Best Internet Browser for 2011

Before we start I would like to tell you about this website that is so awesome. It is toptenreviews.com
Their motto is "we do the research so you don't have to"

It researches, reviews, analyzes and rates the following: Electronics of any kind, Appliances, Mobile, Web Services, Auto Tech, Science Tech, Careers, Entertainment & Small Business. So remember to bookmark their website at www.toptenreviews.com

So here you go. Your 2011 Best Web Browser.

1. Firefox

2. Google Chrome

3. Internet Explorer

4. Opera

5. Safari

6. Maxthon

7. Avant Browser

8. PhaseOut

9. Deepnet Explorer

10. SpaceTime

For an in depth review & analysis with actual dta and great graphics please go to: http://internet-browser-review.toptenreviews.com/

Why Internet Browsers?

An Internet browser is your window to the web, where you can find almost anything from the comfort of your own living room. Today, the Internet is widely used for media, research, communication, shopping and entertainment. The better your browser, the more you will see and experience.

Be sure to read the reviews on Firefox, Google Chrome and Internet Explorer, the Internet browsers our reviewers ranked at the top.

Up–to–date web browsers are equipped with the latest features and technology to simplify, accelerate and enhance your Internet experience. The newest features include tabbed browsing, RSS feeds and voice interaction. Browsers are also more customizable and entertaining with skins, informative and fun widgets and additional add–ons.

Safety is a common concern among web surfers, and for good reasons. The number of hazards seems to grow every day. Viruses, spyware, phishing schemes and identity theft are some of the concerns. Other worries come from the threat of online predators and the appropriateness of material for children. Modern Internet browsers shield against all of these factors to keep you, your family and your PC safe.

In this site, you’ll find articles about the Internet, news stories and comprehensive reviews on Internet browser software that will help you make an informed decision on which browser is right for you. At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don’t Have To.™

What to Look for in Internet Browsers

Internet browsers should have three main objectives: simplicity, security and helping you get the most from the web. Because all of the browsers in this review are free, after reading the reviews you may want to download and consider a couple of browsers. You might even decide to use more than one browser—for example, one for fun and one for research.

Below are the criteria TopTenREVIEWS used to evaluate Internet browsers.

Feature Set
Top–ranked Internet browsers offer many practical features that make surfing the web faster, easier and more convenient. A few of these features are tabbed browsing, thumbnail previews and an integrated search engine.

Ease of Use
Internet browsers ought to be simple to use so anyone, regardless of their knowledge of computers or the Internet, will feel comfortable using the web.

Security
Security is one of the most important aspects of browsing the web. Internet browsers should protect against pop–ups, viruses and phishing frauds and allow you to clear personal information so you can feel confident while online.

Speed & Compatibility
Your internet browser should help you surf fast and efficiently. While the speed of your computer and internet connection account for most of the speed, not all browsers are created equal in regards to how fast they startup, process HTML and JavaScript. Likewise, not all internet browsers will open all pages correctly. The best browsers will open websites quickly and properly.

Help/Support
Although most internet browsers are free, quality customer support helps if you run into problems. Developers provide support through email, phone, FAQs, manuals and tutorials.

Have You Been Lacking Motivation Lately?

Here's a great article about motivation from pickthebrain.com

Before I share that with you here are are great motivational quotes each of us can appreciate.

“Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.” - James Dean

“I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to to dance better than myself.” - Mikhail Baryshnikov

“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.”
- Brian Littrell

“Don't wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what. Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful.”
- Mark Victor Hansen

“You are the embodiment of the information you choose to accept and act upon. To change your circumstances you need to change your thinking and subsequent actions.”
- Adlin Sinclair quotes

“Enthusiasm is excitement with inspiration, motivation, and a pinch of creativity.”
- Bo Bennett

Enjoy the article

Staying motivated is a struggle — our drive is constantly assaulted by negative thoughts and anxiety about the future. Everyone faces doubt and depression. What separates the highly successful is the ability to keep moving forward.

There is no simple solution for a lack of motivation. Even after beating it, the problem reappears at the first sign of failure. The key is understanding your thoughts and how they drive your emotions. By learning how to nurture motivating thoughts, neutralize negative ones, and focus on the task at hand, you can pull yourself out of a slump before it gains momentum.

Reasons We Lose Motivation

There are 3 primary reasons we lose motivation.

Lack of confidence – If you don’t believe you can succeed, what’s the point in trying?
Lack of focus – If you don’t know what you want, do you really want anything?
Lack of direction – If you don’t know what to do, how can you be motivated to do it?

How to Boost Confidence
The first motivation killer is a lack of confidence. When this happens to me, it’s usually because I’m focusing entirely on what I want and neglecting what I already have. When you only think about what you want, your mind creates explanations for why you aren’t getting it. This creates negative thoughts. Past failures, bad breaks, and personal weaknesses dominate your mind. You become jealous of your competitors and start making excuses for why you can’t succeed. In this state, you tend to make a bad impression, assume the worst about others, and lose self confidence.

The way to get out of this thought pattern is to focus on gratitude. Set aside time to focus on everything positive in your life. Make a mental list of your strengths, past successes, and current advantages. We tend to take our strengths for granted and dwell on our failures. By making an effort to feel grateful, you’ll realize how competent and successful you already are. This will rejuvenate your confidence and get you motivated to build on your current success.
It might sound strange that repeating things you already know can improve your mindset, but it’s amazingly effective. The mind distorts reality to confirm what it wants to believe. The more negatively you think, the more examples your mind will discover to confirm that belief. When you truly believe that you deserve success, your mind will generate ways to achieve it. The best way to bring success to yourself is to genuinely desire to create value for the rest of the world.

Developing Tangible Focus
The second motivation killer is a lack of focus. How often do you focus on what you don’t want, rather than on a concrete goal? We normally think in terms of fear. I’m afraid of being poor. I’m afraid no one will respect me. I’m afraid of being alone. The problem with this type of thinking is that fear alone isn’t actionable. Instead of doing something about our fear, it feeds on itself and drains our motivation.
If you’re caught up in fear based thinking, the first step is focusing that energy on a well defined goal. By defining a goal, you automatically define a set of actions. If you have a fear of poverty, create a plan to increase your income. It could be going back to school, obtaining a higher paying job, or developing a profitable website. The key is moving from an intangible desire to concrete, measurable steps.
By focusing your mind on a positive goal instead of an ambiguous fear, you put your brain to work. It instantly begins devising a plan for success. Instead of worrying about the future you start to do something about it. This is the first step in motivating yourself to take action. When know what you want, you become motivated to take action.

Iron Planet Motors Auctions Rolls Out New App for iPhone and Android

Yes. Iron Planet Auctions Rolls Out New App for iPhone and Android a few months ago.

IronPlanet Motors, an online auction site for used autos, trucks, powersports, motorcycles, RVs, aircrafts & more announced the release of its new mobile app for iPhone and Android smartphones. The free app gives users the ability to find and bid on vehicles in IronPlanet Motors auctions from their phones.

"We are very excited to bring IronPlanet Motors to the hands of car, truck and motorcycle buyers,” said Steve Kendrick, managing director for IronPlanet Motors. “IronPlanet’s app provides buyers mobile access to IronPlanet Motors’ auctions, inventory and exclusive IronClad Assurance.”

The IronPlanet mobile app allows users to search inventory by category or auction date from their mobile devices. Users can review inspection reports, add items to their “Watch List” and place bids. Users can also view live auctions and real-time bidding activity all from their phones.

“IronPlanet pioneered online equipment auctions over a decade ago,” said Jeff Barca-Hall, chief technology officer for IronPlanet. “We have now transformed our innovative technology into a mobile app with additional functionality – all resulting in a better bidder experience at IronPlanet auctions.”

IronPlanet’s mobile app provides instant alerts to the buyer when they have either won the item or been outbid. IronPlanet’s dedicated customer service team is also readily available with a one-touch dialing function.

Check them out..... news courtesy of M P N

2011 #1 Killer Disease in the US.

Here's a great and very informative article from the CDC (Center for Disease Control) published the early part of 2011 regarding the #1 killer disease in the US.

Heart Disease is the Number One Cause of Death

About every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability. The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which often appears as a heart attack. In 2010, an estimated 785,000 Americans had a new coronary attack, and about 470,000 had a recurrent attack. About every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event, and about one every minute will die from one.

Diseases and Conditions That Put Your Heart at Risk

Other conditions that affect your heart or increase your risk of death or disability include arrhythmia, heart failure, and peripheral artery disease (PAD). High cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and secondhand smoke are also risk factors associated with heart disease. For a full list of diseases and conditions along with risk factors and other health information associated with heart disease, visit the American Heart Association.

Know Your Signs and Symptoms

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense; however, most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:

Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain.

Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.

Shortness of breath. May occur with or without chest discomfort.

Other signs. These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness.
The American Heart Association, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the American Red Cross, and the National Council on Aging have launched a new "Act in Time" campaign to increase people's awareness of heart attack and the importance of calling 9-1-1 immediately at the onset of heart attack symptoms.

Healthy Lifestyle: Diet and Nutrition, Exercise and Fitness

A healthy diet and lifestyle are the best weapons you have to fight heart disease. Many people make it harder than it is. It is important to remember that it is the overall pattern of the choices you make that counts. As you make daily food choices, read nutrition labels and base your eating pattern on these recommendations:

Choose lean meats and poultry without skin and prepare them without added saturated and trans fat.
Select fat-free, 1% fat, and low-fat dairy products.
Cut back on foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils to reduce trans fat in your diet.
Cut back on foods high in dietary cholesterol. Aim to eat less than 300 mg of cholesterol each day.
Cut back on beverages and foods with added sugars.
Select and purchase foods lower in salt/sodium.
If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation. That means no more than one drink per day if you're a woman and two drinks per day if you're a man.
Keep an eye on your portion sizes.
See CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Web site for more tips on nutrition.

Physical activity in your daily life is an important step to preventing heart disease. You can take a few simple steps at home, at work, and at play to increase the amount of physical activity in your life. See CDC's physical activity Web site for tips and more information.

Women and Heart Disease: Quick Facts

Although heart disease is sometimes thought of as a "man's disease," it is the leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States, and women account for nearly 50% of heart disease deaths.

In 2007, heart disease was the cause of death in 306,246 females.3

Heart disease is often perceived as an "older woman's disease," and it is the leading cause of death among women aged 65 years and older. However, heart disease is the third leading cause of death among women aged 25–44 years and the second leading cause of death among women aged 45–64 years. Remember that many cases of heart disease can be prevented! 4

For more information and facts on women and heart disease, see the Women and Heart Disease Fact Sheet.
Screening for chronic disease risk factors.
Dietary, physical activity, and smoking cessation interventions.
Referral and follow-up as appropriate.
For more information on how you can take advantage of these services, visit WISEWOMAN and click on program locations.

Women and Heart Disease Campaigns

Men and Heart Disease: Quick Facts
In 2007, heart disease was the cause of death in 309,821 American men.3
The average age for a first heart attack for men is 66 years.1
Almost half of men who have a heart attack under age 65 die within 8 years.1
Between 70% and 89% of sudden cardiac events occur in men.1
For more information and facts about men and heart disease, visit the Men and Heart Disease Fact Sheet.

Interactive Tools to Help Guide Your Everyday Choices

Know your heart numbers. Find out what you can do to improve and maintain these numbers—and live a longer, stronger life.
Learn and Live Quiz. Take our quiz to learn your risk for heart disease. Register after the quiz and we'll send you a free cookbook.
Where’s the Salt?. Take the salt intake quiz to discover how much is in your food and its effect on your health.
Interactive Menu Planner

30 Christmas Gift Ideas Under $25

Every year most people struggle on what to give for Christmas. Thanks to Philip of PT Money who offers some simple but great ideas for this coming holiday season.

Thanks Philip for this article.

Are you looking for a few Christmas gift ideas to help complete your list? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Every Christmas season I wait too long and end up having trouble deciding what gifts to get my family, friends, and co-workers. This year I thought I would be pro-active and make a huge list of several, reasonably-priced ideas to choose from before I do my shopping.

I’m a big fan of the consumable gifts that don’t add to the endless junk we Americans have, so I’ve included many in this list. Hopefully you’re able to find a few Christmas gift ideas from this list that will bring joy to those around you.

1. Bottle of Wine / Unique Selection of Beers – This consumable (always a plus) gift is a great idea if you are spending the evening with the recipient. You may even be invited to partake. Many different varieties of wine can be had for under $25 a bottle. As for beer, I like the idea of visiting a place like World Market, who will let you create a mix of foreign beers to purchase by the six pack. Slap on a bow and you are good to go. Always drink responsibly. Want a wine accessory instead? Try this Electric Wine Opener with Chiller by Oster [$24.97].

2. Book – Most books will easily fall under the $25 level. Fiction, non-fiction, biographies, guides, cookbooks, etc. When all else fails, go for a coffee table book. I like this highly-rated coffee table book, Planet Earth: As You’ve Never Seen it Before [$24.06].

3. Hat/Gloves/Scarf – Since the Holiday season usually means cold weather, get your friend or loved one some combination of a hat, gloves, or scarf. This is usually a safe buy because they are often easy to fit without knowing the exact size. This year the animal hat/scarf combos are very popular. Here’s one that actually has mittens too: Husky Animal Hat with Mittens [$24.99].

4. 529 Plan Starter – Have someone in your life that could use a college savings plan? Help them get started by contributing $25 in their name. This is a great gift for grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Be sure to run it by their parents so you don’t step on any toes. The College Advantage plan will contribute an additional $50 to help you get started as well. That’s a total of $75 towards someone’s future education costs.

5. Multi-Tool – Guys love gadgets. The ultimate gadget is the multi-tool or Swiss army knife. These are perfect for the kitchen drawer, glove box, toolbox, tackle box, garage, etc. Everyone could use a multi-tool to help them make quick repairs on the fly. Entry level tools and knives can be had for around $25. Check out the Suspension Opening Butterfly Multi-Plier with Sheath by Gerber [$22.36].

6. T-Shirt – A t-shirt makes a great gift because it can be personalized for the recipient. And who couldn’t use another t-shirt in their collection? Create an original t-shirt at a place like ShirtCity.com.

7. Board Game – Games bring the whole family together. They are perfect for the Holidays when family members may have a lot of free time to hang out. Check out the very popular Quirkle from Mindware [$17.95].

8. Soap and Lotion Bundles – This is another favorite of mine to give. Who doesn’t need soap and lotion? It’s another consumable gift too. Leaves no clutter. Places like Bath and Body Works create several different gift packages under or around $25. Check out the Bath & Body Works Twilight Gift Basket [$14.90] which includes lotion, body mist, shower gel, and lip gloss.

9. Gift Card – I love gift cards because they allow the recipient to have some say in the specific gift that they receive. Instead of a specific DVD, give a movie theater gift card so the recipient can see the movie they want. Instead of a piece of clothing, give a department store gift card so the recipient can buy what they want. I love gifts cards for: restaurants (I like to eat!), movie theaters, and electronic stores. Check out a place like PlasticJungle.com where you can buy unwanted gift cards at up to 30% discounts. Be careful with gift cards though: they can be perceived as impersonal, and they can also have expiration dates or fees affecting their usability.

10. Annual Magazine Subscription – If your friend or loved one has a hobby or interest, odds are there is a magazine geared towards that particular subject. It might be a good idea to also purchase one from the news stand so that you have something physical to wrap and give them along with the annual subscription. Magazine subscriptions can be found online for very cheap. Here’s a subscription to Real Simple [$23.88].

11. Earbuds – Just about everyone has an iPhone, iPod, or some other hand held digital device. Apple and other manufacturers don’t spend their time designing the best pairs of stock earbuds. In fact, I think they are really uncomfortable. Save someone’s ears this holiday season by giving them a nice pair of earbuds or headphones. Check out these stylish Noise-Isolating Earphones from Ultimate Ears [$19.99].

12. Key/Luggage Finder – This is probably the most unique Christmas gift idea on my list. They now have a device that fits on your key ring that, when active, will emit a sound when you are near your luggage tags. With this device you will never have trouble locating your luggage in the airport again. And it also works in the opposite direction, so you can find your keys when you lose them. Buy the Soren Luggage Locator [$6.97].

13. Poster or Print Art – A great gift for kids would be a poster. Who doesn’t want a life size image of Justin Beiber on their wall? For the grown-ups, look for art that you think they might find interesting. There is even a nice service by some online print shops where you can create a collage of pictures and print it out poster size. Try this Japanese Vinyl Wall Art Decal from The Custom Vinyl Shop [$22.99].

14. Photo Book – Upload digital photos to a place like ShutterFly.com and create a photo book. The books are printed and mailed to you or your recipient. Easy and creative.

15. Candy or Specialty Food – At a loss for gift ideas? Get them some food! Treat your family or friends to a nice box of chocolates (e.g. See’s Candies), or pick up a specialty food basket from Hickory Farms or Harry & David. Here’s a See’s Candy 1lb. Chocolate & Variety [$16.50].

16. Christmas Ornament – Start a tradition within your family. Give an ornament to a family member for their Christmas tree. Something with a personal note or picture would be ideal. Here’s a nice one: Angels Embrace Ornament from Willow Tree [$15.96].

17. Thermos or BPA Free Water Bottle – There are a ton of new, healthy, environmentally-safe food and water storage products on the market today. Odds are your friends or loved-ones might need an upgrade. Get a coffee or soup thermos, or invest in a new water bottle. My friend really likes this Sky Blue Better Bottle from Camelbak [$11.95].

18. Theme Baskets – Along the same lines as the subscription option above, if you know what interests those on your gift list have, it will be easy to design a gift to suit them. Why not create a gift basket of sorts around a theme. For the fitness junkie, throw together a gym bags worth of workout gear and equipment. For the aspiring cook, get a set of mixing bowls, some utensils and maybe even cookbook (try Half Priced Books). This gift says you respect them for their interests and want to encourage their efforts.

19. Picture Frame – This is an ideal Christmas gift idea if you know the person well enough to put a picture in it (i.e. picture of the grand kids for your parents). If you are simply giving the frame itself, make sure it’s exceptional or unique in some way. Most can be had for under $25. Here’s a Linear Wood 8×10 Matted Black Frame from Malden [$17.38].

20. Toiletry Bag – Let the frequent traveler in your life know you want them to travel in style. A nice bag can make life on the road a bit easier to bear. Check out the Ogio Doppler Shave Kit [$19.30].

21. Slippers – Don’t let the feet get cold this winter. Invest a few dollars towards keeping your loved one’s feet warm and cozy all season long. Check out these Sand-Colored Venus Shearling Women’s Slippers from Tamarac by Slippers International [$20.78].

22. Journal – If you can’t think of a specific book to purchase, why not go for a journal instead and let your friend or family member do the writing. A good writer will work through several journals throughout the year, so have a spare around will come in handy. Here’s a XL Soft Cover Ruled Notebook from Moleskine [$13.57].

23. Holga Camera – Here’s another unique gift. Know any aspiring photographers? Holga cameras are a specialty camera that many people want to have in their arsenal of cameras. And lucky for you, they cost no where near the price of today’s high end digital SLRs. This one comes in a bit higher than $25, but it’s the cheapest Holga I could find: Holga Camera [$29.99].

24. Coffee Beans – Adventurous coffee drinkers will appreciate this gesture. With thousands of coffee varieties, manufacturers, and flavors on the market, you’re sure to find something interesting and new. Here’s a 32oz bag of Cameron’s Organic French Roast Whole Bean Coffee [$18.84].

25. Blanket – The great thing about a blanket is that it’s practical and it’s one size fits all. Keep your family or friends warm this holiday season with a nice blanket. If you are feeling a bit silly, give them a Snuggie or Slanket instead. Here’s a nice Grey/Green All-Purpose Blanket from JJ Cole Collections [$25.71].

26. DVD Sets – Know someone who loves movies? There are a million DVD titles on Amazon.com to choose from, increasing the chances that you’ll find something valuable for your recipient. There are actually quite a few movie and TV sets for less than $25. I want the Peanuts Holiday Series DVD Set [$20.49] which includes Charlie Brown Christmas.

27. Golf Balls – Have an avid golfer in the family? Get them more of what they need to help improve their game. As an occasional golfer myself, I can tell you I appreciate having plenty of golf balls handy for my next round. I’m not sure these are legal, but I like the looks of the Self-Correcting Golf Balls by Polara [$24.9

28. Gadget Case – Everyone has some type of smart mobile device these days, but they don’t all have a nice case or cover to properly protect it. There are all kinds of accessories for the people in your life with an iPhone, Droid, Kindle, or iPad. Check out this Pink Leather Folio Case Cover for the Amazon Kindle Fire [$17.58].

29. Flowers and Vase – I like this gift because it combines a temporary item with a permanent one. The flowers will fade, but the vase or planter will be around for whatever the recipient has in mind.

30. Handmade Jewelry or Box – Instead of picking out something from a big box jewelry store or some piece that everyone has, find a nice handmade, unique piece of jewelry to give as a gift. There are some nice handmade jewelry boxes out there as well. Here’s a nice one: Wooden Jewelry Box with Brass Metal Inlay [$16.00].

Best Spas of 2011

Best Spas in the US & the Caribbean.

In The Americas and Caribbean, the body treatments at The Peninsula Spa by ESPA in New York (pictured) are second to none.

1. The Peninsula Spa by ESPA, The Peninsula, New York, USA 94.88
2. The Blue Spa, Carlisle Bay, Antigua 94.24
3. COMO Shambhala Retreat, Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos 93.61
4. The Spa, Mandarin Oriental, New York, USA 91.95
5. The Spa, Sandy Lane, Barbados 90.40
6. The Spa, Fasano Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 90.33
7. Kinan Spa, Maroma Resort and Spa, Mayan Riviera, Mexico 89.91
8. The Spa, Calistoga Ranch, California, USA 87.85
9. The Cloister Spa at Sea Island Resorts, Georgia, USA 87.84
10. The Spa, Four Seasons Resort Whistler, Canada 87.52

Hotel Spas: Asia and the Indian Subcontinent best in 2011

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo (pictured), came out top in Asia and the Indian Subcontinent, but you also rate the spa facilities at the Leela Palace Kempinski Bangalore, and think the individual approach at the Banyan Tree Spa in Phuket, Thailand, is excellent
1. The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo 95.17

2. The Spa, Leela Palace Kempinski, Bangalore, India 95.04

3. Banyan Tree Spa, Banyan Tree Phuket, Thailand 94.55

4. Six Senses Earth Spa, Six Senses Hua Hin, Thailand 94.47

5. Oberoi Spa, The Oberoi Udaivila's, Udaipur, India 93.73

6. Jiva Spa, Taj Exotica, Goa, India 92.02

7. Anantara Spa, Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa, Thailand 91.52

8. The Spa, The Chedi Phuket, Thailand 90.78

9. Raffles Amrita Spa, Raffles Hotel Singapore, Singapore 89.60

10. The Spa, Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, Thailand 88.94

10. Mandara Spa,The Datai Langkawi, Malaysia 88.94

IEurope Asia Minor and the Russian Federation best of 2011

You will appreciate the service at the spa at Four Seasons Hotel Georges V Paris (above), making it top of its category just ahead of the Anassa in Cyprus, which you say has the best facilities.

1. The Spa, Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris, France 95.44
2. The Thalassa Spa, Anassa, Cyprus 95.25
3. Metropole ESPA, Hôtel Metropole Monte-Carlo, Monaco 94.17
4. ESPA at Castello Nero, Florence, Italy 91.49
5. ESPA at The Ritz- Carlton, Moscow, Russian Federation 89.40
6. The Retreat Spa, InterContinental Aphrodite Hills Resort Hotel, Cyprus 88.75
7. The Spa at Bahía del Duque Resort by ESPA, Tenerife 87.80
8. Six Senses Spa, Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay, Bodrum, Turkey 86.92
9. Cinq Mondes Spa, Beau-Rivage Palace, Lausanne, Switzerland 86.86
10. SPA, Choupana Hills Resort & Spa, Madeira 85.65

Hotel Spas: Australasia & the South Pacific

In Australasia & the South Pacific, the individual approach of the Chuan Spa at The Langham hotel in Melbourne impressed you, and it just beat the Hélène Spa at the InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa in Bora Bora, which took top marks for ambience/design.
1. Chuan Spa, The Langham, Melbourne, Australia 94.96

2. Hélène Spa, InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa, Bora Bora, French Polynesia 94.35

3. CHI, The Spa, Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney, Australia 92.29

4. The Reef House Day Spa, The Sebel Reef House & Spa, Queensland, Australia 91.11

5. Red Ochre Spa, Sails in the Desert Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort, Uluru, Australia 90.67

6. The Spa at The Richardson, The Richardson Hotel & Spa, Perth, Australia 89.92

7. Waldheim Alpine Spa, Cradle Mountain Lodge, Tasmania 89.63

8. Spa Hayman, Hayman, Great Barrier Reef, Australia 89.25

9. Capella Spa, Lord Howe Island, Australia 88.82

10. Kauri Cliffs, Matauri Bay, New Zealand 88.54

Hotel spas: Africa, Middle East & the Indian Ocean

The SPA at La Mamounia, in Marrakech (pictured), swept the board in five out of 10 criteria, coming number one in our list of the top 25 spas in the world, as well as being ranked the best in its region.
1. SPA, La Mamounia, Marrakech, Morocco 95.57*

2. CHI, The Spa, Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, Muscat, Oman 95.16

3. The Spa by ESPA, One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives 94.65

4. COMO Shambhala Retreat, Cocoa Island, Maldives 94.28

5. Pezula Spa, Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa, Knysna, South Africa 92.09

6. The Spa, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landau Giraavaru, Maldives 91.53

7. Banyan Tree Spa, Banyan Tree Seychelles 90.11

8. Six Senses Spa, Soneva Gili by Six Senses, Maldives 88.79

9. The Spa, Four Seasons Resort, Seychelles 87.67

10. The Oberoi Spa, The Oberoi, Mauritius 87.33

The Best Diet Ever!

One of its champions, Dr. Dimitrios Trichopoulos of Harvard University, calls the Mediterranean way of eating "possibly the best ever."

Trichopoulos can point to hundreds of scientific studies — as well as a long-running natural experiment among Mediterranean people themselves — linking the diet to a decrease in mortality rates (meaning deaths per thousand per year) and, more specifically, to reduced rates of heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, diabetes and other serious health problems.

An in depth article from the Mayo Clinic regarding the Mediterranean diet.

Benefits of the Mediterranean diet

Research has shown that the traditional Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of heart disease. In fact, a recent analysis of more than 1.5 million healthy adults demonstrated that following a Mediterranean diet was associated with a reduced risk of overall and cardiovascular mortality, a reduced incidence of cancer and cancer mortality, and a reduced incidence of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.

For this reason, most if not all major scientific organizations encourage healthy adults to adapt a style of eating like that of the Mediterranean diet for prevention of major chronic diseases.

Key components of the Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean diet emphasizes:

Getting plenty of exercise
Eating primarily plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts
Replacing butter with healthy fats such as olive oil and canola oil
Using herbs and spices instead of salt to flavor foods
Limiting red meat to no more than a few times a month
Eating fish and poultry at least twice a week
Drinking red wine in moderation (optional)
The diet also recognizes the importance of enjoying meals with family and friends.

Fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains

The Mediterranean diet traditionally includes fruits, vegetables, pasta and rice. For example, residents of Greece eat very little red meat and average nine servings a day of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables. The Mediterranean diet has been associated with a lower level of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol — the "bad" cholesterol that's more likely to build up deposits in your arteries.

Nuts are another part of a healthy Mediterranean diet. Nuts are high in fat (approximately 80 percent of their calories come from fat), but most of the fat is not saturated. Because nuts are high in calories, they should not be eaten in large amounts — generally no more than a handful a day. For the best nutrition, avoid candied or honey-roasted and heavily salted nuts.

Grains in the Mediterranean region are typically whole grain and usually contain very few unhealthy trans fats, and bread is an important part of the diet there. However, throughout the Mediterranean region, bread is eaten plain or dipped in olive oil — not eaten with butter or margarines, which contain saturated or trans fats.

Mediterranean diet: Choose this heart-healthy diet option

Healthy fats

The focus of the Mediterranean diet isn't on limiting total fat consumption, but rather to make wise choices about the types of fat you eat. The Mediterranean diet discourages saturated fats and hydrogenated oils (trans fats), both of which contribute to heart disease.

The Mediterranean diet features olive oil as the primary source of fat. Olive oil provides monounsaturated fat — a type of fat that can help reduce LDL cholesterol levels when used in place of saturated or trans fats. "Extra-virgin" and "virgin" olive oils — the least processed forms — also contain the highest levels of the protective plant compounds that provide antioxidant effects.

Monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats, such as canola oil and some nuts, contain the beneficial linolenic acid (a type of omega-3 fatty acid). Omega-3 fatty acids lower triglycerides, decrease blood clotting, are associated with decreased sudden heart attack, improve the health of your blood vessels, and help moderate blood pressure. Fatty fish — such as mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon — are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Fish is eaten on a regular basis in the Mediterranean diet.

Wine

The health effects of alcohol have been debated for many years, and some doctors are reluctant to encourage alcohol consumption because of the health consequences of excessive drinking. However, alcohol — in moderation — has been associated with a reduced risk of heart disease in some research studies.

The Mediterranean diet typically includes a moderate amount of wine. This means no more than 5 ounces (148 milliliters) of wine daily for women (or men over age 65), and no more than 10 ounces (296 milliliters) of wine daily for men under age 65. More than this may increase the risk of health problems, including increased risk of certain types of cancer.

If you're unable to limit your alcohol intake to the amounts defined above, if you have a personal or family history of alcohol abuse, or if you have heart or liver disease, refrain from drinking wine or any other alcohol. Also keep in mind that red wine may trigger migraines in some people.

Putting it all together

The Mediterranean diet is a delicious and healthy way to eat. Many people who switch to this style of eating say they'll never eat any other way. Here are some specific steps to get you started:

Eat your veggies and fruits — and switch to whole grains. An abundance and variety of plant foods should make up the majority of your meals. They should be minimally processed, and try to purchase them when they're in season. Strive for seven to 10 servings a day of veggies and fruits. Switch to whole-grain bread and cereal, and begin to eat more whole-gain rice and pasta products. Keep baby carrots, apples and bananas on hand for quick, satisfying snacks. Fruit salads are a wonderful way to eat a variety of healthy fruit.

Go nuts. Keep almonds, cashews, pistachios and walnuts on hand for a quick snack. Choose natural peanut butter, rather than the kind with hydrogenated fat added. Try tahini (blended sesame seeds) as a dip or spread for bread.

Pass on the butter. Try olive or canola oil as a healthy replacement for butter or margarine. Use it in cooking. After cooking pasta, add a touch of olive oil, some garlic and green onions for flavoring. Dip bread in flavored olive oil or lightly spread it on whole-grain bread for a tasty alternative to butter. Try tahini (blended sesame seeds) as a dip or spread for bread too.

Spice it up. Herbs and spices make food tasty and are also rich in health-promoting substances. Season your meals with herbs and spices rather than salt.

Go fish. Eat fish once or twice a week. Fresh or water-packed tuna, salmon, trout, mackerel and herring are healthy choices. Grilled fish tastes good and requires little cleanup. Avoid fried fish, unless it's sauteed in a small amount of canola oil.

Rein in the red meat. Substitute fish and poultry for red meat. When eaten, make sure it's lean and keep portions small (about the size of a deck of cards). Also avoid sausage, bacon and other high-fat meats.

Choose low-fat dairy. Limit higher fat dairy products such as whole or 2 percent milk, cheese and ice cream. Switch to skim milk, fat-free yogurt and low-fat cheese.

Raise a glass to healthy eating. If it's OK with your doctor, have a glass of wine at dinner. If you don't drink alcohol, you don't need to start. Drinking purple grape juice may be an alternative to wine.