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My dear friend, poet Dessa Byrd Reed, often spends holidays alone as a widow. However, she doesn?t see this, as many people often do, as a depressing circumstance. In a November 2000 POETIC VOICES interview, she said, ?Because I am single and live alone, I eat out a lot. I love to talk to strangers. That's one of my favorite things. I go out for breakfast and talk to people.??/p>

Another talented writer, Leslie Lafayette, dealt with being a childless woman by choice in WHY DON?T YOU HAVE KIDS?: Living a Full Life Without Parenthood. You can bet that because of her choice many people would pity her. She writes the ?Alone Again, Naturally??column for the outstanding magazine THE DESERT WOMAN. Observers might conclude she?s miserable on the holidays.

Both Leslie and Dessa have full lives and radiate Christmas cheer, not just in December but all year round. While we all need human contact, it?s a mistake to conclude that people without the traditional family dinner are all on suicide watch. Anyone who has negotiated where to have Christmas and which family members can come when, not to mention refereed in-law and spouse disputes, knows that the allure of having a table for one at Christmas is powerful.

However, when people aren?t alone by choice, Christmas can be lonely. In Michigan, I interviewed a woman, the founder of a divorced and widowed support group, who chose to have Christmas dinner every year for lonely widows, widowers and divorced people, usually from her support group. Her children understood that she needed to start this new tradition in her new life.

Similarly, having children around, even with the relentless gimmes and commercialism, lends a special magic to Christmas, which is why playing Santa appeals to so many.

The holidays can be joyous if you?re alone, or they can be difficult. As with so much, your feelings depend on your personality, your circumstances, your childhood, and in many cases on medical or psychological conditions.

Some tips to remember if you?re alone or without your support system:

*Take advantage of counseling services in your community, including from your local church, synagogue, temple or other place of worship.

*Take time out for spirituality. You might attend services just to experience human contact and community. People are generally nicer at Christmas.

*Do all the things you wanted to do but couldn?t in your former life. Travel. Even in this post-9/11 world, you can visit faraway places. There are many tour groups for singles.

*Attend art walks, holiday concerts, lectures, and movie screenings alone. Or invite a friend you haven?t talked to in a while.

*Volunteer?it?s a wonderful way to make friends, stay active, and feel fulfilled.

*Go out to dinner alone! While women in particular feel uncomfortable, project an air of confidence. You are a strong, vital woman. This doesn?t mean that you should go bar-hopping or take risks alone at night. But you have the right to ask for a table for one without feeling as though people are judging you. (Most people are too preoccupied with their own lives to notice.)

*Gather a circle of friends or people in the same situation?just make sure the evening doesn?t turn into a pity party.

*Don?t overdrink, overeat or do drugs. It?s just not a good tradition.

*Bake cookies if you?re so inclined. Cookies make wonderful Christmas presents and ways to reconnect with your friends.

You may be tempted to think of yourself as Ebenezer Scrooge. Don?t, and boil anyone in his own pudding who calls you ?Scrooge.?? You are honoring Christmas in your own heart and keeping it always. Christmas for one, anyone?

Kristin Johnson is co-author of the ?enthusiastically recommended??Midwest Book Review pick, Christmas Cookies Are For Giving: Stories, Recipes and Tips for Making Heartwarming Gifts (ISBN: 0-9723473-9-9). A downloadablemedia kit is available at our Web site, http://www.christmascookiesareforgiving.com, or e-mail the publisher (info@tyrpublishing.com) to receive a printed media kit and sample copy of the book. More articles available at http://www.bakingchristmascookies.com

Finding the right family health insurance program can be quite a challenge. Even if you are fortunate enough to work for an employer offering group coverage, your family health insurance program may not include everything that you would like. In truth, finding affordable and adequate health insurance can be quite difficult. Here are a couple of tips to help you choose coverage that is right for you.

Prepare to shop...

Before comparing family health insurance programs you should make a list of benefits that you consider essential. This should include not only benefits you could use today, but carefully consider what you may require in the future and list these also.

Make a rough estimate of your family's average yearly health expenses. Break this information into broad categories such as office visits, prescriptions, dental, vision and any other major category you define. This will really help when comparing programs that offer copays and prescription coverage. Such a list may also alert you to areas that require more consideration than you realized.

Begin your search...

The internet is a great place to gather information. Any questions you might have can be answered in no time on the internet. Terminology can be quickly translated and explained by experts. Many sites even offer free comparison quotes.

Initially you should screen plans based on the services offered, location, and cost. In the early stages of searching you must decide how much importance you place on convenience, flexibility, and choosing your providers. Once you have defined the candidates that provide coverage that fits your needs and budget your ready for the final evaluation.

Details, details, details...

First and foremost, read the fine print. It is essential that you clearly grasp what is included in your coverage as well as what is not going to be covered. Be sure to take note of the amount of the deductibles. Find out the amount of your maximum out of pocket expense. Make sure you know whether or not the plan covers major medical, lab fees, x-rays, prescriptions, maternity or any other specifics you require.

This seems like a lot of work, but the benefits are worth every minute of the time you spend. Just think of the peace of mind you will have when you find the right family health insurance program.

For more information about health insurance and a free quote visit =>

http://www.ChoosingHealthInsurance.com

People choose alternative medicine and natural health over conventional health practices for a number of reasons. Perhaps you are at a point in your life where you are experiencing minor health problems and are seeking alternative methods to conventional health practices that often don?t work. Or, perhaps you feel healthy and want to maintain this health by supplementing your current diet and lifestyle with natural health practices.

Types of Alternative Medicine

Since there are varying types of alternative medicine each offering their own philosophy and discipline, you will have to decide what form of alternative medicine is best able to help you heal any particular health problems that you have. Following are types of alternative medicine:

• Herbal medicine. Herbal medicine uses certain properties of herbs and other plants in the form of dietary supplements as a means to promote health and to heal specific health problems. Plant parts used can include the leaves, flowers, stems, or a combination of all. Examples of some commonly used herbal medicines include green tea which may have an anti-cancer effect, valerian root used to treat insomnia, peppermint tea for digestive issues, and Echinacea extracts to limit the length of colds.

• Chinese herbal medicine. Also known as ?herbology,??Chinese herbal medicine involves combining medicinal herbs to heal the body. The focus is on preventing disease before it has a chance to manifest itself, as well as treating existing health problems. A key to the success of Chinese herbal medicine is the treatment of each patient as an individual with herbs mixed specifically for each patient.

• Acupuncture. Acupuncture is a technique of inserting and manipulating needles into acupuncture points on the body to stimulate nerve impulses and restore health and well-being. It is believed that your life energy, or ?qi,??travels along your body on what are known as ?meridians?? When this flow of energy is broken and damaged, your body is weak and results in health issues.

• Acupressure. Acupressure involves placing physical pressure by hand or elbow on acupuncture points on the surface of the body. Shiatsu is a form of acupressure that promotes the prevention and recovery of illnesses by stimulating the immune system and natural healing power the people already possess.

• Massage. The goal of massage is to apply pressure, tension and motion to the soft tissues of the body to assist with healing injury, relieving psychological stress, manage pain and improve circulation.

• Reflexology. Also known as ?zone therapy,??reflexology is the practice of stimulating nerves on the feet, hands and ears to encourage a beneficial effect on other parts of the body, or to improve your general well-being. It stimulates the blood flow to particular parts of your body while relieving the tension in your body and mind.

• Homeopathy. Homeopathy is the principle of ?treating like with like.?? Homeopathic remedies are substances derived from plants and minerals that are diluted in a precise way as to cause toxic behavior and cure the symptoms.

• Yoga. Yoga uses specific body ?postures??to reduce stress, slow breathing and heart rate, lower blood pressure, and promote relaxation that is necessary for a healthy mind and body.

• Aromatherapy. Aromatherapy uses the extracts of plants, known as essential oils, and other scented compounds to relax and balance the body. An example of aromatherapy is eucalyptus oil and mint which is used to provide relief for the airways during a cold or the flu.

• Ayurveda. Ayurveda operates on the precept that various materials of vegetable, animal, and mineral origin have some medicinal value for curing illness and/or for maintaining good health. Ayurveda originated in India and is based on the philosophy that disease occurs when you are not living harmoniously within your environment.

• Meditation. Meditation is a relaxation technique used to reduce and alleviate symptoms of ill health including headaches, back pain and high blood pressure.

These are examples of alternative medicine. Since there are many variations, it is important to research alternative medicine as it relates to your health issues and your lifestyle.

Hilary Basile is a writer for MyGuidesUSA.com. At MyGuidesUSA.com (http://www.myguidesusa.com), you will find valuable tips and resources for handling life?s major events. Whether you?re planning a wedding, buying your first home, anxiously awaiting the birth of a child, contending with a divorce, searching for a new job, or planning for your retirement, you?ll find answers to your questions at MyGuidesUSA.com. Find tips and resources on exercise and fitness programs, exercising with health conditions, children?s fitness, and more at http://www.myguidesusa.com/fitnessandexercise

If you?re a woman living in Oklahoma, you?ll be happy to know that your health insurance company is legally required to pay for a mammogram if you are over a specific age. Cancer is a concern of many individuals and therefore finding an affordable health insurance plan in Oklahoma is important regardless of your gender.

Generally healthy individuals often turn to catastrophic health insurance plans as a means to save money. These plans can be ideal for certain individuals including those who don?t visit a doctor very often. The premise of a catastrophic health insurance plan is simple. You have to pay out of pocket for everyday expenses such as prescriptions and x-rays, but if you do face a health crisis like cancer or hospitalization, you?ll be covered. The premiums for coverage like this are generally very low, but expect high deductibles.

You can also find a more affordable rate if you choose a health insurance policy that doesn?t cover certain illnesses. If you don?t have a family history of any of the illnesses that aren?t included, you may feel comfortable taking out a policy like this. For individuals who are still relatively young and in great health, this is a good way to save money.

Before you decide on any company be certain that you?ve contacted a few to get quotes. You may be surprised at how much prices can actually vary and since insurance is such a competitive market, this actually works in your favor. Never agree to any health insurance policy without first having a clear picture of what your coverage entails as well as what the claims process involves. Some insurance companies can take weeks to pay out on claims while others require that many expenses be first pre-approved or coverage will be voided. Ask many questions before you make any final decisions so you can be certain you are choosing the best policy for you and your family.

My recommended sites here:

Affordable Health Insurance in Oklahoma
Instant Medical Insurance Quotes

We have been taught that the body needs 'routine maintenance', like a machine - a car, for example. However, medical experts have debunked the virtues of routine medical tests. The drawback of the tests conducted at present is that a large number of "false positives' crop up. Not only does an abnormal test result create a lot of anxiety and stress but also leads to a merry-go-round of further tests and consultations to determine the significance of the tests. For example, consider the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test that measures the level of a specific protein in the blood to detect cancer and other prostate abnormalities.

An elevated level of PSA is not diagnostic of prostate cancer. We may be unnecessarily subjecting a number of patients who are otherwise normal but have elevated PSA levels. Then, to verify that they are suffering from prostate cancer, they will be subjected to a prostate biopsy, and sometimes even surgery to remove the prostate altogether. The experts also debate whether current technology can tell a slow-growing cancer from a fast one (about 1 in 4 is slow growing and may not cause any trouble), and how a man?s life expectancy may never be affected by the cancer but by the treatment?s side effects.

The Task Force recommends a more selective and personalized approach tailored to individual needs. If you are worried about your health, consult a physician who should take a detailed medical history to identify anything that may put you at high risk for a specific disease or disability - any occupational and behavioral factors that affect health, eating habits, use of alcohol tobacco and other drugs, and sexual activity. Using that knowledge, physicians can zero in on preventive strategies targeted for you, omitting tests that are of little benefit to you.

The only routine tests that the US Preventive Services Task Force recommends are those for blood pressure, cholesterol, colorectal cancer, breast cancer and cervical cancer. The Task Foce also criticizes physicians for frittering away their valuable time on screenings of questionable value instead of counseling people about the harmful effects of smoking, lack of exercise and other risks arising due to a faulty lifestyle.

Keeping in mind the suggestions of the task force, the recommended tests are:

1. Periodic check-up of blood pressure, a leading risk factor for coronary heart disease, stroke, renal disease and heart attack, for all adults.

2. Periodic tests for total blood cholesterol measurement, another risk factor for heart diseases, for men between the ages of 35 and 65 and women 45 to 65.

3. Mammogram to detect early signs of breast cancer for women between 50 and 69, every one or two years.

4. The PAP smear test , to screen for cervical cancer, for sexually active women, once every three years.

5. Vision tests for children, before entering school, and for the elderly.

6. Hearing tests for elderly people

7. Intraocular pressure test for screening for glaucoma for people over 60, steroid users, those with a family history of glaucoma, diabetes and hypertension and those with recent eye injuries. Your eyes should be tested at:

* ages 35 and 40

* age 40 to age 60, get tested every two to four years

* after age 60, every one to two years

8. Bone densitometry in menopausal women to screen for osteoporosis. For older people with bone softness, suffering from frequent fracture, the 25 OH Vitamin D tests identify a possible deficiency in vitamin D. Vitamin D tests may also be used to help diagnose or monitor problems with parathyroid gland functioning since parathyroid hormone is essential for vitamin D activation.

9. Regular cleaning and check up of teeth for everyone every six months. Tobacco and alcohol use, diabetes, pregnancy, periodontal and gum disease, poor oral hygiene and certain medical conditions are some of the many factors that your dentist takes into consideration when deciding how often you need your dental cleaning and check up.

10. If you have a family history of diabetes, you may undergo blood tests once year to check blood sugar and insulin levels. Also test for hemoglobin A1c, or glycosylated hemoglobin. By measuring glucose bound to hemoglobin, the test gives a picture of the average amount of glucose in the blood over the last two to three months. Strict control of glucose levels through aggressive treatment and monitoring reduces the incidence of the damaging complications that can make diabetes such a debilitating disease.

People without any indicative symptoms do not need a chest X-ray, electrocardiogram or complete blood tests, since these do not provide the doctor with any clinically useful information. If you are a smoker, have high blood pressure, high serum cholesterol levels or diabetes, or are obese, or have a family history of coronary disease before age 55, you may opt for ECG.

Uma Shankari is a Bangalore-based freelance journalist. She is passionate about writing. She writes regularly on development issues, health and fitness, yoga/meditation, life and relationships. Read some her articles on http://www.helium.com/search/search?search_query=Uma

Three insect-like robotic arms reaching into the chest cavity of the patient lying on the surgery table hum quietly while... the surgeon is sitting in a nearby remote-control booth, carefully directing the delicate operation from a distance with a 3-D precision that was not possible before.

Or, here is the 5-feet high porter robot with blinking lights, moving slowly on its rubber wheels through the crowded hallways of a hospital??it is quietly waiting for the elevator to arrive so it can deliver the blankets it?s carrying to the nurse station on the top floor??/p>

Such scenes will become increasingly frequent in the hospitals of the future.

But guess what? Such a development was prophesied over a hundred years ago by the early pioneers of the 19th century political economy ??that in a capitalist market, any given set of manual skill will eventually get replaced by machines for higher productivity and profits. And that creates both new pressures and opportunities for the healthcare workforce to renew itself through new training and career planning.

The inevitable trend is already visiting our hospitals in a form that will certainly impact the way our nurses and healthcare professionals will be trained and employed in the near future: robots are taking over an increasing number of functions, ranging from critical surgical operations to the delivery of various items around a hospital.

Robots, whether used in delicate surgery or just to carry goods around the hospital, are here to stay. This trend will eventually both present new challenges for some of our nurses as well as provide them with new and exciting venues to ratchet their credentials to new heights of professional excellence.

That?s why in our hi-tech future, the education and on-the-job training of our nurses will be more important than in any other period in history.

U. Akinci is the Editor of the monthly ?Nurse Recruiter Newsletter??published by http://www.nurse-recruiter.com, the nation's premiere travel nurse staffing agency.