Generally, playing games should be fun and entertaining. It should be a time to refresh and relax your mind. However, some games were not designed to relax your mind, instead, they put it to work. These games help to exercise your brain and even develop new useful skills.
In this article, we have listed ten games you need skills to become a pro at. The list includes board games, card games, video games, and more.
Poker
Poker is a card game that is actually simple to play. However, when you play with experienced players and veterans, you need to apply skills to gain the edge.
During the game, each player wagers according to how well they believe their card hand is. You have to be able to read other players’ movements and body language. At the same time, you must also be able to bluff.
Chess
Here’s one of the most popular games around the world. Chess requires deep thinking and devising strategies to beat the opponent. You need to find ways to outsmart the opponent while making sure they do not outsmart you.
To defend yourself, you need to be able to see the opponent’s moves even before they make it. You must also concentrate fully to see every aspect of the game. For newbies, it could become tiring as they could keep losing to the more experienced players while they learn.
Blackjack
Just like Poker, Blackjack is another very popular card game. It is played online and in many physical casinos around the world. It begins with the dealer dealing two cards to each player. Then, they compete to get a card-hand closer to 21 without going above it.
There are different type of online blackjack games you can play with different skills level. For example, American blackjack offers high RTP, making it slightly easier to beat the game than other variants.
Dota
People who love video games should know about Dota. It is a strategy game that involves more than a hundred characters with unique weaknesses, styles, and specialties. This makes it quite difficult to understand. Dota 2 especially requires teamwork and you’ll need to understand your teammates properly to defeat the opponents. Without efforts from everyone on the team, you can’t win the game.
StarCraft
This is another video strategy game that requires a hundred percent attention to details. It is fast-paced and it requires you to remain alert always. You have to be able to switch from one task to another swiftly and from one objective to another. You can only master this game if you’re competitive and matured, and you have a lot of time to put into it.
Counter-Strike
The counter-strike series is one of the most difficult sets of video games to master, especially the Global Offensive title. Players put in many days and weeks just to understand the maps and the weapons in the game before they proceed to play against others. Those who play the Global Offensive title are usually veterans as it could be so difficult for newbies.
Gin Rummy
Also called Gin, this is a game played with 52 cards, without the jokers included. It is played by two people and usually with two decks. One player deals the card while the other shuffles the other deck.
Players use their hands to make combinations of at least three cards. Each one has the goal of making 100 points before the opponent.
This is another video series that will keep you on the edge of your seat all the time. Many experts in the game spend a lot of time and money to design the characters in the game. So if you’re a new player, it will be difficult and frustrating to compete with such people.
In addition to that, it also takes a lot of practice to master the shooting and accuracy, especially with the DualShock 4 controller. It will take you time and dedication to master this game.
GO
This is a board game which is played by two people. It was invented in China over 2000 years ago but is still well-played today. Players have to use strategies to surround more territory than the opponent.
The pieces used on the board are called stones. One player uses the white stones while the other uses the black. They take turns to move the stones to vacant intersections. At the end of the game, the winner is the one with more territory and captured stones.
Terra Mystica
The last on this list is Terra Mystica, a Euro-style board game played by 2 to 5 players. Each of the players governs one out of fourteen groups and they must skillfully do so. There are different buildings for them to develop resources and they also have to trade to make money. The game gives you so much thinking and strategizing to do.
Because spider solitaire uses an entire extra deck of cards, it is typically considered more difficult than classic solitaire (which is also not easy). The goal of the game is to build out 13 cards of a suit, in ascending sequence. This means that you start at ace and end with a king on top of a pile. There are mental benefits of spider solitaire, like improving memory, reflexes, focus, and mood.
Paneer is an absolute delight for vegetarians. It is available everywhere so you can eat Paneer whenever you want. There are some Paneer dishes which we usually eat in restaurants. What if you could cook those mouth-watering dishes at home? Follow these recipes and have yummy Paneer dishes for lunch or dinner. The ingredients of these dishes are easily available at home.
Shahi Paneer
It is a lip-smacking dish of Paneer which has a creamy taste. You can eat this with rice, chapati, paratha or poori.
Ingredients –
Paneer – 250g
Oil – 2 tablespoons
Salt – According to taste
Water – 1 cup
Tomato – 2
Onion – 1
Garlic – Few cloves
Ginger – Small piece
Chili – 1 or 2
Cloves – Few
Cinnamon – A piece
Butter – 1 tablespoon
Bay leaf – 1 or 2
Cumin seeds – 1 teaspoon
Turmeric powder – Half teaspoon
Chili powder – Half teaspoon
Garam Masala – Half teaspoon
Kasuri Methi – 1 teaspoon
Cream – Half cup
Method –
Cut Paneer in cubes and chop onion, tomato, ginger, garlic, chili. Heat a pan and put 1 tablespoon oil to it. Add cloves, cinnamon, chili, ginger and garlic to it.
Then put onion to it. Fry well till the raw smell disappears and onion turns soft. Add tomato and sauté for few minutes. Put water and salt to it.
Mix well and cover the pan. Let it boil for some time. Remove cover and check whether the mixture has softened or not.
Cool the mixture completely and transfer it to a blender. Blend to a smooth paste and keep it aside.
Heat the same pan again. Put 1 tablespoon oil and butter to it. Add bay leaf and cumin seeds. Let them splutter.
Put the prepared paste and sauté very well. Add turmeric powder, chili powder and mix. Put cream to it and mix well.
Add garam masala and kasuri methi. Mix properly and make sure that the ingredients have combined well. Put Paneer cubes to it.
If the gravy is very thick, then add little water to it. Mix well and cover the pan for few minutes. Let the flavors get absorbed.
Remove cover and mix. Serve it hot.
Lahsuni Paneer
It is a delectable dish of Paneer which has the flavor of garlic. You can eat this with rice, chapati, paratha or poori.
Ingredients –
Paneer – 250g
Onion – 2
Tomato – 2
Garlic – Some cloves
Ginger – Small piece
Chili – 1 or 2
Cream – Half cup
Curd – Half cup
Salt – According to taste
Turmeric powder – Half teaspoon
Chili powder – Half teaspoon
Coriander powder – Half teaspoon
Garam Masala – Half teaspoon
Cumin seeds – 1 teaspoon
Kasuri Methi – 1 teaspoon
Cloves – Few
Oil – 3 tablespoons
Water – As needed
Method –
Cut Paneer in cubes and chop onion, tomato, ginger, garlic, chili. Divide the chopped garlic into two equal portions. Heat a pan and put 1 tablespoon oil to it.
Add cloves, ginger, onion and one portion of garlic. Fry well till the raw smell disappears and onion turns soft. Then add chili and tomato to it.
Mix well and sauté for few minutes. Put little salt and cook till tomato turns soft. Cool the mixture completely and transfer it to a blender.
Blend to a smooth paste and keep it aside. Heat the same pan again. Put 2 tablespoons oil to it. Add cumin seeds. Let them splutter.
Put the other portion of garlic and sauté for a minute. Add the prepared paste and sauté very well. Then put turmeric powder, coriander powder and kasuri methi.
Mix properly and then add curd. Put little salt and water to it. Cook for few minutes and check the consistency of gravy. Put chili powder, garam masala and mix well.
Cover the pan for few minutes. Remove cover and put cream to it. Mix properly. Then add Paneer pieces to it and mix. Serve it hot.
It is an appetizing dish of Paneer which has a spicy taste. You can eat this with rice, chapati, paratha or poori.
Ingredients –
Paneer – 250g
Oil – 3 tablespoons
Onion – 2
Tomato – 2
Garlic – Few cloves
Ginger – Small piece
Chili – 1 or 2
Turmeric powder – Half teaspoon
Chili powder – Half teaspoon
Coriander powder – Half teaspoon
Cumin powder – Half teaspoon
Cumin seeds – 1 teaspoon
Capsicum – 1
Tomato sauce – 1 tablespoon
Salt – According to taste
Garam Masala – Half teaspoon
Lemon juice – 2 teaspoons
Water – As needed
Method –
Cut Paneer in long pieces. Chop 1 onion, 1 tomato, ginger, garlic and chili finely. Cut 1 onion, 1 tomato and capsicum in thin slices.
Heat a pan and put 1 tablespoon oil to it. Add chopped onion, ginger and garlic to it. Fry well till the raw smell disappears. Put chopped tomato and sauté till it turns soft.
Then add turmeric powder, chili powder, coriander powder and cumin powder. Mix very well. Cool the mixture completely and transfer it to a blender.
Blend to a smooth paste without adding water and keep it aside. Heat the same pan again. Put 2 tablespoons oil to it. Add cumin seeds and chili. Let them splutter.
Put thinly sliced onion to it and sauté for few minutes. Add capsicum and fry well. Then put the prepared paste and sauté well. Put tomato sauce and salt to it.
Mix properly so that all the ingredients get combined. Put thinly sliced tomato to it and sauté for few minutes. Add garam masala and lemon juice. Mix well.
If you find the mixture sticking to the pan, then put little water and mix it properly. Add Paneer pieces and mix gently. Be careful to not break the pieces.
Make sure that masala has coated all the Paneer pieces. Serve it hot.
Paneer Lababdar
It is a delicious dish of Paneer which has a rich creamy taste. You can eat this with rice, chapati, paratha or poori.
Ingredients –
Paneer – 250g
Oil – 1 tablespoon
Butter – 1 tablespoon
Salt – According to taste
Water – 2 cups
Onion – 1
Tomato – 2
Garlic – Few cloves
Ginger – Small piece
Chili – 1 or 2
Cloves – Few
Bay leaf – 1 or 2
Cinnamon – A piece
Kasuri Methi – 1 teaspoon
Turmeric powder – Half teaspoon
Chili powder – Half teaspoon
Coriander powder – Half teaspoon
Cumin powder – Half teaspoon
Garam Masala – Half teaspoon
Cream – Half cup
Coriander leaves – 1 tablespoon
Method –
Cut Paneer in cubes and chop onion, tomato, ginger, garlic, chili. Heat a pan and put 1 cup water to it. Add tomato, ginger, garlic, cloves and little salt.
Boil for some time till they turn soft and mushy. Cool the mixture completely and transfer it to a blender. Blend to a smooth paste and keep it aside.
Heat the same pan again. Put oil and butter to it. Add bay leaf, cinnamon, chili and kasuri methi. Sauté for a minute.
Put finely chopped onion and fry till the raw smell disappears. Then put the prepared paste and sauté well.
Add turmeric powder, chili powder, coriander powder and cumin powder. Mix very well. Add 1 cup water and little salt to it.
Mix properly and cover the pan for some time. Remove cover and put cream, garam masala. Mix well. Simmer for few minutes and then add Paneer pieces to it.
Mix properly so that all the ingredients get combined. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve it hot.
Peas refers to green peas which is naturally available as a vegetable. It is winter and peas are available in abundance. Why not cook some tasty dishes of this seasonal vegetable. There are some delectable dishes of peas which you will want to eat again and again. The recipes of these dishes need ingredients that are easily available at home. Follow the recipes of these dishes and enjoy them this winter.
Peas Pulao
This is a delicious dish of peas with rice. You can eat this with any curry, dal, fry, raita or salad.
Ingredients –
Basmati Rice – 2 cups
Peas – 2 cups
Ghee – 2 tablespoons
Salt – According to taste
Cumin seeds (Jeera) – 1 teaspoon
Cloves – Few
Bay leaf – 1 or 2
Cinnamon – A big piece
Black pepper – 10
Onion – 1
Chili – 1 or 2
Ginger – A piece
Garlic – Few cloves
Water – 4 cups
Method –
Chop onion, garlic, ginger and chili finely. Wash Basmati rice and soak it in water for some time. Heat a pressure cooker and put ghee to it.
Add cumin seeds, cloves, bay leaf, cinnamon, black pepper. Let them splutter. Put onion, ginger, garlic and chili to it. Fry till the raw smell disappears.
Add peas and sauté well. Put rice and mix well. Then add water and salt to it. Mix properly so that all the ingredients get combined.
Put the cover and pressure cook for 1 whistle. After pressure releases from the cooker, fluff gently. Serve it hot.
Peas Paratha
This is a yummy Indian flatbread made from peas. You can eat this with any curry, dal, fry, raita or curd.
Ingredients –
Peas – 1 and half cup
Coriander leaves – 2 tablespoons
Chili – 1 or 2
Ginger – A piece
Water – As needed for paste and dough
Wheat flour (Atta) – 2 cups
Cumin seeds (Jeera) – 1 teaspoon
Salt – According to taste
Garam Masala – Half teaspoon
Chaat Masala – Half teaspoon
Oil – As required
Method –
Chop ginger and chili. Boil water, little salt in a vessel and put peas to it. After the peas get blanched, keep them aside.
In a blender, put ginger, chili, coriander leaves and peas. Along with peas put the water that was used in blanching them. Blend to a smooth paste.
Take a large mixing bowl and put this paste in it. Add wheat flour, cumin seeds, salt, garam masala, chaat masala and little oil to it. Mix very well.
Make sure that all ingredients have combined and knead the dough. Add water to it only if it is required. Make a firm dough and rest it for some time.
Make balls from the dough. Roll those balls using rolling board and pin. Use wheat flour while rolling and flattening them.
Heat a pan and put paratha on it. When it starts getting cooked, put oil on it. Flip it and make sure that paratha has cooked evenly on both sides.
Cook all the parathas in this way. Serve them hot.
Peas Palak
This is a tasty dish of peas sautéed in spinach gravy. You can eat this with rice, chapati, paratha or poori.
Ingredients –
Peas – 1 cup
Palak (Spinach) – 1 bundle
Onion – 1
Salt – According to taste
Water – As needed for boiling
Tomato – 2
Ginger – Small piece
Garlic – Few cloves
Chili – 1 or 2
Oil – 2 tablespoons
Cumin seeds – 1 teaspoon
Cardamom – Few
Cloves – Few
Cinnamon – A big piece
Coriander powder – Half teaspoon
Garam Masala – Half teaspoon
Chili powder – Half teaspoon
Kasuri Methi – 1 tablespoon
Butter – 1 tablespoon
Sugar – Half teaspoon
Milk – Half cup
Method –
Chop spinach, tomato, onion, ginger, garlic and chili. Take a vessel and boil water and salt in it. Then add peas to it. Boil for few minutes.
Drain off water from vessel and keep the peas aside. Heat a pan and put oil to it. Add cumin seeds, cardamom, cloves and cinnamon to it.
Let them splutter. Then put ginger, garlic, onion and chili to it. Fry till the raw smell disappears. Put coriander powder and garam masala to it.
Mix properly. Then add tomato and kasuri methi. Sauté till tomato turns mushy. Put spinach and fry well. Mix everything properly.
Cool this mixture and put it in a blender. Make puree of this spinach mixture. Heat the same pan again and put butter to it.
Add chili powder, sugar, salt and sauté for a minute. Then put spinach puree to it and sauté for few minutes. Put peas and milk to it. Mix very well.
Simmer for few minutes so that peas absorb the flavor of spinach. Serve it hot.
Peas Curry
This is a lip-smacking dish of peas which has a spicy taste. It does not need much time to prepare. You can eat this with rice, chapati, paratha or poori.
Ingredients –
Oil – 2 tablespoons
Peas – 2 cups
Cumin seeds (Jeera) – 1 teaspoon
Mustard seeds (Rai) – 1 teaspoon
Asafoetida (Hing) – A pinch
Salt – According to taste
Chili – 1 or 2
Turmeric powder – Half teaspoon
Chili powder – Half teaspoon
Coriander powder – Half teaspoon
Water – As needed
Milk – Half cup
Coriander leaves – 1 tablespoon
Method –
Chop chili finely. Take a bowl and put salt, turmeric powder, chili powder, coriander powder and little water in it. Mix well so that the spices dissolve in water.
Heat a pan and put oil to it. Add cumin seeds, mustard seeds, chili and asafoetida. Let them splutter. Put the spice and water mixture to it. Mix properly.
Add peas and mix well. Cover the pan and simmer for few minutes so that peas get cooked. Then put milk and mix properly.
You can add water to the gravy if it is needed. Garnish the curry with coriander leaves. Serve it hot.
Methi Matar Malai
This is an appetizing dish of peas sautéed in a creamy fenugreek gravy. You can eat this with rice, chapati, paratha or poori.
Ingredients –
Peas – 2 cups
Fenugreek leaves (Methi) – 4 cups
Oil – 3 tablespoons
Onion – 2
Ginger – Small piece
Garlic – Some cloves
Chili – 1 or 2
Water – As needed
Cumin seeds (Jeera) – 1 teaspoon
Cream – Half cup
Salt – According to taste
Garam Masala – Half teaspoon
Method –
Cut onion, ginger, garlic and chili. Take a large vessel and put Fenugreek leaves in water and salt. Leave them for some time. Take a vessel and boil water and salt in it.
Then add peas to it. Boil for few minutes. Drain off water from vessel and keep the peas aside. Heat a pan and put 1 tablespoon oil to it.
Add onion, ginger, garlic and chili. Fry till the raw smell disappears. Cool them completely. Squeeze Fenugreek leaves from water and keep them aside.
Put the fried stuff with little water in a blender. Blend to a smooth paste. Heat the same pan again and put 2 tablespoons oil to it. Add cumin seeds to it.
Let them splutter. Put the masala paste and sauté well. Add Fenugreek leaves to it and sauté well. Then put salt and garam masala. Mix properly.
Add cream and peas. Mix well and cover the pan. Simmer for few minutes so that peas absorb the flavor. Cook till the curry turns creamy.
Check the consistency of curry. Add water to the curry if gravy is very thick. Serve it hot.
I don’t think I really need to give reasons to why you need a full body massage. A day of work tires out each one of us so much that a full body massage is just the best ending. The veritable cherry on top, if you will. The relaxation that comes with a full body massage, and being forced to stay and calm your mind down for at least an hour, is a good respite from the bustle of daily life. And while it is soothing, a full body massage carries with it benefits more than just the comfort. So, here are the top ten reasons you should get a full body massage today.
A full body massage can refresh your skin in a way that you cannot do at home.
Our body is not just our skin, features and organs. Along with the various layers of tissues present that make up our skin, there is a layer of dead skin cells on top that are created regularly. Millions of skin cells die and new ones are created every day. But simple washing or scrubbing cannot remove all these dead cells. A gentle body massage accompanied by lotion and oil works to exfoliate all the dead skin cells from your body, making your skin look refreshed.
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Nervous System Relaxation
The skin and every part of the body are connected to nerves and nerve endings. So every touch, sensation that you feel is because your nervous system reacts a certain way to a certain action. And the same goes with a massage. A professional masseuse knows the right points to massage to provide the maximum relief. Even if you have a mostly sedentary lifestyle, sitting at a desk for hours can make your muscles stiff and lethargic, and regular exercise and a massage will do you good.
What does a relaxed nervous system mean for you? It means that not only do your muscles feel the relief, your hormone production shall also balance itself out. Stress hormones are then released in lesser numbers and feel-good hormones are secreted in larger ones. These hormones in turn regulate your sleep cycles and your level of activity when awake. They can even out your blood sugar and regularize the amount of food you eat.
Muscles aren’t just slabs of flesh under our skin that cover our skeleton. Muscles are also incorporated with nerves, bloodstreams, capillaries and lymph nodes. When stretched and squeezed, they release de-oxygenated blood and lymph fluids, and upon relaxation absorb fresh blood and lymph, refreshing the muscles with fresh oxygen and rejuvenating fluids. Massaging does this job very well and masseuse know the spots that we normally fail to stretch.
A Better Bone Blood Supply
Your bones aren’t just something that lay encased within your muscles with no function other than holding you up. Your bones also have nerve endings and a blood supply within them. Bone marrow is created in the centre of your bones too. Massages increase blood circulation and a better blood flow guarantees more calcium and minerals to your bones. Your skeletal system shall receive more relief and get a better supply of much needed nutrients.
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A Healthy Heart
A Heart is all about pumping. With four compartments built just for filtering and directing good and bad blood to the right places, the heart’s only job is to circulate blood to all parts of your body. The pressure provided during a massage increases the ease at which blood reaches your organs. And better circulation gives some much needed ‘rest’. Your heart doesn’t stop, it never does unless and until you experience an attack or death. However, your blood pressure regularizes and your heartbeats slow down to normal.
Mental and physical stress can have adverse effects on the body, and mainly the digestive system. Depending on the person, the effects could range from a lethargic metabolism and digestion to stomach upsets and vulnerability to infections. Your nervous system, or at least a section of it regulates your digestion. It also acts as a message relay system for when you need enzymes like saliva, gastic juices and insulin. Some massages relieve the pressure from your large intestine. When the passage of movement is smooth, the entire digestive system is geared to move as smoothly as possible. This relieves your body, and has it feeling much more active than it would have usually.
Your Personal Lymphatic Detox
Remember your appendix? The organ that school says is useless, vestigial. Well, it’s not. Not really. The appendix is a part of your lymph system. Like the circulatory system, your lymph system is present in all parts of your body and is connected with capillaries to your bloodstream. The lymph system keeps the blood fluid levels in your body balanced and protects your body from infections.
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Lymph contains proteins, helpful bacteria, salts and other substances. Massages, just as they activate your bloodstream, can activate your lymph too. Your lymph requires the pressure and ease to travel through your body more effectively. And the ease can also put your body at peace and comfort. Massages can further prevent infections and further pain.
Improved Breathing
Some masseuse will ask you to take a deep breath before they begin their massage. They do this to induce a feeling that you’re breathing a sigh of relief with your exhale. Relaxation of breath is one of the fastest and easiest ways to obtain stress relief and the comforting pressure helps. While your breathing apparatus, the lungs, diaphragm are all inside your body, thankfully, they need relief too. And massages help with that. The muscles surrounding your lungs, your ribs and chest assist breathing.
A common misconception about skin tone is that melanin content is the base factor on how good one’s tone is. While melanin has its own contributing factors, an improved skin tone speaks to the health of the skin. The more even the skin tone, the healthier the skin. This can happen due to a multitude of reasons including vitamin content, but massages can marginally contribute. Masseuses generally use a litany of oils that help rub out dead skin cells and replenish dry skin.
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A heightened sense of mental alertness
Massages act as both a relaxant and stimulant to the body. When pressed on the right pressure points the nerves of your body and gives you a certain amount of relaxation during the massage. After the course of the massage, when your body has received the adequate relaxation, your muscles activate. Your muscles shall feel more stimulated, and you shall suddenly be incredibly active.
The way and rate in which your hair grows is very much dependent on a number of different external factors – the main one being a person’s genetic make up and genetic history. Although much of it is clearly out of your hands, there are, in fact, some things that you can do that will help to not only promote hair growth, but to also stop hair loss from occurring in the first place.
Some of the best things that you can easily do at home to keep you with a full head of thick, strong hair are listed below for you to try out yourself.
Increasing Your Intake Of Iron
An important nutrient for the growth of healthy hair, iron can be easily added into your diet through eating lean beef, lentils, clams, turkey, white beans, oysters, spinach, and pumpkin seeds. If you do not like any of these, then look out for those foods that already come pre fortified with iron. It is important to note that if you do not eat meat then your daily iron requirement will be more than those who do.
Getting More Protein In Your Diet
Your body requires a good and frequent source of protein in order to produce new hair. Being deficient in protein can lead to your hair falling out. Some of the ways in which you can easily add sufficient protein to your diet is through eating seeds, nuts, beans, lean meats, eggs, and fish.
Using Aromatherapy
The holistic treatment via the use of specific aromas, which is known as aromatherapy, has been shown by some studies to stimulate the growth of new hair on your head. Some of the best herbs to use for this purpose include tulsi, cedarwood, lavender, thyme, and rosemary. Rather than putting the essential oils directly on to your scalp, you should put some drops into something that is known as a ‘carrier oil’ (e.g. coconut oil). Not only should you rub these into your scalp, but there is some benefit to bed had from breathing in the essential oils also.
Taking Natural Supplements
The plant extract palmetto has been shown by a number of studies to promote hair growth specifically in those men who suffer with male pattern baldness. A simple dose of 320 mg that is consumed on a daily basis is more than enough to not only keep hair loss from occurring in men of all ages but to also promote hair growth. However, this is a slow process and it can take as long as two years before any clear and visible signs of hairs coming through.
Should any or all of these home remedies not be successful for you or sound like something that you could do, then there are some medical treatments out there that may be of use and are equally, if not more effective at stopping you from going completely bald. These include a version of the medicine propecia, which is called finasteride. You can see results with finasteride here.
For your medical practice to be more efficient, and thus, be all the more sustainable, the Alpha II – Medical Billing Software is Key. With codes and functions that minimize errors and maximize time and performance, here’s why medical billing technology is changing the world of medicine today.
Why Medical Billing Technology?
Accessible Patient Information
We are not only talking about mere accessibility here. We are emphasizing how medical billing software can grant your convenient and quick access to patient information and other related data. As your practice grows, an organized system for archiving each patient’s detailed information, medical history, billing records, and the like has to be in place.
And the truth of the matter is increasing the number of staff members to be in charge of said tasks won’t cut it. It will work for now and within a limited timeframe. But it won’t be as efficient as a billing software that can draw out any piece of data in a single command or click. Archiving will be just as methodical, too.
Paperless. Because Every Business And Practice Should Be
One significant advantage that software innovations feature is how they are able to simplify and then optimize manual processes involving the utilization of documentation via paper. In a word: streamlining, so much so that paper has an incontestable alternative. This alternative does not require stacks of paper and folders for recordkeeping purposes.
Instead of having file-cabinet after file-cabinet chock-full and overflowing with medical paperwork, keep them in folders coded within the software. Digital equals less paper to work with. That’s always a good thing, both for your practice and for the environment.
Streamlined Professional And Medical Coding
There is a myriad of updates and enhancements done to particular categories of medical research. They are constantly developing, as they should.
Among such areas of the profession which has seen a revision, it’s 10th, to be exact, is the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Known as a collection of medical codes that are utilized across the globe, it is an approach towards the standardization of tools and processes geared towards epidemiology.
Another is the Current Procedural Terminology or CPT. The CPT is observed by over 100 countries and upholds codes for medical and surgical reporting, operations, and services. Medical practitioners and practices, insurance agencies, and more follow the CPT’s charters and regulations. To add, it has been trademarked by none other than the American Medical Association.
What a clinical software can do is to store all of these hundreds of thousands of medical codes, and pull them out as references for billing and coding considerations. Imagine having a human mind memorize them, along with their revisions, for every transaction. Not possible. Yet this will be easily accomplished by said software.
Advanced Financial Reporting
Human error is among the main reasons for inaccuracies and oversights in financial reporting. Even with the use of electronic computing tools, human error still stands in the way of what ought to be faultless reporting and analysis.
In contrast to this, medical billing software can eradicate human error. Backed by Artificial Intelligence that’s built to compute with accuracy and precision, and over 5 times the speed of the human brain’s capacity (more, actually), it can increase efficiency whilst ensuring excellent patient experience. Combined, they add up to your practice’s profitability.
If you work for a company, that company probably has some sort of mission statement. But what about you? Many people have what appear to be fulfilled lives, with a family, a career and a home, yet they still feel that something is missing. It is not that those things are not meaningful, but they do not form the person’s central core, or perhaps it is hard to see where they fit in with an overall sense of purpose. Finding your purpose could be about changing your life completely, but it could also be about gaining a better understanding of how the things that are already in your life are meaningful to you.
Give Yourself Space
If you’re like most adults, you spend a lot of time running from one thing to the next and feeling as though you need to always be doing something productive or improving yourself in some way. It may sound like a paradox, but finding your purpose is, in part, about not driving yourself to find your purpose. You should give yourself the time and space to meander. Get some paper and write about what you loved as a child or what really moves you as an adult. Think about the things you’d like to do and why you don’t do them. It may be for a good reason, a sacrifice that you aren’t willing to make. On the other hand, it might be for a reason that sounds more like, ‘what will people think?’ In the latter case, you might need to examine your longing a little more carefully.
Remove Obstacles
Have you ever heard the expression “getting in your own way”? It is not uncommon for people to be their own worst enemies, allowing obstacles to stop them from pursuing what they really want. The reasons are complicated, but humans tend to gravitate toward what is familiar even when it isn’t ideal. It’s easy to come up with a whole host of reasons why you can’t really pursue your dream. Finding your purpose in life is about getting rid of those reasons. For example, maybe you can’t start that dream business because your finances aren’t in good shape. The first step might be to look at saving on your monthly expenses by refinancing your student loans. This can also mean a lower interest rate and a shorter time for paying off the loan.
A Lifelong Journey
There Is NO Way To Be A Perfect Mother, But There Are Millions To Be A Good one.
Asking questions about your life’s purpose does not have to be a static, one-time thing. In fact, your purpose might change over time. When your children are young, your focus and purpose may revolve around them. As they get older and start to become more independent, you might find purpose in going back to work or school. Later, your purpose could be pursuing something creative that you never had time for when you were working and raising a family, such as painting. Keep in mind as well that not everything you do in your life will necessarily be directly linked to that purpose. For example, your job may be unrelated, but it may give you the money or type of schedule you need to pursue what you truly love.
Congratulations! You’ve decided to renovate your bathroom! Though it is a big commitment, home remodeling can be an extremely fulfilling and rewarding process. As you start to pick out fixtures for your new oasis, you may be considering installing a vessel sink, those elegant basins that sit on top of the counter, rather than being installed under the counter. While these are a relatively recent trend, only rising to popularity in the last fifteen years or so, they have gone from being extremely exclusive to a stylish pick any modern bathroom might implement. But is this choice right for your bathroom? This article will help walk you through the decision process and give you all to tools you need to decide.
Do Research Ahead of Time
Before you make any big decisions, make sure you are fully informed and have done some research. Take some time to learn about vessel sinks and fully explore your options before making any commitments, spending money, or starting your renovation in earnest. When doing research, it helps to check multiple sources, especially when comparing prices to make sure you get the best value.
Think About Your Design Goals
When deciding whether a vessel sink will be the best choice for you, it helps to think about what you want out of this bathroom redesign. Having a cohesive vision will not only help you make the right decision when it comes to more prominent fixtures, but it can also help you later on having to make smaller decisions, like color schemes, materials, and choosing the finishing touches once your bathroom is complete. It may help to use a room planning tool. There are plenty of free websites you can use to help you visualize your interior design needs, and compare your options side-by-side.
Pros
Probably the greatest advantage of a vessel sink is its style. Because they are a relatively new trend, they’re very striking and can give your new bathroom a unique spin. They are also relatively easy to install, both potentially saving you money by not having to hire a contractor, and giving you more flexibility to change out the bowl in the future. They also provide you with more counter space, since they take up less of the surface area of your vanity. They also provide a focal point to your bathroom, anchoring the overall design, and bringing the entire look of the room together.
Cons
On the other hand, there are a few practical concerns that may dissuade you from choosing a vessel sink. Because of their exposed edge, they are more prone to chipping or breaking than an under-mount sink. They also can be a bit harder to clean, as water and debris can get stuck in the small space between the basin and the counter. There are additionally some practical worries that accompany ordinary use. If not taken into consideration, the height of the bowl can be higher than most under-mount sinks, which can be a hassle for children or shorter adults to reach. There is also concern that because this is a newer trend in bathroom design, it may be just a passing fad, and quickly become outdated. This, however, is yet to be seen, so only time can tell. All of these disadvantages do not have to be deal-breakers, just things to take into consideration when designing your new sink.
How to Install
Once you’ve decided that you do indeed want a vessel sink in your new bathroom, it’s time to learn how to install it. As stated above, one of the advantages of a vessel sink is how easy it is to install. You can even do it yourself in a few simple steps. The general outline is marking the placement, cutting the hole in the counter-top, applying sealant, attaching the connecting ring (which should come with the sink), placing the basin, and connecting the plumbing. It will be extremely useful to follow a step-by-step guide, and also make sure you are confident in your knowledge of the process before you start, to minimize mistakes.
Different Types of Installation
One important choice you must make is the style of installation you are planning for your vessel sink: Above the counter or recessed. Above the counter installations are when the basin sits completely on top of the counter. This is probably what most people picture when they think of a vessel sink. A recessed installation is when the basin is sitting part-way down into the countertop. A recessed installation may be a good compromise as it can solve some concerns of stability or height, but keep in mind that the installation process can be a little more involved, as you have to cut a more precise hole.
Hammering Out the Details
One of the last steps before you actually begin is deciding on the details of your soon-to-be sink. Research what materials will suit you best, both aesthetically and practically. Decide on what type of installation you want, or if you will need to change the height of your counter-top to accommodate the sink basin. Also, make a decision regarding your faucet. Decide what style, whether it will be placed on the wall or the counter, and what height you need so that it works with your new sink.
Ask a Designer
When in doubt, there’s never any shame in hiring a professional. Although bringing on a designer will mean an extra cost, they will also bring years of experience and expertise to your bathroom’s design. If you decide to seek out the help of a professional at any point in your renovation journey, be sure to thoroughly research and consult customer reviews to ensure you make a good choice in your hiring.
Final Thoughts
Luckily, since their rise in popularity, vessel sinks have gone from a high-end luxury item to an affordable choice that any home might have if it fits with their lifestyle. Although, there are advantages, disadvantages, and plenty of choices to make along the way, with a little foresight and planning, making these decisions can be a breeze. Now that you’ve chosen your perfect sink, it’s time to get started on the rest of your bathroom remodeling journey.
Back pain throughout pregnancy is a normal complaint and it’s not shocking. You gain weight, the center of gravity increases, and the hormones loosen the ligaments in the pelvic joints. Even so, you will also need to get relief from back pain during pregnancy.
Practice good posture
When your child ages, your center of gravity moves upward. To stop slipping over, you may be rewarded by sitting back—which may stretch the muscles of your lower back leading to back pain during pregnancy. Bear in mind these concepts of proper posture:
Stand up straight and keep the chest up tight.
Hold the shoulders back and don’t tie your knees shut.
Visit your Doctor
If you experience serious back pain during breastfeeding or back pain for longer than two weeks, speak to your gynecologist. They may prescribe medications such as acetaminophen or other therapies. You may want to look into ultrasound procedure boise, id if advised by your doctor.
Exercise
Nothing beats exercise. The best way to deal with such pain is exercise. Yoga, an activism strength and endurance exercise with origins in ancient India, is one of the most common pain reduction methods. Prenatal yoga is a top option for pregnant women whose backs, muscles, joints, and nerves hurt under the pressure of pregnancy.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a type of Chinese medicine that implants thin needles into the skin at some places. Research has shown that acupuncture can be helpful in relieving low back pain during breastfeeding. Energizing acupuncture points, either by needle injection or acupressure, can help increase digestion, raise energy levels, or reduce stomach pain, along with migraine headaches.
A recent study has shown that, in contrast to alleviating discomfort, daily prenatal massage may help to reduce stress and anxiety throughout pregnancy. Swedish massage is the most traditional and preferred form of prenatal massage, since it is gentle, relaxing, and uses slow, steady strokes that do not aggravate the joints or drive fluid around the body in an unhealthful manner. Although there is little evidence to support their efficacy, massage or the application of a heating pad or ice pack to your back can help.
Maternity Belt
If you have pelvic girdle pain around your mid back and hips, a maternity belt can alleviate your pain. This support band works on the ligaments, muscles and fascia of the girdle region. Using this belt can give instant relief. If your abdomen protrudes out in a noticeable manner, rather than your weight extending around your waist, the belt will serve as a replacement for your abdominal core muscles, which will struggle to keep your lower spine from unnecessarily overstating its deformation.
Chiropractic Care
You may equate chiropractors with joint-“cracking” modifications, but they actually use a variety of methods to alleviate back pain, and many women will find relaxation in the guidance of someone they have encountered. Doctors regularly use joint pressure (which may cause the sound to pop), soft tissue work, and prescription exercises to keep women from experiencing muscle tightness, nerve compression.
In this article, I will discuss API authentication methods. Before that, you have to understand what the meaning of the word Authentication is. After that, you will get a detailed description of different authentication APIs.
However, before understanding the meaning of authentication more important thing is you should be aware of what isn’t authentication. There is another term authorization you should be aware of. One thing that is crucial to keep in mind that you can’t rely on the only single authentication method. So that is why there is a need for a variety of API authentication methods. So without wasting time let’s come to a point.
What is Authentication and how different from Authorization?
In simple words, Authentication is a process that checks or verifies the identity of a user who tries to access any network, system, or device. In addition, some access control mechanisms usually verify the username and password to get the identity of the user. For example, to access your email you have to provide credentials such as username and password to log in.
If the credentials are correct you are allowing the website to know who are you and it is your identity that is accessing the website. Some other examples are four or six-digit passcode for mobile unlocking, login password for your computer. Now day’s biometrics is useful for smartphones. Whereas Authorization is a process that determines the rights associated with a particular identity, which means what a user can do.
Why Authentication is useful?
According to you why we require authentication. What do you think about it? Let me help you to understand. Say you have access to some important information and others shouldn’t have to know about it because such a situation can lead to harm to you. So that kind of way that doesn’t allow unauthorized people to access your sensitive information is authentication and we want it.
Authentication is very important in today’s scenarios because now a day, there is a lot of increase in cybercrime. When authentication isn’t secure then hacker mainly tries to get system access and steal sensitive information. There are few examples of cybercrimes like Equifax, Adobe, and Yahoo data breach due to poor authentication.
What are the different types of Authentication?
Due to increased cyber attacks, different types of authentication methods have been developed. Let’s have look at them.
So till now, you got knowledge about what is Authentication and why it is important. Now next question arises what is an API. API is a software protocol and you can say it is a tool using which clients and servers communicate.
But how the server will come to know that the client is a real one. API Authentication is a process that certifies user identity who tries to access server resources. In simple words, you can say API is a way to request data or receive data from an endpoint. API authentication protects malicious data submission and acts as a security layer.
API Authentication methods
We are having numerous API authentication methods. I am sharing a few of them here and discussing in detail as follows:
HTTP Basic Authentication
API Key Authentication
OAuth Authentication
OAuth 1.0
Bearer Authentication
OAuth 2.0
OpenID Connect
LDAP Authentication Advanced
Digest Authentication
Hawk Authentication
AWS Signature
NTLM Authentication
Akamai EdgeGrid
HMAC Authentication
Let me introduce each of these API authentications.
It is simpler Authentication but you can’t give your password to someone else. The technique used for this method makes use of Base64 encoding. The username and password need to combine together to form a value. The HTTP header Authorization is useful to pass the single value formed from username and password.
Whenever a user makes a request the server on checking the Authorization header makes a comparison of it with credentials stored at its system. The client request satisfies if the credentials and header details match. On the other hand, if there is a mismatch in credentials and header details then a request denial message is forward and authentication gets fails.
You can say this Authentication is useful for checking Proxy-Authorization. In other words, you can consider this authentication as such as you just have to send username and password for API call. For an instance, Mailchimp and Twilio use Basic Authentication. This method is beneficial for HTTP and HTTPS requests.
Such a method is useful for web applications to apply for protection over them using single password protection. This method is not useful without SSL but can combine with other security methods.
API Key Authentication
The key Authentication method makes use of an API key to provide access to a particular service and routine. This method was introduced to overcome the shortcomings of HTTP basic authentication as the credentials were shared.
In this method, you can make use of an API key that consists of a series of letters and numbers. You have to combine the request header or request a URL with the API key. To gain access to data users make use of the API key and the server checks identity of the user. The public key and private key can make use according to need.
Public keys lemmatize the number of users to access a particular function and private key works like a password. This method is highly secure and reliable as a unique key is used. Stripe and Sendgrid make use of API keys.
It is beneficial for both HTTP and HTTPS protocols. In case when initial authentication fails down this method provides limited access also. For more security you have to follow some important points as follows:
Always try to use the HTTPS protocol
Try to make use of a simple API key
Do try to avoid exposure to information using URLs.
Make use of hash passwords.
Remember to use parameter validation.
OAuth Authentication
This method makes use of authentication and authorization together. It came into existence in 2007. It allows applications to communicate with the API server to gain access. In this method, you can request token-based authentication.
The client sends its request to the authentication server to process it. This approach is very secure and powerful as compared to others. It is useful for various clients and applications. This method makes use of time-limited tokens.
It is compatible with HTTPS protocol. In this method, you just have to press the sign-in button to grant permission and quickly the app authenticates the user request. This method provides you the best user experience. Google, Facebook, and Twitter use this method. The idea behind using OAuth is that the end-user needs not to share its credentials with anyone.
OAuth1.0
The protocol is a revision to OAuth1.0A.
It is also called as the Digest Authentications Scheme.
It is completely secured, tested, and very popular authentication.
This method is based on signatures and makes use of the cryptographic signature.
The signature used in this method is a combination of token secret, nonce, and information requested by the user.
You can use this method with or without SSL.
This version is more complicated as compared to OAuth2.0.
OAuth2.0
It provides 4 types of grants.
In this technique, you needn’t make use of a keyed hash for making each call.
It makes use of two tokens that access token and refresh token.
This method is best in case of identifying a personal user and grants him any access.
This authentication method allows the third party to gain limited access to an HTTP service.
The method used is more secure as it makes use of a token that you can revoke after some time.
This is a more powerful authentication as attackers aren’t able to use the same token again.
Try to make use of this method with flows enabled so that it can support server to server and device authentication.
This method works with four flows which are authentication code flow, implicit flow, resource owner password flow, and client credentials flow.
Bearer Authentication
In this method, you can make use of security tokens called bearer. This method is also known as Token Authentication which makes use of HTTP authentication. The token used in this technique is a cryptic string which allows user to access particular resource and URL. The bearer token is provided by the server when then the user requests a login. To request protected resources, the client sends the token to the authorization header. It is useful only for HTTPS protocols. In RFC-6750 this authentication was generated as part of it.
OpenID Connect
It is a plug-in that is available for many customers and gives support to various credentials like:
Signed JWT Access Tokens
Opaque access Tokens
Session cookie credentials
Authorization Code using OpenID
Client ID and secret for credential grant
Username and password for password grant
This method acts as a relying party and proxy for OAuth 2.0 resource users. It acts as an identity layer on the top of OAuth2.0. This method verifies the identity based on authentication of the authorization server. It is useful to verify end-user identity based on authentication which makes use of JSON web token called ID token.
The authorization server also reveals the profile information of the end-user. This authentication makes use of JSON to specify a RESTful HTTP API. You can make use of this method to get information about the authenticated session. This method is beneficial for web-based, mobile, and JavaScript clients.
An additional feature of this method includes encryption of identity data, OpenID provider’s information, and management of session. This method makes use of a Sign-in flow that provides useful information like username and email id. In OpenID connect there is an OpenID Connect discovery in which the server of OpenID publishes metadata.
JWT is used in this method having the following features:
It is a JSON web token that is open and based on industry-standard RFC 7519. It is easy to use and setup. In this token, manual management of token creation is a must task as it is used for a secure representation of claims between two parties. It is more secure than API key authentication as it allows you to decode and verify JWT. It is developed by Autho which is an authentication Management Company and API-driven identity.
LDAP Authentication Advanced
This authentication method is available by Kong Enterprise that enables LDAP bind authentication. This method enables service, route, or previous versions of Kong. It acts as a global plug-in and runs after receiving a request. This technique allows provides limited access to an anonymous user when authentication fails.
Digest Authentication
In this method, the client requests API. The server in the response of request provides nonce, a realm value, and a 401 unauthorized response. After that, the user sends back an encrypted data array containing the username, password, and server response data.
The server compares the user request with an encrypted string made from data send by the user. This method is useful for web servers to negotiate credentials. Such type of method is useful in cases where there is a need to confirm user identity before sharing sensitive information with him.
It is used by various online banking systems. A hash function is applied to the username and password. It uses HTTP protocol and reversible Base64 encoding. This method was developed by Phillip Hallam banker at CERN in the year 1993.
This scheme uses MD5 cryptographic hashing and nonce to protect the user from a replay attack. In this method, the server isn’t provided a clear password. This method reduces the chances of Phishing. Digest authentication can be attacked through man in the middle attack. This scheme uses a less strong password hash.
Hawk Authentication
This method makes use of partial HTTP request cryptographic verification, request URI, and host. You have to enter Hawk Auth ID, Auth key, and algorithm fields. In this method, the MAC (message authentication code) algorithm is used to make an HTTP request. It makes use of user credentials including the identifier and key to be used in the MAC algorithm.
To apply the hawk scheme you need to provide a shared symmetric key to the client and server. The shared credentials are provided through a TLS protected phase. This method is used to improve basic HTTP authentication. Hawk authentication is used to secure the credentials and avoids their exposure to a malicious server.
To provide secure communication this method makes use of timestamp. The client needs a token id and key from the server to sign the requests. Hawk authentication can be used in pyramid application and node.js express apps. The real-time use example of hawk authentication is in Mozilla services. This method is compatible with drupal8. Its first version was provided by Eran Hammer in November 2012.
AWS Signature Authentication
This authentication is used in Amazon web Services. It makes use of a custom HTTP scheme that is based on keyed-HMAC for authentication purposes. Other parameters followed in this method are the AWS region, service name, and session token. AWS signature authentication allows:
To verify the identity of the requester.
It provides in-transit data protection.
To protect the reuse of signed portions of requests.
In this method, authentication information can be provided by either an HTTP authorization header or using query string parameters. First of all, you have to send an authentication request including a signature. In AWS authentication you needn’t use a secret access key to sign any request.
Instead of using its secret access key, this method makes use of a secret access key to create a signing key. The signing key remains under a specific domain and never gets expired. On receiving an authentication request, the Amazon server recreates the signature. The request is accepted if both signs are matched, otherwise, the request is rejected.
NTLM Authentication
It is an authorization flow used in the windows operating system and for standalone applications. This method is also known as Windows challenge/Response. Few other advanced parameters to be used for this authentication are domain and workstation. It is used for login authentication and makes use of domain name, user name, and a hash of the user’s password.
In this scheme, you needn’t send a user password for authentication purposes. NLTM authentication uses two systems as follows: • Client system- it is used for making authentication requests. • Domain controller- it saves information related to user password. In the case of non-interactive authentication, you only need the client, server, and domain controller. Using this method, the user provides some information to the client computer like domain name, password, and user name. In return, the client computer generates the cryptographic hash.
The client sends a username in form of plain text to the server. The server creates a nonce and sends it back to the client. Now new secured NTLMv2 is introduced which protects brute-force and replay attacks. This method is used by windows NT4.0 OS as the default network authentication protocol.
This authentication protocol is created by Microsoft and initially was a proprietary protocol. It is used as an SSO (single sign-on) process that uses MD4 for password encryption.
Akamai EdgeGrid Authentication
This is used as an authorization helper which is developed by Akamai.
To use this method you have to enter the access token, client token, and client secret.
You need to make a proper authentication request to use this method.
HMAC Authentication
This is known as hash-based message authentication. In this method, an authentication code is generated with the combination of secret key and hashing function. The authentication method is used for checking the message’s authenticity and integrity. The method is used mostly by Amazon Web Services.
This method uses two important things as the first is the secret key and the second is a key identifier. The authentication method signs the whole request which can have MD5. To use the method you needn’t use SSL. The method is similar to digital signatures.
Conclusion
Here in this article, I have shared many API authentication methods with you. Do try to find which method is used most? There was a survey of more than 100 API and it was discovered the widely used method is OAuth 2.0. Basic authentication is also a good choice but it is more vulnerable to hijacks because it doesn’t make use of any encryption.
In some cases users also make use of OpenID connect that is OAuth2.0 based. The popularity of Oauth2.0 is due to the reasons that it is easy to use and provides scalable security by making use of RSA encryption. The implementation cost is even also low.
I am not saying that you just have to use OAuth 2.0. You can choose the authentication method according to your requirement. The only thing that matters is the chosen method should be beneficial for you. I hope the article is informative for you and provides you a lot of information about the API authentication methods. So stay tuned and keep commenting on the article. Don’t forget to give your valuable suggestions.
