Stomach issues can be quite discomforting - yet despite the uncomfortable feeling, how often have you really looked into what is going on in your gut? Knowing the signs and symptoms of the various kinds of pain you are experiencing can shed light onto the underlying cause of your stomach issues. Here are seven of the most common stomach symptoms and what they may be telling you about your health:

Source

1. Burning sensation in the chest

Possible cause: Acid reflux

Acid reflux is caused by stomach acid that has washed back up into your chest. Most people tend to experience the burning sensation right beneath the breastbone.

What to do: Unfortunately, there's no one size fits all. Foods that trigger heartburn may vary from person to person. But once you have figured out what food is bothering you, cutting it out of your diet ought to help. You may also try adjust your sleep position - sleep slightly propped up (at about a 15-degree angle. This will help keep the acid down in your stomach - where it belongs.

Many people around the world feel that their environments have become too crowded. The traffic is too slow, the lines too long. But if you think that you've got it bad, try going to a public swimming pool in China!

It can feel like YouTube is an integral part of the internet, but this service was only founded in 2005. Nowadays, it seems like every other website plays videos from YouTube, letting us enjoy short clips and long videos of almost anything. It has become one of the greatest stores of human knowledge and entertainment on the planet. As useful as it is, it also hides some pretty interesting, but less-known features, many of which I wish I knew earlier.

1. YouTube TV – YouTube’s TV mode

YouTube TV lets you use the service as if you’re using it on a “Smart TV”, giving you an on-screen keyboard, high-quality videos and a simple and friendly interface.

If you are diabetic, or you know someone who is diabetic, you need to know about these "superfoods" which are a great addition to any diabetes diet. Some of these foods are so helpful, that they can even prevent the onset of the disease. They are all very helpful in lowering blood sugar, burning fat, reducing inflammation, and providing many other health benefits.

1. Cinnamon

This delicious spice has been shown by many studies to help reduce blood sugar levels. In one study, people with type 2 diabetes who’d eaten one or more grams of cinnamon daily had dropped their fasting blood sugar by 30 percent. Cinnamon can also reduce triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, and total cholesterol levels by up to 25 percent. The main reason for all of this is chromium, a mineral that enhances the effects of insulin, and antioxidants that gather up all the free radicals in your blood.

2. Steel-cut oats

Oatmeal is probably not something you would usually consider a superfood, but it can help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It has high amounts of magnesium, which helps the body use glucose and secrete insulin properly. Unlike quick cooking oatmeal, the whole grains are filled with fiber, nutrients, and bound antioxidants that help blood sugar levels remain stable.

Did you know that just watching the right movie with your partner can make your relationship a little bit better than it was before? I’ve actually tried this seemingly-bizarre theory out myself, and it really works! All you need to do is watch a movie together and discuss the impact it had on you both on an individual level. Now, you must be wondering which movie to watch. Here at 10 of the best movies you can watch to strengthen your relationship:

1. Husbands and Wives (1992)

This powerful drama is about two middle-aged couples experiencing tough times in their respective relationships. As a result of entering various mid-life crises, the characters go through several difficult moments, such as marriages coming and ending and scandals erupting. The result of all this is that they have to go through a great deal of introspection. In fact, the movie tries to answer whether it’s humanly possible for marriages and love to always be harmonious.

2. Blue Valentine (2010)

Principle characters Dean and Cindy fell in love many years ago, but recently their feelings for each other have diminished. This movie’s plot is played out through highlighting all the little details of the characters’ daily lives, with the ultimate lesson being that it is the little things that remind us all why we fell in love in the first place.

The next decade or so promises to be an exciting time for science and innovative

technology. Ideas that were once the preserve of imaginative science fiction writers

are moving closer to becoming reality, and if you thought the advancements made over

the last couple of decades were impressive, they are likely to be put firmly in to the

shade by upcoming innovations. Here are ten incredible technological improvements

we can expect to see in upcoming years, many of which are already at a very well

developed stage of planning.

1. Revolving Buildings

For the most part, wedding days are joyous occasions for the bride, groom and their friends and families. The way traditions related to this most special of occasions have developed around the world, however, differs greatly from one region to the next. Here are 10 unusual wedding traditions from around the world: 

10. Wardrobe Change

 Country: China

A western marriage is all about a single dress, namely the bride’s wedding dress. That differs in China, because the bride has to pick out no less than three dresses for her big day. The first is the traditionalqipao or cheongsam, which is an embroidered, slim-fitting frock that’s usually colored red. In Chinese culture, red is considered as lucky and a symbol of strength. The second is a white ball-gown, which is similar to the traditional western bridal dress and a nod to western trends. The third and final dress of a Chinese bride’s big night is an elegant evening gown in any color she chooses.

9. Painted Hands

Country: India

It’s traditional for an Indian bride to receive intricate temporary tattoos, called mehndi, on her hands. These tattoos, which are created using a plant dye called henna, are also received by the bride’s female friends and family, and last a few weeks before fading away. The mehndi are incredibly intricate, often taking hours to apply despite covering such a small area of the body, plus a further few hours for them to dry.

8. Jumping the Broom

Country: USA

Numerous cultures from around are historically notable for a spot of broom-jumping during their wedding ceremonies, however the tradition is most often found in African-American wedding ceremonies. This particular tradition harks back to the days of slavery in the United States, when a marriage between an enslaved man and woman couldn’t be legally sanctioned. Before the Civil War broke out in the 1860s, enslaved men and women declared their unions by jumping over a broom together.

7. Mazel Tov

Country: Israel (Jewish tradition)

The origins of this tradition, which involves the groom crushing a glass underfoot at the end of a wedding ceremony, aren’t completely clear. Some believe that it symbolizes the destruction of the Great Temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD, while others say that it symbolizes the necessity for always ensuring that joy is curbed. Whatever its true origins are, the breaking of the glass takes place in the spirit of happiness. As the groom performs this tradition, the assembled wedding guests call out “mazel tov!” once they hear the glass shattering.

TV first started being transmitted in American homes back in the late 1920s, however it wasn’t until the 1950s when color TV was first transmitted and home TV sets became advanced enough to be capable of broadcasting it. In more than 60 years since, the technology has changed exponentially. Cable TV was introduced, and this was followed up by satellite. While these services moved the game on significantly, the next revolution in TV is here, and it’s taking place thanks to the streamer devices that are proliferating on the world marketplace. Let’s take a look at some of these devices by type:

How They Work

Swollen feet can both look and feel uncomfortable. It can be caused by a number of

things - varying from simple factors such as too much standing or too much sitting. It

can also be a result of excessive salt in the diet or may be a symptom of pregnancy. On

the other hand, it may also be an underlying symptom of a more serious condition, such

as a problem with the kidneys or the heart. Or it may indicate the presence of a bloodclot.

Nevertheless, if you do suffer from chronic swollen feet, it's suggested that you see

your healthcare practitioner for a thorough diagnosis, understanding the underlying cause. However, if your swollen feet have occurred because you have just hopped off a long

plane or train ride, or because you've spent most of your day out and about, here are

a couple of things that you can do to treat the swelling:

9 Healthy Habits to Prevent Swollen Ankles

1. Quit smoking: It's a well known fact that smoking can be detrimental to your health.

And one of its many life-threatening diseases is swelling of the extremities.

2. Stay hydrated: Dehydration can cause swelling of the feet, alongside many other

negative and uncomfortable symptoms.

3. Eat well: Eat a healthy, whole foods diet that consists mostly of fresh fruits and

vegetables. Your healthy diet should also contain high quality fiber and high quality

protein. Include plenty of pure filtered water to keep you in tip-top shape.  

Asen Kurbanov is a Russian painter who strives to combine the techniques of the old

painting masters with a modern, personal style of imagery. His works contain many biblical and historical references, often introucing an atmosphere of mystery. He especially

loves portraits, and they always seem to hint that there is an interesting story behind

the person in the painting. Here are some of my favorite paintings by this talented artist.

Click on any of the images to see them in full size

If you're under the impression that gluten-intolerant or celiac individuals are hugely

limited from some of the best foods around, you're about to discover that you are wrong.

Gluten

intolerance doesn't mean you should cut down on your favorite snacks, such as pizzas,

waffles, cakes, etc - and nor does it mean you have to stick to the alternative gluten-free products at your supermarket. There are some foods you can recreate yourself, without necessarily having to use gluten-free flour, amongst other allergy-friendly constituents. 

Today, we've brought together some of the most tantalizing gluten-free recipes on the

web, without focusing too much on the typical alternatives to wheat (such as gluten-free

flour). We tried to find the most interesting combination of ingredients out there, which

use far healthier and less restricted ingredients.

Also note: these recipes are not only aimed at people suffering from this disease.

Reducing gluten from your diet means you'll be eating less processed foods, and making

way for healthier options you probably didn't know of.

We hope you like our collection of sweet and savory gluten-free recipes. Some of them

are even dairy-free or vegetarian, as indicated.

Cauliflower Couscous

Eating fruit is important for our overall health and wellbeing. They provide us with

a wealth of vitamins and help improve our digestion. From a nutritional standpoint, fruits are particularly great sources of fiber, potassium, vitamin C and folate. They help

prevent disease, lower rates of heart disease and stroke, and reduce high blood

pressure. So, be sure to save this list because, as you're about to see, the solution

to most of our health problems can be solved with a simple fruit snack. 

Keeping the heart healthy is a primary concern for us all, but it isn't always an easy thing

to do. Despite increased, widespread understanding of its dangers and causes, heart

disease remains the biggest killer in the western world, accounting for 1 in 4 adult

deaths in the USA every year. For this reason, scientists continue to search for new

ways to treat and prevent the problem. Some of these studies find that the key to

prevention can be found in the kitchen, not the medicine cabinet. And now recent

research has suggested that one super fruit could prevent and even help reverse the

rate that fatty acids build up in the arteries, which is a common cause of heart attacks

and strokes.

Here's how the pomegranate could be your new best defense against heart disease. 

Fatty Acids & the Arteries

Mold is a persistent problem in many a modern dwelling, thanks to better insulation,

combined with stable temperatures and high levels of humidity. These conditions provide

mold with a perfect habitat, allowing it to flourish. While mold spores are a common

particle in household dust, should their concentration reach high levels, they can have ill effects on our health, so getting rid of mold should be a priority.

Mold (or Mould) is the name for a large group of fungi, characterized by discoloration of a surface, followed by a fuzzy-looking growth over the affected area. Mold causes biodegradation in organic material, causing food to spoil and wood to rot, amongst other things. Mold can also be beneficial for producing antibiotics, enhancing the taste of certain kinds of cheese, and serving in the production of drinks and food. The kind you usually encounter in your home is the unwelcome kind.

Mold exposure in infants can lead to respiratory problems, and studies have shown

a direct correlation between high levels of mold exposure and the development of asthma. People with higher sensitivity to mold can develop chronic lung illnesses. Mold can also

cause allergic responses in children and adults.

In 1965, an emotionally charged Brian Wilson isolated himself from the rest of The Beach

Boys and set about writing Pet Sounds, the album that was to become the band's most celebrated work. The centrepiece of the LP was the love song God Only Knows. Written

in collaboration with his friend Tony Asher, the song explores the complexity of human

love, acknowledging that while a relationship may not always be perfect (he agonized

over the song's opening line for a long time), when you have found that special person,

then it's impossible to contemplate life without him or her.

Extremely musically complex, and featuring the band's trademark multi-part harmonies,

the song is considered to be one of the greatest love songs of all time and remains

a favorite choice for both weddings and funerals to this day. Band member Al Jardine

has spoken of how a strong sense of spirituality informed much of the band's work and

it is never more evident that in God Only Knows. Please enjoy this classic song from

the 60s, and scroll down to follow the lyrics while viewing a beautiful series of photos.

Pandas are some of the world’s most beloved animals and probably the most recognizable. Native to Eastern Asia, these beautiful creatures are nearly extinct due to poaching, low

procreation rates and loss of habitat. While most people know that despite their looks, pandas are not typical bears and prefer a vegetarian diet, there are many things that most

of us don’t know:

1. There are currently 240 pandas in captivity around the world and they are all

part of a breeding program

2. Any panda you see in a zoo is on loan from China

Okra is an African vegetable that’s been a staple of African, Indian and Pakistani cuisine

for many centuries, as well being used for medicinal purposes. It goes by numerous

other names in addition to okra, such as bhendi, bamia, ochro or gumbo.

The plant also produces a very pretty flower – white with a wine-red center. While this

adds to okra’s esthetic value, its true specialty is the edible green seed pods it produces. These pods are extremely beneficial to human health. Here are five of the main benefits:

1. It Helps Fight Diabetes

Evidence of this was shown in animal studies. Once these studies were underway,

researchers were able to purify the principle chemical that’s known for its abilities

to improve diabetic people’s health. In one study, the chemical, called myricetin, was

given to pregnant rats that had gestational diabetes. This was found to have highly

positive

effects on their blood sugar levels.

Furthermore, the study found that when the solution containing myricetin was given

to the rats orally, their digestion slowed down. This allowed glucose to stay in their

system for a longer time period, which meant that levels of it in their bodies had a much

less dramatic post-meal spike.

2. It Lowers Your Caloric Intake

Okra contains a rare combination – it’s very nutrient-rich while containing few calories

relative to its nutritional value. It’s also a great source of carbohydrates, as are similar vegetables.

Numerous studies have established a clear link between an unnecessarily-high caloric

intake and various diseases, so it’s always a good thing to eat something that will give you

the nutrients your body needs while being low in calories.

3. It’s Chock-Full of Vitamins

No less than 10 different vitamins and minerals can be found in okra, with some of the

highlights being Vitamin A, which is great for the skin, Vitamin C, which does wonders for

the immune system, and Vitamin E, which helps prevent cell damage in the body.

Doing away with your vitamin supplements and introducing this vegetable into your daily

diet together with similar ones is pretty much a no-brainer. In addition to okra’s high

vitamin and mineral content, what’s particularly special about it is the highly efficient way

it delivers vitamins to the body.

4. It Improves Digestion

Because okra is high in fiber, it can have a positive impact on your digestive system and

assist with gastrointestinal difficulties, especially with regard to regulating your “transit

time” – the time between eating and going to the bathroom.

Fiber is great because it offers something the body can’t process, which in turn helps it to form a regular stool. It is now a known fact that people who have a healthy digestive process

tend to have other bodily processes that are equally as healthy.

5. It Improves Your Skin Quality

The dietary fibers and Vitamin C contained in okra promote skin health by boosting

various important bodily processes. For instance, the latter is known to improve the effectiveness of the body’s regenerative abilities.

There are some who also credit okra with improved skin pigmentation, however there

are no studies to corroborate this.

Content Source: Natural Solution Today 

On July 4th, 1776, The United States of America declared its independence from

Great Britain. This year will mark the 240th anniversary of that day, and Americans

everywhere are expected to celebrate with barbecues, fireworks, family reunions

and parades. Any foreign national that is lucky enough to be in the U.S. on this day is in

for the ride of his or her life!

Click on the greeting card you wish to send

Summer is a time for cookouts, get-togethers and general fun in the sun. Thinking about

all the savory treats you're going to serve to your guests usually isn't too difficult, but

have you ever stopped to think about the most pertinent sweet one you can serve at the

height of the heat? I recently served these sorbet slices, made out of hollowed-out

grapefruits, during a cookout, and my guests absolutely loved them. Now it's your turn

to try making this refreshing, incredibly elegant and delicious dessert. Here's how:

What you'll need 

• Grapefruits (1 grapefruit = 6 servings. For instance, if you have 18 people coming
• over, you'll need 3 grapefruits)
• Sorbets of your choice (suggestions: strawberry, raspberry, lemon) 
• Plastic wrap 

How to make them 

1. Halve the grapefruits you're going to be using and hollow out their cores. 

2. Fill the grapefruit halves with a sorbet of your choice. 

3. Smooth over the edges of the grapefruit halves with a spatula, then cover them in

plastic wrap. 

4. Place the grapefruit halves in the freezer and leave them to solidify. 

5. Slice the grapefruit halves into thirds and serve ice-cold on your best platter. 

A lady goes to her parish priest one day and tells him: "Father, I have a problem. I have

two female parrots but they only know how to say one thing." "What do they say?"

the priest inquired. "They say, 'Hi, we're prostitutes. Do you want to have some fun?"

"That's obscene!" the priest exclaimed, "I can see why you are embarrassed."

He thought a minute and then said: "You know, I may have a solution to this problem.

I have two male parrots whom I have taught to pray and read the Bible. 

Bring your two parrots over to my house and we will put them in the cage with Francis

and Job. My parrots can teach your parrots to praise and worship. I'm sure your

parrots will stop saying that...that phrase in no time." "Thank you. This may very well

be the solution," the woman responded.

The next day, she brought her female parrots to the priest's house. As he ushered

her in, she saw the two male parrots were inside their cage, holding their rosary beads

and praying. Impressed, she walked over and placed her parrots in with them. After

just a couple of seconds, the female parrots exclaimed out in unison: "Hi, we're

prostitutes. Do you want to have some fun?" 

There was a stunned silence. Finally, one male parrot looked over at the other male

parrot and said: "Put the beads away, Francis, our prayers have been answered!"