Overview While all individual retirement accounts (IRAs) offer the benefits of long-term, tax-advantaged growth of investments, Roth and SIMPLE IRAs have very different characteristics. Although the primary difference between the two lies in the taxation of contributions and distributions, Roth…
Read more
The World Health Organization estimates that 800,000 people worldwide die prematurely from lung cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses associated with outdoor air pollution each year. The effects of outdoor air pollution on health are particularly devastating in the urban areas…
Read more
Brushing teeth and washing hands causes many children to balk. Hygiene activities teach kids the importance of taking care of themselves. The hygiene activities aim to get kids to practice proper hygiene skills on their own to keep themselves healthy….
Read more
“To sleep: perchance to dream” isn’t only a quote from “Hamlet,” but it is also the elusive goal of insomniacs around the world. Over-the-counter and prescription drugs can be effective in helping you fall–and stay–asleep, but they often come with…
Read more
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “paper is the most prevalent material in municipal solid waste.” Recycling paper products and other solid waste materials conserves natural resources and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. You can contribute to the effort to…
Read more
The power of positive thinking is often under-appreciated. It is often used as a tool to help individuals combat depression, but there are many more benefits than elevating your mood. According to the Mayo Clinic, positive thinking has numerous benefits…
Read more
Obtained from the flowers, leaves and stems of the peppermint plant, peppermint oil is often used as flavoring for products from baking supplies to toothpaste and mouthwash. Peppermint oil has also been studied for its health benefits, and has been…
Read more
Overview Silybum marianum, which is Latin for milk thistle, is native to the Mediterranean area, and has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. Because milk thistle spreads quickly, it now populates most of the world and is…
Read more
Overview Earth’s loose soil layer of minerals and natural materials filters contaminants. Soil pollution occurs when the level of contamination reaches the point where the structure and organisms present in the soil can no longer store and process substances or…
Read more
Parenting can be one of the most difficult challenges in life. As kids grow up, they become more independent. With this independence sometimes comes behavior problems, as kids test their boundaries and the rules parents and others place upon them….
Read more
Damiana leaf is popular for its purported aphrodisiac and antidepressant properties, and it is sometimes used to boost physical and mental capacity and as an aid in times of physical exertion. It’s also used in folkloric medicine to treat diabetes,…
Read more
Overview The idea behind auto insurance is to protect your car, yourself, people you may injure or property you may damage as the result of an accident. While each state sets its own minimum requirements for liability coverage, many drivers…
Read more
Overview Milk thistle has been used for medicinal purposes for about 2, 000 years. It’s most often recognized for its apparent ability to restore the liver and treat gallbladder problems. An antioxidant contained in milk thistle called silymarin may help…
Read more
Water can be recycled in a number of ways. While the earth naturally recycles water all the time, water recycling generally refers to technological processes that speed up the natural flow, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Recycled water can…
Read more
A number of contaminants can pollute our air. In the outdoors, these pollutants can manifest themselves as smog in large cities, which can damage the appearance of buildings and even cause discolorations in people’s clothing. Air pollution can also occur…
Read more
Overview After a family member or friend has passed away, paperwork and final obligations can be overwhelming. When you locate insurance policy documents, you can use them to obtain life insurance settlements, determine health insurance payout requirements and cancel unnecessary…
Read more
Overview Some types of life insurance have a valuable special feature. Most whole life, universal life or variable universal life insurance carry a cash value in addition to being payable at the time of death. If your life insurance policy…
Read more
Overview Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a prolific perennial plant that many homeowners try to obliterate from their lawns. But it’s a very valuable medicinal herb and is often used as a culinary herb, too. The plant originated in Europe, but…
Read more
Overview Plastic bottles are among the easiest plastics to recycle, and recycling enables you to have a direct impact on landfill size, energy use and whether the plastic bottles become trash or are given another life as a new product…
Read more
If you have trouble falling asleep or maintaining sleep at least three nights a week, you may suffer from insomnia. Insomnia has many possible causes: anxiety, stress, depression, excessive caffeine intake or an event that disrupts your circadian rhythm, the…
Read more
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter found in the gastrointestinal tract and in the central nervous system. A decreased amount of serotonin in the body is usually related to depression and anxiety. People are often prescribed serotonin reuptake inhibitors to treat these…
Read more
When you feel stressed, your brain triggers a “fight or flight” response from the prehistoric era, when fighting or running away were humanity’s primary problem-solving techniques. Because starting a fist fight with your coworkers or running away from your cable…
Read more
Sweet almond oil consists of the pale amber oil extracted from the kernels of the sweet almond, an edible nut not to be confused with its toxic cousin, the bitter almond. Used extensively in natural health circles, sweet almond oil…
Read more
You can experience back pain for many different reasons. Acute back pain typically occurs after you’ve lifted a heavy object or endured a slight injury to the back, but it usually lasts only a few days or weeks. Chronic back…
Read more
Solar landscape lights absorb energy from the sun throughout the day and reuse that energy to provide lighting at night. Solar landscape lights are virtually free to operate and work best in areas that provide sunlight on most days of…
Read more
Overview The botanical name for eyebright is Euphrasia officianalis. The name comes from one of the three Graces in Greek mythology. The Graces stood for beauty, and specifically Euphrosyne represented joy and mirth. The eyebright plant is often used in…
Read more
Overview It’s natural for parents to be concerned if they notice a mild fever in their infant. A slightly high temperature is not typically a problem in babies over three months of age but merely a sign that the infant…
Read more
Overview Keeping fit once you have a baby can be challenging, as you try to adjust to less sleep and more demands on your time and emotions. A jogging stroller provides an outlet for many parents, allowing them to shed…
Read more
In 2008 alone, households and businesses across the United States created about 250 million tons of trash, of which only 83 million tons were recycled, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This trash is made up of many…
Read more
Aromatherapy is a treatment that involves breathing in the scent of essential oils extracted from flowers, herbs and trees to help bring about good health and pleasant feelings. Essential oils can be put in bath water where they are inhaled…
Read more