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We all need a holiday, it's essential for our wellbeing -  but in these credit-crunch times it doesn't need to be a holiday that involves spending thousands of pounds going to an exclusive galmorous far-off location.
It's especially the case for a family holiday. A lot of fun can be had taking the children to, say, a caravan park in Wales so long as the emphasis is on fun and not money-saving. And with a bit of good luck, the weather in the UK is sometimes better than on continental europe.
To be honest, when I was a kid I wasn't much interested in exotic locations anyway. if you'd given me the choise of Tuscany or Center parcs I'd have definitely chosen the latter.
But if the money's there, why not try going somewhere different and off the beaten track? With the range of destinations available these days, there's bound to be something that all the family can agree on. Me, I'd like to head for the Northern mariana Islands since a) it's a pretty unheard-of destination and b) I could indulge my love of World war 2 history (ref: Battle of Saipan).
But sadly there's not the time this year, not to mention the hefty airfare, so it'll be a family trip to Wales (or maybe Cheshire) for me this year. Not quite as old school as the caravan pictured below, though.

1933_car&trailer

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Minumum pricing for alcohol has taken a step closer with the news that experts from NICE (The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence ) have made clear that they are in support of the call.

Tesco Chief executive Terry leahy has added his voice to the many who are also in favour of a minimun pricing policy.

I am undecided as to whether minimum pricing is a good thing, as I don't drink budget alcohol products. Give me real wine, cider or ale, not stuff that's concocted in a laboratory from some kind of concentrate, thanks very much!

If the policy eventually comes into effect it will be interesting to see what happens. Hopefully the minority who over-consume will go for moderation, and the taxes will be put to good use.

For the rest of us, the policy will mean little on a week to week basis – unless it pushes up prices as a whole. If it does, I think I'll turn teetotal and get my Friday night relaxation from a cup of green trea instead.

800px-Niag715

                                                          An end to the Niagara of cheap booze?

 

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The flu pandemic has left many concerned especially with talk of a vaccine shortage.  But that doesn’t mean there is a shortage on ways to prevent you from getting sick.  Here are three simple steps that will protect your health not just now but all year long.

Step 1  Be sure you regularly disinfect the kitchen sink, the trash can, the bathroom faucet and the tub. These places harbor a lot of germs. The champion of the contamination? The kitchen sponge. Clean it in the dishwasher weekly.

Step 2  Lace up your sneakers and take a brisk walk five times a week. Regular exercise can help reduce chances of catching a cold.

Step 3  Include probiotics in your daily diet to help your immune system ward off bad bacteria. Try yogurt, fortified drinks, or a tasty treat like the 90-calorie Attune Milk Chocolate Crip Probiotic Bar.

Lenneice A. Drew is an experienced journalist currently focused on healthcare reform. She is working to help others achieve better lives by finding affordable health insurance alternatives and reporting stories related to the healthcare industry. She lives in Miami, Florida.

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There is more proof to convince smokers that if they want to kick their habit they need to hit the gym. A new study uses images to show how getting your blood moving by exercising for even 15 minutes minimizes your cravings to smoke. Here is a look at how the study was performed.

Lenneice A. Drew is an experienced journalist currently focused on healthcare reform. She is working to help others achieve better lives by finding affordable health insurance alternatives and reporting stories related to the healthcare industry. She lives in Miami, Florida.

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Pre-Diabetes Issues – Ticking Time Bomb

Diabetes

Around 7 million people in the United Kingdom have pr-diabetes and are in danger of developing type two diabetes, according to Diabetes UK.
The charity Diabetes one say that the situation is a ticking time bomb waiting to go off. It is claimed that people with pre-diabetes can avoid developing type 2 diabetes by losing weight, healthy eating and regular exercise. This could minimize the risk of the more advanced condition by up to 60%.
People who have high blood pleasure or overweight tend to have pr-diabetes more so than others. It is also common for people who are connected to a family history of the condition.
Last year (2008) there was a staggering 145,000 new cases of the disease diagnosed. Government statistics say there are around 2.6 million people in the United Kingdom with the disease all ready.
In April this year the British government started a campaign checking the health of citizens between the age of 40 to 79. Primarily checking for danger signs that can lead to the disease – like obesity and high blood pleasure.
Douglas Smallwood of Diabetes UK  says that these signs in British society are a serious concern. He goes on… "It's staggering that seven million people in the UK have pre-diabetes, which is often a precursor to type 2 diabetes, a serious condition which can lead to long-term complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, amputation and blindness."
"Identifying and educating people with pre-diabetes is vital as it's not too late for many to make healthy lifestyle changes, reverse the condition completely and reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes,"

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As always, there are a number of interesting developments takling place in the health sector at the moment.
Here's a rundown of six of our favourite stories:
Depression or anxiety affects 1 in 6 people in the UKNew research centers on the link between nutrition and brain functionTop 10 health scares of the decadeTop Google and AOL health searches of 2009Young adults' health is static or even decliningBeing bad is good for youWhat health stories have caught your eye recently?

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