What Is a "Good Death"?

Helping to ensure a "good death"
Poets, professors, priests, and plain folks all opine about what makes a "good death." In truth, deaths are nearly as unique as the lives that came before them—shaped by the attitudes, physical conditions, medical treatments, and mix of people that accompany them.

Still, many have pointed to a few common factors that can help a death seem good—and even inspiring—as opposed to frightening, sad, or tortuous. By most standards, a good death is one in which a person dies on his or her own terms, relatively free from pain, in a supported and dignified setting. Other things to consider:

Having affairs in order
Not everyone has the luxury of planning for death. But those who take the time and make the effort to think about their deaths during life and plan for some of the details of their final care and comfort are more apt to retain some control and say-so in their final months and days of life.

Legal specifics of such planning can include taking steps to get affairs in order by:

．Having an estate plan, with a will, trust, or other arrangement that sets out who gets property 　and how it should be divided.

．Specifying final medical care in an advance directive.
．Making final arrangements for body burial or cremation.
．Indicating preferences for a funeral or memorial service. Psychological preparation includes　　　　talking about an impending death with caregivers, family members, and others.

Controlling pain and discomfort
Most Americans say they would prefer to die at home , according to recent polls. Yet the reality is that three-quarters of the population dies in some sort of medical institution, many of them after spending time in an intensive care unit.

As life expectancies increase, more people are becoming proactive . A growing number of aging patients are choosing not to have life-prolonging treatments that might ultimately increase pain and suffering—such as invasive surgery or dialysis—and deciding instead to have comfort or palliative care through hospice in their final days.

Having few regrets
Often quoted in the literature on death and dying are the tenets in The Four Things That Matter Most, by Ira Byock, a medical doctor who professes the need for a dying person to express four thoughts at the end of life:

．I love you.
．Thank you.
．I forgive you.
．Forgive me.

This supports the idea that, for many people, a good death requires ending life without unfinished business, and with reconciling damaged or broken relationships when possible.

Receiving mindful care and support

．The right company can help aid a "good death." Although dying may be scary or sad or simply unfamiliar to those who are witnessing it, studies of terminally ill patients underscore one common desire: to be treated as live human beings until the moment they die.

．Most also say they don't want to be alone during their final days and moments. This means that caregivers should find out what kind of medical care the dying person wants administered or withheld and be sure that the medical personnel on duty are fitting in skill and temperament.

．Favorite activities or objects can be as important as final medical care. Caregivers should ascertain the tangible and intangible things that would be most pleasing and comforting to the patient in the final days: favorite music or readings, a vase of flowers, a back rub or foot massage, being surrounded by loved ones in quiet or conversation.

．Spirituality can help many people find strength and meaning during their final moments. Think about the patient's preferred spiritual or religious teachings and underpinnings, since ensuring access to this can be especially soothing at the end of life.

Reference: msn health & fitness - http://health.msn.com/health-topics/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100239192&gt1=31040

10 Foods That Help You Get Your ZZZs

It’s all about timing. Try some of these if you want to fall asleep easily and rest through the night.

If it takes you more than 15 minutes to fall asleep at night, quicken your trip to dreamland by changing what you eat in the evening. It can make the difference between staring at the ceiling and sleeping like a baby.

For years, the top food on the snooze list was turkey, because it contains sleep-inducing tryptophan (credited with all those Thanksgiving naps). But researchers have done an about-face and nixed this connection. Why? Turkey, like most foods, just doesn't contain enough tryptophan to put you to sleep, explains Elizabeth Somer, R.D., author of The Food & Mood Cookbook: Recipes for Eating Well and Feeling Your Best.

Instead, think light but high-carbohydrate snacks. Carbs boost levels of the brain's sleep chemical serotonin without overloading your digestive system. If you like, wash them down with something warm and soothing, such as a cup of herbal tea (chamomile, lemon balm, or valerian) or warm milk.

10 top sleep boosters

Nibble on one of these 10 high-carb calmers an hour before bedtime. You'll be yawning in no time.

1.Half of a whole-wheat English muffin or raisin bagel drizzled with honey
2.Two cups of air-popped popcorn
3.A small slice of angel food cake topped with berries
4.A frozen whole-wheat waffle, toasted, with maple syrup
5.Half a cup of pretzels
6.Fresh strawberries dunked in a little fat-free chocolate syrup
7.Half a cup of pasta topped with marinara sauce
8.A 4-ounce baked potato topped with salsa
9.A handful of oyster crackers and a piece of fruit
10.Canned mandarin oranges sprinkled with crystallized ginger

The benefits of sleep go well beyond good moods and lots of energy. Getting six to eight hours of sleep a night can make your Real Age as much as three years younger.

Reference: msn health & fitness - http://health.msn.com/health-topics/sleep-disorders/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100239667&gt1=31036

World’s 10 best places to live

This list is derived from Mercer's 2009 Quality of Living survey. The rankings are based on a point scoring index. Cities are ranked against New York as the base city with an index score of 100. The Quality of Living Survey covers 215 cities and is conducted to help governments and major companies place employees on international assignments.

1. Vienna
Quality of life index: 108.6 (base is 100)
2008rank: 2City
infrastructure ranking (index): 18 (101.9)

2. Zürich
Quality of life index: 108 (base is 100)
2008 rank: 1City
infrastructure ranking (index): 14 (102.6)

3. Geneva
Quality of life index: 107.9 (base is 100)
2008 rank: 2City
infrastructure ranking (index): 35 (99.2)

4. (tie) Vancouver, Canada
Quality of life index: 107.4 (base is 100)
2008 rank: 4City
infrastructure ranking (index): 6 (105)

4. (tie) Auckland, New Zealand
Quality of life index: 107.4 (base is 100)
2008 rank: 5City
infrastructure ranking (index): 243 (98.1)

6. Düsseldorf, Germany
Quality of life index: 107.2 (base is 100)
2008 rank: 6City
infrastructure ranking (index): 6 (105)

7. Munich
Quality of life index: 107 (base is 100)
2008 rank: 7City
infrastructure ranking (index): 2 (106.5)

8. Frankfurt
Quality of life index: 106.8 (base is 100)
2008 rank: 7City
infrastructure ranking (index): 8 (104.8)

9. Bern, Switzerland
Quality of life index: 106.5 (base is 100)
2008 rank: 9City
infrastructure ranking (index): 215 (102.3)

10. Sydney
Quality of life index: 106.3 (base is 100)
2008 rank: 10City
infrastructure ranking (index): 11 (104)

referrence: MsN Real Estate http://realestate.msn.com//listarticle.aspx?cp-documentid=19712020

Boston Consulting Group's Advantage Matrix

After its well known growth-share matrix the Boston Consulting Group subsequently developed another, much less widely reported, matrix which approached the `economies of scale' decision rather more directly. This is their `Advantage Matrix' [1], also in the form of a quadrant (four boxes) but which takes as its `axes' the two contrasting `alternatives', `economies of scale' (described by them as `potential size of advantage') against `differentiation' (shown as `number of approaches to achieving advantage'). In essence, the former category covers the approach described in the more popular (Boston) growth-share matrix, while the latter represents the approach (described by Michael Porter) of `differentiating' products so that they do not compete head-on with their competitors.

Volume business. In this case there are considerable economies of scale, but few opportunities for differentiation. This is the classic situation in which organizations strive for economies of scale by becoming the volume, and hence cost, leader. Examples are volume cars and consumer electronics.

Stalemated business. Here there is neither the opportunity for differentiation nor economies of scale; examples are textiles and shipbuilding. The main means of competition, therefore, has been reducing the `factor costs' (mainly those of labour) by moving to locations where these costs are lower, even to different countries in the developing world.

Specialized business. These businesses gain benefits from both economies of scale and differentiation (often characterized by experience effects in their own, differentiated, segment); examples being branded foods and cosmetics. The main strategies are focus and segment leadership.

Fragmented business. These organizations also gain benefit from differentiation, particularly in the services sector, but little from economies of scale; examples being restaurants and job-shop engineering. Competition may be minimized by innovatory differentiation.

Apart from the fact that it has not suffered as badly at the hands of later popularizers, the particular advantage of this matrix is that it highlights the assumptions that are hidden in the Boston Matrix. It may also give a better feel for the optimum strategy and the likely profits, but it does not give any feel for the cashflow, which was the main feature of the original matrix.

reference: wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Consulting_Group%27s_Advantage_Matrix

The Worst Restaurant Foods for Kids

Childhood obesity rates in America have tripled since 1980. Today, 16 percent of children between the ages of 6 and 19 are overweight or obese. In addition to those 9 million children who are already in trouble, an additional 15 percent of American kids are classified as “at risk of becoming overweight or obese.”

We’re not just talking baby fat here—70 percent of overweight adolescents end up overweight or obese in adulthood. And since obesity increases your odds of heart attack, stroke, and early death of all causes (sometimes by as much as 33 percent), consider the impact of an entire generation of overweight children on our country’s health care system—and families. It’s a chilling thought, especially if one of those children is your own.

In spite of these terrifying statistics, the restaurant industry has done little to help combat the problem. If anything, the overstuffed, fat- and calorie-packed kids’ meals on many chain restaurants’ menus indicate that they’re just making things worse. What’s even more frustrating is that it’s hard to tell how good—or atrocious—any particular food item can be just by looking at the name. Who knew a kids’ turkey burger could pack half a day’s worth of calories? Or a simple plate of spaghetti and red sauce could have the sodium equivalent of FOUR large orders of McDonald’s french fries? Luckily, Eat This, Not That! is here to help you order smart and sensible food for your children when you’re eating away from home. Skip these dietary disasters to help keep your kids lean, strong, and healthy.

Worst Kids’ Side: Bob Evans Smiley Face Potatoes

．524 calories
．31 g fat (6 g saturated, 0 g trans)
．646 mg sodium
．57 g carbs

Not even an extended bath in hot oil could wipe the grins from the faces of these creepy-looking potatoes. When eating out, side dishes make or break a meal, and with more fat and calories than Bob’s Sirloin Steak, this side falls woefully into the latter category. Let this be a lesson to all the kids out there: Just because they’re smiling doesn’t mean they’re nice. Choose the Home Fries instead for a fraction the calories and a quarter the fat.

Eat This, Instead: Home Fries

．86 calories
．7 g fat (1 g saturated)
．547 mg sodium
．27 g carbs

Worst Kids’ Sandwich: Au Bon Pain Kids’ Grilled Cheese

．670 calories
．41 g fat (25 g saturated, 0.5 g trans)
．1,060 mg sodium

Au Bon Pain turns a simple sandwich into a complicated mess—this grilled cheese has as much saturated fat as 25 strips of bacon! The Au Bon Pain kids’ menu contains just as many items over 500 calories as under, so it’s important to be vigilant. Choose the small mac ‘n cheese to satisfy your kid’s cheese cravings for a mere one-third the calories and none of the heart-harming trans fats. And to keep your own diet trans fat-free, avoid any item on this list of the trans-fattiest foods in America.

Eat This, Instead: Kids’ Macaroni and Cheese

．250 calories
．14 g fat (9 g saturated, 0 g trans)

Worst Kids’ Mexican Meal: On the Border Cheese Quesadilla

．850 calories
．66 g fat (26 g saturated)
．1,250 mg sodium
．26 g carbs

This quesadilla accounts for half the calories your child should consume in an entire day (that’s nearly 3 McDonald’s cheeseburgers, for comparison). It also comes super-stuffed with sodium, which is especially bad for kids because it makes them thirsty, which means they’re more likely to drink an excess of super-sweetened, high-calorie fruit juice or soda to compensate. Talk about a real diet disaster. Choose a soft chicken taco, but order it without the fat- and calorie-packed rice and beans.

Eat This, Instead: Soft Chicken Taco

．250 calories
．11 g fat (4.5 g saturated)
．910 mg sodium
．24 g carbs

Worst Kids’ “Healthy” Burger: Ruby Tuesday Kids' Turkey Minis and Fries

．873 calories
．46 g fat
．88 g carbs
．(Sodium content not listed)

In a perfect world, ground turkey is leaner than ground beef and a turkey burger is a decent thing to feed your kid. But Ruby Tuesday finds a way to confound all expectations by cramming half a day’s worth of calories into these tiny burgers. We chose the turkey version because it presents itself as a healthier alternative to the beef burgers, but in reality it has only 44 fewer calories than the mini-cheeseburger with fries. Not exactly a “healthy” alternative at all. Discover other atrocious “health” foods on our list of the 14 worst “healthy” foods in America.

Eat This, Instead: Chop Steak with Mashed Potatoes

．403 calories
．30 g fat
．15 g carbs

Worst Kids’ Spaghetti: Romano’s Macaroni Grill Fettuccine Alfredo

．890 calories
．67 g fat (38 g saturated)
．1,450 mg sodium
．53 g carbs

This simple dish of spaghetti and white sauce serves up nearly three-fourths of your kid’s daily sodium allowance—or, about as much salt as you’d find in 4 large orders of McDonald’s french fries. It’s also packed with saturated fat and has the caloric equivalent of 6 Hostess Twinkies. Order a kids’ cheese pizza to trim nearly half the calories away. Discover other cool calorie-saving tricks from 10 ways to make fast-food healthy.

Eat This, Instead: Mona Lisa’s Cheese Masterpizza

．480 calories
．14 g fat (8 g saturated)
．940 mg sodium
．62 g carbs

Worst Kids’ Drink: Baskin Robbins Made with M&M’s shake (small)

．980 calories
．36 g fat (22 g saturated, 1 g trans)
．129 g sugars
．153 g carbs

It’s a marvel of modern food science that Baskin Robbins can fit this much fat and sugar into a 16-ounce cup. To do so, it took a reckless sense of abandon and over 70 ingredients (including many from this list of the most controversial food additives). All told, it has more calories than 4 packs of M&Ms and as much sugar as you’ll find in 13 Krispy Kreme Original Glazed Doughnuts! A word of warning about super-sweetened drinks: the average American consumes an extra 400 calories from sugar-sweetened beverages every day. The fastest way to see your kid’s belly grow is to feed him super-sweetened juices, smoothies, sodas and milkshakes. The Drink This, Instead: Smoothie should be consumed only as a dessert, and only on very special occasions.

Drink This, Instead: Strawberry Citrus Fruit Blast (small)

．350 calories
．1 g fat (0 g saturated, 0 g trans)
．85 g sugars
．89 g carbs

Worst Kids’ Meal in America: Chili’s Pepper Pals Little Chicken Crispers with Ranch Dressing and Homestyle Fries

．1,110 calories
．82 g fat (15 g saturated)
．1,980 mg sodium
．56 g carbs

Most kids, if given the choice, would live on chicken fingers for the duration of their childhood. If those chicken fingers happened to come from Chili’s, it might be a pretty short life. A moderately active 8-year-old boy should eat around 1,600 calories a day. This single meal plows through 75 percent of that allotment. So unless he plans to eat carrots and celery sticks for the rest of the day (and we know he doesn’t), find a healthier chicken alternative. Chili’s Pepper Pals menu has one of the most extensive collections of kids’ entrees and side dishes in America, all of which prove considerably healthier than this fried chicken disaster.

Eat This, Instead: Pepper Pals Grilled Chicken Platter with Cinnamon Apples

．340 calories
．8 g fat (2.5 g saturated)
．755 mg sodium
．38 g carbs

The trouble with your kids’ waistlines isn’t limited to fat-packed entrees and oil-dripping sides. Avoid any of these 14 worst “healthy” smoothies no matter how much your kid begs. As for food that you can feed your kids, check out our list of the best foods for kids. It should show you that the battle with the bulge isn’t over yet.

REFERENCE: msn health & Fitness : http://health.msn.com/nutrition/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100237479&page=1

The 10 Best Places to Kiss

You lucky single person, you! Your dating days are full of adventure and kisses shared in dimly-lit restaurants and on street corners. But where, we wondered, are the very best places to lock lips? You already know about the beach at sunset, under the mistletoe and right smack-dab on the mouth. Here, more superior smooch sites to check out when you’re ready to make out.

1. On a roller coaster. Yes, love has its ups and downs, but that’s what keeps it exciting. Kiss at the crest of that first big hill and hang on to each other as you plummet — talk about a rush!

2. On your desk. Research shows that as many as 61 percent of relationships start in the workplace, and 50 percent of office amours lead to marriage (that includes this writer!). So if you’re flirting by the coffee machine or bantering at brainstorming sessions and it isn’t against company rules, take it to the next level (after hours, please; discretion is important!). Don’t have a desk job? Find the nearest supply closet.

3. At a museum. Appreciating a beautiful work of art together can create passion. Why waste it? Give in, whether inspired by Picasso’s "The Lovers" at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., Gustav Klimt’s "The Kiss" at Vienna’s Osterreichische Museum für Angewandte Kunst, or a romantic, moving piece at a local gallery.

4. In the middle of a crowded street. Preferably at rush hour on any given Monday. Life can be mundane and hectic at the same time, but a sweet, juicy kiss can make an average moment special. To get the idea, think of the iconic image of a sailor smooching a nurse in New York’s Times Square on V-J Day, or Robert Doisneau’s renowned 1950 black and white photo, Kiss by the Hotel de Ville, of a couple mid-lip-lock on a Paris Street.

5. In a dressing room. Are you the type who’s turned on by the idea of a public display of affection — but would prefer some darned privacy? The dressing room rendezvous affords the best of both worlds. Plus, it has illicit allure (sneaking someone in where he or she technically isn’t supposed to go) without setting off theft detectors.

6. On a pile of coats. Preferably, with a stranger you met at the party. It’s a mating rite of passage everyone should experience at least once. Guaranteed to irritate other guests!

7. Upside down. You don’t need Spidey skills to pull it off. One person simply sits in a chair and tilts his or her head back while the other person approaches from behind, bends over and plants one. Or try it with one person lying on a couch, head against the armrest, and the other person standing above and leaning over. It’s a little awkward, a little weird — and absolutely wonderful.

8. In the back seat. Find yourselves a lover’s lane, climb into the passion pit, and neck until you steam up the windows. It’s retro romantic.

9. In a downpour. Yes, kissing in the rain is kind of cliché, but if you haven’t tried it, please do. The reason this kiss rules? Everyone else is frantically running for shelter, which makes time seem to stop for the two of you. It’s surreal and very sexy.

10. In bed, while one of you is asleep. You know from fairy tales that the kiss that awakens can lead to happily ever after. There’s simply no lovelier way to wake up. As the kisser, however, you’re advised to refrain if the kiss-ee is recuperating from a double shift after a bout of insomnia.

Reference: msn lifestyle ttp://lifestyle.msn.com/relationships/articlematch.aspx?cp-documentid=18728068&Gt1=32023

Top Education Investments in a Challenging Economy

In October 2008, Jim Cramer, host of CNBC's "Mad Money" said, "Whatever money you may need for the next five years, please take it out of the stock market. Right now. This week." Where would Cramer and other experts suggest we put that money? The unspoken truth is, in a down economy, education and career training could be your best bet.
Education, the next hot investment tip
With a struggling stock market and an uncertain job future, your own education is the best investment you can make. Consider the benefits of career training:
Keep your skills current
Broaden your abilities
Strengthen your current experience
Learn a marketable skill
A targeted career training course can do all of the above in a matter of months, and a longer time commitment could lead to an undergraduate or graduate degree that sends your career into overdrive.

Career training for a new career
It seems like an endless cycle: You are worried about the long-term future of your job, but the shaky economy means that you might not be able to start over somewhere new. So you stay in your job, but you're worried about its long-term future. Employment trends vary by industry, with some careers in health care and IT seeing significant potential growth. Here are just a few fast-growing industries through 2016 and median salaries, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Network systems analysts: 53.4 percent growth, $68,220 annually
Veterinary technicians: 41 percent growth, $27,970 annually
Medical assistants: 35.4 percent growth, $27,430 annually
Physical therapist assistants: 32.4 percent growth, $44,130 annually
Education varies by position. For veterinary technicians, a short associate degree may be all that's required to get you into the career. To become a network systems analyst, you'll likely need a bachelor's degree in management information systems, computer science, or similar. With the right education, you could find yourself in a stable, challenging career.
Federal stimulus benefits your education
Looking for someone to hand you a little cut of the stimulus bill? With an education, you just might see the benefits. The New York Times notes that part of the recent stimulus bill includes talk for "the largest increase in federal aid since Washington began to spend significantly on education after World War II," including more money for college grants.
Whether or not all that stimulus money comes through, you still have plenty of government funding options for your education. Check out the different levels you can pursue for your career training:
Federal: With the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you can determine your eligibility for government grants and loans. The Obama administration intends to do away with the FAFSA and link the application to your tax return, making it even easier to determine your funding need.
Local: Scholarships in your area may be found in local churches, community centers, civic organizations and more. Start your search at your local library for more info on local scholarships.
Employer: Depending on your employer and the education you seek, you may be eligible to complete career training programs for free or a discounted rate through your employer. Talk to your HR department or your manager for more details.
You don't need to shoulder the burden of your education alone, or rack up huge credit card bills in the process. Whether you find your money in the form of loans, grants or scholarships, financial options exist to make going back to school as stress-free as possible.
Coursework offers a brief investment
Worried about making a long-term commitment to a degree program? Short coursework options allow you to take your training one class at a time. Teaching targeted fundamentals of business, communication, and technical skills, coursework is a practical way to invest in your education without worrying about the big picture. Consider a few popular ways to use coursework:
Train for IT certification programs
Work on skills suggested by your employer
Try out a degree before committing
Build your design portfolio or resume
No matter how you use it, coursework training can add a powerful bullet-point to any resume.
Online education is a smart bet
Don't let classroom attendance or a full-time job stand in the way of your education. Going to school online means you cater your study hours to your needs instead of worrying about a schedule set in stone. A keen sense of organization and drive can help you through any education, but is a particular asset to attending school online. Once you've learned how to balance school, work and life, you're ready to make the most of your educational investment.
Times are tough, but they won't always be. Invest in your education now, and imagine the power your career training will have when hiring freezes are lifted and employers start searching for new faces. No educational program can guarantee a certain career, but the jobs and promotions you want could require the training you've been considering for a long time.

reference: msn encarta, http://encarta.degreesandtraining.com/articles.jsp?article=featured_top_education_investments_in_a_challenging_economy&GT1=27004