Fine Living

Trim it down to size with a light bulb

2010-06-17T12:02:00.000+05:30

Trim it down to size with a light bulb

What Can a Horse Teach You about Beautiful Hair?

2008-04-12T10:04:00.000+05:30

(ARA) - There are many forces that can make your hair look listless, dull and unhealthy. From sun, chlorine and blow dryers to an unhealthy diet, any number of hazards can conspire to damage your hair. Fortunately, whether your hair is long or short, straight or curly, thick or baby-fine, there are certain habits that will help keep it looking its best.

1. Regular shampooing -- When you massage your scalp as you shampoo, it stimulates the oil glands to work more efficiently and brings natural oils into the hair, promoting bounce and shine.

2. The right products for your hair -- Use a shampoo that is pH balanced and that is formulated for your hair type. Conditioner should be nourishing but not heavy. Rinse with cool water for extra shine.

A good choice is Mane ‘n Tail shampoo, which won the Cosmo Girl 2003 Kiss of Approval award for best moisturizing shampoo. This gentle, pH balanced formula is fortified with moisturizers and emollients providing body and shine. It cleans without stripping the hair of its natural oils. Pair it with Mane ‘n Tail conditioner, an exclusive protein enriched formula which maintains, nourishes and conditions hair and scalp to aid healthy hair growth.

As the name suggests, Mane ‘n Tail products were originally developed for use on horses. They worked so well, “groomers started using the products on themselves to achieve the beautiful results they saw with their horses,” explains Devon Katzev, president of Straight Arrow Products, Inc., the parent company. The results spread by word of mouth, and the company introduced a line formulated for people in 1993. Jennifer Aniston and Sarah Jessica Parker are some of the many celebrities who have been quoted as counting Mane ‘n Tail products among their “beauty secrets.”

3. Proper hair care -- Never brush wet hair, which can lead to breakage; instead, use a wide tooth comb after you shampoo and save the brush for later. The tried-and-true “100 stokes a night” really is a good way to bring out the shine in your hair.

4. Protect your hair from damage -- Using a blow dryer, curling iron, hot rollers or straightening iron every day can take a toll on your hair. Use a shampoo and conditioner designed to protect your hair from these everyday assaults. Coloring, perming and relaxing your hair can also strip it of essential moisture and nutrients.

Mane ‘n Tail products help defend hair from the effects of styling tools. The conditioner’s essential moisturizing corrects the drying effect caused by sun, wind and use of bleach and peroxide lighteners. Both the shampoo and conditioner are safe on permed, relaxed or color treated hair. The conditioner is especially effective on thick or coarse hair. “Remember, horses’ hair is three times thicker than human hair, so if it works on manes and tails, just think how soft and silky it will make your hair,” says Katzev.

5. A healthy diet -- What you eat is reflected in the state of your hair. A hair-healthy diet includes a wide variety of foods, including lots of fruits and vegetables, and plenty of water. A daily multivitamin will ensure that your hair is getting all the nutritional support it needs. Stay away from processed foods, alcohol and cigarettes.

You’ll want to be sure that your hair products are pure and healthy, too. Mane ‘n Tail products were originally manufactured on the family farm (they’ve been around since 1970).

“While we don’t make the products on the farm today, we do manufacture them in a state-of-the-art facility at our headquarters in Bethlehem, Penn.,” says Katzev. “All Mane ‘n Tail products are designed to stand the test of our family tradition of quality and 100 percent customer satisfaction.”

The company has a full line of innovative hair care products that promote healthy hair growth, including a detangler formula for hard-to-comb hair and a hair strengthener that nourishes and repairs. Katzev is looking forward to the newest addition to the line, called Barrier, which will help achieve longer, stronger, healthier hair. “I consider this a revolutionary daily styling protection treatment,” he says of the new product, due on store shelves this summer.

More info

You can find Mane ‘n Tail products at most food, drug and mass retailers, as well as beauty supply, ag and tack stores. Visit www.straightarrowinc.com for more information.

Courtesy of ARA Content

Henna and Indigo Application

2008-04-12T10:03:00.000+05:30

By EveryDay Mehndi
Using henna and indigo for hair coloring can result in black, raven black, blue-black, purplish black or burgundy black hair. The exact color result depends upon your original hair coloring as well as how you use your henna and indigo in this process. Henna and Indigo application can be done in either a two-step or one-step process.

For a two-step process, your first step is to follow the instructions provided for using natural henna powder.

Mix your indigo with water 4 to 8 hours before using. Cover and allow the paste (about the consistency of yogurt) to sit for the 4 to 8 hours.

Always wearing plastic gloves, apply the indigo to your previously henna'd hair. I have my indigo ready to use immediately following rinsing the henna from my hair in a back to back process. You can do it this way or wait and apply your indigo later. Apply the indigo to your hair making sure to cover hair from roots to ends. Separating our hair into smaller sections will aid in this. When your hair is covered with the indigo, cover your hair with a plastic cap. Then cover with a towel or scarf. Allow the indigo to remain on your hair until desired color is achieved. Performing a harvested hair test will help you determine how long this will take.

Repeat applications of your henna and indigo will deepen the color results over time.

You can apply your henna and indigo in a single step. I recommend this for people who are not wishing to color gray hair and people with dark brown or black hair.

Mix your henna paste in a bowl and allow it to develop. Mix your indigo paste at the same time in a separate bowl. The longer your henna paste sits and dye is released, the more red the outcome will be. Allow your henna paste to sit for between 2 and 6 hours depending upon your desired results. When your henna paste and your indigo paste have each been allowed to sit a sufficient amount of time, mix the two together. Apply to your hair and allow to remain on your hair maximally 8 hours. A harvested hair test will allow you to determine if less time is required. For most people, fewer than 8 hours is required. The timeframes range from 1 hour to 8 hours depending upon the individual. The timing has to do with your desired color results and how well and how fast your hair takes color. A 50/50 henna and indigo mix will typically create the black shades described above. Different people will get different results in terms of blue-black or burgundy-black or black.

The one-step process creates a more gradual coloring of the hair and with each application, your hair will deepen and darken in color. If you chose the one-step process to cover gray, understand that your white hair may not become completely black with the first application. But with patience and repeat application, all of your hair will darken to the desired color.

Enjoy!!!
EveryDay Mehndi
www.everydayhenna.com

Home Remedies For Shiny Hair

2008-04-12T10:00:00.000+05:30

We all love our hair and would not mind taking that extra step to take care of it. For beautiful, lustrous and shiny hair use these simple home remedies.

• A tea and beer rinse is one of the oldest ways to bring shine to your hair. Boil used tea leaves in enough water, let it cool and then use this liquid as the last rinse.

• In the similar fashion you can use flat beer (i.e. after letting the fizz out). This is a great conditioner to be used for your hair.

• Lemon juice mixed with water can also be used as a last rinse to give your hair a shiny and bouncy look.

• A shiny look is also provided if you use vinegar for your final rinse.

• To bring that shine one can use honey to keep your scalp moisturized. You can make honey lotion for your hair by mixing 3 teaspoons of honey for pint of water.

• The use of henna as a natural conditioner proves to be very beneficial for your hair. It helps to bring back the bounce and flair of your hair which has been lacking for quite a while.

• You can add small amount of baking soda in the shampoo which, removes dirt and grease from your hair to give you the shiny look.

• To remove the dirt and other matter from your hair you can use one fourth cup of apple cider vinegar in one gallon of condensed water. This can be stored in the refrigerator and can be used every two weeks for clean, smooth, silky and shiny hair. The proper way to use this solution is to wet your hair with warm water, shampoo it later rinse it. Pour two cups of this mixture and leave it in your hair for sometime. The last stage is to rinse your hair with cold-water.

• To get that extra shine for your hair brew one cup of strong espresso, let it cool. Pour the espresso over your dry hair and leave it for 20 minutes. Rinse it to get the extra shine and glow.

• You can also make Egg shampoo at home which requires 1 egg, 1 teaspoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon castile soap, 1/2 a cup water or herbal tea and last but not the least 5 drops of essential oils of your choice. Blend all these together to make an Egg shampoo which can bring shine to your hair.

• Many of us who want to clean their hair use shampoos. Try this for a change, massage baking soda into your hair and scalp. This absorbs oil and loosens the dead skin on the scalp. Rinse it thoroughly with water. In the initial stages the hair would be dry but after several weeks you would be dandruff free with smooth and shiny hair.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer

The Author

Sharon Hopkins webmaster for sites like http://www.hair-n-skin-care.com can do wonders for you with information provided in your very own home. Information on hair and skin care and knowledge about products is also given.

Herbs For Healthy Hair

2008-04-12T09:56:00.000+05:30

1. Sage: Excellent for weak hair.
2. Rosemary: Enhances dark hair
3. Chamomile: Promotes healthy hair growth.
4. Catnip: Promotes hair growth.
5. Burdock Root: Promotes hair growth and reduces hair from falling out

Hair Loss

Hair is a growth consisting of dead skin cells that are filled with a protein called keratin. (which is the main ingredient in your fingernails.) Each hair is encased and nourished by a follicle buried under the skin.

Loss or absence of hair, also known as alopecia is a hereditary and unavoidable condition. In some men it can be a side effect of medication, a dietary deficiency or hormonal imbalance.

You can help reduce the effects of hair loss from stress, trauma, shock or illness by increasing your intake of vitamin C found in fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly citrus fruit and juices, parsley, broccoli, green peppers and black currants.

Take a vitamin B complex everyday or brewers yeast. Increase your intake of protein found in meat, fish, liver, wheat germ, dried cooked beans and peas, tofu, cheese, milk and eggs.

The Chinese believe that hair is nourished by the blood, and therefore influenced by the kidney & liver. Treatment is aimed at these organs using fleeceflower root, wolfberry fruit or mulberry fruit. Here are some great shampoos you may want to make:

HERBAL SHAMPOO - great for dandruff

4 tablespoons dried thyme boiled for 10 minutes in 2 cups of water. Strain and let cool before massaging onto clean damp hair. Leave on for 1 hour then rinse in warm water.

for more please visit the link

Hair Oil - A Need For Anyone And Everyone

2008-04-12T09:50:00.000+05:30

Oiling ones hair is one of the most important things, if we want to take care of our hair. It is very necessary that hair is given proper treatment which would mean a massage with some of the most beneficial oils.

Having the right kind of oil for your hair is very important and so is oiling your hair. Many of us have a hectic schedule due to which, oiling and washing our hair holds the last priority. If you want healthy hair and one which lasts longer - oiling is the best remedy.

There are so many oils in the market which tells you tales about the benefits it provides. Before jumping in the bandwagon with others, check it from which company you are buying the oil. A trusted and known company is very important as there are many duplicates in the market.

Having good hair oil is not enough, eating the right kind of food also helps. Harmful foods such as canned and processed food which do not protect your hair instead damage it, should not be eaten. Fresh coconut is very good for your hair.

For beautiful and strong hair, massage your scalp with hair oil and leave it overnight. You can also use a steamed towel to cover your hair for half an hour for best results. This gives your hair a shiny and lustrous look.

Oiling your hair everyday would be too much to ask for. But do this at least thrice a week for beautiful hair. It does make a lot of difference if you keep doing this regularly as it is bound to show on your hair.

The massaging and oiling of your hair stimulates the blood circulation, which in return helps your hair. Due to the oil your hair is protected from the strong and hot sun rays. The oil also gives your hair that extra shine.

Some of the most popular and very beneficial oils which are being used for beautiful long hair with indefinite good qualities are

Jojoba Oil - can be used for dry hair as it helps to moisturize your hair properly. It helps to soften your hair and can be used to detangle your hair before shampooing.

Olive Oil - strengthens your hair and nourishes it due to inherent qualities it has. It helps to reduce stress and promotes the idea of healthy hair by providing elasticity to your hair.

Coconut Oil - is one of the oil which helps in the lubrication of the hair. The content in coconut oil like magnesium, potassium, calcium and iron happens to provide the best for your hair. It is very useful for damaged hair due to its ability to strengthen it.

Rosemary Herbal Oil - is very useful for the unwanted and flaky dandruff problems. Warm the oil slightly and apply it with the help of your fingers or cotton. Rub it well on the scalp and wrap with a hot towel.

Source: http://www.pioneerthinking.com/sh_hairoil.html

Create your own aromatherapy spa at home!

2008-04-12T09:48:00.000+05:30

Create your own aromatherapy spa at home!
Source: ChilliBreeze

Need to de-stress, revitalize, or energize yourself after a month long hectic work schedule? Head for the nearest beauty salon. Better still, head for a spa. But what if you can get the same experience in the comfort of your home? To see how, read the article below.

The word “spa” is a Latin acronym for salus per aquam meaning ‘health from water’. The philosophy behind the spa is that total well-being of the body can be attained by focusing on three key things - wellness, fitness both physical and mental, and relaxation. Spas are only just catching on in India and are often very expensive. Here is how you can create an aromatherapy spa at home.

For a whole body spa

To begin make sure your bathroom décor is “spa-worthy”. A bathroom with pastel coloured walls is ideal. Pastel shades are relaxing. If that is not an option select light, pleasing shower curtains for your bathroom spa. A few aromatherapy candles can add to the ‘ambience’ of your spa. Next you need to prepare your bath with some essential oils. Lavender, chamomile, ylang-ylang, sandalwood, sage, rosewood and cedar wood are all essences that relax your body and calm your mind. If you want to feel refreshed, use lime, spearmint, lemon grass, or orange essential oils. Select the one you like the most. Turn out the lights and soak into your bath. Add a bit of soothing music to your routine and there! You have a spa as good as any professional one.

For a quick relaxing spa

If you do not have time for a whole body spa, a simple foot soak will give you the necessary relaxation. Fill a small tub that can accommodate your feet with warm water. Place a few marbles in it and add half a cup of Epsom salts along with a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Soak your feet in the water and roll your feet over the marbles. This gives your tired feet an essential massage and you feel rejuvenated. Scrub your feet to get rid of dead cells and end with the application of a moisturizing cream.

While you are relaxing your body and your feet, why leave out your face? Place cucumber slices on your eyes to soothe them while you soak. Apply a face pack made of one mashed ripe banana mixed with one teaspoon each of honey and curd. This moisturizes your face during your home spa treatment.

Most people try to detoxify through diets, drinking plenty of water, exercise and more but a spa is the most natural way to detoxify and cleanse your entire system. A home spa treatment can mean much more than this.

Do you avoid spas because they are expensive and take too much effort to reach? Or do you think nothing beats the real thing? What’s your home spa treatment menu? Tell us all about it!

Source: http://www.window2india.com/cms/content/article11092007.jsp?aid=3796

How to Blend and Use Aromatherapy Oils to Relieve Pain and Stress : How to Make a Lavender Body Lotion for a Good Nights Sleep : Aromatherapy Tips

2008-04-06T14:48:00.000+05:30

Learn how to make an aromatherapy lavender body lotion to aid in a good nights sleep, in this free video

Herbal Cream / Lotion

2008-04-06T14:29:00.000+05:30

The Art Of Men's Waxing

2008-04-06T14:27:00.000+05:30

for the metrosexual men out there

Professional Pedicure Techniques

2008-04-06T14:24:00.000+05:30

Noted aesthetician and licensed massage therapist, Eva Mileski , offers a complete guide to s... More»pa pedicures. Your clients will feel pampered and ready to go stepping after you apply these techniques. This video includes extensive foot massage, proper sanitation and sterilization, cleansing, nail clipping, nail filing, cuticle and callus removal, exfoliation methods, polish application, spa and paraffin treatments, essential oils, products and equipment, client consultation, and contraindications

Dog Training: How To Train a Puppy : How to Teach Your New Puppy to Stay: Video

2008-04-06T14:22:00.000+05:30

Information, tips and techniques about how to teach your new puppy to stay on command in this free video clip

She Called

2008-03-25T14:21:00.002+05:30

As the years passed by and I grew to an adult, looking at the alternative aspects of life was a passion that grew stronger every moment. The questions of What Why When How Where??????????? never seemed to cease and am lucky they didn’t or else I wouldn’t have a source of sustenance.
Many a times trying to figure out the nuances of the voices within and around, would put me into a state of flux, despair and sadness.However, I also understood that someday when the time is right the voices would guide me to understand myself better than before.
The voice and the shadows would guide and lead me, the intense energy and vibrations would call out to me………Oh! Would someone please please help me with an answer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is what would run in my mind twenty four seven, believe it or not even if I said every breath and moment of my life.
Now I believed always that MAGIC WAS AROUND US AND IN US.
“Mind your language” is what my parents and the elders would always tell us at home, well apart from the decency quotient hidden in those lines, I have also understood why they would say that famous line, irrespective of wether they knew it or not. The reason being simple, “thoughts change into actions “and that is so true. If you say something means you thought about it at some point and hence it was out of your mouth directly intentionally or unintentionally, hence it at most times changes into actions.
From the family that I come, an orthodox Roman Catholic denomination, I have been lucky and am to date allowed following and believing in my instincts.
The circle does go round and around, and sometimes in a state of confusion with no one to guide and those who were there to do so would often mis lead me. Hence trying to find the Teacher was a major challenge for me. It is said that when the disciple is ready the teacher appears……….. now this sentence is very true, because with all the experiences I gathered in the past few years with spells and magic and the understanding of the connection I have with the universe I finally did find My Wiccan teacher, and I didn’t have to travel the seven seas for it.
I feel blessed and honoured to now be under the protection and guidance of Lady Ipsita Ray Chakraverti. In the beginning I was a bit apprehensive since I had been ditched and mislead a number of times by many so called Psychics or Spiritual tellers.
But let me tell you Lady Ipsita is not a person who would want to claim the THIS and THAT of the Wiccan world. A true Wiccan is what she is who allows the universe to guide her and allow her to help fellow Wiccans and the Youth. What I really find interesting is the method of her teaching, not loud, not theoretical, but something you would identify with, rather everything you would be experiencing in your life, and you would learn ultimately what it means to have those experiences.
After my first meeting with Ipsita, I understood myself better, and under her constant guidance I also have become a better person and yes needless to say, life has changed for the better.
This is why I named this article “She Called” , She as in the Mother Goddess, She as in the Universe, She as in Lady Ipsita.
No wonder they say correctly Wicca Chooses you and you don’t choose Wicca.

Blessed Be

Chocolate Easter Basket

2008-03-19T11:31:00.000+05:30

“Forget love -- I'd rather fall in chocolate!!!” The very thought of chocolate sets our mouth watering. There are a few stuffs that people feel very passionate about and one among them is chocolate. For the true chocoholic, just thinking about chocolate can evoke an enjoyable and delightful response. Be it a normal chocolate fan or a crazy chocolate enthusiast, chocolate
gift is an absolute delight for all of them. A chocolate gift basket is always overwhelming and satisfying for all the chocoholics for weeks, or may be for months. So, on this Easter delight all your loved ones who are chocoholics with Chocolate Easter Basket.

Chocolate Easter basket is a nice way to celebrate the springtime family. Overflowing with delightful treats, a gourmet chocolate gift basket suffices all your personal as well as corporate gift giving needs. Expression of love and affection is possible in a number of ways and one commonly followed method is gifting of chocolates. Chocolate Easter customized gift boxes personalize your special day, leaving a lasting impression with your loved ones. For instance, a chocolate gift box dressed in ribbon and bow and overflowing with drinking chocolate, Tanzania dessert sauce, dark chocolate raspberry bar, almonds and sweetened coconut dipped in milk chocolate, milk chocolate bar, dark chocolate mint signature bar, apricots pretzels, Jamaican rum caramel filled bar, cashew turtles and many more treats will surely delight your chocoholic recipient.

Dgreetings provides us with information on Chocolate Easter Basket.

Easy Crafts for Kids

2008-03-19T11:29:00.000+05:30

Easter is a fun time for kids. They eagerly wait for the spring season with great excitement and thrill. So, on this Easter add a bit of spice to the celebrations of Easter with Easy Crafts for Kids. Dgreetings offers you a huge selection of crafts and activities to keep any child happy. These mentioned crafts are easy and fun ways to decorate and create beautiful treats. So, settle in and read some of the Easy Craft for Kids.

Painted Stones

Supplies:

Acrylic paints
Smooth flat stones
Markers
Paint brushes
Water

Method: Firstly wash and dry off the stones. Mix the paints and pour into paper cups. Then make your kid paint the dried stones. Continue until all stones are colored. Keep the colored stones aside to let the paint dry. Then your kid can draw simple designs with the marker pens. If they commit any mistakes use the water in the jar to wipe off. The water can be used to clean brushes. These beautifully painted stones can be used as paper weights or ornaments.

Easter Invitation

Supplies:

Construction paper
Scissors
Bunny cookie-cutters
Cotton balls
Markers
Pencils
Glue

Method: Firstly help your kid trace bunny cookie-cutter shapes with a pencil on the construction paper. Cut the shape out with scissors. Decorate the bunnies with ribbon or bow. Glue a cotton-ball tail on all the bunny invitation cards. Write all the party information on the inner side of the card.

Easter Gifts for Men

2008-03-19T11:27:00.000+05:30

Easter is the time to be with friends and loved ones and the time to share the warmth of your love and care. Exchanging gifts is an important aspect of Easter celebrations. Buying Easter gifts for men is not an easy task for all of us. We have to keep in mind the likes and dislikes of the man who will receive the gift. Whether you are a man or a woman, you need to keep in mind certain points before you set out to buy any Easter gifts for men.

Most men are gadget freaks. They are considered to be more rational and less emotional than women. Their emotions are supposedly attached with logic and common sense. At any occasion, even on Easter, men would love to have gifts which they can use. Anytime you can gift an iPod to a man, as it would enable him to refresh his mind with his favorite songs as he drives to office, or on the way back home. It is one of the ideal Easter gifts for men who love music. Buy him a standby for his mobile phone or for his iPod. It won’t require wall socket and it will be a blessing when his mobile phone or iPod runs out of charge.

Given below are some more interesting Easter gifts for men –

Cordless drill – men don’t mind getting it as a gift more than once. You can safely gift him one even if he has got a few of them.
Themed Easter gift baskets – - If he is a sports lover then gifting sports themed Easter basket would be a brilliant idea. Such a gift basket may contain items such as a book on sports, sports water bottle, sports ball gift box, etc. - Gourmet Easter gift basket filled with all the yummy things he likes. - A beer and wine gift basket is sure to add a smile to his face.

Hope these ideas on Easter gifts for men would come handy for you. For more information on Easter gifts, surf through the pages of Dgreetings.

Easter Lunch Recipes

2008-03-19T11:22:00.000+05:30

Easter Lunch Recipes will make your Easter lunch hassle free. Easter Lunch is eaten both with family and friends. Easter lunch is a gala feast and is served with lamb, ham, fish, sliced meats, cheese, potatoes and other delicious dishes. So, settle in and read some delicious Easter Lunch Recipes.

Easter Lamb

Ingredients:
5 lb leg of lamb -- boneless
Black pepper
1/2 c dill -- chopped
2 tbs garlic -- minced
1/2 c parsley -- chopped
4 tbs oregano -- rubbed
1/2 c red wine vinegar
1 c olive oil
Salt according to taste

Method: Preheat oven to 425F Blend together the vinegar, oil, parsley, garlic, dill, oregano, and pepper. Butter the lamb and pepper generously on both sides. Make some slits in the lamb. Marinate the lamb for 2 hours. Then squeeze the lamb and drain the marinade from lamb. Put lamb in the oven in for about 45 minutes. Let lamb rest before serving.

Easter Ham:

Ingredients
2 cups packed brown sugar
8 pound cured, bone-in picnic ham
Salt according to taste

Method: Spread about 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar on the bottom of the slow cooker jar. Then lay the ham flat side down into the slow cooker. Use your hands to rub the remaining brown sugar onto the ham. Cover, and cook on low for 9 hours.

Baked Chicken & Potatoes

Ingredients:
3-4 pound chicken cut into serving pieces
2 tbs Parsley
3 tbs Vegetable oil
6 Potatoes, peeled & quartered
Crushed tomatoes
1 ts Basil
2 Cloves garlic, minced
1/4 c Grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Method: First pour enough oil in a large roasting pan to cover bottom of the pan. Place chicken in the pan and place potatoes between the chicken pieces. Sprinkle evenly parsley, basil, garlic, tomatoes, salt and pepper over the chicken and potatoes. Lastly, sprinkle with the grated cheese and the oil. Bake in 375 degree F. oven until chicken is done.

DGreetings gives you an account of Easter Lunch Recipes.

easter blessings

2008-03-19T11:18:00.002+05:30

Easter Blessings
As the deep Purple sunrise comes across the sky
Easter Morning is here and it makes me cry
This Holiday is sacred, the Resurrection of the King
Even in Heaven the Angles do preciously sing
This holiday has been commercialized, do you really see
A Parade in New York City, Egg Hunts with Baskets will be
The Children chasing Rabbits and eating Jelly Beans
Marshmallow chickens and expensive Bonnets by all means
Praising the Savior is what I will always do
The Inflatable sensations of the world holds so true
Jesus told us that, in every thing He did and said
The world then took Him and crucified him dead
So on this Easter Morning remember our Jesus Christ
Dresses might be pretty, yet they are quite so over priced

Depression - hidden causes in the diet

2008-03-13T18:49:00.000+05:30

Depression is a state of mind characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity. It can range from a mild affliction to a point where it severely affects the social functioning and activities of daily living of an individual. There are multiple causes of depression ranging from complex psychological and physiological factors such as lack of self-esteem, or perfectionsim to hormonal imbalances as seen in postpartum depression.

There is increasing evidence that diet may play a causative role in some cases of depression. The food production in industrialized societies uses intensive farming and processing techniques. This can contribute to depleted levels of omega 3 fatty acids, certain amino acids and other essential nutrients in the food we eat. Also over time our food choices and preferences have changed, which has led to a skewed ratio of fats in out diet.

Omega 3 is an important essential fats for the body. Its deficiency has been linked to depression, anxiety, aggressiveness and even insomnia. In some studies it was observed that patients suffering from depression have lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids in their cell membranes. More startlingly, its deficiency worsens the conditions of ADHD children considerably. Research has shown that patients with bipolar depression who increased their consumption of foods containing omega 3 showed remarkable improvement in mood, which supports the role of omega 3 fatty acids in the treatment of depression.

Omega 3 is required in the diet and cannot be made within the body. Foods rich in omega 3 include oily fish such as salmon and mackerel, flaxseeds walnuts, olive oil, pumpkin seeds. Ensuring 2-3 portions of oily fish per week should provide adequate omega 3 in your diet.

Amino acids are also not produced within the human body. Tryptophan is an amino acid which is converted into serotonin in the body and is a natural relaxant. This can be used in the treatment of depression to assist with a good night’s sleep, treat migraines and even boost the immune system. Deficiency in the essential amino acid Lysine may cause fatigue, irritability and a lack of concentration. Good sources of lysine include meat, chicken, and eggs and legumes.

Carbohydrates are important in the fight against depression. They help to release the chemical monoamine serotonin. This chemical is found in the brain and is a mood-enhancer. It induces sleep and brings on relaxation. Depression seems to stem from reduced serotonin in the brain. Hence the feeling of satisfaction as soon as a person eats a meal with carbohydrates. Increasing complex carbohydrates that are absorbed slowly such as brown rice, whole grain wheat, bran, fruits and vegetables may be important in the treatment of depression, as this will help ensure a steady supply of serotonin.

Depression can also be intensified or even caused by deficiencies of folate, B12 and vitamin C and magnesium. In a major study, a direct link between low folate levels and neuropsychiatry disorder was established. It has also been suggested that an increased intake of folate can help reduce the high levels of homocysteine often present during depression. Foods rich in folate and vitamin c include spinach, broccoli, tomato juice, kidney beans, lentils and asparagus and increasing amounts of these foods in the diet could be useful in the treatment of depression.

Vitamin B12 is found in animal products such as milk, meat, cheese and yogurt. Vegans and strict vegetarians who do not drink milk products can be lacking in Vitamin B12. Elderly people often suffer from malabsorption of this vitamin due to a lack of acidity in the stomach (which assists in its digestion) and this can lead to mood disorders or even depression. Vitamin B12 is therefore a key vitamin to consider in supplementing for the treatment of depression.

A deficiency of magnesium is sometimes associated with forms of depression. A diet rich in magnesium such as nuts and grains, spinach, and meat may be beneficial in alleviating the symptoms of depression.

Depression is sometimes caused by the increased intake of alcohol and narcotic substances. We are all well aware of the initial euphoria that occurs with alcohol intake, however in the long term, alcohol abuse can contribute heavily to a depressive state.

Diet and depression may well have a cyclical relationship. Depression may be exacerbated by dietary deficiency in the first place and can go onto lead to a loss of appetite or apathy towards food and wellbeing. A dietary approach to the treatment of depression is by no means the whole answer but it could play an important role.
By James Balch

Detox Diets - the 24 Hour Detox Revitalization Diet

2008-03-13T18:47:00.001+05:30

Much has been written and said about diets and detox, but here we are going to present a simple 24 detox diet to cleanse your system, make you feel better and revitalise you with energy, its simple and very effective.

This 24 hour detox diet can be used after a period of over-indulgence, or when you awake feeling poorly and will revitalize you quickly.

This detox diet should not to be used everyday.

24 Hour Detox Diet Basics

The basis for this detox diet is 4 glasses of ‘fresh' pomegranate juice, slow-cooked brown rice, a high-power vegetable salad, and 200 grams of raw almonds.

The combination will give you all the vitamins and minerals you need for your day, clear your body of toxins and oxidants, and give you plenty of energy to face the world. You will also lose a minimum of 600 grams to 1 kilo depending on your height and body weight.

Detoxing to cleanse your body

The pomegranate is a very powerful (the most powerful) anti-oxidant we know of in any food.

It has been shown to reverse and even prevent some cancers and heart disease.

The almonds will supply all the calories, oils, and proteins you need, without feeling hungry.

The salads are for bulk and all the vitamins and minerals that are gained from the eating of salads and vegetables.

The brown rice is also a wonderful antioxidant, and source of many vitamins and minerals that can be readily absorbed by the body.

The rules of this detox diet are simple:

1. No coffee or tea, or any soft drink. The ONLY liquids that are allowed are the 4 glasses of pomegranate juice and much water as you can drink.

2. If you are a smoker, try to stop for the 24 hours, or if you cannot, limit the cigarettes to as few as possible, and try not to inhale, but smoke the cigarette as you would a cigar.

3. Take a hot shower or bath both in the morning and in the evening, scrubbing the skin with a brush, loofa, or special skin cloth that will stimulate good blood circulation. Also going to a sauna is a wonderful idea. Spend as much time there as possible, taking your food with you.

4. Do not cheat; follow the diet plan. Eat ONLY when you are hungry, not by the clock.

5. Exercise by any means (walking may be the best) for at least 45 minutes during the day. This is very important.

Detox diet Morning Meal

One glass of pomegranate juice, with a handful of the raw almonds. Do not overfill your stomach; when you are about 50% satisfied, stop.

Detox diet Mid-morning Snack

One bowl of the brown rice, with some natural soya sauce, and some tofu if you feel you need protein. One glass of water.

Detox diet Lunch

One glass of pomegranate juice and a mixed green salad, as much as you wish. A dressing of virgin olive oil, wine vinegar, and salt may be used.

Detox diet Mid-Day Snack

One glass of pomegranate juice, with a handful of the raw almonds. Do not overfill your stomach; when you are about 50% satisfied, stop.

Detox diet Diner

The last glass of pomegranate juice and a large bowl of brown rice.

No more food should be consumed with this detox diet.

You will have taken over 1200 calories, and a host of wholesome and healthful nutrients with this detox diet if followed exactly.

Moreover, you body will have had 24 hours to rid itself of the toxins absorbed by over-indulgence, or simply daily city life (stress, pollution and processed food products).

During the day When using this detox diet feel fantastic and alert.

We advise to not follow this detox diet more than one day weekly, as it is not effective as a general everyday diet. It is however highly effective as a quick pick me up and cleansing diet.

For more sensible diet and nutrition advice visit our website for free articles, downloads, features and magazines.

Aromatherapy to Overcome Your Financial Fears

2008-03-09T11:40:00.000+05:30

By Francoise Rapp

For many people, the menacing and overpowering awareness of their financial state is enough to keep them awake at night. And it's no wonder, since we spend so much of our daily lives doing mental accounting of our finances, paying bills, and watching our paperwork pile up. This financial anxiety can be paralyzing for some, keeping them in an endless poverty consciousness cycle that actually prevents them from attracting the abundance they so desire.

If you suffer from these self-sabotaging fears, it's time to learn how to release their hold on you. And you may be surprised to learn that the remedy is really no different than treating a physical ailment.

When you are sick, you take herbs and nurture yourself in order to regain your health. Apply this principle to your emotional state and use action to relieve your symptoms. Include a simple ritual and a customized aromatherapy blend to your daily routine and you will soon find yourself free from the financial fears that were holding you back.

Start by taking the following actions to welcome prosperity into your life:

-- Clear the Clutter --

Are you apprehensive about your accounting, allowing it to pile up and clutter your life? Consider the negative message that sends about your abilities to manage your finances. Eliminating clutter is a major principle in Feng Shui. When you clear it, you also eliminate the emotional clutter as well. Do a major de-cluttering this week. Make it a point to organize your papers, file your receipts, etc. Then, make sure to maintain your new sense of order.

-- Change Your Perspective on the Situation --

We are often reluctant to address our finances because we are afraid of what we will find. Will we find more debt? Will we discover we have less money than we need? Change your perspective today by doing an inventory of your life. Make a list of all your goods: possessions, relationships, success stories, health, etc. See how much you have on hand instead of how much you lack. And remember, no matter how bad it gets, there is always a way out.

-- Aromatic Blend to Transcend Your Financial Fears --

This blend will boost your confidence, willpower, and courage.
In a 10-ml bottle, add the following essential oils and fill with an organic vegetable oil:

· 5 drops Bay leaves Essential Oil
· 5 drops Rosemary Essential Oil
· 4 drops Cinnamon Essential Oil

Anoint the solar plexus, lower back. Pour a few drops into the palm of your hands and breathe it in deeply. Use it in the morning, when feeling scared or anxious about a financial situation.

Order the oils you need to prepare your blend:
===> http://www.aromalchemy.com/aromatherapy/ouroils.html

-- Your 10-Minute Ritual --

This exercise will replenish your body and mind in positive energy, thus helping you attract abundance into your life.

Sit silently in a quiet place for several minutes. Visualize yourself surrounded by and absorbing a golden color within your entire body, each organ, each cell. Imagine it radiating out. Hold this vision for at least 10 minutes. Feel how your body is full of this golden color.

Pour a few drops of the aromatic blend into the palms of your hands and breathe it in deeply. Say the following affirmation three times aloud:

"I am the creator of my own wealth and take action today toward abundance."

Source: http://www.pioneerthinking.com/fr_financial.html

Battle With Burn-Out

2008-03-09T11:37:00.000+05:30

By Tracy Brinkmann
Letting yourself reach the point where you are burnt out, worn down and used up is a threat to your dreams, goals and your life's happiness. The physical manifestation of burnout, or an overload of stress, is your body's natural response to the pressures you are placed under and that place it under during the course of your day. Worse yet when you place yourself in a stressful situation in your mind through worry and fret, your body reacts as if physically placed in that situation. Your body's natural defenses go into action.

Perhaps you are stressed and anxious about an upcoming interview, big presentation or sales meeting. But your body's natural defenses are reacting as if a gang of thugs cornered you in a dark alley. Your heart quickens, you become sweaty, and your thoughts are broken and scattered. Too much stress can actually wear you down, as your body fights to keep up this level of defense. You can easily see how this will negatively impact your effectiveness towards accomplishing your goals.

But at the root level the cause of the stress is more the issue than the stress itself. This root cause is what really can generate a sense of hopelessness, a reduction in productivity, bear a heavy weight on relationships, shatter dreams, and in some cases even result in chemical dependency.

However, you can learn to response to your stress and anxiety in a manner that will avoid these horror stories and stop the disaster before it destroys your road to success.

Signs that your stress is reaching the danger zone:

Bored (not just when there is nothing to do)
Do not feel appreciated/loved/cared for
Overly Tense
Aggravated/Frustrated
Short Fuse - quick to get angry
Frequently/Constantly tired or exhausted
Hate getting up in the morning (often don't)
Frequently being late to work, meetings, etc.
Skipping work
Frequently ill
Frequently Forgetting things (tasks, items, date etc.)
Resist change
Procrastinates
Feeling hopeless (no light at the end of the tunnel)
Alcohol or drug consumption increasing

Having trouble with a number of these signs? Well then you could be doing battle with burnout. Burnout is a slow burn and can come upon you so leisurely that you do not even realize it. Listen to your body (and your friends). Knowing is step one to winning the burnout battle.

This topic does not go over well with some. Often it goes over the least with the determined, go-getters of the world. They say, "Bah, I'm just doing what I do best. Getting ahead, getting things done. Sure I burn the mid-night oil but that's how I get ahead." These highly motivated and un-wavering people are at the highest level of risk. They become inundated with their high expectations of themselves and their enthusiasm to achieve their dreams.

If you are passionate about being a success. If you feel the need to be in control all the time. And if you frequently over commit yourself with tasks and responsibilities, then you too are at risk of becoming a contender in the burnout battle.

Attitude and a positive viewpoint of your life will positively influence your vulnerability. As I said earlier, it is your attitude toward a demand or pressure rather than the actual demand or pressure that causes the stress. Learn to manage your stress. Now this sometimes means making the tough decisions. Remembering to take care of yourself, both mentally and physically. Accepting responsibility for your well being and making positive life choices. Take the time to list the things that are causing you undo stress (the root causes. List them all - even the ones that you enjoy but still result in stress. Once you complete the list, break it into two categories; conditions you can change and conditions you cannot change.

Sit down and work out a plan to resolve the stressful conditions that you can change. Then work the plan. Remember, coming up with the plan alone won't do it. You have to work the plan and remove the stress from your life and from you list.

As for the conditions that you are unable to change. Look at better ways to react to them. The conditions themselves aren't causing the stress; your attitude/reaction to the conditions is causing the stress. Some of the material I have shared with you in the past (last issue on Attitude for example) can prepare you to better react to these conditions positively. You can't stop these waves of stress, so learn to surf them.

Think Successfully.
Tracy
(C) Tracy Brinkmann, all rights reserved

SOURCE: http://www.pioneerthinking.com/tb_burnout.html

Herbal and Ayurvedic Remedies for Dark Under Eye Circles

2008-03-09T11:36:00.000+05:30

By Tom Alter
Dark circles are formed under the eyes. They are dark blemishes that surround the eyes and thus spoil the appearance of the face. They are also known as eye circles and are sometimes referred to in slang as bags under the eyes.

There are many reasons why dark circles may occur. Knowing these reasons will help to avoid them and thus get protection from these ungainly blemishes on the face. These causes are:

1. Lack of sleep

2. Extreme tiredness

3. Improper diet and nutrition

4. Stress

5. Hormonal problems

6. Advancing age

7. Hyper-pigmentation of the skin

8. Exposure to heat and sunlight

9. Excessive intake of some drugs

Dark circles are caused due to vitiation in the vata and the pitta doshas. These are the elements governing the air and the fire elements in the human body respectively. It has been found that yoga is very beneficial in reducing dark circles. Pranayama and shavasana help the mind to de-stress. Such asanas are prescribed for people with dark circles.

Once the dark circles have appeared, it is very difficult to get rid of them. There are many cosmetic creams in the market that claim to eliminate dark circles, but dark circles can be only removed by a healthy lifestyle. There are some ways in which dark circles can be reduced. These methods are mentioned in this article.

Useful Herbs/Plants in the Treatment of Dark Circles

1. Apple (Malus domestica)

Apples contain tannin which helps in reducing dark circles. In addition, apples also contain potassium and the water soluble vitamins B and C which can replenish the lost nutrients in the skin under the eyes.

2. Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)

The cucumber is a very cool vegetable. For this reason it is used widely as a treatment for eye circles. The cool juices of the cucumber help the eyes to de-stress, which makes the dark circles disappear within a few days.

3. Potato (Solanum tuberosum)

The starchy content of the potatoes helps in the treatment of dark circles. Both the peel and thin slices of the potato can be placed over the eyes to get good results.

4. Rose (Rosa cordifolia)

No other treatment for dark circles is as common as the extract of rose petals, known as rose water or gulaab jal. Rose water soothes the eyes and removes their redness. It also rejuvenates the skin around the eyes. This reduces the eye circles. Rose water can completely eliminate the dark circles if used persistently for a few weeks.

Dietary Treatments for Dark Circles

Keep your diet very healthy if you want to get rid of your dark circles. Many Ayurvedic doctors would agree that the first treatment of dark circles begins with correcting the diet. The diet must not be too dry. Use lots of water in the preparation of dishes in the form of gravies, daals, soups, etc. Cook your food in a little fat to reduce the vata vitiation. Drink lot of water throughout the day. Also consume fresh fruits that have high water contents.

Home Medications

1. Cucumber is very beneficial in reducing dark circles due to its cooling effects. Cut thin slices of cucumber and place them directly over the eyes. Keep them for about fifteen minutes. Do this every night before going to bed. It will give a restful sleep and will reduce the dark circles in the morning. Cucumber slices are very beneficial when the dark circles are caused due to stress.

2. Another simple method is to dip cotton pieces in water and place them over the eye. Here water is the treating agent. Its coolness soothes the eyes. A better effect can be achieved by using rose water instead of simple water.

3. The peel of a potato can also be placed on the eye. Do this every night before going to sleep. Since potato peels can attach better to the eyelids, this method is preferable over cucumber slices.

4. Almond oil massage is beneficial in case you are suffering from dark circles. Ideally, the massage must be done at night time, and the eyes must not be opened after that until morning. So, this must be done when going to bed.

5. Prepare a paste of nutmeg in milk. Apply this on and around the eyelids before going to bed.

6. You can even put used tea bags around the eyes to get good results. The alkaloids in the tea help to renew the skin around the eyes.

The most important thing to remember is that you must not stress your eyes too much. This is a sure way of getting dark circles. Even when you are working throughout the day, take some time out (even ten minutes will do) to wash your eyes with cool water and then keep them shut. Do not think about any stressful thoughts when your eyes are shut. Divert your mind in thinking about beautiful things in nature. When you open your eyes after the ten minutes are over, you will feel as refreshed as though you have had a siesta.

Source: http://www.pioneerthinking.com/ta_eyecircles.html

The Power Within Us

2008-03-09T11:33:00.000+05:30

By: Robert Elias Najemy
Do You Seem to Get Caught Up in the Same Old Reactions?

Through His example, Christ gave us the message that there is a great power within us and that we can do wonders if we believe in ourselves and the Divine. With that faith we even conquer death.

This divine power is within each of us. We are the temples of the living God. His power resides within us. Our lesson is to use it properly in
harmony with the universal laws of creation, so as to create harmony in our personal and communal lives. As manipulators of divine power, we are co-creators with the Divine.

Until now, we have been doing a poor job of using that power. We have created a world with a considerable amount of pain, injustice, inequality, loneliness, violence and famine.

We need to re-find that power again within us, and use it now together with its proper companion - love. Power without love, as man has used it until today, is destructive and ugly, similar to many of our cities. Power with love is harmonious and beautiful like nature.

The Power to Forgive

That power allows us to transcend our «small human egos», which hold on to our little resentments, hurts and anger. Christ gave us clear message with his attitude towards those who harmed him. As he spoke these words, «They know not what they do», he taught us the need to understand.

All negative behaviors are a result of our fear, insecurity and ignorance. When people harm us with their words or actions, they are acting out of insecurity and in ignorance of their and our unified divine nature. They are controlled by their programming and are not capable of doing otherwise.

As we grow into higher levels of consciousness, we will feel more secure and understand and forgive them. He forgave and prayed for those who killed him. This message has failed to seep into our hearts, even though two thousand years have passed since that powerful event.

The other who has done us harm, was simply bringing to us the results of our past choices, present beliefs and the lessons which we have chosen to learn at this time. It is a test. It is our opportunity for spiritual growth.

We need to understand that the other is acting out of ignorance, insecurity and fear.

We need to understand also that this event is happening to us for a reason to test our wisdom, strength and love.

We have everything to gain by forgiving that person.

We forgive not for the other's sake but for ours. We are the ones who suffer as long as we do not forgive and forget whatever has happened. We are immersed in our own negative energy, which deteriorates our emotional harmony as well as our nervous, endocrine and immune systems.

There is, however, a great difference between suppressing anger and transcending it through wisdom and love.

In the first case we ignore reality. In the second case, we need to connect to the Truth.

Source: http://www.pioneerthinking.com/ren_powerinus.html

Beauty and Skin Care

2008-03-09T11:32:00.000+05:30

The Maharishi Ayurveda Approach
By: Nancy Lonsdorf M.D.

“Every person is born perfect. Inferiority is a mistake of the mind, a cloud covering the light. Dissolve the clouds by observing a balanced life with healthy habits. Nourish your mind and body. Connect with your own inner self. Celebrate your own magnificence and your beauty will always shine through.” - Dr. Rama Kant Mishra, renowned Ayurvedic physician and dermatologist

The Three Pillars of Beauty

Maharishi Ayurveda (MAV), the modern, consciousness-based revival of the ancient Ayurvedic medicine tradition, considers true beauty to be supported by three pillars; Outer Beauty, Inner Beauty and Lasting Beauty. Only by enhancing all three can we attain the balanced state of radiant health that makes each of us the most fulfilled and beautiful person we can be.

Outer Beauty: Roopam

The outer signs of beauty - your skin, hair and nails - are more than just superficial measures of beauty. They are direct reflections of your overall health. These outer tissues are created by the inner physiological processes involved in digestion, metabolism and proper tissue development. Outer beauty depends more on the strength of your digestion and metabolism, the quality of your diet, and the purity of your blood, than on external cleansers and conditioners you may apply.

General Recommendations for Outer Beauty

As we will discuss, the key to skin care is matching your diet and skin care routine to the specific skin type you have. Meanwhile, there are some valuable recommendations for lustrous skin, hair and nails that will be helpful to everyone, regardless of skin type.

1. Diet: Without adequate nourishment, your collagen layer thins and a kind of wasting takes place. Over time, your skin can shrivel up like a plant without water from lack of nourishment. To keep your skin plump and glowing:

A. Eat fresh, whole organic foods that are freshly prepared.

Avoid packaged, canned, frozen, processed foods and leftovers. These foods have little nutritional value and also they are often poorly digested which creates impurities that localize in the skin. The resulting buildup of toxins causes irritation and blocks circulation depriving the skin of further nourishment and natural cleansing processes.

B. Favor skin nourishing foods.

1. Leafy green vegetables contain vitamins, minerals (especially iron and calcium) and are high in antioxidant properties. They nourish the skin and protect it from premature aging.

2. Sweet juicy fruits like grapes, melons, pears, plums and stewed apples at breakfast are excellent for the skin in almost everyone.

3. Eat a wide variety of grains over different meals and try mixed grain servings at breakfast and lunch. Add amaranth, quinoa, cous cous, millet and barley to the wheat and rice you already eat.

4. Favor light, easy to digest proteins like legume soups (especially yellow split mung dhal), whole milk, paneer (cheese made from boiling milk, adding lemon and straining solids) and lassi (diluted yogurt and spice drinks).

5. Oils like ghee (clarified butter) and organic, extra virgin olive oil should be included in the diet as they lubricate, nourish and create lustre in the skin.

6. Use spices like turmeric, cumin, coriander, and black pepper to improve digestion, nourish the skin and cleanse it of impurities.

7. Avoid microwaving and boiling your vegetables. They lose as much as 85% of their antioxidant content when cooked in this way. Steaming and sautéing are best.

FOR MORE PLEASE VISIT : http://www.pioneerthinking.com/dnl_skincare.html

The Invisible Force of Energy

2008-02-06T12:39:00.000+05:30

by Gail Rodgers

Energy is the hottest commodity on the market today. We need it at every level of life, whether material, physical and even spiritual. Though its force is invisible it drives not only the economy of the world but also the economy of our own lives.

Energy is big business. Producing it brings jobs that fuel the market place. It brings revenue fueling corporations and governments. Without its invisible force, engines stop and every area of life is affected.

Fuel in affects energy out

In our own lives we know that the food and exercise choices we make fuel our bodies. The choice of input directly affects the energy levels of output. It’s also important to consider what fuels our spirits. Energy is also a need on the spiritual side of our lives. How we fuel our spirit greatly affects our well-being. With the increasing stress in life and relationships many feel a growing deficit within.

Recent surges in exploration of spiritual energy have proven that it too is fast becoming big business. Many want to cash in on the confusion and emptiness that is openly acknowledged. You can have your future told or buy an object said to bring luck or peace, for the right price. Advertising slogans are also showing a strong spiritual awareness. Many companies are now pitching serenity right alongside a new car, chocolate, even household paint. The promises of peace in exchange for your dollar are plentiful. Yet spiritual hunger only grows.

Fueling the spirit

Spiritual peace comes not from a set of religious standards or specific rituals or objects. These may bring some degree of comfort for a short time… but true fueling of our inner spirit comes only from a relationship with the living God. Spiritual fulfillment comes from inviting God to share the journey of life with is.

Millions around the world have come to know the lasting inner peace that comes when we realize we need God’s forgiveness. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ provided that. We need only believe and invite Him to walk with us through every area of our lives. Changed lives are the evidence of the reality of God’s power in an individual … changed lives that were once empty or hopeless…changed marriages and homes that wondered if change was even possible.

Jesus is the Source of hope and strength. He alone is the Source of all we need to fuel us within our spirits. He alone can be depended on to meet the need of the heart that is close to running on empty.

If your spirit feels empty or depleted today from the cares of life, why not invite Jesus to share the journey with you? He alone can fuel the deep places of your heart with new life and new energy. Take the step of faith today. You will never regret it! It’s as simple as praying this prayer…

God, my spirit often feels empty. I am running on empty as I hurry through my days. I believe that You sent Jesus to be my help and my strength. Forgive me for going my own way. I invite You to walk beside me and to bring new life into my soul. Lead me and guide from this day on. Amen.

Learning to Love My Body

2008-02-06T12:37:00.000+05:30

by Stacy Carto

I'm doing something I thought I'd never do again - working as a full-time model in New York, this time in the plus-size market. For six years, I worked full-time as a straight-size model. But I got out of the business after battling bulimia and coming to the conclusion that it wasn't right for me to continue.

Bulimia had a hold on my life, and I constantly struggled to be thin enough. I felt so guilty. I found freedom and have and have been abstinent for eight years. But my struggle with bulimia is another story.

A plus-size model - who, me?

After I quit modeling, I remained in the industry doing hair and makeup. At a photo shoot one day, a stylist encouraged me to get into modeling again, but as a plus-size model. I laughed! I had said I would never model again unless I could work just the way I was.

I didn't really consider plus sized modeling until I was in Florida and started thinking about making some extra money alongside my make-up career. Shortly after that I started working at a local church and stopped thinking much about modeling. But soon after I got representation in Miami with a plus-size agency.

While I am considered small for that end for the industry, there was plenty of work. My agent kept trying to get me to do it full time and really put some effort into it, but a full-time modeling career was not one of my desires at the time. A year and a half later I felt it was time for me go back to modeling. I can't believe that I am 31 years old and back in New York!

Seeing the fashion industry through new eyes

As I get back into the business this time, it is so different. I am better prepared me to go into the battlefield. And it is a battlefield! Although many things in the plus-size industry differ from the straight-size market, one thing remains the same: these women need hope. The emptiness is there. I can see it in their eyes.

Today I called my agency to check in for the morning. In a somber, quiet voice, my booking agent said that of the models on our board, a beautiful 21-year-old who graced the cover of Mode magazine, had committed suicide over the weekend. Though she was on the rise to great success, she felt so alone, so sad, that she felt she could not live any longer. This grieves me deeply.

Living without hope

I then thought of a conversation I'd had recently on the plane ride back from Germany with one of the models I had worked with. She also is very successful and has done many covers and campaigns. But on the plane she told me of her alcohol problem and her need for help.

These women need hope. I found that hope in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Take a look at your life. How would you describe it? Contented? Rushed? Exciting? Stressful? Moving forward? Holding back? For many of us it’s all of the above at times. There are things we dream of doing one day, there are things we wish we could forget. In the Bible, it says that Jesus came to make all things new. What would your life look like if you could start over with a clean slate?

Living with hope

If you are looking for peace, there is a way to balance your life. No one can be perfect, or have a perfect life. But every one of us has the opportunity to experience perfect grace through a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here's a suggested prayer:

Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? You can pray it right now, and Jesus Christ will come into your life, just as He promised.

Is this the life for you?

If you invited Christ into your life, thank God often that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have eternal life. As you learn more about your relationship with God, and how much He loves you, you'll experience life to the fullest.

~ Stacy Carto has been in the fashion industry for 14 years. Her career has taken her internationally to countries including Italy, Germany, Spain, Greece, Australia, and Switzerland. She has appeared in magazines such as Mode, Vogue, Glamour, and New Woman. Presently, Stacy and her husband reside in Florida. For information about plus-sized modeling, Stacy recommends www.plusmodels.com

A Healing Journey

2008-02-06T12:36:00.000+05:30

secret -concealed from general knowledge or view, hidden. (Webster's Dictionary)

There are different kinds of secrets. Some are things hidden from our understanding, sometimes called the mysteries of life: how they built the pyramids, miracles, unexplained events. There are military secrets - confidential military matters, the CIA and spies. There are the secrets that are methods or formulas based on successes: if you send in your hundred dollars, you can receive a secret blend of tea/cream/pills guaranteed to make your cellulite disappear. Don't we wish. There are the secrets where others share confidences with you.

Then you have the secrets that are of the personal nature - things that we have done ourselves, or had done to us, or been involved in that we don't want anybody to know about. Usually it is something that is not socially or morally acceptable.

There are different kinds of personal secrets:

Cheating - Perhaps on an exam, just looking over onto the next person's paper.
Lying - Even distorting the numbers on our income tax.
Stealing - We eat those grapes, walking down the aisle in the market, and we haven't paid for them. That may be a stretch, but then maybe there's a history of stealing- stealing as a teenager. Maybe its embezzlement.
Sexual secrets - Things like affairs, crisis pregnancies that may have ended in adoption or abortion that you haven't told anybody about. Maybe it was prostitution. Molestation. Homosexuality. Addiction to pornography. Incest.
Drug addictions - This could be anything from sleeping pills to cocaine to heroin.
The list goes on.

We keep secrets for many reasons. We conceal out of fear and shame. We fear rejection. What if - if we expose ourselves and lay ourselves bare - we are abandoned by our friends, our family, or perhaps even ridiculed by our enemies. We fear that our projected persona would become tarnished if we showed who we really are. We may feel that to be acceptable to others we must look good at all costs. Perhaps we keep secrets in a futile attempt to erase our past.

Abortion is a secret that many people keep. We can transpose the same dynamics from this onto any personal secret. Abortion is an issue that is highly charged and can be very political, but my intent is to discuss this subject with sensitivity and compassion.

A Woman's Secret-Abortion

In the general population, about one in four women has had an abortion. Tracy, Lynn, Kate, Donna and Muriel all shared this secret. The first four are not their real names, but their circumstances are all true. Muriel, the fifth woman, openly writes and speaks about her abortion experience and her healing journey. As one of our volunteers at Post Abortion Community Services, she has given permission to use her real name.

When I first met these women, and learned something about themselves and their lives, they each presented with an array of symptoms specific to what is called Post Abortion Stress - also called Post Abortion Trauma or Post Abortion Syndrome. For whatever reasons the woman has had an abortion, she can enter a kind of relief phase from two to five years. That phase is starting to shorten simply because many women now have access to information and pictures that they wouldn't have in the past - fetal development, ultrasounds, and other literature. Following that relief period, some symptoms that women describe are:

Guilt/survival guilt - "I took the life of my baby. I feel badly about it now. I wish I weren't here."
Anxiety and panic attacks.
Psychological numbing - "I don't feel happy; I don't feel sad. I feel nothing. I feel devoid of emotion." One woman in a group, after she told her story, was asked: "What was it like to tell your abortion story?" She said: "I felt like I was up in the room . . . and I watched myself, looking down, telling my story." It was as if she couldn't bring her emotions together with the actual details of what had happened in her life.
Depression - Many women have, at some point after their abortion, felt suicidal.
Anniversary syndrome - On the date that the baby would have been born, or on the date of the abortion, sometimes women feel different, kind of crazy. Some women re-experience the abortion in flashbacks.
Child-bearing/fertility anxiety - Women may become preoccupied with becoming pregnant again. There may also be an interruption of the bonding process when they do feel that they are ready to have a baby.
Eating disorders.
Alcohol/drug abuse - Behaviours that only mask the pain.
Brief, reactive psychosis - One woman described walking down a city street on garbage day. As she passed the alley, she "could hear babies crying from the garbage cans." She had a break with reality. Another woman woke up one night after her abortion, and she looked at her hands and said: "I've got blood on my hands." She said: "I went and I tried to wash this off my hands and it wasn't coming off."
These symptoms are primarily the result of three things:

A. The inability to process the fear, the guilt and the anger surrounding the pregnancy and the abortion.

B. The inability to grieve the loss of the baby - because it is a pregnancy loss, there is a child-bearing loss.

C. An inability to come to peace with herself and others involved in the abortion decision.

Many other factors may affect the situation, such as the circumstances surrounding the pregnancy. Was it an affair? Was it incest? Was it rape? Was the person unmarried? Were the rules about having sex broken? Each of these circumstances will bring a set of dynamics that will affect the woman's situation.

Another factor is support - what sort of support did she have? Was she in a situation where either the boyfriend or the husband was pressuring her to have the abortion? Did she pressure him to agree to the abortion? What about family and friends? Did she tell anyone? Did she cross her own moral and ethical boundaries?

The type and the legality of the abortion are also important to the woman's experience. We see many women from both sides. There are nine or ten different types of abortion, depending on the stage of pregnancy. So the woman who was awake, for example, would experience something very different from the woman who was under general anaesthetic. Her memories would be very different if she were at a clinic because she sees, she hears, she experiences and she remembers what people say to her. The woman under general anaesthetic - as is usual in a hospital - will remember the before and the after. If it were a medical abortion - where she is going to abort in her own home - this will make a difference as well. She will be reminded of that everywhere she goes in her own home. If it's a second or third trimester abortion, she's going to be fully awake to go through labour and delivery.

Tracy came for counselling after keeping her abortion a secret for twenty years. She had a later term abortion, and it was illegal. Lynn arrived for her first appointment through the back door from the alley. She was frightened that she would be seen coming into our office. Lynn took part as a subject in an experimental project to test medical abortions. She aborted in her own home.

Kate was adamant that she could not be in a post-abortion group with anyone who worked in her field. She was quite well-known and she was terrified that anybody in her profession would find out her story. She came for counselling five years after her abortion. Her abortion was an early term abortion and it was legal. Donna came for counselling more than twenty years after her illegal abortion. She was a teenager at the time of her abortion - her mother had arranged it and was present in the room at the time of the abortion, where her daughter gave birth to twins. Muriel came twenty-two years after her two abortions. Both were first trimester, both were approved by a hospital board, so they were both legal.

At the time of their abortions, each of the women was single. Donna and Tracy are now married and they've told their husbands. Muriel, Kate, and Lynn are currently single. Generally, for those who were involved in the decision-making, the abortion was a part of their lives that they chose to keep secret.

The Deep, Dark Place

Secrets imprison, they breed suspicion, and at times they can paralyse us with a fear of being found out. They are parts of us that we hide, that we keep undercover. It's kind of musty, dank, and dark in that place; nothing flourishes there except fear. It's often shrouded in shame, guilt, confusion, and - in the case of abortion - there may be mixed maternal messages for the woman. If you're not talking to anybody in the isolation of this dark place, that fear will mount.

The post-abortive woman will sometimes revisit her decision, asking herself: "Did I do the right thing? Have I done something wrong?" Or even: "What have I done?" Even a glimpse of the answer can be too painful or terrifying to face, let alone allow anyone else to see.

Somewhere in the pain and fear, consciously or unconsciously, the decision is made to conceal and to compartmentalise: "I'm not going to touch it. And no one else is going to touch it either." This might seem very strange in a society that is quite open about abortion. Yet women who've had abortions usually do not talk about it again - it usually doesn't come up in conversations. So although there is great permission for abortion, there is not great permission to talk about it. There continues to be tremendous stigma around abortion.

Building the Walls

No matter what the secret we have, we employ defence mechanisms to keep the pain at bay - to keep ourselves from going to that dark place. We can avoid people, situations and anything that gets us too close to that secret. We can deny it exists, or that it even holds any power over us. We will forget, either consciously or unconsciously. We may even try harder to make up for the shame we feel: "I'll do better, I'll work harder, I'm going to be more successful."

It may seem that our secrets, even small secrets, are benign. Yet secrecy runs deep, and it can take hold of us in ways that, perhaps, we had not even anticipated. Protection is of utmost importance to us: protection from pain, protection from being found out.

The secret, then, prevents us from intimacy, from the ability to self-disclose, and from the ability to be vulnerable with another person. It isolates , it restricts and it chokes.

This poem was written by a young woman eleven years ago. She came to a post-abortion group as a university student. She felt that she could not explain herself clearly, that she could not open up. This is a woman who had begun to look at her secret, but remnants of the isolation remained.

Babies everywhere,
Not mine.
I feel foolish,
But I want to get pregnant again.
I'd never have an abortion again.
But getting pregnant now would be stupid.
Mixed feelings:
Want a baby,
Glad I don't have a baby,
Want to get pregnant,
Scared of it.
Alone.
Leave me alone.
Don't deserve love,
I killed my own child.
Don't get too close,
Don't touch me.
I'll only hurt you,
Push you away.
Curl up in a ball,
Just me.
No one else,
No one can touch me.
Shut you out,
Shut the world out.
Alone,
Not lonely.
Yes it is lonely.

Lonelier when I'm with lots of people.
Feel detached,
At odds with myself, the world, everything.
I stood among them, but not of them,
In a shroud of thoughts which were not their thoughts.
Escape.
Go away to a cabin in the woods.
Just me and the birds, animal, and small children.
The only ones who truly accept you as you are,
No questions,
Unconditional love.
No questions.
Alone.
Me and my dog take off.
Candles, flames, fire, warm,
All-consuming.
Just sit and stare into the flame,
Imagine myself curled up inside the flame,
Fire all around me.
Surrounding, protesting, isolating.
No one can touch me.
Cocoon, protection,
Womb-like.
No worries, no fears, no thoughts.
Change, metamorphosis, become better,
Emerge whole, complete.
At peace.
Light, warmth, acceptance.
Love.

Love is patient, love is kind.
Faith, hope and love, these three.
But the greatest of these is love.
Love my baby.
Imagine myself pregnant.
See myself with the child,
Teaching, loving, molding.
Never let myself think of it as a baby before.
Tired.
Want to sleep forever.
Want to dream of paradise,
My child and I together.
No one else.
Don't want to share her with anyone.

Don't touch me.
Don't be nice to me.
I'll cry
Salty tears down my face,
Wet my pillow
Before I even realize I'm crying.
Something inside of me is empty.
It's broken, it's missing.
Irreplaceable.
Punishment, jail, bars.
No public sentence,
Only an eternity locked up inside myself,
Alone, tired, exhausted.

When a post-abortion group meets, we ask each woman to describe pictorially what her abortion pain looks like. How would she describe it? We call that the abortion wound. One woman described it as being in a body bag. You're dead. She said: "I feel dead. I want out. Wrapped up in barbed wire . . . I can't touch out without getting hurt, and nobody can touch me without getting hurt." Caged. A shattered teacup. In a dark hole, can't get out.

Muriel described her abortion wound as being up against a brick wall that she could not see over. Some years after her description of that wall, I came across a diagram that expressed the secrecy and isolation of abortion. The woman behind the brick wall.

On the outside of the wall, there are flowers and ivy growing - life flourishes. On the inside of the wall are feelings: hopelessness, shame, numb, sad, lonely, hurt. She lives within the wall: "Often this isolation is not apparent to the person living behind the wall or to the significant others in her life." This way of living has become her normal lifestyle; she got used to it. In fact, if a woman has lived long enough behind her wall, she may not even remember her life outside the wall. She feels that people let her down when she needed them, and probably not only when she aborted. So she builds the protective wall even higher.

It takes a lot of emotional energy to hold up that wall. A person has to work very hard to keep it looking good, so that nobody will find out what the secret is.

The Journey of Healing

The wall we hide behind with our secret really protects us from being free. It protects us from letting others in, from getting close and from being real. Herein lies the dilemma: we'd like to be vulnerable, we'd like to be transparent, we'd like to be intimate. But what is the cost?

The cost is being exposed - the unravelling of the secret, the consequences that might bear out, seeing ourselves as we really are.

Tracy, Lynn, Donna, Kate and Muriel, despite their fears, did not want to live as they lived. They took the first step of telling their secret. With quiet courage, they placed that first phone call. They spoke with a post-abortion counsellor, and in subsequent weeks, the unravelling began. Each woman started on her journey of healing, where she was able to sort through her fears, her questions and her emotions to grieve the loss of her baby and move into forgiveness and resolution.

Think of a person's healing journey as peeling an onion. If you think about peeling an onion, there are usually a lot of tears. The "onion" comes away in layers, and each layer represents something different. It could be some healing for anger, healing for humiliation, for depression, for unforgiveness, hatred, sadness, hopelessness, despair, shame, grief.

Grief over losing the baby.

There is freedom at each stage, as you are exposing what's been in the dark, and it comes into the light. But even good intentions to deal with a secret may not relieve the core issue. And that is the one of lingering guilt.

It is in the healing journey, I find, that we are often led to our spiritual journey. As more layers are removed, and more of those outside issues are dealt with, we get closer to the core of who we are. We are exposed for who we are. Sometimes if we rest quietly, and allow ourselves to see who we really are, it can be terrifying. Because we see people who are capable of evil. We are sinful people.

We don't like to use that word very much. When I wrote that down, I thought: "Oh, I don't know if I want to write that." But it's true, we really are. We hate to admit it. It can be a frightening realization that shatters our impression of who we thought we were. Yet if we don't run away from this place, we begin to see a yearning that arises - a yearning for forgiveness, that can't be assuaged by or from within ourselves.

We can't deal with the forgiveness. We try many things. We try doing good work. Sometimes we try punishing ourselves. It doesn't work. When we come to the end of that, we're left with our core again. The prison walls of guilt are still there, they still loom large. It's here that we're faced with our need for God.

Four of the five women - Tracy, Donna, Kate and Muriel - all experienced the relief that comes in sharing their secret within the safe company of a selected and trusted few. One of the women decided she wasn't ready to do that yet. Three of them, as they got closer to the core, moved into the next depth of the spiritual.

They received forgiveness, rest and peace in the safety of Jesus Christ. He is the very Son of God. He has the power and authority to forgive - the power and authority to reconcile us to God and the power and authority to bring restoration in our lives. We can be free women, authentic women, vulnerable women, transparent, truthful, capable of intimacy, and healed women.

Where we can't break through that prison wall, Jesus will do it on our behalf. He tells us He loves us while we're still deep in the muck of the darkness of the secret, even if we say: "Forget it God, I don't want anything to do with you." He still loves us. Jesus has already provided for our forgiveness, and He's already provided a way to turn our lives back to God. A 360-degree turnaround. A new beginning, a fresh start. All we need to do is put our hand in His, trust Him and follow Him out.

Secrets are a prison. In the Bible, Jesus says: "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

If you would like to know more about how you can experience forgiveness, click here to begin your Journey of Joy.

ANGIE CÔTÉ, RN, RPN is the Program Director of Post Abortion Community Services in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. Their client services include Abortion Recovery Weekend Retreats, Individual and Group Counselling. For information and registration call 604 525-0999.

Quench the Thirst of Frizzy Hair

2008-02-06T12:33:00.000+05:30

by Diana Dudas

"Why is my hair so FRIZZY and dry, coarse or brittle?" The simple answer - your hair needs moisture. 90% of us suffer with dry, brittle or frizzy hair because our hair lacks WATER!

Oil and Water

For years we've been told that out hair is dry because we are lack natural oils. We've been told that if we brush vigorously 100 times a day, or if we nurture our hair with hot oil treatments then we are sure to be blessed with beautiful, shiny locks. This might be the case, if you have young, virgin (hair that is not chemically treated) hair. But this is certainly not the case for permed, coloured or naturally curly hair. What contributes to frizzines?

Condition of the cuticle - Under a microscope, a cuticle looks like shingles on a roof. When the hair is in good condition, the tiles or cuticle layers are tight together giving the hair a smooth appearance and lots of shine. When hair is in bad condition, is curly or has poor porosity, the cuticle layers are lifted. The light is absorbed instead of reflected and there is no shine.
Porosity - Is the ability for hair to be able to absorb and retain moisture. Hair that has poor porosity will not be able to absorb or retain moisture as well as hair that has good porosity. Hair that cannot retain water can become permanently dry.
Product build up - Once the hair is coated, the problems start. Moisture cannot permeate through the wall of product build. Oils cannot diffuse when there is product build-up, they just sit on top of the cuticle layer, useless. Using any kind of hot styling tools such as blow dryers or hot irons, adds to the damage and decreases the shine.
Getting Rid of the Frizz

Hair in great condition has a moisture (water) content of at least 8% and the right balance of protein and natural oil. Most of us produce enough natural oil to keep our hair healthy, but lack the moisture.

After having a chemical service (colour or perm) your hair's moisture level can drop as low as 2%, drying the hair and causing split ends. The same will happen with constant use of blow-dryers and hot styling tools. If the moisture level is not restored to it's optimum 8% by the use of good moisturizing products your hair will ultimately become brittle and possibly break. Give your hair some TLC to combat frizzies and bring back the shine

Use moisturizing shampoos that are designed to restore your hair's moisture level to its optimum 8%.
Use intense conditioners that will help to repair damaged cuticles, improve porosity, elasticity and general health and appearance of your hair.
Avoid product build-up by using products that contain natural ingredients.
Avoid hot oil treatments, heavy cholesterol type conditioners, petroleum-based and silicone-based products. Also avoid hairsprays, mousses and gels that have a high alcohol or butane content.
Our hair needs MOISTURE, MOISTURE, and MOISTURE! Who needs to add moisture more than most? People with naturally curly hair, chemically treated, hot styling tool users or people who live in hot sunny and arid climates.

Used with permission.

~ Diana Dudas is an expert with more than 28 years experience in the beauty industry. She has answered over 2000 questions for allexperts.com and has had her work published in many well-respected beauty magazines both online and off.

More on Frizzy Hair:
Controling your frizzy hair
Add Shine to Your Hair Without Weighing it Down
Beauty tips, trends and how-to's from the experts

White Chocolate Berry Soufflés

2008-02-06T12:30:00.000+05:30

BERRY MIXTURE
Frozen mixed berries, thawed and drained 2 cups 500 mL
Granulated sugar 1/2 cup 125 mL
Orange-flavoured liqueur (such as Grand Marnier) 2 tbsp. 30 mL

Hard margarine (or butter) 1/2 tsp. 2 mL
Granulated sugar 2 tbsp. 30 mL

SOUFFLÉ
Hard margarine (or butter) 2 tbsp. 30 mL
All-purpose flour 2 tbsp. 30 mL
Milk 1/2 cup 125 mL

White chocolate baking squares (1 oz., 28 g, each), chopped 3 3
Egg yolks (large), fork-beaten 2 2
Granulated sugar 3 tbsp. 50 mL

Egg whites (large), room temperature 4 4

Icing (confectioner's) sugar, for dusting 1 tbsp. 15 mL

Berry Mixture: Combine first 3 ingredients in medium frying pan on medium. Heat and stir until sugar is dissolved. Increase heat to medium-high. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until liquid is absorbed and mixture is slightly thickened. Cool.

Preheat oven to 375ºF (190ºC), see Tip, page 81. Grease six 1/2 cup (125 mL) ramekins with margarine. Sprinkle each with 1 tsp. (5 mL) of second amount of sugar. Tilt ramekins to coat bottom and side of each. Gently tap to remove excess sugar. Place ramekins on baking sheet. Divide and spoon berry mixture into each.

Soufflé: Melt margarine in small saucepan on medium. Add flour. Heat and stir for 1 minute. Add milk. Stir for 2 to 3 minutes until boiling and thickened.

Add chocolate. Heat and stir until chocolate is almost melted. Do not overheat. Remove from heat. Stir until smooth.

Combine egg yolks, granulated sugar and about 2 tbsp. (30 mL) milk mixture in small bowl. Stir into remaining milk mixture. Heat and stir on medium-low until sugar is dissolved. Transfer to large bowl.

Beat egg whites in medium bowl until stiff (not dry) peaks form. Fold about 1/3 of egg whites into chocolate mixture until almost combined. Fold in remaining egg whites until just combined. Divide and carefully spoon mixture into prepared ramekins. Bake for about 20 minutes, without opening oven door, until puffed and set.

Dust with icing sugar. Serve immediately. Serves 6.

1 serving: 331 Calories; 10.6 g Total Fat (3.3 g Mono, 0.6 g Poly, 5.8 g Sat); 87 mg Cholesterol; 53 g Carbohydrate; 2 g Fibre; 6 g Protein; 106 mg Sodium

Reprinted from The Egg Book © Company's Coming Publishing Limited

Laugh a little: It's good for your health

2008-02-06T12:27:00.000+05:30

by Rusty Wright

Had a good laugh recently? Need one?

Stressful days can invite comic relief. Doctors realize that laughter can enhance physical and mental health. Now it seems even looking forward to laughter can be good for you.

WebMD reports that Lee Berk, MD, a University of California Irvine medical professor, and his associates have for years investigated how moods affect immune systems and illness. They've found laughter has a role in fighting viruses, bacteria, cancer and heart disease.

Stress can hamper your immune system; a good chuckle can help.

Berk found earlier that watching a one-hour humorous video reduced stress hormone secretion and helped the immune system counter viruses and bacteria.

But there's more: Berk now says the mere anticipation of laughing can help. He studied ten men, measured their stress signs, and told them that in about three days they would see a humorous video. In each man, spirits lifted before viewing the video.

Two days before the viewing, depression was down 51 percent, confusion 36 percent, anger 19 percent, fatigue 15 percent and tension 9 percent. Right after the viewing, depression and anger were both down 98 percent, fatigue 87 percent, confusion 75 percent and tension 61 percent.

Berk feels anticipating humor brightens life and affects health. He calls this influence the "biology of hope." Berk says, "Positive anticipation of humor starts the ball rolling in a sense, in which moods begin to change in ways that help the body fight illness. We believe this shows that even anticipation can be used to help patients recover from a wide range of disorders."

Moral: Planning humor can benefit your health.

Watch a funny movie, spend time with humorous people. Tell your boss, professor, clergy or club chairperson to liven up their speeches a bit if they want healthy employees, students, or members. Put laugh-breaks on your calendar, since anticipation is part of the therapy.

A Jewish proverb observes, "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Paul, a first-Century follower of Jesus, emphasized hope: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope. . . ." Those biblical writers have some good advice now and then, practical stuff for everyday life.

The other day, a friend sent what he claimed were comments from federal employee performance evaluations. Maybe because I've encountered a groundswell of administrivia-creating bureaucrats recently, some of the remarks left me roaring . . . and feeling much better. With apologies to the many capable federal workers, know anyone like this?

"Since my last report, this employee has reached rock bottom and has started to dig."
"I would not allow this employee to breed."
"This young lady has delusions of adequacy."
"He sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them."
"Got a full 6-pack, but lacks the plastic thing to hold it all together."
Those biblical writers would probably tell me to pray for those who hassle me, advice I should heed. But this laughter-break lifted my spirits and got me going again.

So, laugh more. You'll like it. And say, have you heard the one about. . .

Related Reading:

10 Great stress reducers
Remembering how to smile
Jokes and humor index

~ Rusty Wright is an author and university lecturer who has spoken on six continents. "Real Answers" furnished courtesy of The Amy Foundation Internet Syndicate. To contact the author or The Amy Foundation, write or E-mail to: P. O. Box 16091, Lansing, MI 48901-6091; amyfoundtn@aol.com. Visit our website at www.amyfound.org.

House Hunting? Here's a Great Deal for You

2008-02-06T12:19:00.000+05:30

By Kamil Skawinski
bankrate.com
There was a time when if you heard of a home being offered for sale with a discount or some other generous bonus, your first thought was, "OK, so what's wrong with it?" But with prices leveling off and properties now staying on the market much longer than they used to, it's becoming more common to find lucrative incentives offered on both newly built and existing homes.
Of course, everything depends on whether you're house hunting in a real estate market that has cooled. But if you're in the right place at the right time, you could wind up getting considerably more than you bargained for — in the best possible sense — when you make an offer on a home.

Incentives on new homes

Tom Stevens, president of the National Association of Realtors, says home builders started offering incentives in cooling markets such as certain parts of Florida, Las Vegas, California and the Northeast. "Home builders were among the first to react with various incentive programs and promotions to help keep their properties moving and to reduce unsold inventories," he says.

High-end kitchen cabinets and counters, upgraded bathrooms, generous hardwood flooring packages, finished basements and professional landscaping are just a few of the common gratis offers Stevens has heard of. "And good old-fashioned discounts and cash incentives ranging between $25,000 and $50,000 are out there, too."

Three-quarters of the 369 homebuilders recently surveyed by the National Association of Home Builders said that they are now including once-expensive extras at no additional cost to help sell their homes. One-third reported that they are now also absorbing such costs as financing points on mortgages to help move unsold properties. Several even admitted to offering free vacations.

Real estate analyst Jack McCabe, of McCabe Research and Consulting in Deerfield Beach, Fla., says that desperate developers in South Florida, for example, are now offering potential buyers a host of generous incentives, in one case even the free use of a yacht. "Our area's incentives really vary by market and product type, so we're seeing just about everything today — points and closing costs being paid by sellers, upgraded trim and generous kitchen appliance packages, one year of (paid) condo fees, big-screen plasma TVs being thrown in for free, even ... limousine service both to and from the airport whenever you need it."

McCabe says he's seen sellers offering higher commissions — "in ranges from five to 12 percent" — to get a higher level of service from real estate brokers.

Generous incentive packages can even be found in the conservative Midwest. Buyers purchasing lots in the high-end subdivisions of Bavarian Woods, in Germantown, and Weston Highlands, in Brookfield, through Wisconsin-based Simon Group, can choose between a brand new Mazda Miata convertible or a $20,000 rebate.

"This year, there's definitely a lot more negotiating and discounting going on with most builders in our area," says David Balcerzak, vice president of sales and marketing at Pulte Homes in Detroit. "But our company has taken a different approach. We're taking a much closer look at our potential buyer's situation and asking what we can do to help offer them a solution."

For instance, one of the biggest hurdles new homebuyers now face is selling an existing home. To help them, Pulte (through its own mortgage company, Pulte Mortgage) has implemented a special program which basically covers three to six months of buyers' existing and new mortgages, both interest and principal, plus tax payments so that these customers aren't stuck with the pain of making twin payments on two properties.

Incentives on existing homes

While builder-incentive programs have attracted the most attention, developers aren't the only ones to offer inducements. More home sellers today are also including tempting freebies that go well beyond the usual appliances, fixtures and window treatments. Typical incentives can include assisting a buyer with closing costs, paying points, covering homeowners' association fees for a year or more, or selling the home with a comprehensive warranty.

"If you're a reseller, your only real option is to price your house in a way that will sell, which is in itself an incentive," says Sacramento-based Re/Max Gold agent Loren Ransier.

But if you aren't quite ready to make a home-buying decision right now, you probably need not fear missing out on today's generous deals.

"This whole thing with incentives is really just starting now," says McCabe. "There's no telling what types of very creative marketing offers we're going to see in the next couple of years."

Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.

Preparing to Buy a House

2008-02-06T12:07:00.000+05:30

by Holden Lewis
Scripps Howard News Service
Summer is the busiest time of year for home sales. If you want to buy a house this summer, spring is a good time to get the ball rolling.

No, it's not necessary to start looking at houses so early. It's the financial stuff that you tackle three to four months before moving day: finding out your credit score and fixing any errors on your credit report.

Rudy Cavazos, spokesman for debt-counseling giant Money Management International, advises people to wait before finding a real estate agent and a lender. Instead, he sends them to MyFICO.com to buy their credit score and a copy of a credit report for $12.95.

"You want to gain yourself some leverage," he says. "You gain that leverage by finding out what your credit score is."

The credit score is a distillation of your credit history into a three-digit number between about 300 and 850, the higher the better. A score above 720 is most desirable. Credit scores are calculated using a secret mathematical formula devised by Fair, Isaac & Co.--hence the name "FICO."

Errors appear regularly on credit reports, and they can drop your score lower than you deserve. If that happens, you might be offered loans on worse rates and terms than you otherwise would qualify. Most mistakes on credit reports result from clerical or computer errors by billers.

Most errors can be corrected with a letter to the credit bureau that describes the mistake and requests an investigation. Expect the process to take at least a month. Cavazos tells people to set aside 45 days to repair credit-reporting errors.

If you're satisfied with your credit score and the accuracy of your credit report, the next step takes place about 60 days before you plan to move. That's when you gather financial documents that a lender will need: pay stubs; statements from banks, brokerages and retirement accounts; income tax returns; records of debts such as auto loans, mortgages, student loans and credit cards.

Then it's time to find a broker or lender, who will evaluate credit and income information to estimate how much you can afford to borrow. If there are any obvious problems with your financial documents, the broker or lender will tell you during this pre-qualification process.

If you haven't started looking at houses two months before you plan to move, it's time to start. By searching for a house 60 days before your target move-in date, you have a little over three weeks to look and a half-week to haggle.

While you're searching, it's time to go a step further from pre-qualification: Get pre-approved for a mortgage so that your offer for a house is taken seriously. When you're pre-approved, it means that a lender has agreed to lend up to a certain amount at specified terms and conditions.

"With a pre-approval, you're going to have more leverage when you make an offer," says Steve O'Connor, vice president for industry relations and policy development for the Mortgage Bankers Association. "You can say, 'I've got a loan approved already that's sufficient to purchase this home,' and that makes you more attractive to a potential seller."

After you agree on price and terms for your house, it usually takes a month or a little longer to accomplish everything else: an inspection, an appraisal, final loan approval, title work and closing. Not to mention packing up and moving.

By the time you've moved into your new home, you'll look back fondly at that less-hectic time a mere three or four months before, when you were reviewing your credit report and your days were less stressful.

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service. E-mail Holden Lewis at hlewis@bankrate.com.)
Resources

15 Minute Cleanups for Every Room

2008-02-03T16:36:00.000+05:30

What a 15 Minute Cleanup Is:
A 15 Minute Cleanup is a brief step-by-step guide to cleaning a room in 15 minutes or less. While the room may not be white glove clean, it will be presentable to guests. 15 Minute Cleanups are a great way to maintain a home in between more thorough cleanings. These cleanups include step-by-step instructions, a list of supplies, tips, and links for more thorough information.

What a 15 Minute Cleanup Isn’t:
A 15 Minute Cleanup is not the only cleaning regimen you’ll need to keep your home in tip top shape. It’s not an intense cleaning, but only a brief pickup of a room. To really keep a home clean, more thorough work will need to be done according to your cleaning schedule. Before intensely cleaning a room, it’s a good idea to start with that room's quick 15 Minute Cleanup.

The Cleanups:
15 Minute Living Area Cleanup

This cleanup can work for formal and informal living areas and sitting areas.

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How To Clean Room
Clean Rooms explained here. Learn Standards, Construction & More.
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It also works for formal dining rooms, and other rooms where entertaining is done. The idea with this cleanup is to get the room ready for guests, or events without spending a lot of time on the details.
15 Minute Kitchen Cleanup

The kitchen cleanup aims to remove trash, dirty dishes, and unwanted items from a kitchen, making it ready to be used, or in good shape for guests to be around. While you won’t scrub out the refrigerator, or clean under the sink in this cleanup, you will remove any offending trash and dishes, making your kitchen clean and clutter free.

15 Minute Bathroom Cleanup

The bathroom cleanup helps you quickly organize and wipe down bathroom surfaces. This cleanup will work to maintain your weekly bathroom scrub down, or get a bathroom ready in a hurry when unexpected guests show up.

15 Minute Kid’s Room Cleanup

This kid’s room cleanup is great for parents at a loss for where to begin when faced with a disaster area child’s room. It’s also perfect for older readers who can actually follow the list themselves to get their rooms clean. Print it off for them and watch as an all day chore turns into a 15 minute miracle.

15 Minute Bedroom Cleanup

Like many people, I usually leave cleaning my own bedroom for last. After a busy day or week, a bedroom can be in terrible shape. This cleanup will help maintain a bedroom or give it a quick pickup just in time for a restful night.

15 Minute Dorm Room Cleanup

The dorm room cleanup is for those who live in a very small area like an efficiency apartment, or campus housing. These small places can quickly fill up with junk and trash, but this quick cleanup will help organize even the worst-case scenario.

Why A 15 Minute Cleanup Works:
A 15 Minute Cleanup works because it recognizes that there are three types of items we need to clean up in a room. Everything falls into one of three categories...

Trash

Things that don't belong in the room.

Things that belong in the room, in a different place.

Having only a few categories to sort items into makes a pickup run more smoothly. The 15 Minute Cleanups also work because they are designed to maintain a room. Having a 15 Minute Cleaning session in a room several times a week will keep your home looking great between more intense cleanings.

More Intense Cleanups:
If you need a little more intense cleanup, you can try the following. These cleanups will take you between 1-2 hours per room depending on how much cleaning they’ve had lately. When you make your cleaning schedule, you can use the 15 Minute Cleanups and the Intense Cleanups together to create a perfectly clean home.

Bathroom Tips and Ideas

2008-02-03T16:31:00.000+05:30

This is the job nobody wants. Cleaning the bathroom can be a thankless, dirty, but necessary job. Explore ideas for quickly cleaning the bathroom with thorough methods and timesaving products. Check out organizational ideas for the bathroom that leave a cramped medicine cabinet a thing of the past.
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Articles & ResourcesSort By : Guide Picks | Alphabetical | RecentToilet Cleaning Tools
Toilet cleaning requires the right tools to get the job done. Find out the best way to choose toilet cleaning tools and products.Intense Bathroom Cleanup
This step-by-step how to illustrates how to get your bathroom downright clean. Learn what steps to take to scrub your bathroom down to the core and get it ready to serve your family.Spring Cleaning Your Medicine Cabinet
Spring is a great time to freshen up your medicine cabinet. Learn what to throw out and what to add to keep your family set for spring activities.15 Minute Bathroom Cleanup
Get in and out of the bathroom as quickly as possible with great results. Here you'll find a step-by-step guide with tools and tips to get your bathroom sparkling, shining, and clean. Share this guide with your family to show them that in just 15 minutes the bathroom can become a room that seems to clean itself.Clean the Bathroom Sink
We wash our hands to keep clean, but does your sink shout out cleanliness? Dirt from hands, soap scum, and fingerprints line the sink of your bathrooms. Leave your bathroom sink sparkling clean with these tips from the Tip King.Advertisement Bathroom Cleaning Tips
Look here for some wonderful tips to keep your bathroom clean and shiny. Fast easy solutions for your bathroom from the floor up brought to you by Sandi.Organizing the Bathroom In 4 Easy Steps
Learn how to organize your bathroom in this article by Martha Mathews from Jorbins. In just 4 easy organizing steps, she will help you get your bathroom decluttered and ready for easier more efficient use.Helpful Bathroom Hints
Hints for the bathroom to help you get it clean. Great tips to help you get in and out of the bathroom quickly and cleanly. Brought to you by All About the Home.

Check More and follow the link :D http://housekeeping.about.com/od/bathrooms/Bathroom_Tips_and_Ideas.htm

3 Homemade Natural Cleaning Products

2008-02-03T16:27:00.000+05:30

Using lemons, vinegar, and baking soda as natural cleaning products in your home
One of my earliest memories is of my mother cleaning with what looked to me like cooking ingredients. She would be listening to the radio as she poured baking soda, lemon, and vinegar combinations on the surfaces of our home. Magically these natural cleaning products kept our home clean and smelling fresh, without stretching an already thin household budget. Here are a few basic household ingredients and items you can use to clean your home.

Vinegar
Uses:

Vinegar naturally cleans like an all-purpose cleaner. Mix a solution of 1 part water to 1 part vinegar in a new store bought spray bottle and you have a solution that will clean most areas of your home. Vinegar is a great natural cleaning product as well as a disinfectant and deodorizer. Always test on an inconspicuous area. It is safe to use on most surfaces and has the added bonus of being incredibly cheap. Improperly diluted vinegar is acidic and can eat away at tile grout. Never use vinegar on marble surfaces. Don't worry about your home smelling like vinegar. The smell disappears when it dries. Here are some uses for vinegar in the rooms of your house. Use it in the…

Bathroom - Clean the bathtub, toilet, sink, and countertops. Use pure vinegar in the toilet bowl to get rid of rings. Flush the toilet to allow the water level to go down. Pour the undiluted vinegar around the inside of the rim. Scrub down the bowl. Mop the flour in the bathroom with a vinegar/water solution. The substance will also eat away the soap scum and hard water stains on your fixtures and tile. Make sure it is safe to use with your tile.
Kitchen- Clean the stovetop, appliances, countertops, and floor.
Laundry Room- Use vinegar as a natural fabric softener. This can be especially helpful for families who have sensitive skin. Add ½ cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle in place of store bought fabric softener. Vinegar has the added benefit of breaking down laundry detergent more effectively. (A plus when you have a family member whose skin detects every trace of detergent.)
Lemon Juice
Uses:

Lemon juice is another natural substance that can be used to clean your home. Lemon juice can be used to dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits. Lemon is a great substance to clean and shine brass and copper. Lemon juice can be mixed with vinegar and or baking soda to make cleaning pastes. Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle baking soda on the cut section. Use the lemon to scrub dishes, surfaces, and stains. Mix 1 cup olive oil with ½ cup lemon juice and you have a furniture polish for your hardwood furniture.

My favorite use for the fruit is to put a whole lemon peel through the garbage disposal. It freshens the drain and the kitchen. Orange peels can be used with the same results.

Baking Soda
Uses:

Baking soda can be used to scrub surfaces in much the same way as commercial abrasive cleansers. Baking soda is great as a deodorizer. Place a box in the refrigerator and freezer to absorb odors. Put it anywhere you need deodorizing action. Try these three kitchen ingredients as natural cleaning products in your home.

Facial Recipes

2008-02-03T16:26:00.001+05:30

Treat yourself and your skin to some TLC. Give yourself a facial.

It's not only good for you, if feels great too. You can make a facial from ordinary kitchen goods. Here are some recipes which are inexpensive to make and you probably have the ingredients right in your kitchen.

Honey Facial * (warning - do not use this if you are allergic to eggs!)
1 tablespoon honey
1 egg yoke
1 teaspoon olive oil
Beat the egg yoke with a fork, add the oil and blend well. Add the honey using a spoon that you have rinsed with hot water and blend well again. Smear it all over your face with your fingers, except do not cover your eyes. Leave it on your face for 15 minutes, then rinse it off.

Cucumber Facial
1 cucumber
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon witch hazel (you can buy this in any drug store)
1 egg white, beaten with an electric beater until fluffy.
Peel the cucumber and run it through a blender or a food processor. Pour the cucumber pulp into a colander or strainer and force it through, catching the liquid that comes out in a bowl underneath. Combine the cucumber liquid with the lemon juice and the witch hazel. Stir it and add the beaten egg white gently. Put it on your face and leave it on for 15 to 25 minutes, then rinse off.
Refreshing Fruit Facials

PEACH TIGHTENING MASK
1 Peach, ripe, peeled, pitted
1 Egg white
Whip the peach and egg white together in a blender until smooth. Gently pat the mixture all over your face. Relax for 30 minutes, then rinse it off with cool water.

APPLE MASK FOR NORMAL SKIN
1 Apple, cored & quartered
2 T Honey
Drop the apple pieces into a food processor and chop. Add honey and refrigerate for 10 minutes. Pat the mixture onto your face with a light tapping motion, tapping until the honey feels tacky. Leave it on for 30 minutes and then rinse.

CUCUMBER MASK FOR OILY SKIN
1/2 Cucumber
1 Egg white
1 T Lemon juice
1 tsp mint
Puree everything and refrigerate for 10 minutes. Apply the mixture to your face and leave it on for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm, then cool water.

STRAWBERRY DRAWING MASK
1/2 c Strawberries, very ripe
1/4 c Cornstarch
Mix strawberries and cornstarch together to make a paste and apply it to your face, avoiding the delicate area around your eyes. Leave it on for 30 minutes and then rinse it off with cool water.

CITRUS FRESHNER
2 cups boiling water
1 vitamin C (a preservative)
Lemon peel (zest) from 2 lemons
Dissolve the vitamin in water. In a glass bowl put the lemon zest and pour the water over them. Let it sit over night. Remove the zest and put in a spray bottle. You can use any type of citrus peel.

BLEMISHED SKIN MASK
1 Tomato, ripe, chopped
1 tsp Lemon juice
1 T Instant style oatmeal or old-fashioned rolled oats
Blend everything until just combined. Apply to skin, making sure the mixture is thick enough to stay on blemished areas: cheeks, forehead, or chin. If necessary, add a bit more oatmeal to thicken the mask. Leave it on for 10 minutes, then scrub it off with a clean washcloth dipped in warm water.

How to make your own facial mask

2008-02-03T16:23:00.000+05:30

Have you ever thought about the amount of money that you spend each year to look good? $500? $1000? More? Staggering, isn't it? I, too, have spent hundreds of dollars on appearances. While we all know it's what's on the inside that counts, we also all know how great it feels to look your best. Looking great improves your mood and builds your self-esteem, but it doesn't have to cost a small fortune.

Here are some recipes for great facial masks that you can quickly and easily prepare in your own home for a fraction of the cost of most ready-made beauty treatments. All of these masks are made with ingredients that are easily obtained at your local supermarkets, some of them may even be in you kitchen right now. These masks are fast and easy to make and, most importantly, they really do work.

If you have dry skin, try this:

Ingredients:

1 tsp. olive oil

1 egg yolk

1 tsp. honey

oatmeal, ground or you can also use infant oatmeal

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl, using enough oatmeal to make a paste. Smooth the paste all over your face. Leave on for 15 minutes and then rinse with tepid water. Pat dry. The honey locks in moisture from the egg and olive oil, and the oatmeal soothes and softens the skin. Your skin should look and feel softer and smoother and you should notice and nice healthy glow.

If you have normal skin, try this:

Ingredients:

1/4 cup cooked peach

2 strawberries

1/4 cup mashed papaya

1 tsp. honey

Ground or intant oatmeal, enough to form a thin paste

Mash the fruit together and add oatmeal to make a paste. Apply to face and leave on for 10 minutes. The fruit acids will remove dead skin and leave you with a beautiful, hydrated glow. The oatmeal calms the skin.

If you have oily/acne-prone skin, try this:

Ingredients:

1/2 apple, cooked to softness and mashed

1 tbsp. honey

ground or intant oatmeal

Combine all ingredients and apply to face. Leave on for 10 minutes and then rinse with tepid water.

The oatmeal soothes irritated skin and absorbs oil. The fruit acid in the apple removes dead skin and clears the pores, and the honey contains anti-microbial properties to cleanse and refine.

Here are some other tips for staying beautiful without spending a fortune:

- Olive oil can be used as a moisturizer for dry skin.

- To reduce the redness of blemishes, cut a slice of potato and apply it to the blemish as you would a compress--you'll be amazed at the difference!

- For an inexpensive astringent, try witch hazel.

- For combination skin, try using two different masks. Use a mask for oily skin on the T-zone and a moisturizing mask on the cheeks and neck.

- Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day--this cleanses the body and skin, as well as keeping skin hydrated.

And most importantly, always remember that you are a beautiful person--inside and out!

Anne Collins Weight Loss Program

2008-02-03T16:22:00.000+05:30

Lunch

Fast-Food Option
Pizza Hut [Calories 360]
One slice Thin 'n' Crispy Cheese, 1 serving Breadsticks, 1 oz Breadstick Dipping Sauce.

Take-to-Work Option
Soup, Crackers & Fruit & Nuts [387]
10 3/4 oz can Campbell's Healthy Request Soup, any variety
1 packet soup crackers
1 banana chopped, 6 dried apricots, small handful almonds

Microwave soup. Serve with the crackers and follow with fruit and nuts.

Quick-Cook-Option
Curried Chicken Pita & Salad [Calories 396]
4 oz cooked skinless chicken breast chopped,
1/2 red onion chopped,
1 rib celery, chopped,
2 tbsp fat-free mayo,
pinch curry powder,
1/2 cup grapes,
6" whole wheat pita or whole wheat bun.

Blend the mayo and curry powder.
Put the chicken, onion and celery into a bowl and stir in the mayo mixture and add the grapes.
Heat and split pita bread (or bun) and fill with the chicken mixture. Serve with salad leaves and 1 tbsp fat-free dressing.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dinner

Microwave Option
Lean Cuisine Salisbury Steak and Salad [Calories 400]
Microwave 1 pkg Lean Cuisine Traditional Salisbury Steak (or equivalent), serve with salad leaves, 1 tbsp fat-free dressing.

10-Minutes-or-Less-Option
Chicken Tacos [Calories 380]
5 oz cooked chicken breast,
2 regular size taco shells,
2 tbsp reduced-fat shredded cheese,
2 tbsp low-fat sour cream,
1/4 tsp hot sauce, shredded lettuce,
1 large tomato, sliced.

Chop the chicken into bite sized pieces.
Warm the tacos.
Mix the sour cream with the hot sauce and coat the chicken.
Pack the tacos with lettuce, tomato, chicken and top with cheese.

Two-Day-Option
Pasta & Shrimp Ragu & Salad [Calories 392]
8 oz can shrimp, drained,
2 cups mixed frozen vegetables,
1 cup tomato sauce,
2 tsp olive oil,
hot sauce,
1 tbsp Parmesan cheese,
1 oz (dry weight) pasta.

Heat the oil in a pan, cook vegetables for 2 mins.
Add tomato sauce, hot sauce, cover, cook over low heat for 5 mins. Add the shrimp, cook for 5 mins.
Serve half the sauce over cooked pasta and sprinkle with cheese. Refrigerate other half for tomorrow.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Snacks
Selected from Snacks List.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Extra Daily Allowance

1/2 cup fat-free milk (or equivalent)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total Calories

Daily Calories: Average 1100
Note: Snacks not included in calorie total

Your daily meals on this diet contain an average of 1100 calories. Depending on your gender and how much weight you have to lose, you may increase this to 2000+ calories, by choosing from a wide range of calorie-controlled snacks.

Top 7 Secrets to a Stress-Free Work Life

2008-02-03T16:17:00.002+05:30

1. Take 5 minute breaks regularly throughout your day. Sit or walk on your own and relax, breathe deeply and feel peaceful. You will feel more relaxed and not so overwhelmed, increasing your level of concentration and ability to achieve more, in less time.

2. Arrive 10 minutes early for every work and personal appointment. You will have time to feel relaxed, prepare yourself and to show respect for the other person’s time.

3. Take responsibility for your actions. Actions that you take are a result of choices that you’ve made. When you take responsibility for your

actions you realise that you are able to make different choices.

4. Clean up your work space. Such as, find a way to eliminate the piles of paperwork. Working in an environment that is clean and organised will free up your mind and reduce distractions for you. When our space feels cluttered it leads to our mind feeling cluttered.

5. Manage yourself rather than your time. You cannot change time yet you can make changes to yourself by organising yourself, setting priorities, taking responsibility…. When you manage yourself you will have more time to create the life you really want.

6. Learn to say no. A straight forward "No" is best although if this feels difficult at first try, "No, my time is committed elsewhere." Saying no is a skill to learn, takes practice and you can do it pleasantly. You will never please everyone and accepting this will reduce the pressure you put on yourself.

7. Reward your achievements. Choose the reward before you start both for small and large achievements and use it to move you forward, particularly when overcoming an obstacle. Rewarding yourself will encourage you to keep persevering and focusing on winning.

Wendy Hearn
winner of Small Business Consolidator - sponsored by Barclays Bank plc
and The Millennium Woman Awards

Summer Buyers' Guide: Hair Care

2008-02-03T16:17:00.001+05:30

By Denise Mann
WebMD Feature
Riding the newest wave in summer hair care are sprays, shampoos, and conditioners that contain UV filters -- perfect for the summer months.

"With sun damage and exposure, hair can become more brittle. It can also become discolored with chlorine, especially for those who color their hair," says Ellen Marmur, MD, chief of dermatologic and cosmetic surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. "There are extra-strong products to remove chlorine and remoisturize the hair and protect it from breaking, which I think it are worth it."

Parsol SLX is new this summer. Silicone-based, it purports to fight the harsh effects of UV rays that can cause color to fade and hair to break. At the same time, it conditions and moisturizes hair. Look for it to appear in more and more products.

Also, leave-in conditioner or styling crmes are useful even if you haven't shampooed your hair. They provide extra moisturizing after you've spent a day in the summer sun. Above all, don't forget to wear a hat. From straw cowboy hats and sporty visors to your favorite team's baseball cap, hats with broad rims are stylish this season. They also protect the face from the sun. "Find one you like that fits your face and wear it," says Bruce E. Katz, MD, medical director of the JUVA Skin and Laser Center in New York City.

Published May 2005.
Medically updated April 2006.

Summertime Nutrition Tips

2008-02-03T16:16:00.001+05:30

By Christina Frank
WebMD Feature
Summertime, and the living is easy -- that is, until you notice the havoc all that fun in the sun has wrought on your body. Fortunately, summer also brings an abundance of tasty and nutritious foods, including berries (loaded with antioxidants), tomatoes, sweet bell peppers (good vitamin C source), and protein-filled grilled fish and burgers. And by simply choosing the right ones to add to your daily diet, you can help prevent or alleviate the following common hot-weather woes:

Dry or Damaged Skin

What causes it: You sweat more in the summer, so skin is less supple; plus, saltwater and chlorine have a drying effect. Sunburns and bug bites are also saboteurs of healthy skin.

What to eat: Help heal weathered skin with foods like raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries, which are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. Protein, in the form of lean meats, beans, nuts, and seeds, is also key. Keep dryness at bay by drinking lots of water, which Lona Sandon, RD, calls "the forgotten nutrient." Sandon is a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. She recommends that women drink 92 ounces (8-10 cups) of water in the summer and men 125 ounces to prevent dehydration. Since calcium can also be lost through sweating, it's a good idea to replace it by eating low-fat dairy products like skim milk, yogurt, and cottage cheese.

Yeast Infections

What causes them: Sitting around in a wet bathing suit provides a perfect environment for yeast overgrowth.

What to eat: To make conditions less hospitable for yeast to take hold in the first place, cut back on sugary foods, advises Leanne Ely, CNC, author of Saving Dinner: The Menus, Recipes, and Shopping Lists to Bring Your Family Back to the Table. Once you've got an infection, be sure to eat lots of yogurt -- the kind that contains live, active cultures.

Parched Hair

What causes it: Overexposure to sun, saltwater, and chlorine.

What to eat: Toss some burgers or shrimp kabobs on the grill, or make a three-bean salad or other protein-rich meal because hair consists of protein fibers called keratin. Eating foods rich in vitamin B-5 (found in yogurt and California avocadoes), vitamin B-8 (in liver and cooked eggs), folic acid (in fortified cereals and beans), calcium (in milk and yogurt), and zinc (in meat and fish) can reduce hair loss and replace dull hair with shiny hair. Theses nutrients also play a role in maintaining healthy skin.

11 "Don't-Tell-the-Wife" Secrets All Men Keep

2008-02-03T16:15:00.000+05:30

WebMD Feature from "Redbook" MagazineBy Ty Wenger

11 "Don't-Tell-the-Wife" Secrets All Men Keep

I was in the ninth grade when I learned a vital lesson about love. My girlfriend at the time, Amy, was stunningly cute, frighteningly smart and armed with a seemingly endless supply of form-fitting angora sweaters. And me? Let's just say I was an adolescent Chris Robinson to her budding Kate Hudson -- and well aware of my good fortune.

Then one day, as we stood in line for a movie at the mall, Simone Shaw, junior high prom queen, sauntered by. Suddenly Amy turned to me. "Were you looking at her?" she asked. "Do you think she's pretty?"

My mind reeled. Of course I was looking at her! Of course she was pretty! My God, she was Simone Shaw! I paused for a second, then decided to play it straight.

"Well, yeah," I chortled.

Five days later our breakup hit the tabloids (a.k.a. the lunchroom).

There comes a time in every man's life when he discovers the value of hiding the grosser parts of his nature. He starts reciting the sweet nothings you long to hear: "No, honey, I play golf for the exercise." "No, honey, I think you're a great driver." "No, honey, I wasn't looking at that coed washing the car in the rain."

We're not lying, exactly. We're just making things...easier. But Glenn Good, Ph.D., a relationship counselor, disagrees, and maybe he has a point. "These white lies are pretty innocent, but they can turn confusing," he says. "Many women think, If he's lying about himself, is he also lying about something else? Is he having an affair? To establish trust you have to tell the truth about the innocuous stuff."

And so, in the interest of uniting the sexes, we've scoured the country for guys willing to share the private truths they wouldn't normally confess. Some are a bit crass. Some you've always suspected. Some are surprisingly sweet. (Guys don't like to reveal the mushy stuff, either.) But read on, and you may discover that the truth about men isn't all that ugly.

Secret #1: Yes, we fall in lust 10 times a day -- but it doesn't mean we want to leave you
If the oldest question in history is "What's for dinner?" the second oldest is "Were you looking at her?" The answer: Yes -- yes, we were. If you're sure your man doesn't look, it only means he possesses acute peripheral vision.

"When a woman walks by, even if I'm with my girlfriend, my vision picks it up," says Doug LaFlamme, 28, of Laguna Hills, California. "I fight the urge to look, but I just have to. I'm really in trouble if the woman walking by has a low-cut top on."

Granted, we men are well aware that our sizing up the produce doesn't sit well with you, given that we've already gone through the checkout line together. But our passing glances pose no threat.

"It's not that I want to make a move on her," says LaFlamme. "Looking at other women is like a radar that just won't turn off."

The 10 Best Foods You Aren’t Eating

2008-02-03T16:14:00.000+05:30

WebMD Feature from "Men's Health" Magazine

Want to do your body a world of good? It's as easy as expanding your grocery list

Although some guys aren't opposed to smoking some weed, most wouldn't think of eating one. It's a shame, really, since a succulent weed named purslane is not only delicious but also among the world's healthiest foods.

Of course, there are many superfoods that never see the inside of a shopping cart. Some you've never heard of, and others you've simply forgotten about. That's why we've rounded up the best of the bunch. Make a place for them on your table and you'll instantly upgrade your health -- without a prescription.

1. Beets
These grungy-looking roots are naturally sweeter than any other vegetable, which means they pack tons of flavor underneath their rugged exterior.

Why they're healthy: Think of beets as red spinach. Just like Popeye's powerfood, this crimson vegetable is one of the best sources of both folate and betaine. These two nutrients work together to lower your blood levels of homocysteine, an inflammatory compound that can damage your arteries and increase your risk of heart disease. Plus, the natural pigments -- called betacyanins -- that give beets their color have been proved to be potent cancer fighters in laboratory mice.

How to eat them: Fresh and raw, not from a jar. Heating beets actually decreases their antioxidant power. For a simple single-serving salad, wash and peel one beet, and then grate it on the widest blade of a box grater. Toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the juice of half a lemon.

You can eat the leaves and stems, which are also packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Simply cut off the stems just below the point where the leaves start, and wash thoroughly. They're now ready to be used in a salad. Or, for a side dish, sauté the leaves, along with a minced clove of garlic and a tablespoon of olive oil, in a sauté pan over medium-high heat. Cook until the leaves are wilted and the stems are tender. Season with salt and pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice, and sprinkle with fresh Parmesan cheese.

Summer Skin Makeover

2008-02-03T16:11:00.000+05:30

By Denise Mann
WebMD Feature
Is your skin ready for summer?

As beach season approaches, anxiety is almost palpable with both women and men who will soon bare it all -- or close to it. After being bundled up all winter long, people will shed their sweaters and jeans and show some skin.

But "the problem with summer skin is winter skin," says Steve Fallek, MD, a plastic surgeon in New York City and Englewood, N.J. "Our skin is dry from the cold, harsh winter."

While some are concerned about looking odd on the beach, he says, "others are worried about being outside in less clothing than they are used to."

WebMD to the rescue: Our doctor-approved tips will help your skin get a healthy glow in time for Memorial Day -- and with results designed to last through Labor Day and beyond.

Exfoliate to Get Rid of Dry, Dull Skin

Experts say the best way to get your skin ready for summer is with regular exfoliation. This gets rid of dead, dry skin cells. "You can use a chemical or physical exfoliation to keep your skin looking fresher and to get rid of dry flaky winter skin," says Audrey Kunin MD, a dermatologist in Kansas City, Mo.

Use a washcloth, loofah, buff puff, or any number of the microdermabrasion creams or tools that are now on the market, Kunin says.

Wet your entire body in the bath or shower.

Apply exfoliating cleanser to your loofah or washcloth, and scrub, using gentle, circular motions.

"Don't go overboard, less is more when it comes to exfoliating," she says. Kunin recommends exfoliating no more than once a day or a couple of times a week.

Get started before Memorial Day and keep the regimen up throughout summer. "This is something everyone should think about now, so when you do have summer glow it will last even longer."

Added incentive: exfoliated skin will help self-tanners go on more smoothly, making them less likely to streak and prevent your glow from fading prematurely.

Moisturize to Hydrate Skin

After you exfoliate, moisturizing your winter dry skin is key. "If your skin is only a little dry, you can use a liquid moisturizer and if it's very dry, you can use a cream moisturizer," says Rhoda S. Narins, MD, a dermatological surgeon in New York City and president of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Use it after you exfoliate, shave, and shower. In particular, "moisturizing after you shave puts the skin barrier back until your own body can do it," Narins says.

This year, tinted moisturizers are popular, Kunin adds. "Everyone wants a bronze look and these products are like a foundation for the body," she says. They fall just short of a self-tanner because unlike self-tanners, which fade naturally, tinted moisturizers will typically wash off. "The color itself does not protect from sun so you may need sunscreen too," Kunin cautions.

She adds, "It's hot and humid during the summer, so you really want to make sure that whatever moisturizer or tinted moisturizer you choose it is noncomedogenic," meaning that it won't clog your pores and cause unsightly breakouts.

Please dont stop the music

2008-02-03T16:04:00.001+05:30

Rihanna Lyrics
Don’t Stop the Music Lyrics

Please don't stop the music (4x)

It's gettin late
I'm making my way over to my favorite place
I gotta get my body moving shake the stress away
I wasn't looking for nobody when you looked my way
Possible candidate (yeah)
Who knew
That you'd be up in here lookin like you do
You're makin' stayin' over here impossible
Baby I must say your aura is incredible
If you dont have to go don't

Do you know what you started
I just came here to party
But now we're rockin on the dancefloor
Acting naughty
Your hands around my waist
Just let the music play
We're hand in hand
Chest to chest
And now we're face to face

I wanna take you away
Lets escape into the music
DJ let it play
I just can't refuse it
Like the way you do this
Keep on rockin to it
Please don't stop the
Please don't stop the music

I wanna take you away
Lets escape into the music
DJ let it play
I just can't refuse it
Like the way you do this
Keep on rocking to it
Please don't stop the
Please don't stop the
Please don't stop the music

Baby are you ready cause its getting close
Don't you feel the passion ready to explode
What goes on between us no one has to know
This is a private show (oh)

Do you know what you started
I just came here to party
But now we're rockin on the dancefloor
[Don’t Stop the Music lyrics on http://www.metrolyrics.com]

Acting naughty
Your hands around my waist
Just let the music play
We're hand in hand
Chest to chest
And now we're face to face

I wanna take you away
Lets escape into the music
DJ let it play
I just can't refuse it
Like the way you do this
Keep on rockin to it
Please don't stop the
Please don't stop the
Please don't stop the music

Ma say ma sa, Ma ma coo sa
Ma say ma sa, Ma ma coosa (2x)

Please don't stop the music

Ma say ma sa, Ma ma coo sa
Ma say ma sa, Ma ma coosa

Please don't stop the music (2x)

I wanna take you away
Lets escape into the music
DJ let it play
I just can't refuse it
Like the way you do this
Keep on rockin to it
Please don't stop the
Please don't stop the music

I wanna take you away
Lets escape into the music
DJ let it play
I just can't refuse it
Like the way you do the
Keep on rocking to it
Please don't stop the
Please don't stop the
Please don't stop the music

Ma ma say ma ma sa, Ma ma coo sa
Ma ma say ma ma sa, Ma ma coosa(6x)

Please don't stop the music

Tips On Formal Wear For Men : Vests & Cummerbunds: Tips On Men's Formal Wear

2008-01-25T20:53:00.000+05:30

Indian Salwar Kameez

2008-01-25T20:51:00.000+05:30

How to wear a Dhoti

2008-01-25T20:49:00.000+05:30

This is for my friends abroad who requested me to put a video on how to wear the garment...............

SARI [How to wear a SARI]

2008-01-25T20:48:00.000+05:30

Can an American Girl Wear a Sari?

2008-01-25T20:46:00.000+05:30

10 Fashion Faux Pas at Work

2008-01-25T20:45:00.000+05:30

Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.co.uk editor

What you wear to work is probably the most important part of your wardrobe. Your appearance could be the difference between getting that promotion and being stuck in the same position forever.

Dianah Worman, diversity adviser for the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, comments, "Dress codes are part and parcel of how a business communicates. They help an organisation say what it is about and the specific role and contribution its staff are expected to make."

But what is an appropriate look and style? Check out these work wardrobe faux-pas to make sure you don't repeat them.

1. Showing underwear
Showing bra straps or even the whole of your bra through a light blouse will encourage your male colleagues to see you as a woman rather than a professional. If you really want to wear a sheer blouse, wear a nude-coloured camisole underneath. As for slips, one length does NOT fit all. Buy slips in several lengths and in the colours you wear most often. You want to mute the sheerness of your garment - not draw attention to the colour of what's underneath.

2. Wearing the wrong colours
The lime green or hot pink that's all the rage this season may look fab on the catwalk but awful on you. Don't waste your money on clothes that make you look pale or washed out either. Plenty of department stores offer free style counselling, so why not get some tips from the experts.

3. High heels and scuffed shoes
Shoes should be comfortable to walk in, especially if you're on your feet for long periods of time. It's not worth blisters just to look that extra but special. The highest heels women should wear to the office are two to three inches. Check shoes regularly to make sure they're in good condition -- many department stores and stations have heel bars where you can drop in at lunchtime.

4. Wearing too small a size
If it doesn't fit, don't wear it. High street clothes will never look fitted so it's worthwhile investing in a tailored suit. A well-made suit will conform to your body shape and posture and retain fit and shape for many, many wearings.

5. Skimpy attire
We've had some hot summers lately but there's no excuse to look like you're off to the beach. Choose clothes in light colours and fabrics that stay cool, such as linens and lightweight wool. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) have said employers should follow the Japanese Prime Minister, who urged his country not to wear jackets and ties during summer. Wool can be worn all year round and a light-weight suit with a partial lining is perfect for summer. For linen, choose blends with cotton or silk to avoid too much creasing.

6. Underarm stains
You may have to try a few deodorants to find the best one for you. If you perspire heavily or need a surefire method to prevent stains, consider using dress or jacket shields.

7. Too much cleavage
If you show off your body, you will simply encourage your male colleague to look at you as little more than someone they would like to sleep with. This may boost your ego but it certainly won't boost your career opportunities.

8. Out-of-control hair
Wild hair just doesn't look professional. Women should invest in a good haircut and styling products to make hair easier to manage. Men should keep their facial hair well-trimmed or, better still, be clean-shaven.

9. Being too casual
Last year, Barclays Bank reportedly sent staff a memo stipulating that jeans, shorts, flip-flops, strapless tops, sportswear, T-shirts or trainers would not be tolerated in the workplace. How should you define dress-down Fridays and smart casual? If you really want to wear jeans, make sure they're clean, neat and fit well -- dress them up with a tailored shirt and jacket or blazer.

10. Too much jewellery
An employee of British Airways (BA) took them to court for refusing to let her wear a cross. BA's policy is that personal items of jewellery, including crosses, may be worn but underneath the uniform. Wherever you work, jewellery should always be kept to a minimum - keep it simple, like a watch, dainty necklace/plain cufflinks and a ring.

The saying "Never judge a book by its cover" doesn't apply in the workplace. Where else in life can the clothes you wear have a genuine effect on your future and how you're perceived?

Kate Lorenz is the article and advice editor for CareerBuilder.co.uk. She's an expert in job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.

Seasons

2008-01-25T20:41:00.000+05:30

Whats hot for this Season?

From Sanyukta, Seasons Correspondent Mumbai, August 1:

It is raining cats and dogs. Braving all those puddles and slush you have to reach office on time. As you turn to cross the road, an autorickshaw passes by splashing the muddy water on your saree. Next you try to catch a bus but end up getting drenched in the thick downpour. After you reach office, you try to wash off the mud and squeeze out the excess water from your pallu. But it is not so easy. The result is you shiver through your bones the whole day in the air-conditioned environment. Had the fabric of your saree be rayon or silk you could have avoided this mess. It is this necessity that has caused the advent of monsoon fashion in India. India, which is still waking up to concepts like fashion seasons was blindly aping the Western idea of spring/summer and autumn/winter collection.

However, for the past couple of years, designers like Vandanna Roy Of Sentiments have started bringing out monsoon collections.Says Vandanna, "during monsoon, the accent is on bold colours, pastels are out simply because the sun is not shining as bright as it was in summer. Fabrics like blended cotton and polynylon are ideal for this season. Chiffon and crepe are out as they lose their sheen once they are wet. I prefer thicker fabric material as it will also keep you warm. My personal favourite for monsoon is capri pants teamed with tank tops, I think it is the best for the season.

"Sunita Ramnathkar's Barcode has worked on the Jungle theme this monsoon. Says she, "my designers have captured the thick greenery and wild dense growth of jungles for the monsoon. Deep beige, olive green are the dominant colours in this pret collection." But not all designers believe in bold colours for monsoon.

Goa-based Wendell Rodricks prefers to bring out the various hues of sea to dark bold colours of greenery in his collection for the season. The dominant colours in Wendell's collection include blue, green, indigo and white. The fabric used is blended cotton.

According to Dinesh Chheda who has been designing ethnic threads for women for more than 25 years, "most women prefer wearing salwar-kameez to sarees during monsoon. That apart, they generally do not buy anything major during this season. All their buying is confined to summers or festive occasions. Hence, I do not see the need to design for this season. However, if I ever design for monsoon then the accent will be on synthetic fabrics and bold colours."

In contrast, leading designer Seema Roye has brought out Splash, an exclusive collection comprising six different segments, to welcome rains. Seema's collection consists of elegant beach wear, Indo-Western fusion and traditional Indian wear. Her palette is as wide as blue, peach, light copper and white. Palazzos teamed with tank tops are among the fusion wear and elegant zardozi work on satin mark the ethnic collection. Her fabrics include satin and net.

Unlike Seema, Shaina NC does not design for monsoon nor does she believe in any kind of work on her clothes for the season. She avoids fabrics like cotton, crepe and organza. According to her, "silk is best suited for the monsoon. It also gives scope for variation in the hues."

Anita Dongre whose AND outlet at Crossroads avers, "traditionally,Indian women used to have a different variety of clothing exclusively meant for the monsoon. It is only now that we have realised the need to revive this tradition. I have not brought out anything new for this season but my fusion wear, which is a blend of Indian bandhani with Western outfits, seems to be the right choice to offset this season."

Designer Jai Ramrakhiani makes special bermudas for the monsoon. "I think bermudas are best to avoid the various hassles of heavy downpour," he smiles.

Vikram Phadnis simply treats monsoon as an off season and takes a break during this period. He would rather concentrate on his autumn\winter collection than design for monsoon.

Star designer Manish Malhotra has similar views. Says he, "I think colours like blue, light purple, indigo, lemon yellow and white, which are a designer's favourite for summer also hold good for monsoon. He does not see the need to design separately for monsoon.

Deepak Duggal who is into men's fashion in a big way, has designed special shirts for the monsoon. Says he, "it is important to use the right fabric during monsoon as there are certain fabrics which lose their sheen once wet. Hence, I import a special blend of rayon and cotton from Italy, which I use for most of my line for this season. The rayon ensures that the clothes do not cling to your body and cotton dries up fast so it is an ideal blend for this season."

With so much to choose from for this season, monsoon will never be looked down upon as a dull and dreary season anymore. Most, I am sure, will be ready to welcome the showers. EOM…

Source: http://www.seasonsindia.com/Beauty/monsoonfash_sea.htm

9 Cool Ways to Avoid Sweatshops

2008-01-25T20:39:00.000+05:30

Want to make sure your clothes weren’t produced in a sweatshop? — Our National Green Pages™ is filled with screened clothing companies that source their garments responsibly, so you don’t have to wonder if your clothing purchase is fueling injustice in a factory thousands of miles away.

We here at Co-op America depend on our own Green Pages companies to make sure that our purchases avoid sweatshops too. For example, our Green Festival works with T.S. Designs, a longtime member of our green business network, to supply the thousands of soft, high-quality, organic, sweatship-free “Green Festival” T-shirts we give to our wonderful festival volunteers.

The good news is that “sweatshop-free” today goes beyond T-shirts. Searching the National Green Pages™ yields a green option for just about any apparel or household item you need; our editors compiled the list below by searching for sweat-free options on items people often ask us about.

Their picks are far from exhaustive, but clearly represent the reach of the green economy; we hope they inspire you to search the Green Pages on your own!

Check More on this at :http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/sweatshops/whatyoucando/9coolways.cfm

Summer Wears Clothing Men Only

2008-01-25T20:38:00.000+05:30

Men casual clothing kurta pajama is a gift to the Indian traditional wear by the great Mughals. In their custom, both men and women enjoyed kurtas and pajamas cut in long flowing panels. These elaborately embroidered kurtas with real gold and silver threads, weighed between 5 to 10 kilograms. With the change in time and fashion, modifications were made according to the comfort and affordability of people. Now the kurta pajama is more of a mans informal relaxing wear. Though the source of inspiration remains the same old Mughal fashion, many new changes are seen in todays style of Kurta pajamas.
Among men, the most commonly worn kurtas are the coarse handloom kurta with high Chinese collar. They are either plain woven or the designs are woven in different colors. Comfort and easy wearing quality has made the kurta pajama universally popular. They are worn in winters as well as summers. The material for the summer and winter kurta changes suiting the weather conditions. Summer welcomes crisp and light cottons, while winter gives way to all heavy and thick materials. However, the handloom kurtas are worn in both summer and winter. The style popular among mens kurtas is the straight cut with side pockets.

The prints commonly seen on this apparel in summers are block print and tie and dye of Rajasthan and Gujarat. These kurta pajama sets from Rajasthan and Gujarat come in not only traditional block printing and tie and dye but also with rich embroidery and glittering mirror work. The chikan hand embroidery of Lucknow is also very popular for its traditional rich look and values. These are usually made in pure cotton as they are worn mainly in summer. The winter Kurtas are in silk, satin, and other thick fabric.

Clothing Gift Ideas

2008-01-25T20:36:00.000+05:30

Clothing can be of various types depending on your budget. It is one of the favorite gift items to opt for. You can try out clothing gifts for women, men, and kids. There are various styles available in the market. You have ample options to choose from depending on his or her age and their personal preferences, likes and dislikes. So here we try to help you out with certain ideas on clothing gifts. You can refer to these ideas while deciding on what cloth item you want to opt for.

Clothing Gift Ideas for Women

You should always select clothes for women according to their dressing sense. If she is a workingwoman than you can gift her something on official wear. There are various kinds of western official wear available in the market. Like you can opt for shirt and trousers. The shirts can be of slim fit, traditional and loose fit depending on the body type. You can choose fabrics like linen and cotton. There are formal shirts with the freshest, most vibrant colors and the most luxurious materials all combined with subtle, elegant, professional tailoring. Women's shirt should have a wonderful feminine twist in its look. Nowadays the formal wear, which are available are more contemporary in style and relaxed clothing. The cutting should be closer fit and should give a sleek modern look. Other than the office wear you can also opt for eveningwear and party wear. Various options are available on evening and party wear. You can opt for silk woven evening dresses with embroidery on it, sensuous evening gowns with waist sash. Gowns are available in different colors and designs like trendy strapless eveningwear, gown with spaghetti stripes, evening dresses with double edge on the neckline, dresses with decorative ribbon band on waist, and classy evening gown with handmade embroidery. There are casual wear also to gift like jeans, t-shirt, and skirts.

Clothing Gift Ideas for Men

Men clothing should be given according to the occasion and their tastes. There are men who prefer to dress formally all the time whether in office or in parties. So for them you can try out formal clothes. But there are men who prefer to be in casual all the time. They like wearing jeans and t-shirt. Some also like to wear party clothes so for them you can gift party wears. Some of the ideas of clothing for men are shirts and pants. Shirts can be gifted of various fabrics like cotton and mixed fabric. It can be full sleeve and half sleeve but if you are gifting formal wear than you should opt for full sleeve shirts of light colors, which has a official look. But if you are gifting informal shirts than you can go for different colors according to their age. You can try out vibrant colors and prints like checks and floral prints. Coming to pants ideas men today has a lot of option to choose from. For business purpose they opt for cotton chinos, linen, jeans, corduroys, and khakis. The colors you can try out are black and different shades of gray for formal wear. Many people wear nylon blend fabric too. Jeans can be gifted of different colors like blue and its different shades, even black and shades of gray. These are some of the clothing gift ideas for men, which you can refer to while giving clothes to them as a gift.

Clothing Gift Ideas for Kids

For giving clothes as a gift to kids you should know what is the occasion you are giving gifts. The main thing in kids clothing is comfort. You should know before giving that the fabric is good for skin or not. During summers if you are gifting than you should always go for cotton clothes, which are good for skin. For girls you can gift frocks, dresses and skirts of various vibrant colors and prints. For boys you can gift shirt pant set of different colors. You can check out some of the shirts with cartoon figures printed on it. Those look really good on kids. During winter season you can also gift winter garments, which comes in different varieties. So here are some of the gift ideas on kids clothing.

Source:http://gift-ideas.iloveindia.com/exclusive/clothing-gifts.html

sareeeees galoreeeeeeeeeee

2008-01-25T20:34:00.000+05:30

Casual is something occurring at irregular or infrequent intervals, being without ceremony or formality. In India the most common casual dresses for women are casual saris, casual printed sarees and casual suits. You can wear casual sarianywhere and any occasion. As in any society, how you dress affects your experiences.Your fashion choices make a statement about your interests or intentions, and these statements are subject to cultural interpretation.Only Utsavsaree provide an appealing saree in white fashion crepe in a casual and semi formal style. The last few decades in Western countries have seen a revolution in fashion ideas, especially among the young, that would have shocked Westerners even two generations back. Though a small segment of urban India has been exposed to, and often accepted new fashion directions, most Indians hold a more conservative view.

Many businesses today have adopted “casual dress” policies like as-casual sari,casual lehnga, salwar kameez. Some individuals and businesses claim that casual dress policies make employees more productive and more comfortable in the workplace. Today, casual dress seems to fall into two categories: careful casual and careless casual. Careful casual has somewhat of a “tailored” look, rather than a sloppy look. Clean, pressed clothes leave a much better impression than stained or wrinkled attire. Careless casual suggests one does not care about his or her appearance. This is not the business image one should communicate (“Dressing down impacts…”, 3000). In a recent survey on casual dress policies, 80% of executives said the following items are unacceptable in a casual dress environment: sweat suits, contemporary salwar suits, exemplary salwar suits, spandex, denim (jeans), shorts, t-shirts with slogans, bared midriffs, halter tops, tank tops, flip-flops, and sandals. On the other hand, the following articles of clothing are considered acceptable for casual dress in most workplaces: turtlenecks, collared shirts and blouses, khakis, corduroys, slacks or pantsuits, blazers, vests, sweaters, and leather shoes (“Casual dress”, 3000). These rules go for men and women; however, it still may be a little more difficult for women to decide what to wear. Mary Lou Andre, president and founder of Organization by design (a Boston-based fashion consulting firm), tells women to “Ditch the miniskirts and sandals; no matter how fashionable and lovely, bare skin just isn’t appropriate at the office. Another tip to consider is to dress as if going to meet friends for dinner in a nice restaurant, not as if going to wash a car. Also, casual does not equal old. Worn clothes give an outdated impression. Clothes should be selected based on the image and ideas one wants to project.

In India, there are two main dress styles for women: the sari and the salwar kurta. casual sarees are stylish and wonderfully comfortable, ideal for the long hot Indian summers. Contemporary sarees are available in designs ranging from ethnic chic to traditional to modern prints, in a wide range of fabrics, are wonderfully flattering for the fuller figure. Women of all sizes can wear these outfits with confidence, knowing they will turn heads everywhere they go. Causal sari /simple sarees can be used both for daily wear and office wear. Causal daily wear saris can be of cotton, chiffon or any other fabric. Cotton daily wear saris are much into demand during summer.
Dressing to fit in is more important for women who want to avoid unnecessary hassles. The standard advice is to cover your shoulders and your butt, and avoid showing cleavage.

Utsavsarees.com is a shopping service provider for the large Indian community residing in USA, New York, Los Angeles, California, Chicago, Illinois, Houston, Texas, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Phoenix, Arizona, San Diego, California, Dallas, Texas, San Antonio, Texas, Austin, Detroit, Michigan, San Jose, California, Indianapolis, Indiana, San Francisco, California, Jacksonville, Florida, Columbus, Ohio, Austin, Texas, Memphis, Indiana, Indianapolis, Iowa, Des Moines, Tennessee, Baltimore, Maryland, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Boston, Massachusetts, Charlotte, North Carolina, El Paso, Texas, Washington, D.C., Seattle, Washington, Fort Worth, Texas, Denver, Colorado, Nashville-Davidson, Tennessee, Portland, Oregon, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Cheyenne, Las Vegas, Nevada, Massachusetts, Boston, Hawaii, Sydney, Mauritius, Fiji Is., Australia, Singapore, India, Malaysia and other parts of world

Source: http://www.utsavsarees.com/pages/casualsaris.htm

Man Gym Wear

2008-01-25T20:33:00.001+05:30

When it's the time for a gym workout, you cannot go about exercising in your business casual suit. When it's the time to shape up your body, you should opt for proper gym workout clothes for men that are comfortable. These man gym fitness clothes allow flexibility to bend upside down for carrying out different types of exercises. Man gym wear collection is pretty extensive. There is a vast array of clothing you can choose from.

The assortment of gym attire for men is simply fabulous. There are different kinds of T-shirts you can look out for ranging from Asian shooter shirt to sleeveless Running T-shirt to bodybuilder stringer tank tops. Running T-shirt is perfect for treadmill exercising, as it is moisture absorbent. For bodybuilders, there are specially designed zip up gym jackets. Ringer T-shirt, made up of 100% cotton is sheer light and is a great choice to wear in summers. In winters, hooded zip up sweatshirts are the best deal. Heavy fabric for coziness and mushy feel for softness makes a fantastic combination. Its thermal lining provides the desired warmth.

In pants there are again multiple choices available to you. There are different kinds of sports and workout pants. You can try out one of the techno mesh training pants or else look out for the comfy jogging track pants. Retro designs are again in vogue. Sweatpants style drawn form the period of 70s looks cool and features the best of both worlds namely style and comfort. In summers, a great option is drawstring shorts. They are truly offbeat. So, men leave your old gym rags and go buy some cool gym wear for you.

Source: http://www.indobase.com/fashion/men-fashion/apparels/western/sports-wear/man-gym-wear.html

Man Summer Clothes

2008-01-25T20:32:00.000+05:30

Some tips on choosing the right man clothing for summers are: -
Man summer wear collection is vast and gives you multiple options to choose from. You need to pick up something that goes well with your individual decorum. And mind you guys don't get lured by the designer labels because they might not be the apt clothing for you. So always keep in mind that "all that glitters is not gold".
Shades and prints have psychological effects. On hot summer day, a person in black big print top would lend a feeling of hot summer winds but if you see a man dressed in white plain shirt, you will feel cooler. It gives a feeling that though the mercury is shooting but still the temperature is bearable. So next time look out for some sober light colors and small prints. Complicated motifs should be avoided. Gaudy clothes are a total no.
Don't attempt to overdress. Avoid wearing jacket on top of a shirt or T-shirt.
While freaking out with friends, attire shorts instead of full-length pants. Sleeveless tops and other types of tank tops are a good option. Don them with a pair of funky thong sandals or else hunt for sneakers.
Swimming is a great fun activity, which is not only delightful but shapes your body too. So, buy cool beach attire for yourself.
In summers avoid proper fit clothes. Loose fit gives you a relaxed feel. The keyword to be paid attention to is that the outfit should be airy.
Ensure that you are wearing a seasonal fabric cloth. Cotton is the best option in summers. Hassle free and skin friendly it is an all time favorite. Avoid synthetic stuff. Soft material helps you in fighting with the intensifying heat.
Jeans is not suitable to be worn in summers. You should rather go in for cotton or linen pants.
Accessorize yourself with cool hats and funky goggles. Bandanas are again a great fashion accessory. These summer accessories are just perfect for summer season as they look stylish and give a soothing effect. It's like you have your cake and eat it too.
So, next time you step out of home take care to follow these tips and you'll suddenly feel that the temperature is dropping. So, learn to camouflage the season with your intelligence.

Source: http://www.indobase.com/fashion/men-fashion/apparels/western/sports-wear/men-summer-clothing.html

shady characters

2008-01-25T20:28:00.000+05:30

I can't remember a time when Ray-Ban sunglasses have been out of style. Sure, their popularity comes and goes, but unlike Vuarnets, "goggle" glasses with blinders, and Oakley shields, Ray-Bans always look classic. In fact it's precisely the old-school shape of both the Aviators and Wayfarer styles that makes the look of forties aviation pilots, sixties movie actors, seventies rock stars, and eighties brat-packers still look relevant today.

Because we've seen Ray-Bans worn in such a high profile way for so long, I'm now most impressed by guys who have found new interpretations of the Ray-Ban look. I saw a guy on the street the other day whose sunglasses looked liked classic aviators in every way except the edge of the frames was shaped differently. I asked him if they were Ray-Ban, and he proudly declared they were "street" glasses he bought in Dakar. I also recently noticed a street vendor selling aviators in updated shades of electric blue, white, and bottle-green. You see, the logo really doesn't matter. The idea is basic and repeatable, the very definition of a standard. It's just a little American configuration of glass and metal (or glass and plastic, as the case may be) that has taught a world of men how to go incognito.

Source: http://www.mensvogue.com/clothing/blogs/in_her_eyes/eyewear/index.html

Getting Through Tough Times

2008-01-23T11:27:00.000+05:30

Controlling Stress

Unexpected income changes are among the moststressful events a person can experience.Unemployment, a disaster, divorce or the death ofsomeone you love can be personally devastatingand can trigger the same reactions.Personal Crises Are StressfulIn a personal crisis, you may feel tense and angry.You may have mood swings and find yourselflashing out at others. Feelings of frustration canlead to family arguments. Or you may feeldepressed and discouraged. These feelings may benormal and common. Other family membersusually share some or all of your emotions, eitherdirectly or indirectly. While sharing your feelingsof loss and despair, they may also have to dealwith your depression, frustration and anger.Allow yourself and other family members toexpress feelings. Don’t talk about “snapping outof it.” This denies the seriousness of someone’sfeelings.A personal crisis may force you to make rapidchanges in your life. It can disrupt your habits andnormal routines and give you too much or notenough free time. Maintain your daily routines asmuch as you possibly can. Try to fill your time insatisfying and rewarding ways.Unemployment may mean you can spend timewith your children, spouse or other familymembers. Work on household projects that youhaven’t had time to do. Read up on a topic you’vewanted to learn more about.Every member of the family feels stress duringtough times. Support and communicate with oneanother. Some roles and responsibilities may needto be changed until the crisis is over. Be flexibleand willing to try new things. Studies show thatfamilies who meet challenges head-on are themost likely to successfully cope with crises.Change can be difficult, but all family membersneed to pull together during a crisis.Take Care of YourselfIn order to better cope with stress, keep your bodyhealthy. Eat balanced meals, get enough sleep andexercise regularly.One approach to coping with stress overload is totake a break from the stressful situation. Here aresome suggestions:Take a walk.Watch a movie.Spend time on yourself — take a long bubblebath or shower.Listen to music.Work in the yard or garden.Work on your favorite hobby, or start a newone.Jog, dance or participate in some otherphysical activity.Another approach is to take action to reduceexcess muscle tension by using relaxationexercises. Although relaxation exercises do notget at the causes of stress overload, they provide aphysical release from tension.ToughTimesControlling StressGTTT-12
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2Learning to achieve the relaxation response is askill that takes practice. Practice the technique atleast twice a day. Follow these guidelines:Find a quiet place.Get into a comfortable position — lie down onthe floor or sit with uncrossed legs.Breathe easily and naturally.Keep muscles loose, limp and relaxed.Easy Relaxation TechniquesBelly BreathingSit or lie comfortably in a relaxed position. As youslowly breathe in, let your belly expand. Think ofit as a balloon filling with air. As you exhale, letthe air out of your “balloon” slowly. Place yourhands on your stomach. You should feel it rise andfall as you breathe.Slower Respiration RateSlow down your breathing rate by seeing how fewtimes you can breathe each 60 seconds. When youbegin to get tense, take a few minutes and simplyslow your breathing down to about three to sixbreaths per minute.Shoulder ExerciseTry to touch your ears with your shoulders. Holdit for a count of 4. Then let your shoulders drop.Now rotate each shoulder separately toward therear. Do each shoulder 5 to 10 times. Then do bothshoulders together.MassageMassage the back of your neck, concentrating onthe part that feels tense. Cup your thumbs at thefront of your neck and massage on both sides ofyour spinal column, letting your head fall limplyback against your rotating fingers. Use yourfingers to massage around your hairline and underyour jaw and your cheekbones.Mental VacationEnjoy the pleasures of a vacation through yourimagination. First, close your eyes and think ofsome place where you would like to be. Then gothere in your mind. Perhaps you will go alone. Oryou might imagine being with someone. You maybe quietly watching the sunset, a mountain, thewoods or an ocean. Or you may be active inhunting shells or rocks, hiking, playing some sportor game, climbing a mountain or cycling. Enjoythe experience.When To Get HelpSometimes things may get so difficult and out ofcontrol that you may need to get professional help.In every community, resources such as the familydoctor, mental health professionals, supportgroups and clergy exist. They can help you dealwith extreme levels of stress and the physical andemotional trauma that often accompany them.The following symptoms indicate a need foroutside help:Feeling depressed. (Some signs are crying forno reason, lack of personal care, feeling as ifyou don’t want to do anything, fatigue,unreasonable fears, inability to concentrate,change in appetite.)Changed sleeping patterns. (Sleeping toomuch, difficulty falling asleep, waking a lotduring the night and too early in the morning.)Abusing family members.Thinking about suicide.Disciplining too harshly.Hallucinating (you hear voices or see thingsthat are not there).Considering separation from your spouse.Thinking of nothing good to say.
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3Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. (Thiscould be drinking in the morning, hidingliquor so no one knows you are drinking,drinking more than two or three drinks orbeers every night.)Feeling guilty, as though you aren’t being agood parent to your kids.Experiencing isolation. (You don’t knowanyone to talk to and you have a strong needto talk to someone.)Making excuses for your situation or lyingabout your situation.Having attacks when you feel extremelypanicky (may also have high pulse rate anddifficulty breathing).Feeling overwhelmed by life.Before your problems become too big to handle,find a trained, skilled counselor to help you andyour family cope with this crisis. A familycounselor can help you handle your fears, adjustto your present situation, and plan adequately forthe future. Health insurance may help pay forcounseling costs. Some counselors charge on asliding scale — depending on your ability to pay.Your religious leader may provide counseling atno cost to you.For a list of agencies that can help, see the factsheet in this series, Community Agencies That CanHelp.For information on support needed during stress,see the fact sheet in this series, Identifying Sourcesof Support and Friendship.Getting Through Tough Times is a 19-part seriesfor individuals and families experiencingpersonal/financial crises.Contact your local University of Illinois Extensionoffice for copies of other fact sheets in this series.The address and phone number can be found inthe yellow pages of your phone book under“governmental offices - county.”Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914,in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Dennis R. Campion, interimdirector, University of Illinois Extension.Information from Managing Between Jobs: Controlling Stress, by Joan E. LeFebvre, professor, Family Development Department, University of Wisconsin-Extension, Vilas, Forest and Florence Counties. With permission, adapted for Illinois by Charlotte Crawford and Lois E. Smith, Consumer and FamilyEconomics Educators, University of Illinois Extension, 1/94. Reviewed by Kay Mayberry and Cammy Seguin, Family Life Educators, University of IllinoisExtension, 2/99.Copyright © 1999 by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees.Getting Through Tough Times: Controlling StressGTTT-12

Using Credit Wisely

2008-01-23T11:23:00.000+05:30

Try to make more than the minimum payment!
Why is this important? If you stick to the minimum amount due to pay off a balance of $1,000 on a card with an 18 percent annual interest rate, it would take you more than 12 years to pay it off. During that time, you would also pay $1,115 in interest charges. That is more than double the original balance. So, that shirt you got on sale for $19.99 really cost you $39.98.

If you get a credit card, just be careful. The very first time you pay less than the minimum payment on your bill, it shows up on your credit report. The first time you're late paying a bill, it's there. Every time something goes wrong it's noted in your credit report.

And, don't get greedy...

Every time you sign up for a credit card just to get that free t-shirt it's recorded. Too many inquiries into your credit can be a bad thing.

Helpful Hints for Credit Card Use:
Try to restrict your credit card use to only one or two cards.
Use credit wisely. Ask yourself the following questions before purchasing with credit: Is this something I need? Do I need it now? Do I have the ability to repay? How long will it take me to repay? How much will it ultimately cost me?
Make sure that monthly debt payments do not exceed 20 percent of your monthly net income.
Shop around for credit cards with low interest rates, low annual fees and reasonable grace periods before finance charges begin.
Pay the entire balance when it's due and review your spending habits to cut unnecessary purchases.
Pay your bill as soon as you get it, and if you can't pay the entire balance, pay more than the minimum amount due when possible.
When you use credit to pay for an item, write down the amount and subtract it from your funds to ensure you can pay the amount at the end of the month.
Never lend credit cards to friends or leave cards or receipts lying around where people can find them.
Think ahead. Be proactive, not reactive, about your finances. Plan for different obligations now and after graduation.
Keep a list of your credit card account numbers and phone numbers in a safe place in case a card is lost or stolen. If a card is lost or stolen, report it as soon as you notice it is missing.

If you're already in way over your head check out these tips to see how to get out of debt without giving up food.

How to Avoid Debt
It is a good idea to get into the habit of asking yourself ten questions every time you consider purchasing something on credit:

Do I really need this item right now or can I wait?
Can I qualify for credit?
What is the interest rate (APR)?
Are there additional fees?
How much is the monthly payment and when is it is due?
Can I afford to pay the monthly payments?
What will happen if I don't make the payments on time?
What will be the extra cost of using credit?
What will I have to give up to pay for it?
All things considered, is using credit worth it?

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2008-01-20T12:21:00.001+05:30

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2008-01-20T09:17:00.000+05:30

Types Of Men's Bags

2008-01-17T18:11:00.000+05:30

1- Briefcase
Briefcases are probably the oldest form of “acceptable” handbags for men. Modern-day briefcases, however, have evolved a great deal since the days of your father’s sharp-cornered case. They’re no longer boxy; in fact, that’s about the only traditional element discarded in the modern briefcase. The classic shape (without the sharp corners), buckles, leather exterior, and practical interior compartments help make this bag a timeless addition to any working-man’s wardrobe.

Carry with: Business attire

2- Messenger bag
Aptly named, the messenger bag is designed after the bags traditionally carried throughout history by -- whom else? -- messengers. Often made from canvas and swung across the shoulder, messenger bags have taken on a whole new meaning in urban fashion. From students with canvas bags to urban hipsters with modern leather bags, the messenger’s laid-back style will always have a classic casual flair, but today’s leather messenger tote also exudes a hint of uptown sophistication.

Carry with: Slick street clothes

3- Holdall
Any traveling man needs a holdall for those weekend jaunts or three-day business trips. Big, bulky luggage has transformed into sleek, stylish holdalls (or carryalls). Its design is inspired by the duffel bag, but its predominantly leather exterior and more refined appearance attribute a classic look to this practical tote.

Carry with: Casual weekend wear, business-casual attire

Source:D

http://www.askmen.com/fashion/fashiontip_300/313_fashion_advice.html

Handkerchief etiquette

2008-01-17T18:10:00.000+05:30

How a handkerchief can come handy on so many occasions?
By Peter Foss

Why carry a handkerchief?
If you think you will out in the open for too long and may not have ready access to a bathroom, a handkerchief (for formal situations) or a small hand towel (if you are going to hike or workout or be outdoors) are a must. That way you can use it to wipe yourself if you sweat or if you end up washing yourself in the open.
While many people may know this but let me repeat - no matter in what culture you are, it is simply not a good idea to blow your nose into a napkin. What I suggest is that if you need to blow your nose and rush to the nearest bathroom. You should always blow your nose in your own handkerchief and be as discreet about it as possible. You should do the same after sneezing.
In many poor countries where public restrooms do not have paper towels or tissue paper, you will find that having a handkerchief is very helpful. Similarly, if you are traveling in an area where you likely to experience a lot of dust, you can use a handkerchief to cover your nose so that you do not breathe a lot of dust particles.
Handkerchief etiquette

Use it only once. As soon as you can, please change it. If possible, carry more than one, particularly if you will be gone for several hours or if you have a cold.
While silk handkerchiefs are great for style, it is best to have a cotton handkerchief for actually using it.
There is no rule that men should carry only dull, white handkerchiefs but it is generally expected that men will not be using the types popular among women (frilly, flower-patterns, feminine colors, etc.)

Source: http://www.mynippon.com/lifestyle/handkerchief-etiquette.htm

How to Say "No" at Work and Get Away with It

2008-01-17T18:08:00.000+05:30

Do you feel like you have to say “Yes” to everything that comes your way in the workplace? Every task, project , business trip and any other requests that may come across your desk in the course of the work week? The truth is, many of us end up overloaded and unable to complete our job duties because of taking on so many additional and extra tasks. While being able to rise to the challenges just may be part of the job, there are ways to learn to say “no” when the occasion warrants. Of course, any time we say “no,” there are likely risks, but there are some techniques to help minimize risk and make our “no” a win-win situation.

There are a few different approaches you can take when you really cannot or don’t want to take on an additional project. If you want to refuse because you have issues with the project itself, there may be a way to share those concerns with your superiors. By questioning the validity of the project (unless it is your boss’ pet project!), the need for the task, meeting or trip, or whether the extra work is necessary to the overall goals and well-being of the company, you may be able to say “no” without actually saying no.

Another approach is to simply state that “my plate is too full” or that you are too busy working on x project, or the suppliers in project y are running behind and you’re having to work harder to keep things on schedule. Make sure this is actually a situation where you really do have too much to do. What might happen, of course, is that the supervisor may take away some of your other duties to make room for the new project. You may be able to avoid this, however, by offering an alternative in your place. “Unfortunately, I am just too busy with the xyz project to do this one justice, I think that Suzy would be a great choice and do a good job for you.”

Source: : http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/72770/how_to_say_no_at_work_and_get_away.html

7 Ways To Make Your Skin Glow

2008-01-17T18:07:00.000+05:30

By Ken Black

Nothing says youthfulness and good health like glowing, fresh skin. Some people are born with it, some can thank their family genes, but for the rest of us beautiful skin takes some work. What you may not realize is that it is easier than you think to have skin that glows. These seven tips will help you get the skin that you have always wanted.

1. Eat Healthy

If you want beautiful skin, it is important to maintain a healthy diet. You need plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and dairy in order to have a healthy body and healthy skin. You want to steer clear of processed foods and canned foods because these have a great deal of sodium and ingredients that can cause your skin to become dry, oily or just malnourished. Do your skin and body a favor and only eat fresh foods. Broccoli is a great food to eat if you have acne and fish is great for your skin in general. If you are eating the good foods, your skin will show it.

2. Drink Plenty of Water

It is important to drink lots of water to keep your skin supple and moist. If you do not drink enough water, your body will begin taking water from various minor organs in order to feed the major organs. One of the minor organs that is affected is the skin. When the water is drawn from the skin to take care of major organs, you may notice that your skin is very dry and even flaky or it is extremely oily. Drinking lots of water, though, combats that and keeps your body balanced.

3. Cleansing Matters

Cleansing should be a vital part of your daily routine. You should remove your makeup each night and thoroughly cleanse your face each morning. The products that you use are also important. Whether you opt for a brand name, drugstore brand or a natural brand of skincare, you should cleanse your face daily and do it the right way: Using lukewarm water (not hot, not cold), splash some on your face. Put some cleanser on your fingertips and work it into a lather. Using a circular motion, rub the cleanser on your face, jaw line and neck. You don't want to scrub, be gentle. Rinse your skin by splashing lukewarm water on your face and neck until the cleanser is gone. Pat your skin dry with a clean towel.

4. Exfoliate

Exfoliation is a great way to get a quick glow. The trick is to get an exfoliator that is gentle but effective. You don't want a very coarse grit because you don't want to overwork your skin. Use a fine grit and make sure that it is gentle. You can use it each morning prior to applying your makeup for a glow that will last all day. To apply, splash your face with lukewarm water. Apply the exfoliator with the pads of your fingers in a circular motion. Avoid your eye area and don't scrub hard. Rinse well and pat dry with a clean towel.

5. Sleep

A good night's sleep is one of the best beauty tools you can have. While many people believe that sleep deprivation causes dark circles under your eyes, this is not true. When you miss too much sleep, fluid can collect under your eyes, making them puffy. If you are prone to dark circles, which is a concentration of blood vessels just under the skin, then the puffiness will make the dark circles more prominent. This can add years to your look. Plus, your body repairs itself while you sleep so if you don't get enough sleep, it can not repair itself adequately. So take the time to get a good night's sleep.

6. Your Makeup Means a Lot

Your makeup can mean the difference between great, glowing skin and acne or dry flaky skin. The mineral makeup that is gaining popularity lately is actually a makeup that is good for your skin. Some versions have certain minerals, though, that certain skin types react to so you may need to try a couple of different formulations until you find the one that is best for you.

7. Relax

Stress can wreak havoc on your skin so it is important that you take time to relax. Meditate, take a warm bath (not hot! Intense heat can harm your skin) or just talk with a friend. Classes such as yoga and Pilates are great stress relievers. If you take the time to relax and relieve your stress, your skin will thank you.

If you follow these seven simple steps, you'll soon have softer, younger looking skin, and you just might start getting unexpected compliments, but of course.

Ken Black is the owner of popular health websites. Visit this Skin Care site for more information on anti aging skin care.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_Black

Five Ways to Make your Hair Shine

2008-01-17T18:05:00.000+05:30

Who doesn’t want shiny hair? Whether your hair is long or short, blonde or brunette, there is nothing like a healthy shine to ensure that you get noticed. Did you know that there are a few secrets to shiny hair that you can try from the comfort of your own home? Healthy, shiny hair results from a combination of healthy living and choosing the right products for your hair type. Whether it comes to cleansing, rinsing or styling, you can do much to give your tresses that shiny edge that you are dreaming about.

1. Keep it clean. Selecting the right cleaning products for your hair will do much in ensuring that your locks can put their shiniest foot forward. If your hair tends toward the dry end of the scale, make sure that you look for a moisturizing shampoo. If you usually use a lot of heat to style your hair, in the form of blow dryers and curling irons, look for a formula that is heat activated. And if your hair runs on the oily side, don’t forget to use a clarifying shampoo regularly to strip your tresses of the excess oil that can wear hair down and dull the shine.

2. Rinse it out. Yes, it is important to thoroughly rinse your hair after shampooing, but a mere water rinse may not be enough. First, a cool water rinse will go a long way in smoothing the cuticles – a sure shine enhancer. You can even take your rinse a step further by adding a shot of lemon juice if you are a blonde, or a dash of apple cider vinegar if your hair is brunette or red. Beer is another good shine enhancing rinse for any hair color.

3. Style with care. Putting heat on your hair regularly is one of the fastest ways to suck the shine right out of it. If you simply cannot live without your blow dryer or hot rollers, make sure that you are using shampoos, conditioners and styling products that are specifically designed to be heat activated. This way that shot of warm air from your blow dryer will actually shine your hair up instead of drying it out and dulling it down.

4. Pick your styling products with care. Yes, hairspray is a great way to keep your do in place, but a hairspray with shine enhancers is even better. Look for leave in conditioners and styling gels that are specially formulated to bring out the shine. Even some hair colors are designed today to make the most of your natural glow. Let your products pick up where Mother Nature left off to step up your shine factor!

5. Give your tresses the royal treatment. Once a week, give your hair a complete pampering, using a commercial hot oil treatment or one that you whip up in your own kitchen. For shine power, select ingredients like strawberries that are pureed or olive oil that has been warmed up. A drop or two of rosemary will give a boost to darker hair, while chamomile oil will do wonders for lighter hair colors.

Shiny tresses are not something that you must only dream about. With a bit of hair care savvy and some special TLC for your tresses, you can bring out your best polish for your crowning glory. Shine on.

Source: http://www.carefair.com/Hair/Ways_to_Make_our_Hair_Shine_2812.html

How to brush your Dog's Teeth

2008-01-17T18:03:00.000+05:30

Step 1 - Select an appropriate time
Find a quiet, convenient time when you and your dog are both relaxed.

Step 2 - Acquaint your dog with the process.
For the first few sessions don't even use a toothbrush. Gently stroke the outside of her cheeks with your finger. After she becomes comfortable with that, place a dab of toothpaste on your finger and let her taste it. We usually suggest starting with C.E.T. poultry flavored toothpaste, because pets like the taste..

Step 3 - Introduce the Toothbrush
Place a small amount of toothpaste on the brush. In a slow circular motion, brush one or two teeth and the adjoining gum line. The purpose of this step is to get your dog accustomed to the feel of the brush.

Step 4 - Begin Brushing
Over the next several days, gradually increase the number of teeth brushed. It is important to eventually brush the rear teeth where plaque and tartar have a greater tendency to accumulate. Go slowly and gently. Stop brushing when you decide to stop, before your dog begins to fuss. If she learns to dislike the procedure and finds out that fussing makes you stop quicker, then this brushing business is going to get harder, not easier.

Build up to about 30 seconds per side. Dogs don't get much tartar on the inside surfaces of their teeth, so you only need to worry about the outside surfaces Be sure to brush the big teeth way in back.

Make tooth brushing a pleasurable experience
Proceed slowly and gently. Stop each session while it is still fun and lavishly praise your dog afterwards. She will soon start looking forward to tooth brushing and it will become a pleasant activity for both of you.

See the selection of dental health products at
fuzzytummy.com

Using Feng Shui at Work: Private Offices and Cubicles

2008-01-17T18:01:00.000+05:30

Arrange your personal office or cubicle according to the tenets of feng shui to get the most possible work done with the least amount of stress and frustration.

The continuous corporate emphasis on cost-cutting and profit maximization has led to a related yet unfortunate drive to squeeze the maximum possible usage out of every square inch of office space — not to mention out of the employees.

Corporate settings use two general seating arrangements: individual offices (one room per worker) and the dreaded cubicle (or office isolation tank). The move to more people sharing space, whether in cubicles or not, contributes to an admirable flattening of hierarchies within the corporation. However, the downside is sterility, a lack of privacy and personal space; you may feel like a unit in a machine rather than a person with individual needs and desires.

Having a room of one's own
The ideal office is a room of your own with a regular shape (preferably square or rectangle), natural lighting (at least one window), a solid door you can close, and a good position for your desk. One of the great advantages of having your own office is that you can usually perform more decorative Feng Shui adjustments than if you work in a cubicle. Of course, not every company can afford, or desires, to put every employee in his or her own individual space.

If your office deviates from these ideal conditions, try these cures:

Irregular room shape: Use a faceted crystal sphere, mirror, or plant to correct the space. If your office is extremely irregular, you can have inexplicable setbacks and continuous frustrations at work. If you can't switch offices, you can apply the special nine green plants cure: Add nine healthy new plants to your space all on the same day. The plants should be purchased new for the purpose of this cure. If convenient, you can place the plants near particular irregularities in the room, such as strange angles, posts, cramped areas, and so on. Otherwise, just stick them where they fit best. For full results from this cure, visualize that your job and career are going very well.
Projecting corner, post, pillar, column, soffit, or duct work: Many offices contain features that break up the energy flow of the room or, worse, shoot "poison arrows" at your sitting position at the desk. Place a sizeable plant in front of the troublesome feature, or hang a faceted crystal sphere between the feature and your sitting position at the desk.
Solid versus glass walls: If your office contains one or more glass walls that make you feel even a little vulnerable, try to hang mini-blinds to cover the glassed-in area. Blinds are effective even if you don't often use them; their presence gives you added protection. If you can't perform this solution, hang faceted crystal spheres from the ceiling with red ribbons cut in 9-inch multiples. Use one sphere for every 5 linear feet of window space.
Improper lighting: Like the majority of office workers, if you suffer under fluorescent lighting, you can use a couple helpful hints. You may be able to replace the tubes yourself with healthier full-spectrum ones (also called "grow lights") from the hardware store. If you can't replace them, bring in some supplemental incandescent light in the form of floor or table lamps. Working solely with overhead light is uncomfortable for the eyes, and supplemental lighting is a source of relief for your eyes and mind.
Surviving and thriving in a cubicle
A cubicle is a much trickier Feng Shui situation than an office room. Cubicles are unfortunate paradigms of vulnerability for the individual worker. One of the chief problems is that you don't use a real desk but work from a countertop, unless you work in one of the large manager type cubicles. However, you can do plenty to improve your situation. By judiciously applying Feng Shui cures, you may find yourself in your own office sooner than you imagined. (See Figure 1 for cure placements.)

The first and most important priority is to make sure you can see the entrance to your cube from your desk. Try to move your sitting position first, but don't seriously cramp your work style. If you can't move — you can't.
If you definitely can't move your sitting position, you can place an 8-x-10-inch mirror in a picture frame or on a small stand to reflect the entrance of the cube to allow you to see if anyone is approaching. Many people subconsciously use the reflections in their computer monitor to see who's approaching them, because seeing the entrance is a basic human need. The problem is that the reflection in a monitor's screen is distorted, unclear, and unreliable.
The second priority is bringing living and flowing energy into your workspace. These features are important ways of compensating for the small size of your space and the constant traffic flows that pass by your cube. If you can bring an odd number of healthy plants into your space, you can stimulate more-active, vibrant energy. Also, a nice fountain near the entrance of your cube can work wonders. Not only can it stimulate more salary coming your way, but also it can help uplift your mood and diffuse any negative flows of chi (human or environmental) in the vicinity of your work space. If space or social realities preclude a fountain, you can get some of the same benefits from a photo (the larger, the better) of flowing water, such as of a waterfall or river.

For more info pls visit :D

http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesArticle/Using-Feng-Shui-at-Work-Private-Offices-and-Cubicles.id-1113.html

Reiki

2008-01-17T17:58:00.000+05:30

Reiki - Light Made ManifestThe Bhagavad Gita's universal wisdom applies to all times and situations. And Reiki's universal energy heals and harmonizes all. Here, a Reiki practitioner talks about how each strengthens and supports the other. More...

Reiki
Reiki, the energy healing system, is based on the belief that thoughts have the power to direct energy—the underlying dynamo shaping the world. Often described as a form of Shinto-Buddhist Qigong, reiki was rediscovered by Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese, in the early 20th century. Dr Usui's initial task was to discover how spiritual leaders such as the Buddha and Christ were able to perform miraculous healing through mere touch without depleting their own energy reserves. A deep spiritual experience led him to devote several years to the study. During his quest he experienced an intense energy gratification, which had healing powers. He named this energy—Usui Reiki Ryoho. His disciples, after the World War II, popularized the concept and its practice in the West.

Reiki (pronounced as 'ray-key') is made up of two words—'rei' and 'ki'. 'Rei' can be interpreted as a higher form of intelligence while 'ki' denotes life force. Taken together, 'reiki' is understood to be a kind of universal energy. This healing system works by raising the vibrations, of the being or object to be healed, closer to that of the practitioner. Reiki is a multidimensional energy healing system, which can heal the cause of a problem at whatever level it may exist—body, mind, or spirit.

Reiki is transferred to students by Reiki Masters through a series of attunements. During an attunement process, the Master selects a series of symbols, which represent important points located along a person's energy field, and guides them through higher vibrations of energy. This attunement process enables recipients to access the healing energy on their own—and in turn, help others to access it too.

For more information please visit :D

http://www.lifepositive.com/reiki.html

How does meditation work?

2008-01-17T17:57:00.000+05:30

by SirGan

When people hear word meditation most of them consider meditation as a worship or prayer. But they could not be more wrong. The word meditation take its roots in two Latin words: meditari(to think) and mederi (to heal).
Meditation could be defined as a self-directed practice for relaxing the body and the mind. But we could say that it work with the mind and have its effects on both, body and mind. The purpose of meditation is to make our bodies transcend the real world and connect with the non-physical world. That is possible when all the activity of the mind is reduced to one. And what you should definitely memorize is the sentence that meditation is a state of awareness.
Most meditative techniques originally have come from East and to West through eastern religions. Meditation is mostly practiced in religions from India, China and Japan, but you could find some kind of meditation in many different religions through the world. In the beginning, purpose of meditation was mostly religious but when people noticed benefits on health and reducing stress it also became a non- religious matter.

Why you should meditate?

These are some of the main reasons why you should meditate:
To improve your concentration - clear mind makes you feel better and makes you productive.
Less bothered by meaningless things – our mind frequently magnify small things into serious problems. Meditation here can help. Through meditation we learn how to see a bigger picture and how to divide important thing from those which are not.
Better Health – meditation reduces stress levels and alleviates anxiety. It is more than obvious that life without stress and anxiety is much more quality and also healthier.
Knowledge of Yourself –meditation enables you better knowing of your inner force and shows you how to use it better.

Types of meditation
Generally meditation can be grouped in two main groups:
1. Concentrative meditation and
2. Mindfulness meditation.
Concentrative meditation

Focuses our thoughts on breathing or on some particular image or even sound (mantra).This allows us to be aware and focus our attention on just one thing. This process can be explained like zoom lens in camera, we focus our awareness on selected field.
This way of meditation looks like this: find peaceful place and sit quietly and focus on breathing. Many people believe that there is a big correlation between your state of the mind and between your breathing. When we are anxious or nervous our breathing is shallow, rapid and when we are calm and peaceful our breathing is deep and regular. Considering this link between mind and body your meditation can lead to deep breathing and that makes your body tranquil and peaceful.
Mindfulness meditation
The one who meditates sits still in quiet environment and just let the mind do whatever it goes through without any involving. That means no thoughts, feelings, images. This can lead you to calm mind that does not react at any way. In concentrative meditation your awareness is focused on selected object but in mindfulness meditation you will be aware of the whole area.

How does meditation work?
The first thing you should know when talking about how meditation works is the fact that meditation works differently with everyone .But generally we could say that meditation is like resting. When you work hard physically your body need to take a break. Same thing is with mind. During the day your mind is receiving different kind of information like smells, sounds, feelings and it is more than obvious that it needs to get some rest. Sleep can rest your mind and its main goal is to do that. But sometimes we are so stressed that our mind can not completely rest even when sleep. That is the moment when meditation can help us. Meditation is going right into the difficult, stressed or unpleasant mind areas and it’s not trying to find solution to these problems but to change the attitude to them. People who practice meditation have the fall in metabolic rate right after start meditation. Proof for this is huge drop in level of oxygen used; this oxygen consumption can fell up to twenty percent below normal. These people take one litre air less in one minute and their heart beats are less than normal. Blood pressure is also lower. Meditation decrease nervous system activity.

How to meditate?

If you have something that we call normal life than for sure you know what word stress means and how stress looks like. Stress is a natural way that our body copes with things that occur in our environment. It is not so bad if it lasts for sort period of time, but if you are mostly stressed than you could have dangerous health issues. Everyone should learn how to reduce stress and real blessing is meditation. But you have to learn how to meditate.
1. Making an atmosphere
Making a peaceful atmosphere is the most important part of your meditation process. You should do whatever it takes to make the quietest place possible (make sure your phone is off), if you want you could turn down the lights or find yourself some calming music. Choose the music that makes you peaceful.
2. Preparing your accessories
While you are creating quiet atmosphere you have to find certain accessories for better meditation. It’s not obligate to have it, but many people said that it can be very helpful. For example yoga mats are great accessories for meditation. Or you can find anything that is easy to sit on for you. Because the most important thing while practicing meditation is to feel calm and comfortable. If some certain things make you feel like that you should definitely have it right next to you. Many people find the sound of running water calming, or they have candles to make the environment as peaceful as possible.
3. Wear Comfortable
Wear comfortable clothes because you have to feel comfortable. There are people who feel comfortable when naked, so if you are one of them just go for it. Take off your clothe and start practicing meditation.

For More Information please feel free to visit :

http://www.steadyhealth.com/articles/How_does_meditation_work__a677_f0.html

Occupational Hazards and How to deal with them

2008-01-17T17:54:00.000+05:30

July 29, 2004
Breaking the Cycle of Mistrust to Build a Positive Safety Culture

A structured approach to communication helps a troubled company rid itself of the Safety Culture Toxins.
The OSHA recordable rate was at 12.8. Then, a near-fatality shocked employees and managers. Bob, a 30-year-old with two children, barely escaped with his life when an electrical arc burned the hair off his right arm and temporarily stunned him after he plugged in a piece of equipment. No one came forward to admit they had failed to tag the electrical outlet as faulty because they knew it would mean days off without pay at best and dismissal at worst.

Everyone was stressed. Morale was low from layoffs and restructuring. There was not enough money for preventative maintenance, at least not enough to address the concerns of the people doing the work. So, the plant manager decided to initiate a series of classes that would focus on changing the culture and behavior. "These near misses and accidents are due primarily to people's behavior," he said, "People have got to understand that fixing all the physical conditions isn't the answer to stopping accidents! I want to turn this culture around and the only way I know of doing this is to get everyone in a room and talk about it."

Consequently for a year, the author facilitated dialogues attended by all employees, including managers. The sessions did not focus on employee behavior as the cause of accidents. Instead, concerns were validated. There was more work to do than there was time to do it. There were physical hazards that had to be addressed. Corporate was thinking of selling the plant. Managers and associates faced reality straight on and ended up becoming the top-performing unit in safety, productivity and positive outlook for the future. This is the story of how they did it.

Phase I: Breaking the Cycle of Mistrust Dialogues

The initial conversations were brainstorming sessions. Managers, separate from associates, each made a list of their perceptions to answer these questions: 1."What frustrates you about the work processes, working relationships or communication breakdowns around safety?" 2."What do you think the other group is writing down on their list?"

A spokesman from each group presented their own list of complaints and the list they thought the other group might be making. The objective of writing down what the other group might be saying was to force each group to walk in the shoes of the other's perspective. The accuracy of the second list generated both surprise and laughter because things came into the open that many had thought were "undiscussable."

Discussion of the issues was very structured. In the past, arguments had broken out and no progress was made. This time you could ask questions of clarification, but you could not argue with the other person's perception. The facilitator often asked people what they had heard and asked them to repeat it until the other person agreed that s/he was understood. It was enlightening to the group that often "disagreements" disappeared when the individuals engaged in an argument really listened to each other and found out they actually agreed on an issue.

The next step was to split back into work groups (supervisor and crew) to prioritize the perceived problems and select one or two for problem-solving. Certain issues were assigned to the plant manager and his staff for resolution because crew members did not have the authority or resources to resolve them. The management team took these on, formulated goals and action plans, and began implementation. Crew members worked on their own work processes and reached agreement on how to handle specific situations that had caused problems in the past. At this point, some of the problems resolved not only improved safety but also production speed and quality.

After the entire plant work force had been through these dialogues, a pattern emerged. Figure 1 shows the list of the barriers to safety that showed up in every dialogue session. The management staff called them the Safety Culture Toxins. As other plants went through the dialogue process, the same list was generated repeatedly. How these toxins showed up in the dialogues offers significant insight into the perceptions that cause mistrust at work.

1. Meeting deadlines has priority over safety. Managers had told their direct reports that safety is a priority and that people will not be put at risk for the sake of meeting deadlines. In fact, everyone had been told they had the right to stop an unsafe job. Yet, often employees asumed that it was more acceptable in their organization to take a safety shortcut than it was to miss a deadline. This surprised some managers.

Managers did not understand the power of their position and the long-standing expectations that unconsciously drive people's behavior. Most of the time, the pressure to put production over safety is implied, not stated. Sometimes it is a miscommunication like a manager's casual comment, "It would be good to have this order ready to ship by next week," being interpreted as a rush order. It is easy for an employee to assume that the supervisor wants the job done no matter what when, in the past, people were expected to take risks to get the job done.

The underlying issue here is, "What is acceptable risk?" The answer to this question is not black and white. The teams arrived at an answer by discussing the facts surrounding each risk at tailboards.

2. Management not visible in work areas. "There is not enough time in the day for me to do everything I have to do," managers cried. It was clear that employees perceived the lack of visible presence as lack of interest. We asked employees why it is so important to see the top person. They said they cannot trust decisions made by managers who have never been to the job site, haven't demonstrated visible concern, competence or interest in learning about the real challenges workers face. They saw visibility as a symbol of the importance managers placed on safety.

3. Lack of concern for employee welfare. We heard many times that managers don't care about safety, only cost-cutting. Downsizing and outsourcing had created an atmosphere of distrust that management had the employee's best interest at heart. This was a tough one. Of course, managers did care, but often they did not understand the importance of expressing that care.

Some managers were better at expressing their values. They talked to people one-on-one, gathered their opinions, their concerns and ideas, and acted on them.These were the ones that employees felt could be trusted even if the company could not.

Repeatedly, employees demonstrated that they did not expect to get their way all of the time. Once managers took the time to explain their decisions and to show that they did care, new avenues of understanding frequently opened up. The animosity and resistance transformed into collaboration.

4. Not keeping commitments. Many examples of broken commitments arose. For management, the issue was that the union would break their promise not to use safety as a negotiation tool. They also viewed employees as unwilling to commit to taking personal responsibility for their own safety. For union members, they saw starting programs and letting them drop, failing to deliver on promised action items, lack of manpower and funding for safety as management's share of broken commitments.

5. Lack of agreement on a common direction or standards. Managers and supervisors didn't agree on safety goals or standards. One supervisor would enforce a rule, another wouldn't. This was seen as an obstacle primarily by supervisors and led to the next toxin, poor accountability.

6. Poor accountability. People felt poor performers were not confronted. Many times, people were not disciplined for failing to use proper personal protective equipment (PPE), but they were punished for accidents. Managers were seen walking through the plant without proper protection. Management wanted employees to remind each other to wear their PPE, but employees felt that constituted "enforcing the rules," which is a management responsibility. Thus, employees felt management was sidestepping its responsibilities.

7. Poor communication of important information. Many of the miscommunication issues related to over-reliance on memos, bulletin boards and e-mails in place of face-to-face contact. People felt they didn't have time to have conversations, but the results of miscommunication sometimes ended up costing a lot more.

An example that caused a lot of animosity occurred when a minimum manning policy was implemented. Grievances were filed because no one knew about it. Yet, it had been posted for over a year on a bulletin board and no one had read it.

We should never assume that letters, memos or reports have communicated important information. One of the Challenger accident investigators coined the phrase, "Information is not communication." All the information about the faulty O-rings was available. No one acted on the information and people lost their lives.

8. Blame fixing; personal attack and retribution are the norm in handling conflict. If someone tried to stop a job because they felt it was unsafe, supervisors would often say, "It's just a way to get out of work." This behavior resulted in filed grievances. Union representatives said it was the only way to get issues addressed. Accident investigations were seen as punitive. Even amongst union members, name calling was the norm.

9. Response and follow-up to safety concerns are slow or non-existent. After a year of dialogues, managers saw that responding to safety concerns and suggestions in a timely manner was at the heart of building trust and credibility. Over and over, employees told them this is how they judge the company's commitment to safety. One supervisor wrote: "I was asked to tell what I was doing to take a shift that had the most accidents 2 years go to zero year to date. My answer was, 'People want you to respond to them.' We all do, don't we? Problem is that we all do not do that. Why? I don't know. Most people in this plant are only going to tell you a couple of times about getting something fixed. Then, they will fix it (have an accident and then it gets fixed). We have all said many times before, attitude is the #1 factor in people not getting hurt. We as management must build credibility with our people. Then, we'll have a better chance of changing their attitude."

10. Fear in the workplace. The main factor that contributed to fear was overuse of the discipline process. People were not held accountable for not following proper procedure but were punished when they got hurt. This caused resentment and anger. Consequently, people began to suppress information and the incident rate increased.

On the surface, it is an irresolvable dilemma. The plant manager felt he had an ethical responsibility to discipline such potentially harmful unsafe behaviors and employees saw his disciplinary actions as a set of inconsistent, unfair behaviors that were damaging what had once been a great place to work.

Phase II: Teaching the Concepts

To reverse the cycle of mistrust, we had to deal with perceptions and assumptions that dated back many years. Individuals and groups started from the position that their perception was the "right" one. So, we began by introducing the concept of personal choice and responsibility. Why? Because it is easier to expand your view of the truth than it is to get others to expand theirs.

Four concepts that are critical for the work of both self-change and organizational change were introduced: 1) It is our nature to assign meaning to what people say and do; 2) The process of assigning meaning often leads to a cycle of mistrust; 3) We can use the same process to build a path of trust; and 4) How to deal with seemingly irresolvable dilemmas. This final concept was added when the group realized that they did not have control over a lot of the issues that were causing them stress. Some issues like speeding up production and cost-cutting had to be successfully addressed for the business to remain competitive.

When we are born, we are taught how to view the world and how to assign meaning to its objects and events. Over time, our experiences add to our pool of meaning. Psychologists tell us that the emotion we feel when we observe an event is based on our interpretation of it filtered through our experience. For instance, if a caveman were to be beamed into the 21st century to observe a group of surgeons performing heart surgery, what would he feel? Would he feel fear or compassion? Based on his experience, he would most likely feel fear. We provided this concept and example as the backdrop to how mistrust becomes embedded in the culture.

Figure 2, The Cycle of Mistrust, shows that once there is a we/they situation, each group views the other's behaviors through a negative lens. We or I observe a behavior in step 1 and assign it a negative assumption in step 2; the way we feel triggers a protective reaction on our part in step 3. These self-protective actions can range from silent withdrawal to violence.

The recipients, "they," observe our self-protective behavior in step 4, assign a negative assumption to it in step 5 and in turn take their own self-protective action in step 6. We or I, of course, see their behavior and feel attacked. Thus, the cycle continues downward as each protective action triggers another negative assumption and reaction.

Our participants saw the truth of this cycle. Some even said that the cycle was beneficial because the continual animosity between union and management was an indication that each group was protecting its position. However, most people wanted to learn how to break the cycle so they could create a better quality of life in their work environment. This provided the opening we needed to introduce the concept of dialogue as the path to trust building.

Phase III: Teaching and Using Dialogue in the Work Process

The dialogue process combined with action planning and active follow-up on the part of the plant manager helped to resolve many of the old issues that had created the cycle of mistrust. But how could the mistrust be permanently replaced by trust? What were the behaviors and commitments that needed to be put in place?

The honest, respectful and results-oriented conversations that had taken place in the facilitated sessions needed to continue on a one-on-one basis, within work groups and between organizational functions. However, we were facing two severe obstacles. 1) Everyone knows how hard it is to bring up a touchy subject, to give or receive critical feedback and 2) when were people going to find the time to have these conversations?

There are certain assumptions that keep us from getting into conversations that can break the cycle of mistrust. Here are some of them:

You know he hasn't been following the proper safety procedures, but you also know an honest conversation could be unpleasant, ineffective or worse. He could hold a grudge or even sabotage you in ways you'll never know.
You should solicit her feedback and try to resolve her concerns, but what if discussing her issues simply makes matters worse? Better to let sleeping dogs lie, right?
You know you've let each other down from time to time, but things seem to be going OK. Besides, when you've tried to give him feedback in the past, you didn't solve problems, you just created bigger ones.
How can people consistently speak up in ways that make it safe for themselves and others to talk, no matter what the topic? Here are some tips:

Determine who you need to talk to and about what.
Prepare yourself. Examine your emotions for legitimacy. To be on the safe side, rather than thinking the worst of others, impute good motives. For example, when you're approaching a colleague who did not come to a meeting you called, you might ask yourself, what other possible conclusions could I draw? Or, why would a reasonable and decent person have done that? When we do this, we break the cycle of mistrust and open ourselves to new information and the possibility of improving our working relationships.
Start with a mutual purpose. Don't begin by diving into the heart of the issue. If you do, the other person is likely to become defensive and you'll conclude that you can't discuss the topic without a blow up. Wrong. Others don't become defensive because of your content, no matter how sensitive. People become defensive because of the perceived intent. If they believe you're out to get them, you're doomed. On the other hand, if others think you have their best interest in mind, you can talk about anything. It's important to begin a delicate discussion by clarifying how you're looking out for the other person. Don't proceed with the conversation until you're confident that the other person trusts your positive intentions.
State an observable behavior, don't interpret it and make assumptions. Assigning intention to someone's behavior typically generates resistance and defensiveness. The fix is an easy one. Begin with an observable behavior, ("You've failed to return calls to our key client three times in the past week"), not your feelings ("I'm feeling disappointed"), or worse yet, your negative conclusions ("You can't be trusted!"). If you start with the facts, the other person is far more likely to listen to the issue rather than feel attacked.
End by getting and giving commitments. How you end a crucial conversation is as important as how you start it. Too often, we work through a tough issue only to leave the details unresolved. When we don't clarify exactly what needs to be done, we leave the ensuing tasks to the infamous "them," only to learn that nobody took responsibility. End by clarifying who will do what by when. Also, decide when and how you'll follow up. If you don't, count on déjÀ vu dialogues in which you rehash the same issues over and over.
Each month, the team would check in with each other, ask for and receive feedback. The importance of tailboards grew as individuals grew in their awareness of what issues needed to be discussed. Everyone agreed that if the formal dialogues had not continued for a year, the skills would not have gotten into the work culture. After seeing how open, non-blaming dialogue positively affected their work and relationships, many employees continued to use the skills on their own. Equally important was the plant manager's insistence that time be allotted at tailboards and other standard meetings for this type of dialogue.

Phase IV: Recognizing Results and People

At the beginning of the project, we agreed that we had to have a way of measuring results and recognizing people's contributions. A perception survey was administered in the areas we were targeting for improvement and goals were set in the areas of housekeeping, training completion and near miss reporting. The goals would be measured by monthly audits. The perception survey would be re-administered yearly to measure progress in morale, job satisfaction and teamwork.

The monthly audit results were evaluated every three months to see what was and wasn't working. Sometimes people felt discouraged because they didn't see any progress. Then, we would publish results showing that things were going forward. Sometimes we exceeded expectations. This was the time when we recognized the teams and individuals who were responsible for the success of a project.

In the year-end perception survey, positive scores had jumped 20 percent across the board. People felt free to communicate and trust levels were up. It was very rewarding for everyone to see that their efforts had made their plant a better place to work. Perhaps more importantly, they had gone 2 years without a serious near miss or recordable.

Rosa Antonia Carrillo, MSOD, is president of Carrillo & Associates, a firm specializing in leadership development for environment, safety and health based in Long Beach, Calif. Carrillo has published numerous books and articles on developing positive safety cultures and in a frequent presenter at VPPPA and ASSE conferences. She holds a masters of science in organization development from Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif.

Sidebar: Safety Culture Toxins

Meeting deadlines has priority over safety
Management not visible in work areas
Lack of concern for employee welfare
Not keeping commitments
Lack of agreement on a common direction or standards
Poor accountability
Poor communication of important information
Blame fixing, personal attack and retribution are the norm in handling conflict
Response and follow up to safety concerns is slow or non-existent
Fear in the workplace

Art Exhibition: Well Dressed

2008-01-14T17:09:00.000+05:30

Well Dressed is an exhibition organized by Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation that explores visions of beauty, power, gender, class and identity through artist made garments and accessories. Featured artists have created royal regalia and symbolic attire using nontraditional materials.

Well Dressed is on exhibition at the Nathan Cummings Foundation, September 27 - December 14, 2007.

Viewing hours are 9:00am - 5:00pm, Monday through Friday by appointment. Please call Karen Garrett at 212-787-7300 ext 206

Source:http://www.nathancummings.net/news/001073.html

The Public Speakers’ Page

2008-01-14T17:04:00.000+05:30

The ability to speak confidently and communicate effectively is crucial to professional and personal success. Communication empowers us to remember the past, act in the present, and anticipate the future. Communication is the vehicle by which we manage relationships with others in contexts ranging from "one-to-one" to "one-to-many" using personal and public speaking skills. When we can speak with integrity in a style that engages our listeners, we can accomplish just about anything

The Speech Department at Maui Community College offers two courses to help MCC students improve their communication skills. Personal and Public Speech 151 is an introductory course that focuses on interpersonal, small group, and public speaking skills. The Principles of Effective Public Speaking - Speech 251 - is dedicated to helping students improve their public speaking skills. The Public Speakers' Page is for everyone interested in improving their speaking skills.

Source: http://www.hawaii.edu/mauispeech/

Kulfi - Indian Dessert

2008-01-13T15:35:00.000+05:30

Gulab Jamun, Indian Sweet, Dessert

2008-01-13T15:32:00.000+05:30

Indian cooking - stuffed bread (parantha)

2008-01-13T15:31:00.000+05:30

Laguna Beach Jeans Mens Jeans Spring 2008 Fashion

2008-01-13T15:28:00.000+05:30

Time To Shine Spring 2008 Fashion Show

2008-01-13T15:27:00.000+05:30

Z Zegna Fashion Show Spring Summer 2008

2008-01-13T15:18:00.000+05:30

It's Coming

2008-01-13T15:14:00.000+05:30

What to Wear to a (Summer) Wedding

2008-01-13T15:01:00.000+05:30

How to Iron Jeans : How to Iron the Front Pant Legs

2008-01-13T14:59:00.000+05:30

How to Do the Magic Pen Trick : Tips for the Magic Pen Trick

2008-01-13T14:58:00.002+05:30

Introduction to Natural Acne Treatments: How to Get Rid of Pimples

2008-01-13T14:58:00.001+05:30

Natures-Lift™ 30 second Ad

2008-01-13T14:56:00.000+05:30

Choose Positive Energy

2008-01-13T14:55:00.000+05:30

Versace Men Fall Winter 2007-08 Season Pt 2 of 2

2008-01-13T14:53:00.000+05:30

Suhaila Bellydance for Beginners Fitness Fusion: Yoga

2008-01-13T14:52:00.001+05:30

Fishcakes!

2008-01-13T14:51:00.001+05:30

Cooking with Dave: Fish & Chips

2008-01-13T14:49:00.000+05:30

Turkey Carving by Cooking.com

2008-01-13T14:36:00.000+05:30

Nails: How to keep your fingernails healthy and strong

2008-01-12T17:28:00.000+05:30

Your nails may be small but they play an important role, serving to help protect your fingers and improve dexterity. They may also reveal clues to your general health.

Take a close look at your nails. Are they strong and healthy looking? Or do you see ridges, dents or areas of unusual color or shape? Many less than desirable nail conditions can be avoided through proper care, but some actually indicate an illness that requires attention.

Anatomy of a healthy fingernail

Your nails are composed of laminated layers of a protein called keratin, which is also found in your hair and skin. Each nail comprises several parts, including the:

Nail plate. The nail plate is the part of your nail that's most visible — the hard portion you see when you look at your fingernail.

Nail folds. This is skin that frames each of your nail plates on three sides.

Nail bed. Your nail bed is the skin beneath the nail plate. Cells at the base of your nail bed produce the fingernail or toenail plate and are responsible for holding on to the nail plate.

Cuticle. Your cuticle is the tissue that overlaps your nail plate at the base of your nail. It protects the new keratin cells that slowly emerge from the nail bed.

Lunula. The lunula is the whitish, half-moon shape at the base of your nail underneath the plate.

Your nails grow from the area under your cuticle (matrix), located at the base of the nail. As new cells grow, older cells become hard and compacted and are eventually pushed out toward your fingertips. Nails grow about 0.1 millimeter a day, which means that it takes a fingernail about four to six months to fully regenerate. Toenails may grow at a slightly slower rate. Healthy nails are smooth, without ridges or grooves. They're uniform in color and consistency and free of spots or discoloration.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/nails/WO00020

The Value of a Mantra

2008-01-12T17:25:00.001+05:30

Adapted from The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire by Deepak Chopra (Harmony Books, 2003).
The word mantra has two components to it: Man,which is the root sound of the word mind, and tra, which is the root sound of the word instrument. So the word mantra literally means an instrument of the mind.

SIMPLE SOLUTION: The ancient wisdom tradition of Vedanta examined the various sounds produced in nature, the fundamental vibrations of the world around us. According to Vedanta, these sounds are an expression of the infinite or cosmic mind, and provide the basis for every human language. For example, if you sound out all the letters of the alphabet, the vowels and the consonants, you'll hear that these are the same sounds that all babies make spontaneously. These sounds also contain the same vibrations that animals make. And if you listen carefully, you'll notice that these sounds are everywhere in nature. These are the sounds of the wind, of fire crackling, of thunder, of the river rushing by, of ocean waves crashing on the shore.
Nature is vibration. The infinite being vibrates, and that vibration is rhythmic, musical, and primordial. Vibration interacts with vibration.

The ancient seers are said to have heard these vibrations of the universe when they were in deep meditation. We can all hear the same vibrations any time. It is very simple. If you quiet your mind and sit silently, you will hear vibrations. If you sit quietly when there is no noise around you, you'll hear a background hum in the air. And if you start paying attention to the background hum, with practice you'll actually end up hearing all the mantras that have been recorded in the Vedic literature.

The Vedas also maintain that if you recite a mantra out loud, its special pattern of vibrations creates its own effects, and can create events in our current physical realm. Reciting the mantra mentally creates a mental vibration, which then becomes more abstract. Ultimately it takes you into the field of pure consciousness or spirit from where the vibration arose. So a mantra is a very good way to transcend and go back to the source of thought, which is pure consciousness.

The mantra I use, and that I recommend for achieving synchrodestiny, is the simple mantra "so-hum." This is the mantra of the breath, if you observe your breathing you'll hear "so-hum" as air moves in and out of your lungs. As you inhale, the sound of that vibration is "so." And as you exhale, the sound becomes "hum."

Source: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-value-of-a-mantra.html

Sunless Tanning Lotions

2008-01-12T17:23:00.000+05:30

Adapted from Debra's Guide to Choosing Natural Sun Protection, by Debra Lynn Dadd (an e-book available here).
All the scariness surrounding skin cancer is enough to make you want to hide under a rock this summer! But that sun-kissed look is so appealing. Many of us are turning to sunless tanning lotions to give us that golden glow, but are commercial sunless tanners safe? How do they work? Is there such a thing as a natural sunless tanner? What to do?
SIMPLE SOLUTION: Find out all the answers here:
The only active ingredient approved by the FDA for use in sunless tanning products is DHA (dihydroxyacetone). This is a colorless sugar that reacts with the dead cells located in the upper layer of the skin. As the sugar interacts with the dead skin cells, a color change occurs. The effect is temporary, because as the dead cells naturally slough off, the color fades, disappearing within a week unless the lotion has been reapplied.

Is DHA safe to use? The Environmental Working Group lists "0" health concerns on their website. The MSDS sheet for this ingredient also lists no health effects beyond the possibility of mild irritation.

If you would like to give your skin a darker color naturally without going out in the sun, try this concoction. It doesn't contain any sugar, but it works beautifully:

Natural Sunless Tanning Lotion

INGREDIENTS

3/4 cup pure water
3 black tea bags
1/4 cup lanolin
1/4 cup sesame oil

1. Boil the water and use it to brew the teabags until the mixture is strong.

2. Put 1/4 cup of this strong tea in a blender along with the lanolin and sesame oil and blend at low speed. Add remaining tea gradually, with motor running.

3. Try this mixture on a hidden spot first to test. Use sparingly.

HELPFUL HINTS: This great little e-book tells you everything you need to know about natural sun protection. You can order it here. And be sure to check out Debra's website.

Source:http://www.care2.com/greenliving/sunless-tanning-lotions.html

Hydrating Mask for Dry Skin

2008-01-12T17:21:00.000+05:30

by Annie Berthold-Bond
A good hydrating mask for excessively dry skin includes aloe vera gel.
SIMPLE SOLUTION: I find that aloe vera gel is about the most hydrating plant you can use on your skin, and it is very healing. Just pat it on. When I first did this, my skin seemed to ask for more and more aloe vera gel for a few days, and then applying it just once a day was sufficient. (Before using this recipe make sure to test your skin for any sensitivity to aloe vera gel.) To make the aloe more lubricating, add about 1/4 the amount of pure vegetable glycerin.

Source: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/hydrating-mask-for-dry-skin.html

Choosing Your Hair Style in 2007 and 2008

2008-01-12T17:19:00.000+05:30

By Karla Reyes

Hair can do so much for our appearance. It can make us look younger, fresher, prettier and distinguished. On the other hand if you pick the style that is wrong it could portray the wrong image for that you want.

For instance Britney Spears picked a no hair style approach. What do you think of her because of it? Crazy, right? In fact some are even saying her singing career is over and her hair is a part of the reason why. Bad choices with hair can lend to bad situations.

Here's one mistake that we often make with our hairstyle. You see someone that has a hairstyle that looks great on them. I mean they are either a movie star or they look like one. We then think to ourselves that if they look that good with it then we'll look just as good. There is one problem. We don't. Good looking hairstyles don't work for everyone. Certain factors come into play. The color of our hair, how much hair we have, the shape of our face and head and our build. You have to take these important factors to heart before picking the right hairstyle.

One of the best choices you can make is to go into a hair saloon and ask the professional that is cutting your hair what style would look best on me. Don't say you want to look like Jennifer Lopez or some other actor. 2007 and 2008 is all about that hairstyle that makes ME unique and looks good on ME.

Check out this great tool that helps you decide what is the right hairstyle for you based on your physical build: http://www.hairstylizer.info

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karla_Reyes

CBI Fashion Forecast - Spring/Summer 2007

2008-01-12T17:10:00.000+05:30

This Fashion Forecast provides an overview of future trends and developments in the fields of style, color and fabric for the Spring - Summer season 2007.
The forecast also includes design suggestions.

PURITY

Far away from all those everyday responsibilities and duties, this is an extremely summer theme, escaping to liberty, care-free days, innocence and sensuality. It’s pure in all its forms and, therefore, simple-casual but also extremely refined. Fabrics, form and colour play a leading role here...more

ENERGY

This theme returns to the need for essential basics. Modern developments go hand in hand with retro classics, but it’s always comfortable. Inspiration comes from active sportswear, but also from classic basics. Unassuming, clean and simple and – particularly – playful, with attention to technical design details and made with great concentration...more

REFINEMENT

It’s a refined city theme, inspired by work and city life. Our daily jobs require sincerity, mirrored in simple combinations in our dress behaviour,but the latter must also answer to our needs for the materials used to ensure constant elegance and a chic-sensual, feminine look.Straight lines, non-crease, thin and – above all – uncomplicated: these are -fit them into your hand- baggage qualities...more

AUTHENTIC

A muted classic/historical theme, as though in answer to the exuberant folklore theme for winter 2006/7. Historical influences from a whole world of rich, costume heritage translated into modern-day materials. Some of them have a vintage look about them, but they can also be fresh and crisp, with special attention to handwork. The basis is mainly original, classic garments like kimonos, caftans, officers’ jackets...more

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