Patricia Holden MD|

Let me interrupt my regular posts by raving about a vacation getaway I recently had. The destination? Michigan. My husband and I had been planning on a trip to Michigan just to visit some of the sights there but I honestly didn’t expect it to happen so soon. Talk about a surprise! Anyway, for the vacation we stayed at Mission Point Resort located at Mackinac Island, which is actually the first of two vacation spots I’m going to mention.

Mackinac Island is situated at Lake Huron. After reading about how cars are not allowed on the island, we planned it so we really don’t have to bring one. My daughter protested to the idea but I was able to convince her that commuting is a lot more fun. We rented some bicycles and she had lots of fun. The island was very beautiful especially with its history which you can discover by visiting Fort Mackinac. Next stop, Tahquamenon Falls.

I’ve visited a lot of waterfalls all over the country and this one does not disappoint. There are actually two water falls, the Upper Falls and the Lower Falls. The Upper Falls is the larger one and is most probably one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi.

I really enjoyed the vacation and I’m sure my husband and daughter did, too. If you’re planning a vacation for the summer, Michigan is a good place to consider. There are a few more vacation spots that we were not able to visit because of time restrictions but maybe next time we’ll get to do so. Maybe as a summer vacation.

I’ve been to Las Vegas quite a few times with my husband. I haven’t had any real trouble so far and have always enjoyed my visits. However, it may not be the same for everyone. Here a few things to avoid while on a vacation in the city.

Driving - Traffic can get really bad in Las Vegas, especially the Strip. Instead of driving, try taking a walk or take a taxi. The monorail is also an alternative.

Losing all your money on gambling - In gambling, sometimes you win, often times you don’t. Don’t go to Las Vegas in the hopes of winning a lot of money in one of the casinos. Many people have tried and many have failed. My husband and I gamble just for fun. I suggest you do the same.

Drinking - Alright, drinking is fine but not too much that you’ll spending the next day in the hotel with a massive hangover. Also, getting drunk in Vegas would be bad in more ways than one - it could quickly lead you to the above situation (gambling).

The Heat - When I say “heat”, I’m not just talking about the scenes in Las Vegas. The city is in the desert and temperatures could easily reach 90 - 100 degrees during the summer. Bring a lot of water to avoid dehydration and avoid the afternoon sun.

The Wrong Crowd - Las Vegas is not called Sin City for nothing. Especially in the casinos, there are a lot of unlikable people that move around. People who smoke without any regard for other people, people who drink in public and often go loud when drunk, and scantily clad women are but a few of them. If you’re going to Las Vegas for a vacation, at least you should know what you’re getting in to.

With summer in full swing, I’m sure most of you are thinking of going to the beach for a vacation. It could be in Miami, French Polynesia, or even Bora Bora. Of course, there are unexpected events that can occur while traveling or even when at the destination itself. Here are some beach-related injuries and how to address or prevent them.

Kinetosis - It’s not beach-related but if don’t happen to live near a beach then you will surely have to travel. If you’re going to travel by commuting to your destination there’s a possibility that you may suffer from kinetosis or motion sickness. This happens when there is a disagreement between your perceived movement and the vestibular system’s sense of movement. You may feel dizzy, experience cold sweat, develop a headache, or worse, feel like vomiting (which would not help relieve motion sickness).

In case you run into the situation, let me give you some advice on what to do. One, if in a car or any other vehicle, try looking towards the horizon in front of the vehicle instead of the windows to your sides. Second is to take a nap, but be especially wary of passengers who might take your belongings. Of course prevention is still better than cure so try taking Dramamine or Bonine (you can purchase these over-the-counter) one hour before traveling.

Dehydration - Of course, with the summer heat you’ll be sweating a lot. So try to replenish your body fluids with water every now and then - especially when you’re feeling dizzy or developing a headache. Those two mentioned could already be symptoms of dehydration, which could lead to unconsciousness and even death.

Sunburn - At the beach, try to stay under the shade as much as possible between 10AM to 2PM - the hottest part of the day. Overexposure to the sun could cause sunburn, especially if you do not apply sunblock to exposed areas of your skin. Try to avoid going into the water or make sure to reapply it afterwards. In case you do get sunburn, apply vinegar to sooth the pain. Pain-relievers or analgesics could also help. There is no immediate treatment for sunburn and it will heal in time.

Cramps - I’m sure most of you who have tried swimming a few times would have already experienced having muscle cramps. Basically, a cramp is a painful, involuntary muscle contraction due to overexertion. This happening while swimming in deep water could be extremely dangerous. In case it does happen do not panic, immediately stop swimming, tread water, and relax to prevent further cramps from developing. Softly massage the cramped area then immediately move out of the water.

Eating potassium-rich foods could help prevent cramps from occurring so make sure to eat your potatoes. Other foods rich in potassium are avocados, bananas, and soybeans.

Jellyfish Stings - Jellyfishes are some of the creatures I fear when going into the water. When you are stung by one, focus on getting out of the water to get help. Isolate the infected part so as not to spread it on an another area. Rinse the infected part with seawater, not fresh water to prevent activating the nematocysts (jellyfish sting cells). Use forceps or protective gloves to remove the tentacles. Use pain relievers to control the pain and immediately seek medical help.

Make sure to remember some of these tips before heading out. Enjoy!

Okay, so you’ve got that amazing trip to the Cotton House, that lovely leopard-print one-piece (or that delightful coral-print number) and the gold-and-bronze accessories that come with it — but your skin’s as pale as a sunbeam-challenged creature of the night. (this is in no way a dis on the vampire industry, it’s just that a majority of people who steer clear from the sun tend to be paler)

There are tons of ways to get that lovely bronzed goddess tan, but most of them involve getting baked in the sun / tanning salon, or getting one of those expensive tan sprays.

Fortunately for us, there’s the cheaper alternative of getting a self-tanner to get our sun-baked-brown-goodness, without the UV damage. Plus, most of them are easily washed off, you know, so you won’t stand out at the latest vampire union meeting.

Here’s a review of some of the top self-tanners for that healthy bronzed goodness! Remember, before going ga-ga over these products, look over the labels if you’re allergic to any of the ingredients, plus, if you’re not too sure about the desired effect, apply a small amount (lest you want to be a ganguro girl ;p ) on your arm to gauge the result and the amount of product you’ll need. Also, these products are best applied on clean, dry skin, to improve their efficacy and staying power.

Model Co Bronze Airbrush Face / Beauty Fix Airbrush Face – (my favorite!) Seven words. A little will go a long way. This’ll make you an instant chocolate princess! The cool thing though is that it washes off easy, and keeps your makeup on. It also has a nice glisten finish.

Lancôme Flash Bronzer for the Face / Flash Bronzer Shimmering Instant Tan Body – These products give out instantaneous tint / shimmering effects for the skin, plus, they smell like tropical flowers, evoking that “island fresh” feeling.

The Body Collection Fabulous Fake Tan Tanning Gel – This one spreads easily and dries quick as well, leaving you with a sun-kissed glow within an hour of application. Perfect for when you’re just prepping for that afternoon swim over brunch! It also smells like coconut, so try not taste your bronze skin!

Shiseido Daily Bronze Moisturizing Emulsion – Not only will you get that delicious golden chocolate coat over your skin, it’ll be moisturized as well! Which saves up space when you’re packing for the beach, instead of carrying a separate bottle of moisturizer.

Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel – A little too … messy for my taste, though it leaves a nice coffee smell which supplements the brown-ish blush you’ll be sporting after applying it.

Hit up your local beauty store if you’d like to give self-tanning a try. They’ll most probably be carrying these products, giving you the choice of which one to try. While there, look for some pale pink water resistant lipstick to complement your look. Throw in some shimmery orange eyeshadow, a dash of chocolate and lots of mascara and you’ll be the perfect bronzed goddess in the beach!

We always wanted to have a year to remember but we always end up doing the usual things we do. So instead of wasting our time looking for methods on self-improvement, why don’t we try some effortless, yet enjoyable, chic-ifying, life-loving, and ego-boosting improvements. This will be good for us.

• Food Guilt - Swear it off!

People who indulge more without any guilt have a better immune system according to experts. Feel good about yourself, it’s a great help.

• Click it

Load up your bag with a digital camera, so you can snap a shot of something funny or memorable.

• Cook up some Work Ideas

Instead of hiding those great ideas inside your head, why don’t you blurt it out and start earning credits for your nice concepts.

• Purchase a new Make-up Bag

Throw away those tiny make-up bags and start using a bigger one. Let’s you bring more stuff for your beautification. Being beautiful and pretty boosts up your confidence, so bring more of those make-ups.

• Be the Sun Goddess

We actually need 3 to 8 hours of sunlight in regulating our circadian rhythm. This will help us boost our energy level and very vital to our moods. So, let’s try to be shiny happy by walking during work breaks, eat some place with bright window, and take your catnaps in the sun.

• Let yourself be a Regular

Try to find your Central Perk, look for a place where you can hang out without emptying your bank account. Find local bars that have affordable food or has a happy-hour deal. Then meet up new people.

• Ditch the one Chore You Don’t Like Doing

Make a deal with a coworker or a roommate to trade the one chore you hate doing. Because once you don’t like what you’re doing it’ll be just tiresome for you.

• Let your Fashion Ideas Flow

Give yourself a treat and try to be bold once in a while. Wear something different from your style at least once a week. This can help give you confidence.

• Totally make your Pad A Paradise

Decorate your place something relaxing. This will help you sleep better and enjoy the site of your own place.

• Put a Plant in your Desk

It has been proven to have stress-relieving and mood-boosting properties.

• Sizzle up your Sex Life

Sizzle it up by trying something new with your partner, it will help spice up your relationship.

• Master An Amazing Dish

Master at least one dish that you can boast about. It can give you more confidence knowing you’re not just a face but someone with a talent.

• Have the Big-O ever

Try this; take ten deep and full breaths coming from the diaphragm right before and during intimate contact. It will surely give you a satisfying Big O! Be ready to glow the next morning.

• Have Afternoon Teas

We get a lot of helpful benefits from drinking tea; black tea prevents plaque formation, Peppermint tea helps reduce the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, ginger tea can relieve indigestion, and chamomile with a bit of lemon and honey will help you with the flu.

• Make a Weeknight Ritual

Stop being a couch potato and try something new. Get into the new bars in town, or try some new cuisines.

• Pack-up and Sip some Piña Coladas on the Beach

Everyone deserves to have a vacation at least once a year. Your boss will appreciate it, 80% of people who take vacations become more productive. Try going to a spa resort that will certainly relieve your stress.

• Ditch those Excess Baggage

Say bye-bye to those people you don’t like hanging out with and just feel pressured when around them. Those people will just make you feel less of a person and lessen your confidence level when you socialize with them.

I hope this list will help you improve your year. Make the rest of the year better for yourself.

Most of us love to travel a lot without knowing what the consequences might be. We are not very aware of certain diseases that we can pick up from different countries that we travel to. So what are traveler’s diseases anyway? These are diseases that we contract when traveling away from home, most especially when we travel from a highly developed country to a less developed one. These diseases can be acquired by eating or drinking contaminated food or water, from animal droppings, from soil, close encounter with infected animals, and if bitten by vectors like mosquitoes, flies, and ticks. Some can even be derived from walking and swimming on the beach barefooted. Simple things that we ignore can actually be the cause of a dreadful disease.

Let me give you some of the most popular diseases that we can contract while on a travel, and I will be giving pointers on how to prevent from getting these diseases.

• African Sleeping Sickness

As the name implies, this disease can be contracted from the Eastern and Central Africa. It is also called the African trypanosomiasis. It is caused by a parasite and is transmitted by a tsetse fly causing a systemic disease. This is most abundant in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Ethiopia, Zaire, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. The disease would occur within the period of four weeks, with initial symptoms of fever, rash, skin lesions, swollen lymph nodes, and edema. And this can actually progress to meningoencephalitis, which is a very serious disease. Once meningoencephalitis has occurred, personality changes, progressive confusion, irritability, weight loss, slurred speech, seizures, insomnia, and difficulty in walking and talking will then follow.

There are no drugs or vaccine that can prevent this disease. But here are some tips to prevent insect bites.

1. Wear long-sleeved shirt and pants for protection, and it should be thick because tsetse fly can bite through clothing materials.

2. Tsetse flies are attracted to bright and dark colors, so it is better to wear something khaki or neutral-colored clothes.

3. Bed nets are best recommended while napping.

4. Avoid riding open vehicles like jeeps or pickup trucks. Tsetse flies are fond of dust created by moving vehicles.

5. Tsetse fly usually rest in the bushes during hot days, but they bite once disturbed. So avoid walking thru the bushes.

• Mad Cow Disease

This is a bovine spongiform encephalopathy that affects the cattle but with the new variant, the disease was passed to humans. Both diseases cause fatal brain injuries and diseases. Most of the cases are found in Great Britain, the disease resulted from feeding a cattle with scrapie-containing sheep meat and bone. This disease can be passed to humans by eating an infected beef, causing the humans to have mental retardation and dementia. Travelers can reduce the risk of exposure by avoiding beef, or selecting beef products, instead of eating ground beef and sausages, it is better to eat solid pieces of beef.

• Cholera

It is an infectious, acute disease from consuming contaminated water and food. The bacteria Vibrio cholera is to blame for this disease. It is mostly found in South Asia, Africa, and Latin America like Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador, Peru, and Columbia. The unsanitary disposal of excrement is the cause of an impure water supply attracting Vibrio cholera.

How can we prevent Cholera? As the center of disease control says “Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it”. Here are some preventive measures that we should remember.

1. Use and drink only boiled or chemically disinfected water. Use disinfected water for brushing teeth, washing your face and hands, washing fruits and vegetables, utensils, bottles, glasses.

2. Refrain from eating food and drinking beverages with unknown sources like unpasteurized milk or milk products, raw meats, shellfish, and any fish from tropical reefs.

Like what I always say, it’s better to be safe than sorry!

I’m a person who loves to venture on new experiences; like trying new cuisines or even exotic foods from different countries around the world. But I do have my limits as well. I may try certain exotic foods but sometimes I would doubt myself if I should put it in my mouth. Some exotic foods are very nasty to look at but once you eat it, it would actually taste good. Like they say, looks can be very deceiving.

When I was in China, I went to a Korean restaurant and ordered bosintang. Without me asking what’s in it, I ate so much since I heard it is a popular Korean Cuisine. I was at my last bite when the owner approached me and said “I hope you enjoyed our spicy dog stew”. I stopped for a moment, and had a thought, “damn, I just ate a dog. But what the heck, it tastes good anyway”.

Then we strolled around China and found more exotic foods the Chinese prefers to eat. There were seahorse, scorpion, cicada, stinky fish, and star fishes. They say if you eat the seahorse, it will strengthen your sexual ability, and scorpions cure certain diseases by making your blood hotter during a cold climate. But I don’t think I would put any of those near my mouth.

Here are some of the exotic foods I have encountered so far.

I always join online bidding but I never get to win anything at all. So I was wondering maybe there is a technique in doing this. Then I decided to research on how to win an auction. It’s where I learned that there are a lot ways to win one. Let me share the new knowledge I gained so far. So here it goes.

• First you’ve got to know the auctions

Before you even start bidding, the first thing to do is to attend as many auctions as you can and observe how things go. Check and compare the quoted price to the actual price of the item. And always add at least 10 percent to the quoted price. Most especially if the item is rare and not sold in other markets.

• Then, get set to buy

Before the bidding or the auctions starts, make sure you organize your finance first. Make sure that your solicitor checks the sale contract. Check the condition of the item you are about to buy. Make a research on the place or the item that you are willing to spend money on, check if it’s all worth buying.

• Beware of the dummy bidders

Most of the bidders are dummy bidders; they are used to push the auction prices up. Try to identify who the true bidders are. This is the best tool that auctioneers sometimes use to get more money out of you. The dummy bidders will start bidding and even bid against you so that you will try to bid higher. If they have reached the satisfied amount, they will stop bidding so that you will win the auction, without you knowing that you have been played.

• Bid only up to your Limit, do not over bid

Right even before the auction starts, you must decide on your maximum bid. Meaning set a maximum amount you are willing to spend. Having a bidding limit is the most powerful and strongest tool in auction success. Do not over bid; this is where your knowledge about the item being sold comes in. If you think that it is over the limit of the actual price, then stop bidding. It’s not at all worth winning an over-priced item. Make sure that you bid firmly and confidently so your opponent gets an impression that they will never win the auction. Try to slow down the bidding by bidding in smaller amounts, then later on bid higher. But once you hit your limit, better stop bidding.

• Lastly, do not forget the 4th rule

Never ever break the 4th rule of bidding. For some buyers, a chance of getting a good item is bidding in a good price. But whatever happens, stick to your bidding limit!

That’s the basic knowledge we know about bidding. Now, here are the secrets you’ve all been waiting for.

• Jump Bidding

In jump bidding, the bidder tries to frighten the opposing bidder. How does this work? It’s done by offering a much higher bid. For example, the original price is at $30, and then the bidding goes up only about $5 each bid. What you can do is to jump from a $5 bid to a much, much higher bid like 40 dollars higher. This can scare off your opponent but it can also backfire at you. It’s either the opponent makes his own jump bid or it may cause a panic to the opponent assuming the item must be worth spending more money on.

• Holding Back

Holding back intends to hold back his bid at the last minute just when the auctioneer is about to bring the hammer down. The sense behind this technique is to wait for all the bidders to exhaust all their money then jump in at the last second. This can actually work, but of course this can also have a negative effect. Such as causing a last minute bidding craze, making the winner pay more than what is intended.

• Throw Bidding
  

In this technique, what the bidder does is to disrupt the flow of bidding. Even the auctioneer will be caught off guard. This can cause a hindrance to the flow of bids, making the other bidders confused. For example, if they are bidding in hundreds then you can bid in other odd amount like $649 which can be off-putting to other bidders.

• After the Auction Vultures
  

Basically, this is when the item was not sold either because no one bid on it or no one reached the reserved price. After the auction, a potential buyer can make a lower offer for the item.

You must be wondering where you would apply this knowledge. Like I said before I enjoy joining some online auctions, like EBay, and some travel auctions. Since I love to travel a lot, I started looking for some packages and deal sites where I can spend less money while enjoying a truly beautiful and elegant vacation.

For things that are rare, or if I wanted to get something for a cheaper price, I check eBay for some materials or items that I need. But for traveling, I learned about this auction site where I can start bidding for only $1 for a vacation or luxury trip that I want. They even have a lot of options to choose from. Where in the world would you get a luxurious vacation that may only cost you less money than the actual price of the trip? With the helpful tips that I got now, I hope I’ll be able to win one of the beautiful vacation trips that I’ve been dreaming of.

Let me share another experience I had when I was at the Caribbean. I together with my husband and my kids visited the beautiful British Virgin Islands. It had sugary sand beaches with pastel, turquoise water. The sea breezes as if whispering something relaxing to my ears made me feel so calm and very peaceful during our stay in Peter Island Resort. My husband and my kids enjoyed paddling sea kayak, windsurfing, and even playing beach volleyball was made very enjoyable.

There are lots of places we visited during our stay in the British Islands. We went sailing and boating which was a lot of fun, we also availed the sunset cruise they offered us. It was quite nice watching the sunset in the middle of the sea. They also had diving spots, my husband tried the Rhone Reef diving area and he said that it was a once in a lifetime experience. While my husband was out diving, my kids and I went fishing by Tortola Beef Island. The next day we tried out parasailing, we saw the beautiful island and beaches from a top view. The scenery was just superb and breathtaking.

We enjoyed our stay there but I felt like three days was not enough. Maybe we’ll try to go there again and have a week of vacation.

Barbados is one of the ruggedly beautiful places with captivating flora and fauna. I specifically enjoyed the white and calm beaches at the south west coast. You’ll have a lot of choices for hotels, restaurants and bars. I’ve been to Barbados three times and I can’t help myself from wanting to go back and have some more fun. But I specially have places that I enjoy visiting. I would like to share some of the places that I think you would enjoy during your stay in Barbados.

• Golden Sands Beach
  

It is what they call the Temptation Island. You’ll enjoy the fresh easy breeze while getting yourself tanned. Unwind and relax in the peaceful Caribbean Ocean. Golden Sands Beach is near the Oistins harbor where wind-surfers hang-out. It is also a place where people can dream of going back to Barbados after their departure.

There are hotel accommodations nearby as well, the Sea Gaze Apartment and the Golden Sands Hotel. Sea Gaze Apartment is truly a relaxing place to stay since it is located forty feet from the sea. It is a good spot for wind-surfers and swimmers. While in Golden Sands Hotel you will enjoy the nice and friendly atmosphere from the staff. They have poolside bars where you can sip their specially brewed rum punch under the extravagant tropical gardens.

• The House
  

It is the sanctuary of balance and beauty. Simply retreat to the tranquilizing beauty of The House. It has a secluded island just for you; enjoy the white sand beach with its blue-green sea. The House is a romantic place for honeymooners to settle in. You can either enjoy an intimate and relaxing haven of privacy in the luxuriant grounds of the hotel or join activities like water sports or golf in the Royal Westmoreland Country Club, and tours to historic plantations and churches. You can also enjoy complimentary windsurfing, kayaking, boogie boarding, banana boat and Hobie Cat rides, and waterskiing.

Heavenly tastes of Caribbean cuisines together with fine wines are offered in Daphne’s Restaurant. It is located directly adjacent to The House, and it caters an exceptional culinary experience. They offer a variation of Modern Italian menus matched with new trends of cooking.

• Club Xtreme

Experience the new concept of clubbing with hot DJ’s, and have the wildest party of your life. Club Xtreme is the newest club in Barbados. They have three zones, The Xtreme Zone, Game Zone, and the Chill Zone. Pumping sounds and flowing drinks will put you into the beat in the Xtreme Zone. Enjoy the coolest games in the arcade rooms of the Game Zone. And loosen up in the Chill Zone; if you want to party but don’t want to be in the middle of the crowd then this is where you can hang out. Pretty cool!

Just thinking and writing about Barbados makes me want to go back and have fun myself. Maybe I’ll meet you there someday. Loosen up and have your wildest parties ever!