So many people give a ‘negative' to tattoo's. However, the appearance and occurrence in the tattoo culture is growing. At one time there was a reputation of unsavory characters. Tattoo's have gained much popularity in the past decade. Who has them? In 2006, a study was done by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. It was found that 24% of Americans age 18-50 ( one in four) have tattoo's and those 18-29 have at least one tattoo, about 36%. This does not seem to be a passing fancy. There are about 20,000 ( and growing) tattoo parlors in the United States. In an article according to U.S. News and Word Report, rated tattooing as the 6th fastest growing retail business in the1990's.  

No longer a taboo, the term tattoo is so popular as a search on the internet, it rarely drops out of the top ten search terms requested.

How do tattoo's make you feel? Well, among Americans with tattoo's of course, 34% said it made them feel sexier and 26% claim it makes them feel more attractive.

Only 17% felt regret of getting a tattoo and was highest among Republicans while Democrats are more likely to have a tattoo.

Tattoo designs are very personal. Most have great meanings behind them (if you ask the person who has them). If you are thinking about getting one, give a considerable amount of time into what you want and why you want it.

So, is a tattoo after 60 for you?
It was for me.

About the Author:
Harris Interactive (www.harrisinteractive.com) is a worldwide market research and consulting firm best known for The Harris Poll(R), and for pioneering the Internet method to conduct scientifically accurate market research. Headquartered in Rochester, New York, U.S.A., Harris Interactive combines proprietary methodologies and technology with expertise in predictive, custom and strategic research.

Hello again my fans, here is another one of my opinions that I have formed over the years of watching our government in action. Frankly, it scares me to think that there is a very good possibility that this is taking place in the United States of America.

Watch the video above and think about what you have seen in this country called the United States of America. What if the U.S. government released an "educational video" to teach today's Americans how to be good citizens?

Our country is known as the country of "Freedom"! Do we want this to change?

If we don't make some serious changes in our government this could very well happen.

Please take time to think long and hard about the video after you have watched it. This could be our last chance to rise and STOP the Tyranny.

Thank you for taking time to watch the video. Leave your comments below and discuss it among yuor friends and family. I know Americans will do the right thing and Stop Tyranny Today!

Lighthouse Food Farm wants to give Hungry Americans hope where there is no hope.

Lighthouse Food Farm is a standalone Christian Agency and is depending upon many Companies and Individuals like you to help with this greatly needed work that serves so many.

We donate 100% of the all the crops that we grow to Soup Kitchens, elderly, Shut-Ins and to individuals that we learn that need help from the different local authorities, churches and other agencys.

We are a Non-Profit Organization, our 501(c)3 Tax-Exempt Status is in Progress. This means your donations and contributions are Tax Deductible Exemptions to the Lighthouse Food Farm with 501(c)3 status pending. Together we can continue to Help Feed Hungry Americans and Homeless Americans. Your generous donations and contributions are greatly appreciated.

We have had help from many individuals, small businesses, local Farms, Garden centers, Small and Large Corporations like: Wal-Mart, Lowe's, Home Depot, Park's Seed, Dicksons Tractor, Local Chicken Farms, Wilson's Processing, local grocery stores, and people willing to allow us to borrow their equipment when needed here at the Lighthouse Food Farm. There have been many more individuals that don't live in our area that donated to help us help others in need. This doesn't begin to cover all who have donated time, expertise or monetarily to help the Lighthouse Food Farm. Thank you all for the Help that has made this Lighthouse Food Farm a Great success.

Our mission is to eradicate hunger, alleviate poverty and green our environment. We also bring together children, adults and seniors in urban areas to plant food gardens on unused land and space throughout America. Community members are given the tools and education to create a lasting sustainable solution to these issues and receive hope for a better future. Neighbors share their fresh, healthy, organic produce with local food banks to help others in need. This system of working together for a common cause while increasing diversity builds safer cities. Planting beautiful food gardens helps to lower the heat index in urban areas, aiding the fight against global warming.

Visit Lighthouse Food Farm - Feeding Hungry Americans for more details of our mission.

Lighthouse Food Farm has been focused on upper region of South Carolina. Because of the Great need we have expanded our ideals and work across America.

We grow fresh vegetables and fruits to donate to help feed hungry Americans. All vegetables and fruits are organically grown. We raise a spring crop of the normal spring vegetables and during the winter we grow greens like Turnip Greens, Collards, Curly Mustard and Kale. We donate the fresh vegetables and fruit to soup kitchens, food banks, food shelves and to people that have fallen through the cracks of our system.

We are continuing to expand our farms as the need for what we do is expanding as well. We expand our crops in the event of finding a good deal in property to purchase or if someone is willing to donate the use of their land for us to use.

Our emphasis and attention has been focused on an outcry of distress in Hunger, due to the excessive layoffs from the Job market.

We have dealt with the Elderly, Shut-ins, displaced families, medically Indigent, and those that are working, but having a difficult time in making ends meet.

Our great focus is toward the specialized needs in surrounding Areas of immediate Hunger that faces so many today. There isn't enough money if just one person in the family is working; children are not eating well with the common family. It takes every penny when you have small babies to exist.

Have you ever looked into the eyes of a hungry child and watched them when a small amount of food was put before them? It will make your heart sing with delight to know you have helped that suffering to end.

We have looked on these suffering issues for too long. Help us give them Hope.

Lighthouse Food Farm wants to give Americans hope where there is no hope.

Lighthouse Food Farm is a standalone Christian Agency and is depending upon many Companies and Individuals like you to help with this greatly needed work that serves so many.

Thank you in advance for your consideration in this matter to Help End Hunger.

If you wish to make a contribution, please make it to:

Mail Contribution to:

Please Make Checks Payable to: Lighthouse Food Farm

Lighthouse Food Farm

% Jim Bonham

1282 Dr. Johns Road

Westminster, SC 29693

or

Use PayPal, Credit Card or Debit Card to Contribute

Jim Bonham - Executive Director
Lighthouse Food Farm
http://www.jimbonham.com

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http://www.jimbonham.com/auction

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(ARA) - Schools with only a third of the students sitting in chairs, offices sending out notices to employees asking anyone with a fever or cough to please stay home, and hand sanitizer stations popping up everywhere; the signs are very visible this year that flu season has arrived.

Seasonal and H1N1 flu viruses are making big headlines. And while everyone has the potential to catch either variety, senior citizens tend to suffer more from the complications of flu.

"It's a good idea for everyone - including caretakers of senior citizens - to get the flu shot. And there are many other ways to help prevent the spread of viruses from one person to another," says Richard Bitner with Visiting Angels, a senior home-care service. "If you provide care, or even just frequently visit with a senior, pay attention to their living environment to make sure it is safe and protects your loved one from viruses. And make sure you take care of yourself as well, so you don't pass on the germs."

Seniors are more vulnerable because they spend time with grandchildren, get out and explore new activities and visit with friends and family. The CDC recommends everyone over the age of 50 get a yearly flu vaccine because the flu can be more serious and even deadly for seniors. About 36,000 people die from flu complications annually, and of those deaths, 90 percent are age 65 or older.

In addition to getting both the seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following steps to help protect your health:

* If you are sick with flu-like symptoms, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone - unless you need to get medical care.

* Even if you aren't sick, keep your home stocked with a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubbing solution and tissues, so that if you do start experiencing symptoms, you don't need to go out and to purchase supplies.

* Wash your hands every day with soap and water - or if this isn't available, hand sanitizer.

* Avoid close contact with sick people.

When you are visiting a senior citizen in senior home care, make sure they have supplies on hand and are practicing good personal hygiene. Do they have a squirt bottle of soap next to every sink in their house? Do the counters and bathroom sinks get cleaned frequently? Are tissues available next to chairs in every room?

Remember, seniors may not pay attention to basic preventative measures when it comes to viruses. But by practicing good health habits yourself, you can help keep them from getting sick from the flu. For more information about flu prevention and seniors, visit visitingangels.com/library.asp.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - It's been called "the disease of kings" because of its association with historical figures like Henry VIII, Benjamin Franklin and Isaac Newton, but gout, a painful and potentially debilitating form of arthritis, is anything but a "historical" condition. In fact, 3 million to 5 million Americans currently suffer from gout, and this number is expected to rise as the population ages.

Despite gout's growing prevalence, results from a survey of more than 2,000 Americans reveal that 65 percent of adults admitted to being "not at all knowledgeable" about gout. The new survey by the Gout & Uric Acid Education Society illustrates major gaps in the public's understanding of the condition.

"Gout has a rich history, but the notion that the condition is no longer a major health problem can't be further from the truth," says Dr. N. Lawrence Edwards, chairman of the Gout & Uric Acid Education Society, a specialist in rheumatology and professor of medicine at the University of Florida, Gainesville. "What many people don't realize is the number of Americans with gout has actually doubled over the past 30 years."

Gout is one of the most painful forms of arthritis and the most common form of inflammatory arthritis among adults. It causes sudden intense pain and swelling in the joints and, if left untreated, can lead to permanent joint damage and destruction of tissue.

The survey revealed that many Americans don't realize just how serious a condition gout can be - almost half (49 percent) of adults were not aware of the potential crippling effects of gout, such as needing to use a cane or walker, or having to stop working because of limited mobility. More than 70 percent did not know that gout is a form of arthritis.

"Advanced gout leads to the same level of work loss, physical disability and diminished quality of life seen in advanced rheumatoid arthritis, but, as these survey results indicate, the severity of the disease remains underappreciated," Edwards says. "People with gout are often stereotyped as being overindulgent or heavy drinkers, and there is a perception that sufferers bring the condition on themselves. If we are going to improve care for the growing number of Americans living with gout, these myths need to be corrected."

If you have gout or think you may be at risk, Edwards and the experts at the Gout & Uric Acid Education Society have some tips to help manage the condition:

1. Know the risk factors and triggers for gout

Risk factors include obesity, previous joint injury or disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, kidney disease, genetics (one out of four people with gout has a family history of the condition) and elevated uric acid levels (hyperuricemia).

Triggers for attacks include surgery or sudden severe illness; consumption of large quantities of purine-rich foods, especially meat products; or excessive intake of alcohol, especially beer.

2. Stay in control of your uric acid levels

Most experts agree that lowering a person's uric acid level to less than 6.0 mg/dL is helpful to reduce urate crystal accumulation and prevent the consequences of hyperuricemia and gout. It is important to work with your physician to monitor your uric acid level.

3. Talk to your doctor and visit www.GoutEducation.org to learn more

The www.GoutEducation.org Web site features a downloadable patient brochure with key information about gout.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - While a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease, is extremely frightening for patients, there is ongoing research, new technology and medications to help make life easier.

"While we are waiting for a cure, people need to know that a lot can be done to make life easier and longer for people with ALS," says Dr. Robert G. Miller, the lead author of guidelines on treating ALS that are published by the American Academy of Neurology in the Oct. 13 issue of the medical journal Neurology.

ALS is a rapidly progressive and fatal neurologic disease that attacks the nerve cells controlling voluntary muscles, or the muscles a person can control. These muscles - for example, the arms, legs, and throat - eventually stop working. About 10 percent of people diagnosed with ALS will live 10 years or more, significantly longer than the three to five years typically predicted.

Tom Kobler, 57, of Eden Prairie, Minn., noticed he didn't have good control of his left foot in the spring of 2007, and received an official ALS diagnosis in May 2008.

"I had a lot of people at work asking why I was limping," he says. "I first thought I had lower back issues."

In addition to seeing his regular physician, Kobler attends an ALS clinic at Mayo Clinic on a quarterly basis to meet with several specialists, including a neurologist, dietician, speech pathologist, swallowing specialist, nurse and a physiatrist (a doctor of physical therapy). They anticipate together the challenges he will face over the next several months, and plan ways to get around those challenges.

"I probably see seven people over the course of four to five hours at that clinic, and they're all talking to each other," Kobler says. "[ALS] symptoms can progress quickly. Knowing what you can do with the use of various types of equipment is very helpful. We try to anticipate when my weaknesses would come and have the equipment in place as I need it."

Dr. Miller says research affirms the importance of multidisciplinary care. "Attending a multidisciplinary clinic will likely increase survival and access to treatments, and may improve quality of life," Miller says. Several ALS clinics have met standards set by well-known medical organizations, and if you've been diagnosed with ALS, your doctor can help guide you in finding a clinic in your area you can work with.

Kobler has been involved in reviewing the last decade of ALS research and agrees with Dr. Miller. "In my battle with ALS, I have tried to anticipate my family's future needs to make living with ALS as manageable as possible. That is not something easily done, but with frank conversations with my medical team at Mayo and at home, we have been fairly successful in having the equipment and expertise on hand when needed to allow me and my family to enjoy my remaining life as fully as possible," he says.

One guideline identified by the American Academy of Neurology recommends people with ALS use the drug riluzole, which slows the rate at which the disease progresses. It is the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat ALS, and has a modest effect on prolonging survival.

As ALS progresses, it starts affecting the muscles in the mouth, which can cause eating, talking and drooling issues. The drug botulinum toxin B is recommended by the Academy for patients who are suffering from sialorrhea - also known as drooling - if oral medications aren't working.

Kobler's disease has limited him to a wheelchair, but he continues to prepare for future needs. He says any equipment that allows him to conserve energy helps.

"More recently we have gained access to a lift that lifts me out of bed and into my wheel chair," he says. "I have also recorded my voice for certain requests - 'I need water,' 'I'm cold,' 'I need to go to the bathroom.'"

Recent studies indicate the disease typically proceeds to affect the muscles that control breathing, so people with ALS have problems getting enough oxygen. People with ALS who use an assisted-breathing device usually have increased life expectancy and may have better quality of life. Longer life expectancy is also likely for people with ALS who use a feeding tube known as a PEG tube, since nutrition plays a critical role in extending survival.

People with ALS who develop thinking or behavioral problems will be less likely to initially accept treatment with an assisted-breathing device or a PEG tube. Doctors need to approach these people differently to help them accept these treatments.

The cause of ALS is still a question mark, and it's not known why the disease strikes some people and not others. About 30,000 Americans are currently diagnosed with ALS.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - Even in the best of times, life insurance can offer an extra measure of peace of mind in terms of helping to provide financial security. But the need for life insurance is even more significant during difficult economic times, when jobs are harder to find and dependents are in greater need of financial assistance.

The current high rate of unemployment is causing consumers to re-evaluate the importance of individual life insurance coverage, with many viewing it as an essential component of long-term financial security for their families and loved ones.

"People have been hit hard and aren't sure where to turn," says Mark Hug with Prudential's Individual Life Insurance business. "They see life insurance as a way to help provide stability and financial protection."

Hug notes that a recent report titled Navigating Life Insurance Choices in Challenging Times issued by Prudential Financial, Inc. in September, found recent layoffs made two-thirds of consumers realize they need more insurance than their employers provide. But, 22 percent do not have more coverage beyond what they get at work and 18 percent have no coverage at all, according to the report.

The discrepancy between the coverage people have and the coverage they believe they need seems to boil down to the fact that the choices in life insurance policies can be confusing.

Getting started

The good news is, determining your needs is not as complicated as it may first appear. When selecting a policy, consider several key things, including:

* Calculating how much coverage you need.
* Considering the period of time for which you need coverage to determine if term or permanent insurance is right for you.
* Determining how your needs fit within an overall plan that suits your personal circumstances, your financial priorities and your budget.

Understanding your options
Like its name implies, term life insurance provides coverage for a specified "term" or period of time. It is usually less expensive than whole life or permanent insurance, especially in the early years of the policy, and can be a good option for people who want maximum coverage at minimum cost.

Whole or permanent life insurance provides lifetime coverage and premiums are typically paid for as long as the policy remains in place. In addition to providing a death benefit, permanent policies can potentially accumulate cash value, which can be accessed via loans or withdrawals. Loans and withdrawals will reduce policy cash values and the death benefit and may have tax consequences.

When in doubt, a combination of coverage can be a good approach to cover all your bases. A financial professional or a life insurance agent can play an important role in helping you determine what level of protection you need by evaluating present and future financial responsibilities and income, and identifying the right products to help meet those needs. When it comes to financial security, life insurance offers the kind of guarantee you can take to the bank. Of course, it's also important to note that all guarantees are based on the claims-paying ability of the issuing company. For more information, download a copy of Navigating Life Insurance Choices in Challenging Times.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - As cold weather sets in, thousands of retirees are making plans for a winter getaway. If you're one of them, switch to direct deposit for your Social Security payments before you leave - it's the safest, easiest way to receive your money.

"Each year, the U.S. Department of the Treasury receives more than 1.4 million inquiries regarding paper check-related problems," says David A. Lebryk, commissioner of the Treasury Department's Financial Management Service.

Yet, approximately 10.5 million Americans continue to receive their Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments by paper check each month. The Treasury Department's Go Direct (R) campaign encourages senior citizens and people with disabilities to switch to direct deposit.

Increased safety, convenience and reliability

When there's a problem with a Social Security payment, nine times out of 10 it's with a paper check, not a direct deposit payment, says Lebryk.

Paper checks can be vulnerable to financial crimes like theft and fraud. In fact, the Treasury Department investigates more than 70,000 cases of altered or fraudulently endorsed checks each year, totaling $64 million in estimated value.

"In 2008 alone, more than 485,000 Social Security and SSI checks were reported lost or stolen and had to be reissued," says Lebryk.

Direct deposit is also more convenient and reliable. There is no more waiting for a check to arrive in the mail, and there are no more worries about delivery delays due to severe weather, local emergencies and other check related problems. Last year alone, severe weather events forced alternative delivery arrangements for millions of Social Security and SSI paper checks.

"Switching to direct deposit for federal benefits is such an easy way for people to safeguard their money, especially when traveling for extended periods of time," says Lebryk. "Your money is deposited to your account on payment day, so there's no need to worry about delivery delays or a check sitting in your mailbox while you're gone."

Prepaid debit card option

In addition to direct deposit, the Treasury Department recommends the Direct Express (R) Debit MasterCard (R) card as an alternative to paper checks for people without bank accounts.

More than half a million Americans signed up for the optional Direct Express (R) card in its first year of availability, according to the Treasury Department. A recent survey of cardholders finds that 95 percent say they are satisfied with the prepaid debit card, and 86 percent say they would recommend it to family members or friends who receive a federal benefit payment.

With the Direct Express card, cardholders can make purchases, pay bills and get cash at thousands of locations nationwide. Sign-up is free and no bank account is required. While most services are free, there are fees for a limited number of optional transactions and services.

Making the switch is easy

It is easy to make the switch to electronic payments for federal benefits. To sign up for direct deposit, call the Treasury Department's Go Direct campaign helpline at 1-800-333-1795 or visit www.GoDirect.org. To sign up for the Treasury-recommended Direct Express card, or to learn more about the card's features and fees, call 1-877-212-9991 or visit www.USDirectExpress.com. preceding information has been provided by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service.

The

The Go Direct (R) campaign is sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Banks. The Direct Express (R) Debit MasterCard (R) card is issued by Comerica Bank, pursuant to a license by MasterCard International Incorporated. MasterCard (R) and the MasterCard (R) Brand Mark are registered trademarks of MasterCard International Incorporated. The Go Direct (R) logo, Direct Express (R) logo and Direct Express (R) are service marks of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - The signs of aging aren't always as obvious as a few more wrinkles and grey hairs. The body naturally changes as you get older, but what exactly can you expect and how do you make sure you're aging in a healthy way?

The experts at Mayo Clinic offer a list of things to look for as you age, and tips on how you can stay healthy:

Heart

As you get older, your heart must work harder to pump the same amount of blood through your body. Your blood vessels may narrow if hardened deposits of fat have formed on your arteries. This can lead to high blood pressure (hypertension).

You can help prevent high blood pressure by maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and reducing your salt intake.

Muscles, joints and bones

Your bones shrink in size and density as you age, which makes you susceptible to fracture. Your muscles and joints also lose some flexibility and strength.

To help your body stay flexible and to keep your bones strong, get the recommended daily amount of vitamin D and calcium and engage in weight-bearing exercises like walking, climbing stairs and light weight training.

Eyes

Experienced eyes have thinner retinas with lenses that are less clear. Focusing on objects close up may become more difficult and you may be sensitive to glaring lights, particularly when driving at night. Common eye conditions include glaucoma and cataracts.

Eat a healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables and whole grains and get regular eye exams to help catch any problems early.

Ears

Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions reported in aging adults. The thickening of eardrums can cause you to have difficulty hearing high frequencies and you may notice an increase in ear wax.

Avoid prolonged exposure to loud noises and wear hearing protection when doing noisy tasks like mowing the lawn. Have your hearing checked regularly.
 
If you've got health concerns or questions about what you can expect as you get older, a great resource to have on hand is the Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 4th edition. You'll have great information at your fingertips including:

* Preventive screening recommendations and tests to consider based on your age
* Hundreds of pages of fully updated information on diseases and conditions
* How to protect yourself and prepare for flu pandemics
* How to make sense of your symptoms
* A medication guide

Also included is general information designed to help you navigate the changes and health care decisions that come as we get older.

For more information and healthy aging tips, visit MayoClinic.com. To purchase your copy of the Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 4th edition, visit Bookstore.MayoClinic.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - A diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) often results in a patient feeling helpless and depressed about not being able to maintain a normal, active lifestyle. However, with a chronic lung disease like COPD, it's particularly important, and tremendously beneficial, for patients to exercise and stay active.

It is a misconception that people with COPD are unable to stay active post diagnosis. On the contrary, exercise can help patients feel less short of breath, strengthen muscles (including the heart) and can improve a patient's mood, according to the National Jewish Medical and Research Center.

COPD patients should always consult with their doctor to collaborate on developing an appropriate exercise program prior to beginning one. Done properly under a doctor's supervision, exercise can increase energy levels, muscle strength, cardiopulmonary endurance and help with shortness of breath. Not to mention the additional benefits of losing weight and lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

If you have COPD and are overweight, the extra weight can make it even more difficult for you to breathe. Losing the weight by participating in a doctor-supervised exercise program will help to reduce the strain on your heart and lungs. Common activities include stretching, strength exercises such as leg lifts and arm extensions and endurance activities like cycling, swimming and water aerobics.

Patients and their caregivers may be concerned about blood oxygen saturation (measured by oximetry) levels during periods of activity. In the past, patients would be required to visit a clinic to have their blood oxygen saturation levels monitored. Today, however, doctors often prescribe a fingertip pulse oximeter for patients with COPD.

By self-monitoring with a personal fingertip pulse oximeter such as Nonin Medical's GO2, blood oxygen saturation can be measured safely and independently - anytime, anywhere. A doctor can prescribe the GO2 during a patient visit.

Managing a condition like COPD is a lifelong commitment. It is important to stay active, keep healthy and monitor your oxygen during exercise. Work with your doctor to create a program that best suits your needs and take back control of your life.

For more information on the GO2 fingertip pulse oximeter, as well as helpful patient education resources, visit www.Nonin.com/go2. of ARAcontent

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