There She Goes

This is a record of how a Texas girl makes the move to New York City, a finally realized lifelong dream. Setbacks, depression and loneliness are to be expected, but hopefully I can find the strength to push past those hurdles and enjoy living the life I've always reached for.

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Article 12: Fallen

Any copy of this article elsewhere online is plagiarized and stolen. Fallen Written in 2009 by author Lauren Kate, the Fallen series qualifies as a young adult gothic fantasy and romance series featuring a protagonist named Lucinda, or Luce, Price. A dark story from the beginning, Fallen centers around Luce’s experience after being sent to a special school following the accusations that she committed murder by setting a boy on fire. Books The Fallen series consists of four books, Fallen, Torment, Passion and Rapture in addition to a short novel about Valentine’s Day for the main characters of the Fallen series. Setting The Fallen series begins in a high-security reform school in Savannah, Georgia where no cell phones are allowed and security cameras watch students constantly. As the books progress, the settings move about from the reform school to a school in Northern California and eventually to varying countries within the same book. Fallen The first book of the series lends its name to the collection and begins with Luce’s introduction to the reform school, Sword and Cross, where she meets many people including girls who immediately befriend her and a few love interests who also play pivotal parts in the story. Before long, Luce learns that the majority of the students at the reform school are actually fallen angels who have each chosen to be on the side of God or on the side of Satan, with one exception. Daniel, Luce’s main love interest in the series, has not yet chosen sides, which ultimately leads to an upset over his need to make a decision. Furthermore, Daniel holds a strong amount of power should he make a decision, and this characteristic becomes an important factor throughout the books. Torment In the second novel of the series, released in 2010, Kate picks up with the love story surrounding Daniel and Luce, which includes a particularly dark overtone based on the couple’s past and future. In Torment, Daniel leaves Luce in a safe place during a lengthy battle he must participate in, where she meets several new students who also have yet to choose sides. This experience leads Luce to believe that Daniel is keeping things from her, and she becomes determined to find out the truth for herself. The Audience The Fallen series is, in every way, geared for an audience of teenage female readers, which is apparent in its focus on forbidden and cursed love as well as its tendency toward the ever-popular supernatural element that has been successful in other series. The main character of the series is only seventeen years old, yet she is forced to deal with a pileup of seemingly epic issues with which most adults are never even faced. Not only is she diagnosed with an extremely serious mental illness, she is transported from her home to a new place where she must deal with a completely different world than she is accustomed to. Elements like this in young adult series appeal to the age group by lending importance to teenagers, whether human or not, that is not normally understood by the adult population. As this audience is at a prime age for dealing with important issues like choosing a life path and falling in love, the Fallen series is an example of an exaggerated set of dilemmas faced by the teenage protagonist and has gripped the interest of a worldwide audience. Dark Elements In addition to the book’s naturally dark overshadowing and plot, when Luce is initially sent to reform school, it seems she is diagnosed with minor episodes of paranoid schizophrenia, which only serves to add to the reader’s interest, as mental illness is increasingly a topic of fascination throughout the United States, and likely the world. In fact, in Luce’s past, she has even been sent to therapy and medicated by her parents, perhaps another attempt to reach out to a certain percentage of teenage readers who may have gone through similar experiences and feel like outcasts or like they are less important than others. Characters Kate’s stories feature a selection of about fifteen primary characters who are formally established and play notable roles throughout the four books. Luce The story’s main character is Lucinda Prince, the protagonist sent to reform school after being accused of starting a fire. She is described as friendly and beautiful and seems to identify with the characters at the reform school. Her most important relationship in the story is that with Daniel, whom she has apparently loved for centuries. Daniel Daniel is Luce’s primary love interest throughout the series and is painted to be so outwardly gorgeous that rare is a women who doesn’t fall for him. Through the entire series, though Daniel only seems to have eyes for Luce, a love story that is every girl’s dream come true. A fallen angel who chose love over good or evil, Daniel plays a very important part in the book, as he holds the key to Luce’s past in addition to being a strong enough angel to tip the scales of good and evil by deciding on God or Satan. Cam The third member of a sort of love triangle in the series, Cam is a fallen angel who chooses the side of Lucifer and acts as an antagonist due to his interest in Luce despiste Daniel. For the length of the first book, at least, Cam’s primary goal seems to be chasing Luce in the interest of upsetting Daniel. Arriane A fallen angel as well, but on the side of God, Arriane acts as Luce’s first friend upon her arrival at the reform school and remains close to her throughout the series. Popularity Shortly after its release, Fallen, the first book of the series reached the number five position on the New York Times best seller list. It also reached three additional best seller lists including USA Today, Indie and Publishers Weekly Flying Start. The second book enjoyed similar reception, debuting at the top spot of the New York Times list and remaining there for nearly a month. A Movie? Not surprisingly, Fallen almost immediately garnered movie interest, most likely due to the outrageous success of other books-turned-movie in its genre. Since the book’s release in 2009, movie executives have kept the idea in discussion, and author Lauren Kate has now confirmed the roles of the three main characters in the upcoming movie. Main characters Luce, Daniel and Cam have been confirmed as cast since late last year, and filming was slated to begin in Hungary just last month. Worth It? Since its release over five years ago, Fallen has only grown in popularity and will be on the big screen within two years. At least give the first book a try, then make a judgment…or reach for the next one. Sources: http://www.fallenbooks.com.au/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallen_(Kate_novel) http://fallen.wikia.com/wiki/Lauren_Kate_Series http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torment_(Kate_novel) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passion_(novel)

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Article 11: The Naughtiest Girl

Any copy of this article elsewhere online is plagiarized and stolen. The Naughtiest Girl In the early 40s, author Enid Blyton began releasing novels in a series now known as The Naughtiest Girl. The series now consists of ten books total, four written by Blyton and the remaining six written by Anne Digby. Setting The Naughtiest Girl books are based in a rather progressive boarding school, especially considering the time during which the books were printed. The school is essentially run by the children themselves and simply overseen by the adult headmasters. Many readers compare the boarding school in this series, Whyteleafe, to that in a similar children’s series by Blyton, Malory Towers, in which the boarding school is much more conservative and resembles an average boarding school. Whyteleafe One of the most important elements of The Naughiest Girl series is, in fact, the operating style of the boarding school. Rather than running the boarding school most picture when the term is used, Blyton’s characters run an almost laissez faire form of education in their institution. For starters, Whyteleafe is a mixed gender boarding school, which is rare for this type of school, especially in the 40s and 50s. In addition to this, children themselves are responsible for the discipline of each other, and have genuine interest in the positive development of fellow students. The children are also required to pool their money for equal distribution among students. Elizabeth Allen In the beginning of the series, readers learn that the main character, Elizabeth Allen, is a rather spoiled child who has had no real interaction with the outside world, as her education has been the sole responsibility of her governess. However, when her parents decide to leave for a year, they see fit to place her in a boarding school for the purpose of exposing her to other children. Blyton makes it clear to readers that Elizabeth is not a fan of this decision. When her attempts to prevent being sent to the boarding school fall short, Elizabeth decides on behaving so poorly in school that she will be expelled within months, thus establishing her place as the naughtiest girl about which the series is written. Other Characters Throughout the books, Blyton and Digby establish additional characters, from Elizabeth’s best friend, Joan Townsend, to two temporary enemies, Robert Jones and Kathleen. In fact, by the fourth book, the series has become about more than just Elizabeth’s experience as Whyteleafe instead focusing just as much on the lives and experiences of other children she comes into contact with at the school. Books The series follows Elizabeth and her newfound friends through a collection of adventures, including milestones for children, like learning to keep secrets, helping a friend, etc. Each book is titled for easy reference with names like The Naughtiest Girl is a Monitor, The Naughtiest Girl Saves the Day, The Naughtiest Girl Wants to Win and so on. Reviews note that each book has a thick theme of morality, which is not unusual for books geared toward this age group. While some readers have expressed that the heightened lessons in the book distract from the flow of the writing, others seem to feel that Elizabeth’s lessons in morality are perfect for the books. The Naughtiest Girl in the School The first book in the Naughtiest Girl series, The Naughtiest Girl in the School is the reader’s first introduction to Elizabeth Allen and her world. As a spoiled only child, Elizabeth is outraged when she is sent to a boarding school to interact with other children for the first time in her life and decides to misbehave so badly that she is sent home. To her surprise, Elizabeth finds that she enjoys interacting with the other children and actually forms a strong friendship with one particular girl that ultimately leads to a series of events that form the meat of the first book. The Naughtiest Girl Again By the time the second book is released, Elizabeth Allen has changed courses and returns to the school with hopes of being the best, instead of the worst, behaved student. However, run-ins with a few new characters prove to make this goal a bit more difficult than before, and she must overcome these challenges to continue on her track to being the best student. What Else? Though it may have been a successful series for children, The Naughtiest Girl collection was never converted to movie, but over forty years after the final book in the original series was published, Blyton’s copyright owners invited Digby to compose additional books following the trend of the originals. For the most part, readers of the series agree that Digby’s additions are perfect follow-ups to the first four books. The Naughtiest Girl books were, however, converted to audio books and are still available as well as the printed books. Popularity Though the first four books of the series were published over seventy years ago, The Naughtiest Girl books, e-books and audio books are still available in various bookstores, both online and off, and are even found on some websites for free. Not only are the books still in demand and ordered on a regular basis, several avid readers have created blog posts pertaining to the books and their impact on bloggers as children when they were first released. Blogs Bloggers who read the books during their initial release tend to re-read the books and offer insight on the difference between the books from an adult and a child point of view. One blogger makes a point in relation to the children’s role in the education and general lifestyle at Whyteleafe, noting that while the idea for children to learn this way is novel and seems to have been helpful to Elizabeth, there are ultimately some situations in which adults simply must step in, as children are not equipped to deal. Another of the blogs is actually part of a society dedicated to the works of Blyton and offers extensive information on each book in addition to available illustrations, as the original books were all illustrated. Worth It? Overall, the brainchildren of Blyton and Digby seem to have nothing but warm reception and positive feedback, whether readers are recalling their own childhoods with the books or passing them on to a new generation. The consensus is, The Naughtiest Girl series of adventures is worth the read. Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Naughtiest_Girl http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Naughtiest_Girl_in_the_School http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/naughtiest-girl.php http://josbookjourney.wordpress.com/2011/05/13/the-naughtiest-girl-in-the-school-enid-blyton/

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Article 10: The Soulless Tarabotti

Any copy of this article elsewhere online is plagiarized and stolen. The Parasol Protectorate In 2009, Gail Carriger released the first of a series of novels known as The Parasol Protectorate. Her first novel was entitled Soulless and begins a saga based on the life of her sole protagonist, Alexia Tarabotti. Who is Alexia Tarabotti? Living in an alternate universe, in historical England where vampires and werewolves not only exist, but are known and accepted members of society, Tarabotti stars as a soulless woman, or a preternatural (the only one in Great Britain), who finds herself under the heated lights of a murder investigation after accidentally killing a vampire. Despite her commission of the original murder, Tarabotti maintains innocence of a piling stack of high society murders plaguing Victorian England, but as she is a spinster with a deceased father and a disapproving mother, she is left to prove for herself that she is innocent. Alexia’s Appearance Daughter to a strong Italian father, Alessandro Tarabotti, Alexia is described as having olive skin; dark, curly hair and dark eyes in addition to being tall, plus-sized and well endowed. Carriger gives Tarabotti a wide mouth and “little too prominent” nose, long eyelashes, fierce eyebrows and generous curves, “in exactly the right places.” It is also established that Alexia’s father was bred for the sole purpose of killing the supernatural, thus explaining his and Alexia’s soulless characteristic. Due to her father’s status as a preternatural, one without a soul, Alexia learns early in her abusive childhood that she has no moral compass either and takes to exhibiting exquisite manners to overcompensate. She also makes a habit of carrying a parasol, which doubles as an actual, customized weapon against supernatural beings in addition to her ability, as a preternatural, to disable the supernatural elements of vampires and werewolves upon touch. The Series Tarabotti maintains status as the main character throughout all five books in the Parasol Protectorate series, and each book progresses further into her life, along with life-changing events all women can expect, like marriage, in addition to many that most won’t, including battling an army of the supernatural. Soulless In Carriger’s original book, the reader is introduced to Alexia Tarabotti, a 26-year-old single woman in Victorian England. In the beginning of the book, Tarabotti’s biggest problems are her marital status and the status of her father, dead. As the plot progresses, however, Tarabotti manages to accidentally kill a vampire and turn a murder investigation right in her direction. Changeless By the second book in Carriger’s series, Tarabotti is no longer a spinster, and she is no longer Alexia Tarabotti, as her marriage has changed her name. Despite the name change, Alexia remains the same polite, preternatural person, embarking on a new series of adventures against vampires and werewolves after her husband abandons her at their home. Blameless Tarabotti’s troubles don’t stop as her life progresses; in fact, they almost seem to get worse. In her third book, Carriger features a post-divorce Tarabotti being shunned by England’s high society and attacked by homicidal insects. At this point, one thing clear to readers is that Tarabotti isn’t getting a break. What’s Funny: Perhaps one of the most entertaining aspects of Carriger’s protagonist is the stark opposition between her tendency to battle beasts of the supernatural world and her heightened attention to the proper mannerisms and politeness of an English woman. Carriger makes it clear that this habit of Tarabotti is drawn from studying and a desire to counterbalance her lack of a soul. The Parasol Protectorate series is written as comedy and is praised as such. The books are viewed as entertaining and fun to read, whether one piece at a time or in one large dose and have even been illustrated as comics. Quirky Facts Interestingly, Carriger shies away from the typically accepted idea of what constitutes vampires and werewolves and instead creates her own rule system and society for each species. Vampires Rather than dwelling alone, encased in coffins and interacting with other humans only for purposes of feeding, the vampires in The Parasol Protectorate reside together in hives focused on a queen, not terribly unlike honeybees or ants. In Carriger’s stories, the queen vampires maintain the most power, and new queens can only be created by existing queens. Contrary to modern society, the ability of vampire queens to produce new queens actually increases with age, and the society of the vampires in the Parasol Protectorate seems to be starkly matriarchic. Werewolves While the werewolves in The Parasol Protectorate do change into monsters on a full moon, like those in well-known folklore, Carriger’s werewolves have additional stipulations hereto not included, including an inability to withstand sunlight before a certain age and an intense aversion to basil. In addition, these werewolves, contrary to popular belief, are dead at the same level as vampires, and rather than needing only to be bitten, a bloody process is required for creation of a werewolf. In addition, the vampires and werewolves in The Parasol Protectorates are each tended to by humans hoping to one day become part of the supernatural ranks. In almost all supernatural stories featuring vampires or werewolves, the human race is all but terrified of the strange creatures who walk the night. Much of the book seems to be dedicated to showing readers how strong and independent this leading lady is. Though she does get married and adheres closely to the established rules of English manner, Tarabotti never relies on her husband for protection or ceases to possess the undeniable ability and bravery to take care of herself. How is she? The public reception of Alexia Tarabotti and her collection of tales has been warm from the start, and the books have won a variety of awards including the Alex Award from the American Library Association. The series was so well received, in fact, that the first novel, Soulless was converted into an unabridged audio book in 2010, and the entire series has been optioned for television in Ireland. In her live journals, Carriger even polls her readers to determine who would play the most desirable version of Tarabotti in a movie. What else? In addition to a television premier, Alexia Tarabotti and her adventures have recently been approved for adaptation into manga, a specific type of Japanese comic. In the manga versions of the Parasol Protectorate, Tarabotti’s adventures are portrayed in illustration by a certain set of Japanese comic rules, thus lending a creative vision to the characters Carriger has established. Carriger has proved the success of her brainchild in expanding it past the written medium, and Alexia Tarabotti is worthy of plenty of attention. Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soulless_(novel) http://www.goodreads.com/characters/26011-alexia-tarabotti http://gailcarriger.com/books/parasol-protectorate-series http://parasolprotectorate.wikia.com/wiki/Alexia_Tarabotti http://gailcarriger.livejournal.com/139494.html http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Literature/TheParasolProtectorate?from=Main.TheParasolProtectorate

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Article 9: The Wheel of Time

Any copy of this article elsewhere online is plagiarized and stolen. The Wheel of Time Initiated by fantasy writer, Robert Jordan, and finished by his hand-picked successor, Brandon Sanderson, Wheel of Time is a high fantasy series consisting of fourteen total books each serving as a step toward the story’s final climax. What it’s about: Unlike other fantasy books, Jordan’s series takes place not only in the past, not only in the future, but in both realms of the existence of humans. In a simple portrayal of good versus evil, Wheel of Time pits the protagonist, a reincarnated savior, against the Dark One, who serves as the pure essence of evil. In less simple terms, Jordan’s protagonist has the capacity to save the world but the risk of destroying it in the process, and the stories center around, not only the struggles of the protagonist himself, but also the struggles of his world in general to handle their fate and the destructive path it may take. In fact, the experience of the outlying characters is so important to the development and flow of the series that the character list reaches into the thousands, each with a specific background and unique description. In essence, Jordan has not only created a fantasy story, he’s created an extensive alter universe. Setting To further delve into the situation surrounding the main character, or the Dragon Reborn, the backdrop of Wheel of Time is not entirely unlike that of creationism. In fact, Jordan even terms his god the Creator, and in Wheel of Time, he creates the entire universe. Built into this universe is a wheel, The Wheel of Time, which controls all lives and is composed of two halves that essentially bring balance to the world. In the dawn of the series, the Creator’s opposing force of evil, the Dark One, is imprisoned in order to inhibit his influence or access to the Wheel of Time in any way. Over time, however, the Dark One is accidentally given influence in the universe, which ultimately leads to his release into this almost utopian society and freedom to spread his influence amongst the people. This leads to the creation, by the Wheel, of the Dragon, who serves as the force of good opposite the Dark One. Characters The Wheel of Time, partially due to its sheer volume in books, features of veritable plethora of characters numbering into the thousands. These characters are so intricate and complex that they can be grouped again and again based on varying criteria. Even the short list of main characters consists of an impressive ten, signifying extreme depth to the series in ability to center around ten separate beings. Though the Dragon himself is the first described force against the Dark One, following the initial book, the primary source of good is actually a reincarnation of the Dragon known as the Dragon Reborn, whose journey is dedicated to battling the forces and influence of the Dark One. Main Characters The overall protagonist in The Wheel of Time is the embodiment of the Dragon Reborn, Rand al’Thor. He is, essentially, the resurrected soul of the original Dragon, Lews Therin Telamon. As is common with protagonist characters, al’Thor is painted as a visually appealing and physically fit specimen of the book’s version of the human race. The character detail is so intricate that al’Thor’s family tree can be traced back three lineages, despite the fact that the sole purpose of his creation was as the rebirth of the Dragon. In this way, al’Thor is also special, as Jordan is careful to establish that his rebirth is the only predicted rebirth in the universe’s history. Aviendha Aviendha is one of the main female characters in the series and is actually a lover of the Dragon Reborn in addition to an apprentice to and eventually one of the Wise Ones. In Jordan’s world, this means she is essentially one of the matriarchal leaders of society. As al’Thor, she is depicted as pleasing to the eye, equipped with curves and red hair to match that of her lover. Other Characters Jordan’s stories include a vast number of divisions of society branching off into further sub-divisions and all featuring an extensive cast of characters. These individuals are divided by occupation and nationality, some as channelers and others as non-channelers. Some characters hail from the series’ Westlands, but an entire collection of them were created outside the Westlands. In addition, Jordan’s books feature non-human characters to include wolves, horses and Darkfriends, not all-inclusively. The Books Each of Jordan’s fourteen books in The Wheel of Time series is extremely in depth and lengthy. His first book, The Eye of the World, packs 814 pages and is the only book to begin in the past in regards to the universe. Peppered with dark and action-packed scenes, the initial book paints for readers the first images of what will be a twenty-year (in terms of the writer) epic battle between good and evil. By the beginning of the second novel in the series, The Great Hunt, The Wheel of Time has seen the introduction of its main protagonist, al’Tron, and revealed secrets regarding his character. These secrets ultimately lead him to discover a missing horn that must be retrieved, so al’Tron and his friends set out to find it. A Movie Late last year, an independent production company called Wheel of 9, created by fans of The Wheel of Time series, completed a movie based on one chapter in the first book. The movie, Flight From Shadow, is available free online and has elicited mixed emotions from fan readers of the series, as some feel the movie can never live up to the book’s precedence. Universal Studios also discussed production of a Wheel of Time movie, but over a year later, no final product has made significant progress. Fans of the books are so dedicated and interested that some have even cast the entire movie on their own while they wait, taking care to associate actors with each character and providing reasoning. A Game Where the series did expand was in the form of a game, specifically a role playing game or RPG. In 2001 and 2002, two separate books detailing the game were published, first a rulebook, then an expansion on the book. The game includes an extensive map, slightly altered characters from the original series and is modeled after the age old, Dungeons and Dragons. Though he was unable to finish his legacy of his own accord, Robert Jordan, without a doubt, created the beginning of a series that has proved addictive and enveloping to many fans. Sources: http://www.dragonmount.com/Books/index.php http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wheel_of_Time http://wot.wikia.com/wiki/A_beginning http://www.ugcs.caltech.edu/~karlh/cgi-bin/wot.cgi

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Article 8: Mistborn is Worth the Read

Any copy of this article elsewhere online is plagiarized and stolen. Mistborn is Worth the Read Mistborn is a series of fantasy novels written by Brandon Sanderson, known for completing Robert Johnson’s Wheel of Time following Johnson’s death. Sanderson has since initiated and completed many additional projects, but Mistborn is one of his most popular series’ to date. What is Mistborn? Mistborn is told in a world known as Scadrial, in a subregion called the Final Empire. Before establishment of the Final Empire, Sanderson tells the story of one political leader, the Lord Ruler, acquiring access to a divine power, the Well of Ascension, and using it to re-create the world and everything in it. It is this environment that houses the fantasies to which readers are privy. Who are the characters? One major point in the Mistborn series is the societal division between those who supported the Lord Ruler prior to his re-creation (nobility) and those who didn’t (skaa). For the most part, skaa are treated as servants and punished for not supporting Lord Ruler before his rise to power. Typically, skaa were forced to work as farmers, miners and factory workers for nothing other than “food tokens” as compensation. Even the most skilled of the skaa class were relegated to being poorly paid and even more poorly treated. Essentially, skaa were slaves for the noble class. In contrast, the nobility, or nobles, descend from those who did support the Lord Ruler before his wealth of power. As a reward for their support, not only are they a class above the skaa, they are blessed with a magical power known as allomancy, the ability to ingest and transform certain metals within their bodies in order to increase their capacities for mental and physical skill. This process is known as burning. Each level of allomancing skill contributes to whether a noble is a misting, one who is only able to burn one type of metal, or a mistborn, one who can burn all metals. Plot Thickeners This essential breakdown forms the overall theme of the Mistborn series, but Sanderson has done a spectacular job at webbing and branching out in detail so that each characteristic of the world of mistborns has a plethora of additional details, meanings and often subcategories. Allomancers have a strong history with the Lord Ruler in Sanderson’s world, but not unlike reality, many of the noble class have bred with skaa, thus diluting the power of the allomancers over time and, understandably, upsetting the Lord Ruler. Other Mistborn Creatures Like almost any other fantasy series ever written, Mistborn also features a variety of creatures who serve as additions to the main species in the books. In this series, these creatures include kandra, mistwraiths and koloss. Kandra Sanderson’s kandra are a species of especially intelligent and nonviolent shape-shifters, whose unique ability to fully absorb and replicate the physical traits of any dead creature. Kandra are actually paid for their services by the humans in Mistborn, but a strict code of conduct prohibits them from killing. Mistwraiths Mistwraiths are similar to kandra in that they too have the ability to become what they are not; however, these creatures transform shape by collecting the bones of consumed creatures to form new beings. In the Mistborn world, mistwraiths are a feared species with abilities so dangerous they can even become kandra themselves. Koloss Koloss are perhaps the worst of the extra-species creatures featured in the series. A combination of superhuman strength, violence and propensity for rage and boredom render the koloss especially dangerous and deadly. Mistborn: The Series The Mistborn series is composed of four books including an original trilogy and a final book, which takes place 300 years later. The books are, in order, Mistborn: The Final Empire, Mistborn: The Well of Ascension, Mistborn: The Hero of Ages and Mistborn: The Alloy of Law. Mistborn: The Final Empire Mistborn: The Final Empire, Sanderson’s first book in the series, opens on a thief and prisoner who is half-skaa and discovers his other half is mistborn. Upon this realization, Sanderson’s protagonist, Kelsier, sets about using his newfound talent against the Lord Ruler and his tyrannical reign over the Final Empire. Ever one for positive characters, Sanderson actually introduces an additional, primary, protagonist later in the book, shifting focus from entirety on Kelsier. Sanderson’s new protagonist, a woman named Vin, actually serves as the main character throughout the series. A street thief with a troubled and traumatizing past, Vin trusts no one and relies solely on herself for survival. Vin’s life as a street orphan, coupled with her allomantic powers, make her a powerful ally, or enemy, throughout the books. Mistborn: The Well of Ascension Sanderson follows with Mistborn: The Well of Ascension, in which focus lies on the five Inner Dominances, or territories, of the Final Empire. In this initial sequel to Mistborn: The Final Empire, Sanderson’s protagonists, Vin, Kelsier and their crew, must focus on maintaining order following the outcome of their first adventure. What Readers Think Reviewers of the Mistborn series maintain that the books are very well written and worth a read for even those who aren’t typical fans of high fantasy writing. Forbes contributor, Erik Kain, even went so far as to say Mistborn books are “one of the finest fantasy stories I’ve ever read” and described Sanderson’s writing as “crafted with such bloody precision, it’s nearly impossible to put the books down.” The Future of Mistborn The series reached the New York Times Best Seller list and has even captured the interest of production companies who have worked for years to convert the books to the big screen. Sanderson maintains that he has made significant progress with one production company, but the rights to the series have just become available again for purchase as recently as last month. In addition to a potential movie, Sanderson and his team have been working diligently to finalize and release a video game version of the series for all consoles, potentially including PC. Most recent updates are that the saga is expected to release next year after delays due to the unveiling of last year’s new gaming consoles. What that means: Though the realization of the Mistborn series as a movie and video game extension are still pending, it is worth noting that this is a lengthy process, and the mere consideration of the collection for these mediums is a testament to the success of Sanderson’s first original series. Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mistborn_series http://brandonsanderson.com/books/mistborn/ http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2013/02/06/mistborn-review-a-fantasy-masterpiece/

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Article 7: The Low Down on Oak Lawn

Any copy of this article elsewhere online is plagiarized and stolen. The Low Down on Oak Lawn We’ve all been there. The desire to move to Dallas, Texas is strong, but the knowledge of neighborhoods is not. Knowing a neighborhood and what it has to offer before jumping into the public pool is more than just a good idea. Let’s see what Oak Lawn has to offer. Where Is It? Nestled between Highland Park, two freeways and an expressway, you’ll find a suburb of Dallas known as Oak Lawn, increasingly popular since the late 60’s and now well known for its welcoming attitude in regards to gay residents of Dallas. In fact, when it comes to the Lesbian/Gay/Bi/Transgender (LGBT) scene in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Oak Lawn is generally where it’s at. Who Lives There? In addition to recognition for its acceptance of the gay lifestyle, Oak Lawn is also known for its propensity toward wealth. For the most part, Oak Lawn consists of condos, luxury apartments, duplexes and high-end townhomes and plays home to a number of the metropolitan white-collar population. In addition to the high percentage of gay and lesbian residents in the Oak Lawn area of Dallas, the neighborhood leaves plenty of room for family inhabitance, whether new-age or traditional, and boasts six public schools and two private schools within its boundaries. Oak Lawn is also home to the William B. Travis Academy/Vanguard for the Academically Talented and Gifted. Transportation Oak Lawn is surrounded by multiple freeways and is serviced regularly by both the M-Line (free of charge) and the blue and red DART lines. Its tendency to cater to the LGBT neighborhood also means Oak Lawn is flush with businesses, shopping and nightlife and plays host to several of the Dallas festivals held annually. In addition to its own personality and bustling business, International Center, Love Field neighborhood, Turtle Creek and Maple, Dallas all call Oak Lawn home. How Much Is Rent? Enough about how the neighborhood functions; what does it cost to live in Oak Lawn? Average one bedroom apartments start anywhere from $1200 to $1800 monthly, putting monthly cost of rent for one person or a couple at around $1500 on average. The size of Oak Lawn apartments ranges from around 630 square feet to 2300, depending on number of rooms and particular area of the neighborhood. Many available apartments in the area are relatively new and feature crisp, modern décor as well as upscale outward appearance. For the most part, apartment buildings in Oak Lawn are exposed to a significant amount of greenery and foliage despite proximity to the city. Finding an Oak Lawn Apartment The increasing popularity of Oak Lawn makes apartment hunting easier than it might be in other, less booming communities. With a simple search for Oak Lawn apartments, future residents can find a plethora of individual listings, realty listings, collective apartment renting sites and websites dedicated solely to particular apartment complexes. Many of the collective apartment websites even include mapping to assist in determining which part of Oak Lawn is the best for certain types of residents. As many apartment listings focus on address, and Dallas is a big city, it will be helpful to know which general streets make up the Oak Lawn area. The majority of apartments for rent in Oak Lawn or subset neighborhoods will be near Turtle Creek Boulevard, Central Expressway, Harry Hines Boulevard. Also keep a keen eye for streets like Lemmon Ave, Maple Ave, Preston Rd., Wycliff Ave and Avondale Ave, as these are the main streets intersecting Oak Lawn. Dallas, Texas is home to over 50 neighborhoods, and Oak Lawn is just one, but it is a thriving, wealthy and populated area to call home.

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Article 6: Buying Rental Properties the Right Way

Any copy of this article elsewhere online is plagiarized and stolen. Buy Rental Properties the Right Way Searching for rental properties for sale can be overwhelming, but there are a variety of tools and tips to be utilized so that this process is easier, more secure and much less painful all around. Budget As can be expected, the very first step in reaching out for rental properties is determining your available budget for the property. If you are in the market for rental properties, it is possible that you’re already well aware of how much money you have for this purchase and what your price range is. If not, utilize budget-writing tools (many of these can be found online), to assess your monthly income and determine the maximum and ideal amount of money you can pay each month. Taking this step will narrow down the field significantly by eliminating all rental properties for sale that exceed budget. Extraneous costs, outside the purchase of the rental property itself, should also be considered. One such cost is insurance, as this will be mandatory to avoid losing your entire investment to natural disasters, crime, etc. When budgeting, include the cost of insurance and insurance premiums for your rental properties so that the need for these doesn’t come as a surprise for which you are not prepared. Be sure you can cover these costs. Type of Rental Property Now that you’ve established a budget, think about what you want from the rental property before diving in. Rental properties come in a variety of styles, from basic to luxury, and it’s important to know what you’re looking for. Are you just searching for a collection of space to rent, or do you have specific ideals for who will be renting from you and what they need? Will you be renting to businesses or private residents? If you are ideally renting to a business owner, are you hoping to rent store fronts or office space? Do you want a collective atmosphere, where multiple businesses can operate simultaneously, or are you looking for a space for one or two primary renters? For office space, will you be renting to a number of companies who are willing to share communal space, like kitchens and restrooms, or do your clients have a need for privacy and exclusive amenities? If you’re hoping to buy a rental property for individual residents, consider what type of residents you will most likely be renting to and what their needs are for rental space. Will you be renting to lower budget residents who need simply basic features, or are you looking for luxurious rental properties with extra amenities, prime location, modern décor and spacious rooms? Location Not only is type of rental property important, so is location. Do you want to buy a rental property you can easily access or will you have on-site supers to cater to residents’ needs? If you’re renting in a different city, are you aware of what areas to search for your ideal rental property? Take care to avoid areas with high crime, and take into account whether your residential audience will appreciate a relatively secluded area for added privacy, or whether proximity to local business and nightlife is a need. Further still, be sure to consider where the need for rentals is in the specific area you’re hoping to buy. It would be a waste to purchase a rental property in hopes of establishing business if the area is only residential. You don’t want to purchase a rental property for luxury purposes in a less than desirable part of town. Additionally, certain rental properties have seasonal validity, such as beachfront property or resort space. Be sure you can afford to have low seasons associated with your rental property. If not, consider other options. If you’re hoping to rent to residential clients, various factors are important for drawing and maintaining tenants. If your clients will be families with children, are schools nearby? For families with full-time jobs and need for public transportation, do school buses operate near the property? Consider the job market near your purchase as well. Americans spend nine hours daily in a job atmosphere, and cutting down on commute time to and from work is a huge perk for rental property owners. Residents are more likely to rent if they can establish a comfort zone in a small radius. Hands On? Also factor in the amount of involvement you intend to have at the initiation of your rental project. If you plan to make amends to the property purchased to increase value, be sure to check that these changes are permitted by city zoning laws and other guidelines. It’s also worth looking into additional expenses that you may incur during these upgrades and whether they are higher in certain areas. Then determine whether the property and location is worth a raised price. Be sure to thoroughly inspect the property as well. Know what you’re buying. As a landlord, a high number of necessary repairs will cramp the flow of income from your rental property. Check your potential property from top to bottom, inside and out to ensure that you don’t drown yourself in repairs and required remodeling. Search High and Low Utilizing all available search methods is a good idea as well. Though much of modern commerce is executed solely online, including the real estate industry, it’s important to note that there are still paper classifieds where some rental properties will be listed for sale for various reasons. Don’t neglect any of your options for finding your ideal rental property. Search exhaustively and be well informed. As we’ve determined that you will likely be searching online for rental properties for sale, take some time to assess your ability to find these rentals. Know where to look online for your unique rental property and how to maximize search results. When searching online, use keywords that are unique to your type of rental property in order to narrow down your selection. Be sure your search is also clear that you are looking for rental properties for sale. If you search effectively for databases of rental properties, you should find a variety of sites advertising property similar to your need. LoopNet.com and Auction.com are a few examples. Surprisingly, craigslist.com is worth a try as well, due to its simplicity and worldwide access. Despite the fact that you may now have much more on your plate than when you originally considered purchasing rental property for sale, rest easy that getting these decisions out of the way before launching a search is much more likely to ensure a successful shopping experience and ultimately lead to a positive investment opportunity. Sources http://www.investopedia.com/articles/mortgages-real-estate/08/buy-rental-property.asp http://www.zillow.com/blog/rental-property-investing-101-–-tips-for-future-property-moguls-78659/ http://landlords.about.com/od/BasicsOfPropertyInvesting/tp/Websites-To-Find-Investment-Property-For-Sale.htm http://www.frontdoor.com/houses/5-steps-to-finding-the-perfect-rental-home

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Article 5: Vacation, For Real

Any copy of this article elsewhere online is plagiarized and stolen. Vacation, For Real As of late, Americans have almost completely butchered the meaning of a vacation. Sure, we still plan trips to “get away” with the intention of relaxing and spending some “down time,” but for the majority of us, vacations have begun to cause more stress than necessary, and we rarely actually relax. Fortunately, whether we relax on vacation is one thing we really do have control over, and in many cases, it’s easy! Step 1 First things first, plan a vacation you can actually afford. Nothing causes more stress during our dedicated time of “relaxation” than worrying about the financial burdens of the trip itself. Sure, extravagant vacations are what we all dream of, but in reality, trips to cheaper, more low-key destinations can be just as fun, if not more relaxing, as the monetary concern is significantly lower. Numerous sites are dedicated to ensuring that everyone on Earth knows the cheapest places to travel, even if just within the U.S. Check these sites out and plan a trip to somewhere you’ve never been where hotels don’t cost your monthly salary. It will still be new to you! Step 2 If any of you are like me, there is an overwhelming fear when relaxing that you’re missing out on something. A simple way to curb this feeling is to plan a loose itinerary before the trip. Don’t try to plan an itinerary as you go, as this will undoubtedly add to stress levels, but don’t set a strict routine for yourself at your destination. This is a vacation, it’s acceptable to lie around and be lazy. Another Step That said, look into your vacation destination, available time off and desired activities before scheduling anything. If you’re going to a new location with lots of fun things to do but only staying for three days, you can forget relaxing. The majority of us will try to cram in every activity possible before leaving town. If there are many things you’re interested in trying out, check into possibly staying a few days longer, or eliminate some of your options before you leave your city. If you’re really looking forward to doing everything but can’t get the time off or afford the budget, think about whether you can postpone the trip and take a smaller, less expensive trip in the meantime. Single Most Important Requirement One of the simplest and simultaneously hardest ways to ensure a relaxing vacation is to unplug from technology. We surround ourselves with computers, cell phones, PDAs, pagers (for those of you who live 20 years in the past…or doctors….), and a plethora of other technological intravenous feeds to the extent that we’ve come to depend on them for life. Start your vacation by turning them off. Actually, start by taking a breath, because this may be difficult. No one is going to die if you’re not reachable during your time off. Surprisingly, it should be expected. You’re on vacation! If you’ve taken precautions to ensure you’re ready for a trip away from home, there should be no need to stay connected to technology. And Twitter too! That means social media, too. Rather than spend your entire vacation worrying about which photo to upload and how to best phrase how much fun the beach is, just enjoy the beach. Take a photo with the oldest camera of all, the eyes and memory. Turn your vacation destination into a sanctuary in which the outside world cannot reach you. Let’s think about it, if you’re going to spend all your money and vacation time on a trip for relaxation, doesn’t it seem like actually relaxing should be a priority? Your call, but you deserve some real down time.

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Article 4: Glucan 300

Any posting of this compiled information elsewhere online is plagiarism and stolen. Glucan 300: The King of Beta Glucans Beta Glucans? Beta glucans are an increasingly used substance for treating a variety of issues in the human body, generally at the cellular level. Composed of sugars found in cell walls of various plants and oats, beta glucans are said to effectively boost the immune system and potentially lower blood cholesterol and are commonly used to combat heightened cholesterol, chronic fatigue, colds, allergies and a wide range of serious, sometimes terminal, conditions. The most studied use of beta glucans is in stimulating the cleansing of immune system cells. But is there a difference between types of beta glucans, and if so, which is the best for use in controlling these ailments? For years, scientists have dedicated time and resources to determining the answers to these questions. Studies have attempted to determine if there are differences between both the consistency and effectiveness of different products, or beta glucans, and whether the functions of these substances serve different purposes across production. Various Beta Glucans As with most products, beta glucan is produced and distributed by numerous different companies, which naturally compete for worldwide business. Studies have been conducted to compare the products of each company and determine which is most valuable, effective and catalytic in stimulating immune activity in cells. Time and time again, Glucan 300 has shown greater quality and capacity for healing in studies done on mice, as well as, when appropriate, in clinical trials of children with certain health issues. Early Studies As early as 2007, studies drew from a list of advertised products across the world and conducted testing on various beta glucans using a number of variables, including concentration of the substance and method of administration. One such study pitted Glucan 300 against Now BETA, IMMUTOL, Immune Builder and Maitake Gold 404 to determine which version of beta glucan was most effective. The study tested each of the beta glucans through injection and monitoring of the effect of each substance on cell activity, specifically phagocytosis initially. After extensive testing, scientists determined that, of the five beta glucans tested, Glucan 300 was the most effective and relevant substance across the board in activating cell phagocytosis, which functions in the immune system as a tool for removing harmful pathogens and other extraneous substances in cells. Additional Studies Additional studies of a similar nature concluded that Glucan 300, or Glucan #300, performed best of all beta glucans tested. Though all beta glucans performed on an essential similar level during initial testing phases, the studies found that after prolonged exposure, in as few as three days, Glucan 300 showed higher capacity for desired cell activity, including phagocytosis, and effects of the drug lasted longer, up to a full week. Even across dosing methods, Glucan 300 showed the only significant results in cell activity. Comparatively, Glucan 300 stimulates more desired cell activity in the immune system than all other beta glucans tested. Does Dosing Method Matter? These same studies have monitored whether method of administration results in a notable difference of effectiveness across beta glucan products. One test studied the difference between intravenous and oral administration of each of the above listed beta glucans. Results determined that, while most beta glucans were effective when administered intravenously, Glucan 300 still showed significantly more immune system activity in test subjects. In addition, this study showed that when given orally, none of the beta glucans tested positive for immune system activity with the exception of Glucan 300. Glucan 300 in Children More specific, narrowed studies were conducted during a clinical trial using Glucan 300 against placebo in children with chronic respiratory problems. Scientists measured levels of important substances in subjects’ saliva before administering doses of Glucan 300 to a tested group and placebo to a control group. Results, as expected, were that children receiving Glucan 300 showed an increased level of production of desired immune substances and an overall improvement in general well-being. Worldwide Beta Glucans Not only is Glucan 300 the most effectively tested form of beta-glucan across studies, it has also been tested against beta glucans from across the world in these cases, thus showing that it outperforms beta glucans worldwide. In almost every test conducted, Glucan 300 was compared to a variety of other beta glucans including substances from various cities in the United States, Norway, New Zealand and Japan. Against every substance involved, Glucan 300 showed significantly more increased immune function in cells. Beta Glucans vs Concanavalin A Studies also tested Glucan 300 and other beta-glucan products against a current, common cell activity stimulator, Concanavalin A, known as Con A. When testing newer beta glucan products against Con A, studies actually found that none of the competing substances showed stimulation comparable to Con A except Glucan 300. Recent Studies One of the most recent studies in this field, completed in 2010, compared sixteen beta glucans from around the world, both soluble and insoluble in stimulating cell phagocytosis and other positive activity in the body. The results of this test showed that the effect of beta glucans is dependent on number and size of doses; however, most beta glucans produced activity only in very high doses or did not stimulate cell activity at all. This study maintains that Glucan 300 is the sole beta glucan that produces cellular immunity even in small doses. In this study, production of a certain type of chemical by spleen cells was also measured across beta glucan products. Although a number of beta glucans were active in producing these substances, results showed that, when compared to effects of Con A, only Glucan 300 showed similar effects. For use in various situations necessitating increased immunity, beta glucans have been tested repeatedly in order to determine their effectiveness overall as well as their effectiveness against one another. Studies do show significant increase of immune system functions, such as phagocytosis, with use of beta glucans, thus confirming it as a positive option for control of many health issues and conditions. Numerous studies show across the board that when tested against other beta glucans, Glucan 300 is the most effective in inducing immune system function at a cellular level, and when administered orally, the only effective product worldwide. Given these results in relation to the potential of beta glucans in general, it should be understood that Glucan 300 is the best choice in these situations. Sources http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1041-BETA%20GLUCANS.aspx?activeIngredientId=1041&activeIngredientName=BETA+GLUCANS http://www.transferpoint.com/v/vspfiles/downloadables/Vetvicka2007-Hilites.pdf http://www.transferpoint.com/v/vspfiles/downloadables/JANA2008.pdf http://www.atmjournal.org/article/view/2386/3252 http://www.benthamscience.com/open/toglyj/articles/V003/1TOGLYJ.pdf

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Article 3: Perk Me Up, Scotty

Any posting of this elsewhere online is plagiarism and stolen. Perk Me Up, Scotty Energy, On the Whole Modern society trains us to rush around and maximize energy exertion at all times, but our bodies can only keep up with a certain pace in peak condition, and whose body is in peak condition? Fortunately, there are a variety of tricks and tips for increasing the energy we need to get through every day, including certain supplements created just for this purpose. Energy Supplements The most popular of energy supplements is understandably caffeine. Present in coffee, sodas, certain teas, and even chocolate, caffeine is one of the most widely used energy supplements, even for people who don’t intend to increase energy. Caffeine is also a primary ingredient in many other energy boosting products, namely because it does create a temporary surge in metabolism. This serves to increase mental functioning and postpone the effects of exhaustion, temporarily. In fact, many natural supplements for energy enhancement include caffeine as well, such as guarana, kola nut and green tea, though green tea includes other antioxidants that promote energy both in brainwaves and physically. A Few More Supplements Additional supplements include more natural options like red pepper and ginseng. Each of these stimulants is used in different ways to grant extra energy to our ever-tiring bodies. These upswings in energy, however temporary, can serve to aide us in accomplishing everyday tasks on less than desirable levels of sleep, mental rest and nutrition. Do It the Natural Way Despite their immediate help in boosting energy, many supplements are recommended second to finding natural ways for increased energy. In fact, some of the best ways to naturally aide in energy are basic changes in lifestyle that promote healthier patterns and habits for the mind and body overall. For the most part, changes necessary to increase energy levels include getting enough sleep, exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet. This should come as no surprise, since these three factors influence many aspects of human life. Getting Sleep Getting enough sleep each night is one of the primary methods of increasing daily energy. For many, this is simply a matter of getting into bed at appropriate times and saying goodbye to overwhelming to-do lists and technological options. As it is almost never this simple, experts have been diligent in offering tips for kick-starting the sleep cycle. In a sea of suggestions for maximizing sleep time, the majority of experts agree on certain actions to ensure this. Essentially, studies agree that setting a regular sleep cycle and establishing a before-bed routine can effectively increase the amount and quality of sleep obtained on a regular basis. By getting to bed and waking up around the same times every day and training your body to recognize light changes between day and night, humans can easily regulate sleep cycles and trigger the release of melatonin at appropriate times. Experts recommend getting plenty of light during the day, whether spending time outside or ensuring adequate levels of office lighting, and shying away from artificial light towards sleep time. This includes backlit electronics, bright bulbs and televisions. Work it Out In 9/10 cases, studies show that increased physical exercise serves to increase, rather than decrease, energy levels in the body. This change may be easier than many people believe, as energy levels can increase with as little as half an hour, cumulatively, of exercise a day. It is important to ensure that exercise is completed within a few hours of bedtime, as increased levels of physical activity can energize the body and prevent sleep. Nourish The Body Diet plays an important part in almost all functions of the human body, and energy is no exception. Studies recommend an intake of fruits, vegetables, proteins (such as meats, beans, etc.) and whole grains to foster high levels of energy. Other dietary changes include cutting certain foods and substances to enhance quality of sleep. Some of these tips including cutting back on caffeine, eating smaller meals at night and avoiding foods and liquids that may interrupt sleep via heartburn, frequent bathroom trips during the night. Quicker Fixes Of course, each of these changes requires a certain amount of time, as they are essentially adjustments in the body’s level of functioning. For quicker remedies to low energy levels, sources recommend a variety of activities including mid-afternoon workouts, quick naps, increased exposure to outdoors, trips away from your desk and stretching. Experts maintain that even small actions like chewing gum, laughing, drinking water and eating chocolate can increase daytime energy quickly. Chocolate does contain caffeine, but it also contains antioxidants that serve to improve cognitive skills and mood. Studies also show that dehydration, no matter how minute, can cause drowsiness, thus ensuring a high intake of water can serve to fight off low energy as well. Whether low energy is an ongoing issue or occasional bother during the day, there are endless ways to increase energy levels, with or without supplements. You choose which way is best for you, but be sure to test it out first. Sources http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/lifestyle-guide-11/energy-boosters-can-supplements-and-vitamins-help http://www.helpguide.org/life/sleep_tips.htm http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/natural-sleeping-remedies http://greatist.com/happiness/28-scientifically-proven-ways-boost-energy-instantly

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Article 2- Hormones Aren't Just For Ladies

Any copy of this elsewhere online is plagiarism and stolen. Hormones Aren’t Just For Ladies Who Has Hormones? For the most part, the term “hormones” is associated with pre-menstrual or pre-natal women or with adolescent teenage boys. Not only is this misinformed because grown men have hormones too, but because almost every action in the body is affected by hormones in some way. Hormones in the Body Hormones are produced naturally by the human body and serve a specific function for each of our organs, cells and life processes. The role of hormones is primarily to transport information and functional instructions from one part of the body to another. A few benefits of hormones in the human body include, but are not limited to, growth development, impact on metabolism, increased sexual function if properly balanced, and stabilization of moods. The majority of the hormones our bodies need are produced internally and balanced by the body. In some cases, though, hormones from outside the body are necessary to help compensate for reduced amounts. Hormones Over Time The majority of hormones decline in production as we age. In addition to this, other factors can cause reduction of necessary hormones over time, including environmental ones like pollution and chemicals present in foods, as well as some surgical procedures, most notably on reproductive organs. For this reason, it is important to focus on balancing each hormone in the body to ensure peak condition and functioning. Most Common Hormones The body has a plethora of hormones for almost every purpose, but certain hormones receive more attention and are more commonly addressed than others. The most common hormones used in the human body are estrogen, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), thyroid hormone and cortisol. Progesterone is also a common hormone but is only present in females. Insulin, dopamine, and adrenaline are all very important hormones in the function of the body as well. Estrogen Estrogen is commonly misunderstood to be a hormone that only women produce. While it does play a larger role in the growth and development of sex organs for women, estrogen is present and necessary in men as well. Main functions of estrogen in women include the reproductive process and prevention of bone loss, and in effect with other hormones, construction of new bone material. In addition, low estrogen has been linked to painful sex due to physiological issues. In men, estrogen is thought to promote an active libido, and reduced estrogen has been correlated to flabby body composition and erectile dysfunction. It is important to note, however, that over abundance of estrogen in men is closely tied to many long-term diseases and can also cause excessive flab. Testosterone Testosterone is also a hormone that both sexes produce. While it is most known for its relation to the male sex drive and aggression surrounding sexual partners and peers, there is also evidence that testosterone affects language and cognitive abilities in both genders. Testosterone also controls various bodily factors like lean muscle mass and levels of red blood cells. Without an accurate level of testosterone, both men and women can suffer from a range of symptoms including low sex drive, osteoporosis, weight gain and fatigue. Low levels of the hormone in men are also linked to sleep apnea. For men, studies show it serves to attract the opposite sex, promotes extended life, works against heart disease, aids in brain functioning and works against depression. DHEA Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone produced by the body’s adrenal glands. The body converts DHEA into testosterone and estrogen. The body’s natural production of DHEA tends to reach its height in mid-20s and can often decline with age. Benefits of DHEA are said to include a stronger immune system, a slower aging process, increased energy, enhanced mood and memory and stronger muscles. Thyroid Hormone Thyroid hormone is also an extremely important factor in the function of the human body. Essentially, thyroid hormone is responsible for regulating the body’s function and metabolism. Without the proper amount of thyroid hormone, humans can suffer a wide variety of symptoms including muscle cramps, memory loss, abnormal menstrual cycles, constipation, weight gain, etc. Cortisol Cortisol is also created in the body’s adrenal gland and is termed the “stress hormone,” as its secretion is triggered by bodily stressors. Cortisol production in the body increases as we get older, but lack of sufficient cortisol can be linked with fatigue, decreased libido, loss of motivation and a general feeling of stress. The balance of this particular hormone is a necessary, and unfortunately declining, requirement. While excessive cortisol can be useful in certain situations, namely those qualifying as “fight or flight,” if the body’s cortisol level’s do not regulate following these situations, consequences can include blood sugar imbalances, increased blood pressure, a decreased immune system and excessive abdominal fat. Additional Hormones In addition to these five hormones, two other hormones are often discussed in the health world. HGH The human growth hormone, HGH, was developed in 1985 and approved by the FDA for certain uses including various medical conditions in children and adults. Outside the FDA’s approval, however, HGH is used widely to enhance performance and build muscle. This hormone is also thought to help inhibit aging, increase metabolism, improve sleep cycles, produce energy and generally improve the state of the heart and kidneys. While HGH is produced naturally by the body, an increased number of products have been released including a synthetic version of HGH to aide in the benefits the hormone can cause. Studies have not show conclusively that these forms of HGH are effective, but they continue to be used on a regular basis. Melatonin Melatonin is perhaps one of the most important hormones in the body, as it regulates the sleep cycle. It is well-known that without sleep the human body cannot function. Melatonin, a hormone produced in the brain, assists in controlling the cycle of our body’s sleep. It can be found in trace amounts in various foods like meats, grains, fruits and vegetables, but the majority of melatonin is produced by the body itself. Essentially, melatonin levels rise and fall throughout the day, peaking at times when the body is asleep. Incorrect distribution of melatonin can cause insomnia and other problems. Melatonin is currently most commonly used to treat jet lag and sleeping issues, but there is potential for the hormone’s use in reversing sleep patterns for graveyard employees and helping reduce certain types of headaches. Sources http://www.webmd.com/diet/dhea-supplements http://www.healthywomen.org/condition/estrogen http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-09-11/male-sex-drive-depends-on-both-estrogen-and-testosterone.html http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/09/11/estrogen-aging-men/2794243/ http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/human-growth-hormone-hgh http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/cathgh.htm http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/tc/melatonin-overview http://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/testosterone http://healthyliving.msn.com/health-wellness/men/13-surprising-facts-about-testosterone-1 http://health.yahoo.net/articles/mens-health/benefits-testosterone http://bocamed.com/services/about-hormones/ http://www.livewellmdsavannah.com/faqs

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Article 1- Antioxidants: The Body's Superfriends

Any posting of this article without my name has been plagiarized and stolen. Antioxidants: The Body’s Superfriends Talk continues to increase about the benefits of antioxidants. Much of the discussion centers around the use of these super “vitamins” as treatment for existing conditions or even terminal diseases. But how do antioxidants affect health on an everyday basis, and why do we need them? What Are Antioxidants? In short, antioxidants act as defense against the development of free radicals, substances whose behavior can ultimately severely damage, even kill the body’s cells. When we consume foods, the purpose is to convert them into energy for the body’s use. Oxidation is a natural part of this process, but it does result in the creation of free radicals, and over time, a build up of free radicals contributes to many of the effects of aging and other issues with the human body. Antioxidants can assist in slowing these effects and circumventing health issues. (http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART03370/Antioxidants.html) Benefits of Antioxidants Many studies show that antioxidants can be effective in decreasing the number of free radicals in the body, which directly leads to numerous other health benefits including reduction of age spots and wrinkles as well as help warding off damage from the sun. In addition, various antioxidants can greatly impact the health of the internal body from eye health to heart health to digestive health. (http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/vitamins-minerals/how-do-antioxidants-benefit-me.html#b) Some studies show that increased intake of antioxidants can even assist in preventing memory loss (http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/benefits-eating-antioxidants-6716.html). One popular use for antioxidants is in weight loss through use of the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). (http://www.womenshealthmag.com/nutrition/antioxidant-foods#) Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity ORAC is essentially the measurement of protection a specific food can provide against free radicals based on the performance of the food in a laboratory setting. Each food containing antioxidants is tested in a controlled environment against substances that create free radicals as well as other substances that are particularly vulnerable to the process of oxidation. The results of each food’s effects are recorded and assigned an ORAC number based on the amount of damage inflicted on the vulnerable substances; the smaller the amount of damage, the higher the number. (http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-are-orac-values/) Most Popular Antioxidants The lists of antioxidants can be lengthy, but there are a few that stand out above the crowd as necessary in the daily diet. For the most part, these include Vitamins A, C and E as well as selenium and other carotenoids such as beta-carotene and lycopene. (http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/vitamins-minerals/how-do-antioxidants-benefit-me.html#b) Vitamin A Vitamin A is already present to some extent in the body, but additional antioxidants from diet can increase the benefits of this nutrient, including healthy vision, skin and immune systems. Despite its positive impact, it is important not to binge on Vitamin A, as overabundance of the nutrient can lead to negative effects including nausea, irritability and even more serious consequences like hair loss and jaundice. Many lists of vitamin A-rich foods are available on the internet and provide extensive information regarding consumption of this particular antioxidant. (http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/food-sources-of-vitamin-A.php) Beta-Carotene Beta-carotene is also used by the body as vitamin A. Though it is not considered an essential nutrient like vitamins A, C and E, beta-carotene has a number of useful effects including boosting the immune system, protecting the skin from sun damage and acting against depression. (http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/herbsvitaminsa1/a/BetaCarotene.htm) Lycopene Many substances in the carotenoid family, including beta-carotene, are converted to vitamin A once inside the body. Lycopene is one exception to this. Known for its tendency to give a red color to fruits and vegetables (i.e. tomatoes, watermelon), lycopene is most noted for its everyday use as an anti-aging tool and protector from sun. (http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/high-lycopene-foods.php) (http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/health-benefits-of-lycopene.html#b) Vitamin E Vitamin E is another popular and very useful antioxidant. Everyday uses for vitamin E relate mostly to energy and muscle condition. This substance can be taken for improvement of physical endurance as well as muscle strength and is often used to reduce damage to muscles following physical exertion. Vitamin E is also a useful source of energy and can potentially prevent allergies. As with many antioxidants, Vitamin E too is often used to prevent the effects of aging, though it must be applied directly to skin. (http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-954-VITAMIN%20E.aspx?activeIngredientId=954&activeIngredientName=VITAMIN+E) Again, over consumption of Vitamin E begins to negate benefits, especially in those with certain pre-existing conditions. (http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-954-VITAMIN%20E.aspx?activeIngredientId=954&activeIngredientName=VITAMIN+E) Vitamin E is most commonly found in seeds, nuts and a variety of green vegetables. (http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=111) Vitamin C Where vitamin E is conducive to muscle repair and construction, vitamin C is more commonly utilized as a remedy for colds and minute infections in addition to mental health problems such as depression, mental stress and fatigue (http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1001-vitamin+c+ascorbic+acid.aspx?activeingredientid=1001&activeingredientname=vitamin+c+(ascorbic+acid)) Vitamin C is most often found in fruits and vegetables, notably citrus fruits like oranges, as well as peppers, broccoli and dark, leafy vegetables like kale. (http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/vitamin-C.php) Selenium Though most antioxidants have internal uses for general health, selenium, a mineral found in soil, has more notable effects on the external body. (http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/lifestyle-guide-11/supplement-guide-selenium) Selenium is known to aide in the healing of burn injuries in addition to easing scalp dandruff. Selenium also serves as a regenerator of vitamins E and C, thus adding to the effects of these antioxidants on the skin. (http://www.newsmax.com/FastFeatures/selenium-cancer-benefits-health/2010/11/11/id/371344) Additional Antioxidants Aside from these six powerhouse nutrients, alpha lipoic acid, astaxanthin, glutathione and resveratrol are also effective antioxidants in weight loss, energy enhancement, (http://www.pccnaturalmarkets.com/health/feature/alpha-lipoic-acid-a-weight-loss-aid_14819_4/~default) (http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-767-Alpha%20Lipoic%20Acid%20(ALPHA-LIPOIC%20ACID).aspx?activeIngredientId=767&activeIngredientName=Alpha+Lipoic+Acid+(ALPHA-LIPOIC+ACID) ), muscle endurance, (http://www.healthline.com/natstandardcontent/astaxanthin), skin protection, fatigue prevention and a variety of other areas. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/suzy-cohen-rph/astaxanthin_b_2750910.html) Alpha Lipoic Acid Alpha lipoic acid (ALA), like many antioxidants is still under study to determine exactly how it benefits everyday human life, but current studies show the nutrient to be effective in increasing energy, promoting weight loss, promoting healthy skin and preventing migraines. (http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2007/oct2007_nu_lipoic_acid_01.htm) ALA, a fatty acid found in liver, kidney, spinach, broccoli and potatoes, contributes to these factors by breaking down carbohydrates in the body and creating energy for use by other organs. http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-767-Alpha%20Lipoic%20Acid%20(ALPHA-LIPOIC%20ACID).aspx?activeIngredientId=767&activeIngredientName=Alpha+Lipoic+Acid+(ALPHA-LIPOIC+ACID) Astaxanthin Astaxanthin, an antioxidant found primarily in seafood, is also extremely helpful for everyday health. Astaxanthin can act as pain reliever and work against fatigue in the body. In addition, studies show Astaxanthin supports eye health and anti-aging qualities in the skin. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/suzy-cohen-rph/astaxanthin_b_2750910.html) Glutathione Glutathione, known for its effects in detoxifying the body and promoting a healthy immune system, is produced naturally by the body, but can deplete over time. For this reason, regular exercise and intake of sulfur-rich foods like garlic, kale, watercress, etc. as well as whey protein is important in maintaining a helpful level of glutathione. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/glutathione-the-mother-of_b_530494.html) Resveratrol Resveratrol is more commonly associated with heart health and reduction of blood clots, but it has also been noted to provide benefits similar to other antioxidants as an anti-aging assistant, natural sunblock, and potential weight loss agent. Resveratrol is found in highest doses in red wine but can also be consumed in grapes, blueberries, cranberries and pomegranate. (http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/resveratrol.htm) The study of antioxidants is in no way complete or all-inclusive, but many reports do show that increased intake of these substances can benefit the body both internally and externally, both in everyday life and against long-term disease. Sources http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART03370/Antioxidants.html http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/vitamins-minerals/how-do-antioxidants-benefit-me.html#b http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/benefits-eating-antioxidants-6716.html http://www.womenshealthmag.com/nutrition/antioxidant-foods# http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-are-orac-values/ http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/food-sources-of-vitamin-A.php http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/herbsvitaminsa1/a/BetaCarotene.htm http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/high-lycopene-foods.php http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/health-benefits-of-lycopene.html#b http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-954-VITAMIN%20E.aspx?activeIngredientId=954&activeIngredientName=VITAMIN+E http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=111 http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1001-vitamin+c+ascorbic+acid.aspx?activeingredientid=1001&activeingredientname=vitamin+c+(ascorbic+acid http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/vitamin-C.php http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/lifestyle-guide-11/supplement-guide-selenium http://www.newsmax.com/FastFeatures/selenium-cancer-benefits-health/2010/11/11/id/371344 http://www.pccnaturalmarkets.com/health/feature/alpha-lipoic-acid-a-weight-loss-aid_14819_4/~default http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-767-Alpha%20Lipoic%20Acid%20(ALPHA-LIPOIC%20ACID).aspx?activeIngredientId=767&activeIngredientName=Alpha+Lipoic+Acid+(ALPHA-LIPOIC+ACID http://www.healthline.com/natstandardcontent/astaxanthin http://www.huffingtonpost.com/suzy-cohen-rph/astaxanthin_b_2750910.html http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2007/oct2007_nu_lipoic_acid_01.htm http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/glutathione-the-mother-of_b_530494.html http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/resveratrol.htm

[manhattanforone-blog]

I Don't Think So, "Max Webber"

I did a lot of work for a freelance client last week, and it has become abundantly clear that he has no intention of paying me. This means that all the "ghost writing" I did for him is no longer ghost writing, as he didn't pay for it. So, please see the 12 articles below that I completed for him without payment. These articles are MINE. Anywhere else they are printed online has been done without my consent and without purchase i.e. ILLEGALLY. Enjoy.

[manhattanforone-blog]

A Strong Lady

Today has been a trying day, and I've realized that it's hardest for me to restrain myself from sweets when I'm down and don't know how else to cheer up. 

I really wanted ice cream on my way home from the Bronx tonight. I was so proud when I walked past the bodega and the health food store I had to text my buddy and tell him I did it. 

Things I've Wanted Today:

- Chocolate chip cookie pie

- Straciatella

- Pizza

- BBQ ribs

- Burger King burger

- Coffee with milk and sugar

- Hot cocoa

Things I've Had:

- Hazelnut coffee with cream only

- Scrambled eggs with mushrooms

- Turkey bacon

- Refried beans with salsa

- Red wine

And I've shed many tears. Today has been a day of strength, but it isn't over. 

[manhattanforone-blog]

Starting Anew

Today's lesson: How to poach eggs. 

My roommate started 4hb yesterday, which makes it a little easier not to cheat. I also went to the grocery store, which helps too. 

This morning I poached eggs for the first time. Success x4. Good job me. So far I've been good for almost 2 days. Also decided Sunday is my free day this week instead of Saturday, because I have to work Saturday. Gonna head to Matt's house and have some pizza and cider. Mmmmm. 

Yoga on Thursday, and I ran a mile yesterday. Wanna run one today, but I'm not brave enough to go out in 9 degree weather. 

[manhattanforone-blog]

Honesty

Made it to about 6:30 today, then I had pizza rolls and banana bread. 

I should have gone grocery shopping and gotten slow carb food instead of being lazy. I've spent at least 6 hours on the couch. My stomach hurts. 

The hardest part of this for me is not giving in and if I do give in not getting down on myself about it. It was hard for me to take a free day. I knew it would be based on my history, but optimism told me I could do it. 

I feel lonely, but I simultaneously don't want to talk to anyone. I don't want to open up. I just want things to be easier. 

[manhattanforone-blog]

DGW

First official Dieters Gone Wild day was yesterday. I made myself sick. Definitely going to need to do some adjusting if I'm going to make #4hb work for me. 

Firstly, I probably shouldn't have started on Friday evening, but I was fucking hungry. My fault entirely. I didn't eat almost anything on Friday during the day. Definitely something I need to work on. I'm finding that many of the meal ideas I have are unappealing to me once executed, so it seems I'll need to get a little more creative, which may be hard considering my income. 

For now, beans with salsa is lunch.