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You can check out different ab machines, the effectiveness of an abdominal exercise machine on the abdominal area is much less than you might think, in fact the results of abdominal exercises might be less than that of walking, jogging or cycling for a similar time when exercising. The fact that most abdominal exercise devices use a muscle isolation form, will give a far greater feeling of a good workout because the lactic acid build up during exercise causes some discomfort which is normally associated with vigorous ab exercise.

Many people also use fitness machines as a means of motivation for a healthy lifestyle and work out. it is better to change your lifestyle and eating habits then buy devices or gadgets to lose weight and build your abs. If you are still determined that an abdominal machine is the right choice you should try a small ab machine that doesnt take up allot of space in your home.Ab Exercise Equipment if used along with proper dies will work to improve your abs. we all want to show off a great set of abs but it takes some work to get there. this is why abs exercise equipment is big in the fitness market at all times. make sure you test out some of the new abs exercise equipment. you can also do traditional exercises like pull-ups, push-ups, leg-raises, dips. However this might not be the chosen route for every individual who is striving to stay fit. Many people prefer some of the latest benches, treadmills, Stairmasters, and abs exercise equipment on the market. these exercise machines are great if you can afford it.

Most sports stores have a variety of abs exercise equipment ready for you to buy and check out. you know that your daily dose of abs workouts are compulsory for keeping that bare, tight, flat stomach. If you are in need of advice concerning abs exercise equipment or just simple routines, you can ask a athletic trainer for advise.

What abs exercise equipment do you prefer? maybe you get your frequent dose of abs exercise equipment at the local gym or fitness club. If you want to work out at home make sure to ask your trainer they will be a big help in choosing the right abs machine. you can purchase a wide variety of abs exercise equipment for stomach and back workouts.

Tagged with: Abdominal • chose • Exercise • Machines

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April 18, 2012 Updated Apr 18, 2012 at 8:25 AM EDT

UNDATED (Indiana’s NewsCenter) – Nose feeding tubes are typically used on patients who are suffering from head or neck cancer and cannot swallow but now they are helping some to shed pounds quickly.

Called the K-E Diet, which is like an extreme form of the Atkins Diet.

Where most people lose about 2 pounds per day for 10 days.

Here’s how it works: you’re fed continuously through a feeding tube, small spaghetti sized tube, which gets inserted through the nose under local anesthesia.”

It’s slightly uncomfortable. And the patient has to carry a feeding pump 24 7.

Mixed with water, that’s all the nourishment the patient receives, an infusion of proteins and fats, and no carbohydrates. the patient’s intake is only 800 calories a day. But the infusion is constant and there are zero carbohydrates, which curbs hunger.

The body rapidly goes into profound ketosis and when you’re in ketosis the body starts to burn fat not muscle which is why you lose so much weight so quickly. 　The diet started in Rome about 10 years ago, physicians began using feeding tubes on their patients as a way to lose weight. then last July, the diet was brought to the United States to help the morbidly obese. But then he saw a shift in demand, including from brides to be.

Slowly the need and the demand shifted toward mainly towards women that needed to lose weight for a specific situation. Brides began coming in and saying, “I need to fit into my wedding dress because I’m a nervous eater, and I’ve been gaining weight.”

But not everyone thinks the diet is a good idea.

Dietitian Keri Glassman says, “While getting 800 calories a day would be too low for most people, getting them from lean protein, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats is very different than getting them through a feed tube.”

Taraji P. Henson, Heidi Klum, Maria Menounos, Debra Messing, Leslie Bibb and Morena Baccarin all pose nude in the May issue of Allure. Vera Wang showed her entire bridal collection for next spring in red. Urban Outfitter's is under fire for a …
All the Rage

BETHESDA, Md., April 3, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ –National Car Care Month in April is the time of year to give your car some extra attention. Basic car care is the key to a long-lasting vehicle, improving its safety and dependability, says the Car Care Council.

“Neglected vehicle care almost always means much higher costs down the line in the form of more extensive repairs or lost resale value,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Following a routine maintenance program makes financial sense, extending useful vehicle life and helping avoid costly repairs down the road.”

The Car Care Council recommends 10 basic maintenance procedures to keep your car operating at its best for the long haul:

Check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering, brake and transmission as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.

Check the hoses and belts to make sure they are not cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or showing signs of excessive wear.

Check the battery and replace if necessary. Make sure the connection is clean, tight and corrosion-free.

Check the brake system annually and have the brake linings, rotors and drums inspected at each oil change.

Inspect the exhaust system for leaks, damage and broken supports or hangers if there is an unusual noise. Exhaust leaks can be dangerous and must be corrected without delay.

Schedule a tune-up to help the engine deliver the best balance of power and fuel economy and produce the lowest level of emissions.

Check the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system as proper heating and cooling performance is critical for interior comfort and for safety reasons such as defrosting.

Inspect the steering and suspension system annually including shock absorbers, struts and chassis parts such as ball joints, tie rod ends and other related components.

Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.

Check the wipers and lighting so that you can see and be seen. Check that all interior and exterior lighting is working properly and replace worn wiper blades so you can see clearly when driving during precipitation.

In celebration of National Car Care Month, the non-profit Car Care Council has introduced a new custom service schedule. The personalized schedule and e-mail reminder service is a free resource to help motorists drive smart, save money and make informed decisions.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. for more information, visit www.carcare.org .

SOURCE Car Care Council

Copyright (C) 2012 PR Newswire. all rights reserved

Step out of the kitchen and into the Grand Pairie Center on Tuesday, April 24, for a night of culinary tips and techniques as well as new recipe ideas as culinary specialist Eric Villegas prepares 10 “sophisticated yet surprisingly easy-to-make” dishes.

the cooking lesson will be the featured event of the Stuttgart Daily Leader’s second Taste of Home Cooking School, co-hosted with the Grand Prairie Center.

“the Stuttgart Daily Leader is thrilled to bring the cooking school back to this area,” Gatehouse Media Regional Publisher Mitch Bettis said. “it takes a lot of effort from a lot of people to make this program work, and we are grateful for all the local businesses who have partnered with us to help make this program successful.”

the cooking school will open with a Vendor show and Expo of local vendors and businesses from 2-6 p.m. the expo is free with the donation of a non-perishable food item with all proceeds going toward the Interfaith Community Church Ministries (ICCM) Food Bank.

Villegas will take the stage at 6:30 p.m., following the hour-long VIP session. VIP tickets can be purchased for $35 and will include seating on the first six rows and a 5-6 p.m. meet-and-greet with Villegas. Light hors d’oeuvres and wine will be served.

once on stage, Villegas will walk audience members through the preparation of 10 different dishes. It’s nothing new to the Lansing, Mich., resident who hosts cooking schools nationwide. the work allows him to share his love for culinary and sampling flavors from different cities ― two passions he learned at an early age.

“Growing up, my parents loved to entertain, especially my father,” Villegas said. “He was a great cook and was always trying new recipes. Additionally, my father’s job had our family frequently traveling to different parts of the world where we would visit local restaurants. I was mesmerized by what I saw and wanted to learn how to re-create the experience at home. I started small with breakfast dishes and soon was cooking entire meals for my family several nights a week.”

He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Michigan State University. Afterwards, he moved to Paris where he attended LaVarenne Ecole de Cuisine and Academie du Vin. Villegas moved back to the United States two years later and continued his studies at the New England Culinary Institute.

Step out of the kitchen and into the Grand Pairie Center on Tuesday, April 24, for a night of culinary tips and techniques as well as new recipe ideas as culinary specialist Eric Villegas prepares 10 “sophisticated yet surprisingly easy-to-make” dishes.

the cooking lesson will be the featured event of the Stuttgart Daily Leader’s second Taste of Home Cooking School, co-hosted with the Grand Prairie Center.

“the Stuttgart Daily Leader is thrilled to bring the cooking school back to this area,” Gatehouse Media Regional Publisher Mitch Bettis said. “it takes a lot of effort from a lot of people to make this program work, and we are grateful for all the local businesses who have partnered with us to help make this program successful.”

the cooking school will open with a Vendor show and Expo of local vendors and businesses from 2-6 p.m. the expo is free with the donation of a non-perishable food item with all proceeds going toward the Interfaith Community Church Ministries (ICCM) Food Bank.

Villegas will take the stage at 6:30 p.m., following the hour-long VIP session. VIP tickets can be purchased for $35 and will include seating on the first six rows and a 5-6 p.m. meet-and-greet with Villegas. Light hors d’oeuvres and wine will be served.

once on stage, Villegas will walk audience members through the preparation of 10 different dishes. It’s nothing new to the Lansing, Mich., resident who hosts cooking schools nationwide. the work allows him to share his love for culinary and sampling flavors from different cities ― two passions he learned at an early age.

“Growing up, my parents loved to entertain, especially my father,” Villegas said. “He was a great cook and was always trying new recipes. Additionally, my father’s job had our family frequently traveling to different parts of the world where we would visit local restaurants. I was mesmerized by what I saw and wanted to learn how to re-create the experience at home. I started small with breakfast dishes and soon was cooking entire meals for my family several nights a week.”

He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Michigan State University. Afterwards, he moved to Paris where he attended LaVarenne Ecole de Cuisine and Academie du Vin. Villegas moved back to the United States two years later and continued his studies at the New England Culinary Institute.

during his career, Villegas has owned two restaurants, written two cookbooks and earned two regional EMMY awards for his popular television show “Fork in the Road with Eric Villegas.” He enjoys spending time with his growing family, exploring regional and local foods in Michigan and taking in great architecture.

Villegas said he is looking forward to coming to the Grand Prairie Center in Stuttgart ― “we’re going to have a lot of fun at this event. Trust me, you don’t want to miss it.” at the end of the show, each dish prepared, including cookware, will be given away in a drawing.

“the cooking school is a great evening of fun,” Bettis said. “Those who come have a terrific time and pick up some fantastic cooking tips. everyone also gets a great goodie bag.”

Reserved seating tickets, which guarantees a seat in rows 7-12, can be purchased for $20, while general admission tickets are $15. Door prizes from local businesses and national sponsors will be handed out throughout the evening’s events.

Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Stuttgart Daily Leader office, 111 W. 6th St., or at the Grand Prairie Center box office. For more information, contact the Stuttgart Daily Leader at (870) 673-8533.  

The battle between the Obama and Romney campaigns about whose candidate is the most understanding toward the unemployed, women voters and more has turned to another bloc — dog-lovers. 

The latest round centers on an old claim by President Obama that, as a child, he tried dog meat. The Daily Caller ignited the exchange on Twitter with a blog post Tuesday, referring to the excerpt from the president’s best-selling memoir “Dreams From My Father: a Story of race and Inheritance.” in it, Obama talks about growing up in Indonesia and being “introduced to dog meat” and other exotic foods like grasshopper. 

The post follows Democrats pouncing on Mitt Romney in January after he acknowledged the family dog, Seamus, made a vacation trip from Boston to Canada in a kennel carrier atop the car roof.

Obama adviser David Axelrod promptly tweeted a photo of Obama sitting in a car beside first family dog Bo.

“How loving owners transport their dogs,” Alexrod tweeted along with the picture.

Romney aide Eric Fehrnstrom tried to turn the Axelrod Tweet to his advantage after the Daily Caller blog — using the Obama-Bo picture in a Tweet with the message: “In hindsight, a chilling photo.”

Obama campaign spokesman Ben LaBolt tweeted in response: “What’s the next attack@EricFerhn and the (Republican National Committee) will surface on a 6-10 year old?”

SANTA MONICA, Calif., April 18, 2012 — I am walking down Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, California,  with the Pacific Ocean surging nearby, when this  bejeweled , richly caparisoned  elephant adorned with silks, brocades, flowers and henna, walks nonchalantly down the street.

Calmly he placed one bedecked foot circled by anklets in front of the other, undeterred by the hypnotic pounding beat of the dhol (Indian drum) the  frenzied dancers and the jubilant, boisterous  crowds . 

His mission was to deliver the resplendent attired bridegroom perched on his back to the temple where a wedding would take place.

Yes, this is the big Fat Indian wedding and the elephant procession was the auspicious beginning to a blessed union between bridegroom, bride and two families. Tradition is integral to Indian weddings and the elephant plays an important role in the ceremonies. in the olden days in India, kings, nawabs, and princes rode on elephants to symbolize their power and majesty.

Today it is not so much about pomp and power as it is about pageantry and ancient rituals. A booming Indian marriage industry among Indians in the US, and there are two million of them, has spawned  hundreds of marriage planners, exotic venues and elephants .

However, it is this magnificent elephant attired in ceremonial clothes that intrigues me at this wedding I am attending. I track down the owners Kari and Gary Johnson. The company, based in Perris, California, cleverly called Have Trunk will Travel inc.  owns seven elephants, with five of them adult females.  Each of them has a name: Tai, Dixie, Kitty, Becky and Rosie. there is the only one adult male Tusko, who is currently on loan to the Oregon Zoo for its breeding program.

Kari tells me that  they participate in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan. ”We work with other elephant holding facilities to preserve and protect this endangered species,” she says.

She and her husband Gary have been training elephants for over 35 years. The staff includes three trainers and two apprentice trainers, who have experience from other zoos. Members of the family are also involved with the training with some of the staff, working with them for 21 years.

Didn’t the music, noise and crowds annoy the elephant? Kari says that “the elephants are used to the dancing, music, people, crowds, and events. They know that they are safe with us and are not startled by the noise or any unusual things that may happen.”

”Indian weddings are special,” Kari adds. “We have learned about the traditions, love the outfits, and really enjoy the festivities. some of the weddings are over the top, but amazingly well planned. One of the most memorable weddings was the one where an elephant was given by the bride as a surprise gift to the groom. It is challenging to try to keep an elephant a secret until it’s time to start the procession and fun to see the reaction when the groom sets eyes on the elephant and realizes he will be riding on top!”

The elephant saddles, anklets and howdahs are specially built on the ranch and fitted to each individual elephant. Kari’s mother even made some of them. some of the ostentatious, decorative cloths come from India. Kari adds that the specially embellished umbrellas, which are placed over the heads of the bridegrooms also come from India.

“My favorite part,” says Kari, “is wearing the Indian outfits. We order the clothing from India or buy it online or in the Indian shops in  Cerritos, California. I used to be concerned that we might wear something inappropriate because we are not familiar with all the different religions and customs from various regions in India. but the families are always very helpful and work with us.”

The cost? “It varies, according to how much travel is involved and which decorations are chosen. Weddings close to home may cost as much as $ 5,000 while weddings across the country can run as much as $ 40,000.” Kari said.

And what movies did the elephants star in? “Zookeeper,” “Evan Almighty,” “George of the Jungle,” “Operation Dumbo Drop,” and “Larger than Life” are some of the films featuring their elephants, but there have been many commercials and television shows  where the elephants have had leading roles. 

But if a 9000 lb. elephant is not within your budget, you might  settle for a mare. A romantic 12th century legend, spun out of a medieval  romance, tells us that the Indian Rajput ruler Prithviraj Chauhan kidnapped his beautiful lover Samyukta, daughter of a rival ruler, and galloped away on his horse.

Since that time  in India, many marriage processions herald the bridegroom riding a mare(a horse is inauspicious) to the wedding reception, accompanied by bands playing Bollywood hits with the  family and friends of the groom dancing euphorically while traffic grinds to a halt.

Whether riding on an elephant or a mare, the bridegroom’s   fantasies come true on his marriage day and he feels like a prince as he rides forth regally to claim his bride.

This article is the copyrighted property of the writer and Communities @ WashingtonTimes.com. Written permission must be obtained before reprint in online or print media. REPRINTING TWTC CONTENT WITHOUT PERMISSION AND/OR PAYMENT IS THEFT AND PUNISHABLE BY LAW.

For Release: 04/13/2012

The Federal Trade Commission has dismissed the complaint it issued last November seeking to block OSF Healthcare System’s acquisition of rival health care provider Rockford Health System, in light of OSF Healthcare’s decision to abandon the proposed transaction.

the Commission voted 5-0 to dismiss the complaint, after OSF announced on Thursday that it would no longer seek to complete the acquisition.

"the Federal Trade Commission is gratified by OSF Healthcare’s decision to abandon its attempt to acquire rival hospital services provider Rockford Health System," said Chairman Jon Leibowitz. "as we said in November when we filed our complaint, health care consumers and employers in Rockford would have paid a price had the deal been allowed to proceed. the FTC remains vigilant, and will not hesitate to challenge deals in the health care sector that are likely to decrease competition and lead to higher prices or fewer services."

the FTC issued the complaint in November 2011, alleging that OSF’s proposed acquisition of Rockford Health System would reduce competition in two markets in the Rockford area: 1) general acute-care inpatient services, and 2) primary care physician services. Specifically, OSF would control 64 percent of general acute-care inpatient services post-acquisition, and face only one competitor, SwedishAmerican Health System. the two hospitals together would control more than 99 percent of the market for general acute-care services. In the market for primary care physician services, the complaint alleged that, post-acquisition, OSF and SwedishAmerican together would control almost 60 percent of all primary care physician services.

The FTC’s Bureau of Competition works with the Bureau of Economics to investigate alleged anticompetitive business practices and, when appropriate, recommends that the Commission take law enforcement action. to inform the Bureau about particular business practices, call 202-326-3300, send an e-mail to antitrust@ftc.gov, or write to the Office of Policy and Coordination, Bureau of Competition, Federal Trade Commission, 601 New Jersey Ave., Room 7117, Washington, DC 20580. to learn more about the Bureau of Competition, read Competition Counts. Like the FTC on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

MEDIA CONTACT: Peter Kaplan Office of Public Affairs 202-326-2334 (Rockford Abandon.final)

What could possibly be better than a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? How about one made with your own homemade peanut butter. You might be surprised at how simple it is to make your own tasty spread.Getting startedRecipes vary, but in general, you need two things to make your own natural peanut butter: shelled peanuts and a food processor. some recipes call for the addition of honey or agave nectar to thicken and sweeten the peanut butter; you can opt to add some kind of oil as well if you find that your mixture needs it. SimplyScratch.com suggests using grapeseed oil, while others call for peanut or canola oil. once you see how easy it is to make peanut butter, you may be inspired to experiment with different flavors and add coconut oil, chocolate or even other types of nuts.Roasting or selecting the peanutsThe first step in making your own peanut butter is to decide what kind of peanuts you are going to use. You can choose the pre-roasted kind or roast them yourself. Alton Brown’s Food Network recipe suggests using Spanish peanuts, which have a higher oil content than other kinds, when roasting to make peanut butter.

To roast your own peanuts, preheat the oven at 350 degrees. Rinse 2 pounds of shelled peanuts in cool water and then pat them dry. Toss with 2 tablespoons of peanut oil and 1 to 2 tablespoons of salt. Spread in a half sheet pan, making sure they are in one layer, and roast for 30 to 35 minutes. Rotate the pan after about 15 to 17 minutes. Remove the pans from the oven and let the peanuts cool slightly. Then you can take the peanuts out of their shells, remove the skin and start the peanut butter process.

If you decide to start with store-bought peanuts, you can select either the salted or lightly salted variety. if you are following an exact recipe that calls for salt, make sure to modify the amount of additional salt you add accordingly.DirectionsPlace the peanuts in the food processor. if you do not have one, you can try to use a blender, but it may take longer and be more difficult to work with. After you make sure you have secured the lid, turn on the food processor. let it run until the nuts form a paste. Stop the food processor to scrape off the sides. Turn the food processor back on until the peanuts become smooth. if the paste looks gritty, slowly add the oil while the peanuts continue to blend. Alton Brown’s recipe calls for 1 and a 1/2 tablespoons of peanut oil for 15 ounces of peanuts. if you want, add agave syrup or honey while the food processor is running as well. Blend until creamy. if you prefer the chunky variation, stop blending after the peanuts reach the desired consistency, or add more peanuts than your recipe calls for.StorageKeep your peanut butter in an airtight container or jar. You can store it in the refrigerator for about two weeks unless the recipe specifies otherwise.

Most athletes know that good nutrition and eating healthy is important for performance but might not have considered it to affect their performance too much. Underwood explained that even simply refueling immediately after a workout with a careful mix …
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