Avoiding College Weight Gain

To ensure that you don’t gain extra weight, take control of your eating habits by eating nutritional, well-balanced meals and exercise regularly. 

You Are Not Alone. 

Millions of freshmen across the nation struggle with weight gain each year as they adjust to college life, and quite often this weight gain comes as an unpleasant surprise as they return home and step on the scale at Thanksgiving or Christmas. 

So in this time when college weight gain has become almost as inevitable as term end finals how do you, the college student, know if you are gaining the freshman fifteen? 

1. Have the contents of your diet changed since entering college? 

Calorie laden cafeteria food, greasy fast food, and cheesy pizzas often become staples in the diet of a college student. When you lived at home chances are that your parents served well-balanced, nutritious meals. 

Once arriving at college, however, your diet can skyrocket in extra fat and calories resulting in weight gain. 

2. Have you been eating more since entering college? 

Buffet style cafeterias and late night snacks increase the total calories that you eat each day. When you consider the fact that one pound equals 3,500 calories, and extra 500 calories each day will be an extra pound gained each week. 

3. Has your activity level decreased since entering college? 

Hectic class schedules, part time jobs, and social activities often dominate your days, leaving no time for the gym. 

You may have played on a sports team in High School or participated in some other organized activity that now has no place in your schedule. This decrease in activity will end up showing around your waistline. 

Did you answer yes to one or more of the above questions? If so, then chances are that you are on your way to gaining the Freshman Fifteen.

But wait! You don’t have to follow in the footsteps of the millions of college freshmen who gain this unwanted weight each year. By making yourself aware of the causes of this traditional weight gain you have already won half of the battle.

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Home Security Cameras

The home security camera options are vast. There are many sites on the Internet and a variety of catalogs that offer many different types of home surveillance equipment. 

You can buy a ready-made system for a reasonable price, or have a custom-designed system that is more costly but also very effective. They can also offer advice about the best kind of system for your needs and your budget. 

There are both wireless and wired options for security cameras. Most people tend to go with the wireless choice, because anyone can install them in a short amount of time and they are easy to use. 

However, some people prefer the traditional CCTV option with wires to install. However, all of these types of security systems work with the equipment you already have. For instance, you can have live color images sent to your TV, or have them recorded on your VCR. 

If you need additional recording time, you can always choose to go with a digital recorder, which is more expensive but also gives you a lot more latitude in how much footage you need to record. 

These systems are weatherproof so that they work inside or outside, depending on your needs. 

A homeowner can choose a simple camera, large or very small to mount in any place they desire. 

They can also get additional security items, such as motion detectors and night vision cameras. The variety of surveillance equipment is endless, and you can monitor any area you want to. 

The only factor is how much you are willing to spend on this kind of security stuff for your home. 

One factor that is extremely important to consider when choosing a home security camera is camera resolution. A camera with a higher resolution will have a much clearer and sharper picture. 

So paying more for a higher resolution camera makes sense in the long run because you will have the kind of quality picture you need for your home security. 

Choosing a home security system does not have to be difficult or costly. Most security cameras can be installed easily and will provide you with the peace of mind you crave. 

The world is not as safe as it used to be. With crime in the home on the rise, more and more people are looking at options to make their homes more safe and secure. 

One option for home security that is becoming very popular is the use of home security cameras. These types of video systems can give a homeowner the sense of security and the peace of mind that they are looking for. 

Now, people can record their nanny or babysitter while they are away, see who is at the door before answering it, and find out if someone is on your property without having to go outside and possibly expose themselves to harm.

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Follow these tips to turn your vacation acquaintances into lifelong friends

Making Summer Friendships Last - Summertime isn’t just about getting dirty, staying up all night, playing in the rain, and going off to camp--It’s about meeting new people. Follow these tips to turn your vacation acquaintances into lifelong friends. 

1. Summer Memory Book 

Make the summer last forever by preserving memories in a special book. Fill the plastic sleeves of a photo album with photos, ticket stubs, sections of road maps from summer trips, and other mementos. When you’re finished, exchange memory books with your closest summer buddy. 

2. Picture Postcards 

Keep in touch with vacation friends by sending picture postcards. Scan summer photos and print them on cardstock paper, 4 per page. Use scissors to cut individual cards. On the blank side, include your friend’s address, your return address, and a postage stamp. Don’t forget to write a cool message! 

3. Pen Pal Club 

Start your own pen pal club! Swap addresses with your new friends and make a commitment to keep in touch. Be creative— don’t limit yourself to writing letters. Send an inexpensive gag gift every so often, or an audiotape letter. Send lists of your favorite things. For instance, one month send your pen pals a list of your 20 favorite movies, and then compare your lists. 

No matter how you decide to keep in touch, don’t let summer friendships end when summer ends.

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One universal rule is that dogs cannot fly on a plane without the owner on board

A pet owner must research the many requirements before taking a dog on an airplane. Different airlines have slightly different regulations, but most airlines follow the same basic set of rules in regards to flying with a dog. 

One universal rule is that dogs cannot fly on a plane without the owner on board. Each airline that was contacted for this article has a rule that outlaws flying unaccompanied dogs from one point to another. Realize that the airline considers dogs to be cargo. Just as you are not allowed to send your luggage across the country without also being present, same thing goes when it comes to your dog. The intent of each rule is slightly different (it's unlikely that a bomb would be inside of a dog), but the bottom line is that the airlines to not want to be responsible for your dog. However, if you absolutely must transport your dog without being present, you can contact a licensed and approved pet transportation company to get the job done for you. 

Before you even go to the airport, you need to make an appointment with your veterinarian. All airlines mandate that every dog that boards the plane must receive a full physical examination and be tested for various diseases (rabies is their main concern) prior to boarding. Usually the airline will want the exam certificate be dated within 30 to 60 days prior to the date of the flight, so the exam you had last year will not work for a flight you plan on taking next week. 

Also, be aware of weather restrictions. These might be a big inconvenience, but they are in place to ensure the safety of your pet. The cargo area on an airplane can be incredibly hot. Because of this, there are restrictions on what times of the year dogs are allowed to travel to and from certain regions. Virtually all airlines will as well enforce weather and temperature related restrictions. For instance, if the temperature in the arrival or departure city is hotter than 85 degrees Fahrenheit, pets will not be permitted on the plane. Do not argue with the airline staff, because this is for your dog's safety. 

Many airlines are currently allowing pets to be transported in the cabin of the plane, as long as they can comfortably fit into the in-cabin kennel cage (usually 22” long by 9”). The price of this service varies by airline but is usually under $100.00. This is considerably cheaper in comparison to the pets flying in the cargo hold which is not as safe and which can cost upwards of $300.00 on some airlines. 

When flying internationally, be aware that the customs laws of many countries prohibit the entrance of dogs across their borders. Airlines are required to comply with these laws, and in many cases your dog will not be able to join you on an international flight at all.

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Wedding dresses are an expression of your personality, so don’t hold back; let your imagination run wild!

Wedding dresses are such an opportunity for any bride to show their unique sense of style and to really make a fashion statement. Gone are the days of the plain ‘meringue’ style wedding dresses with a little cute well-placed bow; now we are daring to be different! 

In fact, one of the latest trends is to offer wedding dresses that can be used again. Not only is this a great idea from a budget point of view, but it is also reflective of the simple lines that are part of the modern trend in wedding dresses. Arguably, this fashion is due to the ever increasing age of first time brides as well as the large number of second weddings. 

Wedding Dresses for the Winter Wedding 

Whenever we think about wedding dresses, we automatically think of a warm, summer’s day, with a crisp, wafting white dress to match. However, there is a growing trend towards winter weddings. Winter wedding dresses may not be pure white and are often the preferred choice for second time brides. 

Trends in winter wedding dresses include deep red colored dresses or dresses that include a large amount of black. Another great idea is to include a fur collar, or long fake fur coat. If you love a touch of luxury and you want something a little different, then winter wedding dresses may just be the thing for you! 

Wedding Dresses for the Summer Wedding 

The key to summer wedding dresses, this year, is color. Many wedding dresses are now using substantial amounts of colored fabric to add a classic touch to an otherwise traditional white or cream dress. 

Weddings are becoming much more sophisticated; generally, brides will select a theme that they will maintain throughout all aspects of their wedding. Wedding dresses must, of course, fit into this theme and as such colors and accessories are vital. Popular, seasonal colors for wedding dresses include lilac, pink, blue and yellow. Often, brides will choose a half-color theme where the bodice is colored or the skirt is colored, but the other half of the dress is kept in a plain cream or white. 

Subtle is the name of the game with modern wedding dresses. 

Wedding Dresses – Standing Out From the Crowd 

Today, wedding dresses are all different; no-one wants to look the same as the next bride and, naturally, brides go to extreme lengths to make sure that they stand out from the crowd. Of course everyone wants to do so in a classy and not trashy way! It seems that individually designed wedding dresses are the way of the future. By commissioning a made to measure dress you can make sure that it fits perfectly, is exactly what you want and above all, is unique. 

Wedding dresses are an expression of your personality, so don’t hold back; let your imagination run wild!

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