Celeb prescription drug deaths

Speculation surrounds Michael Jackson's death, most of it focusing on prescription drug abuse. If the rumors turn out to be true, Jackson would join the ranks of celebrities whose lives were cut short by overdose. Bing finds out more about how they died and some of the doctors who will forever be connected to their tragic deaths.

The rising star: Heath Ledger died in 2008 at age 28 from an accidental overdose. He had several prescription drugs in his system at the time of his death. The DEA led an investigation to determine how Ledger obtained the drugs.

The Playboy pinup: Anna Nicole Smith was only 39 when she was found unconscious in her hotel room in 2007. She died a few hours later at a Florida hospital. In March, Smith's boyfriend and two doctors were charged in connection with her death.

The King of Rock 'n' Roll: Elvis Presley died on Aug. 16, 1977, at the age of 42. Official cause of death: cardiac arrhythmia, which was later determined to have been caused by a cocktail of at least 10 different prescription drugs. Elvis' personal doctor eventually lost his medical license in 1995.

The little girl with the big voice: Judy Garland became America's sweetheart when she starred in "The Wizard of Oz" in 1939. But she fought a lifelong struggle with addiction and died in 1969 from a barbiturates overdose. She was 47.

The screen goddess: At age 36, Marilyn Monroe reportedly committed suicide by overdosing on sleeping pills in 1962. She was found by her housekeeper, who called not one but two doctors to come to her home.

[source]

Coffee Shop Kindness

From Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teens Talk Growing Up
By Christine Walsh

Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you -- not because they are nice, but because you are.
~Author Unknown

My senior year of high school was an extremely hectic one, to say the least. If I wasn't studying and worrying about my grades, I was juggling multiple extracurricular activities or attempting to make sense of my plans for college. It seemed as if my life had turned into one crazy cloud of confusion, and I was stumbling around blindly, hoping to find some sort of direction.

Finally, as senior year began to wind down, I got a part-time job working at the local coffee shop. I had figured that the job would be easy and, for the most part, stress free. I pictured myself pouring the best gourmet coffees, making delicious doughnuts and becoming close friends with the regular customers.

What I hadn't counted on were the people with enormous orders who chose to use the drive-thru window, or the women who felt that the coffee was much too creamy, or the men who wanted their iced coffees remade again and again until they reached a certain level of perfection. There were moments when I was exasperated with the human race as a whole, simply because I couldn't seem to please anyone. There was always too much sugar, too little ice and not enough skim milk. Nevertheless, I kept at it.

One miserable rainy day, one of my regular customers came in looking depressed and defeated. My coworker and I asked what the problem was and if we could help, but the customer wouldn't reveal any details. He just said he felt like crawling into bed, pulling the sheets up over his head and staying there for a few years. I knew exactly how he felt.

Before he left, I handed him a bag along with his iced coffee. He looked at me questioningly because he hadn't ordered anything but the coffee. He opened the bag and saw that I had given him his favorite type of doughnut.

"It's on me," I told him. "Have a nice day."

He smiled and thanked me before turning around and heading back out into the rain.

The next day was miserable as well, rain spilling from the sky. Everyone in town seemed to be using the drive-thru window because no one wanted to brave the black skies or the thunder and lightning.

I spent my afternoon hanging out the window, handing people their orders and waiting as they slowly counted their pennies. I tried to smile as the customers complained about the weather, but it was difficult to smile as they sat in their temperature-controlled cars with the windows rolled up, while I dealt with huge droplets of water hanging from my visor, a shirt that was thoroughly soaked around the collar and an air conditioner that blasted out cold air despite sixty-seven-degree weather. On top of that, no one was tipping. Every time I looked into our nearly empty tip jar, I grew more depressed.

Around seven o'clock that evening, I was in the middle of making another pot of vanilla hazelnut decaf when the customer from the day before drove up to the window. But instead of ordering anything, he handed me a single pink rose and a little note. He said that not too many people take the time to care about others, and he was glad there were still people like me in the world. I was speechless and very touched; I nearly forgot yesterday's deed. After a moment, I happily thanked him. He told me I was welcome and, with a friendly wave, drove away.

I waited until I saw his Jeep exit the parking lot, then I ran to the back of the shop and read the note. It read:

Christine,

Thanks for being so sweet, kind and thoughtful yesterday. I was sincerely touched by you. It is so nice to meet someone who's genuinely nice, warm, and sensitive and unselfish. Please don't change your ways because I truly believe that you will excel. Have a great day!

Hank

As the day passed, I had plenty of complaining customers, but anytime I felt depressed or frustrated, I thought of Hank and his kindness. I would smile, hold my head up high, clear my throat and politely ask, "How can I help you?"

[source]

10 Hidden Health Secrets of Chocolate

Sweet News About Your Favorite Treat

By Dan Fields

I recently spotted a bumper sticker that quips, "If I must die, let it be death by chocolate." It's good for a chuckle, but evidence is mounting that chocolate can benefit the heart in many ways and may even help you to live longer. Dark chocolate is best: It's typically richer than milk chocolate in a group of antioxidant flavonoids called flavanols, and it has a better fat content. Here's a look at recent research on how chocolate can help the heart, brain, skin, and more.

Cut Your Cholesterol Levels

Japanese studies suggest that sipping natural cocoa can improve your cholesterol profile. People who drank the beverage twice daily for several weeks lowered their LDL ("bad") cholesterol and raised HDL ("good") cholesterol. In addition, their LDL cholesterol was more resistant to oxidation, making it less likely to clog arteries.

Lower Your Blood Pressure

A 2007 study from Germany showed that eating just one-quarter ounce of dark chocolate a day for 18 weeks lowered both systolic and diastolic blood pressure without increasing weight. More recently, scientists at Yale University reported that consuming a single bar of dark chocolate or two cups of natural cocoa reduced blood pressure and improved blood-vessel function in overweight adults.

Improve Your Circulation

Eating about 1.5 ounces of dark chocolate a day for two weeks improves blood flow to the heart, according to a 2009 study by Japanese researchers. These improvements were independent of changes in cholesterol levels and blood pressure. When your heart receives more blood flow, you are less likely to develop angina (chest pain) or have a heart attack.

Decrease Inflammation

A pair of 2008 studies found that eating dark chocolate reduces blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker for chronic inflammation that indicates an increased risk of heart disease. Scientists at Johns Hopkins University reported that volunteers who consumed 3.5 ounces of dark chocolate a day for one week lowered their CRP levels by 23 percent. And Italian researchers discovered that just two-thirds of an ounce of dark chocolate every three days reduced CRP.

Dodge Death from Heart Disease

In a 2007 study of more than 34,000 postmenopausal women, those who consumed more chocolate were less likely to die of cardiovascular disease over a 16-year period. Earlier research by Dutch scientists revealed that elderly men who ate more chocolate and other cocoa-containing foods had lower blood pressure and a reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease.

Sharpen Your Mind

Fish isn't the only brain food. In a 2009 study from Norway, people in their early 70s who ate an average of one-third ounce of chocolate daily performed better on cognitive tests than those who abstained. (Eating more chocolate didn't necessarily provide more benefits.) An earlier study by Harvard researchers suggests how chocolate may help: Seniors who regularly drank flavanol-rich cocoa boosted blood flow to the brain.

Save Your Skin

Cocoa butter is a great topical moisturizer, but consuming cocoa or chocolate may also benefit your skin. In a 2006 study of German women, drinking high-flavanol cocoa each day for 12 weeks helped protect the skin from UV (ultraviolet) damage, improved blood circulation to the skin, and reduced skin roughness and dryness. A more recent study by the same researchers found that a single "dose" of a similar beverage also improved blood flow to the skin.

Control Your Cravings

Craving some dark chocolate? Go ahead. Recent research by Danish scientists indicates that the treat is more filling than milk chocolate and lessens cravings for other foods. In the study, young men ate about 3.5 ounces of either dark or milk chocolate in one sitting. (The two varieties had virtually the same number of calories.) Two and half hours later, the participants were offered pizza. Those who had eaten dark chocolate beforehand consumed 15 percent less pizza than those who had snacked on milk chocolate. The men also said that dark chocolate made them feel less like eating sweet, salty, or fatty foods.

Defeat Diabetes Complications

People with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of heart disease and stroke, but consuming cocoa or chocolate may help to minimize these risks. In a 2008 study by German scientists, diabetics who drank high-flavanol cocoa three times a day for one month experienced significant improvements in blood-vessel function. Other research suggests that dark chocolate may benefit diabetics by increasing insulin sensitivity.

Combat Chronic Fatigue

Dark chocolate holds promise for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), according to a small, unpublished study by British researchers. When CFS patients ate about 1.5 ounces of high-cocoa dark chocolate each day for two months, they reported significantly less fatigue than when eating white chocolate dyed brown. Scientists speculate that dark chocolate may help by improving levels of serotonin in the brain

[source]

The Perfect Interview Outfit

by Leah Bourne

Whether you spend a little (under $100) or a lot, the key is to mix day-friendly sophistication with a personal touch.

Just as the summer heats up, fall fashions begin their trickle onto retailers' shelves. But instead of buying the season's trendy leather motorcycle jackets (so chic!) or designer acid wash denim (rockin'!), many women are getting a start on fall with practical pieces for the office. Why now?

With the joblessness rate at 9.5%, a 26-year high, a share of that percentage are women who are either not working or hoping they don't end up on the "redundancy list."

These savvy shoppers are seeking interview outfits that will impress prospective (and current) employers and ensembles that set them apart from the throngs of others in search of new jobs.

In Pictures: Interview Outfits For The Right Price

Carefully constructing the perfect interview outfit is worth the effort: It can be a deciding factor in whether or not you pass muster with an interviewer.

"That first impression on an interview counts so much, and you don't want to be out of the race before the interview even begins," says Sherry Maysonave, who runs Executive Enterprises, an Austin, Texas, image consulting firm. "That [first impression] happens in less than 30 seconds and is based entirely upon your attire."

An interview means business

There are some fashion no-no's that should always be followed. Don't show too much skin (particularly cleavage), wear closed toe shoes and avoid sleeveless tops and dresses. Job hunters also shouldn't look too trendy or wear in-your-face designer labels.

Aside from these basic rules, Lauren Soloman, a New York corporate image adviser, says, "For the interview, tone down but don't hold back. Women should show an element of their personal style."

Your homework counts

All women should follow a basic checklist when preparing an interview outfit. Soloman suggests doing research on the company where you are interviewing. "You really need to know what the company stands for, what the company's dress policy is and how the current employees are presenting themselves," she says. This research should help you to find an outfit that fits with the company's culture.

But even if you learn that many employees dress casually, stay on the conservative side. You want to communicate that you respect the interview process and are eager to land the job you're applying for.

A polished look matters

Avoid looking frumpy. Make sure your attire fits well and is pressed. Adding a pop of color to your outfit--say, a scarf or earrings--will help you appear cheerful and positive to prospective employers. Remember, also, to wear minimal makeup and groom your hair neatly.

What you wear to a job interview can have a lasting impact, even if you end up with the job. "Your interview attire indicates your socioeconomic status and it can actually impact your salary offer," Maysonave says. "If someone looks like they need a job they are probably not going to get it. And they are definitely not going to get the same offer that someone with a polished look will."

Finding that perfect interview outfit that is put together and sophisticated doesn't have to break the bank. Here are few tips for dressing for an interview on a budget.

Under $100 dollars

Finding an attractive interview outfit for under $100 isn't as difficult as it may seem. The best strategy is to shop at several low-priced retailers to find chic basics that mix and match with more expensive signature pieces. It's worth the extra effort and you're savings account will thank you. Uniqlo carries stylish sweaters and tops, Forever 21 is a great place to pick up chic and inexpensive skirts and head to H&M for designer-inspired blazers ripped from the runways.

Under $250 dollars

If you have a bit more money to spend on an interview outfit, find a chic dress that you will be able to dress up or down to get the best bang for your buck. Pair it with a basic cardigan or blazer to complete your professional look. Not only will you score points with your prospective employer, you will have a cocktail outfit waiting in the wings. Stores like Banana Republic and J.Crew are great stores to start your search for a power dress, but don't forget to check out designer diffusion lines like Rachel Roy's collection for Macy's ( M - news - people ), which is debuting this fall, and Vera Wang's line for Kohl's ( KSS - news - people ), Simply Vera.

Under $500 dollars

Those who have even more to spend on that perfect interview outfit should avoid buying a suit and instead invest in a luxurious but understated accessory, like a bag or a pair of shoes--two of the hardest items to buy on a strict budget. Not only would either item jazz up a basic interview outfit, but both can be worn in numerous ways long after the interview is over. Slip on the same heels you wore in the afternoon with dress pants and pair them with jeans for a night out. Stuart Weitzman and Via Spiga are known for interview shoes with a trendy edge. And for bags look to designers Rebecca Minkoff, Botkier and Foley & Corinna.

[source]