1. Do your research (keep watching the games). The best way to get a feel for the way each team plays is to actually watch them play. What is the key to their offense? Where are there potential weak spots in their D? Getting a feel for their offense, defense, and plays will help you predict how they’ll match up. Invest in extra sports channels and watch each team more than once before you begin to bet on or against them. Paying a handicapper to give you expert picks against the spread will usually pay off, especially long-term.

2. Pay attention to schedules and injuries. Take into account who the team has played against in the previous weeks. If the team has only played against losing opponents and is then matched up with a tougher team to beat, the line will become inflated because others will be betting on them based on their great results. With injuries, look for key players going down. While an o-lineman may not make or break a game, an star QB or RB on the bench can make a difference. The spread will normally adjust based on this, but not always enough, or often too much.

3. Don’t bet on your favorite team just because they’re your favorite. If you want to actually make money, avoid betting on games involving your favorite team altogether – betting is stressful enough without having to worry about your favorite team winning at the same time! Sure, it’s fun and we all do it sometimes, but if your in it to win money, steer clear or be very objective.

4. Consider the quarterback. The quarterback is the most central player in the game, and more than anyone else his abilities will determine how the game turns out. Last minute touchdowns scored with the help of a star quarterback can turn a game around in seconds – or at least help you cover a spread.

5. Remember the cliché: Any given Sunday. More than any other game in sports, football is a game that can go either way no matter what each team’s record is like. An 0-5 team is not destined to lose their 6th. Do your research, follow the above advice and bet with caution. For more information on how to pick winners and NFL expert picks against the spread, looking into paying a professional who does research around the clock to help you pick the best. Check out http://www.smpicks.com for free and paid NFL picks.

Hormone replacement therapy may have received negative publicity over the past ten years, but there are actually several different types that can be beneficial for many patients.  Both men and women who are experiences the symptoms of aging may find that treatment at a hormone replacement therapy Houston clinic can alleviate symptoms and help them lead healthier lives.

HRT in the Media
Hormone replacement therapy, often abbreviated HRT, was a standard treatment for the symptoms of menopause for many years.  Menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, irritability and vaginal dryness are due to a drop in the hormone estrogen, and replacing lost estrogen can help relieve the unpleasant symptoms.  HRT (in the form of estrogen plus progestin, a synthetic form of the female reproductive hormone progesterone) was also thought to have long-term benefits for the prevention of osteoporosis, a loss of calcium (and subsequent weakening) in the bones caused by lower-than-normal estrogen levels.

A widespread clinical trial in 2002, however, found that HRT actually put women at an alarmingly increased risk of a number of life-threatening conditions.  Women on hormone replacement therapy programs had much higher rates of heart disease, breast cancer, stroke, blood clots and abnormal mammograms.  Doctors immediately began prescribing the treatment much less often, and the results of the clinical trial frightened many women into stopping treatment without even consulting their physicians.

What is Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Medical clinic Houston IMC recognizes that reproductive hormones are not the only hormones that decline with age, and replacing other lost hormones in the body can help reduce the effects of aging.  Adults suffering from low thyroid hormone levels may experience sleep problems, weight gain, low energy, or hair loss; supplementation with natural thyroid replacements can help these symptoms.  Cortisol, testosterone and DHEA are other common hormones whose supplementation may benefit the patient.

It’s important for patients to pay attention o their bodies and take note when they are experiencing unusual symptoms.  Recognizing low hormone levels is different from recognizing the symptoms of a disease in that patients often attribute their condition to aging or stress or work – but often there is a simple and natural solution with hormone replacement.

Evolution has designed trees to be resilient enough to handle cold winter temperatures, but sometimes it’s prudent to take extra action in case of severe weather.  Winterizing your trees can help prevent damage during a storm or an intense cold spell.

Whether (and to what degree) you need to winterize your trees depends on several factors, and a Redmond arborist can help you decide what measures are necessary.  The Pacific Northwest Chapter of the ISA – the International Society of Arboriculture, the society that certifies arborist Seattle services – also certifies professional inspectors who examine trees for weaknesses that may cause problems in the future.  An arborist can also recommend and help plan a course of action for preventive care.

1. Pruning: Trees should be strategically pruned to avoid branches falling during a storm.  Strategic pruning includes the removal of weak branches, damaged branches, dead limbs or branches, and parts of the tree with dead wood.  These areas of the tree may be brittle and more prone to breaking off.  Trees that are pruned widthwise will also be more streamlined in the event of a storm, preventing breakage from high winds.
2. Root Problems: Have your arborist check your tree’s root system for damage or problems.  Damaged roots mean a tree could simply blow over sideways during a winter storm.
3. Leaning or Off-Balance Trees: Trees that lean to one side, have an odd balance or branches, or one section of the tree that is overgrown compared to the rest are more likely to be damaged in the winter.  An arborist can often prune the tree accordingly.
4. Cracks: Trees with deep cracks that surpass the bark into the soft wood are a bad sign.  Cracks could deepen and cause the tree to split.  They could also indicate structural problems with the branches.
5. Poor Planting: It’s important to plant your trees in the fall or early spring to prevent damage.

To learn more about Seattle and Redmond tree care or ISA-certified arborists, visit the ISA website or Certified Arborist Tree Care online.

Whether you have a small yard or a big one, hiring an certified arborist seattle to take care of your damaged trees is worth it. Poorly maintained trees and foliage are a burden to nature, and to the human eye. Contact an experienced arborist to find out about the following services:

1. Pruning and trimming removals. This is probably the service that you are most familiar with. Pruning and trimming make sure that all trees on your property remain slightly.

2. Cabling and bracing. This procedure is for mature, valuable trees that have major structural damage.

3. Hazard risk assessment. Think of this option as preventative medicine for your trees.

Find an experienced arborist to give you a free consultation. They will work with you to keep your trees pretty.

More and more companies are realizing the financial benefits of implementing a corporate wellness program – and they’re learning how to take advantage of them.

These programs, such as corporate wellness Houston program Healthy Start MD, are a supplemental plan that can be implemented by the company in addition to medical insurance.  The plans offer each employee in the company an annual checkup with preventive tests and screenings, consults with a dietician and exercise therapist, and access to an online patient portal.  The patient portal is a login screen that allows patients to communicate and consult with their physician, track their health and vital signs daily, view their test results, and track their exercise and diet progress.

Though these programs are often extremely affordable and can start as low as a few dollars per employee per month, they do more than simply boost employee morale and promote the company as a positive work environment.  Many companies are reporting huge savings on preventable medical expenses for their employees as a result of the preventive care offered by the corporate wellness programs.  Companies can also see improved productivity and fewer sick days with healthier employees.

Georgia- and Texas-based WIKA Instruments decided to implement a corporate wellness program in 2008, and their program has been a huge success both financially and with the employees who participate.  WIKA chose to make participation optional, offering a 10% discount of health insurance premiums to employees who joined the program.  99 percent of employees opted to participate in the program, allowing them to save between $400 and $1,200 the second year.  Environmental Health and Safety Manager Cathy Bochenek reports that the money the company saves far overshadows the meager $45,000 spent on the corporate wellness program in the last year.  “We probably saved $300,000 just last year,” she says.

Wellness programs aren’t guaranteed to catch on among employees, so it’s important for companies implementing them to take measures to motivate employees to participate.  In WIKA’s case, they offered financial incentives for taking part.  Research by Leonard L. Berry of Texas A&M University suggests that employees may be more motivated to join a wellness program when they see individuals of high authority in the company joining – such as CEOs and other high-ranking executives.

Studies calculate the average return-on-investment for a corporate wellness program to be between 3:1 and 6:1 – that is, between three and six dollars saved for each dollar invested in the program.  That’s an enormous amount of benefit for the company as well as an excellent way to give back to hardworking employees who deserve the best.

For more information on corporate wellness programs Houston, visit www.healthystartmd.com.

July 11, 2011 (Miami, FL) – Corporate health and concierge doctor network EliteHealth has expanded its services to Argentina, Brazil and Chile.  By offering concierge medical services like 24-7 online access, priority appointments, thorough diagnostic testing and preventive care, EliteHealth provides safety and peace-of-mind for clients traveling or living abroad.

EliteHealth has official locations in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Sao Paolo, Brazil.  A Chilean international insurance provider has recently selected EliteHealth to provide medical services for its members, solidifying their position as a leading provider of concierge medical care in South America.

EliteHealth’s concierge and corporate medical services surpass ordinary healthcare providers by offering 24-7 worldwide access to the most qualified specialists in their fields, both in-person and online.  The myEliteHealth Patient Portal offers users a way to track and store medical records online, securely message their doctor, request appointments or prescription refills, and know that they always have a way to get in touch with their healthcare provider should an emergency arise.

EliteHealth patients are also assigned a personal Health Care Advocate to help manage all aspects of their healthcare experience, including finding doctors and hospitals while traveling or working abroad.  Members can alert their Health Care Advocate of their travel plans in advance so that their advocate can find medical centers along their route, and patients requiring medical assistance need only phone EliteHealth to find a suitable hospital and discuss emergency evacuation.  EliteHealth membership includes the services of AirMed International, an “air ambulance” service that transports patients to medical centers closer to home in the event of a medical emergency.  AirMed planes are staffed with emergency medical personnel, and their services incur no additional fees.

EliteHealth’s concierge plans heavily emphasize preventive medicine and screenings in addition to rapid service and international access.  And beyond personal and family concierge plans, EliteHealth’s executive health and corporate health programs offer corporations a way to keep their staff healthy and secure.  For more information on EliteHealth’s concierge services, doctors, and locations, visit http://www.elitehealth.com.

About EliteHealth
EliteHealth is an international network of concierge medical providers offering worldwide access to top physicians and emergency response care.  Offering concierge plans for the entire family as well as executives and corporations, their myEliteHealth patient portal offers 24-7 access for members.

Looking to inject a little excitement into your summer?  Costa Rica surf camp can offer more than your average surfing lessons.

The flavor-of-the-week viral video being passed around the surfing community doesn’t feature a crazy surfing move or a star athlete.  The video, shot in Florida’s New Smyrna Beach, features a decent-sized shark jumping over a surfer.

An Orlando Sentinal cameraman reportedly shot the video by accident while filming footage for a story about surfing.  Sharks are a common sight at New Smyrna Beach during this time of the year, and they are known to jump – sometimes a few feet – over the surface of the water.  The inlet is populated by a small breed of shark called the “spinner shark” that preys on fish and are not known for being harmful to humans.

The video shows a camera pan of a heavily-populated wave, and a few seconds in a four-foot shark can be seen jumping over a surfer on his board.  The surfer continues to ride his wave, and it appears that the people on either side of him did not even notice.

For an amazing vacation and a chance to be jumped over by sea life, Beach Travellers offers surfing adventures to Latin America, Thailand, and Bali.  Their sejours thailande are available in English or in French, and travelers are guaranteed a one-of-a-kind trip and an experience like nothing else.  For more information, visit http://www.beachtravellers.com.

June 10, 2011 (Miami, Florida) – A leading provider of executive health and corporate health programs, concierge medical service EliteHealth has been selected by the southern division of Holman Automotive Group – one of the nation’s top auto dealership and leasing companies – to provide a Wellness Program for their managerial staff.  The move follows a successful implementation of EliteHealth’s Executive Wellness Program in 2010, which has provided concierge medical services to 15 of Holman’s southern executive management group.

More and more companies are recognizing that corporate success is dependent upon the strength of the corporation’s staff – and keeping employees healthy is the best way to improve productivity, reduce sick leave, and prevent sub-par performance while at work.  Offering employees a higher-level healthcare plan also increases employee satisfaction in the workplace and reflects upon the corporation’s positive attitude toward its staff.  By selecting programs from EliteHealth, Holman Automotive Group is demonstrating its dedication to caring for its valuable employees.

The wellness program selected by Holman Automotive Group for their managerial staff serves around 70 managers and features a range of exclusive concierge healthcare services.  Managers will enjoy an annual executive physical exam, which features CIMT cardiac testing, a heart scan, advanced lipid profiling, and chest x-ray; a thorough medical history evaluation; and nutrition counseling.  This intense focus on preventive cardiology and healthcare acts to “ensure they’re not missing any diseases,” says Dr. Perry Krichmar, M.D. and Chief Operations Officer at EliteHealth.  “Holman recognizes this because we had done this last year and it rolled so well with their executives.”  Holman’s managers will also receive priority medical appointments with their physicians as well as a personal Health Care Advocate to help them make appointments, find physicians, manage their medical records, and navigate the healthcare system.

In addition to healthcare and wellness programs for executives and managers, EliteHealth also specializes in Corporate Wellness Programs which offer comprehensive lab testing, 24/7 online access to an ER physician plus their personal medical records through EliteHealth’s patient portal myEliteHealth.com, in-home or in-room doctor visits while traveling, and personal health consultations.  Starting at under $6 per month per employee, these programs offer corporations an extremely affordable way to ensure that the entire staff is well-cared for.  Holman Automotive Group’s southern division has taken a smart step toward total employee health by offering their executives and managers care plans from EliteHealth.

About EliteHealth
A leading provider of concierge medical services, EliteHealth offers comprehensive and affordable healthcare plans for individuals, executives, and corporations as well as executive physicals geared towards improving the health of busy executives.  For more information on care plans, visit http://www.elitehealth.com/executive_healthcare.php or http://www.elitehealth.com/executive_corporate_programs.php.

Could it be that Magdalena’s Party is serving up the best brunch in Palermo, and for that matter Buenos Aires? Well a food critic seems to think so. Check out the recent post here: http://pickupthefork.com/2011/05/13/adios-resaca-hello-maple-syrup-magdalenas-party-brunch/

Its all about resacas, maple syrup, hot sauce and omelettes – mexican style.

Learn more about Magdalena’s Party at their facebook page.

May 13, 2011 (Philadelphia, PA) – Now a leading provider of concierge doctor Philadelphia medical services, EliteHealth is proudly announcing their newest provider location.  By welcoming internal medicine specialist Dr. Adam Sobel and his practice Sobel Medical Associates to their team, EliteHealth is now prepared to offer premier concierge medical services to residents of the Philadelphia area.

An established practice since 1997, Philadelphia’s Sobel Medical Associates specializes in internal medicine services for a diverse group of patients.  Having been selected by EliteHealth as a prime location for concierge healthcare in Philadelphia, Sobel Medical Associates can now offer both classic internal medical care programs and premier concierge health services through EliteHealth.

Sobel Medical Associates’ new concierge medical services specialize in providing extremely high-quality medical care to patients looking for a more complete, preventive, and comprehensive medical program without interference from red tape and waiting rooms.  Patients have access to priority appointment times and scheduling, 24/7 phone and email access to their physician, and access to their VIP lounge as well as a nationwide network of trusted physicians and hospitals.  EliteHealth members also have access to the patient portal myEliteHealth.com, which allows patients to log in securely and video chat or message their physician, request appointments and prescription refills, track their health, and more.  Members are also provided a personal Health Care Advocate to manage all aspects of their health care experience – such as arranging appointments and finding a specialist, organizing medical care while the patient is traveling, managing medical records, and helping the patient navigate the health care system.

EliteHealth offers a range of other plans, and their Executive and Corporate Wellness memberships provide similar services for companies looking to maximize their employees’ health to improve morale, wellness, and workplace productivity.  Executive Physicals offer another excellent option for employers, employees, and even non-members of EliteHealth; patients will receive a thorough physical exam, lab workup, EKG screening and chest x-rays, nutritional counseling, and more.  Patients can also have a wide range of lab tests performed at Sobel Medical Associates.

“I am very excited to join EliteHealth,” says Dr. Sobel.  “I know my patients will enjoy the personalized care and attention.  The alliance will provide access to care nationally.”  This new location also anticipates a new in-house pharmacy for added patient convenience, plus echo and ultrasound services as well as in-house nutritional consulting.  For more information on EliteHealth’s newest location, visit http://www.elitehealth.com/location/philadelphia_pa_medical_office.

About EliteHealth
EliteHealth is a premier, international concierge medical provider aiming to offer high-quality healthcare with VIP service to patients looking to get the most out of their healthcare.  The Philadelphia office is the newest in a series of offices serving patients around the world.  For more information, visit www.elitehealth.com.