Vitamin D is the only vitamin that is not obtained from foods that are consumed. Instead, the D vitamin is actually obtained by sunlight on the skin.

There has been a lot of media coverage about the dangers of getting too much sun, but it is essential that the skin is exposed to sunlight to obtain the recommended daily allowance of the D vitamin. In reality, the amount of time that a person has to spend in the sun to receive a sufficient dose of the D vitamin is extremely small, about twenty minutes a day will be sufficient and not have any adverse effects from the amount of ultra-violet light received.

The most important function of vitamin D is to help control how much calcium is absorbed from food. The majority of the calcium is used to build strong teeth and bones, but it is also needed to send messages along the nerves and to help muscles, such as the heart muscles, to contract. It is the D vitamin that ensures that there is always sufficient calcium in the blood to perform these tasks.

Other functions that require the D vitamin relate to the immune system. It is believed that vitamin D is also a contributing factor in reducing the risk of contracting cancer and, in particular, colon cancer.

The variant of the D vitamin that is formed under the skin is known as vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol. This D vitamin is created when the ultraviolet in the sunlight reacts with a type of cholesterol that is found under the skin naturally. The D3 is converted into a more active form of the d vitamin in the liver and is then diverted to where it is needed the most. Some of the D vitamin remains in the liver and kidneys to help reabsorb the calcium from the blood. The rest of the D vitamin is dispersed to the bones to help them retain their calcium and the intestines to aid absorption of calcium from food.

Even though the majority of the D vitamin is formed through the exposure of the skin to sunlight there are some foods that do contain some of the vitamin naturally. This form of the D vitamin is known as vitamin D2, or ergocalciferol. This is used in the same way as the other D vitamins and is the type used to create the majority of D vitamin supplements.

Many people looking for a permanent or long-term way to remove unwanted body hair look to the laser hair removal procedure. This popular procedure removes the hair quickly and for a much longer period of time than the traditional methods of hair removal, such as shaving or waxing.

Practitioners promise to swiftly remove of hair at the root, and pledge that your hair will grow back at a very slow rate. However, if you are looking at laser hair removal as a long-term answer to your unwanted body hair problem, it is vital that you know and research all characteristics of the procedure.

From knowing the basic principles behind it to knowing what to look for in a trustworthy practitioner to perform the procedure for you, and especially what the approximate cost of laser hair removal will be for you.

There are several obvious benefits to having laser hair removal, which is why it is becoming more common. The primary reason people pay to have the procedure done is for the lasting removal of unwelcome body hair.

PROS:

Even though laser hair removal has not been proven to be a permanent solution, there is often a permanent reduction in appearance of new hair growth. Often, your hair grows back in a lighter color and a finer texture, which can be a more manageable alternative to what a person deals with before having the procedure done. Laser hair removal is safe as long as it is done correctly and cautiously.

Laser hair removal seems to be the best solution for those who have a large area on the body that they wish to treat, such as the back, chest, or legs. In these cases, laser hair removal might be a preferable option to something even less permanent like waxing, because of the longer-term effects. Candidates with paler complexions that have darker body hair usually get the most favorable results with laser hair removal.

There are several reasons that you might want to give laser hair removal a try, but there are also some very good reasons to give pause before jumping in.

CONS:

• There has been no medical proof that laser hair removal is completely safe or effective. And it is difficult to establish a set yardstick of regrowth rates, because every body is diverse.
• The process does not work as well on gray, red, or blonde hair, and people with darker skin tones or on people who tan themselves really need to approach it carefully.
• There is a risk of burns, abrasions, or skin discoloration as a result of the procedure.
• Since it can take several sessions to complete the preferred outcome, the cost of laser hair removal can be quite expensive.
• Some people do not react to the process at all, which can be a waste of time and money.

As with most types of cosmetic surgeries or procedures, the cost of laser hair removal differs by geographic area, and by the practitioners that perform the procedures. If it is the bread and butter of a business, the cost might be significantly higher than if laser hair removal is performed by a plastic surgeon or clinic that specializes in several types of procedures.

If you are a good candidate for the procedure, there are a few other factors that might have an effect on the cost of your laser hair removal:

• If you require several treatments, if you have a larger area that you wish to have treated, or if you have particularly dense or thick body hair, laser hair removal might be more costly than average for you. When you are looking for a practitioner, try to find special offers, and check to see if the office you choose offers financing.

When looking for a practitioner that performs laser hair removal, not only do you need to consider cost, but you also need to consider the reputation of the business you are interested in.

• Schedule several in-office consultations with the practitioners that would perform the procedure on you.
• Make sure the office is clean, and make no commitments until you have had the opportunity to speak to other patients that have had the procedure done.
• Know the risks, physically and financially, of laser hair removal. It is important to know that it isn’t necessarily a permanent solution, and that the cost of laser hair removal can be quite high depending on your individual situation and your geographic location.

Economic downturn? More like a downhill freight train out of control, if you ask me. So is there really any chance of surviving a bad economy, much less the one we are currently facing? I guess that depends on who you are asking. If you ask the person who is losing their home or has already lost their home, you will receive a different answer then the one you would receive from the person that just landed a new cushie government job.

Rather than depend on pie crust promises of great change (great amounts maybe) we are going to have to come up with some creative solutions. I’m a penny pincher by nature, so I thought I might pass on a few money saving tips. 

Besides spending our money on eating out and other conveniences, we spend too much money on cleaning products sporting slick advertising to - make our house smell good, clothes and furniture smell good -and antibacterial cleaners, brighteners, whiteners, and the list goes on. We spend even more on groceries and beauty products. While products are being downsized, their prices continue to rise. 

Buying in bulk can save on costs per ounce, per pound, and so on; but we can actually be wasting money if we end up throwing some away. Did you know there might be a simple solution to this - and much more.

Ninety percent of all households in the U.S. possess vinegar and baking soda. And ninety percent of those households are unaware of just how versatile and powerful these two products are.

Vinegar is a liquid produced from the fermentation of ethanol in a process that yields its key ingredient, acetic acid. Vinegar is one of the most versatile products, in addition to being one of the safest products you can benefit from. Did you know vinegar is:

• Fat free
• Sodium free
• Calorie free
• A natural food preservative
• Enhances the flavor of food
• Excellent meat tenderizer
• Eliminates bacteria (natural anti-bacterial)
• Useful home health remedies
• Eliminate odors (practially every odor you can think of)
• Removes stains
• Cuts grease
• A non-parishable product (does not require refrigeration and lasts for years, again saving you money)

Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, a naturally occurring crystalline compound. Green River, Wyoming holds the world’s largest reserves of trona, otherwise known as sodium sesquicarbonate. Almost all baking soda from the United States comes from Wyoming. (American Made) Did you know baking soda:

• Naturally whitens teeth while cleaning them
• Makes an excellent mouthwash
• Is a natural deoderant
• Smooths away rough skin
• Eases sunburn, insect bites, itching associated with poison ivy
• Is a natural exfoliate
• Strips chlorine from hair (blondes understand the significance here)
• A natural antacid
• Safe (non toxic*) around children and pets

Try a few of the following tips and stretch your dollars to their maximum potential:

• Marinating meat in vinegar kills bacteria and tenderizes the meat. Use one-quarter cup vinegar for a two to three pound roast and marinate overnight. Add herbs and spices to the vinegar, as desired when marinating. Then cook in the vinegar, without draining or rinsing the meat.  This will make your ‘less expensive’ meat cuts taste just as tender and juicy as the more expensive cuts. At the same time limiting the risk of illness attributed to bacterias found in meat.
• Wrap cheese in cloth soaked with vinegar to preserve longer and prevent mold.
• Add two tablespoons of white vinegar per quart of water [before boiling] to prevent eggs from cracking. The egg shells will also peel off faster and easier. Deviled eggs have never been easier to make.
• Add one-half cup vinegar to your laundry load to remove odor. Even removes pet urine odors and the most stubborn cat spray odor. (The last mentioned odor, makes this an excellent money saver over the chemical products that tend to be expensive and usually fail their purpose)
• Pour vinegar directly onto stains, then dab away. (beats stain sticks costing $3 to $5)
• A small bowl of vinegar placed on counter top or table will eliminate odors caused by fish, cabbage, cigarette smoke, just to name a few.
• Two teaspoons of baking soda in warm water (8 ozs) for relief of acid build up and heartburn.
• As a gentle, exfoliating facial scrub: Wash face as normal. Then mix three parts baking soda and one part water with some oatmeal (chop oatmeal in your blender); it makes a great facial scrub. Rinse your face clean and apply moisturizer.
• Clean your toothbrush by soaking over night with two teaspoons baking soda dissolved in eight ounces warm water. This is great for cleaning dentures also.
• Clean wood floors, no wax tile, ceramic, counter tops, pots and pans, sinks, tubs, toilet bowls. Strips grease, leaves a shine, brightens and whitens, removes rust stains and so much more.