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Getting adequate amounts of vitamin E from food is an important part of a healthy lifestyle for aging adults. Recent studies showed that eating well rather than taking vitamin pills helps reduce the risk of diseases. Take, for example, vitamin E. It boosts the immune system, reduces the risk of cataracts, help keeping skin and hair healthy. Vitamin E-rich foods protect from heart disease, osteoporosis, cancer, arthritis, and even Alzheimer's disease. You should eat enough of foods rich in vitamin E to get the benefits. Meanwhile, analysis shows that American adults consume foods that provide very little of the vitamin. Two slices of white bread contain less than one milligram - 15 times less than the recommended daily doze. The daily recommendation for vitamin E could be easily met by selecting foods that are nutrient-dense and better vitamin E sources. For instance, almonds are an excellent source of vitamin E. One handful of almonds provide half of the recommended dietary allowan...

People living around Mediterranean sea habitually eat a lot of olive oil, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, corn, yams, spinach, collard greens, yellow squash, apples, oranges, grapefruits, peaches, apricots, plums, bananas, peas, beans, lentils, dark bread, rice, and pasta made of hardest wheat brands. Fish of all types, seafood, and diary is eaten every day but in moderate amounts, while, meats and poultry are not for every day, and the servings are rather small. No meal can be even imagined without wine. Red wine is preferred here except for special fish dishes requiring white wine. You can see how many ingredients the Mediterranean diet include - which of them works to prevent Alzheimer disease? Out of 2,200 people whom Columbia University's researchers watched over four years, those sticking with the Mediterranean diet were 40% less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease, according to the Annals of Neurology.

Exercise is important for seniors because it can improve their nutrition. More nutritious foods consumed bring in more calories that should be burnt to avoid fat gain, which can become especially dangerous as we age. Burning the calories but retaining the nutrients is the best strategy for any age but it is most crucial for seniors. There's been times when exercise was considered too dangerous for older people because of their frailty. However, recent studies have shown that exercises are not only safe for older people but have enormous benefits for their health and well being. Aerobic exercise is good for heart and lungs. Vigorous weight training in people in their 60s, 70s, 80s, and even 90s, significantly increase muscle mass and strength. That increases their ability to carry out functions of daily living, to maintaining independence and health throughout the lifespan. Before you start: Men over 40 and women over 50 should check with their doctor before starting any exercise pr...

Nutritionists insist that we should stuff our elderly loved ones with every calorie possible, which can become a difficult task due to their poor appetite. But is calorie intake really the main target of good nutrition for the seniors? Recent news from the National Institute on Aging make us look at the problem from quite a different angle. Overweight people participating in this study who cut their calories by 25 percent for six months have reduced insulin levels and core body temperature (deep inside the body) - two markers for which lower levels have been associated with increased longevity in humans.The results of the study are published in the Journal of the American Medical Association; April 2006. On the other hand, we know that even young people who are able to digest just about anything, often get all needed nutrients loaded with too many calories, which they have to spend (burn) by strenuous workouts. The elderly can do neither, plus the above mentioned advice to further redu...

More than half of all seniors cared for at home suffer from undernutrition or malnutrition (up to 85% in institutions). Why is it: too little food, poor appetite, or digestion problems? Yes, all these, but there's more. For instance, older single adults often don't cook for themselves and nutrient-poor diet leads to the loss of muscles and strength, weakens the immune system, increasing the risk of pneumonia and other infections, even to mental confusion that changes behavior thus creating a vicious circle. Check what your elderly relatives eat. Spend time with them during their normal meals at home. Ask whether their wounds heal poorly, and if their legs and arms easily bruise. Ask their doctor to order some blood tests that can help identify chronic malnutrition (serum albumin, prealbumin or retinol binding protein levels). Poor appetite often can be managed by making meals more like snacks, but making more of them throughout the day. Keep snacks readily available so that you...

The Hamptons diet plan is basically the Mediterranean diet dressed up for a fancy weekend. The core components are those of the Mediterranean diet: eat lots of vegetables, as well as fish and other foods high in omega-3 fatty acids (such as extra virgin olive oil, flaxseed and walnuts) and be sure that most of your fat intake comes from monounsaturated fats. The heart-healthy benefits associated with a Mediterranean-style diet have been documented and the principles of a diet with moderate carbs, many veggies and healthy omega-3’s are sound. The diet encourages eating more whole foods and fewer processed foods. What sets the Hamptons diet apart is the emphasis on monounsaturated fats as being particularly beneficial for losing weight and reducing one’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The author of the Hamptons diet, Dr. Fred Pescatore, once worked with Dr. Atkins. Dr. Pescatore decided that the Atkins attitude that “all fat is OK” was too general and that a focus on monounsa...

The Hamptons diet plan is basically the Mediterranean diet dressed up for a fancy weekend. The core components are those of the Mediterranean diet: eat lots of vegetables, as well as fish and other foods high in omega-3 fatty acids (such as extra virgin olive oil, flaxseed and walnuts) and be sure that most of your fat intake comes from monounsaturated fats. The heart-healthy benefits associated with a Mediterranean-style diet have been documented and the principles of a diet with moderate carbs, many veggies and healthy omega-3’s are sound. The diet encourages eating more whole foods and fewer processed foods. What sets the Hamptons diet apart is the emphasis on monounsaturated fats as being particularly beneficial for losing weight and reducing one’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The author of the Hamptons diet, Dr. Fred Pescatore, once worked with Dr. Atkins. Dr. Pescatore decided that the Atkins attitude that “all fat is OK” was too general and that a focus on monounsa...

Based on the popular book, “French Women Don’t Get Fat,” the so-called French Don’t Diet Plan emphasizes that it’s OK — in fact, it is essential — to love yourself and to love good food and wine. Natural, whole foods are the key to keeping you slim as opposed to the processed foods and artificial sweeteners that Americans are addicted to. The book and the website offer meal plans, recipes and suggested shopping lists. The website includes an online community where you can ask questions and get support from others who appreciate good food and who are trying to eat healthfully, too. The French Don't Diet plan takes a more laissez-faire attitude towards dieting, billing itself as a “non-diet” diet plan and emphasizing the importance of “balancing indulgences with compensations” as the website says. You can start by buying the book, but the website-based diet plan allows you to sign up for one month or three months of customized, but flexible meal plans plus tips for how to adopt a hea...

A recent dieting trend turned to the benefits of red wine. The Mediterranean group of traditional diets have red wine on their staple food list, along with olive oil and fish. Research showed that having a glass of red wine daily can prevent heart disease.

Although the low-carb/high-protein craze has faded and pushed the Atkins Diet plan away from center stage, it still provides some short-term diet options for people who want to lose weight or maintain weight loss. The company now calls itself Atkins Nutritional Advantage, or ANA, rather than Atkins Diet. It is also attempting to position Atkins as a lifestyle eating plan for healthy, active people by marketing its own brand of food products (such as snack bars) to compete with other energy bars such as Clif Bars or Power Bars. The ANA endorses five principles: high protein, high fiber, low sugar, no trans fats and “abundant” vitamins and minerals. But the principles of ANA remain the same as those of the Atkins Diet and consist of four phases: the induction phase, ongoing weight loss phase, pre-maintenance phase and lifetime maintenance phase. The ANA still emphasizes controlling carbohydrates during the first two phases, but allows for gradually adding carbs back into your diet (but i...

When we talk about the most stubborn "last 10 pounds" we usually mean the weight loss plateau we hit when dieting. Sometimes the best diet is just a diet that's different from the one on which we were losing weight before the stalling. For example, a week out of a low carb and into a low fat vegetarian diet can do the trick. However, there can be reasons that don't depend on diet's specifics and apply to any diet. They usually are: Nutrient deficiency Using wrong supplements Subconscious cheating Wrong exercise routines

The so-called “secret” of the Sonoma Diet is “enjoying the right foods in the right amounts.” Essentially, this is a portion control diet that comes with shopping lists, meal planners, and recipes for tasty-sounding dishes like Greek Pizza, Spinach Lentil Salad, and Peach Berry Cobbler. You can participate in the diet by buying the book and/or cookbook, or by signing up via the diet website, through which you’ll have access to recipes, menus, and diet tips. The “right amounts” part of the equation comes from your tableware. You use a 2-cup bowl or 7-inch plate for breakfast, and a 9-inch plate for lunch and dinner. The Sonoma meal plans guide you to the proportions of different foods to put in the bowl or on the plate for each meal. The Sonoma Diet also shares some traits with low-carb diets in its “3 Wave” approach to weight loss: Wave 1: This starter phase of the Sonoma Diet includes healthy, whole food meals but in limited portions. The idea is that you will feel satisfied, but you...

With seemingly endless amount of diets in the world, it all boils down to only three principal types of them: limiting calories, fats, or carbohydrates. Which one is best for you? Generally, limiting calories is a very beneficial approach, health benefits-wise. It also requires self-discipline, so the best results are achieved with programs offering planning, support, and psychological services, online or offline. Limiting fats works well for physically very active people, not obese, and spending high amounts energy including calories from food carbohydrates. For obese people and those with insulin resistance, the best way of eating is limiting their carbohydrate total intake and/or the kind of carbs in their foods (complex versus simple, fast absorbing versus slowly absorbing).

Not all low-carb diets are created equal. The Atkins Diet (now known as Atkins Nutritional Advantage) and the Sugar Busters diet are quite restrictive, but many dieters have found that the South Beach diet is more flexible and therefore easier to follow for the long-term as a way to maintain weight loss. The South Beach Diet does feature a reduced percentage of carbs in proportion to proteins and fats, but it doesn’t eliminate food groups and the low-carb recipes include healthy fats such as olive oil and canola oil, lean protein sources, and nutritious (not junk) carbs from sources such as fruits and whole grains. When it comes to choosing low-carb foods, lower-carb diet plans such as the South Beach Diet or the How the Rich Get Thin Diet offer suggestions for low-carb meals that you can make at home. If you’re too busy to cook or worry about which foods are allowed in what phase of the diet, you can still buy “low-carb” prepackaged food products, although the waning of the low-carb d...

'Power foods' is a term introduced by Sonoma Diet's author Connie Guttersen. Sonoma diet basics are close to those of the Mediterranean diet. The list of power foods include: Almonds Bell peppers Blueberries Broccoli Grapes (also wine) Olive oil Spinach Strawberries Tomatoes Whole grains Functional foods are a different story. The term Functional Foods is used to describe foods capable to produce certain health benefits. So called probiotics is a good example. Probiotics are friendly bacteria, for example, those making yogurts like Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium. They help to improve immune system, digestion, etc. Recently, research showed that yogurt help losing weight. Functional foods with proved health benefits are also soy, Psyllium, whole oat products, fatty fish, garlic, black and green tea, dark green vegetables, and many others.

If you don’t like to grocery shop, cook, or spend much time planning meals, prepared meal diets may be the way to meet your weight loss goals. The Jenny Craig Diet is one of several diet plans in this prepared meals category. Among Jenny Craig’s claims to fame is to take credit for celebrity Kirstie Alley’s repeated dramatic weight losses (the most recent being 75 pounds). Whether Kirstie can maintain her current weight loss, and whether she does so by continuing to follow the Jenny Craig Diet, remains to be seen. Once you sign up for one of the Jenny Craig diet plans you have access to a database with hundreds of meal choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You don't have to think about the calories or proportions of proteins and carbs--it's done for you. The newest plan, Jenny Craig YourStyle, claims to take dieting history, eating patterns, activity level, and goals into account to help you design a more personalized weight management plan that works best for you. In addit...

With the same body weight, the better your posture, the slimmer you are perceived by others. Here's how: Standing in front of a mirror, lift up your shoulders, rotate them back and press them down. Keep your shoulders as far back and down as you can for the count of 16. Relax your arms. Make your neck long and straight, do not tilt your head. Flatten the lower part of your back and contract your abdominal muscles to flatten your stomach. Take a minute or two to 'memorize' how your body feels while in this position. Remember this feeling every time you want to look slimmer.

Most people do not choose their testing strips. Since glucometers come with specific diabetes testing strips, you may not actually have a choice of which testing strips to use. However, as the glucose meters have gotten smaller and more compact, so have the testing strips. Some strips are as small as 1/4 inch wide by 1 inch long. For persons with vision impairment (diabetic retinopathy) or nerve damage in the hands (peripheral neuropathy), handling such a small strip can be a insurmountable feat. This should be part of the consideration when you are choosing your diabetic supplies. Though you cannot choose your strips, by themselves, you CAN choose your meter. Meters have different types and sizes of testing strips. If you need to perform your own glucose testing, you may wish to consider the type of meter you select, based on the testing strips that come with it. It will not matter how good the glucometer is, if you can't manage the strips in order to test your blood sugar. Talk t...

Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 has expanded Medicare's covered services in the prevention of chronic disease This benefit, also referred to as the "Welcome to Medicare" visit, is an excellent way for new Medicare beneficiaries to get information on health screenings and vaccinations, as well as to talk with their health care provider about their medical history and how to stay healthy. All beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Part B with effective dates that begin on or after January 1, 2005, will be covered for this benefit. You can only take advantage of this one-time visit within your first six months of Medicare Part B coverage, so it is important that you make an appointment with a health care provider right away. The "Welcome to Medicare" visit enables your health care provider to comprehensively review your health, to identify risk factors that may be associated with various diseases, such as diabetes, and to de...

Different people require different glucose meeters. The type of glucometer that you select should be based on your lifestyle, testing requirements, and your physical abilities. Some meter screens display smaller numerals, than others, which can be difficult to read if you have impaired vision. Other meters have very small testing strips, which can be hard to handle for persons with arthritis or peripheral neuropathy - one of the many complications of diabetes. Additionally, some glucose monitors have special functions that allow for computer downloading of the blood glucose information, which is helpful for patients with doctors who can access the information from a distance. Key factors to consider when selecting a glucose meter, include: *dexterity - can you manage the testing strips and the meter? *eye function - can you see and read the glucose meter screen? *frequency of testing - some meter supplies are most costly than others *special functions - is the ability to computer downl...

There are 3 primary types of diabetes: 1) Type 1 - insulin-dependent diabetes 2) Type 2 - non-insulin-dependent 3) Gestational diabetes Type 1 diabetes can affect people of any age, and tend to be genetically influenced. When it occurs in persons under the age of 18, it is called Juvenile Diabetes. In this type of diabetes, the body is lacking insulin, either from failure of the insulin-producing cells to produce insulin, or an adequate supply of insulin. This results in high levels of circulating blood sugar and symptoms of hyperglycemia -- warmth and flushing of the face, dizziness, hunger, thirst and frequent urination. This type of diabetes requires insulin to facilitate the transport of sugar into the cells of the body for use as fuel. Type 2 diabetes does not require the use of insulin, and can frequently be controlled with weight loss, changes in diet and oral anti-diabetic agents. With Type 2 disease, the insulin-producing cells are not producing enough insulin to aid in the su...

Like the rest of your diabetic testing supplies, your diabetic test strips have an important role in managing your diabetes. And like your glucometer, lancets and lancing device, if not used properly, will impair your ability to self-manage your disease. To avoid unnecessary complications with your test strips: 1. Keep them in their sealed light-proof container. Light degrades the chemicals that coat the strip and bind to glucose to allow your meter to read the glucose level. This can give you an inaccurate reading. 2. Keep them free of moisture. Moisture can alter the chemicals that allow for reading of your blood glucose, giving you an erroneous value. 3. Keep the information about your test strips and other testing supplies, so that you have the information for re-ordering or if you have questions. 4. Always code check your test strips when you start a new vial of strips. This will ensure that your meter is reading based on the code of the strips. 5. Perform your controls using test...

There are literally dozens of glucometers on the market, each providing the basic function of glucose testing. But many of these glucometers offer special functions, geared toward improving your ability for self-management of your disease. Why would these special features be important? Well, it depends on your needs in managing your disease. 1. Rapid results - not long ago meters took 60 seconds to give you results. Now some meters can give you the value in as fast as 5 seconds. 2. Extensive test memory - meters now hold from 75 to 1000 test results. 3. Small sample size - for meters that use larger sample sizes it can be difficult to get enough blood to obtain the reading. 4. Computer download - you can download your blood sugar readings directly into your computer. 5. Alternate site testing - allows you to get samples from your forearm, thigh, earlobe or base of your thumb. 6. Tracking of blood glucose - shows you your blood sugar readings on a graph, or gives you the average over 7,...

According to the American Diabetes Association, there is no such thing as a "diabetic diet." Instead, they promote a healthy diet with a combination of 50% carbohydrates, 20% proteins and 30% fats. In terms of carbohydrates, one fruit exchange is equal to one carbohydrate, such as one small apple, or 1/2 cup of orange juice. One starch exchange is one carbohydrate, such as one slice of bread, 1/2 cup cooked cereal, or 1/2 of a medium baked potato. Vegetables are lower in carbohydrates, and 1/2 cup of most non-starchy vegetables will be about 5 grams of carbohydrate, so 1 1/2 cups of broccoli would equal one carbohydrate choice, for example. Eight ounces of low fat milk or sugar free yogurt is also one carbohydrate choice. Learning to use "exchanges" allows to you go into any dining setting and make good choices regarding your carbohydrate. Ask your physician for a referral to a Nutritionist or Registered Dietitian, or contact your local chapter of the American Diabe...

With so much in the news about Medicare Part D, it may be difficult to figure out fact from fiction with the medicare drug plan. Here are a few tips to help you avoid some of the pitfalls of Medicare Part D: 1. Many insurance companies offering Medicare Part D are also offering free informational sessions. It's a good idea to attend these sessions, but also be aware of the sales pitch. You will get information about Medicare Part D that will enhance your own search. Don't stop with the informational session - look for yourself. 2. When choosing a Part D plan, it is not a sure thing that the Plan your friends and family are on will also be right for you. Medicare Part D is truly individualized based on the medications that you take 3. Some pharmacies are "suggesting" that one of the plans that the pharmacy prefers will be the right one for you, and "recommend" that you just go with one of them. However, pharmacies cannot recommend Medicare Part D plans. Going...

Glucometer "controls" are performance tests that you complete on your glucose meter, to ensure that it is functioning properly. When you first get your meter, you also receive from 1 to 3 bottles of control solution, depending the make and model of your glucometer. Your instruction book details how to complete the control testing, including how frequently you should check your meter. Ideally, your glucose meter should be checked each time you begin using a new bottle of test strips. To perform the control test: 1. Shake the control solution bottle to evenly distribute the glucose solution. 2. Turn on your meter or insert the strip, if it turns on automatically. 3. Apply a drop of the control solution to the test strip, just as you would apply a drop of blood. 4. Read the results, and compare them with the acceptable test range identified on the control solution package. 5. If the value is in range, your glucose meter is working properly. If the value is not in range, follow t...

There is no such thing as a diabetic diet, however the American Diabetes Association does recommend that you have 50% carbs, 30% fats, and 20% proteins in your daily diet. The roles of protein include: * to help stabilize blood sugars throughout the day * to provide amino acids to use as skeletal muscle fuel * provide a feeling of satiety at meal times Protein is required to help the body rebuild, and also provides needed nutrients not found in carbs and fats. Protein comes from many sources, including: * meats (also contains fat) * cheeses (also contains fat) * nuts (also contains fat) * soy * beans and lentils The type of protein you choose is less important than making sure that you eat some, each day, to support healing and nutrition. Talk to your doctor, Nutritionist or Registered Dietitian for more information about protein, and how to incorporate adequate supplies of protein into your diet.

What is the difference between "tasty" and "tasteful"? The word "tasty" is generally used when one is talking about food. When you say that something is "tasty" what you mean is that it smells and tastes good; it is appetizing. Here are a few examples, * Try the soup, Victor. It is very tasty. * The food that was served at the party was very tasty. The word "tasteful", on the other hand, is not used in the context of food. . When you say that something is tasteful what you are implying is that it is very elegant or attractive. It is in good taste. This is a word that is normally used when referring to the manner in which something has been furnished or decorated. Here are a few examples. * The hotel has been tastefully furnished. * Though Vibha spent a lot of money, she has a tastefully decorated home.

Which of the following sentences is correct? "I am busy the next week or "I am busy next week"? Both are correct. When you say that you are busy next week what you mean is that you are busy the week after this one. You are going to be busy from Monday onwards. But when you say that you are busy "the next week" what you are implying is that starting today you are going to be busy for the next seven days. Today is Tuesday. So you are going to be busy till next Monday. When you say that you are going to be busy "the next month" what you are implying is that you are going to be busy the next thirty days. In other words, you are going to be busy from 30 July to 29 August. Thanks & Regards.

What is the meaning and origin of the idiom, "Don't count your chickens before they hatch"? Some people, as soon as they buy a lottery ticket think they are going to win. They begin to make plans as to what they are going to do with the money when they get it. When you tell such a person "not to count your chickens before they hatch" what you are doing is warning him. You are telling the individual not to celebrate prematurely; you are advising him not to count his profits before he has the money in his hand. You are asking him to wait for the lottery results to be announced before he starts making plans. Here are a few examples, * Ask Sam. He may be willing to lend you some money. But don't count your chickens before they hatch. * Stop talking about the places you are going to see. You still haven't got your visa yet. Don't count your chickens before they hatch. This is an expression which comes from a story in Aesop's Fairy Tales. In the s...

What does “the telephone has been ringing off the hook” mean? It means that the phone has been ringing non stop. When you say that the phone has been ringing off the hook what it means is that it has been ringing constantly. Here's an example, * Whenever Achala is at home the phone keeps ringing off the hook. * When I entered the house this morning the phone was ringing off the hook. * Ever since people came to know that Mr. Goh has been nominated for an award, his phone has been ringing off the hook. What does “grungy” mean? The ‘u’ is pronounced like the ‘u’ in ‘cut’, ‘but’, and ‘hut’ and the final ‘g’ is like the ‘j’ in ‘jug’, ‘juice’, and ‘joy’. When you say that something is `grungy' it means it is smelly and dirty. * Can I say that your kitchen is grungy? * My kitchen is definitely not grungy! * You get your grungy feet off the sofa. * I don't like going to the new Thai restaurant. There is always some grungy stuff on the table. * It is also possible...

What does “smart cookie” mean? This is an informal expression meaning ‘intelligent’. For example, * Ebi is one smart cookie. I wouldn't be too surprised if he becomes the CEO of the company. * My cousin Diana is one smart cookie. She knows what she wants and how to get it. What does “bellyaching” mean? What do you do when you have a really bad stomach ache? When I have a stomachache, I moan and I groan. I complain about. And that's what the expression ‘bellyaching’ means. To complain. * I don't like talking to John. He's always bellyaching about something or the other. * We should stop bellyaching about the corruption in our country. * Gerry always used to bellyache about not having a best-of-three final. Thanks & Regards.

What does “smart cookie” mean? This is an informal expression meaning ‘intelligent’. For example, * Prince is one smart cookie. I wouldn't be too surprised if he becomes the CEO of the company. * My cousin Diana is one smart cookie. She knows what she wants and how to get it. What does “bellyaching” mean? What do you do when you have a really bad stomach ache? When I have a stomachache, I moan and I groan. I complain about. And that's what the expression ‘bellyaching’ means. To complain. * I don't like talking to Ebi. He's always bellyaching about something or the other. * We should stop bellyaching about the corruption in our country. * John always used to bellyache about not having a best-of-three final. Thanks & Regards.

What is the difference between "plump" and "fat"? When an individual is plump or fat, he is overweight. The word "fat" has a negative connotation associated with it. When you say that someone is "fat", what you are implying is that he is overweight and doesn't present a pleasant sight. It is considered impolite to call someone fat to his face. The word "plump", on the other hand, is normally used to indicate approval. When you say that someone is plump, what you are implying is that the individual is overweight in a pleasant sort of way. In other words, you approve of the soft rounded body that the individual has! The individual though overweight is not unpleasant to look at. In the 60s and 70s many of our movie heroines were plump. Thanks & Regards.

What is the origin of "salad days"? Shakespeare is believed to have coined this expression. He first used it in "Antony and Cleopatra". In the play Cleopatra says, "My salad days, When I was green in judgement, cold in blood..." The expression "salad days" refers to the days when we were young and relatively inexperienced. Those growing up days when we repeatedly kept making mistakes because of our lack of experience. So even those who have never eaten salad have had salad days! The expression is considered to be rather old fashioned. Here are a few examples, * John was in his salad days then and fell in love easily. * The town did not seem to have changed much since his salad days. It's been pointed out several times in this column that one of the meanings of "green" is inexperienced. For example when you say, "Micheal is too green for the job" what you are implying is that he is too inexperienced for the job. The...

Which of the following sentences is correct? "I am waiting for your reply" or "I am awaiting for your reply"? The second sentence is wrong. One does not "await for" something or someone; one merely "awaits" something or someone. "Await" is considered to be much more formal than "wait". Here are a few examples, * We are awaiting instructions from the Chairman. * We are waiting for instructions from the Chairman. * She was awaiting the arrival of her parents. * She was waiting for the arrival of her parents. Thanks & Regards.

What is the meaning of "cul de sac"? It is a street that is open at one end only; in other words, the street has an entrance but no exit. You enter and exit the street the same way. Americans call it a "dead end". Some refer to it as a "blind alley". The "u" in "cul" is like the "u" in "but", "hut", and "shut". The "e" in "de" is like the "i" in "bit", "hit", and "sit", while the "a" in "sac" is pronounced like the "a" in "sat", "fat", and "bat". The main stress is on "cul". The Americans tend to put the main stress on "sac". Here are a few examples, * They live in a huge house in a quiet cul de sac. * By the time the thief realized he had entered a cul de sac, it was too late. Thanks & Regards.