(huffington post)  Severing ties with a toxic partner, family member or friend is easier said than done. But Dr. Phil McGraw, author of the new book "Life Code," says that it's extremely important to know not just when but how to cut your losses and remove that toxic person -- a "BAITER," as he puts it -- from your life. (BAITER, as can be seen in the clip, is an acronym for Backstabbers, Abusers, Imposters, Takers, Exploiters and Reckless.)

In this clip from "Oprah's Lifeclass," Dr. Phil shares his foolproof method for cutting toxic people out of your life for good -- even when the toxic person is an old boyfriend or ex-husband and temptation is trying to persuade you to do otherwise. 

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Take a look:

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We all know the damaging health effects that stress can have on our minds and bodies. It has even been deemed as a link to long-term conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Yet with so much happening in the course of a day, it is becoming more challenging for the traditional methods in alleviating stress to be completely successful..Ways To Manage Stress Every Day

Stress has now changed from being something to “treat” or “fix” to something that requires continuous health maintenance. The more that is done to end it completely, the more that occurs to bring it back, and over time this can pack a hefty punch to overall wellness.

In other words: the trips to the spa and mini-vacations are still really great ways to help with stress, but with the state of the world, there is an even greater need to exercise stress management practices on a daily basis.

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To discover 3 simple—and inexpensive things that you can incorporate in your daily routine to help keep stress at bay, click HERE.

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Delivered By: MELISASource -- Life, Culture, and Current events...The Positive Way.

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During a recent interview to promote his new partnership with the 'Rising Tide' campaign, mogul Russell Simmons sheds light on his secrets to happiness and success.

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On lessons that he wants to give to young people:

“Adults are all wrapped up in the world. What’s on the outside is taking people away from the truth that’s in the inside. Young people, you teach them to meditate. They meditate deeper, quicker than adults. In a world with fast-paced stuff going on, people believing that stuff’s more important than what’s on the inside, the more they will become separated from the truth. They’re more likely to think that everything on the outside is more valuable. I try to teach them that they already have what they need and everything else is just a result of knowledge.”

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On how to know if the passion you invest in will yield a return:

“It’s a little bit of instinct. You have to have a belief system of what you’re looking for. Then after that, you gotta have a little faith. You process what you see. You think somebody’s talented, you like their drive, whatever it is they have, then you can invest in them. Handle it the way you go about life in general. You have to act on what you believe.”

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On social media’s role in achieving success:

“Everybody has a chance to grow. There is no excuse. We have the Internet, so if you want to be a doctor to study medicine, how do you do that? Then go to the library. Want to be a lawyer and study law? How do I do that? Go to the library! Now I say if you want to do anything, the entire world is at your fingertips.”

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There is another Destiny’s Child Member hitting the road this summer.

Kelly Rowland is heading out on her “Lights Out” tour that will also feature The Dream.

Both artists have new projects on the horizon. Rowland's fourth album, “Talk A Good Game” is set to release on June 18. The Dream's “IV Play” will release on May 28.

Kelly Rowland and The-Dream Lights Out tour dates:

May 24: Kansas City, Missouri, The Midland by AMC

May 26: Silver Spring, Maryland, The Filmore Silver Spring

May 28: Baltimore, Maryland, Rams Head Live

May 29: Boston, Massachusetts, Wilbur Theatre

May 30: New York City, New York, Best Buy Theater

June 13: Jackson, Mississippi, Thalia Mara Hall

June 14: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Varsity Theatre

June 21: Cleveland, Ohio, House of Blues

June 22: Cincinnati, Ohio, Bogart’s

June 23: Chicago, Illinois, House of Blues

June 26: San Francisco, CA, Mezzaine

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Delivered By: MELISASource -- Life, Culture, and Current events...The Positive Way.

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(image from: ehow)

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Here are 4 money principles that should be carved in stone for every 30-something:

1. Pay off your non-mortgage debt. The 30’s is the time when usually when financial responsibilities such as a mortgage or family begin. Nothing frees up cash to meet those obligations like getting rid of your debt. During this time span, paying off credit cards, student loans, and other non-mortgage debt such as auto loans is a priority.

2. Kick the debt cycle altogether. What good is paying off your loans if you take out another one and rack up new debt? An easy way to save for big-ticket items -- and avoid going back into debt -- is to put the money you would have used for monthly debt payments and interest charges into a savings account.

3. Get serious about retirement. Your 20s were the time to start investing. No matter how little money you had to spare, it gave you a great head start. Now it's time to look at your goals and set a plan in motion to reach them.

4. Protect your assets. Even the best-laid financial plans can be derailed by an unexpected cost. So it pays to be prepared for the "what ifs" in life. For most 30-somethings, that means having adequate homeowners (or renters) insurance, health insurance and disability insurance.

It also means having an sufficient emergency fund. It is best to have enough money to cover three to six months' worth of expenses in case of a job loss, medical emergency or other surprise. (If that seems impossible right now, start with at least $500.)

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Delivered By: MELISASource -- Life, Culture, and Current events...The Positive Way.

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While you’re doing your yard care and gardening, you may want to be more cautious with the type and amount of herbicide you use.

According to a new study, heavy use of the world's most popular herbicide, Roundup, could be linked to a range of health problems and diseases, including Parkinson's, infertility and even some forms of cancer.

The report, published last week in the scientific journal Entropy, said evidence indicates that residues of "glyphosate," the chief ingredient in Roundup weed killer, which is sprayed over millions of acres of crops, has been found in food.

Those residues enhance the damaging effects of other food-borne chemical residues and toxins in the environment to disrupt normal body functions and induce disease, according to the report, authored by Stephanie Seneff, a research scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Anthony Samsel, a retired science consultant from Arthur D. Little, Inc. Samsel is a former private environmental government contractor as well as a member of the Union of Concerned Scientists.

"Negative impact on the body is insidious and manifests slowly over time as inflammation damages cellular systems throughout the body," the study says.

We "have hit upon something very important that needs to be taken seriously and further investigated," Seneff said.

Environmentalists, consumer groups and plant scientists from several countries have warned that heavy use of glyphosate is causing problems for plants, people and animals.

The EPA is conducting a standard registration review of glyphosate and has set a deadline of 2015 for determining if glyphosate use should be limited. The study is among many comments submitted to the agency.

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