New Year Resolution

As the year 2009 draws to a close, it is time to sit back and introspect on the year that was. Try to analyze what you did, what you didn’t and what you should have done. It might have been a fruitful year for some, while for other it might be one that has left more regrets than ever. Whatever it is, the idea is to know what could have been done to improve the year and get on with the same. With the New Year 2010 approaching fast, there must be lot of things on your mind that you would like to do in the coming year.

It could be as trivial as deciding to exercise or as serious as cutting down on credit card bills. The idea here is to set realistic goals and work towards achieving them. Come to think of it, you have one complete year to achieve what you want, with new enthusiasm and zest. So spend the next few days of this year introspecting how you going to live the next year and what significant changes are you going to bring about in your life.

Top New Year Resolutions
*Fitness Regime - One of the most popular resolutions of all times is to adopt a fitness regime for living healthy. If you are serious enough, you will definitely get back into shape and unveil a healthier you the next year!
*Leaving Bad Habits - This is yet another very popular resolution for New Year. Leaving bad habits like smoking, drinking, gambling etc. is a pretty good step that you can take towards improving your life drastically.
*Financial Management - The next year, be determined to save more than you spend. You will be looking at a darn good bank balance at the end of the year. Now, what more can you ask for?
*Time for Family - Spending time with family is another resolution that you can make for New Year. Make your presence felt in your family; you never know who has been missing you and what you have been missing out on.
Learning Something New - Find time to invest in a new hobby. This New Year, do the *things you had always wanted to do. So learn the recipe to bake a cake, or join Salsa classes, learn to roller-skate or join painting classes.
*Lending a Helping Hand - This New Year, make a difference in someone else’s life by helping with whatever you have. It is one of the noblest resolutions to follow and in fact, you will feel much more satisfied by helping someone in need.
*Getting Organized - Make a resolution to get organized this New Year and live a life that is sorted out. It takes time, but it is worth all the time and effort that you put in.

Healthy Snacks For Adults

Many people choose to eat light meals or snacks during the day, in order to help them lose weight more effectively, rather than to eat a heavy meal, and then starve. There are still others, who get these cravings for food and wish to snack, on and off. No matter which category you come into, it is imperative that you choose healthy snacks, so that you can make the most out of your snack breaks.

While soda, candy, and chips are tasty, they are not always the best option since, they will not be able to provide your body with the nutrition that is needed. A healthy snack is one, that will keep you full and give you the nutrition, which you need. It is one, that will not add unnecessary calories but will yet provide you with the energy that you need on a dull day. Some people believe that healthy foods are boring and are not tasty. However, there are various options available for healthy and delicious food.

Healthy Light Meals For Adults
Sandwiches are healthy and tasty. If these are made out of whole grain bread, you will be able to get the full benefit of the fiber you need. You could go in for fillings like cucumbers, tomatoes, ham, or chicken. Add butter or mayonnaise to enhance the taste.

Yogurt is tasty and rich in nutrients like vitamins and proteins, and therefore makes a great snack for adults. Make your yogurt taste different, by adding granola bars, sweeteners or by even, making it into a smoothie.

Popcorn is great, despite the fact that some people have a warped idea that it is high in calories. This is probably the tastiest healthy food available and is sugar-free, low in fat, but rich in fiber. Enjoy a snack of popcorn but just ensure that you do not add too much of butter or salt to it, or it will defeat the purpose of having a healthy snack.

Nuts are easy to carry around and eat wherever you are. They are rich in protein and have high nutritional value. Eating too many of them is not advisable. Therefore, carry around just about three tablespoons of nuts, so that you will not over-indulge.

Bowls of cereals can be really healthy since they are rich in fiber and vitamins. With various new flavors added to cereals these days, no one can say that these are not tasty!

How To Get Best Deals On Clothing

You won’t appreciate the art and craft of bargaining much in your life. It takes a lot of energy and patience to bargain with shop keepers and sales men in stores. The basic reason for this can be described as the ignorance of a common man about the actual worth or price of the outfit he/she is purchasing.

When one sees a price tag on a costume, he/she has not many options left other than buying it for the price which is printed on the tag. Smart and clever people try to bargain and manage to get a little discount in the end, but you don’t need to bargain always to get some best deals on clothing. There are many effective ways of getting clothes at right prices other than bargaining. In fact, bargaining is not really a gentleman’s business.

Buying your summer clothing, in the end of summer is a good idea, because you will get heavy discount on the products. You can buy loads of outfits when you get heavy discount. You don’t have to be very choosy in a lavish shopping. Most of the stores will be flooded with clothes which they couldn’t sell completely. Therefore, they will be in a hurry to clear off their stock, as fast as possible. This makes them put heavy discount labels on the clothes.

Many stores announce heavy discounts during festive season to boost up their sales. You can take advantage of this and do your bulk of shopping in this period. Buying clothes online is a good option to get best deals on clothing. Make a list of the outfits you want to buy and Google them up, one by one. You may get a thousand online shops for the clothes you need. The only thing is that you should be able to get those clothes at a price below retail. EBay is a site people usually refer for these purposes.

Go through your favorite store's website. Check clearance section of the store. Usually they will have many older items, at very low prices which they want to sell immediately. You can benefit from this, if you choose the right clothes. Don't hesitate to use second hand clothing. You can find fashionable clothes in cheap prices in second hand stores. There may be many second hand clothing stores in your city. Just go for it and check for any damages.

Check the websites of the stores, when you often go for shopping and sign up for mailing list. If you sing up for the mailing list, you would get all the updated information about discounts and other offers at the right time. They will send you an email every time an offer pops up.

Camera Critters #3

Seasons greeting

happy holiday to you and yours!

Why are the Holidays so Stressful?

Right after Halloween, many people start to dread the next two months. They know they have a long list of things to do and not enough time to do it all. Anxieties increase as family starts talking about plans for the upcoming festivities. Who is going to have dinner at whose house and who is going to be upset he or she is or is not the host this year? No matter how organized you might be, decorating always seems like a nightmare; decorations aren't where they are supposed to be and lights miraculously became tangled in an untouched box. Don't forget, there's shopping for presents and fighting the crowds at the mall. It's no wonder that people feel like they lose their mind this time of year!

Exercise burn out

Do you often feel exhausted after a workout? Do you ever step on the treadmill with the intention of going for a nice, long run only to have your body shutdown? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you may be suffering from exercise burnout.

So, what is the cause of exercise burnout or over training? The short answer is that your body needs time to adjust to increased physical demands. This is especially true if your body is not used to the added physical demands you are placing on it. Why would anyone do that? Usually there’s a looming deadline of some sort that facilitates this type of overtraining. Other causes may have their roots in emotional or psychological issues, like not feeling as if you measure up, or suffering from an eating disorder.

Money and stress

This is one of the main causes of stress for many people. No matter how much you make, it doesn't seem to be enough. If you are going to conquer your stress about money, you will need to sit down and get a clear picture of your financial situation.

How much of the money you make are you spending on things that you want, but don't really need? Get a handle on unnecessary expenditures if you want to lower your stress levels.

Figure out how much money you have coming in and where it is going. Then make a realistic spending plan for getting your finances on track. Once you have a plan in place that includes paying down debt and saving a portion of your pay for emergencies and retirement, your stress levels about finances will go down.

Today"s Flower #9

Tha serenity prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

Reinhold Niebuhr



Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will direct your paths.

Proverbs 3, 5-6

Camera Critters #2

Hand washing

Frequent hand washing is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading illness. Hand washing requires only soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer — a cleanser that doesn't require water. Find out when and how to wash your hands properly.

As you touch people, surfaces and objects throughout the day, you accumulate germs on your hands. In turn, you can infect yourself with these germs by touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Although it's impossible to keep your hands germ-free, washing your hands frequently can help limit the transfer of bacteria, viruses and other microbes.

Always wash your hands before:

*Preparing food
*Eating
*Treating wounds or giving medicine
*Touching a sick or injured person
*Inserting or removing contact lenses

Always wash your hands after:

*Preparing food, especially raw meat or poultry
*Using the toilet
*Changing a diaper
*Touching an animal or animal toys, leashes or waste
*Blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing into your hands
*Treating wounds
*Touching a sick or injured person
*Handling garbage or something that could be contaminated, such as a cleaning cloth or soiled shoes

Of course, it's also important to wash your hands whenever they look dirty.

best way to predict a child's adult height

There's no proven way to predict a child's adult height. However, various formulas can provide a reasonable guess for child growth. Here's a popular example:

*Add the mother's height and the father's height in either inches or centimeters.
*Add 5 inches (13 centimeters) for boys or subtract 5 inches (13 centimeters) for girls.
*Divide by two.
Most children will reach an adult height within 4 inches (10 centimeters) of this estimation.

Another less accurate way to estimate a child's adult height is to double his or her height at age 2.

Remember, a child's height is controlled by genetics. It's also important to note that children grow at different rates. Some children begin their growth phases early, while others are late bloomers. If you're concerned that your child isn't growing normally, consult his or her doctor. Sometimes an underlying condition affects child growth.

Fruit juice: Is it good or bad for kids?

Recent studies have confirmed that drinking moderate amounts of 100 percent fruit juice doesn't affect a child's weight. However, fruit juice contains calories. Just like any other food or calorie-containing drink, too much fruit juice can contribute to weight gain.

If you choose to give your children fruit juice, choose 100 percent fruit juice instead of sweetened juice or fruit-juice cocktails. While 100 percent fruit juice and sweetened fruit drinks may have similar amounts of calories, your children will get more vitamins and nutrients and fewer additives from 100 percent juice.

Toxins at home

Children are more susceptible to toxins in the environment than adults because children eat more food, drink more water, and breathe more air in proportion to their body size. In addition, many of their systems are still under development and certain behaviors may put them at a higher risk for exposure.

Lead - Lead poisoning can cause learning disabilities, visual-motor problems, lowered intelligence, and stunted growth. Dust from lead-based paint is the main source of lead poisoning, but lead can also be found in lead solder, household plumbing, soil around homes, ceramics or pottery, fishing weights and bullets, and folk medicines.

Pesticides - Pesticides can be beneficial, but they can be very dangerous to children if they are not used or stored properly. Learn more about what you can do to reduce exposure in your home.

Mold - Household mold is a environmental irritant that can cause respiratory irritation and can aggravate asthma and cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals and children are at a greater risk. Mold should be removed as soon as it is discovered, but it is important to note that mold rarely causes severe illness and is merely an indication of moisture problems in the home.

Secondhand Tobacco Smoke - Children exposed to secondhand smoke miss more days of school every year, are more likely to have asthma, and have a higher rate of respiratory infections. Babies exposed to secondhand smoke have a higher rate of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Be consistent

When it comes to discipline, it's important to be consistent. Parents who don't stick to the rules and consequences they set up don't have kids who do either. For example, if you tell your toddler that a timeout is the repercussion for bad behavior, be sure to enforce it. Only issue warnings for things that you can follow through on. Empty threats undermine your authority.

And don't forget that kids learn by watching adults, particularly their parents. So make sure your own behavior is role-model material. When asking your child to pick up toys, you'll make a much stronger impression if you've put away your own belongings rather than leaving your stuff strewn around the room.

Today's Flower #8

Mind games for mind exercise

Who doesn’t want to have a sharp mind? Having a sharp mind is something we all want. I recently read a thought-provoking article about it entitled Cognitive Fitness in Harvard Business Review. The article talks about how the minds of people like Warren Buffet and Alan Greenspan stay sharp even in their old age.

What is the secret? The secret is brain workout. They exercise their brain continuously and that makes their minds sharp.

One way to exercise your brain is playing:

Play engages the prefrontal cortex, responsible for your highest-level cognitive functions – including self-knowledge, memory, mental imagery, and incentive and reward processing… Activities like bridge, chess, sudoku, role-playing games, and challenging crossword puzzles all provide rigorous neural workouts.

Looking at myself, I must admit that I do not play as much as I should. So I went around the web and searched for places where I can play games to have fun and exercise my brain. What I want are places where I can play for free and – whenever possible – play alone without having to find partners first. This way I can easily exercise my mind whenever I want.

Social Phobia

Many people get nervous or self-conscious on occasion, like when giving a speech or interviewing for a new job. But social anxiety disorder is more than just shyness or occasional nerves. If you have social anxiety disorder, your fear of embarrassing yourself is intense — so intense, in fact, that you may go to great lengths to avoid situations that would trigger it. The good news is that many effective treatments and self-help strategies can help you overcome the symptoms of social anxiety and reclaim your life.

Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, involves intense fear of certain social situations — especially situations that are unfamiliar or in which you’ll be watched or evaluated by others. These social situations may be so frightening that you get anxious just thinking about them or go to great lengths to avoid them.

Underlying social anxiety disorder is the fear of being scrutinized, judged, or embarrassed in public. You may be afraid that people will think badly of you or that you won’t measure up in comparison to others. And even though you probably realize that your fears of being judged are at least somewhat irrational and overblown, you still can’t help feeling anxious.

Although it may feel like you’re the only one with this problem, social anxiety disorder is actually quite common. Many people struggle with these fears. But the situations that trigger the symptoms of social phobia can be different.

Some people experience anxiety in most social and performance situations, a condition known as generalized social anxiety disorder. For other people with social phobia, anxiety is connected with specific social situations, such as speaking to strangers, eating at restaurants, or going to parties. The most common specific social phobia is fear of public speaking or performing in front of an audience.

Conceals an unpleasing appearance

Many people can encounter unpleasant conditions on their face during their lifetime. These conditions could include blemishes, acne and bruises. Some individuals may have allergic reactions to certain moisturizers, medication or makeup. This can cause anyone to refrain from going outdoors and interacting with others. However, many people still have to work and perform other daily tasks that require them to leave their homes.

Women and men with long hair can conceal embarrassing blemishes or bruises. This is another great benefit of having long hair. Special hairstyles can be created to cover up many unsightly areas on the face. Long hair can be used as a temporary shield while men and women are trying to get rid of their blemishes. Those who may have undergone reconstructive surgery may utilize their long hair to prevent unwanted stares in public.

Today's Flower #7

apple and banana health benefits

They say that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but many of us still don't eat them. That doesn't mean we shouldn't be eating them, however. Pound for pound, fruits are among the healthiest foods a person can consume, offering numerous benefits (from antioxidants to vitamin C to potassium to fiber) in huge quantities that other foods don't come close to. But which fruits offer which specific health benefits?

1) Apples
With only 80 calories and 0 grams of fat, it's tough to beat the all-around health boost an apple provides. The primary health benefit of apples is the 3 grams of fiber you get from each one, which carries you a long way toward the 20 grams you are supposed to get each day. High fiber diets have also been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke, as well as clearer skin, so if you're looking for a fruit to start loading up on, look no further!

2) Bananas
The banana offers two primary health benefits: fiber (2 grams per banana) and the all-important nutrient of potassium. If you are at all interested in the healthy, proper functioning of your heart and muscles, potassium is something you do not want to skimp on. The easiest way to get it is to work bananas into your diet; say, one at breakfast, and one after supper. You'll be amazed at how much more energetic and healthy you feel after just a few days or weeks!

Stunning look

Ever wondered how you can look stunning without trying to be older than you really are? Want to look pretty and natural, without using too many bad chemicals for your skin?

The best way to be pretty is to seem natural, but there are ideas and ways that help... You don't need to bury your face with eyeshadow and blush to look beautiful. This article will show you how to complement your natural shades and shapes to look and feel confident and naturally pretty! Confidence is the one most attractive characteristics in the world. Keep your posture upright and your head up as this creates the feeling that you know who you are, what you want, how to be happy and enjoy life.

Today's Flower #6