Great Body at 50

The Fat can Return After Liposuction!

2011-05-10T04:57:00.000-07:00

If you're thinking of getting a liposuction procedure, think again. The fathttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif does return!

ScienceDaily (May 9, 2011) — Liposuction has become one of the most popular plastic surgeries in the United States. It has been around since 1974 and there are now more than 450,000 operations a year.

But does the fat come back? A recent study by Teri L. Hernandez, PhD, RN and Robert H. Eckel, MD, at the University of Colorado School of Medicine have found that the fat eventually returns within one year, and is redistributed to other areas of the body, especially the upper abdomen. There was further redistribution around the shoulders and triceps of the arms.

Read more at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110509122730.htm

Speak Up Against Bill C32

2011-02-15T04:53:00.000-08:00

Canada's proposed copyright laws - Bill C-32- needs serious revision so that it does not damage the writing and publishing industry in Canada.

Please watch this video and find out more at www.writersunion.ca

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qrcNksj5DE

Tweet this post to your followers and friends! Share it with contacts on Facebook!

Natural and Herbal Anti-Aging Skincare

2011-01-25T05:08:00.000-08:00

Beauty is generally a subjective matter. Although there are those who would connote beauty with the vibrancy of youth, there are also those who appreciate beauty which is ripened with age and maturity. Aging therefore need not be a disappointing and disheartening phenomenon as although it is a fact of life, it can also bring a sense of fulfillment provided it is acknowledged with the proper perspective. Beauty is a manifestation of how a woman loves and takes care of herself regardless of whether she is young or aging. As there are wrinkles, age sports, skin discoloration and dry skin to battle with, a beauty regimen during the aging years may be more conscientious.

The beauty industry has been constantly researching on and introduced beauty products to address the need of beauty conscious aging women who are increasing in number. As of date, there are innumerable anti-aging products available for the wide and lucrative market of women in their 30's and up who are wary about crow's feet and skin sagging. Anti-aging skin care, creams, cosmetic and supplements are some of the anti-aging treatments that a woman can opt to have. As early as the age of 25, the initial manifestations of aging can become apparent in the guise of fine lines on the face, thus it is generally recommended that anti-aging skin care be implemented from this point.

Physical and mental stress that progressively go with age increase the production of free radicals in the body causing signs of aging as well as slowing down of cell renewal. When aging, the skin begins to lose its moisture and elasticity, thus anti-aging skin care must primarily be employed. Through the regular implementation of anti-aging skin care, signs of aging can be combated and delayed. Before it becomes too late, anti-aging skin care measures must be incorporated into a beauty regimen so as not to make the battle against wrinkles and skin drooping arduous later on. The earlier and the longer the anti-aging skin care treatment is applied, the more effective it becomes as it would be unrealistic to expect drastic results from an anti-aging skin care product.

External application of anti-aging skin care should likewise be not the only recourse. Anti-aging treatment measures should be instigated from within as well, thus one must be wary of disobliging habits such as drinking and smoking as they diminish the growth of cells. It is only sensible to eat an ample amount of fruits and vegetables as an inclusion to a well-balanced diet to promote internal and overall health. Anti-aging skin care also includes the augmentation of health supplements that promote cell renewal. There are also anti-aging skin care measures that aid in fat reduction and in re-shaping the body.

It is generally advisable to resort to natural and herbal anti-aging skin care products as they are much safer and effective. Natural anti-aging skin care products deliver the best benefits by revitalizing from within while protecting the skin on the outside. A blend of protein-rich or collagen cream and plant extracts contained within an anti-aging skin care product can be the most suitable choice to address the problem of wrinkles, age spots and skin sagging. Before resorting to an anti-aging skin care product, it is best to consider its suitability to one's skin condition as well as allergic tendencies. Revitol Solution is a safe, natural and effective anti-aging product made available through our store.

It has been proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and other signs of aging. With the right anti-aging skin care product, rejuvenation of the skin and restoration of youthful glow is within reach.
____________________________________
About the Author

The author of this article, Rose Windale, is a Health and Wellness Coach who has been successful with several natural health programs for many years. Rose recently published a step-by-step guide on how to lose weight the EASY way and become totally healthy and happy. More info on her.

A Special Vacation in St Lucia

2011-01-23T16:30:00.000-08:00

Save up to 70% on your next cheap airline ticket booking with Flight Network

You do not have to be on a beach to have a great vacation in St Lucia. Take a look at the Antigua Yacht Club Pier Resort. A vacation in St Lucia does not need to be spent on or around a beach, so that the fresh addition of the Antigua Yacht Club Quay Resort is easily worth having a look at.

It has twenty rooms so it is sufficiently little to call itself a boutique hotel, and it definitely starts out to be an exclusive hotel. Antigua Yacht Club Quay Resort sits on a hillside above the historic English Harbor alongside being well situated insofar as cafes, bars, boutiques and shops, and fully incredible yachts at anchor, are concerned.

The Antigua Yacht Club Pier Resort is composed of thirty executive apartments studio places. They are comprised of twelve sea view studio residences, twelve garden view studio flats, and 6 one bedroom apartments situated in a total of 6 buildings.

It's also a nineteen room hotel, and the rooms are particularly well supplied with all modern comforts including wireless broadband net access for those addicts who can not be torn away completely from Net Explorer!! It can be tricky for you to tear yourself away the dramatic perspectives of the harbor from the apartments.

You'll find a health spa, a turkish steam bath, and there's a fully kitted out fitness center in this new hotel which was built as lately as 2006, which is so new it smells a touch of paint.

The Antigua Yacht Club Pier Resort is the ideal place for the independent visitor, who needs to see more of Antigua that the outside and inside of a bling 5 star beachfront shrine. The type of folk who take this type of vacation in Antigua will most likely have an interest in sailing, and will almost surely hire a vehicle. The hotel hosts the famous Antigua Sailing week, but it's got a certain buzz to it all of the time, with the arrival and departure of folks staying for a few days before venturing back to sea in their yachts and gin palaces.

If a vacation in St Lucia means having the ability to cool it in high comfort then you're in the right spot. Also if you like a perfumed tropical garden, knowing a 5 minute taxi ride takes you to famous Pigeon Beach, and the similarly famous rum punches at the Bumpkin Beach bar.

One of the truly atmospheric parts of staying at the Antigua Yacht Club Marina Resort comes after dark, when somehow the yachts bloom into life, some folks can be heard raving on the water, while others swell the crowds in the eateries and bars, thus creating a completely different feel to the entire pier area, and the hotel too.

Prior guests have all been extremely impressed with the comfortable rooms, and the staff, and the feeling that though the Antigua Yacht Club Jetty Resort is close to the action it is nonetheless somehow off the well trodden route. The staff are extremely helpful if you ask them about best locations to eat, and hang out in the evenings.

They appear to have the pleasant disposition of wanting to get for you whatever you want, and that sort of makes Antigua Yacht Club Quay Resort rather more special for a marginally different vacation in St Lucia.
_____________________________________
About the Author

Dannieder Flinger

Hosty Sites has more info
st. lucia

A Great Getaway Spot all Year Round

2011-01-23T16:25:00.000-08:00

Save up to 70% on your next cheap airline ticket booking with Flight Network

Well known for the natural beauty of the surrounding scenery, Arcadia Michigan is a favorite destination for eager tourists who want to get the most out of their precious few days holiday. Most areas are summer hotspots because they provide excellent facilities for one type of holiday, but the standard of surrounding activities near Arcadia offer a range of interesting holiday pursuits, whether you want the exhilarating intensity of cross country skiing or the refreshing calm of watching the sunset at Arcadia MI public beach.

The Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club is nationally renowned world class golf club that has abandoned the exclusivity of private memberships and opened its doors for all members of the public to enjoy the spectacular views and diverse 18 holes. Only 2 miles from Arcadia House Bed and Breakfast, the club prides itself on offering a friendly and welcoming environment, where you don't have to be a golf pro to enjoy five star treatment!

Of course, if you prefer the idea of enjoying the scenery without dragging a bag of clubs with you, Arcadia is nestled within a series of scenic trails and nature preserves, including the circular Great Lakes Tour and the Betsie Valley Trail. You can take your trail at the speed you feel most comfortable with; by bike for those who like life in the fast lane, or on foot for people who like to savor the moment. The Arcadia public beach is an easy walk from Arcadia Michigan lodging in the center of town, because sightseeing doesn't have to involve any more effort than sitting on the beach!

If you have your heart set on getting your feet wet, also within walking distance is the Arcadia Michigan public marina, where you can fish or take a boat ride. Fishing guides of the area are available, as many visitors are attracted by the call of Lake Michigan and the chance of catching and cooking your own dinner. Canoeing and tubing facilities are available a short drive from the town of Arcadia in Mesick, where Wilderness Canoe Trips are happy to show you the ropes of navigating rivers and gliding across lakes in canoes, tubes, kayaks or rafts.

With the arrival of winter Arcadia offers plenty of chances to enjoy the snow, including snowmobile trails only 8 miles from the town or snow shoeing and cross country skiing 2 miles away at the Arcadia Dunes nature preserve. Unlike many holiday destinations, Michigan has the benefit of attractive weather at both ends of the scale and Arcadia is perfectly situated to make the most of those warm summer months when the beach is at its most beautiful, and the exciting winter activities when the snow covers the ground.
_____________________________
About the Author

Michigan Bed and Breakfast

Ted Rosen

What is the Heart Meditation? Connecting with the Holographic Power of an Electromagnetic Field

2011-01-22T04:51:00.000-08:00

During meditation, the heart becomes a holographic, electromagnetic field enabling an individual to experience the sum total of the universe.

In The Biology of Transcendence: A Blueprint of the Human Spirit (Rochester, Vermont: Park Street Press, 2002), Joseph Chilton Pearce relates an incident that happened to him in his biology class decades ago. Two lonely heart cells (taken from a dying rodent), in Petri dishes placed side by side , stopped fibrillating (spasmodic pulsing before death) and resumed regular simultaneous pulsing with each other. Why? A heart cell produces strong electromagnetic signals that can extend more than several feet beyond its boundaries. When placed side by side, these two isolated heart cells became part of a resonating field.

One can understand the powerful synchrony generated by friendly encounters. Love can literally be understood as resonance between cells. The Heart Meditation, which focuses on centering the heart and connecting with a universal source of energy, is a simple way to increase the coherent power of transcendence , the power of healing with love that lies within the heart’s electromagnetic field.

The Heart is an Electromagnetic Field

Electrocardiogram or ECG readings of the heart confirm that the human body produces an electrical field which radiates 12 to 15 feet beyond the body. Recent research suggests, as well, that the electromagnetic (or em) energy produced by the heart spirals out and curves back towards the heart in the shape of a torus, the shape of a donut ring. This torus is holographic; any point within the torus has access to the information of the whole field of the heart. This means that any point within the heart’s electromagnetic field contains all the frequencies of the heart’s spectrum.

The Holographic Power of the Heart

If electromagnetic torus fields are holographic, any point in the heart has access not only to the heart field, but also to universal information. According to Pearce, the universe is a "nested hierarchy of toroid energy systems that extend possibly from the minuscule atom to human to planet, solar system, and ultimately, the galaxy" (59). Being centered in the heart is, in effect, being centered in the universe, allowing one access to an universal source of power. This was why in the 13th century, German theologian, philosopher and mystic, Meister Eckhart, made the claim that “When God becomes Eckhart, Eckhart becomes God” (65).

The Heart Meditation

This sense of power experienced by practitioners of the Heart Meditation is created when one arrives at the point of universal connection through the heart. There are several online versions of the heart meditation which make possible this connection. The Heart Chakra Meditation from Yoga Basics is a powerful tool for releasing fear and enhancing love and compassion. Deepak Chopra’s Advanced Meditation on the Heart dissolves contraction and opens the heart to spirit and insight. Ultimately it leads one to silent assurance, acceptance and appreciation of simply being.

The heart is more than a physical organ that pumps blood through the circulatory system of the human body. It is clearly the source of man’s spiritual essence as well. Given the stressful and splintering nature of modern life, taking a daily dive into the heart meditation can restore one’s sense of purpose and wholeness.

Read on

* The Spirituality of Art
* Healing With Sound
* Kosharey Rhythm Therapeutics: Healing with Sound and Movement

Healing With Sound

2011-01-10T20:32:00.000-08:00

Listen to this segment of CHRW's Radio Show "Body, Mind, Spirit"! Host Patricia Kennedy and Guest Mary Desaulniers talk about Healing With Sound.

Magnetic Pole Shift "Derails" Planes

2011-01-07T08:53:00.000-08:00

I remember being the butt of a joke at a dinner conversation eight years ago regarding the possibility of a pole shift or pole reversal as we approach 2012.

It is no surprise to me to see in the news today that magnetic north pole shifts have actually thrown planes off course and forced runway closures at Florida airport.

The magnetic north and south poles have been known to reverse their course, a situation that has been recorded "in the magnetism of ancient rocks." According to Jana Winter, that happened 780,000 years ago.

Perhaps we are due for a pole reversal.

More about this here.

Natural Anti Aging Products

2011-01-06T05:33:00.000-08:00

There are many things that women always wish to have and of all those, the best thing that she would never want to fail to lose is her beauty. Everyone wants to stay beautiful and appealing even if their age grows older. There's nothing wrong about wanting that for yourself but sometimes we get too impatient and resort to options that should never even be one of our ideas. Anti aging products on the other hand can be your best friend if you chose them over plastic surgery and other complicated facial operations. There are great things that it can offer you and they are much safer.

Anti aging products are made of different types of ingredients. Some of them are made with mostly natural types of components that come from the nature. There are people who would want to stick with these types of products because they are known to be much safer and even more effective. On the other hand, it also has its downsides. Most of these products might work well but it takes time for the effects to come out. This is because, they are not so much made of chemicals that will push them to work at its best. But even though they are a little slower than most types of anti wrinkle creams, still they are good to use because like they say, things that are made of natural things are always the best.

If you want to have that glowing face, using anti aging products can always be your best choice. These are made especially for people who want to achieve the kind of beauty that not anything else can give you. What's even better is that they are safer and much more affordable than any other solution that you can ever find.
_______________________________
About the Author

by Celine J

Anti aging products really do best for people who wants to look younger. For more information please visit Femme Facade.

Anti Aging Skin Care - Slow The Symptoms Of Aging And Look Younger Longer

2010-12-11T10:44:00.000-08:00

Aging is one of the most dreaded aspects of life for every individual. At one time, the appearance of aging was mainly a concern for women but now even men are becoming concerned about their appearance as the advance in age. The increasing pollution of the atmosphere, as well as global warming adds to the woes of an aging skin. As a result, a new range of anti aging skin care creams and lotions are now dominating the skin care industry with the promise of reversing or reducing the effects of aging. However, there are certain things you can do on your own immediately to help care for your skin.

The first thing you can do to help combat the effects of an aging skin is to control your diet. The food you eat plays a big role in determining how you look. Foods and beverages that are unhealthy for your body are certainly not good for your skin also. A healthy eating habit is therefore very essential to maintaining a healthy skin. The proper consumption of vitamins, minerals and proteins as part of your regular diet will help you to maintain beautiful skin and keep you looking younger for a longer period of time. Failure to follow healthy eating habits could lead to the formation of wrinkles, sagging skin, and facial lines. So eat well and look beautiful. Another aspect of anti aging skin care is to safeguard it from the harshness of the elements such as heat from the sun. Heavy exposure to direct sunlight causes sun damage which is a leading cause of wrinkles and discoloration.

We live in a world that is primarily motivated by the acquisition of material things. Towards this end, we are constantly on the move, always busy. Because of this busy schedule, many people fail to get the required amount of sleep that the body needs to recover in order to function properly. It is only during sleep when the body is at complete rest that the anti aging hormone, Melatonin is produced. The emotional and physical stresses of the body are also reduced during sleep. This enables the body, including the skin, to recover and rejuvenate. So, go catch up on your sleep to take special care of your aging skin.

One reason why many people look old in age before they actually reach that age is the heavy mental stress that they encounter these days. It is therefore important to maintain a positive attitude, keep your mental problems at bay and try to relax. There are many anti aging skin care products available on the market today but every one of them will not necessarily be suitable for you. Because a product works well for one person does not mean it will work well for you. When selecting a product, you must therefore be careful to choose a product which suits your skin type and will not have any side effects. To make sure that you choose the right skin care product, you should first consult your physician and/or dermatologist.
____________________________________
Selvin Flores is an Internet Marketer who owns several websites providing public information on various topics. For more information about how to care for your skin, go to: Anti Aging Skin Care

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

The Power of Prayer

2010-12-06T05:05:00.000-08:00

Prayer is powerful when an emotional connection is made between the person who prays and the person prayed for.

Sheri Kaplan was tested HIV-positive more than 15 years ago. Not medicated at all for her illness, she is, nevertheless, in perfect health. The virus has not progressed to AIDS. Why?

Sheri prays and meditates every day; she believes fervently in the power of prayer.

There is much evidence in the scientific world that prayer can effect changes on the material level when a personal and emotional connection is made between the person who prays and the person prayed for. The fundamental catalyst for the power of prayer is connection and this connection can be understood in terms of quantum entanglement and human DNA.

Quantum Entanglement and the Power of Thought

Quantum entanglement is the ability of two particles to be connected even when they are physically apart. It is what Einstein describes as the”spooky” effect exerted by particles upon each other even when they are separated. A feature of quantum physics, this connection has also been demonstrated in human relationships.

In one study termed “The Love Study,” Dean Radin at the Institute of Noetic Sciences demonstrated that a husband watching his wife and sending her loving thoughts (without her knowledge) could change her blood pressure and perspiration rate. During the times her husband was not looking at her, the laboratory graph showed a flat line; when he began staring at her and sending her loving intentions, the graph line spiked and displayed changes in her blood volume. Similar results were reported by three dozen double blind randomized studies conducted at other institutions.

The power of intention and prayer is also demonstrated in an experiment conducted at McGill University under the direction to Professor Bernard Grad. According to Lynne McTaggart, this experiment shows that plants watered by a healer who had a passion for plants fared considerably better than those watered by a depressed psychotic. When researchers examined the water used by these two subjects, they found that the water conditioned by positive intention from the healer was substantially different in its molecular structure than water used without positive intent by the depressed psychotic. Somehow the belief systems of these two men have changed the profile of the material world.

Human DNA and Quantum Entanglement

Further biological evidence of quantum entanglement in human relationship is provided by Gregg Braden in “The Science of Peace and the Power of Prayer.” He reports on experiments that show a strong connection between human DNA and matter.

In one experiment conducted by the Institute of HeartMath, scientists placed human placental DNA in separate vials which were then handed to individual researchers trained in ways of emanating emotions. Some were trained to feel gratitude, love and appreciation; others were trained to feel anger, fear and frustration. What the researchers discovered was that the DNA changed its shape according to the feelings of the researchers. DNA handled by positive researchers relaxed and became longer in strands; DNA handled by negative researchers tightened up, even reversing or switching off their genetic codes.

The experiment was followed up by testing HIV positive patients where it was discovered that feelings of love and gratitude created in these patients immune resistance 300,000 times stronger than that in subjects who did not experience these feelings.

Experiments like this explain why Sheri Kaplan remains to this day AIDS-free. The power of prayer goes beyond mere consolation; it is the power of a universe connected by coherence and love.

Sources:

* Braden, Gregg. The Isaiah Effect: Decoding the Lost Science of Prayer and Prophecy. New York: Three Rivers Press,2000.
* McTaggart, Lynne. The Intention Experiment. London: HarperElement, 2007.

___________________________

Mary Desaulniers

How to Stop Aging

2010-12-04T20:54:00.000-08:00

The link between chronic inflammation and aging has been brought to public attention by anti-aging experts Nicholas Perricone M.D. and Andrew Weil M.D. According to these experts, inflammation is an immune response that has not turned itself off.

Ironically, the same response which benefits man in the short term becomes a major threat to human lives when acute bouts of infection become chronic due to the decreasing efficiency of the immune system.

Because chronic inflammation, the kind that writer Kathleen McGowan describes as “[simmering] in the background, over years and decades,” is the underpinning of virtually all major diseases, it is directly linked to the degeneration of body and tissues associated with aging.

The good news is that the inflammatory process can be controlled through lifestyle changes like exercise and diet.

Inflammation

Diseases that are part of aging are getting a great deal of attention these days. Diseases like Alzheimer’s, diabetes, cancer, arthritis,osteoporosis, heart problems, and senile depression have all been shown to be connected with aging.

Scientists have also begun to connect the body weakness that accompanies old age (which many have considered to be a natural event in the course of one’s life) with inflammatory causes; they have located inflammatory activity as the culprit behind the breakdown of skeletal muscle, which in turn leads to the loss of lean muscle mass.

Early exposure to childhood diseases has also been targeted as a causal factor. Infections in childhood predispose the body to the inflammatory response. Diseases like measles, typhoid, malaria or whooping cough can weaken an individual’s immune profile.

Exercise

How can exercise which causes tissue damage and triggers the inflammatory response in the body reduce inflammation?

According to Sarah Cimperman ND, exercise triggers a short term inflammatory response which promotes the growth and renewal of muscle cells. In the long run, exercise reduces inflammation.

Research, which has bolstered her argument, demonstrates that men (65-75) who exercised frequently were found to have significantly lower levels of pro-inflammatory interleukin-6 and dramatically higher levels of anti-inflammatory interleukin-10. The key here is frequent engagement in exercise, like running.

Diet

Studies have shown that a low calorie diet can increase the longevity of rats because dietary restriction inhibits the inflammatory response.

Eating less reduces insulin resistance and slows dementia. Foods that are pro-inflammatory include sugar and processed foods that elevate blood sugar levels, creating an insulin release that not only increases stored body fat but causes cell damage and accelerated aging.

It is also known that fat cells trigger the inflammatory effect. The leaner the body, the less susceptible it is to the inflammatory scenario. Environmental stressors, hormonal changes, emotional and psychological stress all intensify the body’s susceptibility to inflammation.

Because inflammation is controllable through lifestyle changes, it strongly suggests that aging is not inevitable. It is actually a situation created by the body; what this means is that changes can be made in one’s lifestyle choices than can turn the tables around.

Source

* McGowan, Kathleen.”Can We Cure Aging?” The New Science of Health. Summer 2009: 5-8.

Copyright Mary Desaulniers.

How to be a "Grand" Parent

2010-11-30T05:13:00.000-08:00

Just like how parents worry if they are doing a good job parenting their children, grandparents sometimes worry if they too are doing a good job as grandparents. There is a kind of classification of grand parenting which describes how grandparents relate to their grandchildren. Using the classifications, you can plainly see what's associated with each style and try to balance each factor in order to be the best grandparent you can be. The five types of grandparents are described below.

Formal - Formal grandparents think of themselves as parents rather than grandparents and they play their role from a distant. In other words, they only accept their role as grandparent because their own kids have kids of their own. Ultimately, the grandchildren see them as distant icons and they receive their information about them from the stories their parents tell them.

Playmate - Grandparents which are categorized as playmates tend to spoil their grandchildren. They aren't really concerned about how the grandchildren are turning out and may sometimes encourage them to do naughty things. Grandchildren typically find them to be more fun than their parents.

Ghost - The ghost grandparent is even less involved in the lives of their grandchildren than the formal grandparent. They hardly see their grandchildren whether because of personal choice, distance or due to the choice of the parents themselves. Either way, the grandchildren see them as a shadowy figure who make an appearance once in a while.

Surrogate - Surrogates treat their grandchildren like they would their own children. They try to intervene with their own form of discipline and help to raise them correctly; sometimes by offering advice to the parents and sometimes by rewarding and punishing behavior.

Sage - The sage grandparent is sometimes mistaken for a ghost grandparent. However, they aren't as invisible as they interact with their grandchildren when invited. They however, hardly initiate interaction but when they are approached by the grandchildren, they take the time to offer advice and consultation.

No matter the role you decide to take as a grandparent, you should always establish ground rules with your children so you don't overstep your bounds and you can have a successful relationship with your grandchildren. Be unambiguous about the role you want to have in your grandchildren's lives and check with the parents before you buy presents. In essence, you should respect the parenting decisions of your children.

Also, no matter the category you fall in, there is no excuse of not being there for your grandchildren when they need you. In fact, even if you live far apart, you can still keep in touch with the internet, phone or with good old fashioned mail. Taking the time to communicate with your grandchildren will create a foundation for a strong long term relationship. Children will react positively to attention and signs of love and care allowing you the opportunity to get to know them better when you don't have the opportunity to see them regularly.

Whatever the particular situation, when you show love, concern for the child's safety and well being, be consistent with your behavior and pay attention to their needs and words, you are being a good grandparent.

________________________________

Looking for reviews of tough dog toys?

Go get sale and discount information at: http://toughdogtoysreview.com/

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

Vince Armstrong - EzineArticles Expert Author

Great Body at 50: Belly Fat Reduction - Your Activity Level, Exercise Is a MUST!

2010-11-29T19:06:00.000-08:00

Great Body at 50: Belly Fat Reduction - Your Activity Level, Exercise Is a MUST!

Belly Fat Reduction - Your Activity Level, Exercise Is a MUST!

2010-11-29T18:54:00.000-08:00

There are many attempts for belly fat reduction. Many have succeeded after a long wait and hard work, many have succeeded through the easiest way, but many also have failed. Removing belly fat is one hard thing to do in the body especially when you are not used to be familiar with what are to be eaten, and what is to do to achieve it.

How often do you look into the mirror? Have you always been focusing on your face to see if it's pleasing to look at? How about your body? How often do you look and assess your tummy? Do you feel any layers very evident on your dress? Do you feel you need to work on it before it affects you and your health?

The purpose of reducing belly fat is not just about cosmetic issues, but it is also about health issues we need to prevent from occurring because it can pose health problems later on.

Having belly fat is not just about how you look, but also how do you feel inside. Meaning, it is a great way of bringing your sexy body back and a great start of improving your overall health at the same time. Having belly fat is the most stubborn area to be reduced, and has been linked to several types of cancer, heart diseases and diabetes.

So if you look yourself into the mirror today, take a look at your belly. Is it getting bigger and flabby each day? Avoid the health risks, live a healthy life and learn through the following tips that this article will give you.

Your Activity Level... Exercise is a MUST!

This is not unusual to all that sedentary lifestyle will do you no good. Just imagine the difference of the feeling you get from just sitting and lying all day long and the feeling after exercise and sweating off. It's a big difference, actually!

No exercise at all can put you at high risk for heart diseases, diabetes and fatty liver. It can increase your weight and most of all; it can increase fat accumulation in your tummy. As such, exercise is one of the best ways for belly fat reduction. It doesn't take too much time for an exercise to take effect and drop some pounds as long as you have the willingness and consistency, it will take you to where you should be. What you must remember is that you do not have to start on a high intensity exercises and spot reduce. Just continue with small walks and run until you get used to it and you will start increasing your duration and intensity. Cardio training must never be out; this is very excellent in burning fats such as brisk walking jogging, aerobics, bicycling, tread milling, swimming, etc which can be done for 30 minutes daily. Do also some core exercises, your area of focus to tone and flatten at some point your midsection.

Belly Fat Exercises

- Plank for Belly Fat Reduction

* Lie down on the ground with your face facing down on the floor (make sure you have a mat)
* Slowly raise your body above the ground getting support from your feet and mostly the support of your hands.
* In performing it, make sure the hands are placed right under the shoulders.
* Begin to tuck in the stomach (stomach in) and hold this position as long as possible.
* Repeat the steps as long as you are able.

- Crunches for Belly Fat Reduction

* Lie on your back on the ground with mat and bend your knees.
* Put your hands at the back of the head or side of the neck and then raise your shoulders or upper body towards the knees as possible.
* Hold into the position for as long as you comfortably can. Do not force when intolerable for you.

- Bicycle Exercise

* Lie flat on your back on the ground with exercise mat and knees bent.
* Slowly lift one leg at least 8 inches from the floor and then place the hands on the back of head.
* Move the elbow into the bent knee and hold such position for 10 seconds.
* Slowly low down one leg and get back to a bent position. Raise the other leg and then move other elbow into the direction of the bent knee.
* As you change the position of the legs and arms at the same time, it looks like you are pedaling a bicycle.
* Make sure as you do the exercise, body is straight and no arching of back.
* Repeat steps as many as you can.

Diet must be combined with Exercise

Diet can also be very helpful in your goal to reduce belly fat, but this can only take effect when done properly and healthily. No to starvation and FAD diets. What you need to do is to eat right kind and amount of food to maintain or speed up the rate of body's metabolism.

* Eating smaller meals several times daily is beneficial than eating 2-3 bigger meals. A small frequent feeding can prevent you to feel hunger and overeating. The metabolism as well remains to be active all throughout the day.
* Eat foods with adequate amount of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and fiber; reduce carbohydrates intake to half and add more lean meats, fruits and vegetables to diet.
* Avoid refined sugars found in food such as cakes, pastries, etc.
* Avoid white foods such as white rice, pasta and bread.
* Eat more whole grains, legumes and nuts.
* Yes to water and no to soft drinks; water has O calories and soft drinks have more; water can hydrate the body and relieves thirst while soft drinks cannot. Water can't make your belly bulge and fat, but soft drinks really can. Switch to water now and drink 3 liters daily and add more especially when you are working out. 1000 calories burnt must be replaced by 1 liter of water to keep you hydrates despite body water loss through sweat.

Other Tips For Belly Fat Reduction:

* Avoid excessive stress and have a good sleep daily. Stress is one factor why belly fat is evident in you. In excessive stress, large amount of cortisol is released by the body which is responsible for storing fat in the abdominal area.
* Quickest method: Surgery (liposuction, tummy tucks) can help provided that before you decide to submit yourself into the procedure, you are physically, mentally and financially ready. This is a cosmetic surgery which is an invasive procedure that can help you lose weight at least 5 pounds. Life threatening effects can be unavoidable so you have to discus thoroughly with your surgeon.
* Quick fix solutions: Pills and supplements are very popular in the market now. However, these are not highly recommended.
* If you want to look like you have a flat stomach although you really have it, make sure you wear clothes that are not well fitted or kind of cloth that doesn't stick or cling into the body.
* To get you motivated from the time you started and until you reach the middle part of the process, always take a picture of you and your belly fat weekly to show progress.

Next, learn how to stay motivated and accordingly to your weight loss plans without falling short. Click on the following link and learn what is needed in order to eliminate belly fat.

Are you lacking the motivation to lose weight? Visit our Stay Slim Lose Weight website and find out how you can lose the extra weight and stay slim with a healthy body.

Author: Stephanie Wayne

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

Great Body at 50: Fat Addiction: Can Overeating Change the Brain?

2010-11-27T21:14:00.000-08:00

Great Body at 50: Fat Addiction: Can Overeating Change the Brain?

Fat Addiction: Can Overeating Change the Brain?

2010-11-27T21:09:00.000-08:00

Even a cursory glance at television commercials reveals the problem of fat addiction in our culture. Ads for fast food, chips, crackers and meals on the run have become the staples of family entertainment. It is no wonder that food addiction and obesity are fast becoming major problems in North America. Even more worrisome is the idea that excess food intake threatens not only the waistline, it is also a liability to the brain.

According to recent research led by Paul Kenny Ph.D at the Scripps Research Institute in Jupiter, Florida, overeating can change the brain, triggering alterations that create a neurochemical addiction in the eater. Although this dependency has been shown in rats, its observations can be carried over into the human arena where similar brain changes have been seen in people addicted to drugs.

Overeating, like Drug Addiction, Creates Brain Irregularity

Because eating is such a pleasurable activity, it can produce behavior patterns similar to other pleasurable activities like sex or drug use. Eating initiates the release of dopamine, a feel-good neurotransmitter in the brain. Repeated episodes of overeating increase the likelihood that the activity becomes habitual.

Read more at http://www.suite101.com/content/fat-addiction-can-overeating-change-your-brain-a313965

The Power of Prayer

2010-11-27T08:16:00.000-08:00

Sheri Kaplan was tested HIV-positive more than 15 years ago. Not medicated at all for her illness, she is, nevertheless, in perfect health. The virus has not progressed to AIDS. Why?

Sheri prays and meditates every day; she believes fervently in the power of prayer.

There is much evidence in the scientific world that prayer can effect changes on the material level when a personal and emotional connection is made between the person who prays and the person prayed for. The fundamental catalyst for the power of prayer is connection and this connection can be understood in terms of quantum entanglement and human DNA.

Quantum Entanglement and the Power of Thought

Quantum entanglement is the ability of two particles to be connected even when they are physically apart. It is what Einstein describes as the”spooky” effect exerted by particles upon each other even when they are separated. A feature of quantum physics, this connection has also been demonstrated in human relationships.

In one study termed “The Love Study,” Dean Radin at the Institute of Noetic Sciences demonstrated that a husband watching his wife and sending her loving thoughts (without her knowledge) could change her blood pressure and perspiration rate. During the times her husband was not looking at her, the laboratory graph showed a flat line; when he began staring at her and sending her loving intentions, the graph line spiked and displayed changes in her blood volume. Similar results were reported by three dozen double blind randomized studies conducted at other institutions.

The power of intention and prayer is also demonstrated in an experiment conducted at McGill University under the direction to Professor Bernard Grad. According to Lynne McTaggart, this experiment shows that plants watered by a healer who had a passion for plants fared considerably better than those watered by a depressed psychotic. When researchers examined the water used by these two subjects, they found that the water conditioned by positive intention from the healer was substantially different in its molecular structure than water used without positive intent by the depressed psychotic. Somehow the belief systems of these two men have changed the profile of the material world.

Human DNA and Quantum Entanglement

Further biological evidence of quantum entanglement in human relationship is provided by Gregg Braden in “The Science of Peace and the Power of Prayer.” He reports on experiments that show a strong connection between human DNA and matter.

In one experiment conducted by the Institute of HeartMath, scientists placed human placental DNA in separate vials which were then handed to individual researchers trained in ways of emanating emotions. Some were trained to feel gratitude, love and appreciation; others were trained to feel anger, fear and frustration. What the researchers discovered was that the DNA changed its shape according to the feelings of the researchers. DNA handled by positive researchers relaxed and became longer in strands; DNA handled by negative researchers tightened up, even reversing or switching off their genetic codes.

The experiment was followed up by testing HIV positive patients where it was discovered that feelings of love and gratitude created in these patients immune resistance 300,000 times stronger than that in subjects who did not experience these feelings.

Experiments like this explain why Sheri Kaplan remains to this day AIDS-free. The power of prayer goes beyond mere consolation; it is the power of a universe connected by coherence and love.

Sources:

* Braden, Gregg. The Isaiah Effect: Decoding the Lost science of Prayer and Prophecy. New York: Three Rivers Press,2000.
* McTaggart, Lynne. The Intention Experiment. London: HarperElement, 2007.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women November 25th

2010-11-25T13:30:00.000-08:00

by Janine McLearon, DVM.

In December 1999, the General Assembly of the United Nations designated 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and invited governments, international organizations and NGOs to organize activities designated to raise public awareness of the problem on that day. Women's activists have marked the 25th of November as a day against violence since 1981. This date came from the brutal assassination in 1960, of the three Mirabal sisters, political activists in the Dominican Republic, on orders of Dominican ruler Rafael Trujillo (1930-1961).
At the UN Commission on the Status of Women, the Commission on Human Rights and in other fora, Canada supports resolutions calling for the elimination of violence against women (including with respect to the girls, honour crimes, and the elimination of traditional or customary practices affecting the health of women and girls, including female genital mutilation). Canada was also instrumental in ensuring sexual and gender-based crimes were included in the draft Statute for the International Criminal Court.

Elimination of Violence against Women

Violence against women is pervasive, taking many forms and affecting every society. Whether the context is rape used as a tool of war, sexual slavery, domestic abuse, or female genital mutilation, in all cases, violence against women violates and impairs or nullifies the women's human rights and is an obstacle to the achievement of the objectives of equality, development and peace.
The London Abused Women’s Shelter began a campaign to wear and display purple during the month of November to bring awareness of violence against women. The idea was borrowed from New York City which began a similar campaign last year including lighting up the Empire State Building in purple. Why the colour purple? Purple has long been the colour of the women’s movement, beginning with the suffragettes. It’s a symbol of pain and suffering but also of power, spirituality, and trans-formation. The London campaign celebrates the lives of four women murdered in London: Brenda Lee Chillingworth, Vahida Blazevic, Vanessa Ann Bol and Cheryl Hohner.

It is every woman’s fundamental right to live in safety and security in her home and community — free from the threat of violence.

The following is the link to the UN General Assembly’s Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women 1994.

http://www.unhchr.ch/huridocda/huridoca.nsf/(symbol)/a.res.48.104.en

On November 25th spare a moment to think about the women in your community and across the world who have suffered violence and do your part in whatever way that you can to work to eliminate violence against women.

Women Want to Feel Fired Up, Fearless and Never Again Invisible

2010-11-24T14:19:00.000-08:00

Fear can and often does paralyze a person. We have the emotion of fear for a very good reason: to keep us safe from harm, real or imagined. We can beat our fears by confronting them head on. Do you have garden-variety fears like everyone else? Maybe, "I know I'll fail my math test," "I'm afraid I'll get hurt," "This will never work," and so on? Take responsibility for overcoming them. For example, if you are afraid of speaking in public, take a public speaking class or join a ToastMasters group. Get out there and just do it.

Or do you have a serious phobia? Common phobias include driving, spiders, going into an elevator, leaving the house, and getting older. If you do, don't beat yourself up about not being able to conquer it alone. If you are very afraid of getting older and your fear is making you hate your aging self, get a therapist and start talking to other women. Call your local mental health association for a referral. There are really good therapists out there to help you.

There is actually a name for the fear of getting older: gerascophobia. But just because it has a name, you do not have to let your fears control your life or your happiness. Do something each day that makes you a little uncomfortable but is new and keeps you fresh and open to possibilities. Many of the very successful women I have spoken to said just that: "Do not let fear get in your way." Yes, they had been fearful but had gone ahead and conquered their fears and felt a tremendous satisfaction and reward from doing so.

We were surprised that the women in their seventies and eighties we spoke with were so interesting and excited about their lives, so here's another tip. Seek out a nice older woman you admire and get acquainted. Ask how she sees her world, and what she thinks of getting older. You may be surprised to find out she is upbeat, positive, and forward-thinking, and this may help remove some of your fears. And read biographies of smart, capable women who came before us. You will be amazed.

Fighting Invisibility

Throughout my research, women of all ages have expressed their concerns regarding their aging process. They have talked candidly about the ways society responds to them as women. Twenties Women feel invisible because they are perceived as being too young. Women in their forties, fifties, and beyond may feel invisible because they are getting older. It is difficult for the women who enter into their mature years--who have lived lives full of experience, knowledge, and talents that they are ready to share and to show the world, who have so much to offer and share with other women in their fields of interest--it is difficult for them to find that their gifts are neither sought out nor appreciated. For these women, fears of aging made them feel like they were disappearing in the eyes of society. Other women, though, have found ways to feel noticed.

Famous actresses have expressed their frustration and dismay at their industry's response to scripts that focus on the issues and interests of older people and that feature older actors. The studios ignore such projects. In response, some actresses find their own financial backers and produce, act in, and promote their own movies.

Just as Hollywood actors bump up against stereotypes of aging women, you will too. Don't let it derail your life. Instead, find a way around it. Act like a famous movie actor and produce your own life. Never let anyone or anything stop you from dreaming and creating the life you want. Instead of allowing someone or something else to make you feel invisible, do something about it for yourself. Don't retire! Instead, "refire" and inspire. Move from feeling invisible to being visible.

Changing Our Own Lives

A baby girl born today will have an 80 percent chance (it gets better each year) of reaching her hundredth birthday. More and more women are already reaching their hundredth birthday and telling us how they did it. Some say they ate well and exercised, some drank nothing or some drank a martini or two, many just had fun, some prayed, some exercised and pumped iron, and most were surprised they made it.

Regardless of our final number of days, each of us has an opportunity to re-invent ourselves many times. Today women are doing just that and say it is one of the very best things about getting older. Once they reach maturity and have had the job, raised the family, and made the money, they take time for themselves. Our older years present us with a fantastic opportunity to say: "At last, time for me."

______________________________

Nancy D. O'Reilly, PsyD, a clinical psychologist and founder of WomenSpeak.com, has worked with women in a strategic, problem-solving fashion for more than 25 years. She is the author of the self-help book, " Timeless Women Speak " She is passionate about educating and offering women a place to share the experience of growing older in a positive and rewarding atmosphere. During more than 10 years of research she has asked more than 1,200 women of all ages the hard questions about growing older in a youth-driven society. Women find comfort knowing that they are not the only ones who worry about getting older and who wonder if their value as a person will be compromised. Dr. Nancy interviews an interesting woman author each week for a podcast on her website. She was nominated for Missouri's First Lady Award in 2008 and recognized as one of Springfield, Missouri's Most Influential Women of 2007. She speaks frequently on women and aging, biofeedback, depression, migraine, mental health, constructive confrontation, workplace violence, and stress management. She gives radio and TV interviews, has published professional articles, and has presented her research at a national conference of the American Psychological Association.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nancy_D._O'Reilly,_Psy._D.

Flowing Water - Create Clarity of Thinking

2010-09-01T17:57:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite outdoor activities is sitting near a creek or waterfall; listening to the water rush along its journey. Scientists report that falling water and large bodies of water produce negative ions, or the state in which it is easier for humans to have clarity of thinking.

The crux of the matter is that being near falling or large bodies of water is limited. However, falling water is falling water - water falling in the shower is as good, the only difference is the ambiance. Some of my best ideas have come to me in the shower. Others have reported the same phenomenon. While listening to the water splash on my body and the floor of the shower; as I use the body scrub and wash my hair, my mind drifts leaving it free to allow thoughts to float in.

Listening to rain fall or water sprinklers spread water in its path are other sources of falling water. I am easily mesmerized as I listen to rain or water sprinklers. And I will confess, that I often stand mesmerized watching the wash machine fill up.

Another source of water being a conduit for clear thinking is while drinking water. As you swallow the water open your mind to the possibility that in this momentous moment great thoughts will float into your mind.

Remember God's currency is ideas, thus, everything you are looking for is available to you in each moment, in the water's energy that is God. It is all around you and within you.

Pause now. Take a drink of water. Pay attention. You may have your best thought float into your mind. It might be an answer to a question you have asked. It might be the solution to an issue you need to resolve. Or it might be a creative idea you least expected.

Go ahead now. This moment is the first moment of your allowing creative and exciting thoughts to float into your mind.

Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, Metaphysician - Certified Hypnosis Practitioner, Author and Speaker. Dr. Dorothy facilitates clearing blocks, fears and limiting beliefs. You can live the life you desire. She brings awareness to concepts not typically obvious to one's thoughts and feelings. http://www.gen-assist.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dorothy_M._Neddermeyer,_PhD

Ten Simple Ways to Improve Your IQ

2010-09-01T17:52:00.000-07:00

For many years, the common belief was that a person's IQ was a fixed trait, largely determined by someone's genetics. While genetics is important, many scientists are finding that there are techniques that can raise the IQ. Here are ten ways that will help do just that.

1) Breathe deeper. Breathing deeper will increase the oxygen to your brain, and this will help increase brain function. For best results, breathe in through the nose to get more oxygen in.

2) Rest and take breaks. Take breaks after twenty or thirty minutes. Just a short break will give you time to absorb what you learn.

3) Improve your diet. Stay away from simple carbohydrates and simple sugars. Carbs and sugars make concentration and mental tasks more difficult. Increasing antioxidants can help protect cells, and this includes brain cells.

4) Exercise. There are some studies that have concluded that increasing the heart rate and even breaking a sweat can elevate moods, fight memory loss, and sharpen intellect.

5) Use downtime wisely. What do you do while sitting in a traffic jam or waiting in a line? Use this time productively and exercise the brain. Listen to audio programs in the car or do puzzles while waiting in lines.

6) Journal. There are researchers who have studied the habits of 300 people who were considered geniuses. They found that they all had a common habit of journaling their thoughts and experiences. Thomas Edison, in fact, recorded his thoughts in hundreds of journals throughout his life.

7) Learn and read. Open up to learning. When we learn, we open new neural paths. Smarter people are those who many different neural paths with many connections. Reading more will help you learn more.

8) Enjoy puzzles and games. Computer games can really help sharpen your mind. These games force your brain to work quickly and strategically. Puzzles tend to help sharpen the mind and teach how to create solutions.

9) Eat breakfast. Eating breakfast has been proven to improve concentration and mental performance. The main energy source for the brain is glucose. Breakfast is the first chance your brain has to refuel after eight hours of rest.

10) Embrace the morning. It has been proven that the brain is sharpest in the morning. Be aware and do as much as you can before midday. Research shows that taking tests before midday increases success rates by about five percent.

There you have it. These are ten ways that can help improve your IQ and they are simple enough that anyone can do it.

__________________________________________

Patrick Bodsford has held several positions in business and sales management over the last 15 years. He offers resume writing services and article writing services on a variety of topics. Patrick can be reached at http://www.psbodsford.info.

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

Television Violence and Children - How to Tame the Media Bea

2010-05-24T19:46:00.000-07:00

Television is so much a part of our lives we need to be concerned about its effect on our children. The problem is that violence in verbal and physical form appears on screen daily.

Do you know that there are
a) 6 violent acts per hour on prime time television
b) 6 violent acts per hour on children's programs
c) 50,000 TV commercials exposed to children per year?

Studies show that violence in media does have an impact on children and adolescent behavior. Daily viewing of television in childhood can lead to behavior and social problems.

What can you as parents do about this situation?

1. Monitor very closely what your children watch on TV. Even cartoons like Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers are filled with violent acts.

2. If possible, watch TV with your children and talk with them about what they have seen. Young children are often unable to separate reality from TV shows. Have a discussion with your child about what is real or not real on TV.

3. Encourage your children to look at ways TV characters handle problems. How do they resolve disagreements or issues? Do they use violence or verbal abuse? Are there different solutions other than violence?

4. If your older children have watched a PG rated movie with episodes of violence, ask them if the show or film would still be intact without the violent episodes. Does the violence enhance or detract from the film? This is one way you can help your children become savvy consumers of media.

5. Cartoons often have episodes of violence. We need to ensure that children are aware that there is a huge gulf between what happens in cartoons and what happens in real life. Help your children understand that risky actions (like jumping from a roof) would produce painful and dangerous consequences in real life. Watch your children's reaction after watching certain cartoons. If they start acting out, that is a strong indication that those shows should be off limits until they are able to discern the difference between cartoon characters and real life.

6. Turn of the TV. Allow your children once in a while to watch approved movies without commercials or violence. The media beast can be tamed if we make television an occasional treat. There are plenty of alternatives available. How about creative play with puppets? Children can make their own shows with puppets and props. Reasonably priced and sturdy camcorders are also available for children to record their own shows.

Positive communication with our children can help them negotiate their way through a media world that is becoming treacherous and slippery.

Bianca Tora is a writer interested in the relationship between lifestyle and the brain, specifically the area of emotional regulation and control. She has published a book on anger management for children. Visit her at http://www.help-your-child-with-anger.com

Turning Stress in Children Into Resilience

2010-05-24T19:34:00.000-07:00

Stress has become a dirty word in our fast-paced culture. It has been blamed for almost everything - from heart attacks to violence in society.

We hear often enough about those who have succumbed to stress like the father who kills his family and himself in a fit of despair over financial problems, like the children who gunned down teachers and schoolmates in a fit of hatred and despair.

We do not hear often enough about those who have blossomed from stress like the world class athlete or entrepreneur who turned their violent childhood into resolutions for change.

The truth is that our emotional infrastructure works like a muscle. The more we stress our muscles during a workout, the stronger we get. With this in mind, we should think of problems as opportunities for growth. We should dwell not on how problems can hurt us, but how they can make us stronger, more resilient.

If we can imbue our children with this kind of attitude, we will be building kids who can make a difference in this world. We will be building kids who can turn adversity inside out and reveal the blessing it hides. There is much that we as parents can do to help our children develop a repertoire of responses that can take them to "the next level" of resilience.

1. Cultivate a safe and honest relationship with your children. Allow them to know that they are loved totally and openly for who and what they are.

2. Make sure you are a positive role model. How do you respond to problems? Can you bring stress to the next level? Do you take positive action when a problem confronts you? Do you choose optimism in the face of distress? Do you work courageously towards a solution? Do you create unnecessary anxiety in your children? Children learn by what they live and what they see. Be totally mindful of this fact.

3. Praise your children and encourage them to do their best. Be there when they fall, not to berate them, but to offer them support. Children will not fear falling if they know deep down that they will not be erased by failure.

4. Cultivate laughter as a strategy for dealing with the ups and downs of life. Show your children that there is a positive and often funny side to all things serious.

5. Help your children relax. Encourage them to run and play. Exercise is a great way for relaxation; so is playing in nature.

6. Help make stress a positive aspect in your children's lives. Tell them that problems are there to make them stronger. If workouts build muscles, stress builds character.

7. Take the bogeyman out of stress. Celebrate life for all its diversity and love your children for who they are and what they do.

When life is not a bowl of cherries, we take out our shovels and plant cherry trees.

Bianca Tora is a writer interested in the relationship between lifestyle and the brain, specifically the area of emotional regulation and control. She has published a book on anger management for children. Visit her at http://www.help-your-child-with-anger.com

Spirituality and the Brain

2010-05-11T10:31:00.000-07:00

Can God leave footprints in the brain? Some would suggest that the answer is "yes."

Recent studies suggest that spirituality can reshape both brain and behavior. Belief in God not only minimizes stress but can be revealed in distinct neurological differences between believers and non-believers. Meditation and other practices that foster a transcendence of self also leave defined neurological changes in the brain.

Neurological Differences Define Belief

Two studies led by Assistant Professor Michael Inzlicht of the University of Toronto demonstrated that religious believers, compared to non-believers, were less likely to feel anxious or stressed because they showed less activity in the anterior cingulated cortex (ACC) portion of the brain.

The ACC acts as a warning system, ramping up activity when an individual is faced with difficult decisions, conflict-related anxiety or mistakes. Individuals with high levels of neuroticism tend to show stronger responses in this brain area.

It appears that a belief in the existence of God or in a divine force protected believers from anxiety and stress when things did not go as anticipated.

This correlation between belief and brain activity remained strong even after personality and cognitive ability have been discounted. These results suggest that belief in God has a calming effect on believers, allowing then to be more open to problems or the unknown.

Neurological Differences Define Self-transcendence

Similarly, research shows that spiritual experiences like meditation and prayers leave traces in the brain.

Recent studies involving Buddhist meditators and Francescan nuns suggest that spiritual experiences involving selflessness and self-transcendence leave signatures in the brain – a decrease in the activity of the right parietal lobe and significant activity in the insula, an area near the frontal brain that plays a key role in mapping body responses to emotion.

Studies of people with brain injuries to the right parietal lobe revealed that they reported higher levels of spiritual experiences as well.

Another study involving compassion meditators indicates that states of transcendence and selflessness (dissolution of the ego) can be learned through conscious effort. Much like training in sports, this spiritual “muscle” can be made stronger with exercise. These studies point the way towards meditation training as a viable strategy to combat depression and anxiety.

Studies have also shown that individuals who have these selfless spiritual experiences tend to be psychologically healthy, especially when they are grounded by the belief that they are somehow connected to a higher, providential power.

If spiritual belief and self-transcendence have the power to alter brain activity, their influence on the individual’s ability to cultivate right mind and right action in daily life cannot be ignored.

Awakening to Zero Point:Gregg Braden and the Spirituality of Wholeness

2010-05-02T05:46:00.000-07:00

In his book, Awakening to Zero Point: The Collective Initiation (Questa, New Mexico: Sacred Spaces/Ancient Wisdom, 1993), Gregg Braden recounts his trek 13,000 ft up the Andes Mountains in Peru. Pausing at a pass, he glanced at the glacial lake and green jungles before him. He was seized by waves of deep emotion.

A complete feeling of connection and resonance with the creative forces filled his body. He asked God for the wisdom to know the relationship between good and evil. In the wind, he heard a voice: "Do you believe that I am the source of all that you know and all that is your experience?" Braden responded mentally, "Yes."

Then the voice said," If you truly believe in me and you truly believe that I am the source of all that is, then how can you believe, at the same time, that anything you experience is other than me?" From these words, Gregg Braden came to an understanding of wholeness that lies beyond good and evil (253-60).

Here is a brief summary of the spirituality of wholeness.

The Spirituality of Wholeness Lies Beyond Good and Evil

Polarity consciousness prevents man from accepting change. Man is conditioned to be suspicious of life events that do not fall within the box of his conditioning. Yet these life events, both good and evil, are catalysts moving him towards new experiences and dimensions within himself. They are the means by which he arrives at wholeness.

Man Is Part of a Universal Source that Is Beyond Good and Evil

Each experience is what it is until man labels it as good or evil. Yet good and evil are both expressions of the same universal source and field of energy. Good and evil are not in conflict with one another. Only man perceives that to be so. Moving within the dimensions of the physical world, he is caught within the polarity of magnetic forces which project the illusion of separation.

Man Is Limited by His Belief in the Distinction between Good and Evil

Universal source allows man to perceive, exist and express his awareness through a physical body. In truth, man is a highly evolved, powerful being limited only by his belief in the distinction between good and evil, right and wrong. Shedding these limiting assumptions, he can move beyond them towards the spirituality of wholeness.

Man's Experience of Life Can Be Helped by Awareness that Good and Evil are Equal Learning Opportunities

To move beyond good and evil towards wholeness, man must embrace the opportunities that cross his path. Fear is only a fragment of the totality of his being. Man is an expression of the divine frequencies of love and therefore greater than any fragment standing alone. The frequencies of love know no boundaries and are out of sync with the limiting views of judgment expressed in polarity, duality, ego and fear. Man's most valuable tool is knowing that he is not the pain, not the anger, not the fear he is experiencing in his learning. By recognizing his wholeness, he can move beyond separation.

Man Is Living the Holographic Model: He Is a Whole within a Whole

Because man is part of a hologram, what he does individually influences the collective whole. By moving towards the spirituality of wholeness, each man contributes to the collective transformation of consciousness. By learning from fear, integrating fear into his wholeness, each man contributes to the global integration of negative energies.

Gregg Braden's solitary trek up the Andes Mountains in Peru has spawned a vision of man's connection with the divine. The spirituality of wholeness is dependent on man's ability to move beyond a polarizing consciousness.

How to Prevent Pancreatic Cancer

2010-04-04T06:19:00.000-07:00

Patrick Swayze had a tough battle before him in 2008 when he announced that he had pancreatic cancer. He fought it heroically, but succumbed in September 2009.

The symptoms of this vicious form of cancer include a bloated feeling after eating, nausea and vomiting,weight loss and discomfort in stomach area and/or lower back - symptoms that we all have at some time in our lives.

Lifestyle changes Can Lower the Risk of this Silent Killer

Pancreatic cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and Canada. It is known as the “silent killer” because it strikes initially without symptoms. By the time symptoms appear, patients have already experienced metastases of the initial tumor to other parts of the body, which means that surgery at this stage of the disease is useless.

Currently half of pancreatic cancer patients die within five months of their diagnosis. Even those fortunate few who have their pancreatic cancers removed surgically have a grim prognosis—5 year survival rate of 20-30%.

Recent studies, however, suggest that lifestyle changes can lower the risk of pancreatic cancer. Bruce Lipton PhD has shown incontrovertibly that genetic determinism is a flawed concept. His “New Biology” shows that genes are amenable to belief and environment. According to Dr. Richard Beliveau in his London Free Press column, a recent study published in the American Academy of Science Journal suggests that good life habits produce “profound changes at the level of our cells, especially our genetic material.”

Stop Smoking

Smoking has been linked to the development of a majority of cancers, including pancreatic cancer.

Reduce Consumption of Red Meat

Red meat, as well as processed and carbonized meat, has been linked to pancreatic cancer. Replacing red meat with fish and poultry is definitely a move in the right direction.

Increase Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables

Abundant consumption of fruits and vegetables significantly reduces the risk of pancreatic cancer. People who eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily, in particular vegetables rich in folic acid such as spinach, broccoli, asparagus, lower the risk of developing pancreatic cancer by 75% more than those who only eat one or two vegetables per day. A recent study also shows that an abundant consumption of vegetables by smokers can reduce their risk of pancreatic cancer by 70%.
Sustained Exercise

Sustained aerobic activity increases the body’s intake of oxygen and antioxidants. Exercise also increases the production of a protein called IGFBP-1. A new study of patients with pancreatic cancer suggests that lower levels of this blood protein (which is linked to lack of physical activity and obesity) may be a good indicator of increased pancreatic cancer risk. Patients with low blood levels of IGFBP-1 were at approximately twice the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

The Power of Thought

Lifestyle changes should include changes to both external and internal environment. Positive thinking has a dramatic impact on genetic expression. Cultivating moments of peace in order to align oneself with a spiritual source can produce positive changes in the body. Intention and prayers can heal.

Pancreatic Cancer presents a frightening prognosis; however, the heartening news is that it can be prevented with determined and simple lifestyle changes.

Source

Beliveau, Richard. "Healthy Lifestyle Best Defence against Disease Onslaught." Attention on Prevention.The London Free Press, September 8, 2008.

Reduce the Risk and Damage of Alzheimer's Disease

2010-04-02T05:05:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine who has been a highly successful career artist has Alzheimer's. Highly acclaimed in both her professional and social circles, she is now being silently moved to the "right facility" because her daughter is incapable of giving her the 24 hour care and supervision she needs.

Degeneration of the mind is a fear in all of us who are heading into our golden years. We fear the loss of memory, loss of speech.

Alzheimer’s is a degenerative disease of the brain that results in memory loss, language disorder and cognitive impairment. The disease was first identified by Dr. Aloi Alzheimer who found two neurological abnormalities to be the signposts of the condition—plagues and tangles in the brain that reduce brain tissue volume, contributing to the degeneration and eventual death of neural cells.

Out of 100 people, 15 will develop Alzheimer's disease before the age of 85. Recent research has uncovered three food compounds that have the ability to slow down the development of Alzheimer’s: polyphenols, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E.

Polyphenols

Polyphenols are a group of chemical substances found in plants; they are rich in antioxidants. Examples are resveratrol in blueberries and grapes (red wine) and EGCG in green tea; both compounds decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s because of their ability to reduce the formation of plaques. Studies show that people who are regular green tea drinkers or moderate red wine drinkers have a lower chance of developing the disease.

Fruit juices, especially those from blueberries and pomegranates are rich in polyphenols. A recent study shows that people who drink juices 3 or more times per week are 76% less likely to develop signs of brain damage than those who drink less than one serving per week.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for neurocognitive development and normal brain functioning. Recent studies indicate that the consumption of a specific omega-3 fatty acid —DHA—enhances neural communication and memory performance.

One study shows that the rate of decline from Alzheimer’s is reduced by 10-13 % in a single year among people who consume one or more fish meals per week. Eating fish more often can significantly decrease the risk of developing the disease.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E, a strong antioxidant, may combat free radical damage caused by aging. The damage free radicals produce from oxidative stress contributes to Alzheimer's’ Disease.

A research study conducted by Dr. Valory Pavlik, associate professor with the Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Disorders Center at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston shows that a high dosage of vitamin E prolongs the survival rate of Alzheimier's patients.

The 15 year study traces the survival rates of 847 patients. 2/3 of the patients were prescribed daily doses of 1000 IU of vitamin E and an Alzheimer medication. Under 10% of the patients took just vitamin E; a control group of 15% took neither medication nor vitamin.

Compared to the control group, patients who took the daily dosage of vitamin E (with or without Alzheimer's medication) extended their lifespan by 26%. Foods rich in vitamin E include nuts,wheat germ and sunflower seeds.

From these data, it is clear that dietary changes can bring about effective reduction in Alzheimer’s risk and damage. Recent research has shown that the healing properties in food and supplements cannot be overlooked.

The Torus of Life Healing Meditation

2010-03-25T06:31:00.000-07:00

For someone who is looking for a way to get revitalized, The Torus of Life Healing Meditation is a good starting point. Developed by spiritual healer, writer, artist and singer Amara Karuna, this meditation encourages you to channel energy through the toroid form, a donut shape that “allows energy to spiral inwards and outwards on the same surface, creating a connected holographic form."

The torus is a special shape that is getting much attention lately. Research shows that the electromagnetic energy produced by the heart spirals outward in the form of a torus.

What are the spiritual and healing properties of the torus?

Read more http://alternativespirituality.suite101.com/article.cfm/the-torus-of-life-healing-meditation

What Makes Love Last?

2010-03-18T06:16:00.000-07:00

According to scientists at the University of Pavia, romantic love lasts little more than a year. Measuring levels of a protein called "nerve growth factors" responsible for sweaty palms and butterflies in the stomach, scientists discovered that these factors were unusually high at the beginning of courtships, but declined significantly over the course of a year.

What makes love last?

Recently, researchers have uncovered the secret to making love last. It is not found in the way couples manage negative emotions like jealousy or anger. Nor is it found in the way couples react to challenging events like illness or death.

Find out More about What Makes Love Last here: http://alternativespirituality.suite101.com/article.cfm/making-love-last

The Torus of Life Healing Meditation

2010-03-12T08:53:00.000-08:00

For someone who is looking for a way to get revitalized, The Torus of Life Healing Meditation is a good starting point. Developed by spiritual healer, writer, artist and singer Amara Karuna, this meditation encourages you to channel energy through the toroid form, a donut shape that “allows energy to spiral inwards and outwards on the same surface, creating a connected holographic form."

The torus is a special shape that is getting much attention lately. Research shows that the electromagnetic energy produced by the heart spirals outward in the form of a torus.

What are the spiritual and healing properties of the torus?

Read more at http://alternativespirituality.suite101.com/article.cfm/the-torus-of-life-healing-meditation

How Do YOu Deal with an Angry Child?

2010-03-12T08:34:00.000-08:00

How do you deal with an angry child?

If you have a child that is driving you nuts, this is a book for you.

It's about a boy named Sebastian, who at 6, was suspended from school. School authorities recommended that he be placed in a facility for delinquent children.

Presented in a series of letters destined for the adult Sebastian, Grandmother Bianca Tora shows how Sebastian's family learned to use love,belief and intention to achieve stunning behavioral improvements that amazed his teachers.

Drawing on recent discoveries in psychoenergetic science, brain neuroplasticity, child behavior and the power of thought, Tora demonstrates that children,like adults, can be empowered with the tools of self-management and self-transformation--tools that strengthen the executive functions of the brain and the resonance of belief. These tools include physical exercise, brain exercises as well as activities that tap into the psycho-energetic power of the mind such as focused attention and thought, meditation, energetics therapy and Atlantean Healing sessions.

Link:

Why Running Cures Depression!

2010-03-05T19:47:00.000-08:00

Washington Post Staff Writer Daniele Seiss discovered that when drugs and therapy failed to relieve her bouts of crippling depression, running was her way out. Since childhood, she has been haunted by nightmares and panic attacks. Nothing worked for her except running.

For years snooker star Ronnie O'Sullivan suffered from deep depression. Now he runs 50 miles a week to keep the beast at bay.

Research credits running as the best cure for depression. Because the brain is connected to movement, everything the body does registers a "footprint" in the brain. In short, exercise like jogging changes the brain. Repeated physical activity enhances brain function which improves mood, self-esteem and well-being.

Read more at here.

Healing Words: Writing Your Way to Health

2010-02-24T20:47:00.000-08:00

In 2003, David Sumrell was diagnosed with inocular melanoma, an unusually aggressive and fatal disease that attacks the eye. Doctors placed radioactive plagues behind his left eye. It was a procedure that seemed to be successful at the time. However, a year later, he returned to the hospital; the cancer had spread from his eye to both liver and lungs. He had stage four melanoma – literally a kiss of death, as no known treatment was available to help him.

It was at this point that Sumrell told God he was ready to die; but, if he were given the opportunity to live just a bit longer, Sumrell vowed that he would write three books in the Lord's honor.

Six months later and well into his second book, Sumrell made another trip to the hospital. There, his surgeon told him the surprising news : the X-rays were negative; there was no evidence of cancer in his body.

What cured David Sumrell?

Sumrell believes he was cured by healing words. Research shows that writing about inner fears and anxiety can change the way patients think about their illness and help them initiate decisions and actions that improve their quality of life.

Read more at
http://alternativespirituality.suite101.com/article.cfm/coping_with_cancer_through_healing_words

Ever Consider the Green Burial Option?

2010-02-22T16:29:00.000-08:00

The funeral service recommended for Sally's husband would cost over $5,000. The cemetery plot and monument would incur an additional $3,000.

Money aside, there was something else that plagued the conscience of the recently widowed social worker: What was the environmental cost of burying her husband?
The Cost of Traditional Burials

Each year, traditional burials in the USA deposit 827,060 gallons of embalming fluids – formaldehyde, methanol, and ethanol – into the soil which are then washed by rainfall into the seas and lakes, endangering the ecosystem with pharmaceutical wastes.

According to John Sehee, founder of the Green Burial Council, this is enough embalming fluid to fill “eight Olympic size swimming pools.” A carcinogen, formaldehyde has been found responsible for placing anatomists and embalmers at an increased risk for leukemia and brain cancer.

Moreover, the cost of traditional burials includes unnecessary waste of natural resources – over 100,000 tons of steel, close to 3,000 tons of copper and bronze, and more than 30 million board feet for hardwoods.

Read more about Green Burials at

http://alternativespirituality.suite101.com/article.cfm/green_burials

3 Little - Known Things to Know Before You Buy an Anti Wrinkle Face Cream

2010-02-17T11:41:00.000-08:00

Is this you? You're sitting in front of your laptop shopping for anti wrinkle face cream. You could be at your desk at the office. Or maybe it's the weekend and you're at home in comfy clothes. Anyway, you're worried about the wrinkles you have and new ones developing (gasp!). You're poised to buy if you come across a product that entices you enough.

If this sounds somewhat like you're situation, I'm glad you clicked on this article. Why? Because I have three important items to share with you before you open your wallet. These things will help you understand what's going on inside your skin to cause wrinkles. And the info below will help guide you to anti aging cream that's scientifically formulated to eliminate wrinkles.

You see, there are three root causes of skin aging:

1. The slowdown of collagen and elastin production. Collagen and elastin are proteins that keep your skin firm and pliable and touchable. But, with age, the body produces less of them.

2. The breakdown of hyaluronic acid. This acid gives collagen and elastin fibers their stickiness. But as we get older, a harmful enzyme called hyaluronidase activates and breaks down hyaluronic acid. The result---duller skin tone and saggier skin.

3. Free radicals damaging skin cells. Being the largest organ in the human body, the skin absorbs everything in our environment. Good and bad. And there is a lot of bad that gets into our skin---polluted air, household chemicals, smoke and UV rays to name a few. All these nasties unleash free radicals on our skin cells.

It may come as a surprise, but most consumers don't know about any of these. I can't blame them either. You won't learn about the root causes of skin aging from brand name companies. They exist solely to make a buck off you. Rarely do they invest the years and expertise required to develop an anti wrinkle face cream that's scientifically-proven to work.

So now you know the root causes of wrinkles...but that's only half of the equation. To get the complete picture, you need to know which natural substances effectively combat these skin agers. At my website, I discuss the specific natural ingredients you should look for in anti wrinkle face cream; I encourage you to visit now.

__________________________________
About the Author

Are you fed up with skin care products that don't combat the three major skin agers? Carol Truesdale writes about the most effective skincare ingredients for firm, glowing skin on her webpage Quality Skin Care. Visit her site now and discover the natural skincare line she recommends.

Where Do You Find Love?

2010-02-16T12:07:00.000-08:00

Social Networks

The Internet has spawned online dating sites that have become a socially accepted and popular way to find a mate. As reported in an Online Dating Study in 2006, one in nine American adults claimed that they have made use of a dating website to meet potential partners. Forty-three percent of these online dates (about 7 million) actually dated their prospective encounters after their online introduction. Moreover, 17% have taken the next step – entering long-term relationships with their dates or marrying them (51).

According to Cynthia Reynolds in "How to Find Love in the 21st Century," dating site e-harmony"claims to be responsible for 118 marriages a day." People are becoming so open to meeting their partners online that dating sites like Lavalife have introduced a functional addition to their services: not only can members read about their potential dates, they can post events, join groups and organize outings to facilitate the meeting process.

A recent British poll shows that social networks like Facebook, MySpace and Friends Reunited have displaced pubs and nightclubs as the most popular places to find love. The poll of 3000 20- to 40-year-olds revealed some not too surprising aspects about the current state of dating.

* 46% of those polled believe that meeting someone online is better than meeting "in the flesh."
* 57% claim they are more confident communicating with a potential date online.
* 39% say networking sites allow them to know someone before the actual meeting.
* 44% agree that it is "cooler" to find love online than by traditional dating.

Read more http://dating.suite101.com/article.cfm/where_do_you_find_love

Evolution Makes Time Your Friend

2010-02-11T11:58:00.000-08:00

Deepak Chopra in his book Re-inventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul:How to Create a New You ( New York: Harmony Books, 2009), sends a very consoling message to the 21st century.

Aging, he claims, is the "body's greatest flaw"; yet, man can reverse this passage of time by shifting his view of the body as an object subject to time to a process capable of reversal and renewal.

A shift in attitude can produce a "new agenda for the body" because "awareness can change any energy pattern at will."

Evolution and entropy are both energy patterns vying for dominance in the human body. Whichever one you subscribe to will become your reality. The key to evolution is making time your ally by living in a way that banishes the limitations of time.

This includes not only conscious time management but an implicit belief in the hidden potential within you. Your desire to release this potential is the source of your evolution.

Why? Evolution is triggered when you are energized. As long as you take in more energy than you give off, you are stopping time. This means that as long as your body is alive, it refuses to cool down and die.

Read more at

http://alternativespirituality.suite101.com/article.cfm/can_you_stop_time

How to Live Longer: The Right Genes Can Help

2010-02-08T19:20:00.000-08:00

There is a definite link between longevity and telomeres. According to researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, a clear link exists between living to a 100 and being fortunate enough to inherit a hyperactive enzyme that reconstitutes telomeres.

What are telomeres?

They are the tail ends of chromosomes that play a crucial role in controlling the biological processes of aging and disease. According to Nobel Prize Winner Elizabeth Blackburn Ph.D, hyperactive telomeres do not erode as quickly as normal ones. People who live to a very ripe age have inherited genes that enhance their telomerase-making system which maintains the length of the tail ends.

Unlike most people whose health fails during senescence, these people do not succumb to age-related illnesses like heart disease or diabetes.

Lose Weight With Green Tea

2010-02-04T15:01:00.000-08:00

Green Tea is a Fat Fighter!

A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition show that green tea extract can increase metabolism and fat oxidation of the body. In theory, scientists believe that the weight loss benefits of green tea extracts are due to their caffeine content but the results of the study show otherwise; they discovered that green tea extracts have weight loss benefits beyond that of caffeine.

In their study, researchers administered the same amount of caffeine as that in green tea extracts to a group of subjects, but found that it did not make any significant changes in the body’s overall energy expenditure.

A second group was given the same amount of caffeine in green tea extracts and the energy expenditure of this group of subjects increased by 3.2 percent. This led researchers to conclude that green tea extracts have ingredients in them that actively interact with each other, promoting increased metabolism and fat oxidation that lead to weight loss.

Further findings indicated that a certain compound found in green tea extracts might be the ingredient that causes weight loss. These green tea extract compounds called flavonoids may alter the way the body uses norepinephrine, a hormone that acts as a fat burner. When flavonoids interact with other green tea extract ingredients, more calories are burned thus contributing to weight loss.

Green tea also inhibits the action of lipase in the stomach and intestines. Lipase is an enzyme that changes the fats we eat into an absorbable form. By slowing down the action of lipase, green tea prevents fat from being absorbed by the body.

Gree tea also contains EGGG, a powerful anti-oxidant that stops cancer growth. EGGG also lowers cholesterol levels and protects the heart.

Green tea helps insulin remove sugar from the bloodstream, thus keeping blood sugar levels more consistent. By doing so, it eliminates the cravings and hunger that accompany high blood sugar levels.

Another ingredient that actively contributes to the weight loss benefits of green tea extracts is the compound catechin polyphenols. These compounds also interact with other green tea extract ingredients to promote weight loss through fat burning and thermogenesis (a process of expending energy through heat or increased metabolism).

The great thing about the weight loss benefit of green tea extracts is that it does not have any adverse side-effects. Unlike other herbal products like ephedra and prescription drugs for obesity, green tea extract does not increase the speed of heart rates or raise blood pressure. In this regard, green tea extract is an effective and safer alternative to other weight loss products which may cause harm to the user.

The study conducted by the University of Geneva on the weight loss benefit of green tea extract implicated that green tea extract can also help thyroid patients. According to dietitian Lynn Moss, M.S., R.D., green tea extract is a healthier choice for people with thyroid who may be too sensitive to stimulants. Green tea extract can promote weight loss by increasing metabolism without over stimulating the adrenal glands.

A common beverage all throughout Asia, green tea has recently gained popularity in the West. Further researches were conducted to identify other health benefits of green tea extracts aside from weight loss. It was found that certain green tea extract compounds can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease. A recent article in a leading nutrition magazine also showed that green tea can protect against inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and stomach cancer. Drinking green tea everyday can be a herbal insurance for health.

_____________

Valerie Chang

How To Stop Aging

2010-02-04T04:56:00.000-08:00

What can Art Therapy do for Someone Suffering from Anger and Depression?

2010-02-03T13:38:00.000-08:00

Carla P., who has been suffering from severe depression for over 15 years,claims that art therapy saved her life. Although medication provided some relief, it also brought on a 35 lb weight gain that made her feel old and dumpy.Looking for alternate treatment avenues, Carla signed up for a creative art session, even though she did not believe initially that the session could help her.

Within 6 weeks, Carla noticed significant improvement in her attitude. She reported better sleep and a more positive sense of well being. In fact, she felt so good she started walking every morning before work. within three months, she lost 10 lbs and her doctor reduced the dosage of her medication.

Carla is now convinced that her painting sessions helped her cope with an immeasurable sense of anger that had haunted her for 20 years. It was the best anger management class she had ever attended.

"I realize now that what was plaguing me was repressed anger. The art session became a kind of anger management class for me.I am much better now and can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Before my art therapy sessions, I could not see my way out of negative thoughts; it's like being buried in desperation."

In the book, Art Therapy and Anger,contributor Art Psychotherapist, Leila Moules, describes how she uses art therapy to help ODD children control their impulsive behavior.

Her classes create an openness that allows these children to learn new ways of being.They allow these children to establish a safe relationship with an adult; they provide them with opportunities to practice new behavior and new ways of relating to others. In essence, her creative art sessions allow the children to look inward to find para

How Does Art Therapy Help Patients?

What researchers discovered was that the creative process involved in making art both heals and enhances life. Their study confirms that art therapy can indeed play a role in reducing symptoms of anxiety and fear because creative play provides a form of distraction that takes patients away from their suffering, by getting them to focus on something positive, unrelated to their health,yet somehow benefiting their health in the long run.

Art allows patients to exercise some measure of control over what they do.Whether it is clay or paint they are working on, the art project confirms their sense of control and engagement.There were other positive effects reported for these art therapy sessions. Patients claimed that they felt less tired. Many noted that these sessions energized them.

___________________________

More on how Art Therapy can help with emotional issues can be found at
http://www.help-your-child-with-anger.com/art-therapy.html

The Meaning of Hunger:What The Chronicles of Narnia Can Teach Us about Hunger

2009-11-14T16:30:00.000-08:00

In the weight loss industry, hunger is a dirty word, the villain that must be stopped in its tracks; however, it is this determination to eradicate hunger that has created the worst propaganda for diets. DIET has become a dirty word, associated with pain, starvation and all things "undo-able."

But if we look at hunger more closely, we will see that villainy is only part of its heritage. Hunger is more like Edmund in "The Chronicles of Narnia." His cravings for Turkish Delights temporarily made him succumb to the wicked Witch until he broke through the cold inertia of her spell and re-created himself anew.

Hunger can be more appropriately viewed as an interim stage, part of a process of transformation. What we learn from our hunger is the key to long-term success in weight management.

There are different kinds of hunger; there is the real hunger for sustenance that comes after a hard day's work. This hunger is necessary for our survival as it tells our body that it needs to replace the energy that has been expended.

Then there is the hunger we feel when we are bored—the Sunday afternoon variety that creeps into our bones like a bout of flu. You feel hungry even after a meal and you can't seem to shake it off.

A more insidious form is the hunger we feel at the end of the day, a hunger that is ravenous, partly because we are hungry, but mostly because we are carrying the ravages of the working world home and we have no other avenue to tame the beast.

This is the form of hunger that leads to unbridled bingeing and weight gain, and as long as the issues ( at work or at home) remain unresolved, the body will deposit layers of subcutaneous fat much like an armor to shield itself against what it feels to be an unjust grievance.

Yet it is this hunger that is the most redeeming of the three as it places in our path a problem that is actually an opportunity for personal growth and transformation. Change is inherent to the nature of the body; it is through change that we evolve, through change that matter is transformed into light.

"Many physicists believe that all matter is ultimately composed of trapped light," so claims physicist Fred Allan Wolf in his book Mind into Matter (46). We are "trapped light" when we are trapped by the "unconscious ideas that we've been taught"(62)—such as "I am this or I am that. I am not good at this. I am meant to be fat or slow or lethargic." These are all part of the armor that keeps us tied to the ground.

But this trapped light can be released when matter is brought into motion. We are not only talking about physical motion like exercise (which fits very well into the particulars of this dynamic), but creative motion—the meaningful activity which we all know is capable of birthing the unknown or suppressed self, the self trapped by inertia and fear, the self that sees no way out of its misery other than bingeing itself to oblivion.

Jungian analyst, Marion Woodman, calls this inertia "the Great Mother crocodile," that prefers "sleeping in the mud to transforming in the fire"(Dancing in the Flames 24). She is playing on the words "mother," "matter," "mater"—primal mud of oblivion.

Edmund in "The Chronicles of Narnia" was part of this primal mud (he was looking for his Great Mother in the Witch) until his perception was cleansed and he saw a new reality. " No new reality can exist without a new perception of reality"( Mind into Matter 49).And that's why the hunger Edmund had for Turkish Delights takes on new meaning; it will no longer be fed by the Cold Spell; it will now be fed by the body in motion—the Great Battle against the Witch for Narnia.

And so it is with us. We need to find out what the source of our hunger is. What is the grievance that is eating us up? What unrealized dreams lay dormant under our cold spell? What possibilities for growth and spiritual awakenings have we stifled because of work, relationships or fear? What changes need we make to resurrect those dreams and desires? Will the path be difficult? Yes! Will it be fraught with danger?

Yes! But need we fear it? No! Because we have the power within us to "birth" this new self. And as long as we keep our vision steady before us, we will succeed. Moreover, there are guides along the way—weight loss coaches, well-meaning friends and family, our own intuitions—these can provide us with the tools to make the journey successful.

It is far more dangerous to keep things the way they are. The armor of fat and denial we have built around us becomes more impenetrable with time. Unless we choose to see and create a new reality, the old Mother prevails.

That's why it is so important for us to understand the meaning of hunger. Sometimes hunger is not simply hunger for food. It is hunger for the emergence of a new self, hunger for a birth that, like any other birth, is a labor in progress. Are we serious enough about our well-being to confront our hunger, turn its energy around so that it serves, rather than stifle, us?

Copyright 2006 Mary Desaulniers

The Mystery of 2012 Predictions, Prophets and Possibilities

2009-09-07T16:22:00.000-07:00

© Mary Desaulniers

Much has been written about the geophysical and cosmic shift that is taking place now as humanity heads towards December 21 2012, the time of the galactic alignment when the December solstice sun will be aligned with the center of the Milky Way Galaxy.

Much has also been written about the weakening of the earth's magnetic fields and the reversal of the poles. Much more has been written about the apocalyptic last days these changes might produce: deadly and dramatic changes in climate, widespread radiation-induced cancers, and deadly cosmic rays.

That we are already facing the grim realities of war, genocide, depleted resources, and economic disasters points to a strong likelihood that the great shift will end up as the last days. However, writers who have looked at the prospect of the last days have chosen to see this shift as a time of great awakening. Their visions have been presented in a 2007 publication entitled The Mystery of 2012: Predictions, Prophets and Possibilities.

The Shift towards Ancient Wisdom: the Mayan Galactic Code, the I Ching and the Book of Revelations.

Jose Arguelles Ph.D. considers the shift as a time of transformation, when man will awaken from the illusion of a technological utopia by questioning the viability of technology that has brought our planet so close to destruction.

Man will reject the mass mind that has opted for governments, institutions and mechanical conveniences, choosing instead the path beyond technology. He predicts a return to the ancient wisdom established in the systems of the Mayan Galactic Code, the I Ching and the Book of Revelations through which man will open his heart to receive information from intelligent life forms in other dimensions (70-74).

A New Earth of Synchronicity, Telepathy and Spiritual Power

Daniel Pinchbeck, however, embraces technology in his vision of the new earth as a tool that will influence man's inner experience of identity and self. He sees the Internet as an expression of the shift in psyche that is already taking place. With the weakening of earth's magnetic fields, man is becoming more psychically attuned to a responsive and intelligent universe.

More people are beginning to have experiences of synchronicity, telepathy and manifestations of thought. The Internet, a technology that literally manifests thoughts within seconds, has become an apt metaphor and tool for real development in man's psychic power (332-333).

The Shift towards a New Being, New Human DNA

Barbara Marx Hubbard considers the shift as an expansion of consciousness when man will step into an evolutionary jump towards the emergence of a new species, a new being that is multidimensional, possessing expanded capacities for empathy, understanding and enlightenment.

This new being, she suggests, is the new humanity that will arrive because" [man] will reach critical mass for this human by 2012"(357). Similarly, Meg Blackburn Losey Ph.D. views the shift as a time when human DNA will be activated to release ancient memories of man's latent powers (367-68).

Much encouragement is generated by these new visions regarding 2012. It is probable that man's search for solutions to the grim realities of the 21st century will become the basis of a new earth.

Anti-Aging Therapies: Can Coffee Protect Against Alzheimer's?

2009-08-27T19:22:00.000-07:00

Every coffeehound knows how important that beautiful brew can be. It wakes us up in the morning, it's the mid afternoon pause that refreshes, and it's the ideal accompaniment to after-dinner everything, from dessert to discussions. We know it makes us feel better ... but can it actually help our brains function better?

It looks like the answer is yes. A University of North Carolina study on the effects of drinking coffee concluded that caffeine is a safe and reliable drug that could potentially play a role in the therapies against neurological disorders. It is even believed that drinking coffee could help prevent Alzheimer's disease, one of the most wide-spread and devastating of all age-related disorders.

How coffee protects the brain Coffee's protective powers center on what medical experts call the "blood brain barrier", a natural filter that guards the central nervous system against potentially dangerous chemicals that may be carried through the rest of the bloodstream. It is believed that high cholesterol levels in the blood have an adverse effect of this filter, weakening the barrier against these chemicals and leaving the brain vulnerable to damage.

The University of North Dakota study showed that after three months of a high-cholesterol diet, the blood brain barrier in rabbits that had ingested the equivalent of just one cup of coffee per day was far more intact than the barrier in those that had been given no caffeine.

Research on Alzheimer's disease indicates that a weak or "leaky" blood brain barrier that makes cholesterol damage to the brain possible is among the factors that can trigger or contribute to the disease.

Caffeine shown to reverse Alzheimer's symptoms A recent University of Florida study even suggests that caffeine could actually reverse some of the symptoms of Alzheimer's. The study used mice bred to develop symptoms of the disease, which were tested to confirm that they were exhibiting the same kind of memory impairment that human Alzheimer's sufferers experience.

Half the mice were then put on a daily regimen that included the caffeine equivalent of five cups coffee added to their drinking water, while half the mice had no caffeine added to their water.

After two months both groups of mice were retested, and it was found that the mice that had been drinking the caffeine-added water performed significantly better on memory and thinking skills, actually testing as well as mice that had not been bred to develop dementia. The mice that had been drinking non-caffeinated water showed no improvement in the tests.

Even more encouragingly, it was found that the brains of the mice given caffeine showed as much as 50% reduction in levels of beta amyloid protein, which is the basis of the destructive plaque that builds up in the brains of dementia patients. The research suggested that caffeine had this effect because it suppresses brain inflammation that leads to over-production of the protein.

Experts warn that while these results are extremely positive, more research is needed to determine whether caffeine has the same effects on people.

____________________________________
About the Author: R.A.Butters

Coffee is just one of many surprising new tools in the anti-aging arsenal; did you know that vitamin D plays an important role in protecting brain health and fitness? Find out more at Anti-Aging Therapies.

Healthy Aging Starts with Positive Thinking

2009-08-27T19:13:00.000-07:00

How to think Positive: Many people wander the earth believing they the lack the strength and power to achieve their goals. This negative mechanism holds them down. You can gain motivation and live healthier, by simply telling yourself "I can do it." Anything you put your mind to, you can do it if you want to.

How to tell self I can do it: Just say today I am going for a short walk. Tomorrow I will walk a little longer then the first day. You have to be in control of your thoughts, actions, behaviors, etc by building your power of the mind. Nevertheless, if you do not put your mind to it and you decide that you do not want to become active, and then you are only living a life filled with shortcomings. Your negative reflections will defeat the purpose of getting your thoughts in control. Saying I will do it later, is another negative reflection. This is called procrastination, which leads to laziness. Laziness leads to weak muscles and joints, which gradually builds up to medical problems.

Take control of your thoughts. If you want to do something bad enough you will do what you have to do to get where you want to be. You need to make a goal and stick to it. Create plans that help you to reach your goals, and take action each day to achieve. When you give up, it is a sign that you lack faith in self and is a clear indication of weakness. You need faith to stay strong. As well, you need positive thinking to strive.

Good results: Having a positive attitude will give you a jumpstart to a healthier life. Keep on pushing. Do not stop once you get started instead go until you reach your goal. When times get hard and you don't think you can go on just remember I -can- do - this always keep your head up and mind open. Don't dwell on something you can't change, rather focus on the things you have power to change.

How to continue positive living: To stay positive you have to admit your feelings and express them. If you feel depressed or frustrated, just say it aloud. There is nothing wrong with showing emotions, providing you do not beat up your best friend physically to express those emotions. Stay in control and express what you feel.

You have to talk about how you feel and don't blame your self but try to figure out why you are so depressed or frustrated. Failing to discover your intentions or reasons will reduce your control, especially if you do not understand what you need or want. Do not worry about the cause, rather find your wants and needs and the cause will come to you.

Here is a pointer that might help you to get where you want to be. You have to look for a good role model and become acquainted with their way of thinking positive. Try to talk positive and avoid negative talk. Seek some support from friends and family.

Reward your self with a massage or listen to your favorite music. Make a plan and stay with it no matter what. Just remember you can do whatever you want to do and keep your mind set for the good things and not the bad things. This will make you feel better and make you a happier person. If you're happy, you will have a healthier life. Don't forget to create a goal. Don't make the goal so high that you won't be able to keep it, but make it so that you can meet your goals.
_______________________________________
About the Author: Otello Zorina

I just make some blogs that may be useful for you. That is about the Health Nutrition, and visit my blog Family Health Insurance, and For Back Pain. If you are interested you can get all the information about the topics. It's FREE... Thank You.

Running or Jogging : Which is More Effective?

2009-08-17T17:13:00.000-07:00

Trying to lose weight with leisure jogging? Perhaps you have been jogging everyday but you notice that it's not really effective. You don't see your waist line trimming down, and you don't feel that your health is improving. Yet, you see images of healthy people jogging on TV and in the newspapers. So you think it must be right - jogging works.

Unfortunately, jogging sounds like a really nice thing to do only on national television. If a nation is promoting a healthy lifestyle, jogging seems appropriate because it's an exercise that everyone can get involved in. But the true fitness experts know better.

If you really have been jogging faithfully, then you know the truth as well. Jogging doesn't really work if you are trying to lose weight. Of course, if you jog for 3 hours a day, you will burn enough calories to lose weight. But unfortunately, the average person doesn't jog 3 hours every session. In fact, most people just jog between 15 to 20 minutes for each session. That is way too short a duration for the session to be effective.

If you really want to lose weight, then you have to consider interval training. Interval training is much more effective because of the intensity of the exercise. When you sprint, even if it's just for 10 to 20 secs, you burn more calories within the same duration.

A study has shown that interval training is effective in helping people lose fat. Two groups are asked to perform specific exercises for a period of 6 weeks, 3 times a week. The first group was asked to engage in interval training, while the second group was asked to engage in jogging. After 6 weeks, it was found that the second group achieved almost zero results! The first group did manage to trim down the waist, and there are visible results.

The findings are not surprising. This is the reason why you don't see very fit people jogging 6 days a week. That's because they spend most of their time doing interval training or they are hitting the gym to build strength!

To improve overall fitness is the only way to maintain a healthy body for the long term. And to achieve overall fitness, you have to work on your metabolism. Exercises with intensity will help boost your metabolism. That's why sprinting works.

In fact, interval training is the preferred training method used by many weight loss experts. They have seen the results for themselves, and they are firm believers that interval training works. There is no need to engage in slow moving cardio exercises. Replace those exercises with interval training and feel the difference.

You can perform interval training both indoors or outdoors. If you can't hit the running tracks, just perform running exercises indoors. Lift your knees to chest level as you run and go through the running motion. Do that for about 60 seconds, then rest for 20 seconds. Repeat for 8 to 10 sets. That's a good replacement for outdoors interval training.
___________________________________________
About the Author

Learn more about protein shakes and how a protein shake a day can benefit your health.

What Can I Do to Stop Overeating?

2009-08-01T18:40:00.000-07:00

Obesity is a worldwide problem that affects millions of people both young and old. This is a problem that could potentially affect anyone. If you are not watchful in how you manage your lifestyle you too can fall victim to this world-wide dilemma. Several life-threatening illnesses are associated with fatness. If you are not heavy already then be cautious that you are not overeating your way to becoming obese and discover the answer to what can I do to stop overeating?

If you have wondered how can you halt overeating you formerly must explore the reason or reasons that you are overeating. There could be an underlying emotional cause (a current breakup, lost a job, low self-esteem, bored, or you just like to eat). There are many reasons why people overeat. Explore your reasons openly. When you identify why you overeat it will be easier to stop.

A common reason that many people overeat is because they have given up. They tried to lose weight in the past and have failed, so why bother? When you haven't achieved your weight loss goals you continue to eat, or eat more than before and you stay at the unhealthy weight you have been at before. Discover your emotional trigger that will truly motivate you to lose weight and stick to your strategy. This is an additional way you can stop overeating now.

Boredom and inactivity also can play a major role as to why people overeat. They try to fill their time or bring a little excitement to their lives by eating (and typically eating too much of the incorrect kinds of food). Start exercising every day or get a hobby to fill your time. Do something that you've forever wanted to do but presently haven't. By satisfying your time with something that interests you your boredom will disappear and you won't have the need to eat all the time. Also, lively individuals tend to pick healthier foods to eat because they make them feel better than junk food.

What can I do to stop overeating? Stress can lead to overeating. Find a way to reduce your stress and that should help you to stop overeating.Stress forces us to seek comfort. Food can be very reassuring. Often times we will indulge and overeat simply to release our stress. Exercise instead. Exercise can significantly relieve your stress and help you lose unwanted pounds.

There are many emotional triggers that can lead to overeating. Anger, unhappiness, loneliness, being unsatisfied, etc. Identifying the problem can guide you in the right direction to stop this bad habit.
_________________________
About the Author

What can I do to stop overeating? Discover what I know about losing weight the healthy way and achieving a sexy, toned body. Click here now: Stop Overeating

Peter Harris is a health care professional that promotes health and wellness to his clients by writing frequently about diet, exercise and nutrition.

Beware of Weight Loss Fads When Trying to Lose Weight

2009-08-01T18:36:00.000-07:00

It seems that a number of celebrities today offer their own weight loss programs. The diet systems are attractive because we see these various in shape celebrities and we want to have bodies just like them. The celebrities are also highly likable, so we have a predisposition to be accepting of their weight loss products.

However, did you ever stop to wonder if these famous people have any weight loss training? Do they have medical schooling? Is the information that they offer really healthy? Or is it just a good sales marketing?

Nutrition experts Annette B. Natow and Jo-Ann Heslin, authors of the book Get Skinny the Smart Way, tell us that shoppers should be skeptical of celebrity-inspired weight loss books. They point out that these books are often based upon nutritional fiction and that, while the weight loss diet discussed inside these books may work for short-term weight loss, these can be far from healthy in the long term. In other words, you may consider passing up the celebrity diet books and looking for those written by nutritional experts instead.

But famous people are not the only people preaching fad diets. For instance, there is the famous grapefruit diet which talks about eating a grapefruit after to each meal. Another weight loss fad is the cabbage soup diet, which requires you to eat all the cabbage soup you can handle. Other famous fad diets call for eating eggs throughout the day and consuming only uncooked foods or fasting every other day. Such diets are not only based on nutritional nonsense and they can also be hazardous.

For instance, let us look closer at the cabbage soup diet. No important health group has endorsed it. And, the American Heart Association disapproves of this fad, mentioning that it can actually be harmful to you. Sellers of this weight loss diet claim that you can lose up to 15 pounds weekly by following it.

What they will not tell you is that the majority of that weight is water weight. As soon as you begin eating normally again, you will see a rapid gain in weight again. A few of of the side-effects of the cabbage soup diet are a feeling of weakness, stomach pains, and diarrhea.

Another sketchy diet approach is what is known as food combining. Such a weight loss diet assumes that you are overweight since you are not eating the best combination of foods. The instructions of this diet can seem kind of arbitrary. For example, you might be instructed that you can consume a banana only in the morning.

This is ridiculous, because your stomach can deal with many of of different foods at a single time. The concept behind such a diet is to consume food with less calories, but there are other steps you can implement to accomplish the same goals.

Some weight loss companies even allege that you can lose pounds while you sleep. They say that, if you use their product right before sleep, you will lose weight. In reality, no diet product can make such a silly claim with any degree of credibility. It is not possible to burn a large number of calories while sleeping.

In other situations, you could be tempted to try to lose pounds by eating diet milkshakes or candy bars. In essence, these products are merely milk and candy with certain vitamins and minerals added. However, you will not really feels satisfied after eating these products. As a result, you may find yourself eating more calories throughout the rest of the day. While you may be able to theoretically shed pounds in the short-term, you will find it complicated to maintain the weight loss over the long haul.

The reality of the issue is that there is a large amount of money that can be made with the sale and marketing of weight loss products. As long as America has a large contingent of overweight people, companies will try to earn a profit off of peoples weight issues. It is up to you to be confident enough to be aware of a diet fad when you see it and try a different approach to losing weight. You will find that there will be really no short-cuts to weight loss. Any legitimate diet system takes time, diligence, and determination, along with a eagerness to change your eating patterns.
____________________________________
About the Author

Christian Peterson

Discover quick weight loss center tips today. Find the latest quick weight loss tips and articles.

Can You Get Smarter?

2009-07-13T04:55:00.000-07:00

Can you get smarter? - Yes, you can.

Wouldn't it be useful to be able to quote famous speeches at will or to reach into the vast chasm's of your mind and pull out facts and statistics?

It Is Possible?

After high school and university, we don't put our mind under such intense scrutiny and when this happens we lose intellectual power.

The real key is Work. Yes work, it's hardly glamorous and yet it's the mainstay of a sharp mind. You need to constantly give your mind the work it needs to stay "in shape".

Just like a retired body builder loses muscle mass after he gives up the competitive sport, a mind that stops being used will slowly retire.

What Can We Do?

Train your brain - Find healthy hobbies that require a little cerebral effort such as; word puzzles, sudoku I.Q test or anything that you can take an interest in.

What If We Don't?

Sorry, but it's use it or lose it!

Can We Improve?

Absolutely - If you strengthen the old gray matter then you can improve your mental performance above and beyond what you ever have achieved.

If you want it bad enough you can get smarter and keep the mind you have in sharp, snappy condition.
_________________________
About the Author

A.J James is a contributing writer/researcher for http://www.thesolutionwebsite.com

Women's Intuition--Our Own Superpower

2009-07-12T20:11:00.000-07:00

Have you ever felt frightened or anxious when out walking alone? Have you ever wondered what you should do if approached by an attacker? The alarming reality is that we live in an increasingly violent world in which the fear of crime is ever-present. Personal safety has become an issue of importance for everyone, but especially for women. The following are a few safety practices that every woman should know and use.

Awareness: The first and probably most important factor in self-defense is awareness: awareness of yourself, your surroundings, and your potential attacker's likely line of attack. The potential attacker's primary plot is to use the advantage of surprise. Studies have shown that attackers are skilled at choosing targets that appear to be unaware of what is going on around them. By being aware of your surroundings and by projecting a strong and confident presence, many altercations which are common on the streets can be avoided.

Use Your Sixth Sense. "Sixth sense" "Women's Intuition" Whatever you choose to call it, is a powerful subconscious insight into situations and people. All of us, particularly women, have this gift, but very few of us pay any attention to it. Learn to trust this power and use it to your full advantage. Avoid a person or a situation which does not "feel" safe--you're probably right. If you think someone is following you, check by crossing the street - more than once if necessary - to see if he follows you. If you are still worried, get to the nearest place where there are other people - and call the police.

Escape: Always Your Best Option. What if you are suddenly confronted by a predator who demanded that you go with him? It would seem wise to obey (especially if he promises not to hurt you), but leaving the initial crime scene ensures that you are far more likely to be seriously injured or killed. Escaping by whatever means possible, be it by screaming fire, hitting your attacker in the eyes, throat, groin, or by throwing your purse or bags in his face and running the other way.

Your Right to Fight. Although your best option is to escape. It is important to understand that you can and should defend yourself physically. You have a right to do so, even if the attacker is only threatening you and hasn't physically attacked first. Aim for the eyes first (poke and gouge) and the groin second (squeeze and pull or kick/knee hard). Try to use the element of surprise to your advantage--strike quickly, be strong and confident in your actions. You may only get one chance. Then run away. Escape to a safe place (this means anywhere where there are other people)

Self-Defense Training: The self-defense program should include simulated assaults, with fully padded instructors in realistic rape and attack scenarios; this will allow you to practice what you've learned. (And continue to practice).

Take the next few minutes.... Think about your safety, try to visualize how you would react to someone threatening your safety... now know how you will react, be strong and confident in your choices...

To quote H. Stanley Judd
"The ultimate security is your understanding of reality"

Be Safe
Sherry
__________________________
Sherry McCourt is a highly motivated professional with a unique combination of experiences as a Corporate Executive, Entrepreneur, Certified Fraud Examiner, Private Investigator, Trainer and Speaker. She is an effective communicator who has the expertise and natural ability to bring authentic solutions to her audiences worldwide.

Sherry McCourt is a devoted advocate, supporter and defender of the right to live and work without fear and seeks to empower individuals and corporations to thrive and grow through courage, leadership, vision, teamwork, calculated risk taking, and personal accountability.

As a strategic safety advisor and corporate trainer to many organizations and a personal life and safety coach to numerous individuals: her goal is to create a movement of men, women and corporations who choose to take charge of their safety and success at work and in their own lives.

Sherry McCourt keynote and workshop messages focus on Health and Safety, Security, Risk Management, Loss Prevention, Workplace Violence, Sexual Harassment, Fraud, Identity Theft and Cyber Crime.

Her unique ability to simplify and de-mystify the ugly truth of risk, loss and crime with eye-opening, informative and surprisingly humorous presentations has resulted in her soaring popularity amongst large organizations, small business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals who want to stand out and stand up in today's world.

Contact Sherry at smccourt@sherrymccourt.com or visit her website at http://www.sherrymccourt.com

Socialization - Women's role in Society

2009-06-22T02:24:00.000-07:00

It is through this process that we negotiate, through constant self-development, our position as to where we fit in. Once our role is defined, we begin the arduous task of becoming an integral part of this structure.

The road to socialization, however, is sometimes paved with boulders. Specifically, defining one's gender role and how it relates to society's expectations of what that role represents.

If it is true that "all the worlds' a stage, and we are merely players in it," then it is society that is choosing and directing the script. It is the process by which we act out the parts of this script that determines our successes and failures.

When I attended high school in the 60's, the curriculum consisted of business courses designed for executive positions. I worked diligently toward this goal and eventually became an executive secretary. While I thought this career was the "Cadillac" of positions, and thus I never dreamed of pursuing anything else, nor did I feel that I had the attributes to attain a higher position in the workforce.

This is what I worked so hard to achieve and yet, many years later I asked myself: "Is that all there is?" While I knew I had potential, I nonetheless knew "my place."

Almost 45 years and many successful careers later, I have returned to the one facet of my life that I ignored - writing. My self-development was thwarted, not because of my unrealistic expectations, but because of the restrictions placed upon me by society's definition of women in the workplace.

These standards were waiting for me on the stage along with my diploma. My lines had been written, but I never had the opportunity to read the entire script. Would it have made any difference if I had? Not likely. I embarked on a career that was equivalent to a high-powered corporate executive today. Have the agents of socialization changed the status of our role as women?

Case in point: In 1992, a statistic cited that out of the nations entire Congress, only 6% are women. It was stated that "Gender plays an important role in the selection of government positions based on ethnicity. Therefore, the choice will almost always be a man. He is more capable of getting funding for his campaign than his counterpart, whereas a woman will receive a token pledge." During the 70s, if a woman ran for Congress, she would have probably received a $100.00 campaign donation versus a $1000 pledged to her counterpart.

Things are quite different today, as evidenced by the recent Presidential campaign. However, women have not gained as many seats in Congress as they should. Thus, the script needs to be re-worked.

Family, religion, education, politics, media hype, and peer pressure all contribute to the social polarization of women. These agents of socialization do affect the identity of the female role in today's society. As one struggles to maintain individuality, it is amazing that anyone could survive the scrutiny that is dispensed by society.

Forty five years ago, I had the ability to climb the ladder of success. What I lacked, however, was the understanding that I could. Today, I have the ability to achieve and become the best at whatever I wish to be. What I gained is the understanding that I can.
________________________________
Lillian M. Varrassi is an article content writer with over 4000 articles written on a myriad of genres. For more information, please peruse her site at http://www.articlework.com In addition, she is the webmaster and writer for a comprehensive health site at: http://www.health-mind-body.com

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

Self defense for Women

2009-06-22T02:19:00.000-07:00

Self defense for women is now adding clarity to this subject. Self defense remains a complex topic that is made even more complex due to erroneous information out there. Self defense courses seek to reverse this problem. Far too often, teaching a woman martial arts is considered the cure all for any serious threat she may face. Whether the martial arts take the form of traditional styles or modern ultimate fighting systems, neither really address the serious concerns surrounding women's self-defense. Thankfully, through self defense classes, the ability to acquire a proper foundation in women's self-defense can be realized.

One of the main components of a serious self defense class would be the stressing of awareness on an environment. Awareness refers to the ability to be completely cognitive of your surroundings. This allows you to either completely avoided aggressive behavior, become less of a target, or employ the physical techniques you learned in your private self defense classes in a more appropriate manner. Since awareness is a major component that is stressed in the course material, the student's ability to preserve her safety is greatly enhanced.

Understanding how an aggressor behaves is important to successful dealing with such a threat. Now, the way to properly deal with the threat is to escape. By escaping, your ability to walk away from the situation safe and unharmed is greatly expanded. A solid New Orleans self defense program will present clear and detailed information on this subject. Many street fighting programs may stress more direct engagement with an assailant but this is very dangerous and often unnecessary. Scenario training that centers on avoidance, awareness, and averting will usually provide much better and safer results.

Common scenarios could include recognizing danger when you step up to an ATM. Can you recognize people who may be willing to do you harm and, if so, can you extract yourself from such a difficult scenario safely? If not, then taking a self defense class would be a wise move.

However, there will come a time when it may be necessary to attack an assailant. While we would prefer that such a situation was completely avoided, such avoidance truly is not always possible. As a result, the need to take a defensive (or offensive) action will be necessary. And, of course, it is critical to do so in a manner that would be deemed effective. New Orleans self defense classes can ensure your response to a serious situation will be an effective one. This is how you will preserve your safety and avoid any serious harm from befalling you. Knowing you can deal with such a situation can definitely instill the confidence needed to act when a problem arises.

In short, any woman looking to preserve her personal safety is well advised to explore the options available through local self defense programs. They can provide the much needed information for improving personal safety and maintaining proper control over one's life.

Jonas Deffes,

New Orleans Self Defense.

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

What Does Fitness Mean?

2009-05-31T12:43:00.000-07:00

Barb, a friend of mine, considers every woman she sees in size 4 as physically fit.
"Look at that waist," she would say, her eyes drooling with envy. "Wonder what she is doing that I'm not?"

The truth is that Barb, at 5'7" and 162 lbs is probably more fit than the size fours she sees at the gym. Barb has been an exercise aficionado for over 20 years. One would not call Barb slender; however, she is definitely living a very fit and healthy life. Here is a list of things she has done:

1.Every year for the past 8 years, she has completed a 120 mile bike ride to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis.

2.Two or three times a year, she walks a 10K (6 miles) race to raise money for breast cancer, prostate cancer and the Children's Center.

3.She has enough energy to do everything she wants to do everyday and more to spare.

4.She is passionately in love with life.

5.She is a part time consultant at a marketing firm, a grandmother of 5 and a volunteer for the Cancer Society, Hospice Foundation and her church.

What is her regimen?

Walking: two or three times a week. Cycling: once or twice a week. Yoga and Pilates: twice a week. She has incorporated into her life a very doable schedule that sees her engaged in some form of exercise 40-50 minutes a day six times a week. There is no doubt that Barb is one of the fittest people I know. And I mention her here because we are somehow misled in our understanding of the term "fitness."

What does fitness mean?

Fitness is not necessarily a tanned body, a small waist, bulging muscles and biceps or toned arms. Fitness is not so much a "fit" appearance as "fit" capacity. Do we have the capacity to do everything we want and need to do without undue stress? Do we enjoy each and every moment because our heart is strong, our body has endurance and our limbs are flexible? Do we have an appetite for life and all that it brings us? Do we retire to bed with a sense that the day has been full and that it has served us well?

Do we fall asleep easily? Do we look forward to the next morning with enthusiasm?
Do we have the capacity to fit what we love and want to do into our lives?

If we do, then we are definitely fit. Forget the numbers—whether we are 115 lbs, 130 lbs, size 4 or size 10. In fitness more than anything else, it is the quality of life that matters.

Three efficient exercises for losing stomach fat

2009-05-20T19:54:00.000-07:00

by Donald Campbell

Oh, that stomach fat. It looks like most of us were presented with fairly abundant portions of fat tending to collect around our midriffs, as if it was offering a safety cushion from cold weather. And it is no surprise at all that more and more people find themselves growing horizontally, specifically around the stomach area - fast food became the standard for most of us.

You might practice a lot of exercises to lose stomach fat, but you have to consolidate a fair amount of muscle and cardio exercises to help rid yourself of fat in all areas of your body and also work the stomach muscles. The excess weight loss might help you obtain the result of your exercises sooner and as well get faster that six pack abs. Your body's metabolism is also increased by exercises, which allows you losing fat even when you are asleep.

Here are a couple of easy-to-do exercises for losing stomach fat that you may include to your cardio regimen.

Crunch

This is likely the most favored type of abdominals exercise for losing stomach fat. You should lay on your back on a steadfast surface and bend your knees. Lift your shoulders above the floor, and move your ribs towards the hips. Continue doing this until you feel a burning sensation in your stomach muscles. That means your muscles are working.

Vertical leg crunch

This is a crunch variety. Put your hands out over your head, lying on your back. Lift your legs simultaneously, bend your knees and cross the ankles. Squeeze your belly muscles and raise your shoulders, upper back and head to an angle at 30 degrees. Keep this posture for 5-10 seconds and accurately release.

Reverse Curl

Lie on the back, restrict your abdominal muscles and flex your knees to your chest, making sure that your hips didn't get above the floor.

The encouragement about belly fat is that it is just that fat. You're able to lose it with the appropriate exercise amount if you are truly unflinching to lose the stomach fat. You also may start taking Phentermine HCL in addition. Begin with these exercises and lose that stomach fat faster than you could have thought.

If professional writers like Donald Campbell really help you learn more about things going on in the world, http://www.phentermine-hcl.org/articles/exercises-for-losing-stomach-fat.html will definitely give you enough food for thought on many interesting topics.

Article Source: http://www.yahooarticle.com

5 Fat Burning Foods

2009-05-16T20:38:00.000-07:00

There is plenty of confusion out there about what to eat and what not to eat when trying to lose weight. It seems everyone has an opinion about what is good for you and what is not good for you these days, including doctors, scientists, government agencies, and especially the news media. Just how are you supposed to know what to eat to help you lose weight?

Here is a list of 5 things (OK, I cheated, they aren't all exactly food...) that have a proven history and scientific backing that when eaten consistently, will help you lost weight.

The 5 fat burning foods are:

Broccoli - Broccoli is outstanding for overall health as well as burning fat. It is full of antioxidants and has phytochemicals that strengthen the immune system and is even known to help fight off cancer. Broccoli contains the compound Calcium D-glucarate which helps maintain proper hormone levels and is chock full of fiber. This is a low carbohydrate snack you should include in your diet every day.

Almonds - Almonds are another low carbohydrate snack that is easy to take with you and help keep your appetite under control all day long. They have fat, fiber and protein which are all essential for good health and they will give you energy throughout the day without adversely affecting blood sugar levels.

Salmon - Salmon is another one of those foods that has been "on again, off again" mainly because it does have a fairly high fat content, but is a great source of protein and omega-3 fats which will definitely help you burn fat faster.

Green Tea - Green Tea is a natural fat burner and contains a host of healthy nutrients. It has been shown to help fight cancer, and contains antioxidant, caffeine and a compound called Epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG. The combination of the caffeine and EGCG has been shown through research to aid in burning fat. You will want to drink several cups each day. If you find Green Tea a little bitter, just add a bit of raw honey for a very pleasant drink either hot or cold.

Water - Water is the basic substance of life and makes up over 70% of our bodies, yet most Americans are chronically dehydrated. The body's signal for water is sometimes misinterpreted as hunger, so you can immediately see the advantage of staying hydrated. Water is essential for flushing waste and toxins out of the body, and this is even more important when you are losing weight. Drink at least 8 to 10 (8 ounce) glasses of water every single day.

OK, 2 of the foods are drinks, but each of these is important for your health and has been proven to help you burn fat. Be sure to add these foods to your diet for better health and to start burning fat a whole lot faster.

Natural Weight Loss Reviews: http://www.diet.greenmanconsulting.com Judson Greenman is a writer, webmaster, father and ex-Army special demolitions team leader (HU-RAH!) and has done extensive research in physical fitness, exercise and nutrition. Over 25 weight loss programs reviewed and the top three recommended Weight Loss Programs are presented for you here: http://www.diet.greenmanconsulting.com

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

What is Healthy Anger?

2009-05-11T10:27:00.001-07:00

Many people are convinced that expressions of anger are abnormal and extreme. However, in many cases, anger is healthy as long as it does not cause injuries to self, another person or property. Thinking about how you express rage or anxiety is important for psychological well-being. In fact, appropriate expressions of anger can be healthy.

Healthy anger does not hurt, destroy, scare, belittle, or deceive another person or self; neither does it destroy things. Unhealthy rage does. Your response is a learned response. Unhealthy responses that destroy self, others and things can be unlearned through focus and attention. Ultimately a healthy temper includes a reassessment of self, situation and behavior.

Healthy expressions of wrath can be the twisting of a dishtowel; an unhealthy expression would be taking the dishtowel and smacking your child across the face with it. A healthy response is setting boundaries. It means that although you may feel intense rage about something, you will recognize its seriousness and take the necessary actions to release the negative emotions in a healthy way. A healthy response also means that you are cognizant of the fact that your children learn from your responses to anger and that for their sake, you will manifest a proactive and controlled expression.

There are several ways you can express displeasure in a healthy manner. These avenues include writing in your journal, taking time out, exercising, drawing, painting, music, meditating, long baths.Try the power of prayer as well.

Playing with a family pet is also a good alternative. Studies show that the feel good chemical in your bodies, endorphins, are increased when you interact with your pets. Learning to address your rage at a later time, when you are in more control of your emotions, is also a good idea. Whatever relaxes you other than drugs or alcohol is a healthy way to control and release negative emotions.

However, let us keep this in mind: not dealing with a sense of outrage is dangerous and unhealthy. If something makes you upset, your anger is perfectly natural and healthy, but denying or repressing your resentment only results in storing it in your body until one day it overflows with rage and explodes.

Like most aspects of life, wrath must be handled with intelligence and grace.There is nothing wrong with rage; the issue does not lie in the emotion itself, but in the response you choose to express it. Most of all, the issue is about making your sense of exasperation an opportunity for teaching your children what healthy anger is.

Bianca Tora is a writer interested in the relationship between lifestyle and the brain, specifically the area of emotional regulation and control. She has written a book on anger management for children. Visit her at http://www.help-your-child-with-anger.com

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

Do You Sound As Good As You Look?

2009-04-20T20:53:00.000-07:00

Today we are most concerned about the image we project. 55% of that image is our appearance; 37% is the sound of the speaking voice; and, only 8% is our content - that which we are saying.

When you hear yourself on your answering machine, are you shocked? Disgusted? Embarrassed? What you hear on your voicemail is that 37%. That sound is your vocal image. That sound is how are recognized by everyone else. Does your speaking voice complement your image or detract from it?

Because the majority of the population is not breathing properly, that majority is also not aware that they have a warmer, richer, resonant speaking voice. Many of my clients are women who sound like teenagers, or worse yet, children, when they speak. I certainly wish I could still look 20, but I definitely don't want to sound that age or even younger.

One of the many benefits of good voice training is that you will discover a voice that sounds mature, not old, not young - ageless. Another wonderful benefit is that the voice that has had training improves with age. After 40, nothing on the body is improving with age; however, the trained voice is a little like a bottle of fine wine. It actually gets better with age, which means when I'm 85, I may look it, but I will never sound like an old lady.

How can this be? The trained voice uses the chest to power or amplify the voice instead of just the throat, voice box, mouth, and/or nose. By allowing your chest to be your major sounding board, you then lessen the wear and tear on your vocal folds (cords). Listen to Lauren Bacall or Joanna Woodward. Both are senior citizens; however, both sound fantastic.

Good voice training involves breathing with the support of your diaphragm and speaking within your optimum range. When this happens, you will feel your voice vibrating in your mid-chest region. That is called resonance. One of the most beautiful voices today is that of Diane Sawyer. Her voice is like a blanket around your shoulders. It is warm, the one characteristic that describes every voice that is vibrating in the chest cavity.

While raising my two sons, I never yelled at them; I projected. When you yell or shout, you are hurting your vocal folds as well as your listener's ears. When you project, you are increasing your volume but it is not 'loud', just bigger. Liken the voice to well-played symphonic music. When you turn up the volume on a classical recording, you can go a lot further on the output without hurting your ears than if you do the same with heavy metal.

Much the same thing happens to the voice when we try to increase our volume improperly. Incidentally, children don't listen when you yell, but they do pay attention when you project. So save your throat; save their ears; and try projection. In addition you will find that you are in control when you project. When you shout or yell, you have lost it.

If you wonder why people don't seem to listen to you or are always talking over you, is it because you are soft-spoken? Do people often ask you to repeat yourself? Those of us with bigger voices tire of straining to hear you and eventually we will take over the conversation. If you want to be heard, you need to learn to speak in a Volume Level 1, the normal volume level most people use throughout their day. It takes practice, and the retraining of your inner ear, but, to be able to hold the conversation is definitely worth it.

There are so many benefits to training the speaking voice, but one of the best results is that you will actually like your voice. I can't tell you how many people have discovered their 'real' voice and said, I want that sound!

Just how good is your vocal image?

The Voice Lady Nancy Daniels, President of Voice Dynamic, offers private, corporate and group sessions in voice and presentation skills as well as Voicing It!, the only video training course on voice improvement and public speaking. To see what voice training can do for you, click the following link watch Nancy's brief video Tapping the Full Potential of the Speaking Voice.

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

Weight Loss Clinics

2009-04-05T07:56:00.000-07:00

For many years now, losing weight has been the dilemma of many people not just in the United States but all over the world. And along with this problem, people have been searching for answers to the many questions they have in mind; what is the best way to lose weight, are diet programs and weight loss pills effective, is surgery an answer to this problem, can I trust a weight loss clinic, etc.

But, you know what? You may have tried many popular ways of trimming excess fats and shedding some extra pounds but you will never be satisfied with the results. Why? It is because until you have the right attitude towards losing weight, you won’t be getting anywhere. This is the principle of most weight loss clinics. Yes, if you know where to go to, you’d be surprise at just how easy it could be to regain self confidence and sexy body.

Introducing Weight Loss Clinic

Basically, a weight loss clinic is a place where you can go to consult your problems about losing weight. They have professional dieticians, whose jobs are to take care of every client and make sure that you are getting the professional attention that you need. They also have special weight loss programs that are assigned to every client that they think is suitable. Exercise equipments are also available in these clinics sometimes.

How to Choose the Right Clinic for You

Before going to any weight loss clinic, be sure to decide which one you are going to. Make sure that the services offered by the clinic are right for you and your body.

Here are some tips on how to choose your clinic;

• Check the reputation of the clinic

– as there have been many weight loss clinics cropping up nowadays, you can’t be sure that all of them can give you the results that you need. Beware of clinics promising you of instant weight loss; this can be too good to be true.

• Check the backgrounds of the staffs

– as not only your losing weight but your life will be at their hands, it is just right that you check on the clinic’s staffs; their personal backgrounds and performance records. You can also ask for testimonials of other customers of the clinic to make sure that the staffs are really doing their best.

• The diet menu and programs that they offer

– mostly, clinics will offer counseling so you can ask your prospective weight loss clinic if they have one. It is also best to ask about the diet systems and eating programs that they make their clients follow. This way, you can raise questions especially if a certain part is not suitable to your health conditions.

• Exercise

– be sure to ask for the kind of weight loss exercise that the clinic offers. It is a must that a workout regime be included because this is a must in losing weight the healthy way. Also, be sure to object for an exercise regime which you think is not suitable for you.

Choosing your weight loss clinic is as important as choosing what you eat to stay fit. You know, there can be lots of weight loss clinics out there that can promise you the sexiest body ever. But, not all of them can fulfill this promise. So there, you have the simple tips on how you could get the best weight loss clinic.

You can now start shedding off those extra pounds. Just remember that no matter what weight loss clinic in town that you try, really losing weight still goes down to you. You have to be really dedicated and serious about it; otherwise, you’ll just be wasting time and money.
---------------------------------------------------------
Carl R. LeRoy writes Articles on an assortment of subjects and Invites you to visit his Website @ http://www.FreePiPSite.com/?id=lee or his blog at http://EazyProfitsNET.Blogspot.com

Article Source: http://www.yahooarticle.com

Great Exercises For Lower Abs And That Impressive Look

2009-03-29T04:26:00.000-07:00

Want some workouts to shape your abs? Descriptively discussed below are three types of exercise endorsed by professional trainers that are guaranteed to yield the results you are on the lookout for. If you follow this on a regular basis then you will get awesome results.

Many peoples are really more worried about their pot belly and try a lot to reduce it. Doing these workouts regularly and religiously, will help to achieve that goal.

In the first workout lie flat on your back with your arms resting on the side and legs stretched. Remaining in this position, lift your legs to an angle of about 45 degrees from the ground before bringing both legs down again. Relax after repeating the movement for about 10 to 15 times. Then go for the next exercise or you can go for the same for another set.

By staying on the floor keep the hands at the back of your head.Raise your head by giving support with your hands. Bend your knees with the legs moving towards your body and stretch your legs again. Your legs should not completely go down onto the floor. Try repeating the exercise 10 to 15 times. When you are done, proceed to the last of the three exercises.

Now lie down in the same position as that of the previous exercise with hands resting beneath the head. Then, bend your knees, allowing both your big toes to touch, making the knees outward in position. With your buttocks as the pivot move your legs. You could feel the lower abs being stretched. This is a indication that the exercise is being done in a perfect manner.

While the point is to improve the lower abs, and don't overdo as well. Changes will not come overnight and you have to accept this early on. Don't go for higher counts at the beginning itself start with less counts and then increase it bit by bit. If, at any point during the exercises, you begin to feel even a slight discomfort or pain, you may want to stop because you might be doing something wrong. Keep in mind, breath while doing the exercises.

Love your workouts. To make it more enjoyable, play some nice music or switch on the television and watch an interesting show while exercising. At the same time focus on the ways of exercising also.

About the Author

For the most up to date information about ab exercises, This is the only resource you will ever need how to get great absprofessional trainers

A Diet to Lose Belly Fat With Ease

2009-03-23T12:30:00.000-07:00

One of the keys to losing fat in your waist or stomach area will include going on a diet that you can fit into your lifestyle and something that will not only peek your interests, but is something that will keep you wanting and coming back for more. There are many lose belly fat diets that you could try. If you follow a plan and diet is effective, then you could start experiencing good changes and results.

What you will need to do is get out a piece of paper or a notebook, and write down all of your favorite fruits or vegetables. You could even put down your favorite meats, like chicken or fish - as long as they are low in fat. Now you are going to come up with some ideas on healthy recipes and meals that your can make, like fruit salad (consisting of your favorite fruits), nice lean meat and vegetable dinners, or raw vegetables with salad, the possibilities are almost endless.

You'll want to write down the recipes and ideas that you have for this also (there are many recipes online for healthy fruit and veggie meals that you could try). Next, you will want to go shopping and pick up all of the items that you have written down.

Once you have all of foods that you need to start your lose belly fat diet, you make want to make your 4-5 meals ahead of time, for example, on Monday morning, I could make and prepare all the meals for that day, wrap them up in plastic, and put them in the fridge for later, making it more likely for me to stick to my diet plan since they are already made. If you stick to your lose belly fat diet, you're more than likely to reach your weight loss goal.

You are probably wondering, which is the best diet to lose belly fat, right? However, I hope you realize that dieting is only half of the story, because you also need to exercise quite a lot to get rid of that extra weight in your stomach. I would suggest you to check out a program called The Truth About Abs, which is seriously good for overweight people. Click here to find out more

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

Retirement - A Good Time to Discover What You Don't Need

2009-03-21T15:37:00.000-07:00

The economic downturn isn't the only reason that senior citizens in retirement find the list of former necessities has been radically altered.

What once was a "must have" has no appeal any longer. The desire to stroll through a mall, just to browse and be tempted is a much less frequent exercise. Seeing things and wanting them with a passion has about dropped off the scale. Is this a post 70 (aging) phenomenon?

There were times shopping was a favorite past time. No more. Just having the stamina to walk thorough some of these Big Box stores is exercise that can be enjoyed in other ways.

Discovering what I don't need is a refreshing new experience. Not having so much discretionary money to buy them prompts the situation to be sure. But, just discovering the stuff unnecessary to comfortable living really puts you in charge.

Part of the discovery comes when trying to determine usefulness, where will the item be placed, how long will it be "something I couldn't live without," if I find I don't need it, what will I do with it?

This is a rather good check list for deciding whether to buy or not. This is an appropriate methodology for men who wander into hardware stores and women into shoe shops.

Ego remains important to most, no matter the age. But buying stuff to impress others is a weakness not a strength of ego.

Deciding what I don't need means having a pretty good idea what I do need. Making trips of discovery, just to browse, is a substitute for better hobbies. Making trips to get a specific item, required for a specific reason, is a noteworthy exception.

Think carefully about the difference between needs and wants. Today offers a new opportunity for senior citizens to develop the discipline of prudence and overcome prodigal behavior. A retiree's life will be less cluttered, your time can be better spent, your resources more wisely invested.

Article provided by Dr. Jerry D. Elrod. For information on retirement, Baby Boomers and everything related to Seniors, please visit my blog at http://seniorcitizenjournal.blogspot.com

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

Retirement - Mustering the Courage to Write

2009-03-21T15:30:00.000-07:00

The world opens up for many senior citizens when they choose to retire. One of the daily activities for some is writing. The discipline of daily writing is not unlike any other routine. It must come first, it must contain some element of inspiration, at least for the writer, it needs to be somewhat timely, or, at least, humorous, informative, inspirational or contain something which pulls the readers' eyes.

Finding topic and title or headline which will grab attention is essentially creating the hook to catch readers. Once the reader has been attracted, the first paragraph needs to lure them further and the second hold them until they have finished the piece. If, while you are writing, the topic and content don't hold you, it won't hold others.

Content has to come from somewhere. Research is a good start on topics you find worth exploring. It may come from something you have casually read, a comment from a recent conversation, a flash of inspiration, an idea that has been incubating for a long time. Writing gives the occasion for germination, completion, maturation of the idea into a fruitful document that may stir the imagination of others.

Writing can be both therapeutic and healing. It allows for private venting of thoughts which might otherwise never enjoy expression. Lacking a therapist, the keyboard may serve as your outlet for divulging long held ideas, concerns, pains, joys and creative energies you never knew you had.

So, once you have found your topic, and you feel comfortable sharing that topic which others will choose to read and discover something about the author, it is time to put the idea to words, to add sentences and paragraphs in outline or prose or poetry, or whatever your chosen art. It is time to test how good you are at "talking to yourself" and allowing yourself to talk back.
___________________________________________
Article provided by Dr. Jerry D. Elrod. For information on retirement, Baby Boomers and everything related to Seniors, please visit my blog at http://seniorcitizenjournal.blogspot.com

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

Work At Home Moms Survive the Recession

2009-03-14T09:07:00.000-07:00

With the economy in dire straits, it`s not surprising that people are looking for alternatives to a 9-5 job. Work at home moms have a huge advantage over those who are working in the marketplace for several reasons.

Money

It`s common knowledge that work at home moms save money on commuting, but there are actually quite a few costs that vanish or are drastically reduced when a woman becomes a work at home mom. Not only is there no need to drive to and from an office every day, but childcare is often no longer a necessary cost. Some WAHMs do still put their children in daycare for a few days a week or hire a mother`s help to keep their children occupied while they work, but the cost is almost always less than full time care.

There are plenty of smaller expenses that are reduced, as well. For example, when working, most people will eat lunch at a local deli or restaurant. Even $10 a day adds up and if you stop on the way to work for coffee at Starbucks, it really turns into a lot of money. This is all saved by working from home. If you have your own business, then working from home can be a great way to save on overhead costs, as well.

Time

Working mothers always complain that they don`t get enough time with their children. While work at home moms are still busy, they do have the chance to see more of their kids and the fact that they are cutting out the commute leaves more hours in the day to enjoy watching their little ones.

The other benefit of being a work at home mom is that you can work once the kids are in bed. The most successful businesses will require a lot of work and that can be done easier when you aren`t stuck in an office far from your family.

Passion

It`s easy to become complacent in a regular 9-5 job where nothing you do really makes a big difference in how much money you bring home at the end of the month. When you are running your own business, however, it`s far easier to put more time in and you`ll work harder because you are passionate about your work. This is something that almost always results in success.

Work at home moms are all set to make it through whatever dips and dives the economy has in store. They are strong, passionate about their businesses and ready to face whatever happens.

Are you working at home? Why not? Learn more about how to come up with a great business idea and start your own home business.

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

Check out this mom's testimonial.

Anger in Children: When is it a Problem?

2009-03-02T11:00:00.000-08:00

Anger in Children: When is it a Problem?

Author: Ray Subs

Anger is a normal emotion that every happy healthy adult and child has to deal with from time to time. When does expressing anger become a problem? Children go through different stages with their age that affect the way they deal with anger.

Anger is usually not a root emotion, but a term that may cover feelings ranging from embarrassment, frustration, loneliness to guilt. A newborn baby expresses their "anger" or frustration over being hungry, tired or uncomfortable by screaming and crying. A two-year-old may throw tantrums that include rolling around on the floor or trying to hit the parent, sibling or even their pet. As a child gets older, hopefully proper responses to anger have been modeled for them and they can learn to express their anger more appropriately.

Anger becomes a problem when it causes negative, aggressive behavior, gets out of control and when the root cause of the problem isn't being dealt with. For instance, often children with undiagnosed learning disabilities will have frequent angry outbursts. They may be feeling frustrated because they are struggling to learn and it may feel like the world is closing in on them when parents or teachers suggest that they aren't trying hard enough or doing their best.

Because the child isn't able to deal with the real issue, they become angry over small incidents that would normally be insignificant. This helps them to avoid feeling "stupid" or incapable. Once the problem is discovered and the child gets the help, support and proper discipline that is needed, the angry outbursts become less frequent or disappear altogether.

It is important that children learn how to express their emotions in a healthy and constructive manner.There is such a thing as healthy anger. A child should never be told that their feelings are wrong, though they may need reminding if their behavior is wrong. For instance you might say, "Johnny, I understand that you are angry about your brother breaking your toy, that wasn't fair, but it is not okay to hit when you are angry." The child needs to know that his feelings are validated and should also be given some ideas about how to handle the situation better the next time they are in a similar position.

Anger is a normal emotion for people of all ages, including children. Good communication and modeling good behavior are two of the best ways to help children learn to deal with anger. Taking the time to praise your child whenever he or she does anything that is positive can also help them understand what it expected and feel good about doing what is right. Take the time to check yourself to see if you spend too much time being negative or angry and find ways to be more positive.

If the parents in the home aren't dealing with anger appropriately, they can't expect the child to. Be willing to admit when you are wrong and apologize to your child, teaching them to do the same. If you suspect that your child has a serious anger problem, it may be time to get some additional help and guidance.

About the Author:
Ray Subs is a public relations consultant working to promote the Help Your Child with Anger Blog. For more information about dealing with anger management in children visit the blog.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/anger-in-children-when-is-it-a-problem-707318.html

Dealing With ADHD in Children

2009-03-02T08:01:00.000-08:00

Finding out that your child has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder doesn't have to mean the end of the world. While it is true that a child with Attention Deficit Disorder may have special needs when it comes to school work and sometimes dealing with behavior issues, they also have a tendency to be highly intelligent and with the right knowledge and tools a child with ADD can achieve just about anything they want to achieve. It may take an extra dose of patience for parents and teachers, but the effort is well worth it in the end for the child as well as the adults.

Generally speaking Attention Deficit Disorder or ADD is known as a disorder that makes concentrating more difficult. This is believed to be due to neurological imbalance in the brain, basically a "wiring problem" where the electrical impulses behave differently than a person without Attention Deficit Disorder. In some cases this condition is complicated by hyperactivity and then is known as ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

While, this disorder means that your child's brain functions differently than others, it does not mean that they can't learn to control their behavior and how to function in society. In many cases, the child with ADD is able to use their increased intelligence to cope, but many times extra help and intervention is needed, especially to protect their delicate self-esteem.

There are many ways to "treat" your child's Attention Deficit Disorder. Many people turn to doctor prescribed medications as an easy fix or when they feel that nothing else is "working", but it is important to understand that making dietary and behavioral changes is a process that works over a long period of time and the changes aren't always apparent in the short term.

Of course, in the end each family has to do what's right for them and for many families making changes to the diet, using the right ADD supplements and changing behaviors are used in addition to anger medication rather than instead of. The best advice is to take the time to weigh the risks and benefits for yourself before making a decision and then do what you feel is right.

Most importantly, take the time to tell your child how wonderful he or she is. Don't let having Attention Deficit Disorder be used as an excuse to fail, in fact you should expect the best from your child and applaud every effort they make toward improving their habits. With a little extra patience and love you will be able to handle the challenges provided by having a child with Attention Deficit Disorder and help them thrive in spite of it.

Article Source: http://articlebridge.com

Ray Subs is a public relations consultant working to promote the Help Your Child with Anger Blog. For more information about dealing with ADD in Children visit
the blog.

Six Ways to Increase Brain Power

2009-02-23T08:16:00.000-08:00

According to an article in February/March 2009 issue of Scientific American Mind, there are 6 ways to boost brain power. Given the neuroplasticity of the brain, these activities can, as author Emily Anthes states,"fine -tune your mind."

What are these 6 activities?

1. Exercise.

Exercise improves the brain's executive functions; it also releases the good feeling chemicals in the body , bringing on a sense of well-being so vital for both brain and emotional health. Exercise increases blood flow to the brain; it increases BDNF, a substance in the brain that encourages growth, communication and survival of neurons.

2. Diet

Omega-3 fats,found in fish, nuts and seeds, feed the brain. Fruits and vegetables, high in antioxidants, are crucial for brain health.

3.Caffeine

Stimulants like caffeine is good for the brain, provided one does not overdo the coffee thing. Studies show that caffeine increases activity in the brain regions involving attention and can protect age-related memory decline in women.

This is good news--given the bad rap caffeine had the last few years! I do love my early morning dose.

4. Video Games

Research shows that video games can improve mental dexterity, hand-eye coordination, depth perception and pattern recognition.Gamers also have better attention span!

5.Music

Music can activate the brain's reward centers and depress activity in the reptilian part of the brain that harbors fear and negative emotions. Listening to music can lower blood pressure, decrease insomnia and soothe patients with dementia.

6. Meditation

Meditation improves focus and attention; it increases the thickness of the cerebral cortex and boosts the functioning of the immune system.

Salt Intake and Obesity

2009-02-16T12:56:00.000-08:00

We are eating too much salt. There is a direct correlation between salt consumption and cardiovascular diseases and obesity.

Salt intake increased more than 50 % in USA during 15 years from mid-1980s to the late 1990s when the prevalence of high blood pressure marked an upward trend.

Perhaps the most interesting finding of the study is the close link between salt intake and obesity. Increasing consumption of salt produces thirst which leads to greater consumption of sugar laden soft drinks and calories.The result is a larger body size for most.

Between 1977 and 2001, an extra 278 calories were consumed by the average American. The American Heart Association estimates that, "to burn the average increase of 278 kcal a day and avoid the development or worsening of obesity, each American should now walk or vacuum 1 hour 10 minutes more every day than in 1977."

So far, that has not been happening.

"In a decade from 1976-1980 to 1988-1994 the prevalence of obesity increased 61 % among men and 52 % among women. During 1999 to 2002, the prevalence of obesity was 120 % higher among men and 99 % higher among women as compared with the 1976 to 1980 figures. The increased intake of salt, through induction of thirst with increased intake of high-energy beverages has obviously remarkably contributed to the increase of obesity in the United States."

For more information on the relationship between salt intake and obesity click here:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/11/061101151027.htm

The Four Agreements

2009-02-11T07:57:00.000-08:00

Just came across a passage in Don Miguel Ruiz's The Four Agreements that is so powerful:

"To be alive is the biggest fear humans have. Death is not the biggest fear we have; our biggest fear is taking the risk to be alive--the risk to be alive and express what we really are. Just being ourself(sic) is the biggest fear of humans. We have learned to live our life( sic) trying to satisfy other people's demands. We have learned to live by other people's points of view because of the fear of not being accepted and of not being good enough for someone else."

His passage makes so much sense. I have always felt that living by your truth isolates you to some extent. This isolation is a good thing; it allows you to pursue what you know comes from the place inside that is yours. I get up every morning at 5:30 am, work out at the club at 6:30 am. On most days, I come home and have the whole day to write,read,think, paint, work on my websites--do all those things that validate my agreement with myself. Twice a week, I do volunteer work in the community; it lets the other side of me surface , the side that can open up to strangers, the side that has an agreement with the world.

To be alive we have to break away from agreements made under the auspices of fear. Agreements made from the place of fear wastes a lot of energy. Agreements made from the place of love conserves our energy. That is why we have so much power doing something that is true to our natures, true to who we are.

More often than not, we give away our power by living under agreements made from the place of fear. But if we live under the four agreements Ruiz outlines as the agreements for personal power, then we will be alive--living our lives.

Agreement 1: Be Impeccable with Your Word. The word is your personal power. And being impeccable with your word allows your power to flow through you without judgment, restraint or criticism. Let who you are be spoken through you. Don't worry about what others think, how they are doing in comparison to you. If you are impeccable with your word, the rest is unimportant.

Agreement 2: Don't Take Anything Personally. You are who you are. Don't let what others think place you in a position of compromise.Why? Whatever others think of you is not really about you; it's about them. Your truth is your truth; don't let anyone else contaminate it or take it away from you.Don't let yourself be victimized by someone else's agreement.

Agreement 3:Don't make Assumptions. Assumptions come from a need to justify. Justification takes away personal power because you are basing someone else's behavior on your own agreement. You are who you are and you don't need someone else to function under your truth. Let others go as you would want them to let you go. If we can all do this, we will come to a sense of incredible peace.

Agreement 4:Always do your Best! Do your best in all circumstances and you will take away the need for self-judgment. Know that circumstances are different and this difference defines what your best is at any particular time. But just by agreeing to do your best, you will live your life intensely. You will be good to yourself and your family; you will give to your community. Most of all, you will be happy because you are living under the auspices of your own personal truth, your own personal agreement. It doesn't matter what the rest of the world is doing or saying about you.

Ruiz is right. If you live under these four agreements, there is no way you can be unhappy.

Importance of Vitamin D

2009-02-08T07:16:00.000-08:00

Vitamin D has come to the forefront like never before. It increases calcium absorption and prevents rickets and osteoporosis. It is also important for brain function.

According to research, low levels of vitamin D increase the risk of cognitive impairment in the elderly. Dr. David J. Llewellyn and his associates studied 1766 adults, aged 65 or older, from whom blood samples were obtained to measure circulating vitamin D levels. 12 % of the adults were determined to be cognitively impaired and their impairment seems to be highly associated with lower levels of vitamin D

Recently, a form of vitamin D that triggers the activity of an immune system gene linked to the MS has also been found by researchers from the University of Oxford and the University of British Columbia. This discovery means that prevention of MS is well on its way.

Where do we get our sources of Vitamin D?

Sunlight triggers Vitamin D synthesis in our bodies. In Canada, we do not get enough sunlight during the winter. However, other sources of Vitamin D are available: supplementation from vitamins, milk and fatty fish. Salmon and mackerel are rich in this vitamin—350 IU per 3.5 oz.

So load up on vitamin D!

Retirement Havens Turning Younger? Yikes!

2009-02-01T04:26:00.000-08:00

A December 1, 2008 online The Wall Street Journal article, Retiree Havens Turn Younger to Combat the Housing Bust reveals that retirement communities are feeling the pressure of the collapsing economy. To deal with vacancies and unsold homes, some communities, to the dismay of residents, are considering age desegregation lowering the age of entry to 45 in order to attract new occupants. Resident displeasure is understandable because when you choose to move into a quiet structured community, you don’t want families with kids or teenagers running around disturbing your lifestyle.

Having said that . . .

I have made no effort to conceal my disdain for retirement communities. Created by entrepreneurial home builders, they are attractive artificial contrivances designed to appeal to the the desire of people who prefer peace, quiet and an upscale place to spend the end of life. Basically, they are a lure for old people to to play and decay. But that’s okay. We still have the right to live how and where we choose and I am thankful for that.

Did I say they are places to decay? How can I say that! Retirement communities abound with things to do. Golf, basket weaving, hiking, swimming, bingo, dancing, scrap booking, biking. Even college courses for those who want to exercise what’s left of their brains. You name it most retirement communities have every activity you could possibly ask for. And perhaps even an unexpected bonus. For example, The Villages in Florida would have you believe it’s Heaven on earth. What isn’t mentioned in inviting TV ads is the existence of rampant sexually transmitted diseases in the community. See STDs Running Rampant In Retirement Community To be fair, given what’s happening in the culture as a whole, one can only say, so what else is new.

What is unfortunate is that so many people get sucked into the lifestyle without realizing what they are getting into, and it’s easy to understand why people do it. When you’ve worked all your adult life and you are worn out at 65 or sooner, a socially sanctioned retirement community appeals to your leisure loving human nature.

Right about now you are probably saying that only a cranky old grouch would say anything negative about retirement communities. Okay, I hear you chastisement accepted. But it doesn’t change my views about retirement communities and here is why:

I don’t care who you are nobody wants to get old and suffer premature decline. Anyone with a brain larger than a peach pit realizes you can’t be young for ever, (nor would most people wish to be young forever) but you can be
ageless. You can be strong, mentally and physically. You can be independent. You can be an asset to yourself and to others. You achieve that state of nirvana not by living a sheltered decline oriented lifestyle, but by staying in the real world, being productive, and dealing with all kinds of people with real world issues.

I have said it repeatedly: We learn from those we associate with most closely. We adopt each other’s beliefs, attitudes and behaviors. When you surround yourself with and interact with people primarily your own age and retirement oriented circumstances, you all but negate your ability to grow.

Traditional retirement, (except in certain health related circumstances) is a crock. We are made for work, like it or not. I don’t like the cliché use it or lose it but it’s true. Humans do best when they are engaged in something that has value not just for themselves, but for others.

Before the creation of Social Security in the 1930s, people didn’t retire. At that time, people didn’t live much longer than age 65 so the establishment of a retirement age of 65 made a modicum of sense. But now, retirement at 65 makes no sense at all because the lifespan has increased by 30 years in the past century. Yet people still retire at age 65 and usually opt into the traditional, decline oriented senior lifestyle. And that often includes moving into a retirement community where youth is an illusion. You can do all the youthful activities you like, but when you do them with the same age people all the time, personalities and preferences meld into the lowest common denominator.

I feel sorry for people who moved into a retirement community for peace, quiet and camaraderie of other old people, and are now facing the specter of young faces, activities and noises. It’s too bad that financial realities are breaking down the age barrier to these communities. But I can’t help but wonder: What 45 year old in his or her right mind would want to move into a retirement community? I imagine the incentive would have to be the financial deal of a lifetime, like getting a house for free. And maybe that is what it will come to. The way things are going now, the government will own everything and we’ll each be given according to our needs. Now, where did I hear that idea before?

About the Author: Barbara Morris is a pharmacist, writer, and author of Put Old on Hold and her new book, No More Little Old Ladies! Meet her on YouTube:
You Tube. Visit her website at No More Little Old Ladies

Article Source: ActiveAuthors.com

Does Television Violence Affect Children?

2009-02-01T04:17:00.001-08:00

Hollywood does not want to admit it, but numerous studies have shown that children become more aggressive, angry and even sometimes violent when they are exposed to television violence and the results are seen almost immediately. Children's minds are very impressionable and they learn by modeling the behaviors of those around them. Think of a baby learning to talk. The baby learns to talk by copying first sounds, then words and phrases and finally sentences. Children learn just about everything from watching the world around them and that includes what they watch on TV.

If they are watching television programs where violence is shown as the answer to every problem, they are more likely to react with anger, aggression and violence to the circumstances in real life. This is a very unhealthy pattern to begin as a child. Children need to be shown the proper way to deal with anger both in real life and on television. Many of the old fashioned television programs did an excellent job of this. The main character almost always faces some sort of crises, makes the wrong choice and has to learn a lesson from it. Often the end of each program showed the parents talking to the child about how they could have handled the problem differently.

Does this mean that we should never let our children watch any programs with violence? It is something to consider, to be sure, but depending on their content and message, watching some of these programs together may provide the opportunity to talk about dealing with anger in more constructive ways. Having the opportunity to evaluate why the characters behaved the way they did and what the outcome could ve been if they had made better choices may help your child to deal with angry feelings more effectively.

Television violence certainly affects children, but maybe not as much as our own behavior. Even more important than what our children are watching on TV is what they are watching in our own homes. It is important to model good behavior, including being able to admit when you are wrong and apologizing. Never expect a child to do something you don t teach them to do through your actions. Actions not only speak louder than words, they teach far more effectively as well. Letting good behavior rule both in real life and on the television set will greatly increase your child s ability to handle themselves appropriately.

Studies have definitely taught us that television violence affects our children. How much is too much? Certainly children should never watch violent programs that are intended for adults. Most of the time adults would be better off not watching them either, but the violence is too real and can cause not only aggressive and violent behavior, but depression and anxiety as well. Even children s programs that focus on violence, such as Power Rangers, should be monitored and viewed with caution. If your child acts out after watching these programs, that is a good sign that they should not be watching them. Common sense needs to be the guide, but take the time to be aware of the connection between television violence and anger problems and using opportunities to communicate with your child can make all the difference.

About the Author: Ray Subs is a public relations consultant working to promote the Help Your Child with Anger Blog. For more information about dealing with anger management in children visit the blog at Does Your Child Have Anger Issues?

Article Source: ActiveAuthors.com

An Epidemic of Behavior Problems in Children, especially Boys???

2009-01-26T14:08:00.000-08:00

I am hearing more reports than usual these days about behavior problems, anger issues in young children.

According to one report,youngsters in pre-kindergarten programs are being expelled at triple the rate of their peers enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade. More than 5,100 pre-kindergartners were expelled nationwide last year.

In general,4-year-olds were expelled at a rate of about 50 percent greater than 3-year-olds and boys were expelled at a rate more than 4.5 times that of girls.

A report issued by the federal government's National Center for Health Statistics showed that the parents of nearly one in every five boys in the United States were concerned enough about their sons' emotional or behavioral problems that they consulted a doctor or a health-care professional about the situation. By comparison, about one out of 10 parents of girls reported these kinds of problems.

We are witnessing an epidemic of ADHD and boys seem to be mainly the culprits. Nearly one in five boys has serious emotional and behavioral issues. Something is amiss.

Experts have suggested several possible causes, linking smoking in the home to behavior problems, high sugar consumption to hyperactivity, sleep disorders to aggression.

We can insist that all we need to address are causes or we can look at the situation in a more proactive light: there are things we can do to rectify the situation. Behavior in children is not fixed in stone. And new studies in the neuroplasticity of the brain suggest that changes in the brain can bring about changes in behavior.

Exercise for example builds the executive functions of the brain. So do brain exercises like chess, riddles, puzzles and math games. We do not need to sit quietly on the sideline and lament the situation; nor do we need to rely on medication alone to solve our problems.

I know. My grandson was labeled ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder). School officials recommended that he be placed at at Special Behavioral Facility.

Thank goodness we resisted that recommendation.

We tapped into tools that are out of the ordinary:these tools included physical exercise, brain exercises as well as activities that engage the psycho-energetic power of the mind such as focused attention and thought, meditation, energetics therapy and Atlantean Healing sessions.

He is now thriving in second grade at school.

___________________________

Bianca Tora is a grandmother who wrote about her experience with her grandson in a newly published book. Visit her at Help Your Child With Anger.

Anger Management For Teens

2009-01-19T11:09:00.000-08:00

Anger is a normal emotion that everyone experiences at different times in their lives. When it is used and expressed properly, anger can be healthy; sometimes it motivates us to make a needed change or stand up for an important cause. However, when it happens too often or is expressed improperly anger can be a serious problem for teenagers that can affect their grades, their health, their relationships and their self-esteem. Finding ways to help teenagers learn anger management techniques is vital to helping them become productive healthy functioning adults.

If your teenager is getting in trouble at school or with the law due to anger management issues, the first thing to evaluate is your own behavior as a parent. Is your teenager modeling the behavior they learned at home? Sometimes this is a major issue, if the child is being physically or verbally assaulted at home or is witnessing this behavior in others they will have a difficult time understanding how to deal with anger appropriately. Take time for an honest evaluation and if there is a problem with anger management throughout the home, all parties should work on improving these issues together and seek professional help if necessary.

Not all teenagers with anger management issues learned the behavior at home, however. Sometimes there are chemical imbalances in the brain that may be caused by illness, food allergies, nutritional deficiencies or hormonal imbalances. A teenager with anger management issues should be checked out by a doctor to discover the cause or rule these possibilities.

No matter which of these issues is the problem, taking certain steps can help make a great improvement in anger management for teenagers. Eating a healthy well-balanced meal that is rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, healthy proteins and essential fatty acids is highly beneficial. Avoiding foods that cause allergic symptoms, are heavy in sugar or contain artificial ingredients and anything highly processed especially with MSG, high-fructose corn syrup, or hydrogenated oils in the ingredients list.

Learning anger management techniques to use when anger strikes is also an important part of changing the teenager's behavior. There are a few steps that can be taken to improve anger management for teenagers such as:

* Learning and avoiding possible triggers: for instance if being late causes stress
and anger the teen can learn to plan in advance and leave earlier to avoid stress.

* Learning to take a time out or walk away from stressful situations.

* Finding non-violent ways to express anger without lashing out at others: writing in a journal or getting some physical activity can allow time to de-stress and focus some of their excess energy in a different direction. Things are often easier to deal with after cooling off first.

* Learn to apologize. When angry outbursts do occur, and rest assured they will, learning to say "I'm sorry" can help both the teenager and the injured party. Taking accountability for one's actions can help give them reason to pause when faced with a similar situation in the future. Along with apologizing, it is important to take the time to analyze the situation and determine how that situation could have been handled better and then decide to handle it that way next time.

Learning to deal with anger management issues is difficult for teenagers as well as the adults who care for them. Remember that helping to build their self-esteem is an important way to help them overcome this difficult issue, so take time to compliment them when they handle a situation well no matter how small the victory it should be acknowledged.
________________________________________

About the Author

Ray Subs is a public relations consultant working to promote the Help Your Child with Anger Blog. For more information about dealing with anger management in children visit the blog.

Meet Marjorie from "Support for Cancer Patients"!

2008-09-06T12:32:00.001-07:00

Sometimes you meet the best people online. One such person is Marjorie, a nurse/midwife volunteer at the Community Cancer Centre in Yiewsley, Middlesex England. This is what she tells us:" We are 5 mins. drive away from Heathrow Airport. For all our international readers of this blog ……if you are near or in between flights then call in for a cup of tea and see our centre!"

Marjorie has a purpose in life:"Here I am on this blog to let the public know what the centre does to help support cancer patients & their careers. I hope to be able to share educational pages with you, not only on the centre but on various aspects of the cancer journey. A journey that can be challenging from diagnosis, through treatments and to wellness or sadly any release.

I will be here for any reach outs from anywhere in the world to share my support with you."

Please read her wonderful article on the Goddess Festival here .

Another one on sexual intimacy here.

To find out more about Marjorie's blog, just click on the title of this blog!

How To Successfully Market a Home-Based Tutoring Business

2008-09-04T10:26:00.000-07:00

How To Successfully Market A Home-Based Tutoring Business

By Liz Folger, Work-at-Home Expert

So you like the idea of starting your own tutoring business. Great! Now how do you go about finding students? Since hiring a tutor is becoming more popular all the time, there are plenty of potential students waiting for you to help them, and willing to write you a nice check after each session.

Word Of Mouth Is FREE And Your #1 Marketing Tool

One thing you’re going to learn very quickly is that tutoring is a word of mouth type of business. Once you get one parent who is thrilled with you because their child is getting better grades, you’re going to find that parent praising your name. After that, it won’t be long before you start having other parents pounding on your door begging you to help their kids.

Contact Schools

But you’re still right where we started just a few sentences ago. You still need that first student. Let’s say you want to tutor middle school math. I would try to contact middle school math teachers, counselors, and principles and tell them about your tutoring business. Talk to them about your background and show them your resume. Explain why you are such a great tutor, and can really help students who are struggling with math or whatever subjects you want to tutor.

There’s a chance you have children and already have a relationship with the teachers you would like to contact about your tutoring business. This is always better, because the teacher already knows and trusts you and is more apt to send you future students.

Spread the word of your new tutoring business among all your friends, neighbors, and family members. These people are key. They know you already! Just like teachers you might already know. They are more apt to recommend you to someone because they like and trust you.

Advertise Your Business Using The Written Word

You might think you need to hurry and pay for an ad somewhere to get that first student. Use that as your last resort. Don’t be afraid to make up some flyers and post them in the area where your future students or their parents might be. Check out local parenting publications and see if you could write an article for them outlining what to look for when hiring a tutor. There won’t be any mention of your business in the article, but there will be the opportunity to include a byline that says you’re a tutor. As the writer of that article, you are seen as an expert tutor and can easily get business this way.

Here is a list of possible places and groups you could contact to market your business:

Parents

Home school Groups

Schools

Students needing to learn a second language

Aftercare Programs

Day Cares

Boys and Girls Club

YMCA

Marketing Material

Before you even think of trying to find one student, make sure you have business cards made. You’re going to need something to leave with people so they remember you and can contact you later. Business cards are a must! If you can create a brochure about your service, what you offer, your background etc, that would be nice to give away too.

You can also take it one step further and create an online brochure by having a website. This way people can check out your business whenever it’s convenient for them. This is a great way for parents to contact you, ask questions, find out what you charge, and to make appointments with you. Once you start to have more and more students, ask for testimonials to place on your website and include in brochures. Testimonials are a great marketing tool. If someone is saying good things about your business, your future customers should hear about it.

Believe In Yourself

One marketing tool that works above all others is to believe that you are a great tutor. Don’t be afraid to talk about your credentials and background. Include this information on your website, resume, and any letters that you might send to school counselors, teachers, and principles. The more information you include, the more credibility you’ll have.

If you'd like more information about starting your own Home-Based Tutoring Business CLICK HERE!

The Merkaba Meditation

2008-08-02T07:52:00.000-07:00

The Merkaba Meditation is one of the oldest forms of meditation in human history. The word Merkaba is made up of three smaller segments: Mer which means light ; Ka which means individual spirit and Ba which means the physical reality or the spirit's interpretation of its particular reality. Sometimes Ba is interpreted as the body. Essentially the Merkaba is a field of spinning light that functions like a vehicle between the body and different dimensions.

Read more about the Merkaba
here.

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Sacred Geometry

2008-07-28T17:41:00.000-07:00

Mary Desaulniers

Sacred Geometry is the return of man to the wisdom of the past. It is Drunvalo Melchizedek's book, The Ancient Secret of the Flower of Life that brought me so close to this magical way of looking at the world. Nothing is accidental in Sacred Geometry. We are all placed coherently and purposefully within a a labyrinth of connections. Reclaiming our original state of wisdom and power becomes the purpose of our adventure on earth.

There is something undeniable about the way our universe has unfolded in repetitive forms.If we look at ourselves closely, we can see as well that there is a pattern in our lives.

Find out more about the meaning of Sacred Geometry here.

Four Ways to Renew Your Aging Brain

2008-07-08T11:37:00.000-07:00

Four Ways to Renew Your Aging Brain

Bianca Tora

My mother used to say that her brain was stuck in cement. She could never learn as quickly as we (the children) did because her brain had hardened with age. This assumption about the brain has been tossed aside as another urban legend down the dust. New research shows that neuroplasticity is a feature of all brains, young and old. What this means is that whether you are 90 or 2, you are capable of learning new tricks.

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to adapt to its environment. It can generate new neuronal circuitry, new cells, compensate for weakness by replacing malfunctioning connections and cells with new ones. In fact, nothing in the brain is hardwired. Like the salamander that can regenerate its tail, the brain can re-grow new neurons. It is this compensating mechanism that points the way to brain longevity. We need not consign ourselves to the fate of slow and palsied years. Aging is not synonymous with the loss of memory and cognitive skills. What can we do to ensure a thriving brain in our senior years?

Break Out Of Routine
When King Lear in his madness exclaims that the world as he knew it had lost its footing and that we should ”look” with our ears, he was using a metaphor that has since become a physiological fact: scientists have found that blindness from birth can trigger the development of a visual cortex that can hear and feel. The brain area devoted to sight has been conscripted by the auditory function. People blind since birth are literally capable of hearing with their eyes or looking with their ears. We can improve our multi-dexterity by doing something different: take a new route to work, travel to a new country, learn a new language, and learn a new skill. Doing something out of the ordinary forces your brain to carve new routes, increase synaptic connections and over-ride obsolete circuits.

Join or Develop a Running Program
Research done on mice has shed light on the relationship between aerobic exercise and brain regeneration. Mice trained on running wheels produced two to three times as many neurons as their non-running counterparts. Recent studies on the effect of aerobic activity on brain function have turned out some interesting facts: aerobic training increases brain volume in older adults while non-aerobic activities such as stretching and toning do not produce the same effect; seniors who are aerobically trained seemed more capable of sustained attention; they are less susceptible to distractions. Cardiovascular fitness that comes from running and cycling seems to provide natural protection to the central nervous system and cognitive functions of older adults. There is more. Tests also reveal that seniors engaged in aerobic training scored significantly better on neuropsychological tests than their non-aerobic colleagues. Cardio workouts like running seem to dissolve the effects of negative stress on the brain and bolster the body’s immune system.

Cultivate a Passion
Faced with a challenging situation, our brains are forced to develop new strategies and new neural circuits. But faced with a challenging situation that we love, that excites us in a positive way, our brains are persuaded to forge new neural conversations between different parts of the brain. Passion provides the lubricating catalyst for increased synaptic firing and connections, a situation popularized by the saying, “Cells that fire together stay wired together.” This is the reason we learn so much more rapidly when we are excited by the material we work with, be it a new hobby, a book in the making or a new business. If, as studies suggest, aging is caused by a dramatic reduction in functional connections within the brain, then cultivating a passion is a sure way to fire up a disrupted system.

Meditate
Focused attention during meditation alters the structure of the brain. Studies show that consistent meditators activate the prefrontal cortex that is located at the front of the brain; at the same time, the limbic section of the brain located at the back, slows down. It is this attention that promotes neuroplasticity in the brain. Practicing a skill on autopilot has no effect on the brain. The brain’s confrontation with something new, the brain’s ability to focus attention on something unknown promotes neurogenesis or new cell growth. Moreover, meditation increases the thickness of the cortex, the outer area of the brain most susceptible to age-related thinning. This increase in thickness is often associated with the ability to integrate emotions and thought, the left brain and the right brain.

The issue with healthy aging is not so much skin rejuvenated with botox or liposuction of flabby tissues, but a healthy and cognitively sharp brain. This we can have at our disposal without a huge expense. All we need to do are four things: break out of routine, go for a run, nurture a passion and meditate.

__________________________________

The Power of The Brain

2008-01-24T12:01:00.000-08:00

© 2008 Bianca M. Tora

If we acknowledge the power of the zero-point field, we will understand the immense potential we are born with. Beyond our flesh and bones, beyond our cells and tissues, we are free, empty,void of latitudes. Anything can happen in a vacuum. Molecules disintegrate; new ones appear; in hyperspace, we become the power of unbridled energy often manifested in our dreams. Creating a coherence between our physical reality and the unbridled totality of our psychic world is the purpose of our journey on earth.

To this end we are helped by our psychic apparatus which guides us towards a coherent unfolding of our latent power. We are also helped by our physical apparatus--our brain which has recently been found to be more recuperative than previously thought. Our brain, like the salamander that can regenerate its tail, has the capacity to rewrite or rewire itself.

For years, neuroscientists have touted the neuroplasticity of the child's brain, claiming that the adult brain is too hard wired and fixed to be malleable. My mother used to tell us that she could never learn French the way we(the children) did. Our young brains, she told us, were soft and absorbent whereas her brain had hardened like cement in the sun.

Like many medical "facts" thrown out the window by new research, this one of the hard and indelible brain has also become an urban legend. Not only is our brain capable of changing its maps, brain-mapping is governed by the principle of use: use it or lose it!

Every experience produces neurological changes in the brain. Magnetic Resonance Imaging reveals that musicians have brains that are different from non-musicians. String players who have developed a highly sensitive left hand have larger cortical maps devoted to linking feelings to the fingers of that hand. Such changes, however, are not evident in the brain area related to the right hand. Musicians who began musical training at an early age have larger masses of brain fibers(corpus callosum) connecting the two hemispheres.

Even meditation alters the brain. Neuro-imaging of the brain reveals that regular meditators develop thicker frontal cortexes. Experienced Buddhist meditators release exceptionally strong gamma waves associated with neuronal activity that accompanies insight and understanding. Mental training, like attention and intention, has a profound effect on the physical structure of the brain: we have the power literally to create a better brain.

Such is the case with Barbara Arrowsmith Young, who, though labeled "retarded"(1) as a child, was able to complete her graduate studies in Child Development and start a highly successful school for the learning disabled. How did she manage to accomplish that?

By rebuilding her brain.

Stumbling upon an experiment showing that the brains of stimulated rats were different from those of non-stimulated rats, she set upon the task of designing specific exercises to compensate for her own mental deficits. These exercises, which helped her understand grammar, logic and spatial relationships, became the basis of the curriculum in her school.

Thirty years later, Arrowsmith School has become the mecca for children who experience frustration and despair at conventional schools. These children are given exercises designed specifically for brain areas and functions most compromised in children with learning disabilities. Some of these children, diagnosed with attention deficit and medicated with Ritalin, did so well in these exercises that they were taken off their medication. Once their learning problems were minimized, their capacity for attention improved. The results at Arrowsmith School are dramatic. A 13 year old youngster, whose math and reading skills were at the Grade 3 level, was able to raise those skills to the Grade 10 levels after three years at Arrowsmith. Now a college graduate, he has a position with a venture capital company.

The same regenerative capacity can be seen in adults suffering from OCD(Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). Patients with this disorder are compulsively locked in repetitive actions such as hand washing, buttoning and unbuttoning shirts, cleaning and re-cleaning rooms. These actions are largely ritualistic, perceived by the patients as a means of self-protection. They believe that breaking the ritual would bring on impending disaster.

The standard procedure for treatment of OCD is Exposure and Response Prevention or ERP, a form of therapy that repeatedly exposes patients to triggers of their addictive behavior, followed by procedures preventing them from reacting to those triggers through their usual compulsive behaviors. The logic behind this form of therapy is the notion that repeated exposure to the triggers will acclimatize patients to the sources of their fears. What ERP treatment ignores is the level of anxiety provoked in patients by the treatment process. Imagine rubbing fecal material all over your hair, skin and clothes as part of the treatment process for compulsive hand washing? Imagine being told by your therapist to let the mess be so you can get "habituated" to it?(2)

Determined to find a more humane and drug-free form of treatment, Jeffrey Schwartz M.D., a psychiatrist and a longtime meditator, considered these questions. Can the effects of focused attention on the mind be used within the OCD arena, as a form of mindfulness training that would empower patients to redirect their compulsions towards more acceptable channels? Can a behavior disorder caused by physical abnormalities in the brain be modified by sheer mental force?

We know that thought can influence heart rate, blood pressure and skin temperature. Why not brain structure as well?

Using his familiarity with Buddhist meditation, Schwartz developed a 4-step process to help his patients
a) create a new understanding of their symptoms as mistakes, false manifestations of a brain condition;
b) understand their mistakes as a kind of brain snag that was not a reflection of who they were(3), thus disengaging them from any sense of ownership or victimization; if brain chemistry was the reason for their anxiety, then their obsessive compulsions were not real, just mental static, nothing more (4);
c) turn their attention to an alternate behavior, thus activating different neural circuitry that would eventually bypass the problematic pathways;
d)accept their symptoms as false brain messages, something they could easily dismiss by seeing them through the lens of an attentive mind (5).

Schwartz's work with OCD patients achieved tremendous success. 12 out of 18 patients made extraordinary improvement just after 10 weeks of his mind-training therapy--without the use of drugs. This success has been replicated by other professionals using his 4- step method. He has shown undoubtedly that mental training can activate new brain circuitry that could eventually override those that have been pathologically wired in place. By deliberately choosing an alternate activity to replace addictive reactions, OCD patients have been able to stimulate new cortical wiring that leads to healthy behavior. Locating free will in the prefrontal cortex, Schwartz strongly suggests that mindfulness and attention are tools by which we can reshape our unconscious urges with the intentional and volitional use of consciousness and the action we take.

(1) Norman Doidge, The Brain That Changes Itself, New York: Viking Penguin, 2007.

(2) Jeffrey M. Schwartz and Sharon Begley, The Mind and the Brain: Neuroplasticity and the Power of Mental Force, New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2002, p.3.

(3) ibid. p.81.

(4) ibid. p.82.

(5) ibid. p.88.

__________________________________

Bianca M. Tora is writing a book on Reconfiguring the Brain.

Protein and the Older Woman

2007-06-12T10:22:00.000-07:00

There are several reasons why protein is especially important for older women who are pursuing weight loss goals. Weight loss alone generated by a reduction in food intake or calories can often be more detrimental to the body than excess body fat. Why? Diets that are low in calories, carbohydrates and protein can easily strip the body of 50% of its muscle tissue. The weight has come off. But so has the body’s lean muscle tissue, the body mass that keeps the body looking young and vital. What is even worse is that the loss of vital tissues has compromised the body’s immune system, which means that the body is more susceptible to colds, flu, congestions and infections.

While twentysomething models can get away with a thin and lean look, thinness in the older woman has the opposite effect: it ages her. The media is filled with “scrawny old lady” clichés —the classic Miss Grundies who have forfeited both body mass and personal power for a kind of “schoolmarmish” belligerence.

But does this mean that those of us over 50 should forget about being ever 120 pounds again?

Not so at all. There is a huge world of difference between weight loss and inch loss. Weight loss comes with the loss of body tissues and body water. Inch loss comes from the conversion of fat into lean body tissue—which is only possible when women combine a sensible diet rich in protein, good carbohydrates, essential fats AND exercise.

There is no other solution to a good healthy body than solid nutrition and physical exercise. And solid nutrition means enough protein at every meal.

The fact is that protein burns fat and builds muscle tissue that prevents the body from looking “old.” A strong body mass consumes energy, repairs the daily wear and tear of vital body structures and replaces fluid and body chemicals—all of which require protein. Inadequate amount of protein intake will mean that what muscle tissues you have in your fifties will give way to wrinkles, bones and sagging skin. Younger women can look great in slim and slender bodies; but slim and slender in the older woman can be the most tell-tale sign of age.

There are several other reasons why protein is vital for the older woman.

1. An easy way to control blood sugar level and weight is to get enough protein. Protein has little or no effect on blood sugar level, so mixing protein-rich foods with low glycemic carbohydrates reduces the glycemic index of each meal. The main
point about having protein at each meal is that protein stimulates the production of glucagon, a hormone that levels off insulin production, releases fat from fat cells for energy, decreases cholesterol production and shifts the metabolism into burning mode.

2. By adding exercise to their daily regimen, women can ensure that the adequate amount of protein they eat is put to good use. Physical exercise ensures that the protein ingested is used to burn fat and build lean muscle tissue—which is important if women wish to preserve the youthful look of a well-built body. In essence, the amino acids in protein are the “building blocks” of the body; these amino acids are not stored in the body, which means that a daily supply of protein is needed if women want to preserve lean muscle mass.

3. Because protein is tougher to digest, the body takes a longer time to break down protein foods than carbohydrate-rich foods. The body actually uses more calories to digest a hard boiled egg than a piece of toast. In the process of digesting protein, the body uses more energy, burns fat and (with exercise) converts fat to lean muscle tissue. Moreover, the benefits of protein are self-replicating, which means that as the body builds more lean muscle tissues, it in turn will use more calories for day to day activities. The result is that while the body’s weight might remain the same, the body’s size will shrink. Inch loss is more dramatic than weight loss in a long-term program of exercise and protein. Some women will go down 2-3 dress sizes, even though their weight registers no more than a 2-3 pound loss.

The most significant aspect of inch loss is that the body preserves the strong, vibrant youthful look that comes with strong muscle tone rather than the emaciated look generated by loss of weight and muscle tissue alone. Yes, older women can cultivate the strong, vibrant look of younger women, but this can only be done with sufficient protein consumption and regular aerobic and anaerobic exercise.

The Benefits of Vitamin C Skin Products

2007-05-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

A popular anti skin aging ingredient is Vitamin C. In anti skin aging treatment Vitamin C is the most effective ingredient. The skin receives many good benefits from Vitamin C. Not only does this vitamin help get rid of the free radicals that can damage your skin but it also helps your body increase the production of collagen.

The biggest challenge for the skin care industry is the stability of Vitamin C. When exposed to the air, Vitamin C oxidizes immediately. When Vitamin C is oxidized it not only becomes ineffective but it is also harmful to individuals since it will increase the production of free radicals.

Manufacturers have invested lots of money on researching a way to find alternative forms of solving the major oxidation problem. Increasing the concentration of Vitamin C so it doesn’t loose its effectiveness is one solution they have found. Often time manufacturers will increase the concentration to ten percent. As the concentration of Vitamin C increases so does the price. So for this reason many consumers look for alternatives to skin products that contain Vitamin C.

Vitamin C derivatives have also been found by researchers that can be used as ingredients. Derivatives of Vitamin C that can easily penetrate the skin cells and release a proper amount of acid to help the production of collagen are ideal. The most common fat soluble Vitamin C derivative in skin care products is ascorbyl palmitate. This ingredient is more stable and less irritating than Vitamin C. Another derivative is the water soluble magnesium ascorbyl phosphate. This ingredient is also good for products that are made specifically for sensitive skin. Both these derivatives don’t oxidize as easily as Vitamin C and don’t cause as much irritation. Although they aren’t as effective as pure Vitamin C.

It is best to check a product first before buying a skin care product based with Vitamin C. You can determine which products are effective to use since Vitamin C oxidizes easily. You can determine the effectiveness by the color of the product. A product is useless and harmful if it is yellowish-brown since this means it has been exposed to the air. With Vitamin C products you should read the label carefully to ensure you aren’t wasting your money on a product that won’t work.

Depending on the individual the effectiveness of a product will vary. While Vitamin C products will work well for some they can be useless for others. Some skin care product ingredients don’t respond effectively for all skin types. To maintain and improve the efficiency of products you should make sure you store products properly.
___________________________
About The Author
Greg Williamson is the writer of Beauty Tips and Skin Care Advice. He also writes for beauty tips, celebrity makeup, hair and skin care and acne a to z.

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

Food and Supplements That Control Cellulite

2007-05-24T01:48:00.001-07:00

Mary Desaulniers

What creates the cottage cheese effect of cellulite? Simply put, cellulite is caused by loose or weak skin and connective tissues that are unable to keep the fat tissues contained within their compartments. Fat tissues or deposits escape through weakened connective fibrous strands and buoy up to the surface, creating the pebbly, orange peel effect. Strong skin and muscles are the best preventive measures for runaway fat. Keeping the cell body firm and intact would mean keeping control over fatty deposits. Cellulite is formed by the creation of water pockets and fat deposits which means that the most effective avenue for controlling them is through exercise and diet. An exercise program is absolutely necessary as well as proper foods and supplementation. Certain foods known for their cell-building properties can help control cellulite.

Protein: The cellulite problem is most pronounced in women who have sagging muscles and skin. Exercise and protein can reduce the stores of fat under the skin; protein helps to firm up muscles that can keep fat stores in place and reduce the dimpled effect of cellulite. Older skin, like older muscles, needs protein, especially soy protein with less fat, for toning and firming. How much protein would you need to produce firm, toned muscles? Approximately .6 gram per pound of lean body mass if you are a moderately active person and 1 gram per pound of lean body mass if you are very active. Go for lean protein in fish, especially salmon because fish provides a high dose of essential fatty acids.

Amino Acids and Essential Fatty Acids: You also need amino acids that help build the skin’s store of collagen and elastin. The best sources for these are complex carbohydrates like beans, whole grains, nuts, seeds, vegetables, fruit. These provide your body with essential fatty acids that slow down the division of skin cells, thus reducing the incidence of mutations and inflammation within these cells, even when they are exposed to ultra violet light. All cells in the human body are surrounded by a membrane composed of phospholipids made chiefly from essential fatty acids. This membrane controls what goes into the cells and what comes out. A good source of essential fatty acids would literally fortify the cell membrane and keep the cell body intact. Research shows that supplementation with fish oil and flaxseed oil can produce marked improvement in skin texture and tone within the first 2 months of use. Because the outer skin replaces itself every 50-80 days, proper supplementation can have a direct and firming effect on skin.

Glucosamine: Glucosamine is a supplement that helps arthritis; it has been shown to restore moisture to arthritic joints as well by keeping the cell tissues well hydrated; this in turn has a positive, plumping effect on the cells, thus reducing the dimpling and curdling of the skin. Adequate amounts of glucosamine in the blood are necessary for skin resilience. Studies show that participants who begin taking glucosamine before and after surgery experienced faster healing with less scarring of skin tissues than participants who did not take glucosamine.

Of course, dietary supplementation and diets are only half effective without exercise. There is no doubt that cellulite can be improved with exercise. Wayne Westcott Ph.D, director of research programs at the South Shore YMCA in Quincy, Massachussetts, produced workout routines that showed an appreciable decrease in cellulite. For 2 months, 16 slightly overweight women participated in 20 minutes of cardio, strength and flexibility exercises three times a week. At the end of 2 months, the women lost an average of 1 and 1/3 inches from their hips, and an average of 1 pound. All the women reported less cellulite on their lower bodies, a situation that was confirmed by ultrasound measurements.

For best results in reducing the cottage cheese look of cellulite, eat protein and take up a consistent exercise routine. This combination will raise your metabolism, build lean body tissue, firm the muscles under the skin and keep the fatty deposits under control within the connective tissues. As well, eat plenty of beans, whole grains, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruits for sources of amino acids to help build collagen and elastin in the skin. Take glucosamine supplements to increase skin resilience. A good source of essential fatty acids from fish oil and flaxseed oil can also bolster the integrity of skin cell membranes which will minimize the problem of runaway fatty tissues– which essentially is what cellulite is all about.

Can Cognitive Fitness Be A Workout For Your Brain?

2007-05-24T01:32:00.000-07:00

There is growing interest to exercise your brain using something called “cognitive fitness.”

It’s a known fact that exercise and meditation reduce anxiety, ease depression, and give you a general feeling of wellness. Can ideas about the brain be discovered from these practices to help create an emotional fitness tools?

Can biofeedback games like Wild Divine help beginner brains look more like enlightened brains without a lifetime of dedication?

Numerous articles published by the Mayo Clinic Foundation for Education and Research, the New England Journal of Medicine and other resources, cite the importance of regular “brain work-outs” in helping individuals maintain a vital and healthy lifestyle. Solving crossword puzzles, playing card and board games, and participating in other mentally challenging tasks, are specifically mentioned as activities that can delay the onset of age-related cognitive problems. A great site for this is Acuity Games.

Engaging in mental exercises for the purpose of increasing cognitive fitness is gaining popularity for Baby Boomers and their parents. The research is not definitive regarding the prevention of brain deterioration by rigorous mental exercise, but psychologists, neurologists, and other educators are designing cutting-edge programs for the public’s desire to stay mentally sharp.

Elkhonon Goldberg, Ph.D., a neuropsychologist in Manhattan, has offered programs since 1999 for patients who have been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. “I have been increasingly impressed by a growing body of relevant research literature, both animal studies on the positive effects of species-appropriate stimulation on the brain and more recently the human literature that demonstrates positive effects of structured cognitive stimulation on mental functions in aging,” said Goldberg, who reviews this work in his new book, The Wisdom Paradox.

A private grant underwrites the foundation of Goldberg’s “mental gym” that offers computer-based cognitive exercises that the client can practice in his center two or more times a week under the direction of a private cognitive fitness trainer. Following a neuropsychological evaluation, the client follows an individualized protocol of brain workout exercises that focuses on verbal and visual memory, divided attention, language, or spatial and verbal problem-solving. In addition Goldberg and his staff hold discussions about cognitive changes to allay anxiety triggered by mental slippage and to increase a sense of empowerment.

“Our program is geared toward patients with mild cognitive impairment because this is where evidence is the strongest, the need is most obvious, and the likelihood of success is the greatest.” He said that in principle, the programs will work for healthy older adults, but “my impetus has been to help those truly in need, rather than to offer the program as an amenity.”

In Hartford, Conn., the non-profit New England Cognitive Center (NECC) offers programs for healthy older adults as well as those with early onset dementia. “People are becoming aware that fitness does not stop at the shoulders and neck,” said the Director of the NECC, Patti Said, M.A., health educator. Their most requested program is a series of a four-, six-, or eight-session “memory tune-up” workshops consisting of psychoeducation and memory strategies provided in senior centers and other community agencies. According to Said, because some older adults feel uncomfortable around computers the NECC offers a series of 24 paper-and-pencil memory exercise sessions in addition to individualized computer based cognitive training.
______________________________

Ken Savage is a Webmaster employee who writes about what is going on in the Tech industry usually days before it breaks to the rest of the world. He can be found at http://www.kensavage.com

Article Source: EzineArticles.Com

How To Choose A Swimsuit That Flatters Your Body

2007-04-30T13:58:00.000-07:00

by Janice Wee

Look in the mirror in just your underwear and assess yourself frankly. Which of these describe you best?

Shoulders, hips and waist about the same size. Not much of a waist -- boyish figure
Narrow shoulders wide hips -- pear shaped
Wide shoulders with medium or large breasts, wide hips, small waist -- hourglass
Wide shoulders, narrow hips -- top heavy
Large breasts, narrow hips -- busty and top heavy
Large breasts, ample hips and a tummy -- curvy
You can only wear clothes sized XL or larger -- plus sized
Once you know which category you are in, pick the swimwear that flatters that body type and you'll look your best during swimsuit season.

Boyish figure
If you are concerned about looking like a boy in your swimsuit, go all out feminine with frills and pretty prints. Ruffles add volume. Worn along your bust and at your hips, they give the illusion of curves. Pretty things up with string bikinis and girly prints. If you've got a cleavage, show it off with a plunging neckline. You'd look less like a boy if you show enough cleavage. Avoid bandeau tops and boy shorts.

Pear shaped body
So you've got hips.. Too large hips for your liking. Actually, curvy hips and thighs are in. You can show them off, or if you are still self conscious, you can minimize them. String bikini bottoms, tie sides or details at the sides of your bikini bottoms would make the most of your shapely bottom. If you want to draw attention away from your bottom, then dark bikini thongs would do the trick. Or you could wear a one piece swimsuit with a plunging front to draw attention upwards to your face and cleavage and away from your hips. Avoid boyshorts or very high cut bottoms as these would not flatter you. If you are wearing a bikini, pick a light top and a dark bottom to balance your figure.

Hourglass figure
An hourglass figure? You don't really need help with swimwear with a figure like yours. Still, you can mess up your look if you wear ill-fitting swimwear or a bikini top or swimwear top that doesn't provide enough support for your breasts if yours are heavy. As long as you get enough support and the fit is right, swimsuit season is your season. Wear a bright bikini or a black maillot or a really teeny printed bikini. These are classics that you can get away with.

Top heavy swimsuits
If you're busty, show off your cleavage in a one piece swimsuit with a plunging neckline. The ideal bikini for you would be one with a halter top. More than anything, you need support. Here's more about how to pick busty swimwear that flatter your body shape best.

You can widen your hips with boy shorts or a colorful bottom.

Curvy figures and plus sizes
If your tummy is a problem, wear a one-piece swimsuit that has a very high lycra content. Miraclesuits are your friend. Wear those swimsuits to take 10lb off visually. They'd hold in your tummy. If your tummy is not an issue, then go for a bikini. Just make sure the bikini top supports you well with wide enough straps or underwire support and go for the lower-rise bottoms.

____________________________
About the Author
Janice Wee
More Details about women's swimwear here.

For swimwear that flatters pear shaped women, check out http://www.cheap-designer-clothing.net/pearshapefigureswimwear.php For top heavy women's swimwear, check out http://www.cheap-designer-clothing.net/bustyswimwear.php If you have an hourglass figure, read http://www.cheap-designer-clothing.net/hourglassswimwear.php This article has bee

The Main Secret for Stomach Fat Loss and a Flat Belly

2007-04-30T13:40:00.000-07:00

by Michael Geary

If you struggle to reduce your belly fat, so that you can uncover those elusive six pack abs, then I'm going to reveal in this article why you haven't been able to make progress with this area of your fitness.
A couple major problems I see as a fitness professional are that most people who are trying to lose stomach fat:

1. Most people spend way too much of their exercise efforts focusing on cardio based workouts, when in fact, a properly designed, high intensity strength training routine causes a much better hormonal response and metabolic rate increase than cardio based workout programs.

Also, as long as the strength training workout is designed with the right types of full body multi-joint exercises, and with the right types of rest intervals and intensity, you can actually burn as many calories (if not more calories) than with a typical cardio workout.

2. Another problem is that many people still think that they should be spending all of their workout time doing exercises that specifically target the stomach area and obliques. I think you should understand by now that spending all of your time doing exercises targeting the abs doesn't do much to burn the fat off of your stomach and love handles area.

Again, your time in your workouts could be much better spent by focusing on strategic strength training exercise combinations and full body training that will result in a much better decrease of body fat over time.

3. When it comes to diet, many people try to follow some sort of fad diet that restricts a certain macronutrient too much... like extremely low fat diets, or super low carb diets. The fact is that your body needs all of the macronutrients and food groups to maintain proper balance and build muscle and burn fat most effectively. Trying to eliminate certain food groups or macronutrients in general sets most people up for failure.

The main focus should be on avoiding processed foods, artificial ingredients, trans fats (hydrogenated oils), high fructose corn syrup, and other junk foods, while focusing on a whole-food organic diet full of variety and high nutrient density.

Many times when people get past the fads and gimmick diets and start to eat in a balanced whole food manner, a lot of the problems they were having start to take care of themselves, and the body fat starts to melt off, energy levels increase, and hormones are back in balance.

See below for more of the key secrets to flattening your stomach and bringing out sexy flat abs for life. Go grab yourself a free fat loss special report for How to Get Rid of Belly Fat to Flatten Your Abs

I recently discovered a company that is changing the nutrition industry for good, with an honest approach. See Whole Food Health and Weight Loss Nutritional Supplements

If you need good fat loss workouts beyond your typical boring cardio routines, go to Exercises to Bust Cardio Boredom

Are You Living The Fearless Life?

2007-03-31T09:06:00.000-07:00

by Jacqueline Wales

When people think about being fearless it usually conjures up images of mountain climbers on Everest, skydivers jumping out of airplanes, and race car drivers on the Nascar circuit. Most people think I could never do that.

The truth of the matter is this. Every person who ever scaled Everest, jumped out of an airplane or raced around a track at 200 miles an hour was scared to death! They were putting their lives on the line and there was no guarantee that they would return alive. The difference between them and us is simple. They faced the fear and didn’t allow it to overwhelm their need for adventure, their need to go beyond their usual comfort zone.

In my role as coach to midlife women, I am constantly surprised at how many women undervalue the amount of courage it takes to live. One of my clients had a child was very ill, she nursed him through the worst part of it, and continued to do her job where the expectation was that no matter what, she had to be in on time and do her work. She did it because they needed the money to pay the medical bills. She felt there was no choice. When told how courageous it was of her to do this, she looked at me blankly and said “what else could I do?”

How many women take their heroic journeys and say “what else could I do?” Or, “Who else was going to do it?” As women, we underplay our strengths and shrug it off as a trade-off. For what? We carry the load. Men may feel they are out there creating the wealth, but today that’s no longer the truth. More women than ever are in the workforce AND still doing all the other stuff they did before. Who has the harder job? In my opinion there is no contest.

Women have expectations about doing it all. We work, we take care of the children, we cook, we clean and we run all the errands. When the kids are sick, or our husband is having problems at work, we nurture them and we continue to run until we run on empty. We get tired, depressed, anxious and angry. And we wonder why it has to be that way.

Along the way, we lost the passion for living. When we were little girls we dreamed about what we would be when we were growing up. We played at being teachers, nurses, doctors, lawyers and mommies. We travelled the globe on our wall maps and listened to the music and thought about becoming a rock star. We pushed away the doubts and went to college sure that we could do anything, and then the dream started to fizzle.

We did well in school, or didn’t, we found work that satisfied, or didn’t, and we married happily, or didn’t. And bit by bit, the dream that said you could do anything was gradually taken over by necessities. Money to pay the rent, children who needed special care, husbands who were never home because their job took them away for days on end. We found ourselves taking care of the daily grind and gradually, ever so gradually, the desire and passion for something different, for something more, dwindled to a whisper.

We are happy when we are with our family. Our children give us enormous pleasure (and pain); and our relationships over the years have deepened into friendships that are the backbone of our existence. But something is missing and we can’t quite put our finger on it.

When we reach our forties, we start to feel that the dreams we once had are no longer possible. We give in to the quiet despair of midlife believing “Is that All There Is” and knowing in your heart that the answer is no.

What is it that stands in our way from living the life we used to believe was possible? I believe it’s Fear.

We live in a fear based world. Our culture breeds it in the daily dose of terror news. We are constantly bombarded by what’s good for our health. People die from eating the wrong things. The latest was spinach. People die from being in the wrong place at the wrong time. We live in a world without proper health care and we ignore countries in the rest of the world because we have enough troubles of our own at home.

Is it any wonder that we don’t want to deal with our own fears? Better the devil we know than the one we don’t.

I was forty-three years old and I had been in a relationship for thirteen years. We had three children, including his daughter from a second marriage. It was not the easiest relationship to be in because we were both strong-willed and stubborn people. We fought on a regular basis but found mutual ground in the love of our children.

On one occasion, our fighting reached a crescendo and I was ready to leave. As usual, it was all his fault. He had made my life impossible with his demands, his thoughtlessness and his constant need for attention. I had had enough.

In the midst of our screaming at each other he yelled “You made the choices, not me.” It stopped me in my tracks. The words stuck to my brain and resonated for hours afterwards. I hated to admit it, but he was right. It had been my choice to accept less than I wanted, to give more than I wanted to, to place myself in a secondary position so that I took care of everyone else’s needs first. I wasn’t even sure I knew what it was I needed at that moment, but I knew one thing.

I was scared to take responsibility for my own emotional happiness.

We keep ourselves in a state of fear! We all make choices. Some good, some bad, but they are choices. I didn’t realize that for a very long time and wanted to blame ‘over there’ for most of the unhappiness in my life. We all have to make decisions. Sometimes these decisions may seem like there is no choice, but there always is.

Now all of this may sound like you’ve heard it all before. You have. But the sad state of affairs is that most women don’t take time for their own needs and make excuses for why they won’t move ahead into a life of fulfilment.

We all have choices and if we don’t choose the things that make us feel good, that inspire us to get out of bed each day, and celebrate the life we live, we only have one person to blame.

Living the Fearless life is not a choice. Living the Fearless life means facing the fears that stop you in your tracks, that cause you to make excuses about why you can’t do something, or refuse to make the changes that will mean feeling more fulfilled and happier with your life.

Think about this. In 2006, it is expected that women in their fifties will live until they are in their mid-eighties if their health is good. That’s thirty more years of living!! You might have another forty or more. How exciting is that.

Isn’t it about time you gave yourself what you need? What you want? What will make you happy? If you don’t know what that is, find help to unearth the part of you that was buried in the landslide called living the unfulfilled life. Stop making excuses for not taking action.

I know it’s hard. I know there are a million reasons why you can’t take care of yourself. There are as many excuses as there are stars in the sky, but you don’t have to wait until they burn out. That will take millions of years and you don’t have that long.

Thirty years is a long time to be doing something you don’t want.

Thirty years is another lifetime of putting your own needs first and creating the life you want to live.

At the beginning of this article, I used the examples of Everest and skydiving. Facing our fears does not have to be so monumental. But we do have to face up to our fears each and every day. It’s in the million details of our daily lives. The decisions we take in our jobs, our families and in our personal care.

My challenge to you is simple. Live the Fearless Life by facing the fears each day. Life is not about being Fearless, it’s about facing the fears and doing what makes us uncomfortable.

This is my first article. I put off writing it for weeks. Now that I’ve done the outline, I’ve got something to work with and I’ll improve.

My fear is getting up and saying to you that you can do this. I’m an expert on Fear. I’ve lived with it from the earliest part of my life. But I’ve refused to give in to it.

I was nine years old, living in an old Scottish tenement building that was built during the reign of Mary Queen of Scots. It was either haunted or I had an overly active imagination. One night I awoke to find a tall dark figure standing by the side of my bed. It looked huge and I could not make out any discerning features. It did not move and neither did I. I looked at it for a few minutes waiting for it to do something until I eventually closed my eyes and fell asleep once more. In the morning I asked everyone in our building if they had come to my bed the night before but no one did. To this day, I am convinced it was FEAR that came to visit. I lived with an abusive, alcoholic father and each day was spent in terror of doing something wrong.

We manifest what we most dread.

It took me a long time, but eventually I understood that living life fearlessly was not living a life without worry, but about facing the worries, the anxieties and the dread that comes with taking chances. You owe it to yourself to take the chance.

____________________________
Fearless Fifties coach and speaker Jacqueline Wales shows you how to become the woman you were always meant to be; how to take risks to strengthen your beliefs about who you are and grow more confident, secure and strong as you develop the life you want. For your free copy of the Fearless Fifties newsletter and a bonus report Putting PASSION Back Into Your Life go to http://www.fearlessfifties.com
Please contact jacqueline@fearlessfifties.com or call (718) 502 9332

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

How You Live Determines How Fit You Are

2007-03-28T08:34:00.000-07:00

by Shawn LeBrun

Did you know that how you live, day to day, determines the level of fitness and muscularity you'll achieve?

It's true, if you have a lifestyle that supports weight(fat) loss, you will not have to worry about being overweight.

If your lifestyle is not supportive of fat loss and staying fit, then it really doesn't matter what you do in the gym, your results will be limited.

It's when you expect one thing and do something totally opposite trying to get it that there becomes a problem.

If you weight train intensely, do your cardio consistently, and support yourself nutritionally, you'll get leaner, stronger, and more fit. It happens. Certain steps lead to certain destinations.

But doing things repeatedly that DO NOT support your goals will ensure you DO NOT reach them.

Here's some examples;

It's the new year and you decide one of your resolutions is to lose weight, specifically 15 pounds of fat. You give up your old, pleasurable lifestyle of eating burgers and fries four nights a week while watching your favorite T.V.
shows.

Your new, improved lifestyle involves eating salads and chicken breasts and exercising at the time you used to watch your T.V. shows.

You're so determined to lose this weight that you sacrifice all sense of fun for the next four weeks while you continue to exercise each night, skipping the fast food and T.V.

Four weeks have gone by and you've indeed lost your goal weight of 15 pounds.

So you figure, hey, I've done it, now I can celebrate a bit. I'm going to cut back a bit on the exercise now that I've lost the weight I wanted and I think I'll see what's on the T.V.

You go to the fridge for a snack and realize you haven't gone shopping for your healthy foods yet this week.

But hey, there's still those burgers and fries in the fridge, and you've earned a little celebration meal.

Soon, the lost pleasure of eating this delicious food and
watching your favorite TV show returns and feels so great.
So you do it again the next night, and the next, etc....

The old, unproductive habits have crept back into your life and have now influenced the newer, more productive ones. Your lifestyle is nothing more than what you do, day in and day out. It can either support your fitness goals or hurt them.

If you want to shed some body fat yet you continue to take days off from cardio because you're not motivated enough to do it, that's part of your lifestyle.

What you choose to do each day will influence what you get in return.

Make small, improved lifestyle changes that support your fitness goals and continue them until they become habit. Then move on to another small change that benefits you, replacing an older, less productive habit.

In fact, by making lifestyle changes in moderation, you increase the likelihood that these changes will be permanent.

Anytime that you go back to the unproductive lifestyle that caused you to be overweight, the weight you lost can return again.

The solution? Do not rule out all sense of pleasure when you decide to go after your fitness goal.

In fact, your fitness goals of being slimmer, more muscular, and more confident should be more pleasureable than burgers or fries.

If your surrounding environment and habits (cookies, cake, ice cream in front of the TV) do not contribute to your fitness goals, you need to make a change so that what you eat and do each day does.

__________________________________
Shawn LeBrun is the author of "Simple Steps To Get Huge And Shredded, a proven, step by step program designed to help people build muscle and lose fat. It is currently being used in over 68 countries Click here for more information: http://www.shawnlebrunfitness.com/getshredded.html

What the Philosophy of Tai Chi Can Do For You

2007-03-27T08:32:00.000-07:00

by Stephen Todd

Taoist Philosophy - to understand the purpose of the form it is important to understand its basis and roots.

The origins of Tai Chi go back over 5,000 years and are based in Taoist philosophy developed and refined by the great Taoist thinkers such as, Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu.

The core concept of Taoism and Taoist philosophy is that everything in the universe is subject to change and when dealing with this change we should act not to fight it but work with it and avoid conflict.

The core Of Taoism is that action should always be effortless and come from spontaneous creativity, but this should not require mental or physical effort.

According to Taoist philosophy change is constant but, by understanding change and acting in accordance with the laws that govern it, we can work effortlessly to achieve our aims.

Taoism is about working within the laws of change, not struggling to oppose them, this is seen as futile and a waste of energy.

In Tai Chi this manifests itself in that a posture will always be difficult and a struggle, unless there is union of mind and body, to make the move an effortless interaction.

Yin and Yang
Another concept in Chinese philosophy related to change is yin and yang.

These two opposing, yet complimentary forces are constantly at work in the universe and in our lives.

Yin and yang are the basis of change but they also come together in harmony to create a balanced whole.

The simplest example of this is breathing. We breathe in and we breathe out - an opposing action that comes together to create balance and harmony. Change and harmony, is the basis of yin and yang and of Tai Chi.

The principles of yin and yang are reflected in the form the sequence of movements that make up the Tai Chi discipline.

The form is actually a sequence of movements that flow continuously representing both change and harmony.

A movement begins, grows completes and empties then another begins until the sequence is completed.

The Tai Chi Philosophy
The aim of the Tai Chi form is to create streams of energy to flow through the body.

In the philosophy of Tai Chi, it is said Chi (life energy) follows the mind; each posture and movement creates a different energy flow, which, has a beneficial overall affect on overall well-being.

Tai Chi stimulates circulation, aligns the skeleton and joints correctly, stimulates the organs of the body and helps digestion.

It increases muscle tone, strength, improves balance and co ordination and improves breathing.

Tai Chi does not just provide physical benefits; by raising energy levels, it also affects the mind and the spirit.

Tai Chi focuses thought, so that mind and body energy works together as one.

Tai Chi reflects both Taoism in terms of effortless interaction and yin and yang in terms of reconciling two opposing forces, to create harmony and equilibrium. This combination is the very essence of the Tai Chi philosophy.
______________________________________________
To learn more about Tai Chi and our services please visit our web site: http://www.re-vitalise.co.uk

Eating To Build Muscle And Lose Fat

2007-03-26T08:28:00.000-07:00

by Shawn LeBrun

Eating to build muscle and lose fat at the same time is tricky, but extremely possible.

If you ask a 100 different people their opinions about what percentage of their daily calorie intake should consist of protein, what percentage carbohydrates, and what percentage fats, you will probably get 100 different answers.

It's no secret that losing body fat and gaining lean muscle is all calorie based. If you continually consume more calories than you burn off in a day, you will store the excess calories as body fat.

To lose body fat, you must create a calorie deficit, meaning you burn off more calories than you consume.

But we need calories just to survive. Where should these calories come from?

The nutritional breakdown I am about to give you is based
on "real world" results, not what is simply written in an out-dated nutrition book.

Results speak for themselves. Not only has this nutritional formula allowed me to stay lean and muscular year round, it has been used by many of my clients to achieve amazing results as well.

To burn body fat and build lean muscle tissue, follow the 50-40-10 rule! Approximately half of your daily calories should come from protein.

Other than water, protein is the most abundant substance in muscle. Protein (amino acids) helps build muscle.

Carbohydrates do not and fats do not. This is why half of your daily calorie amount should be from protein sources. Protein is also the least likely of the 3 nutrients (protein, carbs, and fat) to be converted to body fat.

Aim for approximately a gram to a gram and a half of protein per pound of body weight. If you weigh 200 pounds, try to consume at least 200 grams of protein.

40% of your daily calories should come from complex carbohydrate sources like fresh vegetables, whole grains and cereals, oatmeal, brown rice, or potatoes.

10 % of your daily calories should come from fats.

I often tell my clients to not worry about reaching the fat gram number, that it will be reached without too much trying. After all, fat tastes good and is in almost everything we consume, in one form or another.

There are many variations of this 50-40-10 rule but as a whole, most research has shown this to be a very effective ratio for adding lean muscle tissue to the body while minimizing the amount of fat added.

But to further back up this research, this breakdown of protein, carbs, and fats has produced the best results for myself as well as clients I have trained in person.

So I always go with what works and what has been tested, not some theory in a textbook.

If you want to start eating to build muscle mass and lose unwanted body fat, start following the 50-40-10 rule!

_____________________________________
Personal trainer and natural bodybuilder Shawn LeBrun shows you how to train and eat in order to gain muscle and lose fat as fast as possible.
http://www.shawnlebrunfitness.com

Are You Losing Fat Or Muscle?

2007-03-26T08:23:00.000-07:00

by Shawn Lebrun

I often have to catch myself when speaking with clients or
newsletter subscribers when I use the terms "weight loss"
or "losing weight".

I mistakingly use these terms on my site and in my newsletters even though I probably shouldn't.

Why?

I can bet that you, no matter how much you think you do, do not want to lose weight. You want to lose fat. Maybe a little, maybe a lot. But it is the body fat you want to lose, not just weight.

I have never had anyone approach me and ask me how they could go about losing some lean muscle while maintaining their fat levels. This would cause weight loss.

So, all of us that think we may want to lose weight, it is really the fat we are trying to lose while preserving lean muscle tissue.

The cool thing is, when we lose fat and preserve lean muscle, that lean muscle actually helps us burn more calories to keep off the body fat.

So how do we go about ensuring that we are losing fat and not muscle while we exercise and focus on our nutrition?

Although there is no absolute cut-and-dry method to ensure fat loss and muscle preservation during intense exercise or calorie restriction, there are some steps you can take to maximize the likelihood it is fat you are losing and not lean muscle.

First, separate and attack the two independently. Focus on losing fat. Focus on increasing your lean muscle mass.

Treat them as two distinct entities.

When attempting to lose fat, there are primarily two ways to do it. One, increase aerobic activity. Two, decrease caloric intake. The best approach is to do a little of both.

Start to slowly decrease your caloric intake while increasing the amount of cardio/aerobics you do.

Do not go to an extreme on either. Do not restrict calories too much or you will actually cause your body to store more body fat. Also, do not do too much cardio for risk of overtraining and increasing the likelihood of injury or sickness.

Approach losing bodyfat by focusing on those two areas, a
reduction of calories and an increase of aerobic activity.

That addresses the issue of losing fat, so how do you ensure gaining or at least preserving your lean muscle mass? Again, by focusing individually on what creates muscle gain.

During your weight training routine, try to keep progressively increasing the amount of weight you lift over time. This alone will cause your body to keep adapting to the increase in demand by adding lean muscle tissue.

One quick way to increase the weight you lift is by decreasing your repetitions.

Also, make sure you are getting adequate nutrition during the day to support muscle growth. Since protein (amino
acids) is the building block of muscle, be sure to get enough of it in your diet. Aim for about half of your daily calories from protein.

Be sure you are getting adequate rest and recuperation
from your weight training workouts. It is very hard to grow lean muscle if your body is not recuperated properly from workouts.

These are some steps you can take to make sure you are losing fat and not muscle while attempting a weight loss/weight control program.

It is fat loss we are after, not just weight loss. If we lost muscle, we would still be losing weight, but not the weight we would like to lose.

Approach each individually. While attempting to lose fat, focus on the steps above that have to do with fat loss. In the mean time, take the steps listed above and try to maximize muscle gain while in the gym.

______________________________________
Shawn Lebrun

Discover a simple, proven muscle building routine by trainer and bodybuilder Shawn Lebrun that shows you, step by step, how to get the maximum amount of muscle growth and definition possible.
http://www.shawnlebrunfitness.com/getshredded.html

A Revolutionary New Approach To Heal Angry Feelings

2007-03-10T07:04:00.000-08:00

by Fred Carver Ph.D

Anger, not expressed, can have potentially devastating effects, especially when you suppress it and turn it inward on yourself. Harboring feelings of anger often leads to emotional or physical consequences. We see this every few months in the news about an incident in which a person shoots several strangers. The latest event of this kind that occurred early in 2007 took place in Utah.

On a more mundane level, people who leave work with pent up anger take their feelings out on those who have a harder time fighting back such as spouses, children and waitresses. Suppressed anger can eat away at the body producing headaches, eating disorders, intestinal disturbances, and other more serious illnesses. It can also diminish your self-esteem, undermine your self-confidence, and reduce your feelings of self-worth.

If you’ve been struggling from such aftereffects of anger, would you like to achieve a healing from them? A few years ago, I discovered a powerful method that could enable you to heal from the debilitating effects of anger held in. I call my approach the Anger Technique.

I must caution you though, it is not easy to use. Before you begin, you must make sure that it is safe for you to do a significant amount of physical exercise. In addition, you must be certain it is okay for you to get in touch with angry feelings that you hold. Furthermore, it requires significant emotional work for up to twenty-five minutes per day for a week or two.

Is my approach worth the effort? You bet. If you are able to use it successfully, the healings you obtain are truly life changing. As I implied the results come unusually quickly. Furthermore, the healings appear to be both complete and permanent.

Description of the Anger Technique Is there a person toward whom you have harbored strong angry feelings? Imagine you are confronting this person. In a standing position, visualize yourself screaming at the person phrases like “you son of a gun.” Obviously, you would want to use much stronger language. You need not do this out loud.

As you express these feelings, it is essential to involve your body physically. One way to do this would be to move your arms like a boxer punching a heavy bag. With another way, you could place a pillow at the edge of your bed, kneel down on the floor, and pound on the pillow. Use whatever variation would work best for you.

You will make the best progress if you put all your strength into the physical effort. To avoid exhaustion, do this for about five seconds at a time and then relax for a few minutes until your body has calmed down. Repeat this a number of times in a twenty- to twenty-five minute session. After several of these sessions (typically between three and eight) you should go through what I call a healing transformation (HT). The HT might last anywhere from a split second to several seconds. It is likely to occur as you are “screaming” and “punching,” and when it begins, you should continue what you are doing.

When the HT happens, you might experience sensations that are not easy to characterize. The most salient feeling is a tingling in the upper part of your body. It is similar to what you experience when your foot has been asleep and is in the process of reawakening. Light headedness and deep breathing might accompany this tingling. After the HT, you are likely to experience a deep feeling of relaxation in the pit of your stomach that will last for a few days.

The results may be somewhat different if you acquired your angry feelings gradually, rather than through a traumatic incident. In such cases an HT might not occur. I am confident, though, that the approach will still be beneficial in terms of reducing your angry feelings.

Another Benefit of the Technique I have also learned that if you use the technique on a situational basis, that is, whenever you feel very angry or frustrated because of an upsetting experience, the technique will dissolve the angry feelings or frustration and allow you to maintain a healthy emotional state. There is nothing wrong with feeling appropriately angry when you feel mistreated. It isn’t the anger that is destructive; it is the harboring of it that creates problems. On such occasions, when I use the technique for just a few minutes, it helps me release most of my anger. I can then view the person with whom I am angry from a more peaceful or neutral perspective. If the situation is such that I need to communicate further with the individual, the procedure allows me to later relate my concerns in a calmer and more effective manner. Here are two examples. One day, on my way home, I had an unpleasant encounter with an extremely nasty bus driver. Although my behavior during the interaction was quite reasonable, later on I wanted to express some of the anger and frustration I was still feeling toward the man. Using the Anger Technique in the comfort of my home for just a few minutes helped me become much more at peace.

On another occasion, I felt rejected by a woman to whom I was very attracted. For a long time, this was a mutual attraction. When she abruptly changed her mind, I felt frustrated. Using the technique for several minutes helped me express and eliminate my emotions. I was then able to think about her from a completely neutral point of view. If you use the Anger Technique, I am interested in knowing your results. Please contact me to let me know. You can reach me at P.O. Box 173, Newton, MA 02456.

_________________________________
Fred Craver, Ph.D., is a partially sighted person who is now developing his fourth career, as a professional speaker and author. He discovered his approach for dispelling anger in the mid-nineteen nineties out of his desperation to rid himself from long held angry feelings. The inner peace that soon resulted was most gratifying.

Fred began his professional life as a college teacher of physics at St. John Fisher College, near Rochester, New York, where he taught courses at all levels. When his declining vision made teaching difficult, he became a human services director and social worker. He ran a summer vacation program for blind adults sponsored by the Massachusetts Association for the Blind. When developing technologies made it possible for partially sighted people to work with computers, he became a programmer at the Army Research Laboratory in Watertown. Fred received his bachelor’s degree in physics from Cornell University and his master’s and doctoral degrees in the same subject from the University of Rochester.

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

Lap Band Surgery--Get A Second Opinion Before You Decide

2007-03-10T06:49:00.000-08:00

Many people are aware of the dramatic change that lap band surgery, and other forms of weight loss surgery, can have on an individual's quality of life and the fact that, in many cases, it can quite literally save lives. Morbid obesity is being seen increasingly today in the West, in particular in the United States, and some of the success stories seen in the media are truly amazing.

However, if your doctor tells you that lap band surgery, or another form of weight loss surgery, is your best choice you should discuss this in detail with him and then – get a second opinion.

Now this might seem like an odd thing to say but, while weight loss surgery can certainly be extremely effective, it is by no means an easy option and is not something to be undertaken lightly. More importantly, it is not something that you should embark upon without having as much information as you can gather to hand and, while gaining that information from one doctor is a start, it is always advisable to get additional information and another view from an independent doctor.

While weight loss surgery changes lives in great ways, it also brings with it a huge change in lifestyle. Surgery will severely limit what you can eat and how much you can eat and there will be a number of side effects that are far from glamorous, such as having to take vitamin and mineral supplements for the remainder of your life and the fact that you can easily make yourself sick. One doctor may well give you an extensive overview but may not cover everything that you need to know and may also have his own particular view of weight loss surgery which may color his opinion. In most cases you will find that a second doctor will agree with the first but, in some cases, this will not be so.

A second opinion before embarking on weight loss surgery is simply a good idea to ensure that you have the information that you need upon which to base your decision and to confirm that you are a suitable candidate for surgery. If both doctors agree then you will probably do well and make the necessary lifestyle changes without too much difficulty.

Lap band surgery, or any other form of weight loss surgery, is serious business and anybody considering this option should get at least a second opinion before deciding to proceed.
___________________________
Donald Saunders

Visit GastricBypassFacts.info for further lap band surgery information and other details on gastric bypass surgery

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

A Health Conscious Snack or Dessert--Four-Berry Pudding

2007-03-08T13:32:00.000-08:00

by Bob Crane

My Doctor said “You have to change your diet or you are going to plug your arteries!” He had been telling me that for years and I just dismissed it because I did not feel bad; so what could be wrong with my diet? Well now that I am over 50 and gravitationally challenged I realize what he was trying to tell me, especially now that my cholesterol and blood pressure have begun going higher and higher. There were many bad eating habits I had to break, such as, eating anything out of the vending machine at work when I had a break. Trans Fat, and sugar content never concerned me then.

After reading several diet and health books, I understood the common theme, which seemed to be portion control to lose weight and a more natural diet to maintain health. Berries seemed to be good for you for both diet and health; so after experimenting with several recipes, I came up with one that naturally turns into a berry pudding that is great for snacks. I eat that now for my breaks along with some beef jerky and my cravings to eat and snack are satisfied by a much healthier treat.

To make the four-berry pudding you just need a blender, honey, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries. The berries can be either frozen or fresh. I have tried both and they both taste great.

First: Measure a half of a cup of each berry and put them into a colander to wash them off. Then put them all into a blender add one cup of water and some honey if you like it sweet then blend until the berries are all blended together. Once they are all blended pour the juice into 6oz cups and place then into the refrigerator. After approximately one hour the juice will gel and you cal eat like pudding. If you find it too tart for your liking just add some Splenda, a little at a time to sweeten it to your liking. That’s all there is too it. Just remember that the berry juice is all natural and it will spoil just like the berries themselves so don’t make too much in advance so it doesn’t go bad on you. Another alternative to not making too much at once is to freeze what you don’t use within two days. Only before you freeze it allow time for it to gel first.
_____________________________________
Bob Crane is a Nutrition Consultant and involved in introducing an extraordinary new Internet Work at Home Based Goji Juice Business System. Check out the Goji Juice Storefront

Contact him anytime at his online store at Jerky Direct

______________________________

About the Author
Bob Crane
More Details about Health Food Berry Snack Dessert here.

Bob Crane is a semi-retired home business entrepreneur. He specializes in health related products and also helps others get started in home businesses of their own.

Ghostwriting Services

2007-03-08T10:26:00.000-08:00

Do you need a professional ghostwriter?

Ucheka Anogienen has a first degree in English and Literature, and a Masters degree in Law and Diplomacy.

He has done freelance writing for an agent and has written articles published in papers and foreign journals. He has also authored close to ten books including two collections of poems. Reasonable rates

Contact Ucheka Anofienem.

email: anofienem@yahoo.com

Tel.: +234 (0) 805-177-4515

Post:
c/o Yahaya Abubakar
P.O.Box 7923, Wuse
Abuja (F.C.T.)
Nigeria (234).