More Water Please

Researcher:  Johaubannah

Website:  http://www.poise.com/Learn/LifeAndHealth/BladderHealth/MoreWaterPlease.aspx

More Water Please

By Lisa D. Ellis

Wouldn’t you love an inexpensive miracle solution that could give you younger, smoother skin and shiny, healthy hair? Then look no further than your kitchen faucet. Water is one of the most effective, and accessible, beauty secrets out there and it not only helps you look great, but it also enables the rest of your body to function at its best.

Different Factors Exist

If you want to reap all of water’s beauty and health benefits, you may wonder how much you will need to drink on a daily basis. The experts say the amount you need all depends on a variety of factors, including:

• Your age
• Health status
• Activity level
• Climate
• Amount of time outdoors
• What else you eat and drink throughout the day

Further, if you are pregnant, nursing or a serious athlete, your water needs will probably be higher than some of your counterparts.

Something to Aim For

With so many variables that exist, the amount of water you need can change from person to person and even from day to day. But to give you some perspective, it can help to know that the Institute of Medicine recommends that women aim to drink nine 8-ounce cups a day.

If the thought of drinking this amount makes you worry you will end up floating away, you’ll be glad to know that drinking other liquids like milk, juices, coffee and tea, soda and even alcoholic drinks can count toward your daily goal and you probably already incorporate many of these regularly into your week now anyway. You can also count foods with high water content, including fruits, vegetables, dairy and even lean proteins.

Listen to Your Body

Better yet, you don’t necessarily have to physically count each drink to know you are getting enough fluids. Your body can also give you important clues regarding your intake. For instance, when you are well hydrated, you shouldn’t feel thirsty. In addition, when your body has the right amount of liquid, your urine should also be colorless or pale yellow. On the flip side, when you need to drink more, you could feel particularly weak and tired, which can be signs that you are getting dehydrated.

When you are unsure you are getting enough or need more guidance tailored for your specific circumstances, you should always talk to your doctor or check with a dietitian for personalized recommendations. Then drink up and enjoy all of the health and beauty benefits.

Multivitamin Mania

Researcher:  Johaubannah

Website: http://www.poise.com/Learn/LifeAndHealth/WomensWellness/MultivitaminMania.aspx

Multivitamin Mania

You may try to eat well, but when life is busy and you grab easy meals on the go, it can sometimes be challenging to get all of the recommended nutrients. While the foods you eat can provide the best source to get the vitamins and minerals your body needs, when you fall short of your goals or need to supplement what you are getting through the course of your day, taking a multivitamin can be a good approach to fill in the shortfalls.

Real Food is Best

The truth is that multivitamins aren’t a complete substitute for eating well. The latest research reveals that the way that nutrients naturally occur in whole foods is in the format that will benefit your body most. Often, it isn’t just the actual nutrients themselves but how they occur in conjunction with each other that provides the biggest advantage in a way that a multivitamin can’t quite replicate. Further, often a combination of the foods you eat can help improve the absorption of certain nutrients, making them even more effective. As a result, the experts say it is typically best to try to get as much of your nutrients as you can from the things you eat.

If not, though, you should look for a multivitamin or supplement that best meets your specific deficit, since even though this may not be the very best option, this can come in a close second in helping you to meet your body’s needs.

Taking Vitamins and Supplements

Even if you eat a very healthy, balanced diet, you may still benefit from taking certain supplements, depending on your age and health status. For instance, if you still menstruate regularly, you may need a vitamin geared specifically toward women that contains extra iron to make up for what you lose each month through your cycle. If you don’t eat red meat, you may also need to take a vitamin with iron to fill in for this need.

Most multivitamins offer a combination of vitamins and minerals that make it easy to take just one pill a day to get all of the recommended amounts. Just keep in mind that one exception to the rule comes in the form of calcium. The recommended amount is usually too big to contain in a multivitamin so you may need to take a separate calcium supplement for the best results. When calcium is taken in conjunction with Vitamin D, it helps increase the body’s ability to absorb the calcium efficiently, so try to get these together for the best results.

Differing Needs

It’s also important to realize that not all vitamins and supplements are created equal. You should read the labels on any brand and type you are considering and see what best meets your specific circumstances, instead of just grabbing the first thing you see on the pharmacy shelf. Multivitamins particularly come in a variety of formulations, and some are specifically geared toward certain ages and health needs.

For instance, women who are already in menopause may have a bit different dietary needs than their younger counterparts. This is because as people age, they have more difficulty absorbing vitamin B12 from food, so they may need to increase the amount they get in other ways. In addition, vitamin K can be helpful in preventing hip fractures. However, vitamin K can also interfere with some medications that thin the blood, so check with your doctor or pharmacist to find out exactly what is best for your specific circumstances and to avoid potentially dangerous interactions.

Learn More

To learn more about the different food groups and to find out exactly what vitamins and minerals you need to keep your body healthy and strong, you can visit the American Dietetic Association at http://www.eatright.org and see the dietary recommendations. You can also talk with your doctor about any concerns you have and, if necessary, consult with a registered dietician for guidance in selecting the best fit for you and your lifestyle.

Tiroun’s Animated Accessory Tutorial

Tiroun’s Animated Accessory Tutorial

Researcher:  Johaubannah

Tutorial link:  http://www.imvu.com/catalog/modules.php?op=modload&name=phpbb2&file=viewtopic.php&t=174287&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0.

There are too many new and fresh developers looking for tutorials.  Luckily, I got a message from Tiroun, the person who shared her talent with everyone, and I replied right away to ask her permission to write an article about her tutorial.  I was happy with her response.  Tiroun said that, “First of all I really want to thank you for your amazing offer.  It’s just so wonderful to see such great people like you still being interested in helping to keep a tutorial alive!  You are special!”  Thanks, Tiroun.  It’s a pleasure to have a kind-hearted person like you sharing ideas to all.  I wish to have more people like you because you are not only making yourself knowledgeable but also you are making everybody part of it.  I salute you for that.

Now, here are the sample pictures of Tiroun’s tutorials and, of course, the link to her tutorials.  I know you cannot wait.  Don’t worry, have no fears and be happy because you will learn a lot from it.  Enjoy!

Images Source: http://avatars.imvu.com/Tiroun

These are the pictures that I copied from Tiroun’s tutorial to show you how detailed it is.

Here is the banner and link of her tutorial:

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Vintage Pin Up or Mob Boss Contest

Rules:
1. Sign up here.
2. Join the AviLicious Magazine Contests group.
3. The contest thread is located here; this is where you submit your entry.

Watch out for another contest coming soon!

New AviLicious Magazine Community Contest

AviLicious Magazine is having a community contest going now on.

Wondering how to join?

1. Sign up at our community
2. Visit the contest thread *here* to see rules and enter.

Theme of the contest: “Give People A Chance To Live“
Sponsored by: IMVU Developer Cassiopeia

Here is the current banner for the contest.

Please feel free to help promote this contest by posting this banner on your homepage!

The picture below gives you an idea of what it’s about:

Requirements:
1. Size – 1024×768
2. One picture only per person

Questions:
1. Can it be edited?
Yes, but once you have entered your entry you cannot edit it anymore.
2. Is it okay to add other avatars?
Yes, as long as you are following the theme of the contest.
3. When is the due date?
The contest will end on August 20, 2009.
4. When will be the winner be announced?
The winner will be announced on August 25, 2009.

Prizes:
1st prize 5,000 credits
2nd prize 3,000 credits
3rd prize 2,000 credits

For further questions just go to our community and sign up.
Once you have signed up join the group AviLicious Magazine Contests.
Look for me Johaubannah and send me message if you have any questions about the contest.

Have fun and enjoy the contest. Be creative and make it your most beautiful masterpiece.

More contests to come and make sure to subscribe here for updates.

Developers University: "The Group that Gives Help to all Developers"

Interviewed by: Johaubannah
Group link: Developers University

How did you come up with the name of Developers University?

I wanted a name that sounded like it was serious. With all of the fun groups out there, I wanted people to be clear that this was a place of learning.

When did you start this group?

I started recruiting people in September of 2008; we opened our doors on October 31, 2008.

What are the strategies you are using to keep your group alive and kickin’?

Encouraging all to ask questions and answering them even if they are not staff – we are interactive. We also have a scholarship program in which we give credits out monthly and we started a mentor program (an original concept as far as I know) which we are working the kinks out of.

Do you have any rules and regulations? If so, what are they?

We have a few basic rules. One is that one may not post anything - image or text or links - that are AP. And the other is just plain simple: respect. Ridiculing, belittling or flaming of any member staff or student is prohibited. Oh yeah, and a basic desire to learn or teach is required.

How do you maintain your communication with your officers and members?

I pm updates at least monthly to each staff member – all 68 of them. Staff has a private invite-only group that meets and communicates ideas back and forth, votes on scholarships, and makes other decisions. We have many course threads and the soapbox where we communicate with the students in the group.

Do you have any rule about deleting the inactive members? Why or why not?

The only way you can be deleted from the group is through disrespecting others or repeatedly posting AP stuff. We are very tolerant and will notify someone through pm that the item is AP and will remove it as soon as it is found. I support lurking. If that is the comfort zone the creator is in and they are finding what they need through other people’s posts, I have no problem with that.

What are the activities in your group that make your members interested?

The first thing we have is a huge staff compliment of Pro Developers and helpful creators who, for no compensation,support the group and the members through our courses and programs, such as the scholarship and mentor programs. We are also working on a grant program that will open the doors for those who haven’t found a fit to their programs. We also have certificate program and diploma program (which is still in the works). We have a free downloadable toolbar in which all of our winners are advertised permanently with links to their homepages and catalogs. (By the way, this magazine is linked on our toolbar already.) We are working on new features constantly, including new contests and games to lighten the load a bit!

How well are members participating in your group? Is it because of the contests or teamwork? Why or why not?

I think the response and activity is primarily member-directed. They ask for help and someone personalizes the answer to their needs. We aren’t just about tutorials, we are about finding the answers even when we don’t have them.

Do you think DU will stay active? What is the different about this group?

Yes I do! Because, as I said before, we let it be student-directed and, secondly, because the staff we have is awesome! This staff dedicates their time, credits and hearts to this project. I think the main difference in this group is that there is no pressure from particularly myself. I come from a place that says real life comes first always, and we all have our own goals and issues. I will talk with any staff member who feels as though they should leave because at the moment they don’t have time. They go on leave and when they can come back they do; no pressure. The individuals that go on leave are kept in the loop; they still receive updates with the understanding that it is information only and if they can’t respond at the time it is okay. I think we will be here a long time because we not only care about the group as a whole, but each other as a team – and a group is only as good as its administrators!

Can you give us any advice about how to maintain an active group and active members?

As I said above – first lighten up, this is a internet program and no one should be expected to put it above their health, family, and friends. Real life must always come first. People in general don’t respond well to pressure and being told what to do. So my best advice is just to go with the flow and let the group guide you, they will let you know what they want.

I saw all the Professional Developers in your group and they are very generous to share their ideas in developing. How did you gather them to join your group? I’m very interested to know how you convinced them.

I can’t give away all of my secrets but I will share that I organized and set up the group first then started approaching them. I would write a list of who I sent a message to telling them all about my group and goals, and then I waited for them to answer. As they responded I checked them off the list and sent them invites to the then invite-only group. I have actually had a few approach me offering help, which I, of course, accepted happily and a few others who are not staff have forwarded credits for our contests just as a thank-you for what we are doing. The main thing is to acknowledge that they are busy and not to pester. The rest is my secret recipe of a successful group, lol.

About your contests: who has those ideas? They are very creative.

I must say a lot came from me in the beginning, which makes sense. Now the group comes up with them and we discuss them in our invite-only staff group and try to iron out the details. I try to delegate responsibilities for individual projects because I would implode if I tried to do it on my own.

Giving scholarships to new developers is very helpful. Where did you get this idea? Is this yours or from the developers?

That was actually what the whole concept of the group was based on, but I wanted to do something different so I came up with lots of other things like courses, diplomas, etc.

Is your group open to everybody? Why or why not?

It is open to everyone. First, I hate the ”us” and “them” mentality that exists in the real world. This is one of those places where user and creator can meet. Also, because even if you don’t develop there are lots of little things to learn about like badges, peer review, and TOS< MCG, which every user should learn about. We embrace all who wish to learn and/or share what they know! We should all help each other. This motto of mine is what the group is founded upon: “Help yourself through helping others.” Think about everything we could accomplish in the world (real or internet) if we all could adopt that attitude!

[PICTURE]

BrandiwyneH – Developer

Interviewed by: Johaubannah
Developer’s Homepage: BrandiwyneH
When did you become a member here on IMVU?

[PICTURE]

I joined in October 2007 and a month later I was developing. I joined with my husband and while he did the chat thing I got interested in the creative aspect.

How much do you know about developing?

Not as much as I would like. I create many things from stickers to furniture and rooms and clothing. I’m still working on perfecting clothing. I have improved a great deal but have a long way to go.

When did you start developing?

As I said, in November 2007. I had joined help and request groups and I started on MSN so it seemed like a natural progression to go from a 2-D world to a 3-D world.

Is it easy to be a developer?

Yes and no. Anyone can sign up and buy a name. The challenge lies in getting known, and what you want to be known for. I would love to be known for beautiful creations but I am far from having a reputation for that. My reputation, my talent, is bringing people together, to work together in an attempt to learn and grow through helping others. I have a few successful groups which accomplish this: Developers University, Not Quite Pro…Yet, and NQPY Tutorials.

What is the first item you developed?

Well, the first item was star t-shirt - a far cry from what I create now but it wasn’t that bad. After that was a house I made for my husband; not a great creation, but it was part of learning how to use the program and make textures.

What is your latest product?

Clothing. I did a lycra bodysuit with a see-through covering in several colors. I like how it turned out but am still striving and practicing  every day to make magnificent clothing, not just better clothing.

As a developer, what inspires you to make these kinds of products?

A desire to master clothing each time I practice a new technique. I think each time it is better than the one before.

Have you had a hard time understanding the steps on IMVU previewer?

No, not really, I just try something and if doesn’t work I try it a different way. I will admit I have gotten pointers here and there but mostly just pick and try and mostly scrap and try again.

In doing items or products, do you think IMVU rules and regulations are fair?

One of my favorite sayings, particularly when it comes to rules and implementation, is: “Every civilized society must have rules to exist.” We are part of their world. They are the creators of the world, we merely are renting out space, so to speak. So if we want to play here we must follow their rules. Overall IMVU is reasonable. There are so many thousands of people and without structure there definitely would not be IMVU.

Doing a product is not free, correct? Is it expensive to do the items?

We pay submission fees and derivation fees for every product we put in. These fees fluctuate by products you choose. This can be costly for sure, especially if you think big. I have not put any money into buying credits for well over a year I am able to add to my catalog with the credits I have earned. But there are times when I have had to hold off due to lack of credits. If I can’t do it with what I earned through sales, it waits until I can.

Is there any required software for developing?

Well, you have to download IMVU’s previewer, but the program you use to create textures or meshes is up to the creator. This program can be a free one like Gimp or blender or one that you purchase, which can cost lots of money depending on the program. I use PaintShop Pro X.

What advice can you share with all the developers out there on IMVU?

The main piece of advice is this: Don’t expect to create an item, sell millions of it, and be rich. Lots of new developers come in with this over-expectation. A person should become a developer because they enjoy creating. When you create something, do it for the joy of doing it.

A second word of advice is that if you want to start creating, start creating even before you buy your name, which is required to become a developer, and download the previewer and practice creating. A new creator should also read the tutorials available through IMVU, read and understand the Terms of Service, and, when all done with this, join a developer help group. There are a lot of wonderful groups out there. I am of course partial to Developers University but we are not the only ones and of course you can join as many as you want.

There are beginners here on IMVU. What do you think they can do to learn more about developing?

It’s boring, but the first thing a new developer should do is read the Terms of Service because not understanding that can be very costly and cause confusion and dissatisfaction with the whole process. And of course all of my previous answers fit here too.

Of course I cannot ask you to give away all your developing secrets, but are you willing to share your knowledge? If so, do you have any sites or groups for tutorials?

The best pieces of advice I have gotten for my primary goal of creating awesome clothes is the use of smear and blur functions in my Paintshop Pro program. These give depth and real-life textures to clothes. I sit for weeks playing with these and most of the time I actually submit nothing. But to play with these and see how they make folds and shine is good. Creating depth is neat and one day I will make one and say, “Ah, this is the one!”

Not to blow my horn too much, but I run two groups which are based on sharing knowledge and tutorials: Developers University http://imvu.com/groups/group/Developers%2BUniversity/ and Not Quite Pro…Yet. http://imvu.com/groups/group/NQPY%2BTutorials/ I would have to recommend them.

Visit Brandiwyneh’s products by clicking on the banner below:

S'more Brownies

Researcher: Johaubannah
Website link: http://www.foodnetwork.com

Cook Time: 1 hr. Level: Easy Yields: about 12 (2-inch) squares

Ingredients:

-Crust:
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 cups crushed graham cracker crumbs
2 tablespoons sugar
Pinch fine salt

-Brownie :

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 cup packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
4 large cold eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour

-Topping:

4 cups large marshmallows

Directions:

Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and heat oven to 325 degrees F. Line an 8 by-8-inch square baking pan with foil so it hangs over the edges by about 1 inch.
For the crust: Lightly butter the foil with some of the melted butter. Stir the rest of the butter together with the crumbs, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Press the crumb mixture evenly over the bottom of the pan. Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the brownie. Put the butter and chocolate in a medium microwave safe bowl. Melt in the microwave on 75 percent power for 2 minutes. Stir, and microwave again until completely melted, about 2 minutes more. Alternatively, put the butter and chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Bring a saucepan filled with 1 inch or so of water to a very slow simmer; set the bowl on the pan without touching the water. Stir occasionally until melted. Stir the light brown and white sugars, vanilla and salt into the melted chocolate. Add the eggs and beat vigorously to make a thick and glossy batter. Add the flour and stir until just incorporated.

Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake until the top is crispy and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out mostly clean, with a few crumbs, about 40 to 45 minutes.

Remove from the oven and carefully position a rack about 6 inches from the broiler and preheat on low. Layer marshmallows across the top and toast under the broiler until golden, (keep an eye on it, it can go quick), about 2 minutes. Cool on a rack, gently removing the brownies from the pan using the aluminum flaps. Carefully separate any marshmallow from the foil and fold away. Cut into 12 (2-inch) squares.

Copyright 2007 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved

Chocolate Sformato with Amaretto Whipped Cream

Researcher: Johaubannah
Website link: http://www.foodnetwork.com

Cook Time: 1 hr. Level: Easy Yields: 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients:

2 cups whole milk, divided
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 packet gelatin
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1 (12-ounce) bag bittersweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds
1 cup whipping cream
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
1 tablespoon almond liqueur (recommended: Amaretto)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a small saucepan, combine 1 1/2 cups of the milk, the sugar, and vanilla. Bring to a simmer and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat. Sprinkle the gelatin over the remaining 1/2 cup cold milk and let dissolve for 2 minutes. Combine the cold milk and gelatin with the hot milk and sugar. Stir to dissolve the gelatin, about 5 minutes. (Heat the milk gently if the gelatin is not dissolving easily.) When the gelatin is dissolved combine the eggs with the warm milk, whisking constantly to avoid scrambling the eggs. Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a large measuring cup or small pitcher.

Meanwhile, melt the chocolate over a double boiler. When the chocolate is melted gradually combine the milk and egg mixture with the melted chocolate, stirring between each addition to create a smooth chocolate mixture.

Pour the mixture into a buttered 2-quart casserole dish. Sprinkle the top with the almonds. Place the casserole dish in a larger dish or roasting pan. Add hot water to the outer pan until the water comes halfway up the sides of the baking dish. Bake until the sides are firm and the center is jiggles slightly, about 1 hour. Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 30 minutes.

Just before serving, whip the cream to soft peaks in a medium bowl using a whisk or electric hand mixer. Add the sugar and almond liqueur and whip to combine. Spoon the sformato into individual serving bowls and dollop the top with the almond liqueur whip cream.

Merry Christmas from AviLicous Magazine

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