Reiki: An Introduction to Ancient Healing

An Introduction to Natural Healing

As with most ancient healing technique, reiki is performed without using any tools or instruments. You only need your hands to heal a specific body part.

This healing method is based on the idea that the life force flows through the body. If a specific body part is damaged, the life force is blocked. By performing reiki healing, it improves well-being and even restores the body to full health. Reiki isn’t strictly used to heal the body, it’s also used to treat emotional or mental problems.

Reiki healing is easy to master. Once you learn the basics, you can use the technique to heal yourself and others. It also works in conjunction with other medical or therapeutic methods to promote better health and speed up recovery.

The Intention to Heal

Reiki is centered on self-healing. The simplest, most basic way to perform healing is to place your hand on the affected area. Placing your hand on areas you want to heal helps the reiki energy to flow freely. It’s important to let reiki flow at the beginning of a treatment.

Start by putting your hands into the classic “Namaste” position, bow gently with your hands at the heart. Close your eyes and ask for the reiki to flow through your body.

Then, raise your hand above your head. Keep the palms up. Visualize the life force energy flowing from the heavens and into you. Once you’re done visualizing, place your hand on the area you want to heal. Silently ask reiki to heal the area. This ritual is all about surrendering yourself to Reiki to guide you to heal yourself and others.

Performing Self-Healing

The most basic of self-healing hand position starts by overlapping the hands on top of the head. Put one hand on the forehead and the other at the back of the head, just above the base of the skull. Rest your hands on the eyes then, the ears. Put on hand on the upper chest then the other on the solar plexus. Put the hands on the hip area too.

Each time you place your hands on specific body parts, relax and maintain the position for at least two minutes. Repeat the positions until you’ve mastered the basics. Reiki healing is always watched over by the Divine. You have to trust your inner guidance in order to reap the health benefits of reiki.

Healing Others

Once you’ve mastered the positions for self-healing, you can move on to healing others. The positions remain the same. The life force will do all the healing for you. All you need to do is to trust your inner guidance and surrender yourself to the Divine for healing.

by/healthydietbase.com

Jumping Your Way to Fitness – Your Basic Guide to Rebounding Exercise

Rebounding exercise – more popularly known as rebounding – refers to a low-impact workout that uses a mini-trampoline or any type of “rebounder.” The main concept of rebounding is bouncing up and down to improve posture, strengthen muscles and tendons as well as to achieve a healthy body. Rebounding is comprised of three types: Health, Strength and Aerobic Bounce.

Health Bounce: This workout requires gentle bouncing up and down without the feet leaving the mat. This workout drains the lymphatic system and strengthens the joints.

Strength Bounce: this workout requires jumping as high as you can on a trampoline. The movement strengthens the muscles and improves balance.

Aerobic Bounce: Performing jumping jacks, jogging in place or bouncing on one leg after another helps keep the heart rate up, improves balance and posture. It also burns a lot of calories.

Benefits of Rebound Exercises

Detoxify the Lymphatic System

The lymphatic system collects toxins that harm the body. To minimize risks, the lymphatic glands have to be drained. Usually, the system relies on body movement to drain the lymphatic nodes. Bounding up and down helps eliminate toxins in the lymphatic system. The movement forces harmful compounds out of the body. The toxins are then eliminated safely as waste.

Improves Bones and Joint Health

Because rebounding exercises are low-impact, they are kinder to the bones and joints. They are virtually painless, even those who suffer from gout or rheumatism can perform rebounding exercises with no trouble at all. Rebounding also promotes the re-mineralizing of the bones. This process keeps the bones denser, stronger and thicker. Rebounding is also kind on the tendons, ligaments and joints too!

Gradual Weight Loss

Bouncing on a mini-trampoline torches a lot of calories. When you pick up the pace, the breathing gets deeper, the heart starts pumping harder. This workout keeps the heart healthy while promoting safe, gradual weight loss. It also boosts the metabolic rate and encourages fat loss!

Improves Posture and Balance

Slouching causes damage to the spine. Rebounding exercises help correct misaligned spine, it improves posture and boosts balance too. When you bounce up and down, the abdominal muscles are activated. This forces the body to stand straighter to maintain the natural curve of the spine. And when you are not hunched over, you look taller, slimmer!

Protects from Cardiovascular Disease

Rebounding training is an excellent workout for the heart. It promotes deeper breathing, improves blood circulation and decreases edema. It can lower blood pressure and keep the heart healthy too. Rebounding also minimizes the pooling of blood in the veins.

Rebounding Exercises: How to Get Started

Start by getting a rebounder, like a mini-trampoline. Wear comfortable clothing, clothes that won’t keep you from moving around.

Step on the rebounder and start by bouncing without letting the feet leave the surface of the trampoline. Gradually pick up the pace. Establish a moderate pace until breathing becomes heavier and heart rate starts picking up too. Next, start bouncing by bending the knees. From here, you can create a customized fitness routine. You can incorporate energetic music and jumping jacks, etc. You can also follow rebounding workout online to burn off more fat.

by/healthydietbase.com

Hiring uptick helps GCU grads chart career paths

As he neared the end of his Grand Canyon University premed degree program,James Prigge realized his heart wasn’t in doing the required testing and interviews for medical school applications.

Prigge felt called elsewhere, so the former resident adviser decided to stay put. He applied for jobs at GCU, earned a position as an enrollment counselor and began taking courses in the University’s master’s program in public health earlier this spring.

Prigge, 24, who helps Colangelo College of Business online students, is an example of the type of GCU-educated, entry-level, full-time employees the University wants to produce. After hiring 67 graduates in 2014, the University so far this year has hired 28 recent grads for a range of positions in Academic Web Services, Facilities, Ground Admissions, Information Technology, Office of Academic Records, Online Operations, Residence Life, Strategic Educational Alliances and the Qualifying Center, according to the talent acquisition group in the Human Resources Department.

For many new hires, their first full-time jobs are entry points into a university where the possibilities for future jobs are plentiful due to the rapid pace at which GCU is growing.

“I never thought I’d sit at a cubicle, but the way this job is going now, and it’s going great — I might be here forever,” said Prigge, who works in the Peoria office complex.

He enjoys speaking with students and helping them navigate their degree requirements. He’s recommended several friends for jobs at GCU, and those friends have recommended others.

Prigge, who recently was promoted, said he dreams about someday opening a hospital overseas, and feels connected to his alma mater and its mission to improve the lives of students and the community.

“Here and at the other campuses, there’s always change with different jobs opening or new jobs they’re creating,” he said. “I hope I can work my way up here. I like it — it keeps changing, keeps me on my toes.”

GCU Career Services Director Jacqueline Smith said her office’s partnership with the HR talent acquisition group has helped the University plug its best and brightest into meaningful jobs. Each March, the departments work together to host the GCU Wants to Hire You job fair, giving students plenty of employment options.

Many of the new hires are former student workers who are familiar with University culture. They have established relationships with faculty and staff, and can comfortably perform their entry-level duties, while gaining experience to earn a position in a field that more closely aligns with their degrees or passion.

“They’re part of a growing, very progressive company,” Smith said. “We’re not the status quo … where you might start isn’t going to be where you finish. Hiring managers really focus on that, getting students into their gifting area.”

Like Prigge, recent psychology graduate Lily Schwartz, 22, saw the opportunity to work for her alma mater while pursuing a master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology.

Smith hired Schwartz and alumna Sara Lynch about a year ago to work in Career Services after learning that both had earned high commendations from previous supervisors. Schwartz, who was a manager at McDonald’s before and during college, also worked at the Student Contact Center and as a tour guide at the Antelope Reception Center. She told her supervisors she wanted a position in which she could make a greater impact in the lives of her fellow Lopes.

“I definitely let it be known what I was interested in,” said Schwartz, who helps GCU’s student workers with their assignments. “But I always made sure I was working really hard and acting in a professional manner.”

Her job is preparing her for a career in which she can continue to care for others and help them navigate their own careers, she said.

“What’s important, and we talk about this in our orientations, is it’s not just a student worker position or an entry-level position,” Schwartz said. “There’s no position too little, or that’s preventing you from gaining valuable experience. You’re still networking, gaining that experience and developing skills.

“It’s important for students to know when they’re in a position, that it’s a stepping stone.

by /gcu.edu

Online education fueling student’s IndyCar dream

Travis Jordan Fischer is accelerating toward his dream of professional IndyCar racing, and Grand Canyon University is providing the track to get him there.

Fischer, 21, who goes by “T.J.,” enrolled as a GCU online student last year to continue his education and racing career. He won three national race championships in 2013 while at Pacific Lutheran University in Washington but nearly stopped racing when he earned a spot in the Protyre Formula Renault Championship last March in England. A traditional education at PLU made driving in Europe nearly impossible and would have forced him to choose between college and racing, but then a friend turned him on to GCU’s flexible online program, which allowed him to chase both passions.

Working on studying with his racing schedule helped Fischer climb the IndyCar ladder in his first year in Europe. He ended the 2014 series with a sixth-place overall finish and moved up to the Formula Renault 2.0 ALPS Series this year. He will compete in seven races in five countries across Europe through October.

Fischer is succeeding in the classroom, too — he has a 3.5 GPA even though he is eight hours ahead of his classes. The junior business management major credits GCU for his rapid academic and racing ascension.

“It’s easy to forget about education to focus on your racing career, and then you’re 25 and haven’t taken a single college course. I didn’t want that,” said Fischer, a native of Vacaville, Calif., who grew up racing go-karts.

“From the moment I got in the seat of a cart, I knew I wanted a driving career and a college education. It’s not possible without GCU.”

An education that fits

Like Fischer, more than 55,000 GCU online students across the U.S. and in several countries are able to fit college into their busy lives.

GCU’s online platform allows students to work and learn at their own pace, and online students receive the same quality education as their traditional counterparts. The University employs nearly 200 online full-time faculty members, which differentiates it from other universities.

Instructors also are dedicated to driving students’ success. Students can contact instructors six days a week by email, phone or through online forums. Instructors are required to reply to questions within 24 hours and post assignment grades in four days. Adjuncts, who teach a majority of entry-level courses, must post grades within a week. Instructors also frequently contact students before a class starts and during class to answer questions.

Fischer works with his teachers to account for the time difference and notifies them if race times interfere with assignment deadlines. Contacting his professors from Austria or Spain is just as easy as from California, he said.

Gary Almy, a Colangelo College of Business online full-time instructor who works in GCU’s Tempe office and is a ground adjunct professor, has worked with international students and said the program is designed to fit their needs.

Almy works with other instructors in Tempe, who all share best practices and tips. Almy, like all instructors, posts tutorials and guides in different modalities to help students of various learning preferences study on their schedules.

Evening Degree Programs

Evening Degree Programs

In response to our students' diverse needs, Grand Canyon University is now offering selected degree programs in an evening format. These programs are designed to meet the requirements of today's working adults as they balance their work and personal lives with the desire to earn a degree. With programs that meet just one evening per week, students can conveniently integrate advancing their education with maintaining their career.

Many programs will be offered on the GCU's main campus, located in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona. Some specialized programs may be offered at strategic off-site or satellite locations through the greater Phoenix metro area as well as other areas.

Developed specifically for working professionals, these evening programs are designed for a specific number of students. By keeping classes small, students will receive individual attention and progress through the program with the same classmates, providing an opportunity to forge relationships that go beyond the classroom.

Online Degree Programs

An Online Education Built Around Your Goals

Grand Canyon University believes the pursuit of higher education should be a unique journey for each of us. That is why you can choose from more than 100 academic programs online spanning eight colleges designed to help you achieve your dreams. You'll earn an online education from any location you choose, day or night, around your schedule.

Whether you aspire toward becoming a business executive, an entrepreneur focused on growth and sales, a leader within nursing and health care, or are ready to embrace the highest level of learning with a PhD or EdD, GCU can help you find your purpose in your career and life.

Bridge concepts with real-world application and develop close relationships with peers as you pursue your own path toward success. With many 4-credit classes, you can take one course at a time to help maintain an important work-life balance and achieve a more in-depth understanding from our full-time, fully-trained faculty. Personal and professional values and ethics are emphasized throughout your journey within the context of a Christian 

Online Degree Benefits

GCU is unique from most online universities because you can enjoy the same curriculum, faculty, guidance, peer connections, activities, resources and support as traditional students on our Phoenix campus. This means you can visit campus anytime, attend events, cheer for our 22 Division I teams, walk during commencement and much more. 

Hear more from your peers. Three online students and an assistant professor shared their own thoughts about GCU's online education and campus experiences.
by gcu.edu

Study in Germany in English

Recent years have seen a surge in the number of international studentswanting tostudy in Germany. One of the reasons for this is the solid reputation of German universities, but additional appeal certainly comes from the fact that Germany is one of few countries to offer free education at undergraduate level, for both domestic and international students.

However, if you can’t speak any German, gaining entry to public universities in Germany can be difficult. Most programs are taught in German and require proof of proficiency in the German language. What if you can’t speak German and still want to study in Germany? The good news is that there are opportunities tostudy in Germany in English, with a growing selection ofEnglish-language programs designed for international students.

English-language programs are already fairly common at master’s level, particularly within the social sciences and business-related subjects. They’re now also becoming a more widely available option for undergraduates – so with a bit of patience and research, you too might get the chance to study in Germany in English.

How to study in Germany in English…

International students who do not sprechen sie Deutschemay find it hard to gather the right information on how to study in Germany in English, particularly at undergraduate level. Although many students attracted to study in Germany are motivated by the free tuition, finding reputable free English-language programs at public universities is not easy. This is because the majority of undergraduate courses at German universities are taught in German.

Despite this, if you are not limited to free degrees, there are many options for international undergraduates within private institutions. While tuition fees are charged at these private schools, they can still be markedly cheaper than the average price of international courses elsewhere in the world. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) for instance, offers a bachelor’s program in mechanical engineering taught in English, at a price of €7,000 (US$7,900) per semester (two semesters per year), whileESCP Europe offers the chance to study in the capital cities of three countries (London, Paris/Madrid and Berlin) on its Bachelor in Management program for €12,500 (US$13,950) per year. ESCP Europe also offers graduate programs taught in English across all five of its European campuses (based in Berlin, London, Madrid, Paris and Turin), including the Master in Management and the Master in European Business programs.

Applying for a Scholarship: The Basics

Need to get a scholarship but don’t know where to start? Then our guide is for you. Read on to find out how to research, apply, and get funding for your undergraduate degree. (Studying at graduate level? Check out QS’s exclusive scholarships for graduate students.)

Studying at a top university is often an expensive choice to make, but there is money out there for you. If you’ve just emptied the last of your coins from your piggy bank and your account is still in the red, don’t despair. This guide will give you the starting point you need for a successful scholarship application.

Almost all top universities will have scholarships available for students to apply for. You just need to know what they are, where you can find them, and how you can put yourself forward for them. To begin with, you need to realize that putting together a successful scholarship application does often require a significant amount of time. But of course, if you’re successful, your efforts will be well worth it.

1. Do your research
To avoid putting pressure on yourself and trying to apply for that scholarship you desperately want at the last minute, start your research early. The more time you can put into your scholarship search, the more options you will have. You will need time to research scholarships, request information and application forms, and complete your application by the specified closing date. Remember that some scholarships may close before your academic year starts.

2. Check if you are eligible
Another important element you want to consider early on is finding out what scholarships you are actually eligible for – because you won’t be eligible for them all. By doing careful research you’ll be able to find the scholarships most appropriate for you and then you can spend time working on your application for those ones. The last thing you want is to spend time putting together an application for a scholarship you don’t even meet the criteria for.

3. Be organized
It pays to be organized when it comes to working on your scholarship application. To begin with, keep all of your scholarship material in a separate folder. That way you will always know where it is, and make sure you have the most up-to-date information in there. This will also help you to keep track of the different deadlines for each of the scholarships you are applying for. They won’t all be due at the same time.

4. Include all required information
Make sure you have all of the information that the selection panel has requested of you in your application. An application with missing items does not make the best first impression, particularly if these are items they have specifically requested. See the checklist at the bottom of this article to see what you need to include.

5. Think about presentation
A scholarship application is very similar to a job interview. You want to give a good impression and spelling mistakes or illegible writing do not look good. If you’re fill in a form in a particular way, do so. And before you send it, ask a family member or friend to proof-read it for you. They may find a mistake that you just didn’t pick up.

6. Provide correct information
Not only should you provide all of the information that the selection panel has requested, make sure you provide the correct information as well. Small details such as your full and correct address, or a new phone number if you’ve lost your mobile, will avoid any unnecessary delays, as well as making you look professional.

7. Provide references/referees
In some cases you may need to provide references or referees. Choose these people carefully. After all, there’s a lot hanging on this application. You also need to let each of your referees know when you are applying for a scholarship, and tell them something about the kind of skills and experience you need to demonstrate. That way they’ll be able to ensure they praise you in the most effective way!

8. Don’t miss the deadline
Always give yourself an extra few days leeway when applying for a scholarship. You may need this if you’re getting your application professionally printed, or if you’re waiting for confirmation from a referee. Remember, late applications won’t usually be considered.

Scholarships checklist:
Are you eligible?
Do you know the deadline?
Have you got all the necessary information? This will vary depending on the scholarship application, but usually includes: academic record; proof of financial circumstances; confirmation of your study plans.
Do your referees know what scholarship(s) you are applying for?
Have you and a friend/family member proofread your scholarship application?
Have you submitted your application before the deadline? Source Taken By /topuniversities.com

Consider the Downside of Attending a Reach School

Getting accepted is exciting, but it doesn’t always mean you’ll thrive as a student.

There is a lifetime supply of quotations about following your dreams. There are far fewer, however, about the dangers of following these dreams too far. And this advice applies to college as well.​

I will admit that this is an uncomfortable topic. Instructing a student to set achievable goals and to reconsider attending a reach school can sometimes sound like curmudgeonly advice. After all, it may seem like you are being asked to abandon your dreams.

The truth is that the highest achievers reach success not by dreaming, but by doing. When an athlete breaks a world record, it is typically by a small margin. That tiny edge is the result of years of training. A champion, may have a dream that leads them to the Olympics, but they are prepared when they arrive.

Perhaps you followed your dreams while applying to college. Perhaps your reach school accepted you, as did several of your match and safety schools. You may well be a future academic Olympian, but success means finding the correct level of competition for you right now.

In other words, think about which of the schools that accepted you is truly best for you.

You can begin to answer this question by examining tangible data. For example, compare your GPA and test scores with the averages for your reach school. Being slightly below average may not be significant, but if your scores are much lower, you may be at a disadvantage when compared with your fellow students.

Consider if you were able to enroll in AP, honors, or IB classes while in high school, and if this sort of course work is common among freshmen at your reach school. Make sure you know if your AP or IB exam scores are sufficient to earn credit. And think about whether receiving a less-than-ideal grade at your reach school would motivate or upset you.

The degree of difference that counts as “significant” is ultimately your personal call. A GPA that is a tenth of a point below average is not especially concerning, but half a point could indicate a real disparity that you might struggle to overcome.

You should also consider time when making your decision. If you plan to work 20 or more hours a week while in college, your study time may be limited. You may be able to make up in hard work what you lack in preparation, but only if time permits.

If you decide to attend a reach school, you should plan to spend three or four hours studying for every hour in the classroom, compared with two or so hours of studying at a less challenging college.

Can you realistically commit to that much studying? Remember to factor in time for things like exercising, socializing and working.

Are you generally determined, or do you easily become stressed under pressure? It is tempting to believe that you can solve any problem by simply working harder, but there is a limit to human endurance, and no reach school is worth being miserable.

Finally, you should be able to articulate what the reach school offers that your other options do not. Maybe it is a uniquely perfect fit for you. Reasons may be that it has a major that you cannot find elsewhere, or a track record of placing students in amazing jobs.

If that’s the case, it may be worth the extra sacrifice. If your reach school is notable primarily for its reputation and not for elements that can help your personal goals, it may not justify the effort and resolve it will require.

Have the courage to make hard choices. Declining an offer from a reach school is difficult, and doing it for the right reasons can be even harder. The objective is to be reasonable and go with the option that best meets your present needs. When you can answer this question, submit your college deposit and get ready for the best four years of your life. Source Taken By/usnews.com

10 Steps to Raise $15K or More for College Now

New tax breaks, campus jobs, and federal grants help students pay for college.

Grandparents are pitching in. Students are working more, and eating less. Parents are taking out more and bigger federal loans.

As the economy has declined and college costs have risen, families have buckled down and become more resourceful to pay for college.

They have been so successful at funding tuition that college enrollment is up dramatically. A record 40 percent (or 11.5 million) of 18- to 24-year-olds are taking at least one college course this year. Add in all the adults returning to school because of the lousy job market, and the total number of college students is likely to exceed 19 million this year.

How are more students affording tuition when many colleges’ prices are at record highs and many scholarship programs, private lenders, and family savings accounts have been wiped out?

1. Relatives: College officials around the country say they are noticing more checks coming in from grandparents, uncles, and other relatives to cover student bills. A recent survey by the MetLife Mature Market Institute found that two thirds of grandparents had provided financial help to their descendents in the last five years. The average size of the help: $3,000. A quarter of the generous grandparents said they had increased their gifts because of recent economic troubles.

Other relatives are pitching in more, too. Maribeth Ford, a single mom, says she was surprised and thrilled when her brother hinted he would be willing to lend her son enough to cover the $10,000 gap between his scholarships, her loans, and Iona College’s $41,000 price tag. “I wasn’t expecting the level of help that he is offering. My son and I are very fortunate,” she says. “My attitude was: Apply for everything possible, ask for help where reasonable—the worst people can say is no—and my son had to contribute. Not a glamorous story, but one that’s working for us right now.”

2. Bigger and better tax breaks: The federal government estimates perhaps 2 million tuition-paying Americans will be able to get as much as $2,500 back on their taxes when they file in 2010 and 2011 by taking advantage of the new American Opportunity tax credit. The new credit is targeted at low- and middle-income families and isn’t available to singles earning more than $90,000 a year or couples earning more than $180,000. Even those who earn so little that they owe no taxes can receive refund checks of up to $1,000.

3. Scholarships: It’s getting easier to apply for financial aid, thanks to a streamlined electronic version of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. And although many state and private scholarship programs have been cut, the federal government and colleges have been easing the rules to enable more students affected by the recession to get grants. A student affected by a layoff, for example, can write a letter to his or her college’s financial aid office documenting the decline in income and appealing for more aid. In addition, a slight decline in the number of 18-year-olds has made certain kinds of colleges—such as those in rural areas and lower-ranked private colleges—anxious about filling their seats and eager to offer aid to lure applicants who are willing to pay at least partial tuition.

4. Cheaper schools: The biggest increase in enrollment has been in two-year community colleges, which are the lowest-priced colleges in the country. The sticker price of a year’s tuition at an average community college rose by $220 for the 2009-10 academic year, to $2,540, the College Board reported. But because of increased Pell Grants and tax breaks, the out-of-pocket (or net) price paid by community college students actually fell, the College Board believes. The average community college student got enough aid to pay all tuition, with $460 left over to help pay for

5. Cutting other costs: Some colleges have noted that students are cutting back on all kinds of expenditures. A growing number of students at Goucher College near Baltimore have been switching from a 480-meal-per-year plan to a 380-meal plan, saving about $400. Students can also slash their housing costs. Co-ops, which require a few hours of chores a week, typically are $2,000 to $7,000 a year cheaper than regular dorms. Students who agree to share a room with two other students, instead of the standard one roommate, can usually save $1,000 to $2,000 a year. Buying and selling back used textbooks, instead of keeping new books, can save typical students more than $500 a year.

6. More student work: More students are taking part-time jobs. The federal government added funding for 200,000 extra work-study jobs in 2009. Since students who work more than 20 hours a week generally hurt their grades, schools typically cap campus jobs below that. Still, good work-study jobs allow students to earn at least $100 a week, or at least $2,500 for the academic year.

7. More, bigger, cheaper, and easier federal student loans: At least 6 million students are taking out federal Stafford student loans this year, up from about 4 million two years ago. Young freshmen can borrow up to $5,500. Upperclassmen 24 and older can borrow up to $12,500. The government has made it easier to repay those loans by allowing graduates to cap their monthly payments below 15 percent of their incomes.

8. More, bigger, and (temporarily) easier federal loans to parents: Although parents are having a much harder time getting home equity or private loans, the government has eased a little of the immediate pain of taking out federal PLUS loans, which can cover a student’s cost of attendance (less any scholarships or other aid). Parents can now put off repaying their federal education loans until their student leaves school. That could come back to bite them in a few years, however, because the principal keeps building at about 8 percent a year. Parents who borrow the typical $8,800-a-year PLUS loan could easily owe more than $44,000 by the time their kid graduates. It would take payments of more than $500 a month to pay that off in 10 years. While some parents might get enough raises in that time to pay such big bills, Stuart Siegel, a private financial aid counselor in Erie, Pa., worries that lots won’t. Many parents don’t realize that even declaring bankruptcy doesn’t wipe out education loans, so some parent borrowers may be setting themselves up for financial crises in a few years.

9. Family savings: Although the investment markets’ meltdown eroded most families’ savings, many parents find that they can free up hundreds of extra dollars once their student moves to campus. The federal government estimates teenagers cost parents more than $6,000 a year in food, clothing, transportation, and other extras. So parents who stop allowances and take away the keys to the family car (and suspend expensive teen car insurance) can reduce their costs by perhaps $4,000 during the nine months the student is at school.

10. Corporate largesse: More than 10 million American families are building up college savings by using credit cards or shopping through websites of rebate companies such as Upromise or BabyMint. Another option: More than 200 private colleges offer scholarships to parents of young kids when the parents shop or invest with members of the Tuition Rewards network.Source Taken By/Usews.com

7 Reasons to Marry a Complicated Woman

It’s a proven fact that men are afraid of strong, independent and complicated women. They believe only they have a right to be complicated and do what they want. However, dating or even marrying a complicated woman is a rewarding goal. You may spend a lot of time and effort to win her heart and make her fall in love with you, but you will never regret you did it. Here’s why you should consider marrying a complicated girl:

1. She has too high expectations

When the girl is brave enough to tell you exactly what she expects from you, think twice before dumping her. You don’t have to agree with her expectations, especially if they are too high, but following some of them may keep you ticking in life. The main point is that her expectations should`t contradict your goals.

2. She demands respect

While you`ll respect her at first to gain her sympathy, you will never stop respecting your complicated wife because she will never stop demanding it from you. Whatever the reason, guys rarely respect simple girls. Simple girls are too quiet and clingy. They don’t need respect, they need a lot of attention. Since a complicated girl wants to be treated in a good way every minute, you get it as a habit and start respecting everyone around you.

3. She is active

Watching TV all day long or spending too much time on social media is not for complicated girls. They love to be productive and active. They can accomplish a huge amount of work and then party hard till the early morning. If you try to date a complicated girl, you will never feel bored, but be ready to feel full of energy all day and night long!

4. She’ll cultivate your talents

While you want to have a rest from a hard working day, she won’t let you do that. She will try to help you develop your talent and make any hard day brighter. While a simple girl can let you do what you want, like drinking beer or playing video games, a complicated wife will never let your talents die, once she realizes that you really have some unique skills.

5. She’ll make you better

A good wife will never let you remain the same since she will always remind you that you could be a better man. It`s difficult and demands great efforts. Anyway, you will realize how much you love her every time you see the results of those reminders. Along with that, you will understand how much she loves you. We know how rude and aggressive we can be when someone constantly annoys us. However, a complicated girl`ll always find a sneaky way to make you be interested in your self improvement.

6. She is emotional

Yes, she`ll fight with you every other day and you`ll never win her. She`ll never be satisfied and you`ll be always confused about what she wants from you. She`ll not always agree with you and will make you feel nervous each day, but all those things will make your life more interesting. It may be hard to deal with an emotional woman, but it’s even harder to cope with a woman who’s always quiet and calm.

7. She is smarter

Since most complicated women strive for perfection, they never stop learning. Guys are too lazy to read or they simply don’t have a motivation to improve their knowledge on a daily basis. A complicated woman will always inspire you to explore and try new things and will teach you to see those little things others couldn’t see. Smart women are not as scaring as you may think so give her a chance and you won’t notice what a better person you’ll become in a year.

Having a sweet, innocent wife who`s always agree with everything you say is easy but you may end up living a boring life. Simple girls are actually too simple. Complicated girls strive to be better and they try to help others to be better too. Are you dare enough to date a complicated woman? Or, if you are a complicated girl, do you think it’s hard for you to find your true love?

10 Foods to Eat Every Day for Perfect Skin

Are you tired of using different expensive and ineffective beauty products? It’s time to throw away all those ineffective products and start eating foods for perfect skin. I went from terrible acne five months ago to not having acne now. It was hard, but it was possible, and less expensive than turning to pricey products. While some foods can aggravate your skin, others can enhance it. Check out a list of 10 foods to eat every day for perfect skin.

1. Red bell peppers

Red bell peppers are a tasty vegetable that can be enjoyed either cooked or raw. One red bell pepper contains more than 100% of your daily vitamin C needs. It also contains significant amounts of dietary fiber and vitamin B6. Moreover, it is rich in carotenoids that can help prevent wrinkles and increase blood circulation to your skin, helping it look more youthful. Due to their carotenoids, red bell peppers are also great to fight acne.

A red bell pepper is a perfect, low calorie snack that contains about 30 calories and has a really satisfying crunchy bite. Keep slices of red bell peppers in the fridge, so you will always have something healthy and tasty to reach for when you are having a snack attack. The fiber that a bell pepper contains will help you to feel full longer with very little calories. Plus, you will have a flawless skin!

10 Tips for Eating Out on a Diet

Planning to eat out? Don’t panic. Dining out won’t ruin your dieting efforts if you plan in advance. The meals at most popular restaurants are generally higher in fat and calories than your home-cooked meals. But as restaurateurs respond to increasing demands for healthy options, it’s a lot easier to dine out with friends without compromising your diet. Here are ten tips for eating out on a diet.

1. Choose the restaurant

Supportive friends and family won’t mind if you choose the restaurant especially if you’re paying for the meal. Research the restaurants in your area by checking the menus online and comparing the options. Don’t make snap decisions to eat out at an unfamiliar restaurant. Skip all-you-can-eat outlets and opt for those with extensive salad bars.

10 Tips for Learning How to Meal Plan

Learning how to effectively plan meals is important. It is one of the most useful tools for those that want to start a new diet, lose weight, and save money on grocery costs. When you have a meal plan you know what kinds of food you should eat at meals and snack times and what you should avoid. Meal planning is also beneficial for the whole family, as it helps your children eat healthier. Here are ten tips that you can use to meal plan better. The tips apply to anyone from meal planning beginners to experts. All of the tips will help you learn how to most effectively plan meals that are tasty, cheap, and healthy.

1. Start small

Planning meals for all seven days of the week is for experts only (and it is usually impossible for them too). If you are new to meal planning, start small. Learn how to plan by starting with three or four planned meals each week. Eat leftovers of these on the other days and you will greatly reduce the amount of food that you waste.

10 Popular Health and Diet Myths Busted

At some point, both dieters and healthy eaters have to deal with false health and diet myths. The health press tends to come up with fascinating theories about what’s good for you and what isn’t. You can’t believe in them all, though, because many of them are myths. If you can’t achieve your weight loss or health goals, you should start looking for the reason why it’s so hard for you to stay slim and healthy. Test your knowledge with the 10 health and diet myths that follow.

1. MSG is terrible for health

Many people aren’t clear about what MSG or monosodium glutamate is – they just have a feeling that it’s bad because they’ve seen the labeling on fast food packaging declare MSG-free contents. In reality, MSG, which is added as a taste enhancer, is only bad for you if you are allergic to it. However, MSG avoidance as a general rule is a good idea for a different reason, since it is often a sign of a highly processed food, staying away from it helps you stay away from processed foods.

10 Reasons to Consider the Paleo Diet

The paleo diet is one of the most popular diets around the world – and for good reason. It is a highly effective diet that provides a very high chance of success. The premise of the paleo diet is to basically only eat “what a caveman eats.”

The goal of the paleo diet is to eliminate the intake of any food that is not natural and contains a long list of preservatives, chemicals, and other ingredients. If a caveman couldn’t eat it, then neither can you. This means that the paleo diet is high in meats, fish, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and seeds. Many people also eat eggs. Here are ten reasons why anyone should consider switching to the paleo diet.

1. You eat too much junk

Junk food tastes great but it wreaks havoc on the body. The paleo diet eliminates the temptation for junk food by restricting it altogether. Better yet, filling yourself with meats, vegetables, and fruits will greatly reduce junk food cravings. Eat meat in moderation, though. Eating too much meat is bad for your health and weight.

10 Low Calorie Substitutes for Water

Drinking lots of water during hot summer days is essential if you want to stay hydrated. It doesn’t take much for your body to work up a sweat when it’s hot outdoors, which is why you should drink water to replace lost fluids. However, guzzling bottles of water might not be your idea of a fun summer. Here are some low-calorie alternatives to get your hydration on.

1. Lemon Water

Lemon water is a refreshing alternative to plain water. You can drink a glass early in the morning or throughout the day to aid digestion, boost colon health, reduce pain and inflammation in the joints, nourish brain and nerve cells, replenish body salts, maintain the body’s pH levels, and get your daily vitamin C requirements to increase immunity. To make the drink, simply mix a teaspoon or two of lemon juice into a glass of water or drop a few lemon slices into your water jug.