tiny little cage and stare. Well, what else could you do if you were stuffed in a cage all the time? Like anyone, rabbits like to get out and run and stretch their legs. You'll only discover the true personality of a pet rabbit by allowing it some moving and growing space. Rabbits, like all animals, were not made to live in cages, nor on cage floors. If you have to use a cage because of living conditions, make sure it is a very big cage. Or, better yet, get one or two of those large puppy pens from a local pet store, and give your rabbit its own little area of the house. A trained house rabbit can have free roam of a house, but many precautions need to be taken first, such as all electric cords need to be removed or squarely covered with something the rabbit can't move or chew; rabbits will chew electric cords, which can be dangerous if not out-and-out deadly for the rabbit. Generally, even house rabbits should no be allowed to roam a house unsupervised, but very experienced house rabbit owners are known to make exceptions. Also, I strongly suggest you not keep your pet rabbit outdoors, even in a cage; rabbits housed indoors are more safe and have a much longer life expectancy than those outside. One last thing: You should never take your house rabbit outdoors and leave it unsupervised even for a moment; too many things can go wrong.

Other Animals

Rabbits can get along with dogs and cats, but it's not a given. Maybe the dogs and cats won't get along with the rabbit. I have a beagle and three house rabbits, and they all get along very well, but I would never leave my beagle alone with the rabbits for any length of time. Rabbits are prey animals. They're small and they hop around with swift movements. Even a dog that is familiar with rabbits and would never, ever hurt one normally, might accidentally harm a rabbit. Cats can harm rabbits, too, as they are predators naturally, but being closer to the same size, cats are usually not as much of a threat to a rabbit. To be honest, a lot depends upon the personality of your rabbit(s) and the personality of your other pets. In general, it would not be best to leave rabbits alone with other pets for extended periods of time. And if your rabbits are going to share living quarters with another animal, even if it's through a cage or some other separation wall, you need to be there to slowly introduce the critters to one another.

Children

Yes, rabbits are small and fuzzy, but despite what might seem to be a natural, rabbits really aren't great pets for children. Young children especially can be rough on an animal, tugging and pulling and the like, and rabbits are too fragile for that kind of handling. It can harm a rabbit. It possibly could even kill a rabbit. A child, especially a young child, should not be the primary caregiver for a pet rabbit, and like other animals in the house, probably should be left alone with a rabbit for any time.

Spaying and Neutering

Rabbits should be spayed and neutering for three main reasons. First, adult rabbits will mark their territory by spaying, and spaying and neutering will eliminate nearly all those tendencies. Second, if you don't spay and neuter your rabbits, you're going to end up with a lot more rabbits. Third, it's for the rabbit's best health. Spayed and neutered rabbits live a lot longer.

Litter Training

Yes, believe it or not, rabbits can be litter trained. But you should never use kitty litter for rabbits because it is full of clay and/or crystals harmful to rabbits. Use a wood or paper-based litter. My preferences is aspen wood because it is healthier in the long run for rabbits, though it is somewhat difficult to find. Cedar and pine litters are much more common, though there is some evidence they are not as healthy for bunnies. Also, keep in mind litter training takes some time; your best bet is to keep the rabbit confined to a small room and to give them options with several different litter basics, maybe one in each corner. You'll notice over a few days that eventually the rabbit will prefer one litter box over the others, and soon after you can eliminate the other boxes.

Diet

Rabbits needs lots of hay for their digestive systems, which can be quite touchy. Rabbits can pretty much have as much hay as they want. The best easy-to-find hay for rabbits is Timothy hay. Alfalfa hay is also easy to find, and can be used, but Timothy hay is better for rabbit digestion. Rabbit pellets, those little green rolls, can be used, but they aren't as good for a rabbit as hay and plenty of vegetables. If possible, try to give your rabbit at least a cup of vegetables a day. And mix it up with a variety of vegetables. Don't always give carrots or green lettuce or spinach. Give something different each day, or give a mixture each day. Keep in mind head lettuce is not good for rabbits, though it's not deadly, and stay away from cabbage because it can be deadly to some rabbits. Talk to a veterinarian who specializes in small animals to help you decide what diet is best for your new, fuzzy critter. And remember that when you give fresh vegetable, always make sure to clean them beforehand.

Toys

Yes, rabbits love toys! They especially like toys they can chew. So wooden toys are great for rabbits, especially since rabbits need something to chew to help their teeth from growing forever and ever and ever (yes, it's true!). Make sure the wood is natural and not treated with anything, but don't just pick up a twig out in the yard because who knows what could be on it. Most pet stores will have wood toys and other chew toys appropriate for rabbits. Straw balls are also fun for the rabbit, not only because they can chew the straw but also because they can roll it around.

Health Concerns

Like any pet, rabbits do sometimes suffer from disease or one disorder or another. Teeth and digestive ailments are not uncommon. Check with your veterinarian, and the House Rabbit Society, to learn more.

The End?

Only for this article. Covered here were just the basics. There's still a lot to learn about rabbits. But if you love these little creatures, they can give you a lot of love in return. They really do have a lot of personality, and each of them is different from the other.

10 ways to reduce garbage in the house

1. Compost: That's right. Buy or make a compost bin in your back yard, a place where you can put all your food leftovers and leaves and other degradable natural materials. If you don't have a back yard, see if a friend does. Maybe they would be interested in starting a compost bin, and you could add to theirs. Or perhaps there's a composting group in your area that allows members to bring their stuff to one area? And what does a compost bin accomplish? Put a bunch of earthworms in it and in about a year you'll have a fantastic natural fertilizer for any kind of plants.
2. Recycle: If your area doesn't already have a recycling ordinance, you can still recycle yourself. At the very least you can save up your aluminum cans and sell them at a recycling center. The price for aluminum often varies, but you should get at least a few bucks for a garbage bag full of the cans. Call your recycling center first to make sure you follow their rules.
3. Fresh produce: There's usually not much left over after you cook and/or eat fresh produce, so stick with the fresh stuff instead of the canned, jarred or frozen. Think of all the bags and cans and jars you won't have to throw out.
4. Old clothes: Don't just toss them out. Sell them to a thrift store, or give them away to a shelter or anyplace else that might accept them. Call first, however, because some places won't accept certain types of clothes or clothes that are too worn. The same can go for shoes, too.
5. Buy in bulk: Yes, buying in bulk would still leave you with containers to throw away, but over time it would mean fewer containers to throw away. You'd not only be helping Mother Earth, but you'd have fewer trips to the outside garbage can.
6. Stop the junk mail: If you can get off those junk mailing lists, this alone could save you tons of garbage every year. And who knows? Maybe if more and more people did this, eventually they might just stop making and mailing the annoying stuff altogether.
7. Repairs: This can save on garbage, too. How? Have an old pair of shoes you want to throw out? Take them to a shoe repair shop instead. The same can be said for many electronics. There are always computer and television repair shops in any city and most towns.
8. Eat leftovers: Lots of people throw out food they intended to eat but just got bored with. Stop that. Start eating those leftovers for lunch the next day. Or if there's enough for a dinner, freeze the leftovers until next week.
9. Use reusables: Instead of using paper towels, use rags and towels. You can always wash the rags and towels. Also, a lot of foods come in plastic containers that could easily be cleaned and used for storage or even as bowls to eat out of. Remember those big butter or margarine bowls at the grocery store? That's what I'm talking about.
10. Buy less: Sounds hard, right? Maybe not. Do you really need to buy the latest DVD or book? Why not borrow them from your library? That's less garbage, at least down the road if not immediately.

Beagles make great pets

One of the best things about beagles are their temperaments. They get along well with pretty much everyone, and they tend to especially enjoy children. Pulling the ears. Tugging on the tail. None of this usually bothers a beagle unless things go to far, and then the beagle will let you know with a yelp. Beagles also tend to be very gentle and seem to know the personal boundaries of any human they are dealing with; this makes beagles especially good for senior citizens and children. Beagles can be stubborn at times, making some members of the breed a bit difficult to house train, but this can be overcome with training and with treats. Beagles will do just about anything for a treat!

Beagles are easily made happy. They love to sleep, but they also love to get a good, long walk. Food and treats are especially a favorite of this breed, though their strongest sense is smell. One reason beagles love to walk so much is they enjoy keeping that nose to the ground and taking in all the wonderful smells that come to them. Keep in mind their sense of smell is quite stronger than that of humans, and sometimes that can get them into trouble. For example, a good scent can easily lead a beagle off in a wild direction, so make sure to keep your beagle on a leash at all times when it is not indoors or in a fenced area. Also, keep in mind that since beagles love food so much, it is easy for them to become overweight which leads to health risks and a shorter lifespan; make sure not to feed your beagle too much and too often.

Size is another good thing about beagles. They're not to small and they're not too big. Most beagles are a little taller than a U.S. foot, about 14 or so inches, and they usually weight from about 20 to 38 pounds. They're size makes them good indoor pets, but also means they are sturdy enough to get by in the back yard if that is where you have to keep your furry friend.

Also, beagles are generally one of the healthier breeds of dogs. As a breed, they are not prone to inherited diseases or other problems. Still, it's always good to get your beagle checked by a veterinarian at least once a year.

Now, in an effort to be fair, there is one downside to having a beagle pal. It's the howl. Yep, beagles can be quite loud. Strangers, other dogs, doorbells, just about anything can set a beagle off, and the noise they make is intense. It can take some getting used to for those with their first beagle. Not all beagles howl all the time. Some are quiet most of the time, while others will let out a yelp at just about anything. A lot depends upon the individual beagle's personality.

It's possible to survive heart disease: One story

For my 36th birthday, I was in the hospital. The outlook was not good. I could barely breath. The cardiologist told me my heart was at 15 percent of working capacity. He was frankly surprised I was conscious, let alone walk. He also told me that he had 27 years of experience, and in all that time, I had the largest human heart he had ever seen; he described it as the size of a wild boar's heart. Before any major tests were even done on me, before any medication had been prescribed, I was placed on the national list for seeking a donor's heart. I was told if I didn't have a heart replacement within two years, I would probably only live another 5 to 10 years.

I was 36 years old. Still pretty young.

How did I get there?

At the age of 21, I ran four miles every day. I lifted weights three times a week. I weighed 200 pounds, all of it solid muscle. By the time I was 36, I weighed 300 pounds, and practically none of it was muscle. How did it happen? Laziness? My wife said just the opposite. I worked too much. I had a middle-management position and worked 50 hours a week on my slow weeks, and usually more like 60 to 80 hours. I hadn't had a vacation in a decade. I was too busy to eat properly. I ate on the run all the time, often at my desk at work.

How it began

The first change I really noticed in my body was my breathing. I was having a hard time catching my breath. Not in a million years did I think this could be because of heart problems. I actually thought it was allergies because it had been a warm summer and we had been doing some renovations on our house, which had put up lots of chalkdust and wood dust into the air. I just figured it was my allergies acting up. I'd get over it. My breathing would get better once we finished working on the house and the summer was over.

Then my wife had to leave me for three months. Her mother had had surgery and needed someone to take care of her. I was on my own for most of the next three months, seeing my wife on weekends when I'd drive the four hours to her mother's. All the while, my breathing was getting worse.

Finally, my wife came home. She had been home only two days when, on another hot summer day, I took the kitchen garbage outside. By the time I came back inside, a time span of perhaps two minutes at most, my ankles had swollen up to twice their size. It was scary. I had never seen anything like it. My wife wanted to take me to the hospital immediately.

But I said no. I had to work that night. I told her if my ankles had not gone down by the morning, then I would go to the hospital.

I went to work. Nothing horrible happened to me. But the swelling in my feet did not diminish.

The next morning we were in the hospital. I was declared an emergency case and placed immediately admitted to the hospital. The next several days were filled with tests and more tests.

The scariest part

First, they had to find out what was wrong with me. Then once they did find out, they had to do even more tests to discover how bad my situation was. It was bad.

To be able to fully tell how dire my situation was, the cardiologist said he would have to perform a cardiac catheterization. In layman's terms, they were going to make a small incision in my leg, then feed a tube up a vein or artery until the end of the tube reached my heart. At the end of the tube was a miniature camera; it would allow the doctor to actually look inside my heart to see what was going on.

And, get this, I would be awake during the whole ordeal and would be able to see what the doctor saw on a video next to my bed.

Sounds scary, right? It was. The doctor let me go home for one day before performing the cardiac catheterization (also called a heart cath), and my 80-year-old neighbor just laughed at me when I told him. "I've had 7 or 8 heart caths," he said. "No big deal."

But it seemed like a big deal to me then.

The day of the heart cath

The actual cardiac catheterization took about 40 minutes. I spent much more time than that waiting in the prep area and afterward in the waiting bedroom.

They drugged me up pretty good during the actual cath, but not so much I didn't know what was going on. I felt groggy and my vision was a little blurry around the edges, but I was fully conscious. And yes, there was a video screen right next to my bed where I could watch that tiny camera travel around through my body and into my heart. The inside of my heart looked like a bunch of gigantic caves with rounded edges, all in black and white.

During my heart cath, the nurses would chat with me a little, and every once in a while the cardiologist would say something like, "That's interesting," or "That's surprising." And, of course, he didn't take the time during the moment to explain to me what he meant by his words. That made it a little more scary.

But overall, while by no means a pleasant process, the heart cath wasn't nearly as bad as it had sounded. The closest I can compare it to, physically, would be like going to the dentist for some semi-major work, maybe getting a tooth filled.

I was a little sore afterwards, and it hurt to walk for a few days because of the incision in my leg, but overall, yeah, the heart cath wasn't as bad as I had though.

The outcome

I had to go on lots of pills. Still take some of them almost five years later. I had to go on disability from work for four months, and even when I went back full time it was under conditions I'd not work more than 40 hours a week. I had to walk everyday, and I still do (my beagle loves her daily walks). I had to watch what I ate, as can be expected. And, of course, I had to lose weight.

A year later, I was taken off the list for a donated heart. The doctor said my recovery was one of the best he had ever seen. He didn't think I'd be able to keep my heart, but I did.

The surprises

There were, however, some surprises in all this. While my situation had been dire, it was a bit different from most cardiac patients.

For one, and most surprising, I had no blockages in my heart. "You have some of the cleanest arteries I've ever seen in a patient," were the doctor's words. Sound weird? It did to me, but the more I learned about the heart and my specific problems, the more I learned that blockages (what commonly cause heart attacks) are not the only major problems that can be associated with the heart.

I suffered from an enlarged heart. Part of that was heredity, my father has an enlarged heart also, but some of it was the bad treatment I had given my heart over the years.

Another surprise was the changes in my diet. It wasn't what I'd expected, though as I said above, my heart problems were not the more common ones. Yes, I had to severely restrict my diet for a long time (and still do, though to a lesser extent), but it wasn't the calories and fat grams that I really had to watch for. It was the sodium. Salt. Another big surprise here was that I never considered myself a salt person. I don't add salt to anything, not even french fries. But at the time I wasn't as aware that sodium in large quantities was added to fast foods and to pre-prepared meals, mainly the stuff I'd been eating for years. So, I had to watch my sodium.

And I had to watch how much fluid I drink every day. You always hear that a person is supposed to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Not me. At least not when I was right out of the hospital. The real problem withmy heart, and what had caused my breathing problems, was that so much fluid was building around my heart that is was putting pressure on my lungs and making it hard for me to breath.

You live and learn. The opposite option isn't very attractive.

Now

So, it's about 5 years later. I'm still alive. Still have my original heart. I've an a couple of episodes, mostly due to hot weather I'm not supposed to be out in if I can help it, but overall I'm doing pretty good. I still watch what I eat, though not as drastically as a few years ago. I walk every day. I try to get exercise without hurting myself. I've lost a good bit of weight, about 70 pounds, though there's still more I'd like to lose.

I'm alive, and I'm relatively healthy. That's all I can ask for right now.

10 natural skin care tips

1. Lemon: Slice some lemon, then rub the lemon over your face and let the juice sit on your face for about a half hour. The rinse with cold water. This helps to refresh the face, but a word of warning: lemon juice can dry out the face some, especially if you have dry skin.
2. Honey: Add a cup of slightly warmed honey to your bath water. This helps the skin to be soft and smooth. If you are just wanting to wash your face, add a quarter of a cup of warm honey into a bowl or sink of warm water. You can heat the honey on the stove or in a microwave, but be careful, don't let the honey get too hot because it will burn.
3. Peanut Oil: Many have found peanut oil to be great for fighting those wrinkles. Apply a little in those troublesome spots, including around the eyes and on the throat. Let sit for 15 minutes, then wipe away.
4. Apples: For combating oily skin, try this out. Cut an apple into very thin slices. Then rub the slices onto the oily areas. Let sit for a few minutes. Wipe clean. Repeat this every few days if you feel it's necessary.
5. Cauliflower juice: This product might be difficult to find, but call around to some of your local specialty grocery stores or health food stores. What does it do? It removes warts. That's right. Just apply regularly to your warts, and they should be taken care of in a week or maybe less.
6. Carrot juice: Worried about those blemishes? Worry no longer. Apply some carrot juice at least once a day and you should see those blemishes begin to fade in a week or two, though sometimes it can take longer if it is a dark or deep blemish.
7. Shallots: Onions in general are good for getting rid of acne. The best way to use the shallots is first to skin and clean them. Then mince the shallots in a blender while mixing in cold water; stop adding the water once a thick paste has been formed. Now use a muslin cloth to squeeze out the shallot's juice. Save the juice in your refrigerator, at least for a couple of hours before using. Then apply it to your face and leave it on for about ten minutes at least once a day. You should be able to see improvements in at least a couple of weeks.
8. Cucumber: Cucumbers have lots of water in them, thus they are great for reducing swelling around eyes and for helping with dry skin. Cut a couple of slices of cucumber and lay back with the slices on your eyes for a half hour to help fight those wrinkles and swelling. Or smear the slices on an area of dry skin, let it sit for 10 or 15 minutes, then wipe away.
9. Eggs: Crack a couple of eggs into a bowl. Mix until the yellows and white are mixed together. Then massage the raw eggs onto your face and let sit for 15 minutes. It sounds like a mess, but it does wonders for fighting aging and tired skin by adding protein.
10. Olive oil: Olive oil is great for dry skin on your hands, and it's good for your nails, too. Rub in all those little crevices around the fingers, including in and around the cuticles. Then wipe dry. Especially helpful after you've been cooking over a hot stove, which can dry the hands out.

6 basic tools needed for bicycle repair

Chain tool: This is a special tool that sort of cuts a bicycle chain, then re-connects the chain. The picture below is of a chain tool.

Air pump: This one is so simple, it shouldn't be forgotten. An air pump for your tires. If it's small enough and light-weight enough, you can probably even carry it with you while biking.

Puncture repair kit: Yep, this one's also for your tires. Carry it with you always when biking, especially if you're going trail riding or mountain biking.

Screwdrivers: You can look over your bike to see if you will need both flathead and Phillips screwdrivers, but you most likely will.

Allen wrenches: These little hex key wrenches can come in quite handy. If you're out biking, you probably don't need the whole set of these wrenches, but it's handy to at least have the one or two needed for your bike.

Tire iron: Yep, they make tire irons for bicycle's, also. This tool is nice to have at home whenever you need to change an inner tube.

There are, of course, plenty of more tools that can be used for bicycle repair, but this list gives the basics needed for most bike riders. If you are a true bicycle repair enthusiast, check with one of your local bike shops and ask what kind of tools they have available.

10 tips for growing tomatoes

1. Start indoors: You can get ahead of the tomato growing season by starting your seedlings indoors in a pot.
2. Give your tomatoes something to climb: Remember that tomato plants grow like a vine. They like to grow upwards. So when planting your tomatoes outdoors, give them some tall stacks or a fence wall or something to climb up.
3. Trimming those vines: Keep your tomato vines pruned. This helps to provide sunshine to the tomatoes and will help them grow larger. You especially want to trim those vine shoots growing out the sides.
4. Don't handle wet tomatoes: At least not while they're still on the vine. This increases the chances of rot setting in, or of the tomatoes having bad spots.
5. Watch your watering: This is a tricky one. You don't want the tomato plants to become too saturated or rot could set in. On the other hand, if you don't water enough, rot could still settle in. Keep your tomato plants watered regularly, especially at the root level, but don't drown them.
6. Use a fan: This might sound a little wacky, but it works. Tomato plants need a strong stem to grow better and taller, and apparently the wind helps the tomato to build a strong stem, kind of building strong muscles in your arms. When your plants are still in the seedling phase, use an electric fan on them to help build those stems. But don't put the fan on high and keep it blasting away at the poor seedlings all the time or you'll end up with flattened seedlings. Adjust the fan's power and its distance from the seedlings as you see fit; usually a little less is better than a little more.
7. Make sure the seedlings get plenty of light: Tomato seedlings need at least 14 hours of sunlight a day, and can use as much as 18 hours' worth. So, if you're planting your seedlings outdoors, make sure they will be in a spot where they get sunshine for most of the day. If you start with your seedlings indoors, invest in some fluorescent growing lights.
8. Don't overload the manure: Manure tends to have high levels of nitrogen, and while this is good for your tomato vines, it's not so good for the tomatoes themselves. Too much nitrogen and you won't get many tomatoes, though you should still have a healthy plant. Just make sure you know what's going in the soil for your tomatoes.
9. Put down some mulch: Natural mulches help to hold water in the ground for tomatoes, so provide plenty of natural mulch around where your tomatoes are growing. But don't put down the mulch until the ground has warmed some, at least 65 or so degrees, or the mulch won't be as helpful. Mulch also helps to keep away weeds and some insects harmful to tomatoes.
10. Plant your tomatoes deep: You want your tomato plants to be strong, right? Of course you do. To help achieve this, went planting the seedlings outdoors, bury the plant deep enough so the soil just covers the top leaves. This will urge the plant to spread its roots deeper, which will help to grow a stronger plant.

10 websites for science fiction writers and fans

Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc.: http://www.sfwa.org/

The SFWA is an organization for writers of science fiction and fantasy to band together. The group does a lot of different things, from simply connecting writers to helping with legal causes and more, but you don't have to be a member to use the Web site. And this Web site holds tons of valuable information, advice and links for writers, especially beginning writers. If you are just starting out and want to know more, you need to check out this site.

SFReader.com: sfreader.com

This Web site has tons of book and movie reviews, as well as author pages, contests and some of the best forums around. If you make it to the forums, tell them Darkbow sent you.

Clarion Writer's Workshop at UC San Diego: clarion.ucsd.edu

Clarion is the oldest workshops of its kind, a science fiction and fantasy writer's workshop, and its not easy to get into. Find all the criteria about applying for the next workshop at this site. And there are a few other helpful links as well.

SciFi.com: http://www.scifi.com/

Just because you're a writer doesn't mean you don't need to pay attention to SciFi.com and what's appearing on their Web site and the Sci-Fi Channel on television. There could be good movies and shows there, and they can give you lots of story ideas. Also, this is a cool Web site for science fiction news and gaming links.

World Science Fiction Society: http://www.worldcon.org/

Find out when and where the next World Science Fiction Convention is going to be held. You can also find out plenty of information about past conventions and how to join this group.

Science Fiction Book Club: http://www.sfbc.com/

This club's site can keep you updated on what's new in the bookstores, as well as offer a look back at older books. Become a member and you can save money when you order books from them.

Ralan.com: ralan.com

You're a writer, so you want to know where to sell your stories, right? This is one of the best Web sites you can go to. There are lists and lists and lists of magazines and book publishers and e-zines and more where you can sell your stories. The listings are broken down into book publishers, adult publishers, humor publishers, pro-paying publishers, paying publishers and publishers who don't pay (but still give you an opportunity to share your work with others).

Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy: http://www.writesf.com/

This site might be a little basic for the advanced writer, but it's a great place for newbies to get a start. Jeffrey A. Carver's site is geared toward young writers, those still in school, but all ages can find opportunities here. Carver even offers a free online writing class.

SFF Net: http://www.sff.net/

You'll find tons of people who are interested in science fiction here with blogs and other Web pages. Many of the people are professionals, writers and editors and publishers, while some are hardcore fans or have other interests in science fiction and fantasy and horror. There are also a good number of links to different newsgroups about speculative fiction.

The Hugo Awards: http://www.thehugoawards.org/

This is the big daddy of science fiction writing awards. If you win one of these babies, your writing career is pretty much set. This site has information about the award and how you could win it, and there's plenty of other links, too.

10 basic tips for losing weight and keeping it off

1. Substitute foods: Don't starve yourself. Your body, you stomach and yes, even your eyes, are used to a certain amount of food every day. Instead of cutting back on the amount you eat, change the type of foods you eat. Forget about that cheeseburger, and reach for more salad instead.
2. Watch your drinks: It might not seem like it, but what you drink can add to the calories. Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks are especially full of calories and fat. Milk is also quite fattening, and even many fruit juices are high in calories. And forget those diet soft drinks; they help very little. Your best bets for fluids are likely skim milk and good old-fashioned water.
3. See your doctor: Especially if you are considering a major weight loss. Not only can your family physician tell you what's healthiest for you, but they can also make suggestions as to where and from whom you can receive further help.
4. Exercise: Yes, it sounds like a lot of work, but the old saying is somewhat true, "no pain, no gain." And you don't have to start some strenuous exercise routine. Just start being a little more active. Walk to work or school or to the grocery store. Park further away at malls and walk to the entrance. Again, you should check with your doctor before starting a major exercise regime, especially if you are not in the greatest of shape.
5. Stop eating when you're full: Go away from the table not quite full to your stomach. And definitely don't leave the table stuffed to the gills. Eating slowly helps by allowing your body to recognize you are receiving food.
6. Take things gradually: Don't start out trying to walk five miles a day, and don't start a diet by trying to starve yourself. You'll quickly become frustrated and that makes it easier for old habits to kick in. Start off slow. Just walk a short distance your first few times, then gradually add a little more distance every few days. And cut back on your food intake by large amounts right at the beginning. You'll feel starved. Slowly decrease the amount of food you eat. This also helps you keep to your diet.
7. Allow yourself to be bad: But only every once in a while. Don't give up chocolate cake altogether if you love it. Again, you'll become frustrated eventually and then you might want to binge on chocolate cake. Just don't eat chocolate cake all the time, or often. Give yourself a reward every now and then. Exercise is the same. If you're feeling weak or tired one day, skip the walking or whatever. Just remember to get back on board the next day.
8. Turn off that television, and that computer: People tend to eat more when plopped down in front of the tube, or are sitting at the keyboard. Get some exercise! Turn off the TV and PC and go for a walk. You'll burn more calories that way.
9. Say goodbye to restaurants, especially fast food: Eat at home more often. That way, by preparing your own meals, you can know exactly what you are eating. Also, it's easier this way to control your portion sizes. But again, let yourself be bad once in a while, just not all the time.
10. Seek out others: Finding other people who are in the same boat as yourself can be a big help. Maybe you need to join a weight-loss club or group, or maybe you should get a gym membership. Being around others trying to lose weight will not only keep up your morale, but also you can learn more tips on losing weight from others.

10 tips for beginning joggers

1. If you smoke, quit: Besides the health benefits giving up tobacco will do for your body, stopping smoking will allow you to breath easier when jogging. Also, smoking raises your heartbeat and blood pressure, and your heart and blood pressure will be working more than enough once you start jogging.
2. See your doctor: Especially if you are overweight or not in great health, you should consult your family doctor before beginning any kind of workout regimen. A physician will be able to offer advice about what kind of workout you should be getting, if any at all; it's not impossible a doctor will tell you to lay off jogging until you've lost more weight or have improved your health. Also, ask you doctor if he or she thinks you should get a trainer, someone experienced who can help you get the most from your exercise.
3. Don't start too fast: During the first week or two, when your body is getting used to the new exercise you are putting it through, don't try to run at a break-neck speed. You'll do more harm than good to yourself, physically and mentally. For the physical part, you could hurt yourself by spraining an ankle or by putting too much pressure on your knees. For the mental part, you could tire yourself out too soon and this could make you lose confidence and interest.
4. Stretch: You might remember this one from gym class in school. It's not a joke or some kind of torture the gym teacher was trying to put you through. Stretching before a jog really helps to loosen up your muscles, which will make your jog a little easier on your body.
5. Turn up the music: Whether it's an iPod or an old Walkman or whatever, listening to music can help the time go by faster and can help keep you motivated. Just remember to keep your eyes open for safety purposes, because with your ears filled with tunes, you won't be able to hear your surroundings as well.
6. Stand straight: This will help the blood flow by not slouching while jogging, and it will also help your breathing by keeping your lungs open.
7. Wear the right shoes: Running shoes are important for your balance, for the health of your feet and for the health of your leg joints. Just about any pair of sneakers or tennis shoes or walking shoes can be worn, but your best bet would be to invest in some good running shoes. If you're unsure what to buy, ask someone at a local sports shoe shop.
8. Walk when necessary: Beginning joggers often aren't quite ready for out-and-out jogging or running, mentally and physically. But you'll get over that. If you have to, walk the first part of your workout, or walk at the end or really anywhere along the way. You want to build up the pulse rate some, but don't wear yourself out too much. Walk when you feel it is necessary.
9. Make time: It's going to take a little time to get in your jog, probably at least 20 or 30 minutes, depending upon what your doctor or trainer suggests for you. In a way that doesn't seem like a lot of time, but we all live busy lives. You'll have to work in the time. Plan ahead, whether you jog every day or only a few days a week. Get up a little earlier in the morning and jog then if you have to. The important thing is to fit jogging into your schedule. If you have to start off with less time, say just 5 minutes, that can be okay as long as you slowly work up to a longer time period, but don't jump back and forth by doing 5 minutes one day and 30 minutes the next. That won't help your body adjust.
10. Have fun: Remember this one. After you've been running a while, your body is going to be in better condition. You're going to sleep better. You're probably going to enjoy your meals better. A lot of things will be better. Enjoy it! And the rumors you've heard about a "runner's high," they really are true. Once you become an experienced jogger, you could easily reach a state where you feel like you could run forever, just remember that you can't. The body needs rest, too.

Health benefits of 10 common foods

10 Health Benefits of Lemons

Don't make a sour face over lemons. They provide plenty of health benefits, such as being a natural diuretic, which means lemons help the body to shed excess fluid. In other words, lemons can make you have to urinate more often. Also, lemons mixed with water are supposed to bring about a calming effect, helping one deal with stress and depress. Click the link above to find out more about the health benefits of lemons.

10 Health Benefits of Carrots

Carrots aren't just for rabbits , you know. Carrots are good for people, too. Why? Because carrots are loaded with Vitamin A, which is good for eyesight, and beta-carotene, which works as an anti-oxidant to help the body heal cells damaged by toxins. Carrots have plenty of other health offerings, too.

10 Health Benefits of Spinach

This leafy green vegetable is popular in salads or sometimes cooked, but it usually offers most of its health benefits when it is not cooked. What are some of those health benefits? For one thing, spinach has lots of Vitamin K, which is good for building calcium in the body, thus helping to build stronger bones. Also, spinach has plenty of magnesium, which tends to help diabetics regulate their blood sugar levels.

10 Health Benefits of Chocolate

Surprised to see this on the list? Don't be. Taken in moderation, chocolate has plenty of healthy properties. For instance, one study has show that those who eat chocolate are less likely to suffer from a stroke. Too, another study has suggested those who eat chocolate tend to live longer than those who don't. Check out the link above to find out more.

10 Health Benefits of Oatmeal

Often oatmeal isn't known for its health properties, which is unfortunate because there are plenty of them. Oatmeal is good for acne when applied to the face. And oatmeal has lots of Vitamin B, which helps the brain and nervous system to function. Read on, because oatmeal has plenty more to offer.

10 Health Benefits of Bananas

Remember the old saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away?" Well, maybe the same thing should be said for bananas. Bananas are high in potassium, which makes them excellent for dealing with high blood pressure. Also, bananas are known to be good for those who are trying to give up tobacco by helping them to cope with their nicotine withdrawal.

10 Health Benefits of Coffee

Lots of people drink coffee, especially for breakfast, but many of them don't realize coffee might help to lower the chances of contacting Parkinson's Disease, at least according to one study. Also, coffee lowers the levels of cholesterol in the stomach, helping the body to prevent a build-up of gall stones.

10 Health Benefits of Tomatoes

Tomatoes have Vitamin B and potassium, two things that are good for dealing with cholesterol. Tomatoes also have lots of Vitamin A, which is good for the hair, bones and teeth.

10 Health Benefits of Broccoli

Okay, admittedly not every loves broccoli, but it does offer plenty of health benefits. In fact, broccoli is loaded with tons of vitamins, it's low on calories and fat, thus it's an excellent food to help fight starvation in suffering countries.

10 Health Benefits of Beer

This is another one you likely didn't expect to find here. Beer ? Yes. Beer has lots of health benefits, when taken in moderation. For example, beer might be able to help prevent the pains caused by kidney stones. As another example, beer helps to relieve stress, but you probably knew about that one. To learn more about beer and health, go to the link above.

More healthy food links

10 Foods to Avoid Feeding a Baby

10 Things You Might Not Know You Can Do With White Vinegar

10 Tips for a Healthy Breakfast

Health benefits of 10 common fruits

Oranges

Oranges are known to have plenty of Vitamin C, and Vitamin C is good for coping with arteriosclerosis, a hardening of the arteries that could lead to a heart attack. Oranges are supposed to be good for combating bad cholesterol, as well. Don't forget to talk to your doctor about any major changes in your diet.

Grapes

The fight against cancer might someday include a remedy derived from grapes. Believe it or not, several studies have found that grapes potentially could help reduce tumors or even prevent cancer altogether, but more research still has to be done. Also, grape seed oil is suggested for helping with the pains of arthritis.

Strawberries

These little red fruits contain plenty of Omega-3 fatty acids, which makes them an excellent choice for better mental functions, possibly even helping to stave off Alzheimer's. The fiber found in strawberries also makes this an excellent food for those suffering with irritable bowel syndrome.

Blueberries

Blueberries contain heavy molecules that help to wash away bacteria in the urinary tract, thus these berries help to prevent urinary tract infections. Blueberries also contain an antioxidant that helps to prevent blood clots, thus also possibly preventing heart attacks.

Cherries

Fiber is important for helping the body with digestion. Guess what has plenty of fiber. That's right. Cherries. This fruit in a concentrated juice form is also good for helping with headaches, studies suggesting it works better than even aspirin.

Watermelon

Don't laugh, but watermelons actually are good for helping men cope with impotence. Also, the Vitamin B found in watermelon helps provide the body with an energy boost, so skip the caffeine and go for some watermelon if you need something to wake you up.

Bananas

If you suffer from ulcers, talk to your physician and ask if perhaps you should eat more bananas. Bananas form a coating inside the stomach and do away with some gastric acids, thus making them an excellent food for those dealing with ulcers. You know what else bananas are supposed to be good for? Cramps.

Lemons

Lemons are commonly known as a natural diuretic, allowing the body to shed excess fluid, which is especially important for many suffering from heart disease. And all that potassium found in lemons helps to lower the blood pressure.

Apples

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. It's an old saying, but there just might be a little truth to it. For example, apples are good for diabetics because they contain natural sugars and allow diabetics to regulate their blood sugar levels. And did you know apples are good for sunburns? That's right. If you have a sunburn, smash up an apple, add a little glycerine, and apply for 15 minutes to help with the pain.

Tomatoes

Yes, the tomato is a fruit, though a number of people tend to forget that or not know it in the first place. Because of all the potassium and Vitamin B found in tomatoes, they make an excellent food to ward of heart disease and to help those already suffering with heart disease. Also, the Vitmain A from a tomato is good for your eyesight.

More healthy links

100 tips for living to 100 years old

10 Health Benefits of Cinnamon

10 Foods to Avoid Feeding a Baby

10 things beginning walkers should know

1. If you are elderly or not in the best shape, make sure to check with your doctor before starting a walking regimen. He or she might have some concerns or suggestions that can help you.
2. Exercise can sometimes affect the effects of medication. So if you are taking anything, be aware some changes might be headed your way. Often, walking can help improve the benefits of medication. To be sure, check with your physician.
3. Remember to be safe. Carry some kind of identification, and don't stray into routes where there are few people around and no way to see you, such as in alleyways.
4. If you are walking at night, make sure to wear reflective garb. This will help others to be aware of your presence, especially drivers.
5. Speaking of drivers, always be aware of your surroundings, especially when you are around automobiles. Drivers won't always see you coming, and sometimes someone might not be paying attention and might not expect a walker to step out into the road.
6. Any kind of low-heeled sports shoe is good for your walking, but if you can afford it, there are specific walking shoes made that are your best bet.
7. If you need motivation to keep at your walking, ask a friend or family member to partner up with you and walk with you every day. If you can't think of anyone to ask, maybe check with your local YMCA, YWCA or find out if there is a walking club near you.
8. If your feet suffer from blisters after you've had a walk, it might be your shoes. Try a different pair. Or try wearing two pairs of socks, one outside the other; this can help cut down on blisters.
9. Don't wear yourself out, especially if you're a beginning walker. Try to walk at a brisk pace, but not so much that you can't catch your breath.
10. If you're walking for health reasons, try to get in a walk whenever you can. Don't park so close to the front doors at the mall. Keep those walking shoes in the back of your car.

5 basic benefits of walking

Physical health

Walking burns calories, which can help you keep your weight down. Also, walking builds those leg muscles and strengthens the heart, thus keeping the blood pressure lower. Want to live longer, don't you? Then walk! This exercise is great for decreasing the chances of stroke, heart attacks and other illnesses.

Mental health

When you are feeling blue, very often you just want to sit at home on the couch and eat a bowl of potato chips. But getting out and walking can help relieve stress and depression. So lift your mood with a stroll.

Environmental health

Yep, believe it or not, walking is green. It's good for the environment simply because you're moving your body and not moving a vehicle that uses gasoline and spews out all kinds of fumes. And if you can walk to work, you're helping to reduce traffic congestion.

Economic health

Walking can help you save money. The next time you need to head out to the convenience store for a loaf of bread, walk instead of taking the car. You just saved on gasoline!

Sleep health

Walking can even help you sleep better at night. Walking tires the body while also getting your body in better physical condition. That means you can have a deeper sleep and you'll feel more rested when you wake up.

10 tips for a healthy breakfast

1. Bring some life to your morning cereal by adding fresh, frozen, dried or canned fruit pieces. When buying frozen or prepared fruits, the healthier choice would be fruits without added sugar.
2. If you are in need of protein, add some mushrooms and/or spinach to your morning omelet.
3. "I'm too busy to eat breakfast." You hear it all the time, and maybe you've even said it. But there is a way to make time for breakfast. You just have to make the time. And it's easy to do. You just have to sort of fool yourself into it by getting into the habit. The first time, don't worry about having some big, prepared breakfast; just grab a piece of fruit or toast. Keep doing that every day. It's better than having no breakfast at all, and eventually you'll get used to it and your body will get used to it. You'll be fooling your own body and mind into having time for breakfast. Eventually you might even have time for a whole bowl of oatmeal. Oh boy!
4. Create a breakfast salad on-the-go. Core out the center of an apple, then fill it with a little peanut butter and maybe some raisins, nuts or berries.
5. If you are a coffee drinker, keep to the plain, black stuff. It's true coffee has few calories, but that Super Malto Giganto Caramel Extreme Latte with sprinkles and cream is full of fat, calories and sugar.
6. If you are on the go and need a quick, healthy breakfast, keep in mind a small bowl of fruit. Even many fastfood restaurants will have a bowl of apple slices with berries on their menu.
7. Keeping your health and your breakfast in mind while shopping can help a lot. Try the low-fat items. Low-fat cottage cheese tastes just as good as the regular, and low-fat yogurts are often loaded down with fruits. And skim milk can be used for cereals even if you don't care much for the taste.
8. If you like toast, try using a multi-grain breads instead of that heavy white bread you grew up with.
9. Can't live without your eggs? Try using just the egg whites. You'll cut down on your cholesterol.
10. For the adventurous, make your own cereal. That's right! Health food stores and specialty grocery stores, and often the bulk sections in you usual grocery store, have everything you need for making your own, healthy breakfast cereal. Get a bag of dried fruit, your favorite nuts, seeds, oats, millet and mix it all up. You can add yogurt after the mixing, and keep everything stored in a container ready to go for the next morning.

10 natural tips for better sleep

1. Keep it comfortable: This would seem to be common sense, but some sleepers have a bed that's too hard or too soft. Or they're stuck with pillows that just don't feel right to them. It will cost some money to get a new bed and pillows, but it could be worth it if it allows for better sleep. And don't just look at those beds in the furniture store; kick off your shoes and try them out.
2. Don't think about it: Concern about trying to fall asleep can actually keep you awake. Worries tend to do that, especially when you fret over them. Try the old fashioned method and count sheep. Or think of something else, something pleasant (though not food, because that might send you to the kitchen).
3. Sleep at night: This might be easier said than done, especially if you work nights, but it really can help. The body is conditioned through years and years of biology to sleep when it's dark outside. Avoid long naps during the day, though a short nap of less than an hour shouldn't hurt too much. If you have to sleep during the day, keep the blinds closed and try to make your room as dark as possible.
4. Stay on schedule: Your body adjusts to a natural clock. It knows when it's time to go to bed and when it's time to wake. Try to stick to a scheduled sleeping period. Your body will adjust if you have to change the time around a little, but you should try to stick to the same sleeping time even when you're not working.
5. Avoid caffeine: This should be an obvious tip. Stay away from caffeinated soft drinks and coffee and some teas in the hours before you plan to go to sleep. Caffeine keeps you awake. Sorry, this includes most chocolates.
6. Exercise: Working out makes the body tired and gets you in better shape, both which are conditions conducive to better sleep. You don't have to go crazy and run ten miles a day, but a solid walk for twenty minutes soon before sleep time can help. But don't exercise too close to your bedtime, because your body will be worked up. Make sure to take some time to let your body cool down and relax.
7. Clean out the bedroom: Except for the bed, of course. Make your bedroom only for sleeping. Televisions and video games are a distraction that can keep you awake; place those items in another room.
8. Get the right amount of sleep: Layman's tradition is that everyone needs about 8 hours of sleep a night. In a way this is true, but it's not so exact. Everyone needs a different amount of sleep. Some people can operate fine on only six hours of sleep a night. Other people need nine hours. But it's usually somewhere around the eight-hour mark. And this will change with age and your health. So figure out what feels like the right amount of sleep for you, then try to stick with it.
9. Watch your food intake: You shouldn't go to bed hungry, but you also shouldn't go to bed soon after eating a big meal. Both conditions can keep you awake. And drinking for eating a lot before bedtime is just asking for disaster, because you're likely to wake up in the middle of the night needing to go to the bathroom.
10. Sleep alone: This is another one often difficult to accomplish, especially if you have a spouse, kids and pets. But sometimes it's the presence of others that can keep you awake. Does your spouse snore? Do the kids kick you when they're sleeping? Maybe the dog growls in its sleep. Any of these things, and more, can keep you awake. If possible, try sleeping alone in a room, maybe a guest bedroom if you have one.

10 tips for overcoming shyness and being more social

1. Smile: It sounds easy, and it is. The more you smile, the better you'll feel about yourself. And smiling as improves others' opinions of you. Don't believe me? Give it a try. After all, it can't hurt, and you might just brighten up your own day and that of others.
2. Stay away from personal pronouns in conversation: What? Sound weird to you? It's really not. When talking to others, using the words "I" and "me" over and over again can be a turnoff, even if just subconsciously. Focus a little more on other people, especially new acquaintances, and less on yourself. This shows other people you are interested in them, and obviously this helps with social situations.
3. Don't focus on your shyness: When you're in a social gathering, just don't think about your shyness. How do you do that? Focus on something else, maybe a person you want to talk to. Or just keep in mind how much fun the gathering can be. Thinking about your shyness just makes you ... well, it can make you shy. So don't think about it.
4. Be prepared: If you are attending a gathering and it's not something you're used to, or maybe you're not sure what to talk about with others, come up with a short list of conversation topics beforehand. Maybe you could even create a little cheat sheet and slip it into your pocket to help remind you while you're mingling. Try to avoid topics that can be splintering, often religion and politics fall into this category for many people, but you can come up with a few seemingly light topics. Here are some ideas: Children, the weather, sports, recent events, etc. But try to stick with ideas of which you are somewhat informed. You don't want to look the fool by not knowing what you're talking about.
5. Join a club: Make sure it's something with which you have an interest. Maybe a book club, or a fantasy sports league, something that gets you to interact with other people on a regular basis. This way you'll be in somewhat familiar territory, and you'll be with people who share similar interests as your own. It's much easier to overcome shyness among such a group than it is around a bunch of strangers.
6. Reward yourself: Maybe it's a chocolate bar, or a new book you've been wanting to read, or any number of little things. But when you feel you've made a new social accomplishment, treat yourself a little. This helps build up your self esteem, and it can be a lot of fun.
7. Remember to introduce yourself: Let's pretend you're at a meeting or a party where you don't know a lot of people. Normally you might just stand around talking to no one, maybe working your way to the sides of the room or over to the food table. Stop that. If you're standing next to a person you don't know, introduce yourself. This is easier said than done, but it can help break the ice with a lot of people. Yep, just by giving your name. It can be that easy.
8. Remember the details: I'm talking about other people here. When you meet someone new, try to remember more than just their name and maybe their job. Try to remember some little detail about them. Maybe one of their children plays soccer. Maybe they've finished reading a good book. Maybe they like to wear flashy clothing. Anything. The point is, the next time you see this person, you can work in a comment about the detail you remember. This tells other people that you find them important. And this means you will become of interest, and possibly important, to them.
9. Start with your friends and family: You don't have to go out of your way to tell those close to you that you're shy, not unless you're comfortable doing so. But honestly, they probably already know. But you can use relationships you already have to try to break out of your shell. Practice being social with your friends and family. Maybe spend a little more time out in public with them, even if it's only shopping or going out to eat. This is an easy way to work up to being more social in unfamiliar territory with unfamiliar people.
10. Be your own best friend: Shy people have a tendency to beat themselves up mentally. They think they did some little thing to wrong at a party. They think they said the wrong thing at a meeting. Whatever it is, most people won't even notice, and even if they did, in five minutes most of them won't remember your little slip. Don't speak negatively to yourself. Keep positive. Go forth into the world and smile. Social situations are never as bad as you think they might be.

10 health benefits of yoga

Yoga is traditionally associated with exercise and meditation, but it also has a philosophic, spiritual and historical background in India. But did you know practicing yoga has health benefits for the body and mind? Read on to learn more.

1. Strength: Practicing yoga helps to build your body's strength. Many yoga exercises are based upon balancing on one leg, or other such situations, and this builds muscular strength. If you're interested in building strength, check out some local yoga classes in your region.
2. Organ massage: This might sound odd to many, especially Westerners, but many of the physical challenges of yoga actually work to massage all the organs of the body. This can help you become more aware and in tune with your internal organs, helping to alert you to any signs of illness. As with most forms of exercise, this also helps to tone the body and keep your organs in better health.
3. Flexibility: There's stretching in yoga. Lots and lots of stretching. And in some forms of yoga there are feats bordering upon the acrobatic. But don't worry, you won't have to start doing such difficult tasks. You'll work your way up to them if you stick with yoga long enough. What all this stretching does is to strengthen and firm the muscles of your body, as well as many of the tendons. After a while your body and its limbs will become more flexible, allowing you to be able to physically accomplish feats you once would have thought impossible.
4. Blood pressure: Regular practitioners of yoga have been shown in numerous studies to have lower blood pressure levels than of those who don't practice yoga. So, to keep that blood pressure low, talk to your doctor about yoga; perhaps he or she will tell you to seek out a yoga instructor.
5. Posture: Remember all that flexibility and strength building mentioned above? They can lead to a straighter, stronger posture. Why is posture so important? Proper posture tires one less when working and can help keep the body, especially the joints and bones, in better health.
6. Reducing stress: Exercise generally helps to reduce stress on the mind and body, thus the exercise capacities of yoga accomplish the same thing. But beyond the physical factors, the meditative qualities of yoga can help to induce a less troubled, stronger state of mind. Talk to a yoga instructor if you would like to know more.
7. Pain tolerance: Believe it or not, studies have shown those who regularly practice yoga have a higher pain threshold than others. For one thing, yoga aids its practitioners in becoming more aware of the body, so minor aches and pains are caught before they can become a serious illness. For another thing, being physically fit also helps to build pain tolerance.
8. Losing weight: Yoga is physical exercise, so it's obvious yoga can help you to lose weight. But did you also know yoga helps your body's metabolism? With a stronger metabolism, your body can digest and process foods more adequately, thus burning more calories from what you eat. You can't ask for much better than that! Exercise and burning calories?
9. Carpal tunnel syndrome: Been using the mouse and keyboard too much, causing your fingers to cramp and pain in your joints? If so, you might be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome. Check with your doctor. If the doctor says you've got carpal tunnel syndrome, he or she might suggest you wear a splint. That's fine, but also talk to your doctor about yoga. Researchers have found that yoga helps, possibly even more than wearing a splint or medication, in reducing or eliminating the pains caused by carpal tunnel syndrome.
10. Allergies: Yoga often also includes breathing exercises, which builds your respiratory abilities and can actually help you cope with your allergies better. Want stronger lungs, try yoga!

Another health link

Health benefits of 10 common foods