The Snack Attack: Just a Bad Rap?

For years, our parents hammered into us the importance of eating healthy meals, getting plenty of exercise—and avoiding snacks.

But as it turns out, snacking seems to have earned a bad rap it really doesn't deserve.

Snack Your Way to Health

According to the AARP, snacking can actually be part of a balanced diet, when handled correctly.

It also carries a number of health benefits:

1.Provides much-needed vitamins, nutrients and fiber
2.Helps curb hunger
3.Prevents overeating at meals
4.Reduces weight gain
5.Keeps blood cholesterol and food cravings in check
6.Provides energy that helps sustain us through the day

But that doesn't mean we can feast on ice cream and chips all day. Instead, staying healthy and strong requires making good choices.

Remember the adage, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away"? As the American Dietetic Association (ADA) explains, "The key to healthy snacking is found in the foods you choose, the size of your portions and how frequently you snack."

Tips for Smart Snacking

So how can we snack wisely without adding excess calories to our diets?

Try these tips, courtesy of the AARP and ADA:

.Space meals and snacks three to four hours apart
.Choose foods high in complex carbohydrates and add a small amount of protein for energy and sustenance
.Maintain portion control by bagging and buying single-serving snacks
.Limit snacks to 250 calories total
.Plan ahead by keeping nutritious foods on hand and ready to eat
.Snack only when truly hungry—not when bored, frustrated or stressed
.Don't reach for sugary or salty snacks, like candy or potato chips, which lack nutrients and tend to dehydrate

Snacks for All Ages

Children

Research cited by the ADA shows that children who eat balanced snacks have certain advantages over their friends that make them more successful in school: they pay attention in class longer, make fewer mistakes on tests and have fewer behavioral problems overall.

When kids return home from school, tired and famished, try giving them high-power foods such as low-fat cheese, dried fruit and nuts, low-fat yogurt with granola and fresh fruit, hot popcorn with grated Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top, or an English muffin drizzled with pizza sauce and sprinkled with mozzarella cheese.

Adults

For adults who work sedentary jobs, that mid-afternoon slump can be difficult to overcome. When energy wanes, we'd love to put our heads down and take a nap—but often hit the vending machines instead, just trying to get through the afternoon.

What's the problem? Our bodies need energy!

If you suffer the afternoon blues, no matter how active you are, try snacking on energy busters like whole wheat crackers with peanut butter, sunflower or pumpkin seeds, half of a whole wheat bagel topped with peanut butter or hummus, or micro-waved, low-fat popcorn.

Another helpful tip: instead of snacking out of a bag or box, place one serving on a plate—or pre-measure it into a plastic bag. You'll reduce absentminded snacking and keep control over how much you eat.

Seniors

When it comes to healthy snacking, senior adults have very unique needs. A study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that snacking is an "important dietary behavior" that ensures adults 65 and over get the nutrition they often lack from meals alone.

In fact, researchers found that 25 percent of seniors' daily nutrition, and as much as 1,200 calories, often come from snacking.

With food and nutrition challenges unlike those of the younger crowd, including the inability to eat as much as they once did, getting the proper nutrition from snacking can be vital for seniors' health and long life.

If you're an older adult with nutritional limitations, try snacking on foods like low-fat pudding, angel food cake with low-fat whipped topping, non-fat yogurt or cottage cheese, a handful of dried fruit or whole wheat pita with tuna.

Curing the Snack Attack

Staying in tip-top shape is important for health, long life—and low insurance rates. So take this information to heart, participate in healthy snacking, and supplement your meals with nutrient-rich snack foods.

In the process, you might just cure the snack attack!
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Insurance, Privacy & Your Rights in the Information Age

In these days of high technology, buying private insurance is one of the best ways to protect possessions and finances. From the computer equipment and flat screen TVs in our homes to the cell phones and stereo systems in our cars, the majority of our possessions are digital—and expensive to replace. That's what makes insurance so valuable: it offers security and privacy when the unexpected happens. That means we can file insurance claims directly with our insurance company; get items repaired, replaced or restored as needed, and go on without worry.Ensuring we protect ourselves and our loved ones—as well as our homes, automobiles and all the things we work so hard for—is as easy as going online to a site like InsureMe and requesting free insurance quotes. Once we provide our personal information and find an agent in our area who offers the protection we're looking for, getting the right insurance policy is quick and easy.But the technologies we enjoy every day also carry with them some amount of risk. And when times get tough, some people capitalize on that, resorting to actions they might not otherwise take. For instance, a hacker might tap into unsecured computer connections and steal private banking or insurance quote information. Someone in need of credit might pilfer through the trash and steal blank credit card applications, then take out credit online in someone else's name.As honest consumers, what can we do to protect ourselves? How can we take action against crimes that violate our sense of security, privacy and confidentiality, yet still exercise the freedom we enjoy in this information age?The first step is to know and understand our rights. Then, armed with the law and supported by the insurance policies that protect us, we can sidestep unpleasant situations like those above—and their long-lasting effects. To that end, we've provided the information below about insurance and privacy. We recommend reading it over, making sure you understand the use and disclosure of personal information as it applies to insurance, and asking your agent about anything that's unclear.Protecting your privacy is important-and it's up to you.Health InsuranceDue to rising costs, health insurance has become a medical necessity these days. When seeking health insurance quotes, having tests and providing your doctor or local medical facility with private, personal information, a federal law known as The Privacy Rule sets rules and limitations on who can look at and receive health information. Providers for health insurance quotes request as little information as possible for accuracy; but your privacy rights under The Privacy Rule protect the information you do provide in the process of requesting health insurance quotes.According to The Privacy Rule for insurance, you have the right to:


Ask to see and get a copy of your health records
Make corrections to any information in your health file
Receive a notice about how your health information is used and shared
Decide whether or not to give permission to share medical information for certain purposes
Get a report on when and why your health information is shared
File complaints with your health insurance quote provider or the U.S. government

Those who must follow this law, including health care providers, companies that provide health insurance quotes and government programs like Medicare and Medicaid, must protect any information they retain about you in their computer system. They must put safeguards in place to keep others from accessing the information and protect all details you provide during medical visits or on health insurance quote applications. In addition, your health care provider may not give that information to your employer, use or share it with others for advertising purposes, or share private notes made during or following medical visits.Car InsuranceCar insurance quotes vary based on a number of factors, including age, gender and home address. But once an auto insurance policy is in place, most insurers only scour that information once a year, when it's time for policy renewal. Recently, however, some insurance companies that provide cheap car insurance quotes have also begun offering discounts based on new electronic gadgets installed in cars that record driving behavior. This removes the anonymity most of us enjoy while driving and puts it in the hands of our auto insurers—who can then tell how many miles we've driven, what time of the day we tend to drive, how abruptly we stop and start, and other such private information. Called "pay as you drive," programs like these use the information gathered to set car insurance quotes for participants. The safer the driving, the lower the auto insurance quote—and the greater the discount. Those who sign up usually get an automatic five to 10 percent just for participating, with the promise of further incentives to accompany safe driving.Disclosing such private information to be used for setting car insurance quotes and rates is offensive to some. But the program is completely optional (and only available in some states). So if you're squeamish about letting your insurer invade your privacy while driving, it might be best to avoid these types of insurance plans.Home InsuranceInsuring your home and its contents is wise in case of disaster. If you own a home and set out to get discount home insurance quotes, you'll most likely find you need a list of everything you own, a description of each item and even identifying pictures to give to the insurance company if you need to file a claim. Creating what's called a home inventory makes these records available to your insurance company—yet helps maintain privacy within your home. Once you've made your inventory list and tucked it away, no one but your insurance company need know what your home contains. It's only in the event of loss that you'll reveal your inventory and offer it to your insurer so any affected items can be fixed or replaced. To document your possessions for safekeeping, go through your home room by room and make a list, recording items one by one. Remember that size, price and quality may all affect home insurance quotes, so be sure to make detailed product descriptions about each item. Since valuable pieces like art, antiques, jewelry and collectibles can be devastating to lose, have them appraised and list their values separately. Take photos of everything, and then copy your list to your computer. Save another copy elsewhere, in a secure place, in case you're ever forced to leave your home. By keeping meticulous records, you'll maintain your privacy, yet garner the lowest home insurance quotes available. Owning certain breeds of dogs can also affect homeowner's insurance quotes. So if you own a Doberman, Rottweiler, Pit Bull, Chow or German Sheppard, you'd best reveal that fact to your insurer right up front. Though we realize your privacy is important, failing to disclose such information that can affect your homeowner's policy could result in later claim denial. Life InsuranceUnfortunately, when it comes to the final disposition of your worldly goods following death, privacy can be difficult to maintain. Though the vast majority of people disperse their assets through a private will, wills must pass through probate court—which then becomes a matter of public record. Life insurance policies, however, are private contracts which don't need to be mentioned in wills—and don't usually require court proceedings. As a result, they may be used to pass along assets to loved ones with the utmost confidentiality and privacy intact.Requesting life insurance quotes is the first step to getting a private policy. When setting up a plan in privacy, your agent will then ask you what you can afford to pay in premiums and who you'd like named beneficiary—all information that can remain secure until your death. If you want to avoid probate for privacy reasons, get free life insurance quotes first. Then make use of estate-planning tools like joint tenancy, beneficiary designations, gifting and living trusts to accomplish your objectives. Your insurance agent can explain each of these options to you and help you find affordable life insurance quotes that leave you and your loved ones with maximum resources.Long Term Care InsuranceIf you value your independence, privacy and dignity, long term care insurance can help you maintain all three. Designed to ease the burden of the cost of medical care as you age, long term care insurance quotes place you in a better position to make private, positive choices-while you still can.Just one year in a nursing facility can wipe out any savings you might have. On the other hand, though long term care insurance can be expensive, it helps preserve finances over the long term and saves family members from having to make public arrangements you can make in privacy yourself. Privacy and security become paramount as we age. With the benefits of long term care insurance, you can avoid compromising independence, security or peace of mind. And with the right long term care insurance quotes, whether you maintain your health long term or not, you'll have the care you need with dignity—no matter how long you live.

Believe It or Not!

Following the recent passing of the ‘King of Pop’ Michael Jackson, the media and public alike have been all abuzz speculating about the way he died.

Was it murder? Suicide? Or just an accident?

Though Jackson’s notoriety places him on a different level than most of us, we’re all affected differently when someone we know and love passes away. Some of us struggle to believe that person was here one minute, then suddenly gone the next; others, more familiar with loss, simply grieve, accept death—and move on.

Regardless how you deal with it, being left behind is never easy. In addition to the emotional turmoil that accompanies losing a dear loved one, there may also be final expenses to pay, medical bills to cover, moves to make, life insurance claims to file and other life situations to settle.

But sometimes, when people die under mysterious circumstances, that’s all overshadowed by speculation, as in the case of MJ.

Life insurance companies have heard all the wacky stories: people disappearing, then found dead in the strangest of places; some dying for no apparent reason at all, then autopsied and a strange condition found; others meeting their demise in a place or situation that completely defies reason.

Some of the stories are wackier than others—and some are simply a matter of timing or circumstance. But regardless how they occur, death comes to us all…it’s just that some people really go out in style!

Fire! The Most Expensive Blazes in U.S. History

1.Sept. 11, 2001 World Trade Center (terrorist attacks)
Loss: $39,200,000,000
With images of burning towers seared into our collective memory, the 9/11 attacks need no introduction. Although not typically thought of as a 'fire,' the 9/11 attacks resulted in the most costly blaze in our country’s history. What's more, 9/11 was also one of the most expensive catastrophic events of any kind: only hurricanes Katrina and Andrew were more financially devastating.

2.April 18, 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire
Loss: $8,000,000,000
For San Franciscans in 1906, the 7.8 magnitude earthquake was just the beginning of their problems. The subsequent fires, which started when underground gas mains ruptured, inflicted even more damage on the city, reducing thousands of structures—indeed, hundreds of entire city blocks—to rubble.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, “The California earthquake of April 18, 1906ranks as one of the most significant earthquakes of all time.” The fires that came after, however, were far more destructive.

3.Oct. 8-9 1871 Great Chicago Fire
Loss: $2,900,000,000
While the origins of the Great Chicago Fire were a mystery at the time, the devastation was plain to see, and the event remains a important part of the city’s identity. For two days in October, fanned by warm winds, flames ripped through the city, torching four square miles of the city. Nearly 300 people died in the blaze.

4.Oct. 20, 1991 Oakland, CA., fire storm
Loss: $2,300,000,000
A small brush fire turned into one of the worst urban disasters in U.S. history. Aided by warm winds and low humidity, the Oakland Hills Fire Storm burned three square miles of wealthy neighborhoods. Dark smoke and uneven terrain made it very difficult for firefighters to extinguish the flame. The fire caused over $2billion in damages.

5.Oct. 20, 2007 San Diego County, CA., The Southern California Wildland Fires
Loss: $1,800,000,000
Santa Ana winds, known for their warmth and low humidity, fanned a series of fires that collectively burned half a million acres and destroyed 1,500 homes, prompting Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to declare a state of emergency.

6.Nov. 9, 1872 Great Boston Fire
Loss: $1,300,000,000

7.Oct. 23 1989 Pasadena, Texas, polyefin plant
Loss: $1,300,000,000

8.Oct. 25, 2003 Julian, CA, Wildire (Cedar)
Loss:$1,200,000,000

9.May 4, 2000 Los Alamos NM, wildland fire
Loss: $1,200,000,000

10.Feb. 7, 1904 Baltimore, MD, Baltimore Conflagration
Loss: $1,200,000,000

The Third World a Catastrophy that Continues to Unfold

For the past 25 years i have watched and seen how an industrialized nation thrives and grows on this planet and on the same token i have seen the deteriolation of the so called third world countries as they try hard to compete within this huge and complicated social,economic and political world of today.

Industrialized countries have structure and a common goal to better themselves within the social,economic and political triangle.They mesh them together towards a common goal,even though this same goal contains many differences of opinion on how to achieve the end product.

On the other hand i find,third world countries especially those of Africa,to have no commonality even though they have it on paper.They,in my opinion seem to be more in common in the achievement of individual or should i say,the gain in personal material wealth.The aid that is granted to these nations by industrialized nations,is squandared by individuals in power and does not filtrate to those it was intended for.As the rich get wealthier and hold most of the land as their own ( note they do not even cultivate the land to better the masses within their nation but use it for exports in order to gain better profits ) the poor get even more improvished and depend on relief from non-profits from these same industrialized nations.With some of the vast resources available in these lands,it is a pity that those in power do not use the land to better their own people,it is a pity that these same men scream foreign interference when their people are dying of hunger,blameing their internal problems on all kinds of made up nonsense,while all along they have had the resources to make sure that they do have a surplus in food etc. when a natural catsrophy occurs.These same men ar not stupid but on the most part educated but driven by selfish greed and superficial status granduer.They promise alot but give nothing back.continue reading

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This blog is dedicated to all those news correspondents that spend tireless hours keeping us informed.Information in all aspects keeps us hopefull of our future and where we are going.News whether censored or not is information,bias in news based on where the info originates from keeps us alert in our everyday lives,we love and hope for the best on all that inhabit this planet and those that keep us informed,for they keep us together with a hope that this planet will survive,with all it's ills and health for that matter for generations to come.

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