3 Biggest Myths About Longevity

The science of aging

By Stephanie Dolgoff
While Social Security Administration data estimate that an American woman now in her 40s is likely to live until her early 80s (and that a man the same age will live to his late 70s), doctors who specialize in the science of longevity say there are several basic health-history and lifestyle factors that can predict whether you’ll live even longer.

Take our quiz and learn your potential age. If you're surprised by a low number, the good news is there’s a lot you can do to up that figure. Find out how you can live to be 100.

There's more to learn

Many of our assumptions about how to last forever are just plain false, says Howard Friedman, PhD, co-author of the new book The Longevity Project. Friedman and his colleagues analyzed the data from an 80-year-long study of people’s lives and habits from age 12 until they died, uncovering some surprising info about who ends up old enough to get a shout-out from Willard Scott.

Myth: Working too hard shortens your life

"Hard work is not at all a health problem," Friedman says. "In fact, the lackadaisical, less-successful folks were at the greatest risk of dying younger." This is in keeping with findings that many folks don’t do well after retirement, especially if their jobs helped them feel useful and appreciated. The problem is when your work makes you feel like you have no control—that’s not going to help you long-term.

Myth: Being happy makes you live longer.

Not necessarily. "If anything, happiness may be the result of good health rather than the cause," Friedman says. "People who get their happiness from doing worthwhile things and building good relationships—those lead to both happiness and health," he says. Chasing momentary thrills, on the other hand, won’t do anything for your overall well-being.

Myth: Worry will kill you.

In fact, Friedman found that the serious, conscientious types tended to take better care of themselves, by actively staying on top of their health.
 http://www.health.com

Read more »

How to Get Organized ASAP

Straighten up without stressing out

By Sara Reistad-Long
It starts piling up during the chilly winter months, builds through March, and by the time spring-cleaning season rolls around, it’s everywhere. Yep, it’s clutter! And chances are, it’s driving you crazy right about now. Luckily, we’ve got the secret to getting it under control in seven essential, game-changing steps. Each one addresses a notoriously difficult tidying issue and fixes it fast, so you can focus on more important things—like updating your Facebook status to "totally organized!"

Step 1: Clear the rubble in your purse

Business cards, receipts, shopping lists—they all multiply exponentially and get lost in your handbag. "These are things we always need to access in a hurry, too, like at a checkout counter," says Mary Carlomagno, a professional organizer and author of Live More, Want Less. Carlomagno suggests reserving your wallet for payment cards, cash, and important IDs, and keeping everything else in a coupon organizer.

Customize the category tabs in whatever way best suits your life. At least once a week, clear out anything you no longer need to have handy, transferring whatever you want to keep to your office files.

Step 2: Do a paper purge in your office

"We keep a lot of unnecessary papers lying around," says Lisa Zaslow, founder of Gotham Organizers. It’s perfectly OK to toss monthly bills and receipts for everyday purchases once the payment has shown up on your bank or credit card statement.

A few exceptions: Keep hard copies of anything you might need for tax purposes (go to Health.com/recordkeeping for some examples), as well as important contracts and personal documents. For everything else (warranties, product manuals), Zaslow recommends scanning them into your computer. You’ll have quicker access and be able to search for those docs with a click of a mouse.

Step 3: Divide and conquer your kitchen cabinets

There’s one pot you need for making dinner, but in the process of reaching into the back of the cabinet to get it, you wind up with a tumbling mess. Zaslow’s advice: "Divide your cabinet space so everything has a visible home."

Use expandable shelf-doublers like the Iron Expandable Kitchen Shelf ($20; bedbathandbeyond.com) to take advantage of the space between shelves. Tiered cabinet organizers also make it easier to see and reach the items at the back of a shelf. In deeper drawers and cabinets, you can use vertical organizers to "file" things like cutting boards and trays. No more frying pan avalanches

• Previous
• Slide 5 of 9
• Next
• >> View All

Step 4: Find a home for all your clothes

Who needs a leopard-print dress when your whole wardrobe is a jungle? "Closets fall into disarray because people put things in them without any rhyme or reason," says Regina Leeds, author of One Year to An Organized Life.

Hang "likes" together, sorting by type of item and color, and make the whole space easier on the eyes by sticking to just a few types of hangers. Store sweaters and scarves in clear, stacking drawers—you’ll preserve hanger space and keep everything within sight and easy reach. Best of all, you can rotate individual drawers in and out, depending on the season.

• Previous
• Slide 6 of 9
• Next
• >> View All

Step 5: Corral clutter fast in your living area

It can be tough to sit back and relax when you’re surrounded by piles of newspapers, games, blankets, etc. "People tend to use a lot of stuff in this area, and they don’t have a place to return it to," Zaslow says.

Keeping a few baskets around will do more than just help you appear more organized—it will help you be more organized. By assigning a different storage purpose to each (blankets in one, games in another, etc.), you’ll have designated places to return the stuff to. Zaslow suggests using one basket for things that come from other rooms, then returning them to their rightful place a few times a week.

Step 6: Harness hidden space in your bathroom drawers

Rummaging to find your fave body lotion or lipstick when you’re getting ready in the morning is not the way to start your day. "Chances are, your brushes, tubes, and bottles are all jumbled together," Leeds explains. "And you’re likely pressed for space, too."

The fix: stackable boxes that will create additional space under the sink or on large shelves—we like the Container Store’s Stackable Bamboo Drawer Organizers ($4 to $8; containerstore.com). Put things you use in the same way or at the same time—hair products or first aid items—in the same box, and label them with tape for easy finding.

Step 7: Neaten your dumping ground by the door

You walk through the door after a long day, juggling your keys, glasses, and a stack of mail, and—boom!—drop them wherever. Then, the next day, you can’t find anything. "It’s important to establish a consistent ritual for unloading when you come home," Carlomagno says.

She suggests setting up a hook for your keys, a pouch for outgoing mail, and a board to post or write notes and reminders. The wall-mounted, customizable Daily System from Pottery Barn ($12 and up; potterybarn.com) will help ensure that you won’t lose anything in your entryway again!

3 storage solutions for...

• A messy closet!
Large stacking drawers ($18 each; containerstore.com) make sorting and finding clothes a cinch.

• A chaotic purse!
File all those receipts and discount cards in a pretty, handmade coupon organizer ($14; glowgirl16.etsy.com).

• An untidy living area!
Straightening up is simple when you have several woven baskets ($59; westelm.com).
http://www.health.com

Read more »

Get Head-to-Toe Fresh With Avocado

Holy guacamole!

By Amanda Doyle
Go ahead, indulge. Avocado is loaded with benefits. "Bite for bite, avocado is rich in mono- and polyunsaturated fats. Plus, it’s loaded with vitamins A and C, and important nutrients like potassium and iron," says Kate Geagan, RD, author of Go Green, Get Lean. What does that mean for your skin and hair? The essential fats add luster and shine to locks, and hydrate and nourish your skin. A delicious way to look gorgeous!

Hair Rx

Burt’s Bees Avocado Butter Pre-Shampoo Hair Treatment ($9; burtsbees.com) gives overworked hair a major boost. Just comb it through wet strands from roots to ends, then let it sit for five minutes before shampooing.

Hand helper

The fast-absorbing avocado oil in Tocca Crema da Mano in Florence ($8; tocca.com) leaves you with soft, smooth hands, while the subtle rose scent will have you reaching for this lotion after every wash. A skin win

Moisture mash

Face feeling dry all over? Slather on Juara Avocado Banana Moisture Mask ($37; juaraskincare.com), then sit back and relax as the mix of avocado and banana work to hydrate. It’s like a smoothie for your skin—minus all the blender work.

 Nail nourisher
When there’s no time for a mani, neaten up dry cuticles with one quick swipe of Decléor Aromessence Ongles Strengthening Concentrate for Nails ($52; decleordirect.com). Simply massage this avocado-rich oil over the whole nail area for instant shine.

Easy on the eyes

Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado ($27; kiehls.com) naturally hydrates the sensitive eye area. We love that the cream’s quick-drying formula doesn’t cause mascara or eyeliner to smudge.

Pucker upper

Applying color to dry lips can be a flaky mess. To the rescue: Avocado-infused Pixi Succulent Lip Twin ($18; target.com), which has a moisturizing lip balm and lipstick in one little tube.

Read more »

13 Simple Sandwich and Wrap Recipes

Wrap it up

A sandwich takes only five minutes to create, but it combines whole grains, protein, veggies, and dairy into one filing meal. Give your turkey on wheat a taste transformation with 13 healthy sandwich and wrap recipes.

Roast Beef Panini

Roast beef and smoked Gouda give this sandwich a rich flavor, while watercress adds a boost of vitamin A. And the Dijon mustard provides just the right kick.

Ingredients: Sweet- or hot-pepper jelly, whole-grain bread, Dijon mustard, smoked Gouda, deli roast beef, watercress, olive oil

Calories: 384

Rosemary Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Lighter than most chicken salads, this sandwich gets its flavor from smoked almonds, yogurt, and fresh herbs. Add lettuce and tomatoes to sneak in more veggies.

Ingredients: Roasted chicken, green onions, smoked almonds, fat-free yogurt, light mayonnaise, fresh rosemary, Dijon mustard, whole-grain bread

Calories: 360

Panini With Sautéed Mushrooms and Gruyère

This veggie-packed panini has cheese and a touch of butter, which create a decadent layer of flavor, while keeping fat in check.

Ingredients: Mushrooms, Dijon mustard, whole-wheat bread, fresh spinach, roasted red bell peppers, onion, Gruyère, butter

Calories: 406

Thai Chicken Wraps

A little bit of satay peanut sauce gives these wraps plenty of Thai-inspired taste. Plus, the cucumbers and whole-wheat tortillas provide 4 grams of filling fiber.

Ingredients: Skinless chicken breasts, olive oil, cucumber, cilantro, whole-wheat tortillas, satay peanut sauce

Calories: 369

Warm Eggplant and Goat Cheese Sandwiches

Goat cheese adds the perfect amount of tangy flavor to this veggie-centric sandwich. And because the sandwich is so simple, it's easy to experiment using a variety of veggie toppings. Try roasted red peppers, artichokes, or other Mediterranean fare.

Ingredients: Olive oil, eggplant, goat cheese, sandwich rolls, tomato, arugula

Calories: 299

Chutney Turkey Salad on Focaccia

This recipe will make your typical turkey sandwich seem completely ho-hum. Packed with mango chutney, roasted red peppers, and a bit of Caesar dressing, you'll get a punch of flavor in every savory bite.

Ingredients: Celery, hot mango chutney, light mayonnaise, sesame seeds, cooked turkey, focaccia, zucchini, roasted red bell peppers, spinach, reduced-fat Caesar dressing, Dijon mustard.

Calories: 349

Chicken Lavash Wraps

Take a huge tangy bite of this low-cal sandwich knowing you'll be easing your appetite while sticking to a healthy diet. For less than 125 calories, this sandwich packs in 16 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber.

Ingredients: Cucumber, cabbage and carrot coleslaw, red onion, rice wine vinegar, pickled ginger, sesame oil, lavash-style bread, deli smoked chicken

Calories: 123

Seared Beef Tenderloin Mini Sandwiches With Mustard-Horseradish Sauce

Pack two of these spicy sandwiches with a side salad, and you'll have a gourmet, healthy lunch. Tarragon and capers add a surprising burst of flavor to each bite, and smaller portions of beef keep the fat content at 5 grams.

Ingredients: Fat-free sour cream, Dijon mustard, tarragon, horseradish, beef tenderloin, lemon juice, watercress, baguette, capers, fresh Parmesan cheese

Calories: 136

Mu Shu Pork Wraps

Pork isn't typically included in sandwiches, but these wraps are a light way to enjoy authentic Chinese flavor. Sneaking in cabbage, red bell pepper, and onion also gives this wrap a good bit of vitamin C.

Ingredients: Chicken broth, soy sauce, fresh ginger, hoisin sauce, cornstarch, vegetable oil, pork tenderloin, chile paste with garlic, garlic, coleslaw mix, red bell pepper, onion, flour tortillas

Calories: 199

Monte Cristo Sandwich With Sweet Mustard Sauce

It should be illegal to have a sandwich taste this good and still be healthy. Smart substitutes—low-fat cheese, egg substitute—allow you to savor this cheesy treat and divine dip for less than 400 calories.

Ingredients: Red currant jelly, Dijon mustard, orange juice, egg substitute, fat-free milk, cooked turkey breast, cooked ham, low-fat Jarlsberg or Swiss cheese, white bread, powdered sugar

Calories: 394

Red Pepper, Goat Cheese, and Fresh Mint Wraps

Five ingredients make up this fresh-tasting wrap. Though cheese and roasted red peppers are the main ingredients, you'll get 10 grams of filling protein. Add chopped tomatoes to the red pepper mix for a boost of lycopene.

Ingredients: Goat cheese, fresh mint, spinach tortillas, bottled roasted red bell peppers, salt

Calories: 254

Egg Salad BLTs

Unlike other versions of egg salad, this recipe uses fat-free mayo, reduced-fat sour cream, and fewer egg yolks. But you'll still get the same flavor, plus an added savory kick from the bacon, and a citrus undertone from the lemon rind.

Ingredients: Fat-free mayonnaise, green onions, reduced-fat sour cream, Dijon mustard, lemon, eggs, firm sandwich bread, bacon, tomato, Boston lettuce leaves

Calories: 371

Wasabi Salmon Burgers With Edamame-Cilantro Pesto

Wasabi and Dijon mustard add strong savory flavors to the mild salmon, and the edamame replaces the nuts in the pesto, which keeps this rich topping under 40 calories.

Ingredients: Soft tofu, red sockeye salmon, pink salmon, fresh chives, Dijon mustard, wasabi paste, an egg, panko, canola oil, curly leaf lettuce, hamburger buns, tomato, sweet onions, edamame, cilantro, green curry paste, fish sauce, garlic

Calories: 345  http://www.health.com

Read more »

The Balinese Adventure in Indonesia

Bali has that magical and mythological feel to it and why not? It is a land filled with ancient temples, volcanic lakes, beautiful architecture and religious festivals. Bali is a land with ethnic culture and beautiful color. It is one of the several islands of Indonesia, situated between the islands Java and Nusa. The Balinese people are well known for their ethnicity and their creativity. In spite of modern influences, Bali has retained much of its ancient lineage in the form of sculptures, paintings and art and culture.
Pura Besakih

Mother Temple of Bali, Indonesia

(Source)

This thousand year old temple is one of the biggest temples in Bali. It is situated on the slopes of Mt. Agung. There are three main temples dedicated to the Trinity: Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu. A visit to the temple is considered a special pilgrimage for the people of Bali.
Terraced rice paddies

Terraced Rice Paddies

(Source)
A beautiful landscape between Candidasa and Amalpura.
Tanah Lot

Sea Temple of Bali

(Source)
Built by one of the last priests who came to Java in the 16^th century, this temple is built on top of a rock surrounded by sea on all sides. The temple is mainly to offer homage to the guardian spirits of the sea.
Gunung Batur
This is the shadow of where we’re standing.

Gunung Batur - Symbolic of the female element

(Source)
It is one of the still active volcanoes at an altitude of 5,635 feet and considered one of the second holiest mountains on the island.
Ubud

Center of Balinese paintings

(Source)
Ubud’s Museum, Purl Lukisan is a wonderful place to observe and appreciate the Balinese art. Art work of famous artists like Hans Snel, Antonio Blanco and Arie Smith can also be seen here.
Things to do in Bali
Though only an island, Bali has innumerable activities that can be indulged in.
Don’t miss out on the many beautiful beaches here like those of Nusa Dua, Sanur and Kuta. You can laze around here.
Shop for exotic items made of wood, leather, carvings and stone. Bali is well known for its exquisite handicrafts, antiques, artifacts, stone carvings, paintings and masks. There are lots you can choose from.
Have fun tasting the many different dishes made out of the staple food of Bali – rice.
Go for submarine diving or take a walk in the ocean. If possible, try out white water rafting.
For the adventurous, bungee jumping and surfing are great options while those wanting an aerial view of all the exotic scenery can go for a helicopter ride.
Currency
Foreign currencies can be easily exchanged here with ATMs available in most places.
Traveling in Bali
Traveling in Bali is simple and uncomplicated. You can make use of buses, mini buses and bemos (actually a minibus or van with a row of low seats on either side) to move about within towns. Cars can also be hired and motorcycles used but do be wary when you are going alone as you need to be careful when you are on your own.
http://www.besttouristdestinations.com

Read more »

The Land of the Vietnam War

If all you know about Vietnam is the Vietnam War that took place ages ago, you cannot be blamed. Today however, Vietnam, stretching over 1,800 km up the eastern coast of Indochina is no longer the victimized land of war. It is a popular tourist destination where people not only come to honor those who died in the war but also experience beautiful authenticity of the Vietnamese culture, their traditions, the exquisite scenery, architecture and the hustle bustle of everyday Vietnamese life. The very fact that Vietnam is often opted for as a travel destination makes it a place worth visiting and experiencing.
Hanoi

Hanoi - Capital city of Vietnam

(Via)

It is the best way to experience a new way of life along the banks of the Red River which is set amidst yellow stucco buildings bordering streets with leaves. The Art Museum also stands here which has on display sculptures, paintings and other artifacts. You can also visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum where people pay respects to the leader. The city is a striking combination of the old and the new, the ancient and the modern with French colonialism architecture standing tall with the high rise steel and glass buildings.
War Remnants Museum

War Remnants Museum - Historical importance

(Via)
No trip to Vietnam is complete without a visit to the War Remnants Museum which gives an insight into the Vietnam War.
Reunification Palace

Reunification Palace - Symbol of a past history

(Via)
This palace served as a government building during the Vietnam War and represents in many ways as a symbol of the war in 1966. Its historical importance cannot be underplayed.
Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City -The business hub of Vietnam

(Via)
Also known as Saigon, most visitors visit Ho Chi Minh City when they land in Vietnam. Not only is the place filled with impressive architecture influenced by the French, there are also numerous hotels and other facilities to attract the tourists.
Cho Ben Thanh Market

Cho Ben Thanh Market - Authentic Vietnam

(Via)
For those interested in the real Vietnam experience, visiting the Cho Ben Thanh Market is a real must. Souvenirs, various types of food and animals are right there in the market and you can immerse yourself in the flavor of the Vietnam way of life.
Things to Do
Visit Binh Tay, a place filled with attractive little shops and teahouses.
A visit to a local neighborhood like for Cholon District 5 is a must as it gives you an idea of authentic Vietnam traditions.
If you are interested in hiking, then make it to Dalat which is a popular place to indulge in some climbing in the mountains, having a walk around Emperor Bao Dai’s Summer Palace or even horse riding.
Visit Halong where you can tour about 3000 islands around the Gulf of Tonkin by paddle wheeler or by high speed boat and have a great time exploring the beaches and the grottos.
Vietnam is a great place to grab hold of a bicycle and ride long distance.
Visit the Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh.
How to get there
Vietnam Airlines is the best way to reach Vietnam. Regular services are there and that include helicopter and express boats. Within the country, you can use the rail transport system or even buses, motorbikes and cycle rickshaws.
http://www.besttouristdestinations.com

Read more »

8 Tips for Controlling Portion Sizes

Why portion control matters

When you have type 2 diabetes, you need to gauge portion sizes correctly, so you know how many calories and carbohydrates you're taking in and how they will affect your blood sugar.

Learning what a portion size actually is—and eating that amount—is tricky.

People are notoriously bad at estimating what, say, a cup of breakfast cereal looks like

Limit portions, lose weight

Limiting portions can help you lose weight and ultimately prevent complications.

A 2004 study of 329 overweight people found that 38% of those who practiced portion control for two years lost 5% or more of body weight, compared with 33% of participants who did not (they gained 5% or more of body weight).

"Portion control is a continuing battle for me, but I am so much better at this than I was a few years ago," says Donna Kay, 40, of Prairie Village, Kan., who was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes five years ago.

Use these eight tips to get started.

Don't skip meals

If you're starving, you're more likely to eat an extra-large portion. For most people, the best plan is to eat three well-designed meals and one snack.

"People need to eat a minimum of three times a day, avoiding going longer than five hours without eating," says Nadine Uplinger, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association and director of the Gutman Diabetes Institute at the Albert Einstein Healthcare Network in Philadelphia.

"You don't need to get up in the middle of the night, but don't skip meals."

Measure and weigh food

Get out those measuring cups!

"Measuring and weighing are so critical," says LuAnn Berry, RD, a certified diabetes educator at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center at Passavant.

"We're such poor judges. We don't know what 3/4 ounce of pretzels looks like."

(It's about 15 mini pretzels, she says.)

Know your "rules of thumb"

Did you know that 3 ounces of lean meat is equivalent to a deck of cards? And 1 cup of breakfast cereal is about the size of a fist?

This info is crucial, particularly when you need to choose the right portion size quickly.

For a handy cheat sheet, print and carry this serving size card from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Serving size vs. portion size

What's the difference? It matters.

Serving sizes per container are listed on the nutrition facts label.

For example, a small bag of pretzels may say that it contains two servings, so if you're eating the whole bag—your portion size—you'd have to double the calorie, fat, and carbohydrate information per serving to know how much you're consuming.

Use portion-control plates

What are they? These are handy plates with painted lines (or just smaller plates in general) that help measure carbohydrates, proteins, cheese, and sauces.

In a June 2007 study, researchers at the University of Calgary randomly assigned 130 people with type 2 diabetes to use those plates or regular ones.

Overall, 17% of those who used the plate lost 5% or more of their body weight, while only 4.6% of the control group did; 26% of those who used the plate were able to cut back on diabetes medication (because they lost more weight), compared with 11% of people who did not use the plate.

Develop good "eating out" habits

First, fill up your plate with green veggies, and get full on those before eating other food.

Then, when ordering a meal, ask the server to only put half the meal on your plate and pack the other half to go.

Finally, keep in mind that restaurants specialize in mega-portions; a 12-ounce steak can contain three to four servings of meat (two to three servings a day are recommended).

Plan your meals

Write down what you eat, think before you eat, and then eat slowly.

Snacks should typically contain no more than 100 calories and 15 grams of carbohydrate, so plan ahead.

Some good choices include three cups of plain popcorn, 17 small grapes, a 6-ounce container of artificially-sweetened yogurt, 15 mini pretzels, or a tennis-ball size piece of fruit, according to Berry.
http://www.health.com

Read more »