Insight Magazine - August 2012

Insight the government’s

Internationally corrupt

Lending Practices

Life as a

Homeless Individual The Reality TV Curse:

Why Celeb Marriages Can’t Survive the Small Screen

Weight Loss Craze

Top 5 Programs that Really Work

Issue 12

•

August 2012

Executive Bio:

Alex Hillman, Indie Hall

Should Euthanasia be legalized in America?

the Truman show

Delusion

See Inside for Prizes!

August 2012•Insight 1

editor’s desk

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never quite believe that August has 31 days in it. In all my life, the month has just never felt long. As I’ve gotten older, there has been that general sense of “wow, time keeps speeding up,” but August, especially. Hell, February feels longer. I always start the month as I start every month, a sit down with my calendar and to–do lists and figure out what I want to get out of the month and any scheduling issues that might stand in my way. I’m no perfect show-pony, and I rarely stick to each month’s layout without deviation, but somehow August always messes me up. I start it hopeful and then somewhere in the middle of the month I chuck my planner out the window (metaphorically, of course — I’m probably too much of a type-A to do it for real).

There’s just something about it. When I was younger, August was that last month before school started. As I got older, it was still the last real summer month. Either way, I both wanted to soak it all in and somehow stand it still. Todo lists were always something that sped the month up. So, I avoid them like the plague. But, you know what? It never really threw me off. What needed to get done still did and everything else? Well, there’s September for that. That is what I recommend to all of you – stop planning and to-do listing, just for August. Take in this last full summer month untied from your lists and worries. Because, after all, there is always September for that!

—Maria

“Just remember, the same as a spectacular Vogue magazine, remember that no matter how close you follow the jumps: Continued on page whatever. No matter how careful you are, there’s going to be the sense you missed something, the collapsed feeling under your skin that you didn’t experience it all. There’s that fallen heart feeling that you rushed right through the moments where you should’ve been paying attention. Well, get used to that feeling. That’s how your whole life will feel some day. This is all practice. None of this matters. We’re just warming up.” —Chuck Palahniuk

Readers Respond to our July Issue: “I’d like to see a follow up on last issue’s article “Are Student-Teacher Relations on the Rise?” with an article about whether or not these relations are acceptable? —Michael, Southampton Your piece, Happiness Can Be Bought At The Right Price, really irked me. How dare you say that happiness is based on money? Has this society turned completely shallow? Money is money, its only the key to material items. YES, certainly without it things are more difficult, but how many people out there are successful and have tons of money but are depressed and lack a true life and sincere happiness?

How’s that for some insight! —Danielle, Cherry Hill I was happy to see an article specific to children and staying healthy by eating vegetables. I am a nutritionist and I cannot tell you how many families come in here with terrible eating habits and expect their children to pick up on healthy ones. Children are products of their environment, if you show them cookies, candy, and McDonalds, this is what they will eat. If you give them fruit, veggies, and lean meats, they will learn to eat properly and grow as a healthier society. It is a huge shame that many people today do not value their example and raise their children eating junk! —Roberta, 41, Queen Village See your comment? Follow instructions on pg. 3 to win prizes! Respond to our August issue on our website (myinsightmag.com), email (insight@myinsightmag.com), Facebook (My Insight Magazine) or tweet us (My Insight Magazine).

Our Team:

Luba Patlakh Maria Goroshovsky Editorial Director Co-Founder/Editor “Do not follow “Did perpetual where the path happiness in the may lead.

Garden of Eden Go instead maybe get so where there is boring that eating no path and the apple was leave a trail.” justified?”

2 Insight•August 2012

Angele Douglas Russell Contributing Writer “No one is entitled to an opinion unless they know the facts.”

Olga Astreika Contributing Writer “My goal in life is to help people and have them happy.”

Alla Podolsky Graphic Designer “I am not that creative with words.

Can I offer you a picture instead?”

David Vulfin Marketing Director “Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.”

Insight In This Issue: Editor’s Desk 2 Letter from the Editor Readers Respond to our July Issue Word on the Street 4 An End to Traffic Court?

Is the Federal Government Involved in Corrupt Lending Practices?

Another Attempt to Defund Planned Parenthood 6 Ph-un in Philadelphia Tips of Smart Back-to-School Shoppers Conversation Starters 7 Community Spotlight: Prestige Home Care Agency Suster’s Day Insight Poll 8 Executive Bio: Alex Hillman. Indy Hall 10 Should Euthanasia Be Legalized in America?

Life As a Homeless Individual Feature 9 Weight Craze

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Issue 12 • August 2012

8

Healthy Living 11 Prestige Home Care Agency Warning: Importance of Staying Hydrated Is Wine Good for You? Eat Chocolate, Lose Weight Too Skinny to Work? An Industry Trend towards Health Entertainment and Lifestyle 12 Top Five Reasons to go to the Movies in August They Don’t Know They’re Hot?!

13 The Truman Show Delusion Why Celeb Marriages Don’t Survive Reality TV The “Good Guy” Is Now Cooler than the “Bad Boy” You are Free to Lie 14 Say “Ah!” Spa Review: RYAH Yoga and Health Celeb Throwbacks 15 Eat Good Food: Spiga Economy Hurting Men’s Dating Life 16 Dress to Impress: Sunglasses

Sports and Athletics 17 The Reality of Sports Scholarships Philadelphia Baseball Schedule Career and Finance 18 Is It Cheaper to Buy or Pack Lunch?

Need a Job? Look Overseas The Best Uses of Lines of Credit Technology Today 19 Why Is Instagram So Popular?

Site of the Month: Uniquemechanics.com Tips on Improving Traffic on Your Website A Dose of Insight 20 Insight Advice Column Relax and Play 21 Sudoku Wordsearch 22 Photohunt!

August Horoscopes Marketplace 23 Advertisement

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Prizes and Rewards!

We at Insight want to hear from all of our new and old friends! Send us an email and write to us on Facebook. Let us know what you think, what you want, or just how your day is going and get rewards for doing it!

Your Monthly Reward: Insight will look through all our email, as well as Facebook comments, messages and posts. We will select five comments, at random, to include in the upcoming issue. If you see your post, contact us with the post, the issue you saw it in, and your information within one week of the release of that issue and YOU WIN! What do you win? Well, every issue we will post our ‘Favorite Things.’ These are little things that are new, cool and we feel everyone will enjoy. When you win the post challenge, you get to pick one of our ‘Favorite Things’ from that issue and it’s yours! If, instead, you want to work towards our bigger “Play for Points” prizes, you can instead ask to add five points to your play for points account (see myinsightmag.com for more details). So, what are you waiting for!

Come leave us a message!

Play for Points: We don’t want to be another magazine you gloss over in a hurry; we want to really interact with you in every section and page of Insight.

In our attempt to really get you involved, we’ve set up a points game.

Throughout the magazine you’ll see small sections that say “Play for Points.” Each section will have its own instruction on how you can email or Facebook us your answers or contributions and earn points.

You can log in and keep a ‘point account,’ so to speak, on myinsightmag.com. You then can add up points to win the prizes that cost a point value ranging from 50 to 1,000 points. So earn enough points for a $20 gift card, or save as much as you can for a five day paid hotel in Miami, FL, or a new iPAD. See myinsightmag.com for even more prizes, your account and more information!

Spray Tan! Haven’t had much 1Labor sun this summer? Just in time for Day, we are offering you $20 towards a spray tan at Skin Palette.

Philly Sports Clubs! Don’t let 2winter the end of summer fool you into gaining weight! Get in the gym! $20 start up dollars for you to Philly Sports Clubs!

Buy! Technology is taking over!

3Best Here’s $20 to Best Buy, stay savvy!

August 2012•Insight 3

An End To Traffic Court?

H

ow nice would it be to never have to step foot in a traffic court again? To never have to defend that isolated incidence of speeding or accidentally running a red light? To never pay a fine for the rolling stop you made at the stop sign? For about eight days in June, from the 15th through to the 22nd, the traffic court was closed due to relocation. This surely gave many the undue hope that traffic court may well have reached it’s end. Sadly, the reason for it’s close is not that thrilling The traffic court was previously housed in the Midtown Village section of Center City, but moved over to The Widener Building at the corner of 13th and Chestnut as of Monday, June 25. Going forth, if you have to pay a visit to the traffic court, don’t get too excited if you visit the old location; the traffic court didn’t cease operations, it’s just moved to some cool new digs closer to City Hall!

Word on the Street

Is the Federal Government Involved in

Another Attempt to Defund

Corrupt

Lending Practices?

n his book, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man (2004), John Perkins details his involvement in corruption at the federal level as an “economic hit man”. As Perkins explains, his job was to convince various countries to accept developmental loans from government organizations, such as The World Bank and USAID, but making sure that the lucrative projects were contracted back to U.S. corporations. Those corporations, in turn, carried out the projects at a huge profit. Unfortunately, after the projects were completed, those countries would be unable to pay back the loans, remaining in debt to the U.S., effectively creating a never ending cycle of borrowing and debt.

But, according to Perkins, the cycle didn’t stop there. Due to the debt these countries owed to the U.S. with no hope of ever paying it off, they often succumbed to political pressure on a variety of issues, including being less political, assenting to government demands.

Critics of the book accuse Perkins of being a conspiracy theorist, referring to a lack of documentary or testimonial evidence to corroborate his claims. Despite that, the book became a runaway New York Times best seller. Perkins followed up with another book, The Secret History of the American Empire, giving an in-depth view of the corrupt relationships that exist between the public and private sector. If economic thrillers suit your fancy, then this is the book for you!

4 Insight•August 2012

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n another attempt to cut funding to Planned Parenthood, Pennsylvania lawmaker, Republican Daryl Metcalfe, has sponsored legislation that would end state support for the organization’s women’s non-abortion health services. Metcalfe, and supporters, believe that the money allocated by the state to Planned Parenthood for non-abortion services is actually being used to provide abortion services to women and should be redirected to other hospitals and family clinics that don’t provide abortion care. “It really should be our choice what we decide to do with our bodies,” said Meryl Warner, 46, of Bucks County.

“Why do they think they can dictate where, when or how we decide to handle personal situations like an abortion?”

The legislation, named the Whole Woman’s Health Funding Priority Act, is similar to one in Ohio and would place organizations and providers offering abortion services at the bottom of the funding priority list. However, Sari Stevens, the Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania, asserts that the funding is in fact used for other services, including cancer screenings, which is much needed, particularly for those clients who are low-income without insurance. In the last year alone, the organization provided services to over 123,000 Pennsylvanians.

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August 2012•Insight 5

Ph-un in Philadelphia!

Philadelphia’s got a lot going on in August.

My Insight magazine is here to make sure you are in the center of all of the action! Check out the shows, events, and exhi-bitions going on now and coming soon.

08/03. Fifth Annual Granny Grand Prix. WMMR radio station listeners grab their feisty grandmas and steer them to a go-cart rally that pits almost a dozen grandmothers against one another in a race to the finish. The popular hosts of the Preston & Steve morning show broadcast live during each of the three heats and final round, as women as old as 92 zoom through five to eight laps full of blue-hair-raising turns and denture-dropping speeds.

(610) 771-0933. wmmr.com.

08/05. Sherox Philadelphia Triathlon/Duathlon. Participants race through picturesque Fairmount Park during this allfemale sprint distance triathlon/duathlon series, returning to Philadelphia for a sixth year. (610) 687-3955. sheroxtri.com.

08/11–08/12. Bug Fest. Creepy crawlers of all shapes, sizes, colors and attitudes invade The Academy of Natural Sciences.

Insect lovers can touch a furry tarantula or cheer for their favorite cockroaches during a roach race. Scientists are on hand to convince even the most disbelieving visitor that insects are important creatures for the planet. 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, (215) 299-1000. ansp.org.

08/18–08/19. The 51st annual Philadelphia Folk Festival.

Philadelphia’s answer to Woodstock, attracts musicians, storytellers and craftspeople for a weekend of song and merriment at Old Pool Farm in Schwenksville. (215) 242-0150. folkfest.org.

W

Tips of Smart back-to-school shoppers

hoever said K-12 education was free obviously never had kids, as the costs of preparing for school each year can be daunting. According to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey, parents spend more than $600 to get one child ready for school. Thankfully, we’ve compiled a list of tips from veteran back-to-school shoppers to help you along as the school season gears up for another year.

Salvage Old Clothes Take inventory of your child’s clothes from last year and see what can still be salvaged. This will allow you to replace only needed essentials. You may also consider holding a clothing swap with neighbors to save on clothing expenses every year.

Make a List The most popular piece of advice experts share is to make a list of needed items and stick to it. You can also decide what needs to be purchased right away, so these necessities can be bought at a discount after Labor Day but before the last minute rush shoppers go at it.

Buy in Bulk Certain school supplies can get worn out throughout the year, including pencils, crayons, and paper. By purchasing those supplies in bulk, you will get better deals and even save on gas money required to make mad dashes to the store. You may even consider splitting the cost with friends. Using online coupons is also recommended.

08/31–09/15. Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe.

For two weeks, dancers, actors, playwrights, musicians, visual artists, video-makers and puppeteers roam the city’s streets and fill its performance halls. At night, festival-goers head to the “Festival Bar” for dancing, drink specials and visual media installations. Location of the bar is to be determined.

(215) 413-9006. livearts-fringe.org.

Conversation Starters

* Two Barbie dolls are sold somewhere in the world every second of every day.

* Snakes sleep with their eyes open.

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* In Minsk, Belorussia, 6,000 people participated in a simultaneous Valentine’s Day kiss.

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* When translated, the Himalayas means “abode of snow.”

Community Spotlight:

By Olga Astreika

P

Home Care Ag e n cy

restige Home Care Agency’s growth and success have been in response to the environment surrounding it. Our driving force has been the ability to provide as much quality care under one roof to as many people in need as possible.

At first, it didn’t take more than a glance at the changing landscape of Philadelphia and its surrounding areas to realize that a chorus of different languages and experiences was converging upon the community. We decided that a multilingual community required multilingual service, especially in the medical field, and so, Prestige was born. Today, our personnel range in the linguistic spectrum, including: English, Russian, Spanish, Mandarin, Polish, etc.

In addition to setting up an agency that could assist patients in the language of their comfort, Prestige sought to expand the potential number of people it could provide services for. In 1997, Prestige became a provider for the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging. By 1998 we had gained enough trust of local doctors and hospitals that Prestige was able to expand its services to three counties — Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia.

In 1998, we went through JAHCO accreditation to obtain authorization with multiple insurance carriers. Sixteen years of accreditation later, Prestige provides services to virtually all insurance carriers in the Greater Philadelphia Area.

Since 2000, Prestige became a provider for the attendant care program, the independent waiver program, the financial management services, PAS, the consolidated waiver program, intellectual programs, OBRA, the ComeCare waiver and the AIDS waiver. What’s more, Prestige has no intention of stopping. Not only did Prestige seek to become a large contributor to these programs, but to also provide the best care available. Prestige acquired additional certifications for their professional staff to provide IV, wound care, chemotherapy and psychotherapy. Today, this list of additional services includes specialized nurses, physical therapists, speech therapist, occupational therapists, and more. Not to mention, that these are all in addition to Prestige around the clock home health aides, who assist in providing patients with the best medical services possible.

Throughout the process, Prestige has always believed that no medical difficulties should take the independence from one’s life. Prestige has sought to be equipped with all the tools of the trade that will allow its consumers to be treated in the comfort of their own homes, to the fullest extent they need, to the greatest amount possible in the medical field, and with the utmost respect and kindness. Consistent with this belief, Prestige has continuously endeavored to be active in the community and encourage its consumers to do the same. That is why Prestige has always been involved in, and often sponsors, community events in conjunction with the American Lung Association, as well as, local events dealing with such things as diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Prestige is always looking to give back to the community and seeks to brighten each day for those in our care.

Prestige Home Care Agency has the ability to provide for virtually all ages, all insurances, all waivers, all languages, all types of lifestyles and all types of needs under one roof, which is what makes Prestige different and a step above the rest.

Insight Poll: How often do you communicate with family/friends/coworkers via e-mail?

50% every day 20% Once or twice a week 7% Monthly

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23% Rarely Got any other suggestions?

Let us know on our website (myinsightmag.com), email (insight@myinsightmag.com), Facebook (My Insight Magazine) or Twitter (My Insight Magazine).

And, vote for next month’s poll!

SISTER’S DAY

E

veryone has heard, “blood is thicker than water.” Some swear by it others are not such fond believers. Although, if you think about it, if you do not have your family and siblings beside you, who do you really have in this world? Aside from your own kids and significant other, there is usually no one nearly as close as your own blood.

Allegedly introduced by an Indian tribe many years ago, Sister Day will be celebrated on August 5th. Sister’s day is the perfect way to show your sister how much you love her. Spent time with your sister, celebrate having her and show her how much she means to you. Just as any other love induced holiday, you should show your sister just how much she means to you every day, not just one day a year! But, in the case that you do not get to see your sister or have been unable to express yourself to her, take this day as an expression of appreciation for your loved one! It is unknown when Sister Day was first observed.

August 2012•Insight 7

EXECUTIVE BIO:

Alex Hillman

INDy Hall

By Luba Patlakh

“I

Insight: How did you come up with Indy Hall?

Alex Hillman: When I went out on my own, I loved the freedom and flexibility to work on what I wanted, when I wanted, but I missed having great coworkers to inspire me, share ideas, and all of the “good stuff” about coworkers that I think people take for granted.

Indy Hall started not as a place but as a search for people doing cool, interesting things on the internet. Once we had the club, we needed a clubhouse, and Indy Hall “the workspace” was born.

I: What is Indy Hall?

AH: First and foremost, Indy Hall is a community. We gather, meet, share, learn, and work together to make Philadelphia a better place to make a living doing what we love. We have a shared workspace & clubhouse in Old City that allows members and guests to be productive, collaborate, and know that there’s a place for them to call “home” in Philadelphia. We focus on helping people form relationships before they work together. I like to think of Indy Hall as not just

8 Insight•August 2012

m er. benleuner.co ©2011 Ben Leun

a better place to work, but better coworkers.

I: Where do you see yourself/your business in 5 years?

AH: If you were to ask me from 5 years ago where I saw myself, I wouldn’t have predicted anything close to what I’m doing today. My approach to work includes a lot of serendipity, so while things tend to look like a beautifully crafted story arc in reverse, moving forward tends to be more like organized chaos. Long term, my hope is that people who’ve had an Indy Hall experience become the leaders of the world’s largest and most influential organizations - be it a company or a government - because I believe that working from a place like Indy Hall. Working here changes your perspective in subtle but important ways that I think would lead to those places doing more good in the world.

I: Why do you think the city benefits from an organization like Indy Hall?

AH: Indy Hall has been a part of what I see as a “self discovery” process that the city has been going through for the last 5 years.

I think we’ve shown how you can do well by doing good things, being genuine, and being good collaborators. Our relationships with some people at City Hall reflect this - our first interactions together showed them an entire new way to work with citizens who care about their city, and we’ve seen people like Jeff Friedman and Councilman Bill Green really embrace communities like Indy Hall as peers in improving our city.

Alex took a powerful exit from our interview by letting us know, “Indy Hall’s recent expansion means that we’ve got room for you! If you work from home, a cafe, or even an office that lets you work remotely once in a while, come visit Indy Hall for a day and see how we work.”

Check out Indy Hall’s weekly email newsletter (related to coworking, the future of work, collaboration, and community building) for free! Subscribe at: http://coworkingweekly.com

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’m really just a normal guy who’s not content with the status quo. Oh, and I’m a karaoke fiend,” said Alex when we asked who he was. This charming and intelligent guy, whose passion is people, has worked in technology for most of his life, either building/fixing computers or making websites and software. For him it all started at Drexel University, where he majored a BS in business with aspirations of starting his own IT consulting company, but during his 1st co-op he realized he wasn’t enjoying the industry. “I was exposed to interactive work on the web and did my 2nd co-op at an agency, where I ended up falling in love with building things on the internet. After working for 2 agencies I left to start my own company.”

Craze

WEIGHT 3

By Luba Patlakh

Pennsylvania was named the 17th most obese state in the country as of 2009. The state’s adult obesity rate is 28.1 percent, and, in Pennsylvania men are more obese than women at 29.3 percent.

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iets, we love them, we hate them … we always seem to be on them! It’s a CRAZE! Before summer, before vacation, before a big night, it’s not unusual to hear friends and family talking about ‘devoting themselves to another diet. But why the insanity stricken, overdone weight crazes?

You see your friend Martha and she recently lost 20 pounds on the latest diet and she looks great! What do you do? You decide its time you join X fad and hop on the diet train too. But what people are missing is that fad dieting is not the way! In fact, fad diets are just craze that gets blow up at that moment; fad diets are simply weight loss that is promoted by a quick fix are based on testimonials or just a single study, rather than scientifically proven by studies. These diets are known for eliminating or severely restricting entire food groups and are rigid in terms of following the ‘rules’ of the diet, which is NOT how you are actually going to lose and keep weight off.

Most of us forget that losing weight is about slimming down, yes, but more so about learning how to eat right and maintaining good health. Because we love you all dearly and only want you to maintain good health, we have worked with local Philadelphia weight loss centers and programs to narrow down the top 5 weight loss programs around and why they can be the cure to your very own yo-yo dieting, weight craze.

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offers you a wide range of weight loss programs tailored to fit any lifestyle. With over 30 years of experience, PWLC offers six specially designed weight loss and nutrition systems which have been specifically created to help you start losing pounds and inches immediately. Each diet is nutritionally designed by a licensed dietitian to help you get the proper amount of protein, carbohydrates, fat, fiber, and essential vitamins and mineral that your body needs specific to each diet system. Physicians weight loss also offers clients B12 Vitamin shots and behavior guidance weight loss (which is included in the program). PWLC’s diet program stands apart from the rest because they are physician directed!

For more information: www.pwlc.com.

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is a revolutionary, all natural approach to weight loss. Seen all over the news, The Sadkhin Complex provides a new and effective approach to weight loss through Dr. Sadkhin’s discovery of sixteen biologically active hunger control points behind ears and named The Sadkhin Points®. This 100% znon-invasive technique allows Sadkhin clients to stimulate the hypothalamus and secrete hormones which control hunger. This revolutionary program typically shows results immediately with a loss of inches around the waist as the body seeks its own equilibrium, while hunger is being controlled with The Sadkhin Method®. The Sadkhin Method® is customized based on each client’s personal needs. The program is 100% drug-free and does not require any special foods or products.

For more information: sadkhin.com.

has been helping America get thin and healthy for over 35 years. With Nutrisystem Success, you get a streamlined, powered up nutritional profile for ultimate satisfaction and hunger control. Each program is designed to fit the client, even offering different programs for men and women. Based on 40 years of science, which was designed using the nutritional guidelines of national health organizations, Nutrisystem is backed by the Glycemic Index for optimal weight loss and ultimate satisfaction Supported by Scientific Advisory Board—the leading experts in obesity treatment.

Nutrisystem provides the perfect balance of structure and convenience. Joining Nutrisystem, you will receive portion controlled meals delivered to your door, follow balanced meal plans that teach healthy habits for life, and get daily planners and grocery guides to help make eating healthy easier. Enjoy access to interactive tools, trackers, and unparalleled support through the phone and online communication.

For more information: www.nutrisystem.com

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A 2009 review, https://www.acufinder.com/Acupuncture+News/Study+Shows+Ac upuncture+Effective+for+Weight+Losspublished, in the International Journal of Obesity, analyzed 31 different studies of acupuncture for weight loss and the treatment of obesity and looked at its effects for more than 3,000 people. The results showed that people that used acupuncture for weight loss or to treat obesity had a significant reduction of average body weight, compared to placebo or sham treatments. Exercise and a healthy diet are still the foundation for reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, but traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture are emerging as effective, non-pharmaceutical methods that could help countless Americans in their own personal “battle of the bulge.”

For more information: www.philadelphia-acupuncture.com

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offers clients a weight loss pro gram which has modernized the Dr. Simeons original 1950 diet by applying current clinical and nutritional knowledge. In 1950, the original protocol called for 500 calories per day (hello starvation!), which left people extremely hungry, fatigued, and losing their hair! Today, the goal of weight loss is there but now created in a healthy approach through HCG Injections. “HCG,” (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is a hormone secreted in pregnant woman which protects the fetus from starvation in times of famine.

HCG releases brown fat stored within the pregnant woman’s body as a source of food for the fetus. HCG diet protocol makes dieting easier than you have experienced before because you can eat more and still lose weight! This diet is a three phase program, including maintenance that will help you lose and maintain you weight. The center offers a collaborative approach for each person, ensuring success in their diet goals and unlimited support for all Pennsylvania patients 6 days/week! Talk to a weight loss professional Monday-Saturday!

For more information: www.slimspamedical.com

August 2012•Insight 9

Should

Euthanasia

be legalized in America?

T

he Right-to-Die Law has been one of the most controversial topics discussed amongst people, as well as Supreme Court officials. Should those suffering physical pain have the choice to voluntarily take an overdose of drugs and legally commit suicide? Some hold a strong opinion against such a decision, while others on the other hand support it. Among those that disagree with the law is Attorney General Alberto Gonzales who states that “federal drug laws do not permit or condone doctorassisted suicide.”

No one wants to suffer from pain, especially if the pain is permanent. People should be able to have a choice as to whether they want to live forever in pain or if they believe it is their time. The Right-to-Die law is frowned upon by many, though some find it a cure, as it is hard to watch your loved ones suffer for the rest of their life without being able to help them. However, no one besides the suffering person should be able to make that decision. If one can pass in peace through overdosing, why not let them?

Euthanasia is illegal in most countries, though some forms of it are legal in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Though sickening, in some Southern Asian countries suicide is even considered an acceptable solution. However, in Oregon a physician-assisted suicide is allowed but comes with many requirements. Do you think Euthanasia is a proper solution? Share your thoughts with us at insight@myinsightmag.com.

Life as a

10 Insight•August 2012

ost of us do not worry about how we will get our next meal, where we are going to sleep at night or what we will do if the weather gets too cold or too rainy. Unfortunately, there is a large population of people who do.

As of May 2011, there were a reported 14,415 homeless people in Philadelphia. Out of those 14,516, 1,098 of them are living on the street, the rest in shelters. Life as a homeless person is hard; at any moment they could be arrested and incarcerated for 72 hours, just because they are homeless. William Bell, a local homeless man who has witnessed these occurrences states, “They lock us up in jail for no reason. There are no homeless shelters for us to go to; they closed most of them down.”

Rather than helping the homeless, it seems as though the city is only trying to get rid of them. The city goes as far as pretty much providing relapsing drug addicts with their drug of choice. “Drugs are everywhere. The city almost hands it right to us, right here. All that dealers have to do is mix it into what they wish to sell,” said Bell.

Rather than building more homeless shelters to be able to shelter the homeless and providing them with rehabilitation programs, the city is shutting out the homeless and using more money on local and state prisons. It seems the city needs to reconsider their priorities and help the homeless off the streets, instead of into jails.

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Homeless Individual M

Healthy Living Prestige Home Is Wine Good For You? Care Agency ver hear the saying, “too much of anything is bad for you”? Well, nothing could be truer than warning:

Importance of Staying Hydrated

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t’s August already! And although summer seems to be quickly coming to an end, August is one of the hottest summer months. Keeping your body hydrated is uber important. Experts recommend staying hydrated as the number 1 rule to live by in the heat. Throughout the year hydration is always important but in the heat, you are more likely to have severe headaches, faintness, dizziness, experience light headedness, confusion, as well as, feeling drained or tired. Losing hydration creates a loss of power to the body. Do not wait for these symptoms to arise, drink at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day.

If you have certain medical conditions such as kidney stones, are pregnant, or are planning to go exercise, Prestige Home Care Agency suggests that you increase the amount of water that you drink. If you do not favor the taste of plain water, try adding a slice of lemon or water flavoring to make it more appealing. It is important to steer clear of soda and juices, as these items will not keep you hydrated due to sugars and artificial flavoring, which may cause you to feel thirstier than you already are.

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Quick Health Fact!

The human brain has the capacity to store everything that you experience.

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the health effects of the consumption of wine. While wine is often praised for its health benefits, heavy consumption (more than one 5oz. drink per day for women, 2 for men) of alcohol has possible serious health risks.

In moderation, the benefits of consuming wine are numerous, as a part of a healthy diet. It can raise “good” cholesterol levels, prevent cell damages via antioxidants, and prevent blood clotting and plaque formation. This is particularly the case with red wine, which contains more of the chemical resveratrol, found in red grape skin and the source of many of the wine benefits.

However, when consumed heavily, the health risks are too numerous to name, including an increase in risks for osteoporosis, cancers, high blood pressure, weakened heart muscles, diabetes, weight gain, depression, and dementia.

So, the next time you decide to have a night on the town, make sure you treat your body right, making decisions that can benefit, and not harm you, in the long run. Trust me, your body will thank you!

A

ccording to a new study, people who consume chocolate may have a higher incidence of sustained weight loss than those who do not. A study in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that those who consumed chocolate a few times a week were slimmer than those who only ate it occasionally.

A study of nearly 1,000 adults showed that the people who reported eating chocolate at least five times a week had a Body Mass Index (BMI) of one point less than people who at it less frequently, totaling an average of approximately a five pound difference. This is despite the report by the “chocolate eaters” of eating more total calories and saturated fat. Physicians have stated that, in moderate amounts, chocolate can be consumed without major health risks and can have the effect of “free calories.”

This finding should not come as much of a surprise, as the health benefits of chocolate have been touted for years. Chocolate has been linked to a reduction of stroke risks, lower levels of bad cholesterol, and praised as a great source of antioxidants. Looks like weight loss may be another added benefit!

Eat Chocolate, Lose Weight

Too Skinny to Work?

An Industry Trend towards Health

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ecently, Isreal became the first country to prohibit underweight models nationwide from appearing in local advertising. The controversial move was the first of its kind, by any country, and speaks to the health dangers and pressures posed by the modeling industry on models to remain thin, often at the expense of their health. The law also requires publications to present disclaimers when they alter images that make women and men appear thinner.

This trend may be relevant and helpful here in America, where an estimated 8 million people have an eating disorder; women are overwhelmingly affected. Moreover, the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders reported that eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. Given the amount of media focused on the perfect female and male form, the new Israeli law would undoubtedly help people, young and old, become more accepting of their own bodies, rather than strive to achieve something beyond perfection.

In a positive move towards this trend, various media giants, like Vogue magazine, have promised to use only healthy models to promote a healthy body image. Their “Six Point Pact” is a move to “reflect their commitment to the health of the models […] and the well-being of their readers.” Definitely trendsetting and a move in the right direction!

August 2012•Insight 11

Entertainment & Lifestyle Top Five Reasons to go to the Movies in August

1

8/3—Total Recall Back yet again, Neal H. Moritz is updating this classic sci-fi flick. Now staring Colin Farrell, the movie follows a man wrestling with reality as he is summoned to Mars while under the control of virtual-reality memory implants.

2

8/10—The Bourne Legacy Jeremy Renner takes on Matt Damon’s legacy in the fourth installment of the Bourne series. This time around, the story sidelines the main character, Jason Bourne, instead focusing on fellow estranged assassin (played by Renner). The all-star cast is rounded out by Edward Norton, Rachel Weisz, Joan Allen and Albert Finney.

3

8/10—The Campaign Backed by wealthy CEOs, Marty Huggins (Zach Galifanakis) is put up against long-term congressman Cam Brady (Will Ferrel) after the congressman commits a huge public gaffe before the upcoming election. As the election gets closer, the two get into mayhem and we get to watch it all comedically unfold..

4

8/17—Sparkle Awaited by most as Whitney Houston’s final performance before her death, the movie follows musical prodigy, Sparkle (Jordin Sparks), struggles to become a star while also struggling through a difficult family life. Sparkle is daughter of a single mother (Whitney Houston), trying to juggle her life while she and her sisters strive to become a singing group during the Motown-era.

5

8/17—Cosmopolis David Cronenberg adapts author Don DeLillo’s novel about a Manhattan billionare (Robert Pattinson) who is met with unusual, violent events on his way to get a haircut from his father’s old barber. Also staring Keira Knightley, Paul Giamatti and Juliette Binoche.

THEY DON’T KNOW THEY’RE Hot!?

Ryan Gosling. “I think I’m a pretty weird looking guy. Every role I got up until The Notebook was the weirdo, freak, psychopath, nerd, outsider character guy.”

Megan Fox. “I don’t think I’m a sexy, beautiful woman. I look like Ted Nugent in a black wig.”

Jessica Alba.

My breasts are saggy. I’ve got cellulite. My hips are bigger…every actress out there is more beautiful than me.”

12 Insight•August 2012

Jon Hamm. “I don’t even consider myself handsome.”

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Scarlett Johannson. “I don’t think of myself as sexy. I tend to see flaws in my appearance.”

WHY CELEB MARRIAGES DON’T SURVIVE

i

Delusion

t’s not just that reality TV is really terrible television. It’s that it is actually causing mental illness. The illness now sweeping the nation?

Truman Show Delusion. If you recall, The Truman Show starred Jim Carrey as a man who spends his entire life unwittingly being broadcast to millions of homes outside of the fictional town created for him.

Apparently, the condition is catching. An increasing number of people are now convinced that they are also being secretly filmed as stars of a reality television shows. These people believe that their friends and family are actors, that the news is fake, merely used to indoctrinate them and that all the occurrences of their lives are staged for television amusement. Coined by brothers Joel and Ian Gold (a psychiatrist and neurophilosopher, respectively) in 2008, the Truman Show Delusion is officially recognized and classified as a “delusional disorder, persecutory type.” These types of delusions are influenced by scientific and technical developments. Joseph Weiner, chief of consultation psychiatry at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, NY explained that in the 1940s, psychotic patients would believe that their brains were being controlled by radio waves and more recently patients would believe computer chips were implanted into them. The Truman Show Delusion is an extension of this, especially because reality shows are so visible and accessible.

Surprisingly enough (or perhaps not), the Truman Show Delusion seems to afflict successful people the most — even more specifically, white men between the ages of 25 and 34. There have been 40 serious reported cases throughout the world. Just this summer a man, Nicholas Marzano, sued HBO for “filming and broadcasting a hidden camera reality show” about his life. Marzano believed that HBO was staging a reality show in his town, Hillside, IL and that everyone was in on it. Another sufferer of the delusion traveled to New York City after 9/11 to make sure the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center were not a plot twist for his secret personal reality show.

Reality TV is only getting more widespread and I’m not sure the world can handle too many “Trumans.”

The “GOOD GUY” Is Now Cooler than the “BAD BOY”

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ames Dean is the classic “rebel without a cause” and he’s always been considered cool for it. “Cool,” in fact, has a traditional meaning of being mysterious or thrill-seeking. Not anymore, gentlemen. Bad boys are out. Good guys are in. For the first time ever being cool is being defined by being friendly and warm, say sociologists. Traits like having emotional control, rebelliousness, toughness and detachment are on the wane. Now, happiness, openness and kindness are the cool guy buzz words. So, get on the bandwagon fellas; if you want to be “cool” that is.

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Reality TV

he reality TV curse, they call it. Well, whatever the name, the general rule seems to be that celebrity coupledom is no match for reality television. Reality shows past have left many casualties behind: Jon and Kate Gosselin, Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey, Carmen Electra and Dave Navarro, Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler, etc. Recognizing that reality is not the healthiest marital environment, Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom smartly left it before it was too late (they released a statement this summer that they would not be doing a new season of their hit show,” Khloe & Lamar,” or appearing too much in the main “Keeping up with the Kardashians” show).

Marriage murder by reality TV is a common affliction because the cameras leave little downtown from the caricature life celebs lead on screen. Nick Lachey told USA Today after divorcing Jessica Simpson, ““Jessica and I began playing these parts even when we were by ourselves. It became a really blurred line. There was a question about what truly was our reaity.” Not only is it hard to differentiate your on-camera and off-camera life but often there are other motives that come out when the cameras start rolling. Jon Gosselin has blamed Kate for spending too much time away promoting their show and not enough time at home with him. Similarly, reality shows tend to exacerbate problems that are already lingering. Hulk Hogan said, after his divorce from Linda Hogan, that his marriage to Linda had been shacky for almost a decade, but that the reality show “amplified the problems.”

As always, there are exceptions to the rule. Giuliana and Bill are still going strong (both on and off screen) and at least half of the Kardashian couples are still together. The curse will forever linger though, it seems.

YOU ARE FREE TO

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LIE

he same day that the Supreme Court’s health care ruling came down in June, so did it’s decision in United States v. Alvarez, a case about the constitutionality of the Stolen Valor Act (charging people who lied about winning military awards like the Congressional Medal of Honor). The act was struck down and many online daters rejoiced. Had the act been upheld, it may have made it legally difficult for people to lie on their dating profiles. Now, however, there will be no criminalizing lying about height, weight, age or financial status on any social media and dating websites, says Ninth Circuit Judge Milan Smith.

What does this mean? Well, now Christians can go play pretend on JDate (something more common than you would realize). People lie on these sites all the time. According to an analysis

by OkCupid, online daters are, on average, two inches shorter and twenty percent poorer than their profiles claim. Moreover, eighty percent of those who claimed to be bisexual were actually only interested in one sex. Other studies show that the average deception for weight online is 5.5% of actual weight, and the average deception for age is 1.4%. We’re not all perfect, but now it seems that online, we can be.

August 2012•Insight 13

I

Say “Ah!”

Spa Review:

By Luba Patlakh

Prenatal Massage

f you know, “what to expect when you’re expecting,” then you are aware it’s back and leg pain you will endure! In order to ease your way through your pregnancy, it’s highly recommended pregnant women engage in one or many prenatal massages. Some of you are probably wondering what exactly is a prenatal massage and how does it differ from the regular? Prenatal massage shares many of the goals of regular massage — to relax tense muscles, ease sore spots, improve circulation and mobility, and just make you feel good. But it’s also tailored specifically to the needs of pregnant women and their changing bodies, meaning therapists who are trained in prenatal massage adjust their techniques accordingly. Since you can’t lie face down on a massage table when you grow, prenatal massage therapists use a special table or pad with hollowed-out areas and special pillows to accommodate your belly, and often your breasts as well, so you can lie facedown. If you find this position stresses your lower back, or if only a traditional massage table is available, you can lie on your side with pillows, wedges, or a full-length body pillow for support.

As with any massage, prenatal massages are done in order to ease the pain of the carrying mother and increase the blood flow to enhance health. Conshohocken’s RYAH Yoga and Health spa offers mother’s to be a prenatal massage that will change their world. Why, you ask?

Their highly trained and uber calming therapists focus on the special needs of each visiting mommy-to-be. This massage provides emotional support, nurturing touch, relaxation, and most importantly, relief from neck and back pain caused by muscle imbalance. It also helps decrease insomnia, swollen ankles, and can prepare muscles used during childbirth. An excellent complement to your pre-natal yoga classes.

At RYAH their belief is “that health and well-being are central to living a long, productive life, and improved health is achieved when physical, mental and spiritual needs are met. Their mission is to create a holistically oriented community where individuals and organizations can achieve optimal health and well-being.”

RYAH. 424 E Elm Street Conshohocken, PA 19428 • (610) 834-1551 • www.ryahyoga.com

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hey’re gorgeous today. But the camera did not always love all of these celebs.

Take a trip down memory lane, with some celebs in their high school photos.

14 Insight•August 2012

Avril Lavigne

Jeremy Piven

Charlize Theron

Lil Jon

Pamela Anderson

Marilyn Manson

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Celeb Throwbacks

Eat Good Food: Reviewed by: Luba Patlakh

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here’s a cool new eatery in town and there’s nothing ordinary about it! “Spiga, a name that comes from the Italian word for “wheat sheaf” or ear of wheat, which holds it all together,” said Chef Brian Wilson “and we wanted a short, Italian phrase or word to define coming all together and we found that with ‘Spiga’”. In hopes to become a place where friends and family can all come together to wine and dine, Spiga offers diners delicious food, a creative variety of cocktails, and daily specials you won’t want to miss!

“Spiga is a fun, happening, laid back place to get high quality food without the price tag,” Chef Wilson said. “You can expect to come here with your family or friends for an intimate time, but don’t out rule the lunch or brunch crowd, we really try to cater to everyone.” Spiga can host up to 65 people comfortably in their 1800 sq. ft. space, encompassing a décor of original brick walls and water lines, which truly add to the ambiance of the modern Italian theme. “The décor comes from memories of a childhood bar near my home,” said Chef Wilson. “They had this rustic feel and a really large wooden bar,” which Wilson took inspiration from when he used a 20 year old walnut tree to create their original walnut wood bar.

Spiga offers diner’s some outstanding selections, including our top pick, the Spiga burger, which is a mixture of Angus beef, herbed goat cheese, onion mostarda, Applewood bacon, and spinach. This was one of the juiciest, tastiest burgers I had ever tried! The meat marries perfectly with the ingredients and is prepared at just the right temperature leaving the burger ultra juicy and finger-licking good! We also highly recommend the ASSAGI, an assortment of app’s offered at 3/$15 or 5/$20, from which you must try Spiga Yukon Gold spicy shoestring fries with parmigiano cream, Caprino Croccante: Crispy goat cheese with red beet dip, and the prosciutto & fig mostarda pizza (YUM!!). As far as drinks go, mixologist & head bartender, Zeq Rudy will mix up something just right to go with your meal. We tried The Hepburn: Bluecoat gin, St. Germain, Rhuby, fresh grapefruit juice, fresh lemon juice and Tequila & sage Smash: Tequila, honey syrup, muddled lemon, sage. Spiga offers a list of awesome drinks & if you can’t find what you like, they’ll make you something you will!

Enjoy these specials: Tipout Tuesday: Industry night start @ 8 pm Wine Down Wednesday: 1/2 off select bottles of wines Thursday’s on Tap: Rotating draft beers and pizza special Friday’s the Wild card: One signature cocktail special each week Smashed Saturday: 3 different smashes $8 each Bloody Sunday: Bloody Mary specials.

SPIGA: 1305 Locust St., Philadelphia, PA 19107 Open for Brunch Sun: 10-4

ECONOMY HURTING MEN’S DATING LIFE

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ot many have had good things to say about the economy these past few years. That its been looking upward in the past few months does not seem to do much by way of soothing peoples aggressions. Neither will this article — at least, not for men. A new study is showing that single men are getting hit pretty hard by the economy. Not in their wallets, but in their pants. They can’t get dates!

It’s Just Lunch, a dating service for professionals has conducted a study showing that a HUGE percentage of women won’t date a man that is unemployed (unemployment being an unfortunate widespread side effect of a bad economy).

Interestingly, only 1/3 the amount of men surveyed said they would write off an unemployed woman — a much lower number than the girls put up about their male counterparts.

What’s more, of those women that ever so kindly said they would maybe date an unemployed man, they specified that they would not, however, want to spend too much time on the relationship if he didn’t plan on getting a solid employment.

Now, before everyone gets up in arms about how monetarily shallow women are, you should know that the reason behind these statistics aren’t tied to money. Most of the women surveyed elaborated that they simply would want a man who was engaged in an activity and was good at something. This makes a man more interesting to them.

August 2012•Insight 15

Dress to Impress R

A pp lemember y ing Your W were inter when hats wornWtoardrobe shield our heads from heat to F and un protect S ummer Loo k us, unlike todayswhere it seems a hat is a fashion statement more so than a form of protection. So it appears, a similar fad has followed with sunglasses, which have become more of a fashion statement than a tool used to protect our precious eyes from the strong, bright shining sun. Since we are oh so fabulous and must have the trendiest accessories, we’ve been shopping around for the best of the best just for you. Check out these cool shades!

Women

1. Ray-Ban Sunglasses. $150.

Modern Eye: 3419 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (215) 386-5953.

1 1

1. Stari Sunglasses. $275.

Tumi: 1733 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, (215) 564-1317.

2. Jupiter Round Sunglasses. $14. Urban Outfitters: 1627 Walnut Street., Philadelphia, (215) 569-3131.

Unisex

S ung l asses

a

l Stea

2 3

2. Burberry. $200.

Sunglass Hut: 1625 Chestnut St., Space #108, Philadelphia. (215) 569-0605.

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Men

living

16 Insight•August 2012

1. Prada. $310. Sunglass Hut: 1625 Chestnut St., Space #108, Philadelphia. (215) 569-0605.

2. Spitfire Tax Exile Sunglasses. $35. Online only, www.urbanoutfitters.com.

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3. Kenton Polarized Sunglasses. $235. Tumi: 1733 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, (215) 564-1317.

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lux

Sports & Athletics The Reality of Sports Scholarships

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h, the joys of youth sporting events, where the sidelines have become the ritual community meeting place. Families sit in rows of folding chairs, congregating in diverse spirits but unified by one common goal: their child receiving a college athletic scholarship. Parents over-commit themselves, missing out on weekends and vacations for tournaments and specialty camps, spending thousands each year in this quest for a chance at a scholarship. But, according to statistics provided by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the expectations of parents and athletes can differ sharply from the financial and cultural realities of college athletics.

“Excluding the glamour sports of football and basketball, the average N.C.A.A. athletic scholarship is nowhere near a full ride, amounting to $8,707. In sports like baseball or track and field, the number is routinely as low as $2,000. Even when football and basketball are included, the average is $10,409. Tuition and room and board for N.C.A.A. institutions often cost between $20,000 and $50,000 a year.”

People run themselves ragged to play on three teams at once so they could always reach the next level,” said Margaret Barry of Laurel, Md. “They’re going to be disappointed when they learn that if they’re very lucky, they will get a scholarship worth 15 percent of the $40,000 college bill. What’s that? $6,000?”

Within the N.C.A.A. data, last collected in 2003-4 and based on N.C.A.A. calculations from an internal study, are other statistical insights about the distribution of money for the 138,216 athletes who received athletic aid in Division I and Division II: received 57 percent of all scholarship money, but in 11 of the 14 sports • Men with men’s and women’s teams, the women’s teams averaged higher amounts per athlete.

average, the best-paying sport was neither football nor men’s or women’s bas• Onketball.

It was men’s ice hockey, at $21,755. Next was women’s ice hockey ($20,540). lowest overall average scholarship total was in men’s riflery ($3,608), and the • The lowest for women was in bowling ($4,899). Baseball was the second-lowest men’s

Philadelphia Phillies Baseball Schedule 8/1, vs. Washington, 7:05 pm 8/2, vs. Washington, 7:05 pm 8/3, vs. Arizona, 7:05 pm 8/4, vs. Arizona, 7:05 pm 8/5, vs. Arizona, TBD 8/6, vs. Atlanta, 7:05 pm 8/7, vs. Atlanta, 7:05 pm 8/8, vs. Atlanta, 7:05 pm 8/10, vs. St. Louis, 7:05 pm 8/11, vs. St. Louis, 7:05 pm 8/12, vs. St. Louis, TBD 8/13, vs. Miami, 7:10 pm 8/14, vs. Miami, 7:10 pm 8/15, vs. Miami, 12:40 pm 8/16, vs. Milwaukee, 8:10 pm 8/17, vs. Milwaukee, 8:10 pm 8/18, vs. Milwaukee, 7:10 pm 8/19, vs. Milwaukee, 2:10 pm 8/20, vs. Cincinnati, 7:05 pm 8/21, vs. Cincinnati, 7:05 pm 8/22, vs. Cincinnati, 7:05 pm 8/23, vs. Cincinnati, 7:05 pm 8/24, vs. Washington, 7:05 pm 8/25, vs. Washington, 7:05 pm 8/26, vs. Washington, 1:35 pm 8/28, vs. NY Mets, 7:05 pm 8/29, vs. NY Mets, 7:05 pm 8/30, vs. NY Mets, 1:05 pm 8/31, vs. Atlanta, 7:35 pm

Think you know who will win these games?

Email or Facebook message us with your information and guesses. Right answers get a point towards our annual prize (see Editors desk for more detail).

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sport ($5,806).

Many students think of playing a sport to potentially give them a leg up in the increasingly competitive process of applying to college.

Coaches and administrators, find that parents and athletes who hoped for scholarships were much too optimistic and that they were unprepared to effectively navigate the system. The athletes, were the ones who ultimately suffered.

“Kids who have worked their whole life trying to get a scholarship think the hard part is over when they get the college money,” said Tim Poydenis, a senior at Villanova receiving $3,000 a year to play baseball. “They don’t know that it’s a whole new monster when you get here. Yes, all the hard work paid off. And now you have to work harder.”

Lack of knowledge is what keeps families swept up in the dizzying pursuit of sports achievement, until they realize how little they knew of the process.

August 2012•Insight 17

Career and Finance

Is It Cheaper to Buy or Pack Lunch?

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hese days, almost everyone is tryng to keep a healthy diet. This is especially true in corporate America, where most of the day is spent sitting at your desk. But aside from eating healthy, most of us also try to eat without breaking the bank. “Let’s face it, however much food may be necessary, it is often unnecessarily expensive! Because we are an insight-ful bunch, we took the liberty of researching whether it is cheaper to buy or pack your lunch?

If you order a salad at an average price of $7 each day at work, five days a week, your weekly lunch total would come to $35. Compare that to bringing a salad from home, made from ingredients that cost you approximately $10-$15, which would last you a few days, and a $3.00 bottle of dressing that would last you a month. You’re total for packing lunch each day would be much cheaper than $35.00.

Now of course no one enjoys eating the same thing day after day, but you could switch it up. Buy a pound of your favorite lunch meat for $10.00, one or two bags of salad, or utilize left over dinner from the night before. As proven in an experiment by Jeremy Vohwinkle of genxfinance.com, “When we reduced our eating lunch out by 3 days per week each and purchased items to make lunch at home to bring to work we found a savings of about $88 per month or $1,056 annually. When you put it in those terms, think of what bills an extra $88 a month could pay for. When we took it one step further and included leftover dinner for some lunches we saw a total savings of $110 a month or about $1,320 annually.”

Try it and see the results ($$$) for yourself!

re you a recent graduate? Do you want to make a career change? If you are okay A with thinking outside the box with your career, the future may look quite bright for you. Check out these alternative overseas careers and start planning!

Peace Corps. Founded in 1961, this American volunteer program’s mission is to provide technical assistance to people in underdeveloped countries. The program places volunteers in areas to assist in the areas of education, hunger, business, and the environment. It lasts for two years and requires a college degree.

Teaching English as a Second Language. This exciting career places you in a developed country to teach English to those whose native language is not English.

While requirements differ by state and program, there are several reputable programs that will take care of travel and pay attractive salaries to those willing to travel and teach.

Department of State — Foreign Service Officer. An excellent option for graduates with prior work experience, officers spend the majority of their careers overseas as members of embassies and consulates. If you are interested in anything from economic affairs to public diplomacy, then this may be for you.

THE LUXURY LIFESTYLE A dedication to fulfilling my clients’ wishes and a passion for the Philadelphia landscape give me an edge in the world of real estate that places my clients second-to-none. So please allow me to fulfill your real estate dreams, as well as the opportunity to go above and beyond to exceed your expectations.

Jason Kravitz Realtor Licensed in PA & NJ Fluent in English and Russian 226 West Rittenhouse Square #102, Philadelphia, PA 19103 O.215-735-2225|C.267-324-4141| E.RealtorJK@gmail.com

18 Insight•August 2012

The Best Uses of Lines of Credit

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hile Suze Orman may gawk at her clients for obtaining a line of credit, there are some very useful ways to responsibly use one. Here are some popular and productive ways to utilize a line of credit without causing detrimental harm to your credit profile.

Consolidation. Ever have way too many credit cards and want to pay them off, in favor of one bulk payment? Most of the major banks now offer lines of credit to do just that.

The interest rate on a line of credit is usually lower than traditional credit cards, making this a smart option for someone with several high interest cards who would like to merge moderate to major debt.

Access to Emergency Funds. Imagine this: you have an unexpected car repair that is so far out of your budget, you consider leaving the car at the mechanic…and you’re between paychecks. What do you do? Lines of credit can be a great tool for those who need access to a reserve of funds without the high interest rate and restrictions on withdrawal.

Business Development. Have a business and need to purchase new supplies, hire new personnel or increase visibility? A line of credit is useful to offset seasonal sales lows or simply to have more wiggle room to meet an increase in demand for products and services or training and administrative costs.

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Need a Job? Look Overseas!

Technology Today I

Why Is

So Popular?

nstagram is a phenomenal phone application, that has taken over the lives of those interested in photography and sharing pictures of their life and how they see things. The application was first launched by Burbn, Inc. and bought out by Facebook for $1 billion in April. At first the app was only compatible with iPhones, but in April was released for Android users as well. In the first three days of Android release, Instagram was loaded over 1 million times. What is it that makes Instagram so popular?

Well to start, Instagram was something new, fresh, a less exposed version of facebook with color capabilities where users can get creative with their personal photos. When they experience something worth sharing with their friends, users are able to snap pictures, edit them, and share them right on the spot. Instagram is compatible with Twitter, Facebook, and Flickr, so it can be easily uploaded directly to those applications for quick, easy, and direct posting.

It can be hard to say what you think or feel in words, but a picture can speak a thousand words. This attracts people to the application. It makes it easier for communication and to express what you feel in pictures. Not to mention the fact that it’s a mobile app for pictures makes it all that more convenient for users. So start telling your story in pictures rather than words.

Site of the Month: UniqueMechanics.com

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e are always eager to find a website that is useful to its users, offers prime customer service, and provides you with exactly what you are looking for. This month, our pick is Uniquemechanics.com, a site previously featured on ASKMEN.com, as site of the day on January 10, 2009.

Uniquemechanics.com specializes in providing the highest level of customer service to accommodate all of your watch needs. The site is a catalog offering buyers a variety of over 55 brands to choose from and caters to customers domestically and internationally.

Unique Mechanics is well known for their customer service, providing trustworthy and reliable service to all. The website is well put together and most importantly very easy to use. If you are looking for a particular item, you can chat online with a customer service representative or call them directly for prompt service, along with an extensive search for your particular item.

If you are in the market for a new watch or gift but do not know exactly what you want, feel free to browse the website and find your match. The team will be happy to meet your needs and are highly trained in the watch arena to help answer any questions you may have.

Uniquemechanics.com is a great resource for those luxury lifestyle fiends looking to purchase the finer things in life!

Tips on improving traffic on your website

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t’s no secret that a majority of our population is creating their own website, whether personal, blogging, or business related, it seems like having a site is what it’s all about today. However, having a website is not all the fuss, if there is no traffic on your site and no one is checking it out; whats the point? Here are some steps to improve the traffic on your website.

Social networking, social networking, social networking!! Let your friends and family know about it. Market your website on Facebook, Twitter or any other social networking site you have. Let your friends know about what it is you do, have them check it out, and tell them to let their friends know about it. You have to start with the group of people you already know and then expand.

Offer people free things that they cannot obtain anywhere else, things such as items or even free information that may be very useful to them. Keep the information fresh and up to date. Offer information that people can’t find anywhere else to give them a reason to check out your website.

Advertise your website. Create a budget for yourself, if you see you’re able to advertise in a newspaper, magazine or on a different website than do it. Connections and linking with other sites is very important to your success.

Last but not least, leave your business card everywhere with your web address clearly listed on it. If it is useful information to someone, they will definitely stop by your site and may even refer a friend.

We Book: Cruises, Hotels, Packages, Airfare, Car Rentals, Honeymoons, Destination Weddings, and Groups We take care of you before, during, and after your trip Extensive research and travel tips for every client Russian/English speaking agents $25.00 OFF your first booked cruise or vacation package with this advertisement

Contact us: CruiseLandAir@Gmail.com 215-322-5696

ou Y h s Wi ereHere W XOXO August 2012•Insight 19

A Dose of Insight I was raised pretty conservative and I’d say I’ve been a pretty traditional kind of gal throughout my life — in every department. This includes certain “departments” my boyfriend would prefer I not be so reserved in. He keeps trying to bring up all these different ideas and suggestions in our sex life that I feel uncomfortable about and end up shooting down. We get into spats about it all the time, about how I have a closed mind.

I just can’t help it. I try to be more open but I just feel akward and uncomfortable. What’s the solution? ✽The solution is easy: read 50 Shades of Grey! I am certain whatever your boyfriend is suggesting is very tame and “vanilla” compared to the material in that book; that way, by the time you get around your boyfriend, nothing he suggests will seem that bad!

Seriously, it is totally normal to be uncomfortable when approached with ideas out of the ordinary. However, change is the spice of life and sometimes

small changes to a routine can bring new life. My advice is to be open to small changes in your sex life with your boyfriend, explaining to him that you need to go a little slow and would like to stay away from anything too drastic, at least in the beginning. By doing this, he won’t feel shut down and you will get to try new things in the comfort of your relationship. Good luck!

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My father has been domineering throughout my whole life, placing himself in the middle of all my important decisions. He’s made himself the deciding factor in what college I went to, what major I chose, what job I took, and where I rented my apartment. He always holds the same thing over me — with school loans and me just starting out, I have no money; so, he says that his financial assistance comes with the price of his decision making. So, I’ve been dating my current girlfriend for a little over a year and I’ve told both her and my father how much I love her. Turns out, my father hates her and thinks she is entirely wrong for me and “our family” (his words).

He’s threatening to, essentially, cut me off if I don’t end it with her. Without his financial help, I’ll lose my house and things will get really unstable with me fast. With a situation like that, I’ll end up losing my girlfriend anyway. I’m between a rock and hard place. How do I convince my father to stop threatening me by pulling the purse strings? ✽This is a classic case of a controlling parent and the interesting fact about most people in your situation is that the control over life is allowed all the way until it involves matters of the heart; and rightfully so. I am certain your father has, what he deems to be, your best interest at heart, even despite his manipulative behavior. After all, he supported and guided you through some pretty amazing accomplishments. However, as an adult, you get to define the level of his 20 Insight•August 2012

involvement in your life, even with his financial contributions. My advice is for you to, first, stop involving your father in your romantic life because it obviously benefits no one at this juncture. My second piece of advice is to devise an “independence” strategy, where you find ways to become financially independent. If you do that, you will be able to more clearly define the role of your father without risking your livelihood and your relationship.

Good luck!

By Angele D. Russell

I get it: women love shopping. “Retail therapy,” my wife calls it. Any time she’s stressed, tired, in a bad mood or, hell, any time she feels anything, she runs off to shop. She doesn’t just buy clothes, she buys things we have no use for at all (example: she bought a garden hedge clipper ... we live in an apartment downtown). She’s spending us broke and no matter how much I tell her she’s sinking us she refuses to listen, insisting that she will continue to shop whenever she feels there is a need for it (she always feels there is a need for it). We really are losing too much money. It’s become a very contentious topic. What do I do? ✽It is obvious your wife does not have respect for the household income; if she did, she would undoubtedly be concerned with how her erratic spending is affecting your livelihood. My advice is simple: present the hard facts to her in tangible form. Take the time out to write a monthly budget

that reflects what the household income looks like without her spending against a second spreadsheet reflecting the expenditures and the household finances with her spending included. Perhaps, then, she will understand the impact she is having on, not only herself, but the family as well. Good luck!

I’m no brown-noser, but I’ve always believed in doing a good job at work. I try not to waste time, sit on personal calls for too long and just, overall, do my work. I seem to be the exception. Most of my co-workers spend at least half the day, in aggregate, on Facebook, Twitter, blog sites, dating sites, playing games on their cell phones, etc. At least 15 minutes of our weekly company meetings is spent brainstorming how we could increase productivity, but no one owns up to the fact that it’s their own internet-loving ways that gets in the way of productivity. I think that employers should block these types of sites from our company computers, at least. I’m banking on this being an unpopular suggestion and am hesitant about bringing it up.

Should I just go about my day and ignore this? ✽Ignore it! It’s that simple.

While I am glad you are good at doing your job, I am certain that your job description does not include monitoring your co-workers and reporting it to management; that’s their job!

Your primary concern should be your performance and, ul-

timately, your hard work will reflect positively, not necessarily being a “hall monitor”. My advice is to keep to yourself regarding this matter, work hard, and let those slackers weed themselves out; there’s no need for you to do that. Good luck!

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HoroScopes Aries (March 21-April 20). This month may find you overwhelmed. It is not the best month to make large decisions that will impact your life. Consider channeling your energy and regain control of your current situations.

Libra (Sept. 23rd–Oct. 23rd). Keep your eyes open to a thrilling adventure that may be a life-changing event this month. Your agenda will also be very busy, so make sure you have enough energy to spare.

Taurus (April 21st–May 21st). You feel confident and have a burst of boldness this month, but use this energy wisely. Ponder your current place of employment. If you can find that renewed passion stay at your current position. But if all the passion is gone and all you are faced with is frustration, this may be a good time to reconsider your options.

Scorpio (Oct. 24th–Nov. 22nd). ). You are currently lacking the personal control that you desire. This month find a balance between your public responsibilities and private activities. Your professional life will take a big leap mid-month. You may seek a prestigious job or possibly start your own business.

Gemini (May 22nd–June 21st). There is a lot of change coming your way, but do not let that tempt you to think about the future rather than the present. Money and romance issues may become something to worry about, but you will have it all figured out by the end of the month.

Cancer (June 22nd–July 22nd). This month will be very busy as well as productive for you. You will learn to work with others and strengthen your relationships in a different light which will open your eyes. You will achieve a greater income and increase your selfconfidence.

Leo (July 23rd–August 23rd). In order to get where you want to be you have to narrow your focus and postpone any extraneous activities this month. You will face great obstacles when trying to push your agenda forward in the first half of the month, but do not worry your conflicts will resolve themselves.

Virgo (August 24th–Sept. 22nd). You have finally finished fixing your past and can now look ahead at your future. Consider new ideas and projects this month without losing focus on your most important goals.

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Sagittarius (Nov. 23rd–Dec. 21st). ). Think about skipping your daily routine this month and do something new for yourself. Though before you can do that, tie up your loose ends in existing projects.

Capricorn (Dec. 22nd–Jan. 20th). You have so many activities going on this month, but stop and think about your finances. Place money matters in the spotlight and open your eyes to unexpected economic opportunities that you are presented with. Possibly even invest in new tools and training, it will all pay off.

Aquarius (Jan. 21st–Feb. 18th). If you have been feeling at odds in your personal as well as professional relationships, don’t worry.

This month you will make connections with reliable people that will strengthen your practical foundations with partnerships.

Pisces (Feb. 19th–March 20th). This month is filled with opportunities for spiritual and emotional growth. It is also the month to play make-believe and alter your image to fulfill your personal fantasies. Just do not get too carried away with the roll that you lose track of when the play is over.

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