Almost 25% of students who started looking for employment or internships before they finished the spring semester found a position. However, if you are of the unfortunate 75%, there are a few things you can do to still snag an internship or get your foot in the door.

We challenge you to optimize YOUR summer vacation. Check out our tips below and submit your story by August 31st for a chance to win a book scholarship for the Fall semester!

1. Explore an interest that you set aside during the school year. There's no better time than now to pursue something you're passionate about!

2. Take a summer class at a local community college that is completely unrelated to your major. You may find the pace and subject to be refreshing and to shed a new perspective.

3. Volunteer in your community. There's no better way to rub elbows with some pretty powerful people in your community! Roll up your sleeves and get started.

4. Get fit, mentally and physically. If you've ignored your health over the past nine months, it's time to get in shape and look great doing it. Exercise will help you feel better and build your confidence as you attend interviews and meet new people.

5. Make a 12-month plan. Take some time to re-think your job-hunting strategy and to re-examine your true interests. Methodically plan your next 12 months in terms of your education, career, health, finance, personal development, and more. Sign in and check out our Rain Resources for help and guidance!

Our phone lines and email boxes are completely open. Let us know how we can help -- no matter how big or small the task might be. We are here for you!

You may think you're too young to think about retirement, especially if you just graduated and are heading into your first entry level position, but it is never too early to prepare. With social security dwindling due to the baby boomers retiring, establishing financial security early is ideal. Managing your personal finances is key to being able to retire after 30 years of hard work.

Analyze your debt. Calculate your balance on credit cards and take into account your student loans.
Account for your bills. Whether you're buying, renting, or leasing a car, apartment, or home, these will be crucial. Be sure if you're in the market for any of these things that you are comfortable making payments regularly.
Secure regular income. With this economy, job security is a major issue. Your income will play a huge role in preparation for your retirement. Steady income will help you in your financial planning.


Here's a break down of where your money should be going:

• 50% of your check should go towards bills such as your mortgage/rent, car note, utilities, etc.
• 20% of your money should be used to take care of your debt from credit cards and student loans.
• 15%, divided in half for retirement and a savings/emergency fund, is recommended.
• The other 15% is available for your disposable income.
• If this plan is followed consistently for 30 years or more, you will have a nice nest egg to retire on, without even including pension or a 401K.

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The incidence of food allergies is on the rise.  Mostly likely you or someone close to you suffers from some level of food sensitivities.  Many of my patients come in for this very problem.  Some of them don’t realize allergies might be causing or contributing to other health issues.  (See list below.) 

Why is this increase occurring?

I’ve found through research and clinical experience different reasons.  A few of them include:

1. Over-consumption of or too early exposure (under 6) to high allergen foods.
2. Genetically modified foods.
3. Side effects of certain vaccines.
4. Weakened immunity, if not breast-fed or exposed to high allergen foods through breast milk.
5. Overuse of antibiotics- either as medication or in non-organic animal products.

One of the tricky things about food allergies is that they don’t always show up how you’d expect.  Not everyone responds with an upset stomach, digestive complaints, or fatigue after eating.  This is not something many doctors know, unfortunately and may be slow to diagnose. 

Below is a list of some of side effects of eating foods you’re allergic to:

Eczema, Ear Infections, Infertility (men and women), Depression, Asthma, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Autism, Diarrhea, Gas, Abdominal Pain, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Gallstones, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Peptic Ulcer, Psoriasis, Rosacea, Seborrheic Dermatitis, Urticaria, Migraine Headaches, Multiple Sclerosis, Leaky Gut Syndrome, Epilepsy, Celiac Disease, Panic Attacks, Anxiety, Frequent Flus & Colds, and Weight Gain.

If you have any of the above health concerns, please consult a qualified physician for diagnosis and treatment. There is hope! Healing or minimizes food allergies is now possible. Abstaining from those foods, acupuncture/acupressure, detoxification, proper nutrition, and appropriate supplementation are a part of the protocol. Boosting your immune system, cleansing your body of toxins, and healing any damage done to your digestive tract from the exposure to allergen foods will bring you optimal wellness.  The result will most likely be at minimum a reduction in allergy symptoms, and at best- a complete elimination of your allergies.

Live Natural.  Live Well.

Heather