Learn how miniature fruit trees can save you money whilst producing health and tasty fruit.

Miniature fruit trees are growing in popularity in the United Kingdom due to a number of reasons, most significantly their cost saving attributes. As well as looking lovely in the home, high quality and low cost miniature fruit trees also produce deliciously tasty fresh fruit. All sorts of different fruits can be grown but cherries, pears, apples and citrus fruit are perhaps the most popular.

What Are The Advantages of a Miniature Fruit Tree?

These miniature fruit trees are actually very cheap to purchase and when one considers the amount of fruit that can be obtained from these when they are in all their glory – it is plain to see what a worthwhile investment they are. Both functional and decorative, miniature fruit trees should be considered a must for any fruit lovers out there, especially those that want to brighten up their home or garden. For example, citrus trees blossom beautifully in the spring and will help to add a new dimension to many gardens.

What Else Do They Offer?

Trees of this sort may well be ideal for family homes with children as they produce healthy and tasty fruit that can be eaten immediately following a rinse under the cold tap. Alternatively, one could use fruits such as cherries for making some classic jams and preserves. With everything from fully-fledged trees to berry bushes available it also doesn't matter on the size of the garden in question – any space can be catered for with miniature fruit trees.

How Much Fruit Will I Get?

The average miniature apple tree will produce up to forty five regular apples whereas a miniature peach tree will produce around thirty peaches. Trees should be kept in an optimum position in the garden and be exposed to as much sunlight as possible for better performance and obviously watered on a regular basis. The more competent gardeners out there may also want to prune their trees as their smaller size makes them a lot more manageable than their larger counterparts.

Where Can I Get Hold of My Miniature Fruit Tree?

These fruit trees are obviously available from garden centers across the United Kingdom, but it may be more cost effective to order yours online. There are a number of websites such as the reader offer categories of a range of national newspapers – these often run discounted promotions and will also have testimonials and user reviews available.

Written by Katie Goodwin, a health and fitness blogger from the UK. Katie is a mother of three children and always likes to share ways of saving money when it comes to healthy living.

In the U.S., 75 percent of all adults will develop some form of gum disease during their lifetimes, with 70 percent of those cases being gingivitis.

When it comes to maintaining the health of your teeth and gums, the earlier you address an oral health problem the less permanent the long-term damage will become. Failing to address an oral health problem early on could result in permanent tooth loss, and the need to undergo costly and uncomfortable dental procedures to repair your teeth and gums.

One of the earliest signs of a potential oral health problem is red, sore gums that occasionally bleed after brushing or flossing. If you suffer from this condition, you may have an early form of gum disease known as gingivitis.

In the U.S., 75 percent of all adults will develop some form of gum disease during their lifetimes, with 70 percent of those cases being gingivitis. Just because the disease is common and the symptoms fairly benign doesn’t mean you can ignore gingivitis. When left untreated gingivitis can progress into a much more serious form of gum disease, known as periodontitis, that can lead to permanent tooth loss. Fortunately, you can easily reverse gingivitis by practicing quality oral care.

The Cause of Gingivitis

Failing to brush and floss daily leaves lingering food particles and plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, on your teeth and gums. After you eat, plaque produces acids that eat away at tooth enamel, which over time leads to decay. After 72 hours, plaque that has built up in your mouth begins to harden into tartar, a harden form of bacteria that can only be removed by a dentist. Tartar begins to accumulate along the gum line, making it difficult for you to properly clean your teeth and gums. Given enough time, and plaque and tartar deposits will begin to irritate and inflame your gum tissue, leading to gingivitis.

Does Gingivitis always Cause Severe Gum Disease?

While dentists once believed that gingivitis would always develop into periodontitis if left untreated, research now suggests that whether gum disease progresses depends on how a person’s body reacts to the buildup of bacteria and plaque in the mouth. Studies have shown that periodontitis may develop due to a variety of factors, including:

• Bacteria. While your mouth contains over 400 different species of bacteria, only about 15 types can cause severe gum disease.
• Genetics. Approximately 30 percent of people may possess a genetic disposition for developing gum disease.
• Unmanaged diabetes. Individuals suffering from uncontrolled diabetes have an increased risk of developing gum disease due to diabetes affect on the immune system. When diabetics fail to properly manage their blood sugar levels, the body’s immune system begins having trouble fighting off infection.
• Smoking. According to studies conducted by the American Dental Association, smoking may be the cause of 75 percent of all cases of periodontal disease.

Because it’s impossible to determine who might develop periodontitis, you need to visit your dentist for treatment once you begin to notice the symptoms of gingivitis.

Symptoms of Gingivitis

The symptoms of gingivitis often start off mild, making them easy to overlook. However, over time you may begin to notice:

• Swollen, red, or purplish gums. When healthy, your gums should appear bright pink and firm.
• Bleeding gums; you may begin to notice blood on your toothbrush or mixed with saliva when you spit out toothpaste.
• Tender gums that are too sore to touch.
• Mouth sores

If you notice any of these symptoms, you should begin to examine your oral hygiene habits to determine what part of your oral care you have been neglecting. Perhaps you don’t floss often enough, or only brush at night before going to bed. Once you determine what part of your oral health has been lacking, you can begin to focus on improving that aspect of your oral hygiene regimen. 

Preventing Gingivitis

To prevent the development of gingivitis and periodontist is, you need to practice quality oral hygiene, which includes:

• Brushing for two minutes at a time, at least twice a day.
• Flossing at least once a day.
• Using an antibacterial mouthwash daily after brushing
• Scheduling regular visits with your dentist for routine checkups and cleanings
• Quitting smoking

By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your teeth and gums remain healthy and strong for a lifetime. 

A freelance health writer, Timothy Lemke regularly contributes to the blog of Dr. Jeromy Dixon, a Longview, Washington dentist at Smiles Dental. 

A look at the best way to market yourself as a personal trainer.

All the times that I've helped a fitness professional grow their business, there is one thing that seems to be the most challenging for all fitness pros. And that is, asking for the money, going for the sale. They conjure up these images of used car salesman or something. And, although I have seen that technique at some health clubs, that is certainly not the way that you have to do it.

Remember, you are a problem solver. So, you have to view the challenges that your client has or potential client has as something that you have the ability to resolve. And, you can overcome any sales objections by showing them how you will resolve the challenge that they currently perceive. It may not even be a real challenge. It’s just their perception of what could be a challenge or become a challenge.

So remember, you are the expert and you have to portray yourself as the expert in a friendly manner to where they know you are the expert. They also feel confident that you have the ability to resolve their challenges, and that you can give them exactly what they want. Whether it’s a first workout, one that will flatten their stomach, firm their arms, get them in shape for a wedding, a reunion, a vacation, whatever it is. But remember, you are a problem solver.

Be Honest With Yourself

And, the other challenges that sometimes fitness professionals have doubts about their product or service and that leads to uncertainly in their delivery of the pitch to close the sale. So, you have to ask yourself and to be really honest with yourself “Is your product or service up to the standard to where you would feel confident in selling it someone?”

Often and times, people lack that confidence in what they've done. Maybe their training isn't up to par. Maybe they need to get more education. Maybe the book they wrote doesn't have the answers that it claims to have. Maybe the exercise video doesn't have the correct information in it. Or, the video quality wasn't right, whatever it is. But, if that creates any doubt in your mind about the service or the product that you have to offer, you are not going to portray your product or service or even feel confident about your self in the right way to deliver that message to be able to ask for the sale, to close the deal, to provide the service and then to reap the rewards for you and the client.

Mark is a personal trainer and fitness instuctor from Ealing London. You can visit his new website at Livelifefitness.co.uk

People are getting stressed way too easy these days. The pressure to perform at work and problems at home make modern living somewhat hellish. Okay, hellish can be a strong word but you get the idea, right? What if somebody tells you that aside from the natural stress you are getting it can get worse through the food that you eat. There are foods that can top-up the stress levels which could lead to disastrous consequences. Learn more about it and try to avoid consuming them to keep your stress levels at a manageable level.

 Coffee

Coffee or more specifically caffeine is an excellent example of bringing your stress levels to unprecedented heights. Research shows that caffeine makes stress levels elevated and maintains it for a long period of time. This may sound controversial, but when the caffeine hit dies down we feel depressed and stressed. If you find yourself having a hard time in coping with your stress and anxiety too often, better start reducing your coffee intake.  However, it would be a lot better if you try to indulge in some other healthy beverages such as calming tea and fresh fruit juices.  This way, whenever you feel the urge to grab again another cup of coffee you have your cup of tea or glass of juice as a replacement. This may seem difficult to do at first especially when you are used to drinking several cups of coffee in a day for many years. But, rest assured that reducing, if not eliminating your coffee intake will bring you plenty of health benefits aside from being relieved from the debilitating effects of anxiety and stress.

Salty food

Sodium has a nasty effect on the body that causes high blood pressure. When there is high blood pressure; probably there is something that causes it to rise—we bet it is stress doing it. The adrenal glands take a hit from high blood pressure that makes people erratic and a bit emotional. Since salt can retain water, it may drain energy and increase stress levels as a result. Bring down your intake of processed foods and preserved foods since it contains insane levels of sodium that could hurt you. Eat more of vegetables and fruits. Stick to lean unprocessed meat and fish cooked with less salt.

 Alcohol

Alcohol is a mind-altering substance that you should avoid if you don’t want to suffer a downward spiral. Alcohol can make you depressed and exacerbate stress levels. Cortisol levels and anxiety have been extensively studied in relation to alcohol consumption. Research found out that more alcohol means that it can prolong the feeling of anxiety and make you even crave for more. The funny thing is that people turn to alcohol when they feel too stressed or sad; when alcohol can make them sadder and will leave them right where they started.

 Refined Sugar

Not only can make your insulin levels go haywire, refined sugar is totally useless when you are after for nutrients.  Being stripped down through refining the nutrients that you should be getting from sugar is no longer present. Worse, it can short circuit your pancreas and give you a nasty case of type 2 diabetes. The insane blood sugar levels could give you unpleasant and uncomfortable situations that may trigger stress.

 Fast food

Fast-food can be a tricky customer. While you can have it cheap and fast; it is also a dietary nightmare. The amount of preservatives, MSG and other ingredients could lead you to serious disease. Too much oil can increase your triglycerides and do strange things to the chemistry of your body. Avoid eating fast-food when you are stressed and anxious because it will just make things worse.

 Fats

Foods that contain too many fats such as those from meat can be stressful. It brings your cholesterol level to new heights and so goes your blood pressure rising. If your blood pressure is elevated so does your stress levels.

Eating the right food can eliminate stress. It is important that we keep eating healthy. Watching the food that you consume will go a long way in beating stress and anxiety.

Ryan Rivera used to suffer from anxiety attacks for seven years.  He now dedicates his life helping those who suffer from stress, anxiety and panic attacks through his writings.  You can read more of his articles at Calm Clinic.

Everybody likes to indulge themselves a bit, or a lot, during the festive period and who am I to discourage anyone from doing so? However, once the festive dust has settled, the candles have all burned out and you've eaten every piece of chocolate in sight, are your teeth going to be aching under the strain?

Toothache isn't fun for anyone and, while it may be too late to pull the plug on your Christmas pig-out, increasing your tooth care in the New Year may just save you from pain in the long term.

Give Your Teeth a Break

This is something that you might be planning to do anyway; due to an overindulgence of sweet treats over the festive period, but it is a good idea to give your teeth a break from these types of food. This is especially the case for sticky food like toffees and caramel. These tend to become lodged between teeth and fill the places that are the most difficult to clean. Crisps are also a big culprit of this type of problem, as the little bits will find their way into any gaps in the tops of your teeth.

The build-up of this could lead to cavities and the emergence of plaque. Plaque is a film that covers the teeth, caused by bacteria and can easily harden to form tartar if left for a couple of days. With all that work they will have been doing recently, it is probably best to give them a good clean and lay off the chewing substances for a while.

Give those molars a break.

There’s More Than Just Brushing

We all know that brushing your teeth is a must and is a very effective way of keeping on top of your oral health but there is a lot more you can be doing to improve the standard of your gnashes. Similar to the way in which you would spring clean your home to have a proper clear out; after a period of excessive strain on your teeth, it might be a good idea to give them some thorough attention.

As well as brushing, it is advisable to floss regularly so that you can prevent the build-up of bacteria in those hard to reach places. Brushes rarely manage to clean in between teeth, where bacteria love to gather, so flossing is the best way to combat this. Also after you have brushed, there may be bits of bacteria or food that have become dislodged but are still hanging around in your mouth. Rinsing with mouth wash for a couple of minutes will help to remove these more effectively.

Brushes should not be your only weapon of choice.

Book a Dentist Appointment

During Christmas, it’s unlikely to be a priority on anybody’s list for them to make a trip to the dentist. However, after a sustained period of eating all sorts of things that may be harmful to your teeth, it is important that you book a check-up to make sure everything is fine.

Waiting until a problem occurs before having it checked out could lead to the problem being more difficult to treat. Toothache is a sign that anything causing trouble has already reached the middle of the tooth, where the nerves can be found, and so pre-empting this is advisable. If you visit your dentist soon after Christmas then you will be given the peace of mind to know that you teeth have survived the festive feast unscathed.

Chris Mayhew writes here on behalf of Smile care Cosmetic Centre. This cosmetic dentist offers professional and reliable services including implants, crowns and teethwhitening in Devon and the surrounding areas. 

First there was the electronic television set, which revolutionized leisure time and all but did away with magic lantern shows.

First there was the electronic television set, which revolutionized leisure time and all but did away with magic lantern shows. Then there was the electronic calculator, which revolutionized counting and all but did away with the abacus. Now there is the electronic cigarette, which, it is hoped, will revolutionize smoking and do away with people doing away with them as a result of the health problems associated with regular smoking.

The electronic cigarette was first introduced in the US in 2007 and offered smokers an alternative to smoking tobacco. Its popularity has grown steadily over the course of the last few years with many people opting to replace their old cigarettes with electronic cigarettes.

When you smoke a regular cigarette you aren't actually physically addicted to the act of smoking. Instead you’re addicted to the nicotine that laces the tobacco that you are smoking. That build-up of stress that you feel when you go a few hours without a cigarette isn't actually stressed at all; it’s your body craving the addictive properties of nicotine. When you inhale that cigarette however, along with the nicotine, you are also inhaling a burning agent – tar – as well as over 4000 other harmful chemicals that lace the tobacco. In fact, several tobacco companies purposefully lace their tobacco with other additives in order to make them even more addictive. Naughty tobacco companies!

Breathe In the Benefits

By smoking an electronic cigarette you getting your hit of nicotine without any of the other harmful toxins that are craftily weaved into a regular cigarette. Additional benefits of an electronic cigarette include:

• Saving Money – Electronic cigarettes are considerably cheaper than smoking standard cigarettes. A typical pack of twenty branded cigarettes currently costs between £7 to £8; whereas a packet of five electronic refills will set you back approximately £9. Each refill is the equivalent of 25 cigarettes, meaning that one refill costs less than £2 per packet. If you change from smoking standard cigarettes to electronic cigarettes you’ll make a yearly saving of roughly £2200.

• A Cleaner Lifestyle – With an electronic cigarette your breath won’t smell of smoke and neither will your hair, you clothes or your home. There’ll also be no cigarette butts lying around and no ash spills.

• Smoke Less – When you smoke a standard cigarette you tend to smoke it to the end. With an electronic cigarette you can smoke it as you feel necessary; you can puff away at it for a few seconds and then pop it back into your pocket.

Electric cigarette smoking is becoming increasingly popular and is the sensible choice for those wanting to have better health as well as better finances. Light up without lighting up today.

Drug and alcohol withdrawal can be a miserable and potentially dangerous experience, and it often becomes worse before it gets better. In order to ensure safety.

Drug and alcohol withdrawal can be a miserable and potentially dangerous experience, and it often becomes worse before it gets better. In order to ensure safety, the addict will likely need to be monitored by professionals. Even when the detox is not dangerous, the addict can still benefit greatly from seeking professional care, especially at the beginning of his or her recovery.

Phase 1

When addicts first stop ingesting the substance or substances that they are addicted to, their brains become temporarily hyperactive. This occurs as the substance is being filtered out and removed by the organs of the body. Symptoms during this phase can include irritability, anxiety, shaking, seizures and a wave of obsessive thoughts about the drug of choice. Sometimes addicts will convince themselves that their symptoms will subside if they use the substance one more time.

Sadly, many addicts never make it past phase one. The desire to return to the substance can be too overwhelming. Statistics have shown that people who are on their second or third attempt to quit are more likely to have a hard time sticking to it then those who are on their first steps toward recovery. For this reason, it is a good idea to invest in a quality rehabilitation facility for yourself or your loved one the first time around, rather than waiting until the addiction has reached the point of becoming a life or death situation.

Phase 2

During the second phase, the withdrawal begins to deepen and the addict becomes increasingly uncomfortable. Huge changes are occurring within the body due to the lack of the substance, and without proper medical supervision, a coma may occur. It is important that the addict be given plenty of fluids and proper nutrition to help their bodies adjust. This is especially true for those recovering from alcoholism. Alcoholics who try to stop drinking without proper medical help may end up dying.

At some point during the second phase, the unpleasant symptoms peak and then begin to decline.

Phase 3

The third and final phase of detox is in some ways the hardest. The addict is now physically stabilized without the substance he or she was addicted to. However, all of the thoughts, doubt and emotions that led up to the original decision to use drugs are still there, and the addict no longer has a crutch to numb the pain. This is the point in recovery where counseling becomes crucial. Every addict has a different story, and it will likely take years of work to figure out the roots of their addictions. Sometimes there is a clear reason, such as an alcoholic father or a history of sexual abuse. Other times, the reasons are deeper and much more complicated.

Only 20 percent of addicts ever recover fully and go on to lead completely substance-free lives. A large percentage of that group will relapse at least once. However, the situation isn't hopeless. With a supportive network of friends and family and time spent at a quality inpatient rehabilitation center, there is still a great chance of success. Statistics are only statistics, and individuals are as capable as they believe themselves to be.

Paige Taylor is a freelance health writer from Michigan.

This article looks at how smoking could affect your personal life.

The problems associated with smoking have long been documented, particularly their long term effects on health and appearance. But new research has also found that smoking could cause considerable damage to your personal life as well.

One of the most comprehensive studies of UK smoking habits has revealed that 53% of people wouldn’t date a smoker, even if they were the partner of their dreams. Fag breath was one of the deciding factors of their view, with eight out of ten people listing it as their biggest turn off.

Three quarters of those surveyed wouldn’t date a smoker because of their smelly clothes while 50% said it was stained yellow teeth and finger nails that put them off. Half of the non smokers questioned were also concerned that their risk of passive smoking was inevitable if they were dating a smoker.

With yet more reasons to kick the habit, more people are considering switching to an electronic cigarette. As they only emit water vapour, they do not create the same unpleasant smell that taints clothes and breathe which can turn off potential love interests. However, the eliquid does contain the nicotine that the body craves, so can replace your need for a tobacco cigarette and aid your attempts to quit once and for all.

One of the other benefits of switching to an electronic cigarette is the variety on offer. While tobacco has the same taste day in day out, the changeable eliquid in electronic cigarettes is available in a variety of flavours.  So while you may wish to start with tobacco flavour to adequately replace your craving for a cigarette, you could go on to sample various flavours such as banana, coconut, coffee and cola!

When smoking begins to affect all aspects of your life including your love life, it could be time to consider if your addiction is really worth the hassle. With lack of willpower cited as the top reason for not quitting, an electronic cigarette could fill the craving. With the look and feel the same as a conventional cigarette, as well as the same throat hit, it’ll be difficult to tell the difference aside from the lack of ‘fag breath’ and fresher smelling clothes.

An electronic cigarette could also be a helpful hint if you have a partner but are constantly frustrated by their smoking habit. They may never have considered making the change or just need the final push to switch. Whatever the reason, excuses for carrying on the habit are running low.

Vapingliquid.com supply electronic cigarette kits, accessories, atomisers and a range of eliquid flavours online at affordable prices.

Have you ever been on a first date and you never know how to pull off that perfect look? If so, this blog can help you out.

So you managed to shake your tail feathers enough to get that cute guy from the coffee shop to ask you out. The question now is what you'll be able to do to keep his attention on your first date. Sure, the conversation will be enough to at least make him interested, but your makeup can help your beauty and (potentially) your seduction shine through. You might as well do whatever you can to make yourself look amazing. It can't hurt, right? Here are some quick beauty tips fit for a first date.

Test out Different Looks

You need to pick out a focal feature to emphasize with your makeup. The question is, what will look best with your outfit of choice and the overall vibe you are going for? Test out a few different looks and see which one best fits your date, personality, outfit, and feature of choice. You might want to go for a smoky look or a completely natural one, depending on the situation. The more you experiment, the easier it will be to find the right look for you.

Wear Your Hair Back

Your hair may look great when it's long and straight, but on the first date, you need to make your face the star of the show. Find a way to put your hair back so that it looks cute and classy at the same time. If you don't have much hair to work with, you may just want to put it back with a couple bobby pins. Then tie everything together with some small drop earrings, and all of the attention will be where you want it most.

Deep Clean ahead of Time

You will obviously want your skin to look its best for your big day. That means that you need to try some deep cleaning products a few days in advance, just in case they leave your skin looking red and irritated. For instance, microdermabrasion treatments will get rid of the outer layer of your skin, and it may take a few days for the new skin to grow. Once it does though, you'll have a better complexion that will radiate on your date. Get your skin fully cleansed a few days before you go out and you'll surely look your best.

Use the tips above for any hot date you go on, and you'll be on your way to a second one without question. Let's just hope that's what you want when the date is over. :)

About the Author: Sierra Foster has been in the dating world for many years now, but she has finally found a man to spend the rest of her life with. He says it's because of her personality, but she thinks her eye shadow and Riivia's microdermabrasion facials had something to do with it. She's happy no matter what the truth may be.