Discovering the benefits of any mobility you enjoy

20 May

admin |  May 20th,2012 | general, health |  No Comments »

Today, many people are rediscovering the benefits of regular, moderate exercise activities like swimming, brisk walking, running, jumping rope, biking, or working out on home indoor equipment like the treadmill, stationary bike or stepper, and of course, ballroom dancing.

These kinds of activities are sometimes called “aerobic,” meaning the body uses oxygen to produce the energy needed for the activity. Aerobic exercises can condition your ‘heart and lungs if performed at the proper intensity for at least 30 minutes, three to four times a week.

But you don’t have to train like a marathon runner to become physically fit! Any activity that gets you moving around, even it’s done for just a few minutes each day, is better than none at all. For inactive people, the trick is to get started. One great way is to take a walk for 10 to 15 minutes during your lunch break, or on Sunday go to your favorite mall and just window shop, or plan an out of town activity on the weekend. Just about any activity that will make you move will make you more physically fit.

By being physically active, you will..
a) Feel better because this…
- gives you more energy
- helps in coping with stress
- improves your self-image
- increases resistance to fatigue
- helps counter anxiety and depression
- helps you to relax and feel less tense
- improves the ability to fall asleep quickly and sleep well
- provides an easy way to share an activity with friends or family and an opportunity to meet new friends.
b) Look better because exercise…
- tones your muscles
- burns off calories to help lose extra pounds or help you stay at your desirable weight
- helps control appetite
You need to burn off 3,500 calories more than you take in to lose one pound. If you want to lose weight regular physical activity can help you achieve this goal.

Beach Style Essentials

11 May

admin |  May 11th,2012 | fashion, leisure, travel |  No Comments »

Beach fashion is a lithe different from everyday style. It’s a little limiting because you only have a few items to play around with, but quite liberating because the main tern you’re showing off is your skin. I have listed key items you should bring to the beach.

Swimsuit: One-piece swimsuits are making a comeback and it’s actually very fashionable to be seen in one. But I still like seeing ladies in two-piece bikinis. Here’s one thing, though. If you’re staying at the beach for a few days, I suggest wearing swimsuits with the same cuts. Imagine how your tan lines will look like after being in a different bikini (with different cuts) for four days.

Shades: The thing about shades is that there’s no one trend to follow almost everyone is wearing Wayfarers nowadays—doesn’t mean you have to do so too. The usual “what looks good on you” principles apply. At the beach, you absolutely have to take them off after an hour because you don’t want to end up with tan lines on your face (unless you want to, but I can’t understand why).

Towel:Resorts provide towels. But I like bringing my own beach towel. Beach towels are bigger and there are a lot to choose from. There are many people at the beach and if you have a generic towel, it’s easy to lose it. Bring one that pops and attracts the good kind of attention.

Tote:A stylish tote to stash your money phone, iPod, Evian face spritzer and other beach needs is a must Native designs are huge right now or because you’re green that way sling on an eco-tote.

Cover-up: Kaftans, scarves, toppers—you have variety of options on garments to drape around yourself after drying off from a dip. Why is this necessary? Do you want to be walking around the whole island, having lunch or shopping in your two-piece the whole day? Some coverage is not such a bad idea.

Flip-flops: For going to the beach, I prefer my flip-flops not generic. Everyone is going to be wearing less than five brands, I’m sure. Why not have some originality and wear something that stands out?

Sun spray: Sunscreen exists in many forms. But I really recommend Nivea Deep Tanning Sun Spray. It gives you a healthy glow without the stickiness and it really helps you achieve a golden tan. It has decent sun damage protection at SPF6.

Bronzer: This seems off on this list but hear me out. I’m not suggesting the use of bronzer during daytime. This is for the night when you have to go party. A little bit on your cheek ones and shoulders and you’re a glimmering vision of the perfect golden tan. Try it, Ladies!

White top: The best way to accentuate your tan is by wearing white. If you have strap tan lines, wear tube tops at night to show them off. Or if you’re not the girty-girl type, tank tops and racer backs are great too. Just take note of the key color—white.

Accessories: Huge earrings and chunky neckpieces are great for the beach. I’d have to ask you to stay away from cuffs and bangles because they produce tan lines. But other than that, go wild with ‘80s plastic accessories for the day or sultry metallics at night. Mix it up and have fun doing it.

Leave your selfish lover!

04 May

admin |  May 4th,2012 | family, love |  No Comments »

Do you know that according to one recent study, self- love can get in the way of romantic love?
So beware of people who love themselves too much. They can break your heart!

People whose self-esteem is so strong that they are almost narcissistic, usually tam out to be lousy mates, says new research.

Such people are often selfish, manipulative, unfaithful and power- hungry. While they may at first seem charming and keen on a relationship, they’re really seeking dominance rather than pleasure.

According to the study’s lead author Keith Campbell, a professor of psychology at the University of Georgia, beware of these selfish people because they can come on as confident and attractive, but you don’t see the negative parts of their personalities until later it doesn’t seem possible that they can betray a relationship as flagrantly as they can. But they do.

The study finding goes against decades of self-help messages that say you have to first love yourself to really be able to love another person. The study, which appeared in the August 2002 issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, found the defining feature of people with a narcissistic bent is something called “game-playing love.” The narcissist doesn’t want to be dependent on a partner. He is deceptive and often cheats. This approach means the narcissist maintains power and autonomy in the relationship. Gender isn’t a major factor. Men are only slightly more likely than women to behave this way.

Lipsticks: Tips and tricks

25 Apr

admin |  April 25th,2012 | beauty, fashion, shopping, women |  No Comments »

RONA BERG, IN HER BOOK, “THE BEAUTY BASICS,” LISTS A BUNCH OF GREAT LIPSTICK TIPS AND TRICKS! WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU. I’VE ADDED A FEW OF MY OWN TOO. FOLLOW THESE LIPSTICK TIPS & TRICKS AND YOU’LL SAVE MONEY, YOU’LL LOOK PRETTIER & YOUR LIPSTICK WILL LAST LONGER.

Tip #1: Put lipstick on the fridge. It will last weeks longer.

Tip #2: Never use a tester on your lips.

It’s just plain unhygienic. Instead, test lipstick on your fingertip& Ifs a closer fit to your lips than the back of your hand.

Tip #3: Use liner on your lips as a base.

Want lipstick to last longer, than fill in your lips with the liner first. If you’re using light Lipstick try a nude liner. Then slick your lipstick on top.

Ttp#4: Don’t skip the liner. Without the prerequisite liner, your lips will look “smudgier” according to Berg, softer & less defined.

Tip#5: Keep lipstick off your teeth with this trick.

This is a trick I learned years ago from my morn. After applying Lipstick, take your index finger & pop it in your mouth, then pull it out, the excess lipstick will came off on your finger rather than your teeth.

Tip #6: Lipstick can act as a blush.

But never use blush as a lipstick.

Tip #7: Apply liner first. Lipstick tends to feather if you apply liner second. Also, you won’t be able to see the natural line of your lips if you apply lipstick first.

Tip #8: The older you are, the “creamier” your lips should look.

Women over 50 should avoid matte or a gloss and stick with a creamy lipstick.

Tip #9: Don’t throw out a bad color lipstick. Instead; use other colon to perfect your own shade.

Blame it on Biology

05 Apr

admin |  April 5th,2012 | general, perfumes |  No Comments »

We don’t think twice about making good use of perfume, heels, and highlights, but scientists are taking a second lock at the methods we use to entice and seduce. In Do Gentlemen Really Prefer Blondes? Bodies, Behavior, and Brains—the Science behind Sex, Lore, and Attraction (Delacorte Press), Jena Pincott examines the biology of human preferences.

Yes, men really do like blondes: Because hair color tends to darken with age, blondeness is a sign of youth and fertility. Another theory is the “novelty effect”: Blonde hair is statistically rare, except in Scandinavia, where men often say they prefer brunettes.

Scent matters; each person has a unique scent determined in part by the proteins produced by a cluster a immune-system genes. Her smell transmits not only her genetic compatibility with potential mates but also her personal resistance to infection, which is a good indicator of reproductive health. Perfumes with musk, rose, vetiver, and cardamom may intensify our personal scent instead of masking it. Men prefer women with long legs: A high leg-to-torso ratio is linked to healthy childhood development, a good sign in a mate. Wearing high heels elongates our legs and mimics that effect.

Large breasts work, too:

They are perceived as a reflection of increased fertility. But the big- bust obsession seems to exist only in humans. In other animals, they indicate nursing, which means the female is sexually unavailable.

Food for the mind

27 Mar

admin |  March 27th,2012 | education, food, kids, nutrition |  No Comments »

How eating smart can help kids become smarter.

“Francine and Harold Prince’s Feed Your Kids Bright” stands out in research studies affecting children’s health and school performance.

The food connection
It was in the ‘50s when processed foods were first introduced. It was also around this time when strange new maladies— from learning disabilities and hyperactivity to slow-learning syndrome—started to emerge. The connection between such conditions and food, however, was not established until nutrition revolutionists started making their work public.

This group includes Sara Sloan, an educator/nutritionist who replaced junk foods with healthy foods in two entire school systems in the US; Dr. Ben Feingold, who found that foods containing salicylates and additives induced hyperactivity; Doctors Glen Green and Carl Pfeiffer, who discovered that vitamins and mineral supplements could reverse early symptoms of a brain disorder; Dr. Allan Cot, who successfully treated learning disabilities by creating sugar-free, vitamin/mineral-supplemented diets; and Dr. William Crook, who eliminated a group of brain-harmful foods he discovered and turned slow learners around.

The work of these scientists underlines the fact that the brain is a biochemical machine. The Princes write, “The brain is” built on biochemicals. There’s only one way your child can get those biochemicals—from the right nutrients in the right amounts.”

Startling findings
One experiment the authors cite was conducted by seventh graders in the Fulton County school system. Here, six bright and healthy rats were used to demonstrate the effects of junk food. Rats react to food in much the same way as humans, but in a much shorter time.

Two were fed a diet of candy, desserts, potato chips, and soft drinks. It didn’t take long for them to turn dopey, nervous, and irritable. Two others were given the same diet that many schoolchildren are fed for lunch: hamburgers, fries, and soft drinks. This pair soon lost their mental alertness and became fat and apathetic. The end result? All four fell ill; their coats became ragged, their tails turned scaly, and they had discoloration all over their bodies.

On the other hand, the third pair was fed nothing but naturally nutritious fond. They remained alert, bright, and fuIl of vigor. So naturally, when the diet of the four rats was switched from junk to nutritious food, they recovered completely
Lesson learned: The foods given to the rats in this experiment are a staple in many children’s diets. So imagine how much healthier our kids will be if they’re on an optimum diet of natural, nutritious foods.

5 things to do with tennis balls

17 Mar

admin |  March 17th,2012 | general, health |  No Comments »

HIDE THINGS

Got a ring or money you need to temporarily hide? Slit a tennis ball and insert the goods. Just make sure no one uses it.

GIVE YOURSELF A MASSAGE

For a foot rub, place a ball on the ground and rotate the sole of your foot over it. Or put three tennis balls into a sock, knot it and use it to knead your muscles. Aaahh!

A FLUFF LAUNDRY

Put a clean one in the dryer with towels, comforters or down coats to fluff them right up.

CHILDPROOF FURNITURE

Cut a tennis ball in half, or cut an X-shaped slit in it, and use it to cover sharp corners.

CREATE SLIDING FURNITURE

Cut in half and place under the feet or corners of heavy furniture to move it without scratching the floor.

One of your feet bigger than the other

04 Mar

admin |  March 4th,2012 | education, general |  No Comments »

When you look at the mirror, you may think that your left side is the same as your right side. It’s not. Our body is actually asymmetrical, which means that your left and right halves are slightly different from each other. If you look closely, you may notice that half of your face is more molded or developed, for example. The same goes for the rest of the body. Legs and arms do not have equal strengths. The slight difference also shows when you walk into a dark room. You will tend to walk around in circles because your body structure is not balanced.

Persist and endure

25 Feb

admin |  February 25th,2012 | health, physical |  No Comments »

The faster you move forward, the more intensely you’ll feel the wind against your face. The more progress you make, the more resistance you’re likely to encounter.

When the challenges become more formidable, it’s because you’ve become strong enough to handle them. Failure rarely meets much opposition. Success, on the other hand, is often challenged at every turn.

When you’re meeting up with resistance, it’s because you’re having an effect. That’s one of the strongest signals you could ever receive to keep on keeping on. Achievement does not come easy. That’s why it is so celebrated and valuable.

Each challenge serves to further prove the value of your pursuit and the depth of your strength. Persist and endure, for the challenges confirm that you are already making it happen.

What are the attributes of a resilient child?

20 Feb

admin |  February 20th,2012 | children, education, general |  No Comments »

Has a good problem-solving skills. From the preschool years on, resilient children display an interest in finding solutions to problems rather than giving up or depending on others to manage situations for them. They’re task, and solution-oriented.

Has an internal locus of control. Resilient children believe in their own effectiveness. Although external events may have caused their problem, they assume responsibility for a solution. They don’t consider themselves victims.

Asks support from others. The resilient child has the uncanny knack of finding a nurturing person in or outside the family to support him through troubled times. It’s a magical combination of independence coupled with an ability to ask for help when needed.

Cultivates an interest or hobby. When the resilient child faces turmoil, he turns to a hobby or a special interest for solace. It might be cooking, computer games, or a baseball card collection that brings the world back into focus, plus builds competency, and provides a source of pride to share with others.

Has an optimistic view of life. Resiliency goes along with a faith that things will work out as well as can be reasonably expected, and negative events can be surmounted, giving meaning to life and a reason for commitment and caring.

Is helpful to others. By late elementary school the resilient child works to carry out socially desirable tasks to prevent others in the family, neighborhood, or community from experiencing distress or discomfort.

Has an effective communication skills. The resilient child effectively communicates problems and feelings, thus gaining positive attention, backing, and ideas from interested friends, family, and adults.

Uses his or her talents effectively. The resilient child is not necessarily intellectually gifted, but each uses his talents optimally, working to reach his potential. If the child is intelligent and scholastically competent, these are positively associated with the ability to overcome great odds.

Resilient children display an interest in finding solutions to problems rather than giving up or depending on others to manage situations for them.

Even though your natural parenting instinct might be to run interference when your children experience turmoil, softening a blow by managing a difficult situation for them, it might be more important that you cultivate attributes of resiliency. Then, when your children do face hardship that you can’t protect them from, they won’t from fragile character, permanently retreat display needy behavior, cease to mature along their developmental timeline. or become depressed. Here’s how:

Build emotional strength. When your child responds with fear, anger, disappointment, or sadness, identify the emotion he’s feeling, convey understanding or empathy, and stay with your child until he returns to his emotional equilibrium.

Build problem-solving skills. Once emotions subside, identify the problem and ask your child what she can do to solve the problem. Validate the child’s ideas, offer a few suggestions yourself, but don’t dominate. Encourage your child to use her own resources to manage the situation even if her solution may seem somewhat immature to you.

Develop an internal locus of control.

When your child faces hardship, don’t victimize him with a ‘poor you’ approach. Instead, validate the difficulty of the situation but exude confidence that he can figure out a way to manage the situation effectively.

Encourage your child to elicit support. When troubles arise, assist your child to ask for help from a teacher, coach, close friend, community support person, or expert. Then take this attribute one step further, by prompting your child to help others.

Support your child’s hobbies. Don’t view hobbies as a frivolous pastime. See them as a source of pride that your child can call on when part of her world seems to be falling apart. Your job is to show interest and assist your child to cultivate the hobby on her terms.

Offer an optimistic view of life. Your modeling is most effective here. When problems arise, recognize them but point out any silver lining in the troubled cloud. Help your child see that in time things will get better and life will again offer many moments of happiness.

Encourage communication. Learn to listen to your children and encourage them to express their feelings and opinions. Invite them to describe troubling situations.

Promote academic and intellectual excellence. Do your best to talk positively about the benefits of these two pursuits both in and out of school.

Certainly there needs to be a balance for children between stressful events and having enough protective factors in place to help them cope. When troubles outweigh the protective factors, even the most resilient child can develop problems.

And in order for children to bounce back from difficult childhood situations, it’s essential for them to have a close relationship with at least one healthy adult in or outside the family. And it is up to that person to help the child gain the belief that he or she has everything necessary to be successful and overcome adversity. Children given responsibility at home and at school learn firsthand that they are worthy and capable. If you challenge but don’t overwhelm your child, the result is good behavioral health and resiliency.

« Older Entries