Vancouver remains world's most livable city: survey

For the fifth year in a row, Vancouver has been named the most livable city in the world.


Still riding an Olympic high from hosting the Vancouver 2010 Games, the city beat out Melbourne, Australia and Vienna, Austria as the place where people most choose to live.

Two other Canadian cities, Toronto and Calgary, also made the Economist Intelligence Unit’s top ten list at fourth and fifth respectively.

At the other end of the spectrum was Harare, Zimbabwe, once a beautiful city but after three decades of rule under Robert Mugabe is squalid.

Vancouver took top spot with a score of 98 per cent based on rankings including health care, infrastructure, culture, environment and education. The Economist surveyed 140 cities.

See the top 10 most livable cities in the world, according to the latest rankings.

What about the 10 least livable cities in the world? Take a look at the bottom of the rankings here.

Vancouver deserves to be at the top of the list, but it can just as easily be knocked off, according to Tourism Vancouver president Rick Antonson.

“This is something we can never, ever take for granted,” he said. “It’s something as a Vancouver resident it’s wonderful since you have your own set of glasses to look through. Given what this means to visitors, this means the city has all the right attributes. But being able to sustain something like that is a constant watch. It has to be top of mind that we do not let something like that slip.”

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson was also pleased with the ranking, which Vancouver first earned in 2007 before his Vision Vancouver party came to power.

The city’s political problems with the Olympic Village, its battle to end street homelessness and a persistent drug trade all appeared to have little impact on the ranking. Only petty crime was an issue, something the report said is

Eight of the 10 top spots went to cities in Canada and Australia, with Vienna coming third and Helsinki, Finland sixth. “Vancouver remains at the top of the ranking, a position that can only have been cemented by the successful hosting of the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, which provided a boost to the infrastructure and culture and environment categories,” the report summary said.

“Only petty crime presents any difficulties for Vancouver, although this would be a shortfall of any such location,” it said.

Jon Copestake, the report’s editor, said that mid-sized cities in developed countries with low population densities scored well because they had cultural and infrastructure benefits but also had fewer issues with crime and congestion.

Pittsburgh was the top U.S. city with 29th place, just ahead of Honolulu, while Los Angeles moved up three places to 44th and New York held onto the 56th spot. London moved up one place to 53rd while Paris came in at number 16.

The top Asian city was Osaka at number 12, tying Geneva, Switzerland and beating out the Japanese capital of Tokyo, which came in at 18. Hong Kong came in at 31 but Beijing, capital of the world’s most populous nation and No. 2 economy, straggled in at 72.

At the other end of the list, African and Asian nations made up the bottom of the survey’s rankings. Many of those are subsumed in political turmoil, poverty and war.

“Conflict is responsible for many of the poorest performing scores,” the report said, pointing to issues such as violence, crime, civil insurgency and war.

With files from Postmedia and Reuters

The top 10 most livable cities in the world:

1. Vancouver

2. Melbourne, Australia

3. Vienna, Austria

4. Toronto

5. Calgary

6. Helsinki, Finland

7. Sydney, Australia

8. Perth, Australia

8. Adelaide, Australia

10. Auckland, New Zealand

The 10 least livable cities:

1. Harare, Zimbabwe

2. Dhaka, Bangladesh

3. Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

4. Lagos, Nigeria

5. Algiers, Algeria

6. Karachi, Pakistan

7. Douala, Cameroon

8. Tehran, Iran

9. Dakar, Senegal

10. Colombo, Sri Lanka

/Twitter.com/sunciviclee; Blog: www.vancouversun.com/jefflee/

Why Men Marry: Revealed

Why (and who) do men choose to marry? How do men define happily ever after? Are men really commitment-phobic and sex-obsessed?

In a book entitled VoiceMale: What Husbands Really Think About Their Marriages, Their Wives, Sex, Housework, and Commitment (Simon & Shuster, 2007) author Neil Chethik examines the findings from a national survey of married men, including in-depth interviews with 70 men and a survey of another 288. And some of his findings just might surprise you.

Why Do Men Marry?

Contrary to what some of my girlfriends have said, men do not marry for free laundry service. According toVoiceMale, “Men propose marriage primarily because they want the physical, emotional and intellectual companionship of a woman. Men like company.”

Are men commitment-phobic? Not with the right woman. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nine out of 10 men will marry in their lifetime. And according to the VoiceMale survey, “Men do the proposing 85 per cent of the time. At least formally, it is overwhelmingly men who initiate the marriage commitment.”

Can you drag a man to the altar? Not likely. According to Chethik, “Men entertain the idea of marriage only when they’re ready.” And these days, men judge readiness as a “flagging interest in the singles scene.” One man quoted in VoiceMale stated, “One morning I woke up next to a woman who could have been a Playboy model, and I didn’t want her.”

Where Do They Meet the Women They’re Going to Marry?

# 24% of husbands met their wives in school
# 18% met their wives at a social event, such as a party or wedding
# 18% were introduced to their wives by friends
# 23% of men married in the last three years met their wives at work
# 6% met their wives at a bar (Who says you never meet someone nice at a bar!)
# 4% met their wives at church, synagogue or another religious setting
# 1% met online. “Because of the newness of online dating, no studies have yet been completed on whether marriages that begin online are more or less successful in the long term than those that start in more traditional ways.”

What Do Men Look for in a Future Wife?

Surprisingly, beauty was not the most important criteria for a man in choosing a wife. Sure, beauty attracts, and attraction is crucial, but the most important factors men look for in a woman are a positive outlook and self-confidence. Also high on the list were brains (hallelujah!), self-respect, motherliness and for some, devoutness to faith.

What’s more, according to Chethik’s survey, “A man who knows within a month of meeting a woman that he wants to marry her is likely to be happier in the marriage than a man who takes longer to decide.”

Do Married Men Get Enough Sex?

The stereotypes are true. Most married men don’t get as much sex as they’d like. (Although in fairness, many single men don’t get as much sex as they’d like either.)

However, the solution for all the sex-starved husbands might be as close as the broom closet. According to the VoiceMale survey, “The more satisfied a wife is with the division of household duties, the more satisfied a man is with his marital sex life.” That’s right guys, there’s nothing sexier than a man who knows how to use a toilet brush.

In the honeymoon phase (the first three years) men are generally happy with their sex lives (54 per cent get it at least three times a week, and eight per cent get it every day!). But the childrearing years (years four-20) are the toughest for men sexually.

The number of men having sex three times per week drops to 24 per cent. The next stage of marriage (years 21-35) brings with it an increase in sex, 29 per cent of men report their wives have an equal sex drive. And finally, in the last stage of marriage (35 years or more) the frequency of sex drops considerably, but 88 per cent of men are satisfied with their sex lives during this phase of marriage.

As far as happily ever after is concerned, you might be interested to know that 93 per cent of the men surveyed by Chethik said if given the chance, they’d marry the same woman all over again. Now who’s afraid of commitment?

~By Lisa Daily

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

by Annie, 
the author-baker-cook-photographer for Annie’s Eats

I know there are lots of cynics out there who dislike Valentine’s Day because it is a so-called “Hallmark holiday”.  That may very well be, but I think it’s always a nice thing to celebrate and spend a little extra time with your sweetie. Plus, I’m a hopeless romantic.  My favorite colors are red and pink, so let’s face it – this holiday was made for me.  Because this is my blog and I LOVE Valentine’s Day (pun intended), I will be featuring Valentine-inspired or related recipes this week. And, if there is one that I must urge you to try, this is the one.

What’s not to love?  For starters, it’s a sandwich cookie – but not just any sandwich cookie.  A super cute, heart-shaped red one that tastes just like delicious red velvet cake but in a smaller, more portable form.  Yay!  Honestly, I found these pretty much irresistible and had to give most of them away because I kept finding reasons to eat them for breakfast. You could make them regular round whoopie pies, but the heart shape is so fun and really very easy.  I took some photos during the process to show what I did. One tip I have for sandwich cookies in general is to pipe the filling rather than spread it on with a knife.  It makes for a much cleaner looking finished product not to mention it makes less of a mess in the kitchen. Go make these right now!

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

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Ingredients for the cookies:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tbsp. cocoa powder
½ tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. salt
8 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
½ cup buttermilk, at room temperature
1 oz. red food coloring

Ingredients for the frosting:

8 oz. cream cheese
5 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2½ cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375˚F.

Using a heart template cut out from card stock, trace evenly spaced hearts onto pieces of parchment paper sized to fit two cookie sheets.  Place the parchment on the cookie sheets so that the side you have drawn on is facing down; set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt.  In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and brown sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.  Beat in the egg until incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.  Blend in the vanilla.  With the mixer on low speed, beat in about a third of the dry ingredients, followed by half of the buttermilk, beating each addition just until incorporated.  Repeat so that all the buttermilk has been added and then mix in the final third of dry ingredients.  Do not overbeat.  Blend in the food coloring.

Transfer the batter to a pastry bag fitted with a large plain round tip.  Pipe the batter onto the parchment paper using the heart tracings as a guide.  Bake 7-9 minutes or until the tops are set, rotating the baking sheets halfway through.  Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets at least 10 minutes, until they can be easily transferred to a cooling rack.  Repeat with any remaining batter.  Allow cookies to cool completely before proceeding.

To make the cream cheese frosting, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment beat the cream cheese and butter on medium-high speed until well combined and smooth, about 2-3 minutes.  Mix in the vanilla extract.  Gradually beat in the confectioners’ sugar until totally incorporated, increase the speed and then beat until smooth.

Transfer the frosting to a clean pastry bag fitted with a plain, round tip.  Pair the cookies up by shape and size. (You can make this as easy or as difficult as you would like.)

Flip one cookie of each pair over so that the flat side is facing up.

Pipe frosting onto the flat-sided cookie of each pair, leaving the edges clear.  Sandwich the cookies together so the flat sides are facing each other and press gently to help the filling reach the edges.  To store, refrigerate in an airtight container.

Source: cookies adapted from Dinner and Dessert, originally from Better Homes & Gardens, December 2008; frosting frosting adapted from Confections of a Foodie Bride

12 superfoods to start eating now

12 of the healthiest foods

High-scoring blueberries come packed with fibre and are one of the top antioxidant-rich picks. 

To adopt healthy eating strategies, start by incorporating these foods into your diet. By Liz Welch and Lindsay Funston

Super Foods

Real Simple asked the country's top dietitians and nutritionists to tell us which superpowered ingredients we should be incorporating into our diets regularly. Here are their combined picks, plus some simple and delicious preparation suggestions. (For more of their advice, see The No-Diet Diet: Your New Healthy-Eating Plan.)

Mushrooms

Meaty and filling, as a stand-in for beef they can slash up to 400 calories from a meal. They may also protect against breast cancer by helping to regulate a woman's estrogen levels.

Try this: Sauté sliced mushrooms and shallots until tender. Add a splash of white wine and cook until evaporated. Serve over roasted fish or chicken. Or try Grilled Steak, Mushroom, and Green Bean Salad.

Barley

Another high-fiber cholesterol fighter. On weeknights use the pearl or quick-cooking variety. More time? Give hulled barley, with its extra layer of bran, a go.

Try this: Add sautéed mushrooms and sherry vinegar to cooked barley. Or try Creamy Barley Salad With Apples.

Walnuts

A surprisingly good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Those are the fats that lower the bad-for-you cholesterol (LDL) and raise the good-for-you kind (HDL).

Try this: For a healthy on-the-go snack, pack a handful of walnuts with some dried figs and a few anise seeds. (As the ingredients sit together, the anise releases flavor.) Or try Corn Salad With Feta and Walnuts.

Whole-Grain Pasta

Contains three times the amount of fiber per serving as the typical semolina variety. Skip pasta labeled "multigrain": It may be made with a number of grains, but they aren't necessarily whole ones.

Try this: Toss whole-grain pasta with pesto, chopped arugula, and grated lemon zest. Or try Whole-Wheat Spaghetti With Asparagus.

Peanut and Almond Butters (All-Natural)

Heart-healthy monounsaturated fats abound in these protein-rich spreads. Opt for those with just two ingredients—nuts and salt.

Try this: Mix with soy sauce, brown sugar, and rice wine vinegar to make a quick Asian dipping sauce for chicken skewers. Or try Cold Noodle Salad With Peanut Butter Dressing.

Oatmeal (Steel-Cut or Old-Fashioned)

Holds cholesterol in check, helps fight against heart disease, and keeps you full until lunch, thanks to its soluble fiber.

Try this: For a savory breakfast, drizzle cooked oatmeal with olive oil and sprinkle with Parmesan.

Quinoa

It may cook like a grain, but quinoa is actually an herbaceous plant. It's a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids, and offers the same energy and satiety you would get from meat, sans the fat or cholesterol.

Try this: Stir fresh lemon juice and chopped fresh dill into cooked quinoa. Or try Spiced Cod With Broccoli-Quinoa Pilaf.

Skim Milk

It offers nine essential nutrients: calcium, of course, but also B vitamins, which help neurological function, and vitamin D, a potential cancer fighter.

Try this: If you want a break from your regular morning coffee, warm a cup of skim milk with a dash of vanilla and ground cinnamon. Or try Low-Fat Fettuccine Alfredo.

Almonds

Packed with monounsaturated fatty acids, which keep blood vessels healthy. The plant fibers help lower cholesterol.

Try this: Fold chopped almonds into cooked whole grains, along with raisins or dried currants. Or try Chickpea Pasta With Almonds and Parmesan.

Lentils

A protein powerhouse, these are flush with folate, a nutrient that may prevent certain birth defects.

Try this: Toss cooked lentils with extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, chopped celery, and fresh thyme. Serve over salad greens. Or try Spice-Baked Sea Bass and Red Lentils.

Blueberries

Packed with fiber, this superfruit was one of the top antioxidant-rich picks in a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) study.

Try this: Serve over vanilla frozen yogurt with a pinch of ground cardamom. Or try Frozen Blueberry Lemonade.

Bulgur

Made from wheat that has been steamed, dried, and cracked, this delivers more fiber than brown rice, plus you get a boost of potassium, B vitamins, and calcium.

Try this: Cook bulgur as you would oatmeal. Top it with honey and chopped nuts for breakfast or a hearty snack. Or try Minty Bulgur Salad With Salmon and Cucumbers.

Read the Rest: The 30 Healthiest Foods

Does the grapefruit detox really work?

I have never used any specific diets in my life. But if someone asks me what I eat, I jokingly answer: Plenty of plain yogurt (Balkan style) and pink grapefruit every second day, or at least twice a week! Not that I eat them at the same time, no, no. Yogurt does not really go together with citrus fruits!
So here we go, here is some more about effectiveness of grapefruits....

Most of us have heard of the famous grapefruit detox and wondered about its effectiveness. And while the results are overblown, there is something to be said about the healing power of this wonderful bitter and sweet cousin of the orange. During the winter, when the produce aisle gets a little pricier and tired-looking, the one thing that gets better is the quality of citrus fruits.  That is because February is the peak season for grapefruit in Arizona, California andFlorida. 

Even if grapefruit won't help you drop 10 lbs the way the fad diet promises, it does make a great alkaline breakfast suggestion. What this means it that while you might think that grapefruit is an acidic food, when we "burn" them in our body, they actually leave our bodies more alkaline due to their mineral content. Alkaline foods help our body cope with the acidic refined choices we consume like sugar, white flour and processed meats.

Grapefruit actually slows down phase one detoxification in your liver. This may sound like it is a bad thing, but it turns out that excessive amounts of toxic chemicals such as pesticides may cause hyperactivity or what is called 'induction' of this pathway. This can result in high levels of damaging free radicals being produced if phase II detoxification can't keep up. Other substances that may cause hyperactivity include caffeine, alcohol, dioxin, and paint and exhaust fumes. 

If the phase II detoxification systems are not working adequately, these intermediates can cause substantial damage. By enjoying grapefruit, you can slow phase one and let phase two catch up, helping your liver balance out the workload.

5 health reasons to eat grapefruit

1. Blend up those seeds into your smoothie if you dare! Grapefruit seeds are extremelypowerful antimicrobial agents that are packed full of antioxidants. This bitter seed is a great addition to any digestive cleanse in order to ward off unwanted bacteria, parasites and even fungus. So stock up on grapefruit before you hit that tropical vacation this winter to prevent food borne illness!

2. Grapefruit is a great source of vitamin C, which has been shown to boost production of white blood cells to fight off pathogens. Also, in recent studies it has been shown to increase the glutathione (powerful antioxidant in the body) levels in red blood cells as well to get double the protection! Make sure to load up on vitamin C if you are considering a cleanse, so your immune system gets the support it needs when toxins are released from your system.

3. Grapefruit can reduce the amount of drugs needed to get a desired effect: They contain a flavanoid called naringin that has the ability to inhibit enzyme activity both in the liver (phase one) and the intestine that break down these drugs for elimination. This allows higher concentrations into the bloodstream. It has been shown to have promising therapeutic use in cancer treatment to lower the amount of chemotherapy drugs needed for treatment. This effect can allow us to use less drugs and have less stress put on our liver, allowing it to function more efficiently. Note: Grapefruit juice interacts with a number of prescription drugs so check with your doctor before increasing your grapefruit consumption.

4. Grapefruit can help reduce cholesterol: Grapefruit is packed full of soluble and insoluble fibre, which binds to fats and bile in your digestive tract and eliminates LDL (bad) cholesterol. Combine grapefruit with other high fibre foods to aid in elimination for a great cholesterol lowering cleanse. Grapefruits are also a low glycemic fruit choice so include half a grapefruit with breakfast to improve heart health.

5. Grapefruit has been shown to decrease the risk of breast cancer: Due to the high antioxidant content of this super fruit, it maintains the integrity of the breast tissue cells and prevents mutation. However, be careful if you are undergoing hormone therapy. The inhibitory action of the naringin flavanoid may inhibit estrogen clearance from your system and put you at a greater risk. If you want to ensure that estrogen is being properly metabolized and eliminated, try pairing grapefruit with other sources of fibre to cleanse the digestive tract and allow proper elimination to achieve hormone balance.

Why you may always wake up feeling tired

7 Avoidable Reasons You’re Waking Up Tired

If you’re getting the recommended seven to 10 hours of sleep, yet still can’t shake a lethargic feeling, your fatigue may have little to do with the amount of z’s you’re catching. Health conditions and factors in your waking life could be contributing to your general malaise. Before hitting the snooze button yet again, check out the following 10 potential reasons you’re waking up tired and learn how to restore your spark.

1.    You’re anemic.
 While there are several types of anemia, a condition that relates to abnormally low levels of red blood cells and hemoglobin, which prevent adequate oxygen from traveling throughout your body, the common symptom is often loss of energy and chronic tiredness. If you find yourself easily fatigued, you could have deficiencies in your blood. A blood test can determine if you are anemic and the condition can often be managed by taking supplements as suggested by your doctor.


2.    Your sleep schedule is inconsistent.
It may feel good to sleep in on the weekends, but if you go to sleep and wake up at different times throughout the week, you’re disrupting your circadian rhythms that are crucial regulators of your sleep cycle. Consistency is key in maintaining energy so sleep specialists suggest going to sleep and waking up within an hour of the same time each day.


3.    You’re bored.
Lack of stimulation can wreak havoc on your energy levels. If you find yourself bored with your job, consider taking on a new, exciting project. You’ll find that an active mind can do wonders for your energy.

How to Enjoy Your Office More


4.    You’re not getting enough sunlight.
Sunlight sends the signal to your brain to release serotonin, a naturally occurring feel-good chemical that makes you feel happier and more alert. Unfortunately, desk jobs and the use of unnatural light can mess with our circadian rhythms and the regulation of crucial alertness chemicals in our bodies. According to WebMD, spending at least 20 minutes outside can make you feel instantly more energized throughout the day and increase the quality of your sleep that night.


5.    You’re drinking too much caffeine.
It’s hard to break the cycle of over-indulging in caffeine when you lack energy, but whether or not you’re completely aware, caffeine can have negative effects on the quality of your sleep, which in turn can have you reaching for another cup of coffee. Break the vicious cycle by abstaining from coffee within six hours of your bedtime to ensure it does not affect your ability to reach and stay in REM sleep, the most restorative part of your night.  


6.    You’re stressed out.
Stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, initially rev you up, but if your inner alarm system is constantly on, it’s bound to wear you out. Chronic stress ultimately saps your body of energy and reduces your ability to cope with real or perceived stressors or dangers. If you find yourself anxious much of the time, consider meditation, yoga, or exercise to quiet your mind. Not only will your sleep improve, but you’ll literally free up your brain to focus on supplying your body with the energy it needs.

14 Luxurious Ways to De-Stress

7.    You’re not getting enough exercise.
Research indicates that regular exercise can increase energy levels in the long run. According to Patrick O’Connor PhD and co-director of the University of Georgia exercise psychology laboratory, 90% of exercise and energy-level studies showed that sedentary people who began exercising reported improved fatigue. Next time you’re tempted to take a 20-minute nap, opt for mild-to-moderate exercise instead.

2011 is the year of The Rabbit

03/Feb/2011 - 22/Jan/2012 (Metal)

According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2011 is the Year of the Golden Rabbit, which begins on February 3, 2011 and ends on January 22, 2012.  The Rabbit is the fourth sign of the ChineseZodiac, which consists of 12 animals signs.  The Rabbit is a lucky sign.  Rabbits are private individuals and a bit introverted.  People born in the Year of the Rabbit are reasonably friendly individuals who enjoy the company of a group of good friends.  They are good teachers, counselors and communicators, but also need their own space.

According to Chinese tradition, the Rabbit brings a year in which you can catch your breath and calm your nerves.  It is a time for negotiation.  Don't try to force issues, because if you do you will ultimately fail.  To gain the greatest benefits from this time, focus on home, family, security, diplomacy, and your relationships with women and children.   Make it a goal to create a safe, peaceful lifestyle, so you will be able to calmly deal with any problem that may arise.

Not many people know that the Rabbit is the symbol of the Moon, while the Peacock is the symbol of the Sun, and that together, these two animal signs signify the start of day and night, represent the Yin and Yang of life.  It is said that anyone making supplications for wishes to be fulfilled are certain to get what they want... and in the Year of the Rabbit, the wish-granting aspect of the Sun and the Moon combined is multiplied.  The Moon is YIN and this is the Yin of Heaven, signifying magic.  Thus on each of the Full Moon nights of this year, go out into your garden to gaze into the Full Moon and visualize plenty of Moon dust and Moon glow flowing into you, filling your whole body with bright white light and granting you fearlessness, love and courage.  This will not only strengthen your inner "Chi" energy, it will also bring wisdom into your life.

The Sign of the Rabbit

People born in the Year of the Rabbit share certain characteristics:  Keen, wise, fragile, tranquil, serene, considerate, fashionable, and kind.  Generally, they are quite calm, do not exhibit aggressive behavior, and will avoid confrontation at all costs.  When angry about something, they will approach it calmly and considerately, hardly ever raising their voice.  And they are quite keen and pay close attention to the situations developing around them.  They are intelligent and quick, and can talk themselves in or out of most situations with no problem.

The Rabbit is a symbol for mercy, elegance, and worship of beauty.  People born in the Year of the Rabbit are kind, loving persons, and dislike any hostile act.  They give others an impression of being frail-looking because of their gentle appearance.  But, in fact they are strong-minded and have strong wills.  They pursue their ideals all their lives in a precise and orderly way.  They do things slowly and deliberately because of their cautious characters.

There is no need to worry about their lives.  They are nimble, clever and good at avoiding harm to themselves. They are talented and like artistic ventures, such as painting and music and are generally quite present in these worlds.  They are also very hospitable, good hosts and warm-hearted companions.  They never embrace others in public places.  They know the art of saving face and giving consideration to the interests of both sides.

People born in the Year of the Rabbit are apt to be sensitive to ailments and to have bad allergies.  Stress or conflict will detriment their health.  Exercise could take off unnecessary stress and strengthen their physical condition.  They have to learn to incorporate more action into their everyday routines.   

They will become depressed and withdrawn if their homes do not consist of beautiful possessions that make them comfortable.  Their homes and offices usually are clutter-free.  They have really good communication skills and are best utilized in positions of management.  They make great teachers and counselors because they are so diplomatic and well-organized.  They can also make great painters or musicians due to their sense of beauty and their love of creativity.

Rabbit people are usually relatively careful when it comes to their finances.  They use much of their money for possessions such as their homes, cars or furniture.  They love hunting for antiques, arts and crafts and will tend to make sound investments in these types of things.

Rabbit Years:  

01/29/1903 to 02/15/1904 (Water),

 02/14/1915 to 02/02/1916 (Wood),

 02/02/1927 to 01/22/1928 (Fire),

 02/19/1939 to 02/07/1940 (Earth),

 02/06/1951 to 01/26/1952 (Metal),

 01/25/1963 to 02/12/1964 (Water),

 02/11/1975 to 01/30/1976 (Wood),

 01/29/1987 to 02/16/1988 (Fire),

 02/16/1999 to 02/04/2000 (Earth),

 02/03/2011 to 01/22/2012 (Metal)

Famous Rabbit People:  

Angelina Jolie, Anjelica Huston, Drew Barrymore, Edith Piaf, Fanny Brice, Helen Hunt, Jane Seymour, Joan Crawford, Kate Winslet, Natasha Richardson, and Tina Turner.

More about The Year of The Rabbit: 

Year of the Rabbit suggest a year of sex scandals