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How to improve your sleep habits

April 24, 2013 By

submitted by Sleep Center of Bucks County, www.sleepcenterofbuckscounty.com

For most people, falling asleep and staying asleep are parts of a natural process. Good sleepers are likely to have developed certain lifestyle and dietary habits that promote sound sleep.

These habits or behaviors, known as Sleep Hygiene, can have positive effects on sleep before, during, and after time spent in bed. These Sleep Hygiene tips may help you sleep better on a regular basis.

  • Try to sleep only when you are drowsy;
  • Avoid caffeine within four to six hours of bedtime;
  • Avoid the use of nicotine close to bedtime or during the night;
  • Do not drink alcoholic beverages within four to six hours of bedtime;
  • A light snack before bedtime can help promote sound sleep;
  • Avoid large meals;
  • Minimize light, noise, and extremes in temperature in the bedroom.

If you suffer from sleeplessness for four to six weeks, and you have tried modifying your sleep and daytime habits, as described above, it’s time to consider seeking help from a healthcare provider or an expert in sleep disorders.

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Allergy season is here, are you ready?

April 24, 2013 By

Spring is here and if you’re one of the millions of people who suffer with seasonal allergies, there’s good news.

Many safe, natural supplements are available to treat those annoying symptoms – coughing, sneezing, watery eyes and congestion – without many of the side effects associated with prescription medications.

Here are some of the more effective ingredients in the war against hay fever.

Bromelain is a digestive enzyme found in pineapples. It helps to suppress coughs, reduces nasal mucus associated with sinusitis and relieves the swelling and inflammation following ear, nose and throat surgery. For allergy symptoms, bromelain is best taken on an empty stomach. When taken with food, it is an excellent digestive enzyme.

Quercitin is a bioflavonoid found in many common foods such as apples, tea, nuts and berries. Its health promoting properties range from improving cardiovascular health to reducing the risk of certain cancers. For allergy sufferers, it has a potent anti-inflammatory effect that can ease most allergy symptoms, as well as those associated with asthma and bronchitis. Quercitin also inhibits the release of histamine which can cause congestion.

Vitamin C is one of the most popular and beneficial of all vitamin supplements. Commonly known as ascorbic acid, it is an excellent tool in the fight against allergy symptoms due to its anti-inflammatory and immune enhancing properties. Vitamin C “manages” hypersensitive reactions throughout the body, helping control hay fever, asthma and allergic bronchitis.

Note: Bromelain, Quercitin and Vitamin C are even more effective when taken together.

Pycnogenol refers to a specific mixture of procyanidins from French maritime pine. It is found in such foods as cocoa, grape seed, apples, peanuts, cranberries and blueberries. In addition to powerful antioxidant activity, it possesses strong anti-inflammatory properties making it effective in treating all allergy symptoms.

Final Note: Water is a powerful antihistamine and should be included with the above supplements to maximize their effectiveness.

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The real estate market is heating up…

April 24, 2013 By

submitted by Kathleen Layton, Prudential Fox & Roach, Realtors – Newtown Office

 … and we’re expecting the healthiest spring season since 2007.

Freddie Mac is projecting an increase in sales of 8-10 percent compared to 2012. Nationwide, we’ve seen 20 consecutive months of sales increases over the previous year, and prices have increased for 12 months in a row.

In the Philadelphia region, sales are up 26% January 2013 vs. January 2011, and inventory levels are down 22%. Things are no different here in Bucks County – we’re experiencing a marked change in the pace of the market so far this spring.

The number of houses selling is up, prices are up, inventory levels are down and the shift from a buyers market to one more equally distributed has already occurred in most price ranges. Properties that are priced right and in good condition are selling at a rapid pace, often in a matter of days and some with multiple offers.

A word of caution here, lest you think we’re back to the days of old, when you could ask whatever you wanted and some desperate buyer would actually pay it. Those days are gone, thanks to cautious appraisers and loan underwriters who work under strict guidelines to prevent lenders from getting burned again.

Buyers too are skittish – everyone knows someone who overpaid for a home that is now in foreclosure or a short sale and they don’t want to find themselves in the same position.

If you’ve been thinking of selling your home you could be pleasantly surprised. If you’re thinking of selling your home and buying a new one, the timing will never be better.

And if you’re thinking of becoming a homeowner again or for the first time, this fabulous window of opportunity that’s been open for the past few years may be slowly closing – did you know that a 1% increase in interest rates can cut your buying power by 10%?

No matter how you look at it – if you’ve got real estate on your mind, now is the time to act on it!

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Which remodeling moves provide more bang for the buck?

March 20, 2013 By

submitted by Kathleen Layton, Prudential Fox & Roach, Realtors – Newtown Office

Other than “how’s the market?” one of the most frequently asked questions I get from people relates to home improvements and which ones provide the best return-on-investment (ROI). Fortunately, Remodeling Magazine’s Annual Cost vs. Value Report for 2013 was recently released and provides some hard numbers by region.

While not technically a remodeling project and therefore not covered in the report, wallpaper removal, fresh paint and new carpet top the list for providing the biggest bang for the buck.

Pay no attention to those home decorating shows that say foil wallpaper is in vogue – believe me, they’re not talking about the stuff that graces the walls and ceiling of your powder room. And no – orange shag carpeting isn’t making a comeback, nor is it “retro.” It’s just plain ugly, I don’t care how many times you’ve raked it. 

That being said…

For the Philadelphia region, entry and garage door replacement top the list for cost recouped, coming in at 79.8% and 76.7% respectively. A wood deck (75.6%), vinyl siding replacement (68.6%) and attic bedroom remodel (68.5%) round out the top five best ROI.

Next comes wood replacement windows (68.1%), composite deck addition (67.5%), minor kitchen remodel ($20,894 – 67.3%), major kitchen remodel ($60,558-65.9%), two-story addition (64.4%) and basement remodel ($72,141-63.3%).

A home office remodel (42.6%) and a sunroom addition (48.5%) were found to have the lowest ROI.

Keep in mind that that the ROI is based on specific job specifications and cost calculations used in the report, which can be found at www.costvsvalue.com.

Your costs could vary widely, thereby affecting how much you recoup. You may want to consider asking your REALTOR about how the project you’re considering could impact the resale value of your home down the road.

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Lose weight – the stimulant-free way!

March 20, 2013 By

submitted by GNC Newtown

More than ever, health conscious consumers are demanding effective weight loss supplements with minimal or no adverse side effects.

As a result, many are looking to avoid stimulants that can elevate blood pressure and cause nervousness and insomnia.

The good news is there are several products that can help all of us lose weight when combined with proper diet and exercise.

  1. GREEN COFFEE BEAN EXTRACT – This ingredient contains an antioxidant called “chlorogenic acid which helps the body burn fat and process blood sugar more effectively, revving up our internal engine. Just this year, a study with overweight men and women using green coffee bean extract resulted in an average weight loss of 17 pounds in 22 weeks. Astonishingly, these results were achieved with no changes in diet or exercise regimens. Aim for 800 to 1200mg per day in divided doses.
  2. 7-KETO – Considered one of Dr. Oz’s best belly-blasting supplements, 7-keto increases the rate at which our bodies burn calories whether we are asleep or running marathons. A recent study published in Current Therapeutic Research showed subjects taking 100mg of 7-keto twice daily lost an average of over 6.3 pounds in 8 weeks. Comparatively, the placebo group lost only 2.1 pounds.
  3. L-Carnitine is a heart healthy, amino acid like compound that helps us convert fat into energy. Specifically, it “frees” our stored body fat so that while exercising, we tap into this fat to fuel our workout. As a result, we tire less quickly and can train more intensely for longer periods of time. L-Carnitine also helps the heart pump more blood with fewer beats (increases stroke volume).
  4. CLA, conjugated linoleic acid, is a substance that actually inhibits fat from entering a cell. It can stop a small fat cell from getting larger. Studies have shown CLA to be effective in reducing abdominal obesity and body fat and helps to maintain lean body mass.

So, if you want to lose weight, try diet and exercise first. If you need a little more help, talk to someone knowledgeable about these stimulant-free supplements.

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Is that the sound of recovery?

February 19, 2013 By

submitted by Kathleen Layton, Prudential Fox & Roach, Realtors – Newtown Office

SHHH….Can you hear it?  For the first time since the real estate market hit the skids, 2012 brought the first signs of a long awaited recovery.

Conversations have slowly but surely changed from the gloom and doom we heard on a daily basis, to a sense of hope and concrete signs of stability. The worst is behind us and we’ve turned the corner for sure.

Bucks County reported an increase in Pending Sales in every month of 2012, with a resounding 27% increase in December.

Settled properties followed suit, ending December with a 3% increase. Inventory levels were down 8% at year end, both median and average sale prices are up and the months supply of inventory – the time it would take to sell current inventory levels at the current rate of sale – is down 20%.

Hallelujah Chicken Little – the sky is no longer falling!

Another record that was set in 2012 was the Affordability Index. According to the National Association of Realtors, a score of 100 means a median-income household has exactly enough income to qualify for a median-priced single family home. In November 2012, the number clocked in at an incredible 198 – which busted the 2011 record of 186. 

The bottom line is this – the worst is over and we’re on our way back.  Not a reversion to the days of old – we’re talking slow and steady here, not off to the races.

The bulk of the activity is in the lower end of the market – most indications are that this will be a bottom up recovery, with high end properties taking longer than average to sell.

Home prices have stabilized and appreciation is expected to continue into 2013.

It truly IS an ideal time to buy or sell a home!

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Omega 7: The new superstar fatty acid

February 19, 2013 By

submitted by GNC Newtown

Though being used in other parts of the world for hundreds of years, Omega 7 fatty acids are just bursting onto the scene in the U.S. These monounsaturated fats can be found in both animal and plant sources including macadamia nuts and cold-water fish. However, the highest concentration of Omega 7’s can be found in sea buckthorn berries.

So what is so special about Omega 7 fatty acids? Well, in addition to many benefits for your skin, it is also known for its ability to support healthy weight, cardiovascular health and gastro-intestinal health!

Skin, Hair and Nails – Omega 7 provides important building blocks for skin, hair and nails. It fights wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity and dryness. Many studies have shown these good fats to restore a youthful resilience to skin by boosting collagen production, protecting against oxidation and enhancing the skin’s ability to retain moisture. Omega 7’s can also protect the skin against sun damage, toxins and environmental stress.

Weight Management – Omega 7’s signal the body to stop storing fat. Clinical studies have shown these fats to both facilitate fat loss, as well as keep if off for longer periods. This amazing compound also aids in insulin sensitivity, helping the body convert glucose to energy, rather than storing it as fat.

Cardiovascular health – Your entire cardiovascular system benefits from increased access to omega 7 fatty acids. They may help reduce the amount of bad cholesterol traveling through the arteries. Studies have shown omega 7’s to induce broad improvements in overall lipid levels, including a reduction in LDL levels along with an increase in HDL levels. These amazing fatty acids have also been shown to reduce elevations in C-reactive protein, which indicates how inflamed and sticky artery wall are.  By soothing and smoothing these artery walls, omega 7’s keep cholesterol and fats in the blood moving along, so they don’t stick and cause problems.

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Enjoying holiday treats? Block those carbs!

December 11, 2012 By

submitted by GNC Newtown

If you’re planning to enjoy delicious treats this holiday season, here’s a tip to minimize the effect of all those tasty carbs – try white kidney bean extract!

As the name suggests, white kidney bean extract is obtained from the white kidney bean plant. This bean has been used for thousands of years as a source of food throughout Europe, Peru, the Indies and, in recent years, North America. Lately, other health benefits have been discovered, the most exciting of which is the fact that it can help you lose weight.

White kidney bean extract, also known as Phaseolus Vulgaris, works by blocking the absorption of starch. Starch is a compound made up of simple sugars. When we consume starch, an enzyme known as alpha amylase breaks it down into simpler compounds.

This makes it easier for the sugars to get transported into the bloodstream where they are distributed to tissues throughout the body for energy. Excess sugar is stored as fat for later use.

The extract from white kidney bean inhibits the alpha amylase enzyme. This results in less sugar being absorbed into the bloodstream, decreasing the likelihood of a weight gain from excess fat. The undigested starch simply leaves the body.

White kidney bean extract should ideally be taken before meals so that it can block some of the starch you eat. Numerous scientific studies have been done on this extract and there are no real adverse effects.

It is important, however, to follow dosing recommendations on whatever product you purchase.

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Top eight list of showing “DON’TS” for home sellers

December 11, 2012 By

submitted by Kathleen Layton, Prudential Fox & Roach, Realtors – Newtown Office

  1. Don’t follow buyers through the house and try to “sell” them on all its wonderful features – get outta Dodge! 
  2. Don’t leave out your bowling trophies, stuffed dead animals or plastic encased doll collection complete with certificates of authenticity. The goal is for prospective buyers to look at your space, not your stuff.
  3. Don’t dismiss the importance of staging – it’s a critical step in a successful home sale.
  4. Don’t dismiss the importance of a deep clean – both inside and out. It is probably the single most important factor when showing your home.
  5. Don’t think that just because you can no longer smell it, your house doesn’t stink! Ask a good friend to come over for a “smell test” as unpleasant odors are a deal killer.
  6. Regarding personal photo’s – Don’t keep up your wedding picture with the bad hair from the 70’s – or worse yet, the glamour shot with the provocative draping on the fake bear rug that hangs in your bedroom. 
  7. Don’t make it difficult to show your home! When you refuse a showing and ask that they come at a different time, it often isn’t possible to re-route the entire itinerary and you’ll be taken off the list.
  8. Don’t think a “lived in” look is going to cut it. Piles of dirty laundry, globs of toothpaste stuck in the sink, toilet seats in the up position and unmade beds are unacceptable.
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Lower cancer risk linked to multivitamin use

November 6, 2012 By

submitted by GNC Newtown

After several conflicting reports concerning the effectiveness of vitamins in staving off chronic disease, researchers announced last month that a 10-year clinical trial involving 15,000 male doctors found that those taking a daily multivitamin experienced eight percent fewer cancers than those taking placebo pills.

In the past similar studies focused on the effects of high doses of single vitamins or minerals, such as vitamin D or calcium. However, this latest clinical trial examined whether a daily multivitamin had an effect on overall cancer risk.

For greatest accuracy, it was a randomized, double-blinded study, considered to be the most rigorous type of its kind. The findings were presented at a conference of the American Association for Cancer Research in Anaheim, California.

According to Dr. J. Michael Gaziano, a cardiologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and the study’s lead author, the reduction in total cancers seemed small, but statistically significant.

While the main reason to take a daily multivitamin is to address nutritional deficiencies, Dr. Gaziano said, “it certainly appears there is a modest reduction in the risk of cancer from a typical multivitamin.”

The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health and a grant from the chemical company BASF. Pfizer provided the vitamins. The sponsors did not in any way influence the study design, data analysis or manuscript preparation.

About half of all Americans take some form of a vitamin supplement and at least one-third take a multivitamin. So this latest study is good news to many proactively taking care of their health.

It is important to note here that, in addition to supplementing with a daily multivitamin, other lifestyle measures are critical to lowering one’s risk of cancer. These would include eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, not smoking, reducing stress, and other healthy lifestyle habits.

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