14 surprising signs you'll live longer than you think

Here's what you're doing right, and how to do it even better

Consider this: In the 20th century, the average life expectancy shot up 30 years - the greatest gain in 5,000 years of human history. And this: Centenarians - folks who make it into the triple digits - aren't such an exclusive club anymore, increasing 51% from 1990 to 2000.
How to account for these dramatic leaps? Advances in health, education, and disease prevention and treatments are high on the list - and that makes sense. But what you may not know is that seemingly unimportant everyday habits, or circumstances in your past, can influence how long and how well you'll live. Here, the latest research on longevity - science-based signs you're on a long-life path, plus tips on how to get on track.


1.Your mom had you young
If she was under age 25, you're twice as likely to live to 100 as someone born to an older mom, according to University of Chicago scientists. They suspect that younger moms' best eggs go first to fertilization, thus healthier offspring.


2.You're a tea lover
Both green and black teas contain a concentrated dose of catechins, substances that help blood vessels relax and protect your heart. In a study of more than 40,500 Japanese men and women, those who drank 5 or more cups of green tea every day had the lowest risk of dying from heart disease and stroke. Other studies involving black tea showed similar results.

You really need only 1 or 2 cups of tea daily to start doing your heart some good - just make sure it's a fresh brew. Ready-to-drink teas (the kind you find in the supermarket beverage section) don't offer the same health benefits. "Once water is added to tea leaves, their catechins degrade within a few days," says Jeffrey Blumberg, PhD, a professor of nutrition science and policy at Tufts University. Also, some studies show that adding milk may eliminate tea's protective effects on the cardiovascular system, so stick to just lemon or honey.


3.You'd rather walk
"Fit" people - defined as those who walk for about 30 minutes a day - are more likely to live longer than those who walk less, regardless of how much body fat they have, according to a recent study of 2,603 men and women.

Similarly, overweight women can improve their heart health by adding just 10 minutes of activity to their daily routine, says recent research. So take a walk on your lunch hour, do laps around the field while your kid is at soccer practice - find ways to move a little more, every day.


4.You skip soda (even diet)
Scientists in Boston found that drinking one or more regular or diet colas every day doubles your risk of metabolic syndrome - a cluster of conditions, including high blood pressure, elevated insulin levels, and excess fat around the waist, that increase your chance of heart disease and diabetes. One culprit could be the additive that gives soda its caramel color, which upped the risk of metabolic syndrome in animal studies. Scientists also speculate that soda drinkers regularly expose their tastebuds to natural or artificial sweeteners, conditioning themselves to prefer and crave sweeter foods, which may lead to weight gain, says Vasan S. Ramachandran, MD, a professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine and the study's lead researcher.

Better choices: Switch to tea if you need a caffeine hit. If it's fizz you're after, try sparkling water with a splash of juice. By controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels, preventing diabetes, and not smoking, you can add 6 to 9 1/2 healthy years to your life.


5.You have strong legs
Lower-body strength translates into good balance, flexibility, and endurance. As you get older, those attributes are key to reducing your risk of falls and injuries - particularly hip fractures, which often quickly lead to declining health. Up to 20% of hip-fracture patients die within 1 year because of complications from the trauma.

"Having weak thigh muscles is the number one predictor of frailty in old age," says Robert Butler, MD, president of the International Longevity Center–USA in New York City. To strengthen them, target your quads with the "phantom chair" move, says Joan Price, author of The Anytime, Anywhere Exercise Book. Here's how: Stand with back against wall. Slowly walk feet out and slide back down until you're in a seated position, ensuring knees aren't beyond toes and lower back is pressed against wall. Hold until your thighs tell you, Enough! Do this daily, increasing your hold by a few seconds each time.


6.You eat purple food
Concord grapes, blueberries, red wine: They all get that deep, rich color from polyphenols - compounds that reduce heart disease risk and may also protect against Alzheimer's disease, according to the new research. Polyphenols help keep blood vessels and arteries flexible and healthy.

"What's good for your coronary arteries is also good for your brain's blood vessels," says Robert Krikorian, PhD, director of the Cognitive Disorders Center at the University of Cincinnati. Preliminary animal studies suggest that adding dark grapes to your diet may improve brain function. What's more, in a recent human study, researchers found that eating 1 or more cups of blueberries every day may improve communication between brain cells, enhancing your memory.


7.You were a healthy-weight teen
A study in the Journal of Pediatrics that followed 137 African Americans from birth to age 28 found that being overweight at age 14 increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes in adulthood. Adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop heart disease than those without the condition, according to the American Heart Association.


8.You don't like burgers
A few palm-size servings (about 2 1/2 ounces) of beef, pork, or lamb now and then is no big deal, but eating more than 18 ounces of red meat per week ups your risk of colorectal cancer - the third most common type, according to a major report by the American Institute for Cancer Research. Colorectal cancer risk also rises by 42% with every 3 1/2-ounce serving of processed meat (such as hot dogs, bacon, and deli meats) eaten per day, the report determined. Experts aren't sure why red and processed meats are so harmful, but one of their suspects is the carcinogens that can form when meat is grilled, smoked, or cured - or when preservatives, such as nitrates, are added.

"You can have an occasional hot dog at a baseball game, but just don't make it a habit," says Karen Collins, RD, a nutrition advisor at AICR. And when you do grill red meat, marinate it first, keep pieces small (kebab-size), and flip them often - all of which can help prevent carcinogens from forming. If you're baking or roasting it, keep the oven temp under 400�F.


9.You've been a college freshman
A recent Harvard Medical School study found that people with more than 12 years of formal education (even if it's only 1 year of college) live 18 months longer than those with fewer years of schooling. Why? The more education you have, the less likely you are to smoke. In fact, only about 10% of adults with an undergraduate degree smoke, compared with 35% of those with a high school education or less, according to the CDC.


10.You really like your friends ...
"Good interpersonal relationships act as a buffer against stress," says Micah Sadigh, PhD, an associate professor of psychology at Cedar Crest College. Knowing you have people who support you keeps you healthy, mentally and physically: Chronic stress weakens the immune system and ages cells faster, ultimately shortening life span by 4 to 8 years, according to one study.

Not just any person will do, however. "You need friends you can talk to without being judged or criticized," says Sadigh.

11.� and they're healthy
If your closest friends gain weight, your chance of doing the same could increase by 57%, according to a study in the New England of Journal of Medicine. "To maintain a healthy lifestyle, it's important to associate with people who have similar goals," says Nicholas A. Christakis, MD, PhD, the study's lead researcher. Join a weight loss group, or train with a pal for a charity walk.

12.You embrace the challenge
People who consider themselves self-disciplined, organized achievers live longer and have up to an 89% lower risk of developing Alzheimer's than the less conscientious, according to two studies.

When you're good at focusing your attention, you use more brainpower, says the lead researcher in both studies, Robert S. Wilson, PhD, a professor of neurological sciences and psychology at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Set personal or career goals, and challenge yourself to meet them by a certain time. Also, try new things to stimulate your brain: If you always read fiction, pick up an autobiography instead. The next day, try to recall three facts you learned from the reading.

13.You don't have a housekeeper
Just by vacuuming, mopping floors, or washing windows for a little more than an hour, the average person can burn about 285 calories, lowering risk of death by 30%, according to a study of 302 adults in their 70s and 80s.

You're a flourisher
About 17% of Americans are flourishers, says a study in American Psychologist. They have a positive outlook on life, a sense of purpose and community, and are healthier than "languishers" - about 10% of adults who don't feel good about them selves. Most of us fall somewhere in between.

"We should strive to flourish, to find meaning in our lives," says Corey Keyes, PhD, a professor of sociology at Emory University. "In Sardinia and Okinawa, where people live the longest, hard work is important, but not more so than spending time with family, nurturing spirituality, and doing for others."

Copyright© 2007 Rodale Inc. All rights reserved. No reproduction, transmission or display is permitted without the written permissions of Rodale Inc.

[Source & MSNBC]

Diet Smart - Twin Essential Steps to Diet Smart and Guarantee Success

By Celia Westberry

Examine your belief system about food.

You might think that to diet smart all you have to do is find the right pill or process. This is naive diet thinking. The truth is in order to accomplish the transformation you desire; you will have to discard some deep seated beliefs about food. This is the hard stuff. It is difficult simply because what you now do is rooted in your belief system. You believe it to be good for you and at the same time you are not aware of why you do so. This stifles lasting change. So you will find yourself going back to the same old unhealthy habits and not know why!

The Christian church and most religions are experts at rooting belief systems. Just like your house plant, you can't see the roots, but you are aware by the blooms that the roots are working just fine. That is why some religions have members who would rather die than change. The tenets of the religion become second nature and indispensable. For instance when I was a kid I went to an Anglican primary school. Everyday for 3 years we had to recite the Nicene Creed - One of the lines I repeated was - I believe in one baptism for the remission of sins. Many years later as young adult in college a student ask me to join her church, and in explaining the tenets of her religion, she said to me - You will have to get baptized. I immediately stopped her, and explained that this religion would not work for me because I believe in one baptism... I was even shocked when I heard myself saying this ...I had memorized that creed and pulled it into my belief system without thought or reason. Lack of awareness of beliefs can cause naive diet thinking.

So what are your true beliefs about food? What did you hear your mother say or do every day? Did you have a well cooked dinner every night; or did your family eat on the run? Did your mother cook fresh food or did you have fast commercial food? Did your parents talk about meat in terms of protein or poison or were they clueless? Did you get to choose to diet smart? Did you have a hot breakfast most days? Were you offered water as a drink or was it always soda pop or some sugary drink? Your food experiences as a child help to cement your food beliefs and will determine how you react to and manage diet smart success. It is essential that you examine every food habit that you are targeting for change. At least you will know why you are struggling or what a big accomplishment you made when you succeed.

Find a mind body exercise that you can do anywhere, any place, such as affirmations and breath work.

Affirmations are the quickest, easiest way to facilitate change. Most of our mental chatter is haphazard. Affirmations are planned statements you silently make to keep you focused on your desire. It helps you resist doubt. I like to start an affirmation with, "I am. For instance, "I am fully capable of learning all I need to diet smart", leaves no doubt or maybes about your intention. This can be extended to, "I am happy, healthy and successful with my diet goals".
Affirmations are a way to train your mind to by pass your old creeds and accomplish your intentions. For instance, "Every day I am getting a keener understanding about how to diet smart" keeps you in the present and away from uncertainty and unwelcome beliefs. It controls negative mental chatter.

The power of the breath was discovered centuries ago by Chinese and Hindus. It is practiced in yoga where you use conscious breath control as you do various movements. This creates an unconsciously link between body and mind. The premise is that when you regulate your breath, your mind becomes quiet, and leaves space for awareness, a spiritual quality. This quality helps you to tap into your subconscious and retrieve some inner wisdom. Inner wisdom helps you find the energy for transformation and to create new personal creeds for success.

Celia Westberry, M.S. is a wellness lifestyle coach who has been helping clients to reach success with their goals to diet smart for 20 years. She is the Author of Eat Yourself Younger Effortlessly - the easy way to slow aging feel great and look good. Click Here to get her FREE eBook on Healthy Eating and start to diet smart. To find out about wellness coaching click Here.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Celia_Westberry

Smart Moms Tips for Getting Traffic To Your Website

By Rebekah Kogelschatz

If you are new to internet businesses, you may be wondering how you get traffic to your site to increase the page ranking on the search engines or to increase sales. There many wonderful resources that are available to help you increase your “search engine optimization” including help with key words and website design that are primary in getting traffic to your site. After the basics are in place, what next? Do you sit back and wait for the customers or visitors or do you find ways to bring them to you? These three simple tips can help you increase the traffic to your site, thereby increasing hits, sales, and page rankings.

The first tip is writing articles. This is an often overlooked way of getting traffic. Most people do not pursue article writing because they are afraid to write (it brings back bad memories of high school English)! Most people can write a simple article, find someone to proof read it, or find someone to write the final draft from your ideas. You will be amazed at what you can create.

By writing articles and submitting them to article submission sites, you are increasing your traffic in two ways. First, most submission sites allow you to include your personal information and a link to your site (in fact, don’t submit to sites that don’t allow at least one link). Some allow up to three links, like EzineArticles.com. People can browse the submission site for content to include on their own site, ezine, or blog. From the article site, they can click right on your link to your website and see what you have to offer. The second way to get more traffic from these articles is when these searches like what they read and include it on their site or ezine. They must include you bio with the links intact. Then those that read your article are able to click to your site from your links. This technique gives people the opportunity to find your site through a variety of pathways, all for free.

The other important part of the article submission technique are the links. Not only is your article with your site link on the article site, it is also on every site that publishes it. This is great for the search engine spiders to see that people have linked to your site and helps your page rankings.

Links are the second important tip to increase traffic and page rankings. You can include links to other sites, but it important those sites link back. Reciprocal linking is another piece search engines use to rank pages. If you have multiple sites, you should have them all linked together.
You should also find complementing sites that allow for free link exchanges or exchanges for a small fee. Then you include the link to that site on your site and they link back. This also provides more opportunities for people to find your site through other means.

The third tip is to change your website content. Websites that have content changes will increase in page rank. Be sure your website is not stagnant. Change your content every few weeks in some way, even small minor changes. Use articles you find on the article submission sites to provide some new information and ideas to your readers or write the content yourself.

Another great way to change your content frequently is to have a blog attached to your site.
Since blogs are frequently added to daily or weekly, they increase page rankings. Also, people may find and read your blog and then find your site, increasing the hits on your site. Make sure your blog is relevant and uses key words for titles and content. Not only will people want to read it, the search engines will like it to!

These three simple techniques can help to increase traffic to your site and help increase your page rankings. Internet businesses are all about your page rank and the amount of hits you receive. The higher the page rank and the higher the hits, the more likely you are to increase your sales and profit from your site.

Rebekah Kogelschatz is a stay at home with her two children in rural Florida. She is a co-founder of the site SmartMoms-SmartBusiness and the founder of a parenting resource site Heartland-Moms. You can read her blog at The Day of A Mom.

Florida Vacation Rental - The Smart Alternative

By Alison Meacham

So you have decided that you want to visit The Happiest Place on Earth - Disney World in Orlando Florida. Your next big decision is where you would like to stay. An increasing number of people are choosing to stay in an Orlando vacation rental villa. As recently as 5 years ago the choice was limited - but now there is something for everyone. From the 2 bed condo to the 7 bed luxury vacation home on a beautiful Florida vacation rental resort.

When you start your search for an home you will notice that there are a lot of choices. Some would say an overwhelming number of choices! So you need to be a little organized just as you would in your search for an hotel. So here is a list to start your Florida vacation rental search:

How large a vacation home do you want? Decide if you are looking for a condo, or a home. A condo may cost less but if it is a more luxurious stay you are looking for then consider an upgrade to a villa. Most vacation homes in Orlando will have a private pool - is this something that would make your stay that bit more special? Many of my guests tell me that the private swimming pool is the thing which their children enjoy most!

How close to the attractions would you like to be? Many Orlando vacation home rentals are close to Disney World. Ask yourself how important this is to your family. There are some resorts, including the Windsor Palms resort, which are within 5 to 10 minutes of the Disney Main Gate.

What is your price range? Treat this just as you would with an Orlando Florida hotel. It is best
to set a realistic budget which is right for your family. You will be saving money so why not treat yourself to something very special?

There are many different communities offering different things. Some homes are located on a resort with facilities to rival that of a 4 or 5 star hotel. Do you want a home with community pool, spa, sundry store, games room, gym, movie theater - the possibilities are endless. Or would you prefer to pay a little less and have a villa on a community with no facilities? You must decide what would be best for your family group.

So when you have found your perfect choice of vacation home community, or at least narrowed it down to a choice of 2 or 3 maximum, begin emailing owners, that you have found in your search. Look at their website and check out the pictures. A picture speaks a thousand words.
Unfortunately you also have to look at the words! By this I mean the responses from the owner.
Was their response speedy and helpful? Ask as many questions as you need to. If you want to talk to them on the telephone then ask them to call you. This can often be a much easier way of getting the information that you need to know, and also building trust in your vacation home owner.

Whichever Florida vacation rental home you choose I am sure that you will be happy with your choice and never want to stay in the confined space of an hotel room again.

Alison Meacham is the author of the Disney Vacation Money Savings Guide She owns luxury Florida vacation rental homes within 5 minutes of Disney. You can view her resort villas at www.windsorpalmsusa.com Sign up for her free newsletter which gives tips, ideas and suggestions on how to save on your Disney World Vacation