MYNIPPON tries to focus on a global audience

We would like to clarify that MYNIPPON is not targeted at any specific ethnic group or race or people of certain countries. While we would love to be able to help everyone in the world, with extremely limited resources, a small staff, and just enough revenues to keep us going, that would be a rather ambitious goal.

So almost all of our articles are neutral. They might be applicable more to some and less to others but the goal is to provide useful information to as many people as we can within the constraints of our resources.

In this context we would like to respond to Mark Harper, an African-American gentleman, who writes, "It's obvious you website is rather biased when it comes to African Americans and romance. It's rather disturbing that I decided to surf your site for some pointers to spice up my relationship with my wife. The closest you've come to an African-American relationships is "inter-racial dating". I will never surf this website again and I will e-mail every African-American in America detailing my findings. This is pure RACISM!"

Dear Mark and everyone else who feels that we have not answered their questions or addressed their specific situation, this is what we have to say: Please ask us a question and we will try to answer it. Make suggestions. And even better, get involved. MYNIPPON continues to be a totally free website and the only way to make a positive contribution is to start helping us out. As you may have seen, over 75% of our articles are contributed by our readers; so share your experiences with us and provide your tips.

Buying and wearing the right size bra

Being able to find and wear the right size bra is a challenge for many women. This is rather unfortunate since not wearing the right size means that sagging can occur pretty quickly.

Let us hear what Leslie's problem is. She tells MYNIPPON Lifestyle, "Just a note to all those who are lucky enough to have a band size 36 or smaller. I am a 38 AA and have scoured all the stores online and off and have been unable to find a single bra. I purchased a 36AA and it is so tight around my chest I can barely stand it at the end of the day. I have succumbed to purchasing one on E-Bay. I am keeping my fingers crossed. 38AA is virtually non-existant. I am considering augmentation just so that I can purchase a bra that fits."

While we have tried to deal with the issue of right size bra, it seems that there is no simple answer yet. Here is a list of articles that we have written on the subject:

Small bras

Where to buy A and AA cup bras and lingerie?

Breast augmentation options for women

Is plastic surgery an option?

Breast health issues for women

Bras and lingerie for small cup sizes

Shopping for small cup lingerie

Where to shop for Japanese denim jeans?

There are a lot of women that are interested in wearing Japanese denim jeans for a variety of reasons (fit, style, fabric, etc.) but it is also important to know that they are not always easy to buy. So what is the next best solution? Several readers have written to say: Buy your jeans at Arden B. Their designs are perfect also for petite women.

Breast reduction surgery

Rashida from Mumbai, India, writes, "I am 21 years old and have very large breasts. I am a 36G and hate my breasts as it causes a lot of unwanted attention and remarks from everyone including women. I have tried to reduce them by watching what I eat, exercising 5 times a week but have had no joy and have been the same size since. Can you help me because it is really depressing me?"

Your pain is understandable. Unusually large breasts can not only be a discomfort and cause health problems, they also invite unnecessary attention wherever you go. Based on what you have described it seems that your only choice is breast reduction surgery with a good plastic surgeon. It is a good idea to do it because as you get older you might also experience severe back pain. In the United States, reduction surgery is fairly common and you can get it done for less than $10,000. Unfortunately we do not have a good estimate of the costs in India but our expectation is that it will be considerably less.

In the meantime, follow the regimen that you are following. You can also try to dress so that you can hide your breasts.

Related articles:

Taking good care of your breasts

What to do if you have small breasts?

Breast augmentation

Are you wearing the correct bra?

If you are like most women, probably not. But are you also shy to go to a professional and get yourself measured? Then you can simply measure yourself at home using our helpful guide on how to measure yourself to find the correct size bra.

Perfect gift for your spouse

Isn't this the biggest challenge of shopping? You seem to know everything about her/him, it is so hard to create a surprise, and eventually s/he will find out how much you spent. So what can you do.

Read tips from Pierre Coda on finding a great gift for your spouse.

Cuban cuisine in the Boston area

You don't have to violate the travel ban to Cuba to enjoy authentic Cuban cuisine. Our cooking channel host reviews the Naked Fish chain of restaurants that provide excellent food, great service, and very pleasant ambiance. Read the review Cuban cuisine in Boston area.

Secret of prescription drugs and pharma industry

In today's world you better find out what the drug companies are up to before you consume prescription drugs. Plus it is also important to know that the government is not always working to help the people particularly if the Republicans are in power who have always favored businesses over the people.

Scott Hendler gives away the secrets of prescription drugs and the pharma industry in our lifestyle channel.

Recommended link: Vioxx recall

Adult acne treatment drug Accutane to be prescribed differently

MYNIPPON had highlighted that Accutane may not be the safest drug for treatment of acne as pointed by Dr. David Graham, an expert at the FDA. While Dr. Graham is otherwise being criticized and harassed by the FDA for his exposure of the mishandling of Vioxx recall by the FDA, his comments on Accutane are apparently accurate.

The FDA announced the strengthening of the risk minimization action plan (RiskMAP) for Accutane (isotretinoin) and its generic equivalents. Isotretinoin is a drug indicated for the treatment of a specific type of severe acne (severe recalcitrant nodular acne) that is not responsive to other therapies. The goal of the strengthened RiskMAP is to reduce the risk of birth defects associated with fetal exposure to isotretinoin. The new program will include an appropriately timed and documented negative pregnancy test prior to dispensing Accutane which can have disastrous consequences if administered to pregnant women.

Recommended article: Adult acne treatment

Dating during the holiday season

Indeed, it seems during the holidays that everyone is somehow with someone they love. At least that is how they show on television ads where they never show a single person shopping. The facts are, however, quite different. There are millions of single people out there and they come in all colors, shapes, sizes, ages, preferences, etc. You name it and there is a person who might be a match for you.

So read some tips on how you can find some love this holiday season.

Obesity may result in loss of brain power in women

Apart from lots of other negative effects of obesity, scientists are adding one more - loss of brain capacity among women.

Women who are obese for many years are more likely to suffer brain cell loss linked to dementia, according to new research. Deborah Gustafson and colleagues at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, Sweden measured the body mass index (BMI) of the women and found that women who were obese for long periods of time were much more likely than slim women to show brain atrophy - the abnormal loss of neurons. Or in other words, as the body gets larger, the brain gets smaller. (Related article: Are you obese? Find out first before getting concerned.)

The researchers found that almost half of the women showed brain cell death in the temporal lobes. Brain shrinkage in this area is associated with Alzheimer’s disease and loss of cognitive function. Gustafson said. "The temporal lobe is important for a number of reasons, including hearing, speech, language, comprehension, naming, memory, and visual processing of, for example, faces," she said.

Recommended article: Tips for improving memory and overall brain health

Vioxx recall blog declared a success

Vioxx recall blog that was launched only on November 16, 2004 has already been very successful considering the amount of excellent content available and its popularity. For the term Vioxx recall blog, this blog is the first in an organic search.

We are committed to providing unbiased and uptodate information to MYNIPPON readers on Vioxx and related drugs.

Holiday shopping and gift guide published

Believe it or not, it is time to shop if you want to reduce the stress of last-minute shopping. And MYNIPPON has done some of the work for you by publishing its Top Ten Gift Ideas.

Chocolate is good for health

It was not too long ago that we reported that consuming chocolate made women more amorous; so chocolates make perfect romantic gift to a woman.

Now research completed at the Imperial College London shows that theobromine, a derivative found in cocoa, is nearly a third more effective in stopping persistent coughs when compared with codeine, currently considered the best cough medicine. Theobromine works by suppressing vagus nerve activity, which is responsible for causing coughing. The team also discovered that unlike standard cough treatments, theobromine caused no adverse effects on either the cardiovascular or central nervous systems.

Accutane for acne treatment may be a problem

In our discussions related to Vioxx recall, we have highlighted comments made by David Graham, a drug expert who has stated that apart from Vioxx there are five other drugs that have potential problems. One of them that he mentioned is Accutane. "Accutane represents, in my view, a 20-year regulatory failure by the FDA," Graham said. Among Graham's problems with Accutane is a failure, he said, to prevent the drug from being prescribed to pregnant women

While you must consult your doctor if you are taking Accutane right now to decide if you should continue to take it, you must follow the developments closely by visiting MYNIPPON regularly, if you took it in the past.

In the meantime, if you are suffering from acne, here are two helpful articles written by us:

Removing old acne scars

Adult acne treatment

How to take out blackheads?

Swapping for couples

What do you think about swapping? Are you intrigued? Is it better alternative than cheating? Have you tried it? How was it? Are you willing to try it?

Please answer our anonymous survey on swapping.

Women open up to thongs

Martha in Phoenix, Arizona, says that she wished she could wear a thong but has been rather shy. She tells MYNIPPON, "My husband bought me some thongs for me last Christmas; I took them back to the store. I felt a little weird thinking I could wear them. Just the thought of me having them on and other people around me is weird. When I go to the gym, however, now I notice other women with thongs on. I guess that's why I might give it a shot now."

Kavita in Bangalore, India, on the other hand, is fascinated with thongs. "Thongs are relatively new to India. Indian women have traditionally wore a sari or a salwar kameez, many times without even any underwear. However, with the explosion of western fashion in India, girls are now wearing low-rise jeans, slacks, and even skirts. So for all the reasons that western women prefer thongs, Indian girls are rushing to them. I bought my first set only last month and while I have not started to wear them daily, I do put them on when I wear a tight skirt or low-rise jeans or when I just want to feel sexy," she tells MYNIPPON. 

Recommended article: You can get used to wearing thongs

You can get used to thongs

Whether to wear a thong or not is a difficult decision for both men and women. Some find it too sexy, others think that it may be uncomfortable (Related article: Read story of a teenager whose mother would not allow her to wear a thong). But it seems that the number of women who are wearing thongs is growing considering that Victoria Secret has some really cute thongs on sale - the ones with jewels in them.

We like the attitude of Jane, who wears thongs and G-strings even if they are slightly uncomfortable because they make her feel seductive. "I love all types of underwear, especially the very lacy, girly variety which compliment my assertive personality. Usually I wear cute briefs but I often wear G-strings or thongs when I want to feel especially sexy. While I admit that they are less comfortable, in some ways the consciousness of my underwear, albeit slightly uncomfortable consciousness, seems to 'remind' me that I feel seductive."

Recommended article: Tips on wearing thongs

Is South Beach diet for you?

Everyone knows that every person is different and the body responds in it unique way to each diet because of lifestyle or personal metabolism rate. So while millions of people have seen remarkable results by following the South Beach Diet, the question is Will it work for you? Read to find if South Beach Diet works.

Jealousy and insecurity are terrible emotions

Get rid of them as soon as you can. These emotions can cause a lot of negative energy around you and will eventually destroy you. Read a three part analysis of how to get rid of jealousy:

Jealousy can destroy relationships

Insecurity is the sister of jealousy

How to eliminate jealousy?

Healthy African cooking recipes

As part of the transformation of MYNIPPON Love & Life, Guilt Free, one of the things that we have done is to shift the focus of our cooking channel.

So what it means is that we are now focusing more on healthy recipes from around the world. Believe it or not, this time we have published a recipe on cooking a healthy African dish called Nshima.

Almost free magazine subscriptions

Yes, it is possible. In fact MYNIPPON team did not know this until recently. Being in the media business we subscribe to a lot of magazines. Plus all our team members do the same at their homes. Read Peter Foss' article on how to get almost free magazine subscriptions.

Sleep more lose weight

Sounds too good to be true? It actually is somewhat counter-intuitive. Dr. Steven Heymsfield of Columbia University and St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital in New York and James Gangwisch, a Columbia epidemiologist have found in their research that when we don't sleep well, all our bodily functions get totally upset. People who are constantly sleep-deprived tend not to eat healthy either because they do not have the time or are just out of energy to sit down and eat a good meal. No wonder they end up eating junk and become obese.

Eight hours of sleep is ideal for the body but even six will be a great help. For more help on tips for sleeping better please read our guide on sleep and better health and another article that we did emphasizing how important it is that a couple sleep well together to have a normal relationship.

MYNIPPON launched Vioxx recall blog

To help MYNIPPON readers better understand the complex issue of Vioxx recall and what it means for them, we announce the launch of the Vioxx recall blog.

Karl Lagerfeld at H&M

Marth Stewart in K-Mart. Isaac Mizrahi in Target. And now, hold your breath, Karl Lagerfeld for H&M. As many of you might know, Lagerfeld is the genius behind Chanel. “My concept of ready-to-wear today at whatever level is that it has to be as good as the most expensive brand. Design is very important, and design is not a question of price anymore. H&M has made inexpensive desirable,” Lagerfeld explains.

So are you ready to shop at H&M? Read our guide to finding cool and affordable fashions for couples.

Airline credit cards tips

If you have been tempted to sign up for an airline credit card or any card with a built-in rewards program, you have to be careful before you sign up. These cards are not for everyone and instead of gaining something, you might end up losing. In the lifestyle channel of MYNIPPON, we have published a guide to signing up for airline credit cards.

MYNIPPON receives 2 million visitors

We are pleased to report that over the weekend, MYNIPPON received its two-millionth visitor of 2004. This is the second year in a row that the traffic will exceed two million visitors a year. We are very happy that our readers continue to support us and look forward to serving them in the future.

Padded panties for Beyonce look

Want to look like JLo or Beyonce but don't have the body? Not to worry. There are both short and long-term solutions. Read our guide on using padded panties.

Vioxx lawyers will find it easy

Only yesterday we discussed how the whole issue of Vioxx recall is being handled by Merck and FDA - total disregard for consumer health (Read related article: Vioxx recall controversy gets messy).

Now there are reports that marketing heads at Vioxx prevailed when internal discussions called for a more thorough investigation of doubts that Vioxx could actually harm the patients. People who do not understand the value of a patient's life and were more concerned about sending the wrong marketing message to the marketplace! "At present, there is no compelling marketing need for such a study," said a slide prepared for the meeting. "Data would not be available during the critical period. The implied message is not favorable." How unfortunate that a drug company put money over patient health!

So what does it mean? Basically that it may be an easy lawsuit for Vioxx lawyers. The evidence is starting to build very quickly that a lot of mistakes were made on the way and patient health was compromised.

Related article: How to file a Vioxx injury lawsuit?

Vioxx recall controversy gets messy

New reports show that Curt D. Furberg, a member of the FDA's drug safety advisory committee, is not welcome at a FDA meeting because he has raised concern about not only Vioxx but other drugs in the COX-2 inhibitor category. As many of you know already, FDA has not done a stellar job of protecting Americans with regards to Vioxx. Many experts also believe that due to the influence of pharmaceutical companies on the current US administration, it is very unlikely that the government will do much to help Americans. In fact, it is generally expected that the Government is more likely to work to help the pharma industry, and in particular Merck, since these companies have made huge contributions to the Republican Party for Bush's reelection.

If you have taken Vioxx or other drugs in that category, it is critical that you seek both medical and legal advice immediately.

Helpful articles:

How to ensure your health after Vioxx recall?

How to select a Vioxx attorney?

Getting ready for Christmas

So that MYNIPPON readers do not get stressed out, we have a 5-week plan for Christmas holidays.

Preparations for Christmas holidays


Home decorations for Christmas


Looking great on Christmas

Nely Galan advises women on beauty

Nely Galan, the Latina entrepreneur and producer of the reality television show The Swan, has some great advice for women on beauty. Read her beauty tips for women.

Accessories for bathroom decoration

While we may not realize it, a bathroom may very well be the most private space for you. So decorate it well and be tasteful. Here are some tips from our lifestyle expert on how to decorate your bathroom and use accessories.

Private jets are in demand

General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) announced that the general aviation industry continued a strong recovery through the third quarter of 2004. Industry billings were up 15.9 percent to $7.8 billion for the first nine months of 2004, while total units rose 7.7 percent to 1,928.

So it may be a great time to shop for a private jet since many customers are actually replacing their old jets and there are several used jets on the market. To read more about how to buy a private jet, please read the MYNIPPON guide to buying a private jet.

Looking younger by dressing younger

That's right. You can look younger simply by dressing the way young people are dressing. When you dress like old people you look old. Read tips on how to dress younger to look and feel younger.

Teeth whitening choices

You no longer have to live with ugly teeth because several options exist today to whiten your teeth yourself at home. MYNIPPON beauty expert reviews all your options. Here is the guide your teeth whitening options.

New York City restaurant reviews

As they say, there is no place like New York City when it comes to being able to eat eclectic food at very affordable prices. So one of the things that we try to do is to rely on our visitors to tell us where the locals eat. That way we can find some great places to eat. So during the recent trip by the MYNIPPON team, we found three great restaurants. Here are the reviews:

Kiku Japanese Restaurant New York City

Red Garlic Thai Seafood Cuisine Restaurant New York City

Momo Sushi New York City

Looking younger with Perricone Promise

If you have not already heard about the Perricone Promise, you will pretty soon. We were sort of starting to hear about it but it hit us all when we saw a big billboard on the West Side Highway in New York City.

So what should you do? Should you follow the Perricone approach to looking younger? Is it for you. Read about it all in our review of Dr Perricone's approach to looking younger.

Dark armpits and undearms in women

Rajni, a 29-year old housewife in New Delhi writes, "I have dark armpits and I am too shy to wear anything that will show my underarms. Right now in India, fashion is totally crazy. There is nothing sexy you can wear if you don't like to show off your undearms. The blouses and cholis that go with the saris here are almost always sleeveless and it is quite common to wear other tops that are sleeveless. Plus, most nighties are sleeveless too. You can imagine how ugly and old-fashioned I must be looking. Please help."

Well, it is a problem that is very common and here is the guide to lightening up your skin if you have dark underarms/armpits featured in the MYNIPPON health, fitness and beauty section.

Sheer bras, panties, and lingerie

Many women just don't know when to wear sheer. When is a sheer bra appropriate? What about a sheer thong or panty? Can they wear sheer underwear when they will be around other people that they don't know well or should they reserve sheer undergarments for seductive nights. Read the ultimate guide to sheer lingerie by Lisa Kramer.

Foundations for combination skin

As many women know, all skincare products that you use should match with your skin type. If not, you may not only have problems with your skin (premature aging, discolorations, acne, etc.), you may also not look as pretty as you really are.

Michaela, who has sensitive, combination skin has asked about the right foundation for her. So our beauty expert has answered the question in the MYNIPPON health, fitness, and beauty channel under the title Foundations for sensitive, combination skin.

And by the way, if you don't know your skin type, you can read the article How to identify your skin type?

Vioxx recall news and update

We are continuing to watch the developments related to the recall of Vioxx since many of our readers have taken Vioxx for pain.

If you have not yet analyzed your options you might want to start off by developing a better understanding of Vioxx related injuries - options for victims.

If you are ready to find an attorney that will help you evaluate your legal options with regards to Vioxx injury lawsuits, then here is a guide to finding an Vioxx injury attorney.

Fashion for middle-aged women

So Ashley wrote to us today wondering how can she be attractive even though she thinks that she is "middle-aged".

Read Lisa Kramer's advice on fashion for middle-aged women.

Pierre Coda starts to blog

Many of our readers are already familiar with our contributor, advisor, and counselor Pierre Coda who writes for both MYNIPPON and our sister website LuvCube.

Well, we are pleased to announce that Pierre has launched his Consultant Blog today and he will be writing about a broad range of issues about life, but specifically, lifestyle, relationships, style, fashion, fitness, and anything else that he thinks will make life of his fans better. Please visit Pierre's Consultant Blog and of course, you are encouraged to contact him if you have a question or suggestion.

Variety of articles published today

It indeed was a busy afternoon for us here as the MYNIPPON team tried to answer several questions from our readers but the one that was a tough one was related to how to dress without a bra. But we manage to get it done by relying on a lot of emails from our readers over the years.

Of course, another tough one was about blackheads. How to deal with them? What we found is that it is best not to get them in the first, but if you do get them, first learn the techniques for never getting them again and of course take out the blackheads that you do have.

Finally we have published a story of a very romantic relatinship of an interracial couple that actually meet in the supermarket where she flirts with him.

More new articles on MYNIPPON

Bindu, a college girl from Jaipur (India) asks, "What is the etiquette for using a handkerchief?" Well, we asked our lifestyle expert Peter Foss to put his thoughts together and here is everything that you need to know about handkerchief etiquette. It may also be hepful to read more manners and etiquette tips from April Masini on How to be classy?

How to dress sexy?

Based on a series of related questions on this topic, we have published a woman's guide to being sexy.

Do you wear a thong?

Today's poll at MYNIPPON is about thongs, a really tiny piece of clothing that generates so much curiosity and controversy. So tell us about your underwear preference by answering our survey on thongs.

Metrosexuals are real men too

The topic of metrosexuals is a controversial one and it seems to generate the kind of controversy you hear on topics like abortion and gun rights. But as we hear more and more from both men and women, it is quite apparent that there are a lot more metrosexuals out there than anyone can estimate and they are real men.

Read Pierre Coda's article on tough but metrosexual men.

Shopping for office discount furniture

If you are trying to set up a home office and want to furnish it the way your office was furnished, you are in a for a big shock. Reproducing that kind of furniture could set you back by thousands of dollars. However, if you want the same functionality and comfort with an affordable price, then your choice is discount, do-it-yourself furniture from Ikea. Read tips from our lifestyle expert, Peter Foss on how to find discount office furniture.

Shopping for Zara fashion

When the MYNIPPON team finds something unique in the world of fashion, we make sure that our fans come to know about it. Yesterday, we found Zara. While Zara is well known in certain parts of Europe, it is still a new shopping chain in the Americas and parts of Asia.

So our fashionista Lisa Kramer talks about her visit to a Zara store on the Fifth Avenue in New York City. Read her tips and suggestions on how to shop at Zara.

Surveys on MYNIPPON

One of the secrets of success of MYNIPPON has been its reliance on its fans, members, and readers for content. We always include real examples and almost 90% of our content is prompted by input from our readers either through a question or our analysis of search terms that our visitors used to find us.

In that context, the surveys that we have always used have been extremely helpful in better understanding of our visitors' needs. This time, however, we are consolidating our surveys into one survey. You can find this survey on a dedicated page. Since today is a big day in the US (and probably in the world) - the US presidential election, we are starting off with getting some input on who you voted for (if you are an American) or who would you have voted for (if you did not vote or can not vote since you are not an American citizen). So visit our survey and let us know your opinion.