Thursday, May 01, 2008

Home Decor Ode


Soothing Symbols as Home Decor?

Did you know that our bodies can automatically react to certain environmental changes and stimuli, even to symbols you might use as decorative accents? I have a little experiment for you to try in a moment so you can experience the power of this idea. Once you see the reactions that can occur, you may find you will want to to use this idea towards creating more soothing and peaceful home and office surroundings.

You can try this brief experiment to see how your body and mind reacts to some changes... Right now, pretend you are angry for a moment- feel the tension in your forehead, the wrinkles starting to form as you frown and all that... also, lean forward right now in your chair and clench your fists. Hold this and let yourself think an unpleasant thought. But now, let's change something- force your mouth muscles into a big smile and hold it there, smile! Now lean back in your chair. Hold this reclined position. Also, loosen up your hands again and keep a gentle smile... So, how are you feeling now?

Most people report feeling they are unable to continue feeling angry and that they become relaxed. Yet all they changed were positions of their own body muscles! Did you realize that there are certain things our bodies become conditioned to with repeated exposure? For instance, when we recline in a chair, our brains interpret this posture as, "ah, I am relaxed." So, simple physical posture changes can trigger automatic changes in a person's thoughts and feelings.

Here's an example of how things in your surroundings can trigger changes in your thoughts and feelings. Picture a place you have enjoyed visiting. It's like the sights and sounds there speak to your soul! Can't you suddenly get lost in that place, feel lighter, more at ease? There are certain symbols that many of us have become conditioned to throughout the years and that prompt changes in our thoughts and feelings as well. For instance, does saluting the flag or singing the national anthem ever get you feeling patriotic, teary eyed or choked up? If so, you are reacting to the symbolism, to that imagery, to those sounds.

Now that you can see the power of symbols and how they can prompt certain reactions, why not use this to your advantage in creating more soothing surroundings at work and at home?

Here is a list of several symbols that have been used throughout the ages to represent such things as peace, tranquility, serenity, balance, faith, hope and goodwill. You may wish to consider one or more of these elements in your decorating plans since many individuals react favorably to these symbols and enjoy their essence.


  • Dove of peace
  • Angels (some even have angels holding a dove of peace)
  • Serenity prayer or other prayer for joy or peace
  • Peace sign
  • Bless this home
  • Native American peace pipes and such replicas
  • Water element or fountain
  • Yin yang (balance)
  • Peace crane
  • Rainbows
  • Color blue
  • Color white
  • Olive branch
  • Chinese characters proclaiming peace, joy, love or harmony

As you discover that your body and mind reacts to soothing symbols, you will want to consider including some of these symbolic elements when decorating your office or home. Adding these accents will not only help you feel more relaxed and inspired, but will also help your visitors experience your surroundings as more soothing and inviting.

Author, Liz Hekimian-Williams, is founder of Giftsprings.com, an online gifts and home decor shop where you can find a large variety of home and garden accents, holiday, personalized, and special occasion gifts. http://www.Giftsprings.com. Copyright (c) Liz Hekimian-Williams, Giftsprings.

Labels: , ,

Success Poem


Authentic Success

A More Effective Way

I own a stack of self improvement books ten feet tall. Achievement seminars I've attended number in the dozens. I had been trying to improve myself since the second grade when Mrs. H. burst my young bubble. Although I went on to fourteen more years as a star pupil, I never forgot the way she made me feel - not good enough. And through the years whenever a co-worker, boss, or customer questioned my motives or integrity, I felt those same feelings - of being not good enough. So what went wrong with my self improvement stint? I tried dutifully to follow the advice in all those books and workshops, showing me what to do and how to be. But, time after time, I failed.

I have come to learn that I did not fail...what I did do was try to copy the efforts of others and expect results for me. My perceived lack of success came from trying to change myself. And, I was forcing on myself the methods and skills that weren't me!

Discovering and embracing your own authenticity is the more effective way toward achieving fulfillment in life. Want to be a better boss, more valuable volunteer, finer parent, more creative employee? Be yourself. Know yourself. Uncover and use your inborn strengths and your natural talents. Your authenticity, then, will serve as the foundation for all you are and do. Lead, manage, parent, create, love...all from this base of authenticity. Then, and only then, those enhancement skills- time management or assertiveness skills for example- will work in balance!

Authenticity

Authenticity, I have found, comes from a combination of engaging your talents, loves, and gifts; being autonomous (self-directed); and relating to your external world in your way- not as a copy of someone or something else. In their book Why We Do What We Do (?1996 Penguin USA), Edward Deci and Richard Ryan note that some of the signs that hint we are moving towards authenticity include having a feeling of competence and being effective, feeling free to choose based on wise decisions, and a certain connectedness to the world.

Why Bother?

So what is it that makes authenticity so desirable? Why bother? When you strive to find and be your authentic self, you gain a certain control. The world continues to spin around and around throwing your days out of whack but you, authentic you, remain in balance. You stand ready from a central point of self control able to make decisions by considering those facets important to you. You find satisfaction and contentment through being and acting authentic. Even, especially, in times of chaos, you know where you stand because you are in control of your self.

If You Don't Bother

Okay, so what if you don't bother? When you are not freely choosing your direction or making choices from an authentic center (your true self), others take control of your being! Whether subtle or outright, others may begin to make it seem that your duty is to be under their control, that you indeed must give up your sense of authority over self. Certainly there are some situations that are not within our ability to control (taxes, laws, work regulations, etc.), nor do we desire to. However, we can always choose how we will react to, feel about, or even overlook these situations. We also hold a great power in any situation - that is hope. When you're acting from an authentic foundation you can easily find hope. On the other hand, when you allow others control of you, when you are not acting from an authentic place, here's what can happen, and many times does (Are you showing any signs of being unauthentic?): Low job satisfaction

Tardiness or absenteeism

Self imposed limits on work performance (Why bother doing more?) Bad or poor attitude

No motivation or motivation that is conditional on receiving something else

Low productivity

Hopelessness (Stuck in a rut)

Too much on your plate (Out of balance or alignment)

Searching For Your Authenticity

To find your authentic self, you will work hard- it's not that easy a task. For me, even when I realized that I had to find my own personal methods that matched my strengths and personality, I struggled to be. . .me. Who was I anyway? At a training session for a utility corporation we were asked to quickly tell a story related to a time when we got results by relinquishing control. I told the story of helping my daughter to ride her two-wheeler. In short, she finally rode the thing when I stopped running along side her steadying the seat! It was a fantastic story, told with finesse. My feedback? The class thought I was an excellent actress who had told that story many times. I hadn't actually - the incident had only occurred two days before the training!

What I was missing was AUTHENTICITY. How could that be? It was what I valued most, being true to self! But I wasn't being true to self. In my heart of hearts, I was yearning to let Jane out! On the outside, I was acting as if. I was acting the way I thought I needed to act depending on the culture or politics of the situation. Yes, we do have to adapt...but not to the point of losing ourselves in the process! When times got rough and I was out of control...others were surprised to see Jane's survival personality coming through - and it wasn't very refined!

Sometimes self exploration shows particular actions you need to take - and taking them might prove to be painful. As you grow to a deeper appreciation and understanding of self, others may not like it one bit! Authenticity helps you to regain control of your life and this may make the controllers in your life angry, defensive, and even more controlling. Their distorted feelings, although real, come from their loss of control over you - they may still love you dearly, or value your friendship, but they must not be allowed to take your life in their hands. The essence of your authenticity is true and clear, and it becomes stronger each time it is recognized as so and each time you consult yourself over some decision.

Many authenticity seekers report that once they began taking back control, people in their lives truly important to them eventually came to respect and enjoy them even more, although the initial "coming out" caused great uneasiness in their relationships.

How To Engage Authenticity

Keeping in mind all the great things that can and will begin happening for you in light of some of the not so great stuff, here in brief is how authenticity can be engaged and embraced in your life. Ў¤ You engage in an expedition of discovery which helps you to get to know yourself better than you did at the start. Ў¤ You work to pinpoint areas in which you haven't allowed authenticity in the past, and you consider reasons why this was so. Ў¤ You create a foundation with authenticity as key so that you always have a ready plan of action to engage whatever chaos comes your way. Ў¤ This foundation also stands strong as you encounter others who do not favor your new found authenticity or those who state they simply will not allow you to be this way. Ў¤ You recognize that you are a very special, genuine soul on this earth. No longer will you try to copy the actions of others. You won't need to imitate. You will be: yourself, effective, accountable. Yes! You will be all these thing! s and more when you begin from a center of authenticity!

Authenticity improves productivity and personal fulfillment in your daily work. It diminishes feelings of hopelessness and reduces tardiness and absenteeism. These positives, and those mentioned before, are attained through authenticity because when you are true to yourself, you can rely on our autonomy in your choices, weighed carefully with your values and principles. As you respond to others, they mirror that responsiveness to you - it's catching! Authenticity yields a confidence that allows your creativity to flow and the innovation in you is unleashed. When combined with a personal plan of action and choices made from accountability, authenticity propels us along toward our vision and allows us a feeling of content. Just think of the possibilities if all of us, and our organizations too, would engage our authenticity. Wow! Synergy in life.

(c) Jane Miller. Jane Miller works with People to Discover their Authentic Life Work and to use their Potential in a World of Chaos. Write to her in care of this publication or on-line at www.millerinstitute.com. Jane Miller engages her gifts and talents to facilitate others toward their desired outcomes. Through her company, Miller Institute, Jane works with organizations who want improved results and with people who want to identify and use more of their potential.

Labels: , ,

Homemade Skin Care Serenade


Make an Easy Lotion For Your Skin

Years ago I found out how incredible easy it is to make lotion. It is so inexpensive and organic that I wondered why anyone would even consider spending a dime on the chemical rich lotions on the market.

Besides I had an added incentive, I have eczema, so I am extremely sensitive to what I put on my skin. Making my own lotion was a great alternative for me.

To begin, for a lotion base all you need is water, oil and an emulsifier. An emulsifier is simply an ingredient that blends the water and oil together. Here is the base that I begin with to make my lotion:


  • Ѕ cup distilled water
  • Ѕ cup oil (I usually use olive, almond, macadamia nut, or grape seed)
  • 1 TBS liquid lecithin

You can experiment from here by adding essential oils, combining other oils; you can steep beneficial herbs into your water before you add your oil, etc. . .

Here is a nice winter lotion to get you started:


  • Ѕ cup distilled water
  • Ѕ cup olive oil
  • 1 TBS lecithin
  • 6-8 drops of geranium oil
  • 2-4 drops Myrrh oil
  • 400 IU Vitamin E oil (1-2 open capsules)

Geranium oil is good for supporting balance and rejuvenating dry skin conditions and for wrinkled and matured skin.

Myrrh is a gentle oil that is effective in replenishing moisture.

Vitamin E oil is an excellent antioxidant and helps to protect the skin as well as a nice preservative.

Blend all ingredients in the blender either on whip or cream. You will have a nice creamy firm lotion. Add more water to make a lighter lotion. Store in the refrigerator in hot climates or store in a cool place. Shake well before use.

Enjoy your lotion. Hopefully this little recipe will inspire you to become creative!

Author, Danielle Sims, explored her library of alternative health, herbal books, and aromatherapy books and created a blueprint for making her own body wrap formulas at home. For more information vist Danielle's website http://www.wrapyourselfslim.com.

Labels: , ,

Workplace Stress Verse


Women and Workplace Stress: It's More than the Job!

Stress in the workplace has become a occupational health and safety risk worldwide, including the U.S. Debate centers around who is responsible for illness related to stress if the workplace is contributing. Research shows that a majority of work-related stress is borne out of attrition and the requirement for more in less time by employees. Our own culture of speed, convenience, and instant gratification also drives our stress reactions.

Is women’s workplace stress different than that of men’s?

Since stress, by definition, is the body’s response physiologically and psychologically to a “dangerous situation”, it stands to reason that what is perceived as dangerous in the work place is very individual. Research shows that women’s stress in the workplace is related more to lack of balance and demands of home and work combined, and men’s workplace stress related more to the job.

Research also shows that women in relationships do greater than 60% of household maintenance and childcare. Divorced and single women, living alone, more than likely have 80-100% of childcare responsibilities as well as the household chores. Consequently, women are likely to have obstacles finding time for their own stress reducing self-care. Women are more likely to arrive to work, stressed before their workplace demands begin.

Perceived locus of control is one area proven to be a predictor of stress. Therefore a woman working in an environment with little flexibility or choice would be a greater risk of distress than a climate of no-voice. Would it stand to reason that women therefore, that women with their own businesses would be less stressed than those working for someone else? Interestingly, women’s stress issues do not vary significantly. Women are multi-taskers by nature and enfold tasks within tasks. Work, family and home are not separate and the issues around balance prevail regardless of working for yourself or someone else. Women who own their own business have the same childcare and home issues as their sisters who are working for someone else. However, women, working in their own business are likely to be pursuing a passion and adopt a mindset that allows a positive attitude.

So, what some ways that woman can reduce work place stress?

1. Recognize that stress is a killer and not to be taken lightly.

Stress related illnesses are the leading cause of death and disability in women today. Recognition is the first step in any change process.

2. Take real breaks from work.

If your business requires that you be on the job at “normal” lunch times or other break times, make sure that you find time at other times in the day. Studies show that small breaks actually increase our efficiency, so you really can “afford” it. Walking outside can work wonders. Have a pair of walking shoes on site.

3. What, in your work environment, are you “tolerating” and allowing for on-going stress?

Cluttered space, equipment that needs repaired, lack of organization, tasks that need to be delegated, noise level, ergonomically unhealthy workplaces, and any number of other tolerations are worth the effort to resolve.

4. Communicating cleanly and assertively is a great way to reduce stress by addressing boundaries, expectations and needs in the workplace.

Women, many times, communicate on an emotional level. Unfortunately, with this sort of communication, the real message is lost in the feeling versus the doing.

5. Caffeine, by its very nature, causes a physiological stress response.

How much coffee or high caffeine soft drinks do you consume at work? Take steps to reduce or cut out caffeine all together. Increase your water intake.

6. Eat a good breakfast.

Studies show that eating breakfast is one of the healthiest habits we can adopt. Our bodies and brain has been without carbohydrate fuel for 12 hours or more. Time to fill up. Smoothies are great ways to get a great boost on the go. Yogurt, fruit, juice and a blender and you can start your day with protein, good carbohydrate, calcium and vitamins. Add some linseeds/flaxseeds and you have fiber and phytoestrogens too. All are significant for women’s good health!

7. Ideas you might like to try at the work place for stress reduction.

Calming oils of floral scents (rose, vanilla, lavender and nutmeg), a tennis ball to roll back and forth under the ball of your foot, and massage an acupressure calm point in the area of the hand between the index finger and thumb.

8. Self-care outside the workplace is of paramount importance for women.

Adequate sleep provides our bodies with chemical balancing and healing at a cellular level. Find out what needs to “give” to get you to bed for 7-8 hrs of sleep. Eating a diet of real food (limit or eliminate additives and chemicals) that fuels our bodies gives us a reserve to run on during stressful time. Exercise, though hard to timetable in our packed schedules is a great stress reducer.

9. Learn ways to relax that are meaningful for you.

This might seem like an obvious, overused, token suggestion. Most women do not really know how to relax. We have been so programmed to look after everything and everyone else. This feeling of responsibility carries over into our work as well. Learning what is relaxing to you is worth the effort. Turn off the T.V. Call a friend. Listen to some relaxing music. Commit to picking up an interest from the past, even if you do it in small steps. Time taken for pleasure will pay off in the long run in work efficiency.

10. Do not stress about reducing stress and make it “another stress”.

Pay attention to you body’s response to situations. What is your self talk? Make an effort to take deep breaths and change on-going negative talk to positive.

Workplace stress through our legislations is becoming an issue for which employers must take notice. However, the current lean operations of business, which is the one of the contextual issues cited for today’s stress, will not go away. For those of us who run our own businesses, we are our own employers. As women, we need to discern what is work stress. As women, we need to acknowledge what we can do for ourselves to reduce stress. We need to remember that old saying, if you don’t look after yourself, no one else will. Honour your self!

Jennifer Wright. I am an author, public speaker, teacher, and international lifestyle redesign and well-being coach for women. Visit www.wrightdirection.net for free e course: Wellness Magic7.

Labels: , , ,

Divine Beauty Opus


Divine Food for Divine Beauty

Excerpted from the book “Your Right to Be Beautiful: How to Halt the Train of Aging and Meet the Most Beautiful You” by Tonya Zavasta. The book is available at: http://www.beautifulonraw.com/html/righttobe.html

The phrase "natural beauty" has been abused and misused beyond restoration. The modern use is almost never associated with its true meaning. Someone said there should be a portrait of a healthy person in a museum so people would know what they are talking about. If we don’t know what a healthy person looks like, how do we know what natural beauty is?

In our unnatural world, the word "natural" no longer means without effort, at least not in the realm of obtaining your best look. One thing is a must in defining natural beauty: its achievement must not involve any sacrifice of health. None, period. If health is compromised in any way beauty is not natural.

Our body was created in the image of God, the Supreme Beauty. When our actions are in opposition to nature, the results are different types of bodily ills, deformities, and ugliness. Since there can be no natural beauty without eating 100 percent natural food, most of you have never seen the natural you.

There is an urgent need for another word. The contemporary meaning of natural is too far from the divine. I suggest filling this void with "rawsome", a new word circulating in the raw food community. It is a combination of two words:" raw" and "awesome" with the meaning being something between natural and divine. The diet of raw fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds also needs to be renamed. I have often been told that the phrase “the raw food diet”, sounds like eating raw meat, particularly sushi, which is misleading. The raw food diet is so awesome that it should be called the very name it inspired- the Rawsome Diet.

Most of us feel our appearance lacks something. In reality, ugliness is more about excess. Toxic accumulations in our bodies are responsible for stealing our health and attractiveness. Beauty lies latent under cushions of retained fluids, deposits of fat, and sick tissues. Your beauty is buried alive, but in most cases it can be revived in a version that will be satisfactory to you. You must take immediate action to revitalize it. When you do, your uncovered beauty will surprise and delight you.

Eating cooked food will leave residues the body cannot utilize, and they will be deposited in places our Creator never intended. Everything not fully digested and properly eliminated, the body will treat as an abnormal substance. It will pocket these toxins as far away from the vital organs as possible--on the peripheries of the body--where it will invariably be reflected in our outward appearance. If the body cannot use it inside, it will deposit it on the outside. Nutrients from the food you eat spiral upward to the epidermis, and their quality will determine whether you will have a glowing clear complexion or skin spotted with growths, such as moles and skin sores.

Some physical characteristics of our face and body we cannot change--they were determined prior to our birth. But the consumption of the raw plant diet as an adult will make a difference in the texture of skin and hair, the health of nails, weight and complexion. All of these traits and more are determined by daily choices, with food being one of the most important and, luckily, the one we can fully control.

The Rawsome diet is the most suitable one for human physiology. It is salubrious to the body’s health and salutary to its beauty. The ability to renew cells is built into your body, and the body itself is capable of making you look more attractive. After all, we were designed to bloom continuously as old cells get replaced by new ones. The Rawsome diet makes the most of this rejuvenating ability of our bodies.

Rawsome beauty is not manufactured from the outside but cultivated from the inside by nutritionally charged food. Whole raw food restores the integrity of every cell and facilitates the optimal operation of every organ inside and out. The body, having been awakened by the improved diet, in its wisdom, will reach out to the places where health was lacking, and you will gradually see your beauty surfacing. The Rawsome diet will eliminate all the toxins on a deeper level and bring amazing changes to your appearance.

Only the body sustained on raw food will host natural beauty, or should we say Rawsome beauty. The landscape of the body will change. The surface of the skin will become soft and smooth but still firm and supple. Visible pores will diminish. A sallow skin with a yellow pallor will turn into a porcelain-like complexion. The whites of eyes, once red, will become bright with a bluish tinge. As natural collagen production improves, it will fill in the places where it is needed as in hollow cheeks. Raw food eating will clarify and refine your features and bring delicacy to your face.

On the Rawsome Diet, you will marvel at how the Master Artist will make the most of your individual features and bring balance to the entire face. Texture, hues, and shape will be harmoniously arranged into a genteel whole. Perfection and imperfection will be tied together into a unique original version of beauty.

Each time I see a woman, I study her appearance, and I see not just the way she looks but the way she could look. What I see is how far her image falls short of her potential beauty. I perceive her beauty as it would stand out after the body has cleansed itself from toxins and excesses.

From age 15 until recently, I wore my hair permed, only to discover at 45 that straight hair in my natural color was the best possible frame for my face. Did my preference change? Not at all. My face did. So let me give you a hint, if you need a camouflaging hairdo, you are not looking your best. The changes in your face brought about by raw foods will bring the freedom to arrange your hair in any way you want. When your peer group is thinking: “I am losing my looks”, you will be finding yours. At 45, I enjoy looking in the mirror while before I detested my reflection.

As the cleansing initiated by this diet is completed, you will be very pleased to see how you were meant to look. Your body will exhibit beauty and dignity. You will become satisfied, even fascinated, with your appearance. When you look your very best, you look perfect, in a sense that you are as close to the divine image for yourself as you could ever be. You accept yourself completely. Natural beauty is above conformity; it doesn’t demand to be accepted by the dictates of the beauty norm.

People who have been on the raw food lifestyle for several years begin to have a glow, the kind not often seen in middle-aged people. Optimal health is recognized by an emerging radiance. Glow is hard to fake because it is internal. It comes from an abundance of clear, pink, almost transparent cells that light up the face. Only superior blood circulation can bring this transfiguring glow. Several years on the raw food diet will make you look as though you just stepped out of a painting by Renoir--the impressionist best known for his preoccupation with light.

I have come to believe if you do not embrace the 100 percent raw food diet, you will never meet The Most Beautiful You. The best proof that the Rawsome diet is optimal for the body is it makes you beautiful. Slim face, slender waist, and clear skin with smooth coloration-these subtle changes will convince you the raw plant diet is the best for good health and graceful beauty. No woman knows her true beauty until she cleanses her body completely of all waste.

You can say there are people who are beautiful, and they are not on this diet. That is true. It is hard to believe, but even they haven't seen the best of themselves. Dissatisfaction with one’s appearance arises not from perceiving our bodies inaccurately but because subconsciously we are aware we haven’t achieved our optimal look. The Rawsome diet gives a feeling of authenticity, an assurance we have become what we were meant to be.

Raw food not only corrects beauty’s shortcomings but also lifts the limitations of one’s spirit and releases strains and tensions in both your mind and body. People on the raw food diet have an aura about them, a transcendent nobility and complacent dignity. Sickness is goodness lost, and our unhappiness is a longing for goodness. One takes in the goodness in the form of fresh fruits and vegetables and feels its purifying process on the inside. Goodness in one’s food summons up goodness in one’s appearance and character.

Do you think it is hard to follow this life style? Women have done so many outrageous and dangerous things to themselves in the pursuit of beauty, I believe they should at least try the Rawsome lifestyle, which promises to transform them into beautiful people. What a woman won’t do for health, she will do for beauty. This is the first time beauty asks no sacrifice from health.

Written by Tonya Zavasta, author of the book “Your Right to Be Beautiful: How to Halt the Train of Aging and Meet the Most Beautiful You” and of the soon to be published its sequel “Beautiful on Raw”. In these books Tonya comes across as an ambassador for plain looking women in their quest for physical beauty. Tonya knows firsthand what it is to be humiliated, face adversity and meet the complex obstacles of daily living with a congenital disability. Facing several reconstructive hip surgeries to enable her to walk, she sought a way to offset the devastating effects of anesthetics on her health and appearance. She became more and more convinced that the solution to her quest for health and beauty was to be found in the raw food lifestyle or the Rawsome Diet as she calls it. The Rawsome Diet not only helped her to sail courageously through troublesome times, brought her general health and appearance to an all time best, but also opened a new chapter of her life. Firmly believing that the roots of under-performing and under-achieving lie in feeling and looking less than your personal best, she is on a mission: she wants every woman to look and feel beautiful. Tonya is convinced that by eating as God intended everyone can look uniquely beautiful as God envisioned. To learn more about how you can uncover your Rawsome beauty, visit: www.beautifulonraw.com. Tonyazavasta@hotmail.com. © Tonya Zavasta

This article may be freely reprinted in its entirety as long as the entire article, byline and URL are included.

Labels: , , , , , ,

Feng Shui Storage Ode


Feng Shui Guidlines for Storage Spaces

Professional organizers and helpful-hint sources often recommend storage solutions such as shelves above doors and in corners, hooks on the backs of doors, and peg-board or tools and small appliances. They are masters at maximizing every square inch of a closet with bins, baskets, shelf dividers, and multiple hanging rods. What they don't realize is that, from a feng shui perspective, these techniques can cause as many problems as they solve.

For good feng shui, it's important to leave some of your storage space unused, for doors to open all the way, and to aim for visual simplicity. As you work toward achieving the organizer's dream of a place for everything and everything in its place, keep these guidelines in mind:


  • Spaces that are completely full block the flow of "chi" (vital energy) into your home and your life. Full file drawers block the flow of new business; full bookcases block the flow of new information and knowledge; a full bedroom closet can block your ability to attract a new relationship, and so on. Wherever possible, keep 20-25% of your storage areas available for new ideas, relationships, and opportunities to flow your way.
  • Storage units hung from the ceiling create oppressive energy that presses down on whatever is underneath them. Anything stored overhead can contribute to feelings of depression, anxiety, and overwhelm. A pot rack hanging over the stove is considered especially bad because it "weighs down" your finances.
  • Shelves over a door, or on a wall beside your bed or desk have a similar oppressive effect, and can lead to headaches, poor sleep, lack of energy, or muddled thinking.
  • A hook on the back of the bathroom door is fine if all you hang on it is a summer-weight robe and PJs. If the hook is piled with three terry robes and a few extra towels, so the door no longer opens all the way, that's a feng shui no-no. Never use hooks on the back of the main door to your home or on bedroom doors; it is essential that these doors open freely and completely, with nothing stored behind them. (That means removing anything stored on the floor behind the door as well.)
  • Vinyl-coated wire shelves on the inside of a door can be a good way to keep lots of small items tidy; however, they should only be used on closet, cabinet, or pantry doors.
  • Avoid under-bed storage if you can. If you must use this space, use it for extra bedding and for soft, seasonal clothing such as sweaters. Never store any kind of sharp objects, information (books, videos or DVDs, paperwork), or exercise equipment under the bed; you may have trouble sleeping or feel exhausted no matter how much rest you get.
  • As much as possible, store things where they are accessible but out of sight. Peg board and open shelving create visual clutter, so limit these to the garage, workroom, or pantry where they won't affect the energy of the rest of the house.
  • Be thoughtful about how much stuff you display in a room. Filling the den with knick-knack shelves so hubby can have his entire collection of sports memorabilia on display creates visual overwhelm. From a feng shui perspective, it's better to invest in closed storage such as drawers and cabinets and have only a few treasures on display at a time. Change the selection every three to six months, and with each rotation you'll rediscover old favorites. By displaying fewer items at a time, you'll actually enjoy and appreciate your collection more.
  • Another common problem is family photos and snapshots scattered lavishly throughout every room and wall in the house. Select a dozen of the best ones, frame them attractively, and create a mini-gallery on one wall in one room or hallway. Store the rest or put them in albums. (Okay, okay, you can stick a few on the fridge, too!)
  • Aesthetics are as important as functionality in feng shui. Keeping earrings and small jewelry in an ice-cube tray or egg carton works, but it's cheap-looking, cheap-feeling, and will drag your energy down every time you use it. It's okay to be budget-conscious, but appearance counts, too. A small plastic storage box is more attractive than an ice-cube tray and you can get one at your local discount, craft, or housewares store for less than three dollars. They even come in pretty colors so you can choose one to match your bedroom dйcor.

With these easy guidelines in mind, you can choose storage solutions that will keep your space tidy and create good feng shui in your home. For even better results, remember to get rid of clutter before you put things away. Why waste time and money finding clever storage solutions for stuff you can do without?

Author, STEPHANIE ROBERTS, is a feng shui consultant and writer in Maui, HI. She is the author of the popular "Fast Feng Shui" book series and the "Clutter Free Forever!" Home Coaching Program. For more tips and information, visit her websites at http://www.fastfengshui.com and http://www.clutterfreeforever.com. Copyright © Stephanie Roberts

Labels: , , ,

Graceful Menopause Poem


Graceful Menopause With The Help Of Ayurveda

Menopause is a unique experience for every woman. It is the ending of a woman's monthly menstrual periods and ovulation. It also signals other changes to the body and mind, brought on in part because the body begins producing lesser amounts of the hormones estrogen and progesterone (among others).

Menopause is not a disease. It is a natural process in a woman's life. How a woman views this time of her life can have a lot to do with how frequent and severe her symptoms are. If menopause is viewed as the end of youth and sexuality, this time will be much more difficult than if it is viewed as the next, natural phase of life, a time of greater freedom, liberation from the restrictions of youth. .

Although menopause is one of the important physical milestones in a woman's life, many women lack concrete information about what is taking place and what are their options. With a proper diet, nutritional supplements, and exercise and simple lifestyle changes, most of the unpleasant side effects of menopause can be minimized to a great extent and with this knowledge and preparation you can step forward with grace and embrace it!

Ayurveda links menopause with aging. Aging is a ‘Vata’ predominant stage of life. Thus, the symptoms of menopause experienced by some women are similar to the symptoms seen when the Vata dosha rises and upsets the normal balance of the body. Vata-type menopausal symptoms tend to include depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Menopause may also manifest itself as a rise in the other two humors also. Women with Pitta-type symptoms are often angry and suffer hot flashes. Kapha type symptoms include listlessness, weight gain, and feelings of mental and physical heaviness.

The type of treatment depends upon the dosha in which the woman's menopausal symptoms are manifesting.

Here it is important to note that health problems at menopause represent imbalances in the body that were already growing in the body and are unmasked by the stress of shifting hormones. Menopause symptoms are Nature's wake-up call to let you know you need to start paying more attention to your health. Taking proper steps in the direction of balancing the imbalance doshas, paying attention to your diet and making lifestyle changes now is critical to ensuring that you age gracefully without the burden of chronic health problems.

Vata-type menopause

Symptoms – Nervousness, anxiety, panic, mood swings, vaginal dryness, loss of skin tone, feeling cold, irregular periods, insomnia, mild or variable hot flashes, constipation, palpitations, bloating and joints aches and pains.

Treatment:

Diet - Increase warm food and drinks, regular meals, and use spices such as fennel and cumin. Decrease caffeine and other stimulants, refined sugar, cold drinks, salads.

Lifestyle - Early bedtime, oil massage using almond and olive oil, meditation, yoga, Regular exercise like walking

Anti-Vata herbs include ashwagandha, arjuna, astragalus, cardamom, comfrey root, garlic, ginseng, guggul, hawthorn berries, licorice, myrrh, rehmannia, sandalwood and zizphus.

Pitta-type menopause

Symptoms - Prone to Hot Temper, anger, irritability, feeling hot, hot flashes, night sweats, heavy periods, excessive bleeding, urinary tract infections, skin rashes and acne.

Treatment:

Diet - Increase cooling foods, water intake, sweet juicy fruits (grapes, pears, plums, mango, melons, apples,) zucchini, yellow squash, cucumber, organic foods. Use spices such as cinnamon, cardamom and fennel. Avoid hot spicy foods, hot drinks and alcohol. no eating late at night.

Lifestyle - Go to bed before 10 PM , oil massage using coconut and sesame oil. Use Meditation and other techniques to reduce anger, hatred and resentment. Exercise and exposure to the sun are limited.

Anti Pitta herbs to be used include aloe vera, arjuna, barberry, golden seal, gotu kola, saffron, sandalwood and shatavari.

Kapha-type menopause

Symptoms - Weight Gain , sluggishness, lethargy, fluid retention, yeast infections, lazy, depressed, lacking motivation, slow digestion.

Treatment:

Diet – Prefer light, dry and warm food, Consume fruits, whole grains, legumes, vegetables. Use spices such as black pepper, turmeric and ginger. Avoid meat, cheese, sugar, cold foods and drinks. Weekly fasting is helpful. Most or all of the daily food should be consumed before 6 p.m.

Lifestyle - Get up early (by 6AM). Mustard oil and linseed oil are often recommended for massage.

Anti Kapha Herbs include bayberry, cayenne, cinnamon, guggul, motherwort ,mustard and myrrh.

Key factors in achieving graceful menopause –

A smooth menopause transition and great health in the years to come can be achieved with the help of -

Balancing Doshas - Ascertain the imbalance dosha according to your symptoms and follow the advice given above to balance that dosha.

Balancing Diet - Diet plays a key role in balancing hormones during and after menopause. It is well known that Japanese women rarely experience hot flashes, probably because their diet contains large amounts of soy/soya, a food rich in certain plant estrogens called "isoflavones." Soya products are not the only source of plant estrogens, however. Another equally healthful source of phytoestrogens are "lignans," compounds found in a variety of whole foods including grains and cereals, dried beans and lentils, flaxseed, sunflower seeds and peanuts, vegetables such as asparagus, sweet potatoes, carrots, garlic and broccoli and fruits such as pears, plums and strawberries. Common herbs and spices such as thyme oregano, nutmeg, turmeric and licorice also have estrogenic properties.

Eat a varied diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dried beans .It’s a rich source of phytoestrogen. Variety and moderation are important because just as too much estrogen is unhealthy after menopause, too much phytoestrogen may also be dangerous.

Apana Vata, which governs the genito-urinary tract, elimination, and menstruation, is a key area to attend to when preparing for menopause. Drink plenty of warm water throughout the day. Eat plenty of cooked, leafy greens, as this helps elimination and is also a good source of calcium. For both Pitta and Vata imbalances, a breakfast of cooked apples and prunes and figs is a good way to start the day, as it balances the doshas and cleanses the digestive track.

Panchakarma - More serious symptoms, such as frequent hot flashes, continual sleep disturbance, and moderate to severe mood swings, are signs of deeper imbalances.

Ayurveda describes that these stubborn symptoms are usually due to the buildup of wastes and toxins, referred to as "ama," in the body's tissues.

In this case, a traditional Ayurvedic detoxification program "panchakarma," may be needed to clear the body's channels and gain relief. This internal cleansing approach is also the treatment of choice for more serious problems such as osteoporosis and high cholesterol.

Dr. Mrs. Sushama Patwardhan, is a graduate in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery [B.A.M.S] [Ayurvedacharya] Working as Ayurvedic Consultant at Sangli,INDIA for last 23 years. Working as a 'associate editor' for the website http://ayurveda-foryou.com for past 3 years: editor@ayurveda-foryou.com.

Labels: , , ,

Credit Report Saving Serenade


The Wright Place - Finances

Women have a love/hate relationship with money. Most of us do not enjoy dealing with it, yet we know not having finances under control will cause our entire family to suffer.

A recent guest on the show Karen Franks, explained how important your credit is and how you should check on it often. ‘At least twice a year”, says Karen Franks. Checking our credit is one important proactive way we can make sure we are in good financial shape. She also mentioned that many married women have better credit score than their husbands, even if they do not make as much. When another show guest, Dan Contreras talked about financial planning, he stressed using a professional. ‘Don’t rely on hearsay, get some real understanding about your situation.” And Linda Hollander the author or Bags to Riches says “Mentors are the fast track to success”. Find someone who has reached the same financial goals you want to reach and then do what they did. This simple technique works even if your goals are modest. While everyone’s situation is different, I really just want to motivate you to do something to have a positive effect on your finances. Here are a few simple things you can do that will start the ball rolling.

1. Get a copy of your credit report and check it for errors( free if you have been turned down for credit)

2. Look at your savings plan, are you on track, do you need to increase or decrease the amounts you are trying to save?

3. Look for your insurance policies, be able to get them immediately, know exactly where they are.

4. Start some financial education with your children. Start a student saving account.

5. Start planning next year’s financial goals. What do you want to change, what goals do you want to accomplish, what new accounts do you need to open and which accounts should be closed.

If you handle your finances you’ll be in The Wright Place!

Dr. Letitia S. Wright, D.C. is the host of The Wright Place™ TV Show, a talk show for women, which can been seen on dish or direct TV channel KHIZ on Sundays at 6:30 PM, or seen on the Internet at www.wrightplacetv.com or cable television channels in your area. She can be reached at info@wrightplacetv.com or 909-635-2040 for questions, comments or interviews.

Labels: , , , , , , ,

Baby Room Feng Shui Verse


Creating Good Feng Shui in Baby's Room

Getting ready for a new baby requires a lot of thought and planning from what diapers the baby will wear down to the decoration and arrangement of baby’s room. Today’s parents want to create a haven for their little one that will help the baby feel comforted and nurtured, as well as stimulated enough so that they thrive. Increasingly, parents are going beyond the traditional coordinated “theme” rooms to ensure baby has a healthy environment by incorporating feng shui.

Feng shui, the Chinese system for arrangement and placement, so often used in businesses and homes is now making its way into the nursery, and for good reason, too. Feng Shui proposes that by arranging and aligning the room correctly, energy will flow better in the room and that all who reside in the room will thrive and prosper better than if the energy is the room was incorrect or did not flow smoothly. Understandably, no one needs to thrive and prosper more than a baby.

To maximize the energy in baby’s room, there are several important factors to consider, such as room location, safety, colors, and furniture arrangement. Using feng shui in the nursery will help to make babies less fussy, who will feel more comfortable in their surroundings, and who will be healthy and flourish. What does it take to accomplish this? Following some basic considerations will help both baby and parents create a room that makes them both happy.

Select a good location for the baby’s bedroom. A new baby should have a bedroom that is not over a garage or has an empty space below. The bedroom also shouldn’t be located where there is excessive noise that might keep the baby from sleeping, such as close to a living room where the TV is on, or close to a noisy street or neighbor.

Bed placement is important. The bed should not be against a window or be directly in line with the door. Put the baby on a solid wall with the head of the crib against the wall, rather than lengthwise. Make sure the baby does not sleep or is placed against a slanted wall. These press on the baby. Avoid placing the baby against a wall that is shared with a bathroom, toilet, storage, or utility-type room.

Opt for soothing colors. Children benefit from bright colors in play areas, but if these are used in a baby’s room, infants can be over stimulated to the point that they do not rest well. Because deep sleep in babies is necessary for healthy growth, be sure to select restful, muted colors. Whites are excellent for children, but avoid black and white color scheme because there is too much contrast. Select color palettes that are close to one another and harmonious, such as green and blue, white and beige, or pink and yellow.

Create soft movement in the room. A room that is too still becomes stagnant and this is not beneficial for the growth of the child. To create good, but soft energy and movement, hang mobiles close to a window to move gently in the breeze and keep soft music playing in the room. You can also place a small fan on a dresser turned on low to keep air moving in the room. Avoid placing the baby under a ceiling fan as these disrupt their body energy.

Watch for pointed objects. Make sure there are no hard corners from dressers or changing tables pointed at the baby’s head or body. Move these to another part of the room where they are not pointed in the direction of the bed.

Select design motifs with care. Make sure that designs do not have harsh points, such as arrows, crosses, diamonds, or triangles. Nature designs are excellent and promote growth. Animal designs should also be chosen carefully. Ferocious or aggressive animals, even when they are made for a baby’s room, should not be chosen. Some of these are found in jungle motif designs and include lions, tigers, bears, and reptiles. Motifs with fish are fine as long as the watery theme is not overly dominant. Otherwise, respiratory, lung, nasal, or kidney problems could develop.

Keep lighting balanced. During the day, the light in the baby’s room should neither be too bright or too dark. Install blinds that can be lowered or raised as needed to keep the room at a pleasant level of lighting. If the room is too bright, the baby won’t rest deeply. If too dim, the room would be too “yin” and the baby could fail to thrive or have respiratory problems.

Author, KATHRYN WEBER, is the publisher of The Red Lotus Letter (http://www.redlotusletter.com), the Web's largest weekly feng shui ezine. She is also a certified feng shui master practitioner whose been featured in Seventeen and Martial Arts Professional magazines, among others, and is sought after for her expertise with a witty, down-to-earth style.

Labels: , , ,

The Best Diet Opus


Hang In There Dieters, Help Is At Hand!

I was thinking about diets and such and it occurred to me that dieting is kind of like sports, but one way in which dieting differs from sports competition is that in dieting there seems to be a lack of gradualization in the preparation.

What I'm getting at is that if you want to run the 100 metres pretty fast, even competitively, you don't just go out to the track and put in a full practice right off the bat. I mean it's just not do-able really, is it? You've got to prepare and train in a systematic way which allows you to get stronger and faster throughout the training, and that can takes months if not, more realistically, years.

Well we all know that, we've all seen the "up close and personal" sports profiles, we all know that it's a long road to the podium, BUT somehow we have all got this belief that the "thirty day diet" will work! And why not, all we have to do is stop eating or at least reduce our intake to about twenty five percent and we're home free. "That sounds like fun! Why didn't I think of that?" But how long will it last?

Now let me clarify, I'm not dumping on the many diets out there that will produce a result, what I am getting at is the fact that you need to combine your diet with thoughtful preparation, you need a plan, you need a horizon greater than obtaining a transitory result in thirty days. It's a bit like the folks strapped to the bike machine in the gym, they put their heart and soul into working those legs in an effort to shed the pounds and then they get off with thighs pumped like an Olympic ice-skate racer. I mean you’ve got to question any slimming exercise that starts with the phrase "pump", oh yes, that's sure to mean “slimming”!

So enough, you want some answers, not questions or me casting doubt and undermining your "diet plan". OK, fair enough. You've got to treat your weight loss, diet, fitness or whatever plan as an Olympic sport; you've got to lay out a plan and I can guarantee you, it's not going to happen in thirty days or anything like it. Oh, you may see results but it's the sustainability that is the key feature here and you want something that is not going to be an imposition or restriction that you have to fret over every day, so really you need to get into training for your optimum fitness, optimum health and optimum weight, and that's a real program that will endure. And the good news is, you can eat lots of stuff that's "off limits" as long as you put in the requisite workout balance.

I can't give you my whole program here but I can tell you that if it's to be a plan that will work and continue to work in your weight management, you've got to take it gradually, and get comfortable with each level that you attain before trying for the next. You can't just go on the "deprive" premise and trust that if you cross that thirty-day diet target that the results will hold. You know they won't and then it's on to the next hot diet and more deprivation.

That doesn't sound too much like fun to me and I certainly want to help, so in my next article I'm going to give you some concrete advice on foods that I incorporate (and those that are definitely "out") in my program, and some simple but effective advice on the kind of exercise that will slim you, not "pump" you, and how this whole issue of diet is no thirty-day wonder, but a bit more like that Olympic athlete training systematically and gradually with a plan and a schedule to reach peak fitness for the big day.

Somebody once coined a phrase that I am very fond of and it is, "It's easy to make it difficult, it's difficult to make it easy!" I'm going to try to make it easy.

Hang in there, help is at hand!

Author, Gordon Black, is a world-ranked Master swimmer and Canadian national record holder. A member of the British swim team in the late '60s, after thirty years out of the pool, last year Gordon returned to competitive swimming in the Masters forum. He offers an online weight loss, fitness and motivational coaching service through his web site www.gordonblack.com where his competitive comeback is chronicled. Gordon is currently working on a book based on his own weight management and fitness system - publisher's enquiries welcome!

Labels: , , ,

Slim Legs Ode


Slimmer Legs ... Stress-Free

Well, with the success of my article, "Wrinkle Remover That WORKS!!", I realize that there is a really strong interest in getting information that is going to do something for you, rather than generalities that come under the "same old thing" category. And, as you know if you read the article, we found a great and effective cream that does a knockout job of actually reducing wrinkles.

Funny thing is that the product started out as a solution to a completely different problem (and they tell you all about that on the web link I mentioned in the article), which is kind of like the situation of the equestrian horse product, a coat conditioner, that was flying off the shelves and it took an incredulous tack shop owner's question to uncover the mystery. I mean they were selling more of this stuff than any over fastidious horse community could possibly use, they would have had to be conditioning their horses coats every day or even twice a day to use that much.

So what was the answer? Well the story goes, ladies were using it themselves as it gave a great result, smooth and soft hair (and there was a suggestion that guys were using it too, to encourage hair re-growth). Anyway that story is from a few years ago and now the company actually sells the same product in a small, "human" size bottle for about the same price as you can buy it in the tack shop in the horse size bottle. The name is Mane n' Tail and I use it when getting ready for a horse show as it really does get the tangles out of that tail.

Now I seem to have got a little sidetracked here because I started out with the intention of writing about slimming the legs, and certainly having your legs toned, lithe and athletic makes you feel great, and here is my best advice on how to get your legs to be slimmer, with that better muscle tone and looking sensational: get in the pool!

OK I guess you need a little more info than that, so here we go. Number one let's find a schedule for going to the pool that is going to induce you to continue, because you may be motivated to give this a try but then, on being confronted at your pool by a wall of screaming kids jumping all over the place, you may as quickly be discouraged and resolve to give the whole thing up as another one of those facile, "here's how to do it" nonsenses written by folks who never actually do the stuff they are telling you to do. Well relax, I've been there, and I know that it's pretty important to make the "doing" as comfortable as possible if we have any expectation of making it into a routine. So we find out when is the best "pool time" for us, and I always go for the quietest group (I suppose that's no rocket science suggestion), anyway having got that part organized all we need to do now is the actual swimming.

Now the point of this article is to focus on slimming and toning the legs so obviously we are going to work that area mostly, but first you need to loosen up the whole body a little, so just do some easy, relaxing laps and enjoy the feel of the water.

OK ready for the legs? We'll use a kick-board if you like, although I often don't as I feel it tenses the muscles across my shoulders and behind my neck, so I feather the water with my hands out in front and only lift my head to breathe. Certainly you will get more upper body support using the kick-board and, as far as the legs are concerned, they are going to get worked the same whichever method you use. So we want to start out by doing a few easy laps freestyle leg kick; and then when you start to feel any tightening or stiffness in the upper thigh, stop and stretch the muscles. Remember, swimming lengthens the muscles and we particularly want long, slim, elastic muscles, so stretch and loosen off the legs if you start to feel any tightening up.

So, we've loosened up, we've started on the leg work, now how much do we do and how hard? Well, as with almost all my work, I stress gradualization, you can't just jump in there and do one hundred laps flat out, you've got to build your fitness, your capacity and your endurance, so do what you can comfortably achieve and strive to increase gradually over time. Getting those legs slim and toned is no great secret, it's just getting in there and doing a terrific set of leg-kick, way easier on the joints than almost any other exercise and terrific for your overall body health, heart and lungs.

Author, Gordon Black, is a world-ranked Master swimmer and Canadian national record holder. A member of the British swim team in the late '60s, after thirty years out of the pool, last year Gordon returned to competitive swimming in the Masters forum. He offers an online weight loss, fitness and motivational coaching service through his web site www.gordonblack.com where his competitive comeback is chronicled. Gordon is currently working on a book based on his own weight management and fitness system - publisher's enquiries welcome!

Labels: , ,

Scoring Date Poem


8 Steps to Scoring Big in a Bar

If you’re single, you’ve probably gone to a singles bar at some point in your life, hoping to make a love connection. But what determines whether tonight will be your lucky night? Chance? Kismet? Maybe. But most times it has more to do with skill than luck.

After hundreds of hours in bars, pubs and nightclubs—watching thousands of singles in action—I’ve unlocked the little-known secrets of finding romance at your favorite watering hole. In fact, my research was so successful, that I’m now able to walk into any bar, and within minutes, I can tell who is going to get lucky … and who is going home empty handed. Because let’s face it, there’s nothing better than the intoxicating butterflies that flutter in your stomach when your new love interest gives you that “morning after” phone call.

Catching those butterflies isn’t as hard as it seems. Whether you’re trying to enhance your dating life or meet the sweetheart of your dreams, there’s an art to scoring big at a bar. And believe it or not, you don’t have to be ravishingly beautiful to get lucky. You just need to know how to play the game so you come out ahead.

Yes, you read that right. Dating is a game. Just like chess, scoring big in a bar takes a winning strategy. Here’s an easy eight-step process that’ll help you score big in the love department. Because let’s face it, if you want the Monarch’s to be dancing in your belly tomorrow morning, you need to learn how to play the dating game pronto, before someone else beats you to the prize.

1. Look Your Best. If you think about it, singles bars are called “meat markets” for a reason. You’re the “meat” and you have to display your wares to make “shoppers” want to buy. Grunge might be comfortable, but after age 25, the frumpy look won’t get you to first base.

Men, wearing a sports coat will give you a competitive advantage. Why? Because women like men who look successful and confident. By sporting a classier look than your brethren, you’ll come out on top. Women, I have three words for you: show some skin. Don’t even think about wearing a turtleneck to a bar.

Let’s face it, after 30, very few of us have the hard-bodied figures we once did, but that doesn’t mean you need to hide your assets. Even if you’re a little plump, it’s better to show your skin than to hide behind a bolt of frumpy fabric.

2. Limit Your Alcohol. Although a drink or two can lower your inhibitions, drinking too much will send the wrong impression. And falling off the barstool is a definite no-no. If you tend to drink more when you’re nervous, try alternating between your favorite drink and a club soda with lime. No one has to know that there’s nothing stronger than carbonation in your drink!

3. Exude Confidence. Self-confidence is crucial if you want to be lucky in love. If you have a swagger in your walk, and a cocky tilt to your chin, your Rolodex will bulge with prospects. So how do you exude confidence when you’re trembling inside?

There are two strategies that work well. First, fake it ’til you make it! Yes, that’s right, just pretend to have confidence, and amazingly, others will perceive you as self-confident. And then pretty soon, that confidence will be real.

Second, deal from strength. After all, you’re probably the best at something. Maybe you’re the smartest person in the room. Or maybe you know you can beat just about anyone at Backgammon. Or maybe you can solve complicated algorithms in your head. Maybe you’re a true native in a town of transplants. Whatever you’re good at, borrow that confidence, and when you walk into a bar, hold your head high knowing there’s no one else quite like you.

4. Cross the Great Divide. Amazingly, I see both men and women who go to a bar or singles party in the hopes of meeting someone new, but then they spend the entire evening either by themselves or talking to the same-sex person they came with.

Newsflash: if you go to the trouble of being showered, shaved and cologned, you might as well take action. An important step in meeting someone new is actually saying hello. Instead of thinking, “I wish that person would come up and talk to me,” take the initiative and be the one who breaks the ice.

Something as simple as a smile and a hello will work just fine. Just let your feet do the walking, and break that invisible barrier between you and the person you want to meet. After all, you can’t meet someone new if you don’t even try. Just keep in mind that dating is a numbers game, and you may need to chat with more than one person before you make a love connection.

5. Be Friendly. A sparkling personality is worth its weight in—well—drinks. If you’re naturally effervescent, keep it up, and it won’t be long before love finds you. If you’re not, it just takes a bit more work.

It helps to look good and feel great. Then keep a smile on your face and focus on other people. One key to being a great conversationalist is to ask interesting questions. Things like, “What do you do for a living?” And “Where are you from?” will spark other questions or things you have in common.

Another way to score points in the friendly category is to be up on current events. This doesn’t mean you have to be a news junkie, but it helps to be abreast of current topics. With 24-hour news stations and breaking news on the Internet, it shouldn’t take long to become well-versed in the topics du jour. Oh, one note of caution: unless someone’s political affiliation is a deal-breaker for you, stay away from politics and religion.

6. Men, Whip Out Your Wallet. “Can I buy you a drink?” is a sure sign of interest. Being too cheap to ask will get you a cold shoulder, followed by a cold shower … alone.

This is where you need to walk a fine line. There are certainly women out there who want free drinks—and nothing else. So how can you tell the difference between a woman who is using you to get free drinks, and someone who is really interested?

By reading her body language. Is she looking directly at you, with dilated pupils and unblinking eyes, or is she looking somewhere else? Is she leaning into you, or is she pulling away from you? (For the entire scoop on body language, see Chapter 3 in Dating 101.)

If her body language is positive, ask her if she’d like something to drink. Then, while you’re sharing your first drink together, exchange business cards. If she doesn’t have a card (or doesn’t want to give you one), ask for a way to contact her. If she’s hesitant to give an email address or cell phone number, chances are good that she has no intention of seeing you again, so put your wallet away and move on.

If she readily gives you a way to contact her, you’ll score more points by being generous than by being frugal. And if you really want to score big, offer to call her a cab at the end of the evening, just to make sure she gets home okay.

7. Be Honest. If you’re not interested in someone, it’s better to make a graceful exit that to waste that person’s time. Something as simple as, “I’ve enjoyed talking to you, but it’s time for me to go mingle,” lets the other person know that there you’re not seeing stars.

Honesty is always the best policy, because if you say you’re going to the bathroom and then never come back, you might end up with a stalker on your hands. If you’re the person being dumped, be gracious about it. Just because someone’s not interested in you right now, doesn’t mean things won’t change at some point in the future.

Because most of us tend to frequent the same places, chances are good that you may see that person again. Keep in mind that if you get angry and say something mean, you’ll never make it past “hello” next time, so it pays to be nice.

8. Have Fun. Instead of putting unnecessary pressure on your big night out, give yourself a break. After all, tonight is only one night out of your life. Instead of having unrealistic expectations, grab a same-sex friend, and plan on having a good time. Without the pressure of having to find someone in five hours or less, you’re more likely to enjoy yourself.

Plus, when you’re laughing, talking and smiling, you’re more approachable than when you’re nervous or tense. After all, wouldn’t you rather chat with someone who’s laughing than someone who’s sitting in the corner alone, looking desperate and lonely?

Now that you know the eight easy steps to scoring big in a bar, get out there and do it. The first step toward winning the game is actually going out there and playing it. And just like any other game, this one takes practice. So if you don’t meet someone tonight, remember this … there’s always tomorrow!

Author, Melissa Darnay, is a dating coach, a matchmaker, and a relationship humorist. For more information about Melissa or her latest book, “Dating 101: The Instant Cure for Romance Blues,” go to www.CupidsGuide.com.

Labels: , ,

Healthy Menopause Serenade


The Ayurveda Approach to a Healthy Menopause and Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy

MENOPAUSE: IT'S ABOUT BALANCE

The medical community is quickly evolving its understanding of menopause. Following the abrupt, early halt to the HRT portion of the Women's Health Initiative last July, due to findings that Hormone Replacement Therapy's risks outweighed its benefits, headlines now read "Menopause is not a disease, but a normal part of life." Hormone "replacement" therapy (HRT) has become simply hormone "therapy" (HT) in recognition of the fact that replacing estrogen is not natural and brings dangerous side-effects, rather than the fountain of youth once touted.

Shocking and novel as these concepts may be to today's medical community, they are nothing new to Maharishi Ayurveda, a consciousness-based natural medical system from ancient India. For over 5000 years, Ayurveda has acknowledged menopause as a natural transition, not a mistake of Mother Nature's that requires hormone replacement therapy. Maharishi Ayurveda reassures us that menopause can be health-promoting, spiritually-transforming and free of troublesome symptoms.

Experts today are affirming this positive view of menopause, stating that it is not natural to get weak bones, heart disease and rapid aging after menopause. Rather, osteoporosis, heart disease and other chronic health problems develop over a lifetime, resulting largely from poor diet, stress and lack of physical exercise. And hormone replacement therapy (HRT,) once heavily promoted as the medical solution to these problems, is no longer recommended for their treatment or prevention.

Menopause: A "Balance Deficiency"

What is recommended for the prevention of major health problems after menopause is a healthy lifestyle. And, according to Ayurveda, healthy living is also the best way to ease symptoms of the menopause transition itself. How balanced, or overall healthy you and your lifestyle are when you reach menopause largely determines how smooth your transition will be. If you are "burning the candle at both ends" in your 30's and early 40's, you are more likely to have mood swings, sleep problems and troublesome hot flashes when your hormones start to change. Whereas if you are have healthy lifestyle habits and are managing your stress effectively, you are likely to breeze through menopause without any major problems.

Health problems at menopause represent imbalances in the body that were already growing in the body and are unmasked by the stress of shifting hormones. Menopause symptoms are Nature's wake-up call to let you know you need to start paying more attention to your health. Age forty-five to fifty-five is a critical decade, according to Ayurveda. It provides the foundation on which your later health is laid. Just like putting money in your IRA, timely investing in your health can dramatically increase your "yield" of healthy years at midlife and beyond. Particularly if you have not been taking care of yourself in your 30's and 40's, making lifestyle changes now is critical to ensuring that you age gracefully without the burden of chronic health problems.

What You Can Do Now to Get "In Balance"

While eating a healthy diet and getting enough exercise provides the foundation of good health for everyone, each woman's menopause experience is unique. Symptoms vary from woman to woman. Knowing precisely how your body is out of balance can guide you in selecting the key lifestyle changes you should make to relieve your symptoms. Ayurveda describes that the type of symptoms you have depends upon which bodily principle or dosha is "out of balance" in your mind/body system.

There are three bodily principles: movement and flow (vata or airy), heat and metabolism (pitta or firey), and bodily substance (kapha or earthy.) And there are three basic types of imbalances relating to each of the three doshas. Easing your menopause transition can be as simple as "reading" your dosha symptoms and taking measures to get your doshas back in balance. The following symptoms and lifestyle prescriptions are indicated for each of the three dosha imbalances:

V-Type- Prone To Nervousness: anxiety, panic, mood swings, vaginal dryness, loss of skin tone, feeling cold, irregular periods, insomnia, mild or variable hot flashes, constipation, palpitations, bloating and joints aches and pains.

Ayurvedic Tips: Increase warm food and drinks, regular meals, early bedtime, oil massage, meditation, yoga, walking and spices such as fennel and cumin. Decrease caffeine and other stimulants, refined sugar, cold drinks, salads.

P-Type- Prone to Hot Temper: anger, irritability, feeling hot, hot flashes, night sweats, heavy periods, excessive bleeding, urinary tract infections, skin rashes and acne.

Ayurvedic Tips: Increase cooling foods, water intake, sweet juicy fruits (grapes, pears, plums, mango, melons, apples,) zucchini, yellow squash, cucumber, organic foods. Go to bed before 10 PM and try to wind down earlier in the evening. Decrease excessive sun and overheating, hot spicy foods, hot drinks and alcohol.

K-Type- Prone to Weight Gain: sluggishness, lethargy, weight gain for no reason, fluid retention, yeast infections, lazy, depressed, lacking motivation, slow digestion.

Ayurvedic Tips: Increase exercise, fruits, whole grains, legumes, vegetables, spices such as black pepper, turmeric and ginger. Get up early (by 6AM). Decrease meat, cheese, sugar, cold foods and drinks.

Your Hormonal "Backup System"

Ayurveda describes that your hormonal changes at menopause will be smooth and easy if three factors are in place.


  • Your mind/body system (consisting of three doshas) is in "balance."
  • Your diet is wholesome and rich in phytoestrogens.
  • Your body is "clean" and uncluttered inside so your hormones and body can "talk" effectively.

Did you know that your ovaries and adrenal glands continue to produce estrogens and "pre-estrogens" after menopause, providing your body with its own hormonal backup system? Ayurveda describes that this hormonal production after menopause will be optimal if your mind and body are "in balance," providing just the right amount of estrogen to prevent hot flashes and keep your bones, skin, brain, colon and arteries healthy without increasing the risk of breast or uterine cancer.

Balancing your doshas, as discussed above, is the first approach to ensuring optimal hormone production after menopause, but Ayurvedic herbs can also help. Indian asparagus root (shatavari; asparagus racemosus), thick-leaved lavender (chorak; angelica glauca- related to the Chinese female tonic Dong Quai,) licorice root, sandalwood, pearl, red coral, rose and others are used by skilled practitioners in balanced, synergistic combinations to help relieve hot flashes, libido problems, irritability, mood swings and other menopausal symptoms.

Hormonal Help from Plants--It's Not Just Soy!

Diet also plays a key role in balancing hormones during and after menopause. It is well known that Japanese women rarely experience hot flashes, probably because their diet contains large amounts of soy, a food rich in certain plant estrogens called "isoflavones." Soy products are not the only source of plant estrogens, however. Another equally healthful source of phytoestrogens are "lignans," compounds found in a variety of whole foods including grains and cereals, dried beans and lentils, flaxseed, sunflower seeds and peanuts, vegetables such as asparagus, sweet potatoes, carrots, garlic and broccoli and fruits such as pears, plums and strawberries.

Common herbs and spices such as thyme oregano, nutmeg, turmeric and licorice also have estrogenic properties.

It turns out that if you simply eat a varied diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dried beans you will be ingesting a rich phytoestrogen feast in your daily cuisine! Variety and moderation are important because just as too much estrogen is unhealthy after menopause, too much phytoestrogen may also be dangerous. This danger can be avoided by getting your phytoestrogens naturally from a variety of whole foods, rather than from supplements or concentrated tablets.

When You Can't Stop Flashing, Get The "Lead" Out!

More serious symptoms, such as frequent hot flashes, continual sleep disturbance, and moderate to severe mood swings, are signs of deeper imbalances that, if left untreated, will persist to set the stage for later disease. For these more troublesome symptoms to manifest, the tissues of your body–your bones, muscles, fat, organs, skin, and blood–must be disturbed in some way. Ayurveda describes that stubborn symptoms are usually due to the buildup of wastes and toxins, referred to as "ama," in your body's tissues.

For example, hot flashes that won't go away despite herbs, diet, exercise, and perhaps even HRT usually represent a problem with ama. One of my Ayurvedic mentors explained it this way: When your body's channels are clogged with wastes, the heat from metabolism builds up in your tissues. Hot flashes result from sudden surges in blood flow as the body tries to clear the channels and dissipate the heat buildup quickly. A similar phenomenon occurs when you have a heater set on high in an overheated room with all the windows and doors closed. To cool down the room, first you must turn down the heater (see Tips for P-Type above) but you also need to throw open the windows and doors (as in removing the ama) so the heat can flow out.

We can understand this analogy medically in terms of hormone receptors. No matter how much estrogen or phytoestrogen you have floating through your bloodstream, it does you no good unless it connects with your body's estrogen receptors, the tiny "keyholes" on your cells. Estrogen and phytoestrogens fit these keyholes like minuscule keys and through them gain entry into your cells. When the receptors are clogged with debris or "ama," your hormones cannot get into your cells to do their work. Then bothersome menopause symptoms may persist despite a variety of attempted therapies.

In this case, a traditional Ayurvedic detoxification program referred to as Maharishi Rejuvenation Therapy (MRT), or "panchakarma," may be needed to clear the body's channels and gain relief. This internal cleansing approach is also the treatment of choice for more serious problems such as osteoporosis and high cholesterol. A study published in a recent issue of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine confirmed that this ancient technology of herbalized oil massage, heat treatments and mild internal cleansing therapies does indeed reduce toxins in the body. Hormone disrupting PCB's and pesticides such as DDT were reduced by approximately 50% after just 5 days of treatment. Other studies have shown overall reduction in health symptoms, a rise in "good cholesterol," and reduction in free radicals from MRT.

In my clinical experience, MRT can be very transforming, eliminating symptoms while at the same time dramatically reducing stress and fatigue. After a week of treatment, my patients not only report feeling much better, they radiate health and youthfulness and many experience a profound sense of well-being and inner peace.

It's Not Too Late

The important point to remember at midlife is that health problems don’t pop out of nowhere when your estrogen levels start to fluctuate and fall off. Rather it is the cumulative effects of damaging lifestyle habits--late nights, fast food, eating on the run, lots of stress, too little exercise--over decades that set in motion chronic disease and aging well before menopause. Your symptoms are simply telling you just how out of balance you are. The good news is that with a few basic lifestyle changes, and the healing power of Maharishi Ayurveda when needed, underlying imbalances can be resolved, paving the way for a smooth menopause transition and great health in the years to come.

Nancy Lonsdorf M.D. received her M.D. from Johns Hopkins and did her postgraduate training at Stanford. She has studied Ayurveda with some of the world's most renowned Ayurvedic physicians in India, Europe and the U.S. Dr. Lonsdorf has 17 years of clinical experience with Ayurveda and is currently the Medical Director of The Raj Ayurveda Health Center in Vedic City Iowa.

Dr. Lonsdorf has authored two books on Ayurveda and women's health: A Woman's Best Medicine (Penguin/Putnam 1995 ; ISBN 0-87477-785-2) describing the Ayurvedic approach to the major issues in women's health AND A Woman's Best Medicine for Menopause (Contemporary/McGraw Hill 2002; ISBN 0-8092-9335-8) describing the Ayurvedic approach to menopause. Web site url: http://www.ayurveda-ayurvedic.com/.

Labels: , , ,

Skin Care Verse


Cosmeceuticals: The New Wave in Skin Care Solutions

Cosmeceuticals are the new wave in skin care. They are topical cosmetic-pharmaceutical hybrids intended to enhance the health and beauty of the skin. Skin is the largest organ in the body, both by weight and surface area. In adults, the weight of your skin accounts for about 16% of your total body weight. The skin separates the internal environment from the external. It is essential to protect and preserve the skin for your own personal health and self esteem.

Cosmetic skin care products only serve to cleanse and beautify. As opposed to cosmetics, cosmeceuticals will alter the structure and function of the skin. Let’s take a look at some of the ingredients and the science behind why they work.

Centella Asiatica is a botanical agent, which increases collagen production by inducing its precursor enzyme. This ingredient has a shelf life of 6 months, which is why you will not find it in stores. This amazing material reduces the appearance of stretch marks and is currently being researched for its effects on varicose veins.

The FDA recognizes Salicyclic Acid as a proven anti-bacterial destroying agent.

Retinol is a vitamin A treatment, which accelerates the skin cells natural exfoliation process and diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Glycolic Acid is a natural fruit acid, which accelerates the skins cellular turnover. It improves circulation and produces vibrant, smoother, younger-looking skin.

Alpha Lipoic Acid is a powerful anti-oxidant proven to shrink pores, reduce under eye puffiness, and erase fine lines and wrinkles, while improving circulation and brightening your overall complexion.

DMAE is a natural substance that stabilizes and strengthens the cell's plasma membrane. Dramatically tightens, firms, and tones the neck, eyelids, and facial muscles, resulting in a lean, toned, and youthful look.

Sodium Hyaluronate is a protein that functions as a lubricant between the connective tissues of the skin, allowing the retention of skins natural moisture, leaving the skin soft, supple and silky smooth.

Other ingredients include Dimethicone Copolyol Meadowfomate, which is an anti-irritant, retinyl palminate an anti-wrinkles agent, and actifirm, a skin-firming agent. In short, a combination of these ingredients will reverse sun damage and treat acne. They also reduce the appearance of wrinkles, old age spots, and stretch marks. I hope I have convinced you that cosmeceuticals will improve your happiness and your health. I encourage you to contact me with any questions, concerns, or your own rave reviews.

Author, Christina Iacovelli, Executive Consultant: My name is Christina. I currently work for a continuing medical education company, and I am a consultant for Nouveau Cosmeceuticals. With a degree in molecular biology, I always look for the science behind everything. Finally, a skin care company has developed a product that is made for all ages, all skin types, and all races. Read the reviews, try it for 30 days, and you will not be disappointed. The scientific evidence was enough to convince me to try it. After 30 days, I decided it was so amazing that I wanted to sell it. I am glad I have the opportunity to share with all of you. “It’s not your imagination…it’s Nouveau.” ciacovelli@aol.com. http://www.bynouveau.com/flawless.

Labels: , , ,

Valueble Word Opus


How to Write Words Worth a Thousand Pictures

Our Image-Driven Society...

We live in a new image-driven society. It can be hard on writers unless they learn to connect with today’s readers. Writing that connects is easy when you keep a few basic writing principles in mind. Let’s face it, as a writer, you are competing with the greatest influence in our image-driven society, the film and television industry. So, let’s take three well-known words in film making as cues for effective writing. Ready? Lights! Camera! Action!

Lights!

Catch the reader's attention. You catch your reader's attention when you know who they are and what holds their interest. Yes, write what you know but also write for who you know. For example, avoid using abstract words and concepts when writing for children. Kids won't understand and you won't grab their attention.

The effective writer writes about what interests the reader using words the reader relates to and understands. When you write fiction or even creative non-fiction; develop catchy titles, contemporary themes, strong heroes, good plots, intense conflict, and create interesting characters. When you do, lights go on for your reader.

Camera!

Describe, describe, describe! Use specific, concrete, and concise words. Write to describe but avoid using too many adjectives. Mark Twain said: "When you catch an adjective, kill it." Strong words from Mr. Twain but when you cut out adjectives and use descriptive nouns, your writing comes to life. Instead of writing "big, beautiful house," try writing "mansion," "villa," "castle," "palace," or "chateau." Use a thesaurus and find image-driven nouns to replace superfluous adjectives. Sorry, I couldn't find a noun to replace "superfluous adjectives." But you get the idea.

The contemporary writing advice, "show don't tell," echoes in the ears of most writers. And for good reasons. The writer must "show" readers rather than "tell" to grab their image-driven attention. For example, use vivid detail instead of vague generalizations when describing emotions. Write, "sweat dripped from his forehead," not "he was nervous." Let the images come alive in your story.

Action!

Use action verbs, avoid "to be" verbs. Put your reader in the middle of the action in your story. Describe the action with the senses of sight, sound, smell, taste, and feel by using action verbs. Use moving images and carry your reader along, don't let your story become a study in still-life. Don't sprinkle your story on your readers; dunk ‘em in over their heads! Go ahead, get 'em soaking wet with the action in your story. They will love you for it.

Lights! Camera! Action! will connect your story with your readers. Go ahead, give ‘em pictures they’ll never forget!

Author, Glenn White, is a freelance writer, editor and content manager at his web site for Inspirational and Christian writers at: http://www.WriteToInspire.com.

Labels: ,

Why Write Ode


Write your eBook Fast--First Steps to Finishing Line

Why write an eBook?

You want ongoing, lifelong multiple streams of income. You want to raise your credibility and trust ratings with clients or customers. You want to get your message out so the world can be a better place.

You want to spend only a little time on it. (Would you be willing to spend 4 hours a week?) You want to get it out fast (Would 4-8 weeks be OK?) You want to market for a low-cost investment. And, for some of you, you are ready to be innovative and even take a small risk to get your eBook read by hundreds of thousands, rather than hundreds!

Where are you now?

You have an idea for your eBook; you have a lot of ideas! Take a moment and decide which one you are most passionate about now and will be for the next year or two. Focus on one great idea, where you know what the audience needs or wants-- your solutions to their problem.

Or, do you have your eBook well on its way, but aren't finished. You need advice on how to get it done, what's needed to publish (not much!), and how to distribute it to pull continuous monthly sales that can be 1/3 to 1/2 your income?

Who Should Write an eBook?

  • If you want to share your unique message world-wide to help people create a better life.
  • If you are ready to invest a little to reap a great deal.
  • If you are a business person who want to expand your business and be a leader in your field.
  • If you are willing to move much faster than traditional publishing to sell faster, more, and create more cash flow for marketing.

What do I Need to Know Before I write this eBook?

1. To help make your eBook successful apply the essential "Seven Hot-Selling Points." These include title, table of contents, thesis, "60 second tell and sell," one preferred audience, introduction and the back cover.

Why? Every part of your book can be a sales tool. When you include the above "hot-selling points" you will have a roadmap to guide you to writing a focused, organized, compelling book that you will only have to edit a few times.

2. You also need to know how to write a focused, organized, chapter each time. Think format. Each chapter should have approximately the same number of pages if it is a self-help book. Each book chapter may need an introduction, an opening few questions or shocking facts to hook the reader to keep reading, a few stories or analogies to illustrate your how-to's, and an ending that may be a summary, questions to ponder, or action steps to take.

Designing every chapter and knowing your essential "hot-selling points" are your eBook's 24/7 sales team and a beacon that brings out your best: writing a compelling, easy to read, inspiring and informational eBook that hundreds of thousands of buyers will want.

Judy Cullins: 20-year author, speaker, book coach. Helps entrepreneurs manifest their book and web dreams. eBook: "Ten Non-techie Ways to Market Online" www.bookcoaching.com/products.shtml. Send an email to subscribe@bookcoaching.com. FREE The Book Coach Says... includes 2 free eReports judy@bookcoaching.com.

Labels: , ,