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Infants & Toddlers
February 22, 2018

5 ways to manage acid reflux in babies (GERD)

by Feeding baby

This common condition makes babies spit up often, and may cause a lot of discomfort.

When a baby just can’t seem to stop spitting up, that’s a strong sign of gastroesophageal reflux, which is surprisingly common in healthy infants.

What causes reflux in babies? The lower esophageal sphincter (the part of the body just above the stomach that clamps down and keeps the food you eat from coming up) is looser in babies. Infants can have their stomach contents pass into the esophagus up to 30 times a day. However, parents don’t notice every event. Sometimes, the milk will just hit the lower esophagus, then go back down into the stomach. Other times, you’ll see some partially digested milk in your baby’s mouth or dribbling down his chin. There shouldn’t be any other colors to the milk unless your baby is eating solid foods. Gastroesophageal reflux becomes GERD (just add the word “disease”) when reflux causes problems such as poor growth or breathing problems.

So, if lots of babies have this problem, when should you talk to your baby’s pediatrician about GERD? In a word, always. Your doctor wants to know about any problems your baby is having so she can better help your family.

However, do not expect your baby’s doctor to start ordering a bunch of tests. Most likely, he or she will want to get a good sense of when the episodes happen and what your baby is eating.

As long as your baby is gaining weight, eating well and not acting very upset, he or she will fall into the majority of infants who have “uncomplicated” reflux. This means they don’t have any worrisome symptoms other than the spitting-up episodes. These babies will have fewer episodes of reflux as they get older and will eventually outgrow their reflux.

However, having a baby with uncomplicated reflux still isn’t a walk in the park. No one wants to see his or her baby uncomfortable, not to mention all the wardrobe changes parents have to manage! So, what helps with acid reflux in babies?

1. Make sure baby is not overfed.

Infants’ tummies are small, and if you stuff them too full, they will leak out the top.

2. Feed smaller amounts of formula or breast milk more frequently.

This will allow baby to get the same amount of calories, but will put less stress on their tummies.

3. Keep your baby upright after feedings.

This means upright on your shoulder, not partially upright in a swing. This may keep the milk from escaping the stomach and will allow some to pass into the lower intestinal tract, creating more room in the stomach.

4. If your baby is 4 months or older, add some rice cereal to the bottle.

Adding rice cereal (1 teaspoon per ounce of formula or breast milk) has a double benefit. It gives the feedings more calories while taking up less space, and may make food less likely to escape the stomach. However, keep an eye on your baby’s weight gain, as you may end up feeding too much.

5. If you are breastfeeding, consider limiting the amount of spicy foods you eat.

This may help make your breast milk easier to digest.

Medications can be helpful as well. Your child’s doctor might prescribe these for GERD in babies if an infant’s reflux prevents them from wanting food and gaining weight. Antacid medications will cause the milk coming up from the stomach to be less acidic, but it will not cause the reflux to stop.

Most importantly, parents should still continue to put baby on his or her back while sleeping. Belly sleeping is a risk factor for SIDS.

Good luck — and remember, white onesies never go out of style.

Infants, Breastfeeding, Early Childhood, Digestion

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Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Mardi Gras: Sidewalk Side v. Neutral Ground

From the 2013 Knights of Babylon Parade

There are two sides of any parade but in New Orleans these sides are called Sidewalk Side and Neutral Ground and like most things in New Orleans, there's history.

Neutral Ground in other cities would most likely be called a median. The median on Canal Street was the center between two factions in the city in the mid-1800s -- the French Creoles who lived in the French Quarter and the Americans living in the 2nd district.  Neither group's army controlled the Canal Street median, so it was called Neutral Ground.

Now Neutral Ground and Sidewalk Side are helpful when you are trying to tell you friends where you will be standing for a parade -- or where someone will be who is riding a float.

Many New Orleans resident stick to one side or the other. You can even buy t-shirts labeled with your side.

This is pre-Mardi Gras parade Neutral Ground.

Here's the parade schedule from February 6-12 for 2013. If you click on a krewe's name you can read more about their history.

Wednesday, February 6
Thursday, February 7
    Friday, February 8

    Saturday, February 9
      Sunday, February 10
      Monday, February 11
        Tuesday, February 12

        more ladders set up in Neutral Ground
        The back of the Stephen King float in Thoth 2013, sidewalk side on the right, Neutral Ground on the left.

        1 comment:

        1. I can't wait to see pictures of some of the floats! Have any good food yet?

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Posts Tagged ‘HTML Embed tutorial’

HTML Embed Multimedia

You can add music or video into your web page. The easiest way to add video or sound to your web site is to include the special HTML tag called <embed>. This tag causes the browser itself to include controls for the multimedia automatically. You do not need to have any ActiveX, Java VM, VBscript or JavaScript to support this <embed> tag.

t's also a good idea to include the <noembed> tag to support browsers which don't recognize the <embed> tag. You could, for example, use <embed> to display a movie of your choice, and <noembed> to display a single JPG image.

Here is a simple example to play embed a midi file:

<embed src="/html/sound.mp3" width="100%" height="60" >
<noembed></noembed>

You can put any media file in src attribute. You can try it yourself by giving various files.

Following is the list of important attributes for <embed> element.

  • align – Determines how to align the object. It takes either center, left or right.
  • autostart – Indicates if the media should start automatically. Netscape default is true, Internet Explorer is false.
  • loop – Specifies if the sound should be played continuously (set loop to true), a certain number of times (a positive value) or not at all (false). This is supported by Netscape only.
  • playcount – Specifies the number of times to play the sound. This is alternat option for loop if you are usiong IE.
  • hidden – Defines if the object shows on the page. A false value means no and true means yes.
  • height – Height of the object in pixels or en.
  • width – Width of the object in pixels or en.
  • pluginspage – Specifies the URL to get the plugin software.
  • name – A name used to reference the object.
  • src – URL of the object to be embedded. This can be any recognizable by the user's browser. It could be .mid, .wav, .mp3, .avi and so on).
  • volume – Controls volume of the sound. Can be from 0 (off) to 100 (full volume). This attribute is supported by Netscape only.

HTML – Video Media Types

Flash movies (.swf), AVI's (.avi), and MOV's (.mov) file types are supported by the embed tag.

  • .swf files – are the file types created by Macromedia's Flash program.
  • .wmv files – are Microsoft's Window's Media Video file types.
  • .mov files – are Apple's Quick Time Movie format.
  • .mpeg files – are movie files created by the Moving Pictures Expert Group.

Here is a simple example to play a flash file.

<embed src="/html/yourfile.swf" width="100%" height="250" >

<noembed></noembed>

This will produce following result. Select a picture and paint it using virtual bursh.

To become more comfortable – Do Online Practice

Background Audio – The <bgsound> Element:

You can use the <bgsound> tag to play a soundtrack in the background. This tag is for Internet Explorer documents only. Other browsers ignore the tag. It downloads and plays an audio file when the host document is first downloaded by the user and displayed. The background sound file also will replay whenever the user refreshes the browser display.

This tag is having only two attributes loop and src. Both these attributes have same meaning as explained above.

Here is a simple example to play a small midi file:

<bgsound src="/html/sound.mp3" >

<noembed></noembed>

This will produce blank screen. This tag does not display any component and remains hidden.

Currently, Internet Explorer can handle three different sound format files: wav, the native format for PCs; au, the native format for most Unix workstations; and MIDI, a universal music-encoding scheme.

HTML Object tag:

HTML 4 introduces the <object> element, which offers an all-purpose solution to generic object inclusion. The <object> element allows HTML authors to specify everything required by an object for its presentation by a user agent

Here are few example:

You can embed a HTML document in an HTML document itself as follows:

<object data="data/test.htm" type="text/html"
  width="300" height="200">
  alt : test.htm

Here alt attribute will come into picture if browser does not support object tag.

You can embed a PDF document in an HTML document as follows:

<object data="data/test.htm" type="application/pdf"
  width="300" height="200">
  alt : test.pdf

You can specify some parameters related to the document with the param tag. IE sometimes needs a src parameter to understand the location. Here is an exmaple to embed a wav file:

<object type="audio/x-wav" data="data/test.wav"
      width="200" height="20">
  <param name="src" value="data/test.wav">
  <param name="autoplay" value="false">
  <param name="autoStart" value="0">
  alt : test.wav

You can add a flash document as follows:

<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" id="penguin" codebase="someplace/" width="200" height="300"><param name="movie" value="flash/penguin.swf" />

<param name="quality" value="high" />

You can add a java applet into HTML document as follows:

  width="200" height="200">
  <param name="code" value="applet.class">

The classid attribute identifies which version of Java Plug-in to use. You can use the optional codebase attribute to specify if and how to download the JRE.

For a complete list of attributes of this object please check HTML Object Tag.

Referencing Audio, Video, and Images:

You can reference any external document, regardless of type or format, via a conventional anchor tag:

Here is an example to reference an audio file. Similar way you can refer any world document, PDF file, zip file etc.

If you want to listen music then Click Here

This will produce following result:

If you want to listen music then Click Here

Just like any referenced document, the server delivers the desired multimedia object to the browser when the user selects the link. If the browser finds that the document is not HTML or XHTML but rather some other format, it automatically invokes an appropriate rendering tool to display or otherwise convey the contents of the object to the user.

Browsers identify and specially handle multimedia files from one of two different hints: either from the file's Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension (MIME) type, provided by the server, or from a special suffix in the file's name. The browser prefers MIME because of its richer description of the file and its contents, but it will infer the file's contents (type and format) from the file suffix: .gif or .jpg, for GIF and JPEG encoded images, for example, or .au for a special sound file.

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Archive for October, 2006

Catching up on Campral

Posted by Roberta Jewell
Categories: Medications and research

campralI haven’t written much about Campral, an anti-craving medication approved by the FDA in July, 2004 for treatment of alcohol dependence. It’s been prescribed in Europe, Canada, Australia and other countries and is growing in popularity in the US. We get a lot of questions about Campral at our discussion board as members prepare to approach their docs. They want to know: does it work? What are the side effects? How does it compare to other meds? Does it take long to kick in?

Here are a few observations I’ve made from MWO patients and members who have shared their experience:

  • At this time, it’s generally easier to get a prescription for Campral than other anti-craving meds. Topamax requires off-label prescribing and some physicians are simply uncomfortable doing that. Vivitrol (injectable naltrexone) hit the market only recently and many doctors don’t know about it. Oral naltrexone (ReVia) doesn’t seem to be prescribed very much for some reason.
  • Campral is well suited for those who plan to pursue complete abstinence from alcohol and haven’t had anything to drink for at least a few days.
  • If you begin drinking while on it, Campral loses its efficacy pretty quickly.
  • Patients sometimes complain of diarrhea, gas, and stomach discomfort when taking Campral. This side effect is said to be dose specific.
  • Campral kicks in fairly soon for most people.
  • Many patients find Campral quite effective. One clinical trial suggested people who took Campral were two or three times more likely to achieve abstinence a full year later than those who took a placebo.
  • Others say they were not able to be compliant while on Campral and found other medications (usually Topamax) more effective. Some research supports these findings, however, there are differing views within research circles about the study design in some of the clinical trials.
  • Side effects are often considered less harsh for Campral than Topamax.
  • People who do drink while on Campral report getting drunk faster and feeling more hung over the next day.
  • Campral can be used in combination with naltrexone.
  • Like other anti-craving medications, Campral is most effective if used in conjunction with counseling and/or support. Patients who adopt multiple strategies tend to have greater long-term success.

So just how does Campral work?

According to manufacturer Forest Labs’ website, “Campral is thought to restore the normal brain balance, which has been disturbed in someone who is alcohol dependent.”

Hmmm. I don’t know if that’s terribly helpful, but I would certainly agree that our brains are disturbed once we’ve become alcohol dependent.

To be more specific, Campral targets and helps restore balance in two important neurotransmitters: glutamate and GABA. Glutamate is an excitatory transmitter and GABA is inhibitory. They have a see-saw type of relationship. GABA and glutamate receptors are also involved in the reward centers of the forebrain and are responsible for creating a system of positive reinforcement. But when a person chronically overdrinks, as we do, it depletes GABA functioning and results in a hyperexcitable glutamate system.

Drinkers feel great while they’re drinking. But the short-term buzz eventually ends up throwing the entire system off. And when alcohol is removed from the equation, the brain is left with way too much glutamate activity. This causes discomfort, anxiety and eventually an endless craving for alcohol.

Enter Campral, which helps restore the GABA-glutamate equilibrium by acting specifically on receptor sites tied to the alcohol reward signaling center. Or, as Forest Lab explains, again at third grade level, it “makes it easier for people not to drink.” Got it.

Campral is prescribed in two 333 mg. time-release tablets, taken three times a day with food or on an empty stomach. It should be used with caution if you have kidney problems and will not be prescribed if you have severe kidney disease. The medication cost about $150 a month. The package insert is here if you like reading the teeny weeny print.

By the way, if you have questions for those currently taking Campral, be sure to visit our online community. I’m not plugging our message board, but I think you’ll find some really good info because many of our members have tried a couple of different meds, including Campral, and they’re very generous about sharing their experience. You can simply enter the term “Campral” in the search field and you’ll find dozens of posts with lots of rich info, as well.

Do keep in mind that anti-craving medications target different brain receptors and how they work depends on a number of variables. So you won’t really know until you get started how effective they will be for you.

But there’s no time like the present to begin. Who knows, Campral may be just be what your doctor should order.

The skinny on smart pills

Posted by Roberta Jewell
Categories: Medications and research

smartstapOkay, first of all: insert your favorite industrial strength medical disclaimer here. You know the drill. Nothing you read on my website, discussion board or blog constitutes, replaces or in any way represents medical advice. Please consult a qualified health care professional yadda yadda yadda yadda.

I’m fessing up. Here’s my experience with smart pills. I am asked about this continually. Calls, emails, and questions to the message board. I certainly understand why, I would ask the same. In fact someone recently posted a question on our board about my vague reference to it in the book. Her characterization was correct. I dodged it. But like many of you, I incorporated Topamax into my program and I faced the same cognitive side effects some of you are now dealing with.

To be honest, I thought I’d found the holy grail when I came upon the smart pills. I was doing tons of research at the time and, and as always, quite a bit of self experimentation. I had been desperate to fix the drinking problem and by that point the program was working great. But the cognitive fog was a killer. I had learned about these new “eugeroics” and they had been helping immensely, but they seemed to offer more to me than enhanced brain power. I wasn’t sure if I should keep this to myself or include it in the book so I consulted one of the MDs with whom I was working. I said I was apprehensive about sharing the info. My experience seemed almost too good to be true and I had relatively little feedback about these smart pills’ use within the context of the program. But I was urged to include the info if it could be helpful to others, who were advised repeatedly in the book to work with their docs.

Brenda, my MWO partner in crime, didn’t like the smart pills at all, btw – they made her jittery and anxious and she quit taking them shortly after starting. I’ve since learned that’s not unusual.

But for me, holy cow. They made me alert and happy and thin. They knocked my brain back into gear after being turned into toast by Topamax. I no longer drove past my house at the end of the day or used my fingers to add simple math. And the weight, my God. I thought it had dropped quickly with Topa – it seemed to melt in my sleep with these two pills from France that I took every morning. So much so that one of the leading women’s weeklies I’d pitched MWO to agreed to run the story if I focused on my weight loss rather than the alcohol program. I refused and so did they.

Smart drugs, also known as nootropics, are a relatively new class of meds. The two I refer to in the book are adrafinil (Olmifon) and modafinil (Provigil). Adrafinil usually makes its way to the US via online stores and costs about $30 for a 20 day supply. A doctor friend who reads French was pretty impressed after translating the info in the package once it arrived and assured me it was legit. Adrafinil is a central nervous stimulant, but like other eugregorics, it doesn’t behave the same way as conventional stimulants. It has a unique ability to affect specific brain receptors and works only when needed. And boy, did I need it. It’s gentle in its action and helps sharpen mental acuity without affecting heart rate or pressure. It’s not like caffeine or speed, either. In fact, as much as I love coffee, I can’t drink it mid-day or it keeps me up at night. But not this stuff.

While I was taking my two 300 mg. tablets each day, I noted a significant improvement in my short term memory, concentration and energy level. But I was also exercising regularly, which may very well have contributed to my improved state of mind. However, much of this change did seem to coincide with the several weeks I took the adrafinil.

People who use adrafinil and Topamax together and who don’t wish to lose weight have to be careful. Because adrafinil can also act as an anorectic (appetite suppressant). It’s really important when you start this program you nourish your body with a healthy, well rounded diet. Otherwise you can crash and burn.

By the way, adrafinil was first used experimentally by French researchers in the 70’s to treat narcolepsy. They later turned to modafinil because of adrafinil’s potential side effects: feelings of tension, heightened liver enzymes, and stomach pain. Modafinil has recently been approved by the FDA for a number of sleep disorders. Interestingly, it’s also been found helpful for recovering cocaine and speed addicts. Some docs say it improves cognitive function, and I gave it a test drive a while back. I don’t like it as much as the other. In fact, I had sorta the same response to modafinil as Brenda did to adrafinil – it made me feel wired and speedy. But I can sure see why the military uses it to keep their pilots up all night.

If you decide to use adrafinil, be sure to get a baseline liver test before and several weeks after you start taking it. It is known to potentially increase liver enzyme levels, and that’s not good. I didn’t have any problem with it, but remember that your liver’s been on double duty with all the drinking.

I wouldn’t recommend tinkering with any of this stuff unless you find yourself crippled with a cognitive crisis. And I absolutely wouldn’t do it without the support of a trusted doc – you must make sure your liver is up for the gig. Consider it a short term solution. Eat well, even if you eat less. One of the things they don’t tell you about Topamax is that anorexia is a potential side effect. You don’t need another medication mucking with your head.

So there’s the skinny on the smart pill, once and for all. Please use the info wisely.

Which headphones for hypno?

Posted by Roberta Jewell
Categories: Holistic Healing

muffsMany people tell us they enjoy the hypnotherapy aspect of My Way Out and they ask us for recommend-ations about headphones for their sessions. They’re typically listening to the recordings on an MP3 player or iPod and doing so while reclining in a chair or bed.

There are a number of excellent choices. You’re probably familiar with conventional headphones, so I’m going to cover three you may not have tried but are particularly useful when listening to audio in this setting:

1) In-the-ear buds
2) Pillow speakers
3) Cordless headphones

In-the-ear buds can provide remarkably high quality sound considering their size. When properly seated, they seal and block out external sounds. Apple ships a bud headphone with their iPod Nano but I have to admit I’ve blown through two sets and have not been impressed with the quality.

However, they also sell a number of other buds, including In-Ears, a $39 version that some customers say are quite good. However, they’ve gotten mixed reviews; people seem to love ’em or hate ’em. They come with three bud sizes and a relatively short cord (handy under the sheets), as well as a nice little storage case.

For $30 to $40 you can buy Sony’s MDR-EX71SL Ear Buds. They’re reported to have good sound and adequate fit. But if you’re willing to spend a little more, you may want to consider Shure’s in-ear ‘phones for about $100. They’ll also shield you a bit better from external noise. Excellent if using at night with someone who snores.

By the way, if the buds don’t fit quite right, some people say to put them in upside down and loop the wires over your ears. Heck, no one will notice if you’re using them for hypno – it’s not as if you’re on the subway. One fella claims to have gone to a hearing aid shop to have a custom ear mold made to replace the ear bud’s rubber. Says it works great. Clever, huh? The advantage of in-ears is that they’re comfortable to use in bed. But they’re not a very good choice if you don’t have a quality pair.

Moving on to talking pillows. They didn’t have these when I started out and believe it or not, I fantasized about inventing one a couple years ago. They’re now available from a number of vendors and you can find a variety of them on Amazon. For $24.95 PillowSonic sells the Pillow Speaker which lays over a flat device. No wires, no tangles and it even comes with its own relaxation CD.

There’s also Pillow Talk’s Memory Foam Stereo Pillow for $39.99. It works with both CD players and iPods. Dreamy. Pillow speakers are a natural solution to a relaxing hypnotic experience. You can easily move your head about without any worries about headphone shift.

And finally: wireless headphones. I love mine. They’re made by Macally and have an innocuous name like mTUNE-N but mine have always been “The Muffs”. They cost $35 and are designed specifically for the iPod, which slides into a slot on the outside of one of earphones (see above). I waited quite a while before investing in wireless headphones because I’d read that most of them sounded awful, were uncomfortable, or cost too much.

But I adore my Muffs. I know I look like a dork wearing them, but I really don’t care. As I wrote earlier, my teenagers wouldn’t be caught dead in them. In fact, they clear out when I put them on, that’s how ugly they are. But what they lack in kewl they make up for in functionality. They don’t need batteries so they never run out. They have no wires, so they never get tangled. They fit so securely, they never fall off. Technology at its finest, that’s what I think.

Whatever you decide, do consider investing in a decent pair of headphones if you can. You’ll probably use them when you exercise, too, and it can make listening to music much more enjoyable. You shouldn’t have to pay too much, either, as there’s a lot of competition out there for your business!

Here’s how to spend ex-drinking time

Posted by Roberta Jewell
Categories: This 'n that

time spent drinkingOne of the most common topics we hear about on our message board has to do with making the adjustment to all those hours – typically evening  – no longer drinking. People are downright bored. And perplexed. They often don’t understand why they continue to have a powerful desire to engage in a behavior for which they’ve lost the physical craving. Because unfortunately, if not addressed, the psychological yearning remains. This is conditioning that resulted after many years of practice, after all. It takes some time to get past it. That’s why hypnotherapy, counseling, and support can be very useful.

It may sound counter-intuitive, but it’s also why, given our predictably addictive personalities, it’s sometimes helpful to become a bit nuts about something completely new, at least early on in the recovery process. For example, when I first started out, I was a maniac for exercise – something that never really appealed to me earlier. But it kept me busy and out of trouble. I had other interests for which I became passionate – building the MWO community was one of them, of course, and it remains one of my most rewarding (and challenging) activities. But on a day to day level…when the witching hour hits and we’re left with a choice we know we shouldn’t make, what are we to do?  In the past I’ve recommended a number of strategies. Take a walk. Take a bath. Get a massage. Enroll in an evening class. Volunteer. Start a new hobby. Become a Big Brother or Sister. Visit an elderly person. Adopt a pet. Redecorate. Learn to mediate. Join a health club. And be sure to have a number of healthy non-alcoholic beverages on hand.

To be honest, I’ve found another solution that has been very helpful to me although it probably sounds terribly simplistic. It’s this: watch a movie. Believe it or not, you may find it very helpful in a pinch.

I’m not talking about the $12 theater ticket movies, either. I mean the NetFlix or Blockbuster CDs that you rent online and keep as long as you like. They include several episodes per disk. You can rent the shows you missed last season or you’ve heard your friends raving about. You’re sure to get hooked as you spend your evenings indulging in your new obsession. And it’ll give you something else to look forward to as you drive home from work.

Over the last couple of years I have found myself hopelessly absorbed in a number of network and cable shows like Six Feet Under, Nip/Tuck, Lost (family favorite), Weeds (my favorite) The Office, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and other fabulous shows. We’ve put our movie subscriptions to excellent use.

I don’t usually make a habit of encouraging couch potato activity. But this is different. If the choice is staying home and slugging down drinks or doing something else, I’d recommend popping open an L-Glutamine, throwing in a movie, and getting hooked on a whole lotta fun.

Modest exercise effective as meds for depression

Posted by Roberta Jewell
Categories: Diet, nutrition and exercise

exerciseThe findings aren’t new but they are important and were published by Duke University a few years ago. In a clinical setting Duke demonstrated that 30 minutes of moderate exercise (e.g. brisk walking) three times a week was just as effective as drug therapy in relieving symptoms of depression.

Researchers studied 156 elderly patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder. They were assigned to three groups: exercise, medication, or a combination of medication and exercise. To the researchers’ surprise, after 16 weeks all three groups showed significant and similar improvement in measurements of depression. They noted some patients who took the anti-depressants saw their symptoms alleviated sooner but by the 16th week, the group differences had disappeared

A follow up study six months later indicated that patients who continued to exercise had statistically significant improvement relative to those who took anti-depression medication or who took medication and exercised.

“One of the conclusions we can draw from this is that exercise may be just as effective as medication and may be a better alternative for certain patients,” said the lead researcher, Duke psychologist James Blumenthal.

And in response to the follow-up study Blumenthal said “the effectiveness of exercise seems to persist over time, and patients who respond well to exercise and maintain their exercise have a much smaller risk of relapsing.”

“Relapse,” of course, means a couple of things to us. I figure we should do anything we can to prevent it. Those of you who’ve read My Way Out know that moderate exercise is recommended three times a week. And those of you who do it already know it helps.

Give it a try if you haven’t. A brisk walk (approved by your doc) is all it takes.

Amino acid therapy and HTP-5

Posted by Roberta Jewell
Categories: Diet, nutrition and exercise

Amino acids play a critical role in craving reduction. They make up the essential building blocks of neurotransmitters and tell our brains whether or not we’re satisfied. Since their adoption in the mid 80’s, thousands of people have benefited from their use. We’re now witnessing a huge resurgence of interest in amino acid therapy.

We’ve recommended a number of blended and specific amino acids as part of the My Way Out program and I’ve recently developed a special interest in 5-HTP, or 5-hydroxytryptophan. It’s a compound created in the body and used to regulate serotonin levels in the brain. It’s believed to be quite effective in regulating mood, treating anxiety and helping facilitate weight loss. Many people coming off alcohol complain of sleep disturbances and irritability, so find it helpful.

We’ve recently made 5-HTP available in our Health Store thanks to our partner at NOW FOODS. We’ve included a link with more info about the supplement courtesty of Wikipedia, the infamous online collaborative encyclopedia.

Less objective but equally interesting are a number of quick blog entries below with general info that I found while googling today. I decided to take this rather unscientific approach after receiving a number of reports within a relatively short time from people (both doctors and patients, interestingly) extolling its benefits for a variety of conditions.

Anecdotal? Yup.  Junk science? I don’t think so:

I have a sex drive, I have energy, I don’t have back pain anymore, I feel good when I wake up

I have noticed that I do sleep better. I would say even better than when I was on vacation

Tryptophan (5HTP) is wonderful. I started taking it a week ago. It helps my sleeping (when I let it) and I’m hoping it helps me lose some weight

As far as the anxiety goes, I take 5-HTP that I get from my holistic Dr. and I haven’t had any anxiety problems since

I use HTP-5 50mg. twice daily, it a precursor of serotonin, bought over the counter, and 300mg. wellbutrin. I have noticed a significant decrease in my cravings, in fact sweets make me nauseated

(Please remember it’s important to let your doc know if you’re prescribed any meds before you start taking HTP-5. It is contraindicated when used with with some anti-depressants, herbals or other medications.)

Conquering cravings to drink and smoke

Posted by Roberta Jewell
Categories: Medications and research

usnewsFrom US News and World Report

By Katherine Hobson

A wave of new drugs targeting addiction offers hope to people battlling the habit

Read it here

Finding a doctor who’ll help

Posted by Roberta Jewell
Categories: This 'n that

A new member to our message board posted a question about how to approach the doctor now that s/he’s ready to seek help. “Am unsure what to expect,” says C, “are they generally sympathetic?”

It’s a valid question and significant concern for those who finally decide to take that first step. No matter what we say about treating alcohol dependence without stigma or shame, the thought of sharing this most painful secret is often terrifying. It’s why so many drinkers work around their doctor, buy anti-craving meds online and undergo a self-help program with only themselves available for help. They’ve heard about patients shunned by providers, unwilling to assist. “Go to a meeting,” they’re told. Thing is, if they wanted to attend a 12-step program or simply abstain from alcohol they’d have done it by now.

But it doesn’t have to be that way – and shouldn’t. C’s thoughtful questions about what to expect and how to prepare for that visit are often the beginning of a successful health partnership.

Here are some guidelines to help promote a positive experience:

* Identify which of your current doctors are most willing to consider an alternative treatment proposed by you. For example, some patients tell us they are able to work most effectively with their Ob-Gyn because of the long-term, trusting relationship already established.

 * Consult a DO, or Doctor of Osteopathy. These fully licensed physicians often embrace a more holistic approach to healing than traditional MDs.

* Many patients have reported success with a mental health practitioner. Doctors of psychiatry are usually more familiar with anti-craving medications or new treatment strategies than their counterparts. Their medical training requires specialization in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of addictive disorders.

* If you feel more comfortable with a new physician, look for an addiction specialists in your local Yellow Pages or search online. Look into one of the web based resources such as, the US Substance Abuse Locator, or – if your goal is controlled drinking – Moderation Management. Instructions on how to use these resources are located in our online community’s FAQ.

* Prepare your doc! Download the May 2003 Lancet study if you’re interested in using Topamax. Print out information (for providers, not consumers) from Vivitrol and Campral’s website. If you plan to follow the My Way Out program, print out the articles from Newsweek Magazine, Wall Street Journal, and in which it is featured. Bundle the info together in an envelope and drop it off at your doctor’s office at least one week prior to your visit. Include a note on the outside stating your doctor wishes to read the material before your appointment.

* Become knowledgeable about tests you may be administered to assess your drinking problem. Popular screening surveys include:

The Cage Questionnaire in which a “yes” response to two of the four questions indicates a problem:

C: Have you ever felt you needed to CUT DOWN on your drinking?
A: Have people ANNOYED you by criticizing your drinking?
G: Have you ever felt GUILTY about drinking?
E: Have you ever felt you needed a drink first thing in the morning (EYE OPENER) to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?

(Our medical director, Dr. Linda Garcia, MD, also asks patients if they’ve received a DUI.)

The Short Alcohol Dependence Data (SADD) Questionnaire, a more sensitive diagnostic test than CAGE, which is available online here. It helps doctors distinguish between early alcohol dependence and heavy alcohol use.

The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), developed by the World Health Organization. It has been validated by several countries and is recognized internationally. You’ll find it here.

The Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST), a tool used widely by courts to determine sentencing for those convicted of driving under the influence or other alcohol related offenses. It’s available online, as well.

A number of other survey instruments are listed by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism here.

* Understand and prepare for your medical exam, which may include:

  • A physical examination in which the doctor palpates or taps various parts of your body and listens to sounds your body produces. Vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature will probably be taken.
  • A complete health assessment including information about your general and mental health, lifestyle, alcohol use, and family history of alcohol use and/or problems
  • A gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) blood chemistry test to evaluate liver function. Your blood may screened for anemia and electrolyte disturbances, such as low potassium, magnesium and calcium levels.
  • A carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT), a blood test some physicians feel is more sensitive than a GGT in identifying and monitoring problem drinkers
  • Signs of medical complications due to alcohol consumption, such as abdominal pain, heart problems, alcohol withdrawal or cirrhosis. Additional test may be ordered.
  • A referral for individual counseling to be undertaken in conjunction with therapy
  • A short-term prescription for a benzodiazepine such as Valium or Ativan to help manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms, if necessary. The physician should first screen for the presence of other medications to avoid interactions such as over-sedation

* When you meet with your doctor, be as truthful as you can about your alcohol consumption and medical history. Don’t withhold any information about medications you’re taking. If you are uncomfortable with what may appear on your chart, first ask your physician if you may talk off the record, but don’t consider it a guarantee that information won’t be noted.

* Assure the physician you’re committed to tackling your alcohol dependence within the context of a comprehensive program and you understand you will not be “cured” by a pill. Let him/her know that you intend to follow up. And do so.

* Tell your doctor about your plans to proactively seek support, whether at local 12-step meetings or an Internet-based forum. Point him/her to the MWO website if you plan to follow this program. Leave a copy of the book, or email us at ahead of time and we’ll provide a complimentary copy.

* Ask questions. Prepare them ahead of time and refer to them at the end of your exam to make sure everything has been answered sufficiently

* If the physician refuses to honor your request for medication or medical services, insist on a referral to someone s/he believes will help you. Be vigilant and honest about your desire to find a provider. Let him/her know you plan to move forward regardless and that if you leave the visit without support your choices about how to proceed will be limited. It it the physician’s responsibility to help you–do not forget this!

* Do not be aggressive, but do not be meek. Remember that this change will benefit your health, your family, your relationships, your future. Prepare yourself mentally for this appointment beforehand. Meditate on it. “Visualize” your confidence and presentation and see yourself leaving the clinic with whatever it is you need to succeed.

We often don’t hear from the many patients who quietly seek help and leave their doctors’ offices filled with a renewed sense of hope and joy. It happens every day and it can happen for you. If not, you must simply resolve to keep trying until you get the help you need for this serious and progressive condition.

You’ve made the decision to get help, so don’t let anything – or anyone – get in your way. You’ve lived with this problem long enough.

It’s time to get better.

Letterman, Colbert and Leno on Foley

Posted by Roberta Jewell
Categories: This 'n that

Colbert Report on Mark FoleyIt’s Friday…may as well lighten up.

I’d decided earlier not to weigh in on the Mark Foley scandal. It’s been overblogged this week as far as I’m concerned. Everyone seems to have an opinion as to whether or not Foley is a closet drinker and how he’s using it to explain his deplorable behavior.

So I defer instead to the late night comics:

“Earlier in the week, (ex-Rep. Mark) Foley checked himself into rehab. But according to the New York Times, many people question his alcoholism claim. That’s when you know things are bad in Washington. When a congressman can’t even be trusted to be a drunk.”
– Jay Leno

“Actually, this scandal with Foley has finally led to some bipartisan cooperation in Congress. For example, Republican leaders had to meet with Ted Kennedy to find out what’s the best rehab center.”
– Jay Leno

“Alcohol is an amazing thing. It turns completely normal politicians into perverts and completely normal actors into anti-Semites.”
-Jimmy Kimmel

 “The ex-congressman, if nothing else, is contrite. He says when he gets out of rehab, he wants a fresh start and to turn over a new page.”
-David Letterman

Funniest of all is Stephen Colbert. You can watch recent segments at YouTube. Be sure to check out both Part One and Two of his take on the scandal. As always, he’s hilarious.

So much for generic Topamax

Posted by Roberta Jewell
Categories: Medications and research

We seemed to be getting closer to a less pricey alternative to this effective and expensive anti-craving medication. But that may change, according to today’s Reuters article “J&J seeks to halt possible generic Topamax launch.”

More here…


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We can be your helping hand when you’re building a new house, leaving the old accommodation or just need to transform your backyard into a functional and comfortable extension to your home. We can put any neglected garden in perfect condition within the shortest possible time.

Our gardening staff is available at any time to come to your location and discuss your garden care plans. They will suggest the most suitable option for your needs and create a service package tailored to your requirements and preferences. If you are happy with their offer, the gardening experts will arrive at the scheduled time to transform your outdoor area.

We deliver a full range of gardening options suitable for all of your needs – from planting, removing unwanted shrubs, grass cutting, and lawn mowing to patio cleaning, weeding, removing unnecessary furniture or tools, and many other garden care services.

Learn about our discounted prices and other benefits that our gardening services come with on 020 3746 0610. Using this number, the online contact form or live chat facility, you can also make bookings and receive free of charges and obligations quotes. All of our contact options are open 24/7 for your convenience and comfort. You can reach us right now!

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FedEx Notes Some Delays But Please Sit Tight!

Posted by & filed under Press Releases.

Rest assured that NAEIR will continue to ship to members as usual, but if packages are not able to be delivered immediately, they will be held in secure locations until weather and conditions allow for delivery to those areas effected by the hurricane.

Here’s the message we received from FedEx:

“Although contingency plans are in place, some service delays and disruptions may be anticipated in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Delaware, Connecticut, Rhode Island and North Carolina.  FedEx is committed to providing service to the best of our ability in areas that can be safely accessed.

We are accepting packages for all areas; please just anticipate longer than usual delivery times for these areas.

Thank you.”

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Breaking News
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Sibal moves motion for JPC in Rajya Sabha
New Delhi, Mar 1 (IANS)
Published on 1 Mar. 2011 11:18 PM IST
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: Communications Minister Kapil Sibal Tuesday defended the government and focussed on the flawed policies framed under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) as he moved a motion in the Rajya Sabha to set up a Joint Parliamentary Committee to probe the 2G spectrum scam.
“A joint committee of the two houses consisting of 30 members, 20 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha, be constituted to examine policy prescriptions and their interpretation thereafter by successive governments, including decisions of the union cabinet and the consequences thereof, in the allocation and pricing of telecom licenses and spectrum from 1998 to 2009,” Sibal said while moving the motion.
“Why it refers to 1998 is because this is when the whole policy started,” Sibal said.
The minister said that the initial auctioning led to high rates, increasing pressure on consumers, “so the NDA government decided to go for revenue sharing”.
Coming out in defence of former communications minister A. Raja, Sibal said that different policies were adopted in different countries for giving away the spectrum. However no minister was sent to jail anywhere.
“In Finland, 3G spectrum was auctioned for free, Sweden took a token price of $11,020 for the 3G spectrum. In US, the auction had to cancelled as people overbid; but no one sent a minister to jail saying that the method earned less that the revenue it was supposed to get,” he said.
Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley refused to accept the argument, saying Raja cannot be defended like this.
“The telecom industry saw fixing of appointment of ministers and officials and the role of lobbies becoming visible. All this should be probed,” Jaitley said.
Sibal also defended his earlier statement of the first-come-first-served method causing zero loss.
“Once there was first-come-first-served policy for 2G spectrum, you can not auction. Hence there is no comparison and no loss,” he said.
The minister also reiterated Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s stand, saying the increase in tele-density and growth of telecom should not be ignored in the shade of this alleged scam.
However, taking strong exception to the points made by Sibal, Jaitley said that the giving of 2G spectrum was against the telecom watchdog, Telcom Regulatory Authority of India’s recommendations, which clearly stated that the prices for the spectrum should not be decided based on 2001 prices.
“The dates for the first-come-first-served were changed at the last moment which reduced the number of applicants from 575 who were eligible to 232. Of these, 122 circles had to be allocated. But instead of making the date of application the basis, the date of submitting the draft was made the basis,” he said.
The formation of the JPC, the fifth so far, is the government’s attempt to buy peace and let the crucial budget session of parliament function smoothly, unlike the winter session that was crippled by the opposition demands for a JPC.
It comes in the wake of opposition pressure for a parliamentary panel to investigate how second generation telephony spectrum licences were sold to telecom firms allegedly at throwaway prices that, according to the government auditor, caused a notional loss of Rs.1.76 lakh crore to the exchequer.
The report of the committee is to be tabled in the parliament by the end of monsoon session in late August.
The Congress has three out of the 10 members from Rajya Sabha in the JPC, while in Lok Sabha it has eight of the 20, taking it to 11 out of 30. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has eight - two members from the upper house and six from the lower house.
P.J. Kurien, Jayanthi Natarajan and Praveen Rashtrapal (Congress), Tiruchi Siva (DMK), Yogendra P. Trivedi (Nationalist Congress Party), S.S. Ahluwalia and Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP), Ramchandra Prasad Singh (Janata Dal-United), Satish Chandra Misra (Bahujan Samaj Party) and Sitaram Yechury (Communist Party of India-Marxist) are the upper house members in the JPC.
The Lok Sabha nominated 20 members to the committee Thursday. They are V. Kishore Chandra Deo, Paban Singh Ghatowar, Jai Prakash Agarwal, Deepender Singh Hooda, P.C. Chacko, Manish Tewari, Nirmal Khatri, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (Congress), T.R. Baalu (DMK), Kalyan Banerjee (Trinamool Congress), Jaswant Singh, Yashwant Sinha, Harin Pathak, Gopinath Munde (BJP), Sharad Yadav (JD-U), Dara Singh Chauhan (BSP), Akhilesh Yadav (Samajwadi Party), Gurudas Dasgupta (Communist Party of India), Arjun Charan Sethi (Biju Janata Dal) and M. Thambidurai (AIADMK).
A member from the committee will now be nominated as the chairperson by the Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar. Sources says Kerala MP Chacko is likely to be named the chairperson.

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Nail Art

Dedicated to the infinite joys of nail art and design: handpaint, airbrush, colored acrylics and gels.

Jewel of the Nail

Challenge your creativity – and your client’s image – by adding nail charms to your repertoire.

Imagine your client doing what she does best – mixing cocktails, running a business meeting, playing the piano, dealing cards, typing, or serving airline passengers. People can’t keep their eyes off her hands. Not only are they perfectly manicured, but a small shine and sparkle keeps catching their attention. It’s the charm you encouraged her to wear – and she finds it expresses herself beautifully. If you don’t already offer your clients nail jewelry. You may not want to consider it. Not only is it a source of extra income, it also allows clients more options for nail design. So many different types of women wear nail charms that only one phrase characterizes them all. “Charms are for the woman who dares to be different.” Says Marlene Sortino, president of Snails Italian Jewelry in Miami Beach, Florida. “We sell to people on welfare to people in Beverly Hills. Everyone seems to think it’s an ethnic product, but we sell in Atlantic City and New York and also to people who live on farms in the Midwest.”

“In our industry, you’d love to be able to be really specific about the people who use your product,” says Joyce Bogen, president of Joyart Jewelry Company in Belmore, New York, “but in some parts of the country, you’re selling to a younger person. In other areas, you’re selling to an older person. The ethnic background, income level, and age of people who wear nail jewelry seems to vary. I think it depends on the salon itself – how they sell.”

Promoting Jewelry

There are as many ways to promote nail jewelry as there are clients, and you have to sell to all your clients if you’re serious about selling jewelry. Start by including nail jewelry in your advertising. “What’s really interesting is you always have new people in the industry,” says Bogen. “Because they’re new, they get excited by the charms. They pass that excitement on to their clients.”

Enthusiasm is a big help in selling nail jewelry, but an even better way is for clients to see the jewelry in action. “Wear it,” says Beverly Bennett, president of A Show of Hands in Meriden, Connecticut. “If you wear it, they’ll wear it.”

Or put charms on long tips for display. “There’s no way to show them,” says Maureen Volpe, president of Volpe Nails in Endicott, New York. “With 55 shops and 10 years of experience, I’ve discovered that the shops that wear or display the jewelry sell more jewelry. Put the charms on your own nails. If a client likes the charm I’m wearing, I’ll take it out of my nail and put it right into hers.”

Display a selection of charms at the table and talk to your clients about them. “The nail technician should have an inventory of jewelry on hand, because it’s an impulse item,” says Ed Caballero, president of Spirit of Love Nail Jewelers in Upland, California. “When clients are at the salon, the technician has them for half an hour to an hour. They have that time to sell them an item. If the client says, ‘Gee, I think I’d like a charm like yours,’ then she has it right there.”

The third step to a nail jewelry promotional program is to have a color catalog available. A catalog plus a sample of your work on your own nails allows the client to better visualize a charm on herself. “Clients can see the quality of the work and what it looks like on the technician’s nail and would have more confidence when ordering from the brochure,” says Caballero.

“You’ve got to have in stock what you want to sell,” says Volpe. “If you can only carry 12 designs, you should have the catalog at the nail technician’s desk with the prices clearly marked. When you order a charm for them, take half the money down so you have the money for the charm up front. If the customer doesn’t come back for the charm, you’ve at least covered the cost of the charm.”

When promoting nail jewelry, don’t forget that all kinds of people will wear jewelry. “Anyone wears it, if they like it,” Bennett points out. “Sometimes they’re afraid to try it because it’s different.” Your job, as the nail jewelry expert, is to encourage your clients.

“There are a lot of pieces available for those who are very discerning in their tastes,” says Bogen. “When I go into a corporate meeting I wear a stud, something fun, but something that shows I’m still a businesswoman. The styles of nail jewelry range from simple to extraordinary, from cute and flashy to pretty and elegant.” Any client interested in trying out a charm should be able to find something that suits her tastes, if not within your inventory, at least in a catalog. Suggest that she have a look while her polish is drying.

Attaching the Charms: Drilling and Applying

Study the nail. Once your client has chosen her design, you need to fit and apply the charm carefully. While some designs are polish-secured, most charms have a post on the back that fits through a hole drilled in the nail’s free edge – just as a stud earring fits into a pierced earlobe. “The technician should study the nail length and curve as well as the size and shape of the nail charm to decide if it will fit properly,” says Caballero. “The client may insist on wearing it on her pinkie, for example, but the charm may be too big or bulky.”

Decide where the hole is to go. “Take a look at the post position because some designs are long and have the post at one end,” says Bogen. The design should look balanced on the nail. If you’re using the charm as part of a nail art design, the position of the hole is especially important.

Drill the hole. “Drill the hole with the nail charm tool by hand, gently,” says Caballero. “If it’s drilled gently, there’s no danger of breaking or cracking the nail. Drill from the underside of the nail. If you drill on top, the drill can slip and scratch the polish.” Volpe recommends that technicians then flip into the hand over and drill carefully from the top to smooth the edges.

Fit the charms. This may be the most time-consuming part of the application, taking as long as 15-20 minutes. The charm must fit the nail as closely as possible for the nearest look and to eliminate snagging. “Sometimes you can bend a charm with your fingers, sometimes with tweezers, and sometimes you have to use jeweler’s pliers,” says Caballero. “The charm has to be adjusted off the nail. If it’s done on the nail, you can break the nail. You may go back and forth three or four times until you get it.”

Finish the nail. Insert the charm into the hole after the polish is dry and hard. Most manufacturers recommend that you use two nuts to secure the post. When the nuts are in place, trim the post with clippers, then grind it flush with the nuts with a metal file or an electric tool. Be sure to smooth any rough edges. Finally, apply a clear coat of polish to both the top and underside of the nail, making sure the nuts are sealed.

“Many technicians don’t cut the post all the way,” says Caballero. “You have to grind and smooth it or it’ll catch. When I’m at shows, I’ll see people who purchased nail jewelry, and the technician didn’t trim the post or apply the clear coat. It’s important to finish, trim, and grind the post smooth, and to apply the clear coat to the top and the underside. That way, the nail won’t snag on nylons, hair, or a sweater. The jewelry can be used a second time. With the two nuts, the post is still long enough of the nail is thicker the next time.”

Use glue on dangles. “The best way to put on a dangle is to drill a hole, put the ring through the hole, and put a drop of glue over the seam of the ring,” says Bennett. “Then put clear polish over the glue to keep it from oxidizing.” Rings can be linked together for a chain effect or draped between several holes in the nail.

When in doubt, ask questions. Instruction sheets are available from most manufacturers. In addition, some manufacturers sponsor classes in jewelry application at trade shows.

Creative Hints

Experiment with the different types of charms available. Dangles and chain rings offer clients alternatives to the traditional stud. “Right now the trend seems to be toward the dangling styles,” says Bogen.

“One of the most popular charms is the chain ring,” adds Caballero. “That’s a pinkie ring in 14-karat gold with the charm in the nail. Another popular charm is the nail tassel; that’s a charm with three chains that dangle from the nail.”

Use your imagination when applying nail jewelry. “We use the charms with nail art,” says Volpe. “For example, we’ll have a sunset on the water and then a gold dolphin leaping out of the water, or we’ll use a palm tree charm for one of the palm trees.

“What’s really nice is to paint a two-tone nail, red and black, put a gold stripe on it, and put the charm on the black side of the nail,” she continues.

“Black by itself is hideous, but it works well as a background to set off jewelry.” Design and create a few nail tips for display.

The client has more options than she probably realizes. For example, Snails Italian Jewelry will custom design initials for a “monogrammed” nail. And Joyart Jewelry Company will make their designs into other types of jewelry, such as earrings or tie tacks. Talk to manufacturers and suppliers about special services they provide. Help your client discover her options.

Finally, educate your clients. “People don’t remember that nail charms are still fine jewelry,” says Sortino. “They treat it roughly sometimes. But it has to be taken care of, and the technician should explain this.” Jewelry should be treated gently. Have your clients add a top coat every day to protect the charm. Have her check the post and nuts every day to be sure they’re tight. Finally, have her store the charm in a jewel case when she isn’t wearing it. Helping your client take care of her jewelry will increase her enjoyment of it.

Price Charms Accordingly

Manufacturers recommend that technicians sell charms at a 50% to 100% markup. Take into consideration that charms must be carefully fitted and applied, often a time-consuming task. If you make a mistake, you may have to patch a hole or reapply polish, so applying a charm takes some skill. “Technicians should at least double the charm’s cost, because it’s work to put the charms on and take them off. It takes work to fit them,” says Bennett.

“They can get whatever the market offers,” says Sortino. “One of my dealers can get $85 or $90 for charms that others can get only $20 for.”

The rule of thumb is to offer a fair retail price that makes jewelry an attractive buy, and allows you to make a profit. Take into consideration your salon’s location and the size and cost of the charm. “It’s a wonderful way to bring in extra income,” says Bogen.

Once you’ve introduced your client to nail jewelry, invite her to start a collection of charms – one for the business trip, one for a resort weekend, one for the holidays.

The following manufacturers contributed to this article: A Show of Hands (Meriden, CT), Joyart Jewelry Co. (Bellmore,NY), Snails Italian Jewelry (Miami Beach, FL), and Spirit of Love Nail Jewelers (Upland, CA). Nail jewelry provided by A Show of Hands, Joyart Jewelry Co., and Snails Italian Jewelry.

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