How To Buy The Perfect Gift For Anyone

Shopping online for gifts rather than going to a store
is not only convenient, but you save time, money and have
an incredible variety of gifts to choose from.

It's no wonder online shopping is growing at a phenomenal
rate every year. But with so much to choose from, how do
you buy the perfect gift for someone?

The mistake most people make is buying something that they
like instead of thinking hard about the interests of the
person they are buying for. Admit it; you have probably
done this before.

If you want to buy the perfect gift for your recipient,
take the time to learn about the interests of that person
even if it's something you don't particularly enjoy.

Once you know their interests, you can shop smarter and
have a much better chance of getting that perfect gift
with the thought that says: I picked this gift only for you.

If you are shopping for a gift for your sweetheart or
partner, just apply the same rule. Try to focus on their
interests. Remember, it's not what you want; it's what
your partner wants that matters.

Listen close to your conversations then casually ask
questions to get more specifics. You'll get clues
about gifts they desire.

Once you apply this new method of gift shopping, your
partner or sweetheart will end up with the perfect gift
and you will be surprised by the response you receive.

But what about buying a gift for the person who has
everything? Here are a few ideas that work well for
that problem.

Gift Baskets make wonderful gifts for the person who has
everything and are available for everyone and every
occasion. Again the rule here is look for one that is
themed toward your recipient's interests.

Gift baskets come in every theme imaginable and can be
tailored to suit the particular occasion or interest perfectly.

They are filled with lots of small presents for the gift
recipient making them an excellent value. They come in
a variety of price ranges, so they are an ideal gift for
any budget.

Another gift idea for the person who has everything is a
gift certificate. Gift certificates are convenient and
easy to redeem. But don't think a gift certificate is a
quick solution or an easy way out because it isn't.

If you purchase a gift certificate from a store that
offers gifts related toward your recipient's interests
you may be doing them a huge favor. Not only do they
get a great gift that interests them but they can
choose something that they will actually use and enjoy.

As you can see, it's not difficult to find the perfect
gift for anyone. It just takes taking a little extra
time to learn about the interests of the recipient.
But the result is worth it because it will produce the
perfect gift that anyone will be absolutely delighted
to receive.

About The Author
Gary Gresham is the webmaster for
http://www.1stopshoppingonline.com If you are looking
for gifts go to:
http://www.1stopshoppingonline.com/gifts.html and easily
find the perfect gift for anyone.

Individual Health Insurance Plans

When looking for individual health insurance plans it's
important to remember that generally you'll find better rates
if you deal directly with the insuring company. The internet
now allows individuals the chance to plug in a few personal
details and obtain individual health insurance plans quotes.
Some questions to consider when choosing your coverage are
the following:

1) Is it important that you keep your current Doctor?

2) Is it important that you have access to alternative care
such acupuncture or massage therapy?

3) How high a deductible are you comfortable with?

Individual Health Insurance Plans tailored to your needs.

Most people looking for individual health insurance plans are
seeking modest insurance coverage, but they also want some of
the basic essentials such as regular Doctor visits and
prescription coverage.

Keep in mind that your premium costs will vary depending on
how high your deductible is and what kind of coverage you have.
Generally the higher the deductible, the lower your monthly
premiums. When choosing your coverage try to match low prices
with quality coverage.

About The Author
Mike Yeager
Publisher
http://www.a1-healthinsurance-4u.com/
mjy610@hotmail.com

Alaska Cruises offer breathtaking scenery for your vacations.

If being on an Alaskan cruise is on your wishlist, here's a
write-up that will surely keep that wish alive.

Alaska cruises can offer some of the most pristine, natural
beauty you'll ever see on your vacations. Beautiful crystal
clear inlets of water found no where else in the world.

Icebergs and sheer cliff walls rising thousands of feet into
the air. Choosing from among the many Alaska cruises will be
easy and fun; making your vacations an exciting and rewarding
experience.

Some points to consider in deciding which of many Alaska
cruises is right for your vacation:

One thing to decide is when you want to go. Many people favor
the month of August because the weather and temperature are
favorable to being outdoors. Another consideration to keep in
mind for Alaska cruises and vacations is which direction on
the ship you'd like your cabin to face.

Inside cabins are less expensive while outside facing cabins
offer the convenience of stepping onto your balcony and seeing
the many splendid sights. Dressing warmly and comfortably is
another consideration, especially if you're susceptible to
being cold at night. Also, be sure and bring along a good pair
of binoculars to see the sights. Many times your cruise ship
will pass by stunningly close to an immense block of ice;
you'll want to see every detail of that up close.

About The Author
Mike Yeager

Publisher
http://www.a1-travel-4u.com/productpage/cheapcruises.html

Useful Tips on Saving

Here are some useful tips on saving. Start by saving small
amounts here and there. Over time, you will notice how even
a small amount saved can add up to big money. If you are
willing to watch what you spend and look for little ways to
save on a regular basis, you can make money grow. If you buy
on impulse, make a rule that you'll always wait 24 hours to
buy anything. You may lose your desire to buy it after a day.

Try emptying your pockets and wallet of spare change at the
end of each day. You'll be surprised how quickly those pennies
add up!

Speaking of things adding up, there is no investment strategy
anywhere that pays off as well as, or with less risk than,
merely paying off all high interest debt you may have.

Many people have wallets filled with credit cards, some of
which they've “maxed out” (meaning they've spent up to their
credit limit). Credit cards can make it seem easy to buy
expensive things when you don't have the cash in your pocket—
or in the bank. But credit cards aren't free money.

Most credit cards charge high interest rates if you don't pay
off your balance in full each month. If you owe money on your
credit cards, the wisest thing you can do is pay off the
balance in full as quickly as possible. Once you've paid off
your credit cards, you can budget your money and begin to save
and invest.

Here are some tips for avoiding credit card debt:

Put away the plastic:
Don't use a credit card unless your debt is at a manageable
level and you know you'll have the money to pay the bill when
it arrives.

Know what you owe:
It's easy to forget how much you've charged on your credit card.
Every time you use a credit card, write down how much you have
spent and figure out how much you'll have to pay that month.

Pay off the card with the highest rate:
If you've got unpaid balances on several credit cards, you
should first pay off the card that charges the highest rate.
Pay as much as you can toward that debt each month until your
balance is once again zero, while still paying the minimum on
your other cards.


You may freely reprint this article provided the author's
biography remains intact:

Keywords: tips on saving, saving

About the Author
John Mussi, London
http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk
John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help UK
homeowners find the best available loans via the
www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.

Aromatherapy: How and When to Use Essential Oils

To repeat where we are, my sweetie (my wife June)
had breast cancer a few years ago and we opted

1) to have a lymph-ectomy (mistake) and later
2) radiation (good decision). Regardless of whether
it was a mistake we did it and the result is that
she has to be very careful about not injuring her
right arm. Last summer and fall she burned herself
on our oven three times, one of them very seriously.
There are other articles covering where else we
have gone, but this is on how and when to use
Aromatherapy.

Remember the effect of the Lavender oil? She happened
to go on an outing with several girl friends right
after the bad burn and in talking it over with them
they decided to put therapeutic-grade lavender
essential oil on the burn. She could feel it healing
immediately and in spite of this being a large burn
(2” x 6”) it healed with only a very small scar,
about the size of a half-quarter (like a half-moon
shape).

Needless to say, we are sold on the “therapeutic grade
of essential oils from Young Living. They can be used
n several ways, very effectively. These methods of use,
or application, are:

1) Apply the oils directly to the bottom of the feet
(more on this as we go on),

2) apply the essential oil directly to the bruised
or wounded area,

3) diffuse your essential oils into the air, and

4) add certain “edible” essential oils to water or
food for both exotic and exquisite flavorings.

1) In the Orient they have been using acupuncture
and acupressure for centuries, perhaps millennia?
What is perhaps more surprising is that essential
oils, when applied to the bottom of the foot, are
absorbed rather quickly into, and dispersed throughout,
the body.

As a liquid they are also immediately used by the body
as anti-whatever and begin their healing actions almost
immediately. Because they are “pure” – therapeutic grade
– there is nothing within the compound to hinder the
healing effect, nor to slow it.

2) Apply the essential oil directly to the bruised or
wounded area. As in the example of the Lavender applied
directly to the burn, apply Lavender or Melaleuca oil
directly to the cut, scrape or bruised area. This will
provide maximum relief directly to the affected area,
where it is needed most. But be careful of the oils
you use in this manner. When using spearmint, for
example, keep it completely away from the eyes; it can
cause severe itching and burning and lead to blurred
vision for several hours.

3) Use a diffuser and diffuse your essential oils
directly into the air you breathe. You will need to
have a very good diffuser, such as the one available
from Young Living, in order to do this more effectively.

We have used several but discarded them all. Only the
Young Living diffuser seems to literally radiate the
oil scent throughout our home, but to do it efficiently.
It costs about $100 US but it has proven many times
worth it.

4) You can add add certain “edible” essential oils to
water or food for both exotic and exquisite flavorings.
Such “spiciness” will enhance your cooking and enhance
the therapeutic (medicinal) value of your foods as well.
You cannot use all essential oils in cooking so it might
be prudent to purchase one of Young Living’s “how to”
books. They can be ordered directly from the web site.

Finally, all the good health and good nutrition and
exquisite flavorings in the world will not make you
healthy if your body cannot use the nutrients you are
feeding it.

Good digestion is the basis for good health. Without
good digestion most of the nutrients in your body are
going to waste – you might as well have a gigantic
tapeworm siphoning off your food.

In order to enhance your digestion you should also be
using, at least periodically, a proven organic greens
product as a digestive aid, one such as Bio 88+ (Plus).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Loring Windblad has studied nutrition and exercise for
more than 40 years, is a published author and freelance
writer. June’s and Loring’s latest business endeavors
are at http://www.organicgreens.us
http://junedawn.younglivingworld.com

Choosing A Business

The majority of people who have a home business started
from scratch. Creating a successful business requires
that you ask yourself "What will people pay for?" Market
research will help you find out, and that can be as simple
as asking prospective customers what they need and
investigating whether you can compete on price, service,
quality, variety and ease of use.

With these considerations in mind, here are six
possibilities for finding the ideal business for you.
You can:

Turn your favorite hobby or interest into a business
Find a need you can fill that's related to your interest.
Example: Someone nearing retirement and interested in
helping other senior citizens remain active could create
a counseling business, advising on how to enjoy retirement.

Turn your existing job skills into a business.
Accountants, communications specialists, graphic artists,
salespeople, teachers -- people from all walks of life --
can take their skills and reinvent them. Examples: A
secretary could start a secretarial service; a personnel
director could set up telecommuting guidelines for companies.

THE RIGHT BUSINESS FOR YOU

Solve a problem
People will pay to have someone do tasks they find
unpleasant or need help with. Examples: Errand runners
help thousands of people take care of their daily tasks;
someone who's dealt with a disease and recovery could
provide information and teach classes on coping.

Use a hidden or latent talent
Take notice of the talents you use without thinking.
Example: A great hostess never thought of being a party
planner until she threw a party for a friend. The friend
said, "That was so great, I would have paid for it."

Use technology and other resources you have around the house
Many people have created successful businesses with
equipment and technologies they already had around the
house. A sewing machine can be the key to an exclusive
dressmaking business. We even know two women in Texas
who use their washing machines to run a laundry service
for the crews of ships that dock in the local harbor.

Put what you know to work
You can turn virtually anything you know into a business
if enough people want to know it too. The author of 1,000
Adorable Names for Your Cat sold enough copies of his
book to start a pet-oriented mail-order company.

Good luck.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hamoon Arbabi
Find more about Making money on the Internet, Online
business opportunities, Marketing tactics, Free services,
Free tools and... in http://homebusiness.nexuswebs.net

How Is Mesothelioma Treated?

Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs
where they inhaled asbestos particles. However, they may
have been been exposed to asbestos dust and fibre in other
ways. This could include working with asbestos or by home
renovation using asbestos cement products or even by washing
the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos. The
resulting disease is rare form of cancer in which malignant
(cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective
sac that covers most of the body's internal organs.

Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and
risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in
either men or women at any age. About 2,000 new cases of
mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year.
Although reported incidence rates have increased in the
past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare
cancer.

There are various procedures used for the treatment of
mesothelioma. The type of treatment depends on the location
of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient's
age and general health.

A common treatment of the disease is by means of surgery by
the removal of part of the lining of the chest or abdomen
and some of the tissue around it. For cancer of the pleura,
a lung may be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy.
Sometimes part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs
that helps with breathing, is also removed.

Another method is Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy.
This involves the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells
and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy affects the cancer cells
only in the treated area. The radiation may come from a machine
or from putting materials that produce radiation through thin
plastic tubes into the area where the cancer cells are found.

Anticancer drugs can be used to kill cancer cells throughout
the body. This is known as chemotherapy and involves the
administration of the drugs by injection into a vein
(intravenous, or IV). Currently, doctors are also studying
the effectiveness of putting chemotherapy directly into the
chest or abdomen.

Because mesothelioma is very hard to control, the U.S.
National Cancer Institute (NCI) is sponsoring clinical trials
that are designed to find new treatments and better ways to
use current treatments.

by Wendy Owen

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma. There's so much talk about it in the
media everywhere you turn. What exactly is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer involving mesothelial
tissues of body organs usually lungs or abdominal. It is
often caused by exposure to asbestos. However, there are
30-50% of patients without any history of asbestos exposure.
People who have received asbestos exposure of as little as
one or two months to very low doses are at risk of
mesothelioma cancer. Even people who wash clothes of
asbestos exposed people are at risk. A person exposed to
asbestos could develop mesothelioma after 50 years of
exposure.

People in the occupations such as construction jobs in
shipyards, insulators, boilermakers, etc. are at the risk
of contracting asbestos disease.

The 2 common types of mesothelioma are:

Pleural mesothelioma (lung cancer) and Peritoneal
mesothelioma (abdomen organs). The survival time for a
patient with diffuse malignant mesothelioma is from
4 to 24 months from the observance of the symptoms.
Mesothelioma is also difficult to diagnose.

The chance of recovery for a patient with mesothelioma
depends on size and location of the cancer, age of the
patient and his response to the treatment. Presently,
the treatment options for mesotheliomas are:

Radiation therapy, Chemotherapy, Surgery and Photodynamic
therapy. There is some evidence that provitamin A or beta-
carotene may decrease the risk of mesothelioma.

Copyright 2004, P. Mehta http://www.FatFreeKitchen.com

About The Author
P. Mehta
For more information visit http://www.fatfreekitchen.com/
warning-signs/mesothelioma-cancer.html

10 Things You Can Do To Lose Fat Without Even Trying

1. Eat smaller more frequent meals - not only is your
metabolism boosted every time you eat something, your
body can more efficiently process smaller meals.
Instead of having 3 large meals in a day, try to
break them up into 5 or 6 smaller meals.

2. Drink more water - regular water intake helps to
flush away waste products in the body. Get at least six
to eight 8 oz. glasses per day. An easy way to do this
is to keep a water bottle handy and drink from it
frequently.

3. Be inefficient - do you need to go to the kitchen to
get a couple of things? Break it up into to two trips
even if you can do it in one. Being inefficient like
this can easily double your activity level, burning
calories without even trying.

4. Eat more protein - sources of protein include foods
such as chicken, fish, eggs, dairy, beans, lean red
meats, etc. Your body burns more calories processing
protein than either carbohydrates or fats. Protein also
helps to support your muscle tissue, which burns calories
all day long!

5. Take the stairs instead of the elevator - any time
you can add in a little more physical activity, do it.
This doesn’t mean you need to slog up 20 flights of stairs.
Even a flight or two done regularly will add up.

6. Don’t let yourself get hungry - when you get hungry
you will have a much greater tendency to overeat when
you do finally get something to eat. As well, because
your body is starting to go into starvation mode, it
will be much more likely to hold onto whatever you
give it.

7. Order small portions at restaurants - it’s tough
to order small french fries when "supersizing" your
order is such a great "value." Take note, however,
your real savings will occur in the calories that
don’t end up on your backside.

8. Eat more fiber - fiber is very filling. By eating
more fiber you will find yourself full sooner. This
feeling of fullness will last a long time as well.

9. Wait 20 minutes between servings - your brain takes
at least 20 minutes to register that you’re full. By
waiting that long, you’ll give your brain a chance to
realize that you don’t really need any more food.

10. Cheat on your diet - one thing I always make my
clients promise is that they will cheat on their diet.
The only thing I ask that they do is to cheat ONLY when
they have planned to cheat. By planning when you are
going to eat the foods you crave, you take back control
of your eating habits.

This way you no longer "give in" to your cravings. You
"reward yourself" for sticking to proper nutritional
habits. Do this once or twice a week and you will feel
far more in control of your eating.

In conclusion, if you follow even a few of these 10 easy
tips in the long term, you will certainly notice a
difference in your overall weight and health.

About The Author
Nick Nilsson is Vice President of BetterU, Inc., an online
exercise, fitness, and personal training company. Check out
his latest eBook "The Best Exercises You've Never Heard Of"
at http://www.thebestexercises.com or
visit http://www.fitstep.com. You can contact him at
betteru@fitstep.com or subscribe to BetterU News, his fitness
newsletter at betterunews@fitstep.com.

Water therapy

Water is the stuff of life: two-thirds of our body
is made up of it. People who live in countries where
water is plentiful might take it for granted but for
people whose lands are deserts will treasure it.

THE basic function of water – to keep us alive – has
evolved into a whole new ballgame. It started off with
mineral water – water enriched with minerals important
to our health – and branched out into a plethora of
oxygen water, reverse osmosis water and vitamin-enriched
water. Over the past 10 years, the trend for enriched
water has taken off in Japan and is already invading France.
In United States too, water has overtaken coffee to become
the country’s second leading beverage after soft drinks.

Handy hints

To Unstick a Zipper
Rub the teeth with a dry bar of soap or the nub of
a candle. On dark zippers, use a lead pencil. Repeat
application, if needed.

Vacuum Your Pets
If you are tired of finding pet hair everywhere,
hold your pet and gently vacuum up its loose hair.
Introduce your pet to the idea a little bit at a time.
Be sure to use the hand-tool attachment.

Homestyle Grass Killer
Instead of using harsh chemicals, pour full-strength
vinegar or plain table salt on grass that grows between
sidewalk cracks. It will do the job.

If you find these hints helpful, you may want to visit
the site for more.

Choosing a Perfume

The choice of fragrances and scents seems to grow wider
every day, as manufacturers fight for our attention and
try ever harder to distinguish their offerings from the
competition. With such a selection to choose from, how
does one even begin to know where to start when it comes
to buying perfume?

Broadly speaking, all perfumes fall into one of six
different categories based on their dominant top notes.
Different categories will suit different people or occasions.

Earthy or woody type perfumes evoke smells of the forest,
and are usually very refreshing. They often tend to appeal
to the older generation, and may make ideal gifts.

Oriental fragrances use strong spicy scents, and are ideal
for special social occasions, but be cautious giving them
to anyone you don’t know well – these intense perfumes
can be a very personal choice.

The so-called “greens” are much lighter than the orientals,
and are well suited to more casual wear. Because they make
a less dramatic assault on the nose, they are also safer
to give as gifts!

Modern “oceanic” fragrances are becoming more and more
popular, particularly among younger people who appreciate
the intense but often quite unusual scents, which
instantly bring to mind seaside scenes. Naturally these
are an excellent choice in the warmer months when thoughts
turn to holidays.

Spicy fruity perfumes are also a good warm-weather choice,
and can be a good all-round choice for the woman who wants
to wear something with some traditional base-notes but is
a little different to the classic floral scents.

Finally, those classic floral fragrances are suitable for
almost everyone and any occasion. But be wary of cheaper
brands; this most feminine of all the main groups works
best when the ingredients used are of high quality, and
that means less expensive brands can smell exactly that.

Ultimately, choosing a fragrance is a very personal choice,
and many women prefer to stick with what they know and buy
the same thing year after year. But by trying different
fragrances from the same group as your favourite smell, you
may just discover a new gem.

About The Author
Sara Blackmoore is a relationship councellor, and a freelance
writer. She lives in London, England with her husband and two
children. Sara buys her perfume from http://www.fragrancegopher.co.uk

MyKad a must for overseas Malaysians

PENANG: Malaysians who are overseas on official duty or
residing in foreign countries are not exempt from applying
for MyKad.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Tan Chai Ho said they should
return to the country soon to apply for the multi-purpose
card.
Applications made before Dec 31 are free while RM20 would be
charged for those made after the date, he said.