What matters most...

Chiropractic works

2010-08-19T17:05:00.003+08:00

Why do most people go to see a chiropractor instead of a doctor when they have problem with their back or anything that's related to the spine? Simple. Because chiropractic works.But for my Buddy Albert he turns to chiropractic to have a normal blood pressure.

Nowadays, it seems as if everybody have this problem. If you are worried about your high blood pressure, a chiropractor could help. In one study, 21 patients with blood pressure problem were randomly assigned to one of three groups: one group received chiropractic treatment, another given "fake" treatment, and the last group receives no treatment at all.

Results showed that systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly in the active treatment condition, whereas no significant changes occurred in the placebo and control conditions.

Vinegar can cure

2010-08-12T17:02:00.002+08:00

Vinegar contains agents proven to help kill bacteria and fungus, one of the medical benefits of vinegar is it can help cure athlete's foot and other foot fungus. Soaking your feet in vinegar, just once a day, will help change the PH levels in your skin so that fungus cannot grow. Bacterial killing agents found in vinegar, will help kill the existing bacteria and fungus.

Another one of the many medical benefits of vinegar is it can help relieve cramps- such as a calf or leg cramp. Muscle cramps can be excruciating, and pain medications can take a while to take effect. Very often muscle cramps are caused by low potassium levels in the body. Taking one teaspoon of vinegar orally when you are suffering from any type of muscle cramps will quickly cause your potassium level to rise and help relieve the cramps.

The goodness of water

2010-08-08T16:58:00.001+08:00

How many times have you heard the saying drink eight glasses of water a day and you will look and feel great. Then you are thinking, you hope you are near a restroom all day. But the fact of the matter is that water, which really has no nutritional value, is really very good for you.

Drinks like soda and ice teas have a lot of caffeine but they are also very fattening. There are several ways that water can be beneficial to you.

Water helps you lose weight, you can't just drink water and expect to lose a ton of weight but drinking 8 glasses of water a day, will flush out your system and keep the bad stuff out of the blood stream. The fact that your body is 75% water should help. Water also keeps your kidneys hydrated and that will lessen the chance for kidney stones. Water also keeps your skin hydrated so you won't have dry itchy skin.

Water can after a while be boring to drink and when that happens most people stop drinking it, to keep your water fun try adding a fresh lemon to it or try those fat free, sugar free mixes like Crystal Light. Even though water is pretty much tasteless it can be boring and then you get bored. Continue to drink water on a daily basis and you will see a difference in your skin and on your scale.

Dark Chocolates

2010-08-05T16:56:00.001+08:00

Dark chocolate is also said to be a good choice of copper and magnesium which is essential in maintaining a regular heartbeat and maintain levels of a person's blood pressure. Eating a large amount of dark chocolate is not good for anyway in terms of fat and calories even though there is a great potential for it to be a health benefit anyway. Eating too much of anything is not a good thing.

Too much chocolate can also give you a soft of jolt because dark chocolate has caffeine in it. So they more you eat you may get that sugar chocolate rush a bit too much. But if taken in moderation, you will see the health benefits sooner rather than later. Too much of it will give you a belly ache and just the right amount may prevent you form having a heart attack

Balance is the key

2010-07-31T19:08:00.001+08:00

Some people think that they can eat anything if they have a regular exercise program. The famous runner Jim Fix who wrote The Complete Book Of Running thought he could. In an interview with a newspaper he said that it he was not concerned about his diet because a running program of 10 miles a day would sufficiently burn up whatever he ate. He said for breakfast he had fried egg, sausage, fried potatoes, butter and cream-talk about cardiac disaster! As you may recall, Jim Fix died suddenly while on a daily run.

On the other hand, some folks watch their diet religiously but are rarely physically active. They eat grains, fruits and vegetables and know the latest nutrition facts, but they don't move their bodies. They approach doesn't work either. What does work is the balance of a healthy living style that includes a low fat way of eating and regular exercise. Balance is the key.

Building stronger leg and stronger hips through training

2010-07-28T14:51:00.000+08:00

Falls are very dangerous as you get older. Can you prevent them? Yes, strength training helps you regain your balance after having been slightly knocked off center. Building stronger leg and stronger hips through strength training can postpone and possibly even preven these highly destructive falls. Strength training gives you more confidence, more control over your own body. With that, you have a less chance for injury and less chance for falls.

In one experiment that was done they took 10 people (average age 90) and had them do simple leg exercises three times a week over eight weeks. They not only built up their strength but saw improvement in their lives from moderate muscle pumping. They became more mobile, more flexible, and their walking speed noticeably improved. They had a doubling, even tripling of the muscle strength in their legs. Two of them threw away their canes!

If 90 years old were able to do strength training and benefit from it. Surely it will help you.

Few tips that may help keep your weight down

2010-07-23T13:43:00.000+08:00

At buffet or dinner, fill your plate with fruits and vegetables. Then add very small portions of other foods. Be the last one in line to get your food, and then eat slowly. This way you won't finish eating before others and be tempted to go back for seconds.

First, put your food on your own plate and eat from that only. Don't hang around the food plate. Get involved in conversation and activities. Sip on a low calorie drink with lot's of ice all evening. Nibble on vegetables and not chips. Don't drink. Alcohol is high on calories.

Strength training

2010-07-15T15:15:00.000+08:00

People often ask me " What kind of exercise do you do? " I walk briskly for thirty minutes a day on my sationary bike and do at least one-half hour of floor exercises using wrist and ankle weights, Walking hours burns calories and provides aerobic conditioning. The floor exercises increase flexibility, and weights firm muscles.

I began doing strength training when I learned it provides a definite increase in bone. How? Our bones respond to pressure, and strength training provides the pressure- more so than aerobic training.

Food headaches

2010-07-07T14:41:00.000+08:00

Researchers believe that what you eat and drink may contribute to certain kinds of headaches-especially migraines. But proving a definite link between diet and headaches is often difficult, and no single food affects all sensitive people. The following have been most commonly involved: aged cheeses, alcoholic, alcoholic beverages, nuts and peanut butter, yogurt, sour cream, cured or processed meats, caffeine rich drinks, freshly baked yeast products, chocolate, MSG, hydrolyzed vegetable protein and aspartame(artificial sweetener).

Most of the suspect foods and beverages contain substances that may constrict or dilate blood vessels of the brain. One major culprit is tyramine, a chemical that occurs naturally in may foods. Nitrites, used in cold cuts and frank-furters, can also dilate blood vessels. For some people, not eating for many hours, or suddenly, abstraing from certain foods-such as coffee- may bring on headaches.

Banking calories

2010-06-30T14:26:00.000+08:00

What's right way to "cut back" on your food so you can enjoy a guilt free holiday dinner or a special restaurant meal? The experts tell us to that moderate restraint is okay, even encouraged-if it's done wisely.

On the day of a dinner party, don't skip meals or eat so little that you are starved. Instead, make low-fat, high-fiber, carbohydrate-rich choices at breakfast and lunch and have a small snack an hour before the meal if you are hungry.

The week before this special event, cut back substituting jam for butter on your morning toast, using a lemon on your salad instead of an oil-based dressing, or skipping dessert. This way you won't feel deprived or starved.

Say Thanks to Dad on Father's Day

2010-06-20T03:47:00.000+08:00

Children blessed with a loving father should consider themselves fortunate. For, they have someone to take care of their needs and interests. Someone to stop them when they are diverting to a wrong path and guide them on a road to success and virtue. For many of us fathers have always been there to solve our innumerous mathematics and science problems and explain the same formula hundredth time or better still until it is understood by us.

Fathers would never ever give a smallest of hint to let us know how hard they work to take care of our needs and fulfill even the most whimsical of demands... For all their adorable scolding and affectionate punishments we all owe a big thanks to our Dads.

Stress doesn’t always look stressful

2010-06-10T13:08:00.000+08:00

Internally, we all respond to stress the same: our blood pressure rises, our heart pumps faster, and our muscles constrict. When stressed, our bodies work hard and drain our immune system. Externally, however, people tend to respond to stress in three different ways: some become angry and agitated, others space out or withdraw, and still others freeze up.

The best way to quickly relieve stress may relate to your specific stress response

The three most common ways people respond when they’re overwhelmed by stress:

Foot on the gas. An angry or agitated stress response. You’re heated, keyed up, overly emotional, and unable to sit still.
Foot on the brake. A withdrawn or depressed stress response. You shut down, space out, and show very little energy or emotion.
Foot on both gas and brake. A tense and frozen stress response. You “freeze” under pressure and can’t do anything. You look paralyzed, but under the surface you’re extremely agitated.

Stress superhero

2010-06-06T13:05:00.000+08:00

Ever wish a stress superhero could save you from traffic jams, chaotic meetings, or a toddler’s tantrums?

Guess what? You can be your own stress-busting superhero. Everybody has the power to reduce the impact of stress as it’s happening. With practice, you can learn to spot stressors and stay in control when the pressure builds.

Learning quick stress relief won't happen overnight. Like any skill, it takes time, self-exploration and above all, practice. But think of it as an education with a huge payoff.

Simple ways to connect as a couple and rekindle love

2010-06-01T13:00:00.000+08:00

Commit to spending quality time together on a regular basis. Even during very busy and stressful times, a few minutes of really sharing and connecting can help keep bonds strong.

Find something that you enjoy doing together, whether it is a shared hobby, dance class, daily walk, or sitting over a cup of coffee in the morning. Further, try something new together. Doing new things together can be a fun way to connect and keep things interesting. It can be as simple as trying a new restaurant or going on a day trip to a place you’ve never been before.

Spend quality time together

2010-05-28T12:57:00.000+08:00

You probably have fond memories of when you were first dating your loved one. Everything may have seemed new and exciting, and you may have spent hours just chatting together or coming up with a new, exciting thing to try. However, as time goes by, children, demanding jobs, long commutes, different hobbies and other obligations can make it hard to find time together. It’s critical for your relationship, though, to make time for yourselves. If you don’t have quality time, communication and understanding start to erode.

Couples are often more fun and playful in the early stages of a relationship. However, this playful attitude can sometimes be forgotten as life challenges or old resentments start getting in the way. Keeping a sense of humor can actually help you get through tough times, reduce stress and work through issues more easily.

What counts as a family meal

2010-05-22T06:15:00.004+08:00

Whether you have a toddler or a teen, here are the best strategies to improve nutrition and encourage smart eating habits. Family meals are a comforting ritual for both parents and kids. Children like the predictability of family meals and parents get a chance to catch up with their kids.

In addition, family meals offer the chance to introduce kids to new foods and to act as a role model for healthy eating.

Teens may turn up their noses at the prospect of a family meal — not surprising because they're busy and want to be more independent. Yet studies find that teens still want their parents' advice and counsel, so use mealtime as a chance to reconnect.

What counts as a family meal? Any time you and your family eat together — whether it's takeout food or a home-cooked meal with all the trimmings. Strive for nutritious food and a time when everyone can be there. This may mean eating dinner a little later to accommodate a child who's at sports practice. It can also mean setting aside time on the weekends, such as Sunday brunch, when it may be more convenient to gather as a group

Wash you hands

2010-05-14T06:11:00.001+08:00

Your hands can easily spread bacteria around the kitchen and onto food. This is why it's important to always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water at each of these times:

*before starting to prepare food
*after touching raw meat, including poultry
*after going to the toilet
*after touching the bin
*after touching pets

Don't forget to dry your hands thoroughly as well, because if they are wet they will spread bacteria more easily

Tribute To Mother

2010-05-08T11:17:00.002+08:00

On Mothers Day, pay your most humble tribute to Mother!
Mothers are everything for us when we are small...our lives revolve around her. For everything that we need we call mother. To protect us from all perceivable dangers we want her around us. To take us out we hold her arms. To kiss away our wounds we run to her. And for a warm hug and love we look for her. She is the focal point of our lives, the greatest human being in the world or should we say divinity on earth. On the special occasion of Mothers Day pay tribute to your mother - the greatest blessing of God on you.

On Mothers Day Thank your Mother
There is simply no way we can ever really thank mother for all she has done for us. She is the one who will be awake all night when we are sick. Praying to God to make us well and be ever ready to bear the pain that we may be experiencing. She is the one to wake up early in the morning to make the nicest tiffin and endure all our tantrums. Mothers are the ones who would forever complain that we are not eating enough or not eating right. They would cook all sorts of things so that we be strong and healthy. Mothers infact, worry more for our examinations than we must. They would take pains to complete our school projects leaving all other works behind while we play around with friends or just while away time watching movies.

On Mothers Day Apologise to your Mother
Mothers are the one on whom we put all the blame for our failures. We would not hesitate once to point her single faux pas though she would not miss even a slightest opportunity to praise us. Isn't it tough to imagine how she must have borne our temper tantrums when we were teenagers. And how hard we must have made her life by behaving so rude and difficult. And yet she was so astonishingly cool. It it easy for the kids to be so demanding from parents, specially mothers as we take her affection and care so much for granted. Most often to the extent of selfishness. Mothers Day is the right time to apologise for all the troubles that we gave to our moms, without even realising at most times how troublesome we must have been to her.

Celebrate Mothers Day with your Dear Mother
Mothers Day is the perfect day to celebrate the joys of having a mother. It is the time to make amends for not being able to spend quality time with her. So turn your wrongs right by making all efforts to give a perfect Mothers Day to your mother. Think about her likes and dislikes about gifts and idea on celebration and act accordingly. Strive to make Mothers Day absolutely hassle free for your mother and take the responsibilities on yourself for a day. Pamper her a little on this special day of hers just as she pampers you all the year round.

Give her a warm hug and a big kiss as you wish her a Happy Mothers Day!

To discipline a child

2010-04-19T21:47:00.002+08:00

It's natural for children to give their parents headaches before they are shown proper guidance or discipline. Some children are hyperactive and pose greater challenges than others. But all should be accepted and loved, and parents should remember that the objective of discipline is to teach.

Disciplining a child does not always mean punishment, because the long-range goal is to teach children to discipline themselves and exercise self-control rather than blind obedience. Good behavior is relative, of course, and standards vary from one family to the next. Obviously, early safety lessons are the most important. Small children need guidance more than punishment, and the purpose in punishing a child is not to get even but to teach. A time-out is an effective punishment for children of almost any age, as is rewarding good behavior. Remember to keep your rules succinct and simple and, whether or not you agree in spanking a child, never to shake a child or hit them in the head.

There are some children who would pose challenges to any parent. They are strong-willed and intensely curious, prone to troubled sleep and feeding problems, and have been so since birth. Some may be hyperactive, though that means they are also exhibiting unusual intelligence. It's important to love and accept even a difficult child, save your energy for major problems by letting him win a battle now and then, and avoid making a full diagnosis until the child is of school age.

One More Gift

2010-03-29T17:52:00.000+08:00

Life that lead to happiness

2010-03-23T14:07:00.003+08:00

Are you truly happy? Do you even know what it means to be happy and what it takes to achieve happiness? These are important questions for anyone who is seeking happiness to ask themselves. I live my life to maintain my own happiness while trying my best to not cause unhappiness to anyone else.

If you want to be happy you need to understand that you can be happy and that you should be happy. Many people make the mistake of believing that they don’t deserve happiness and accept their unhappy state as their destiny. The truth of the matter is that happiness, like anything else in life, needs to be nurtured.

Understand what it is that will make you happy. Everyone has unique requirements for attaining happiness and what makes one person happy may be very different from what makes someone else happy. Revel in your individuality and do not worry about whether or not your desires are comparable to those of your peers

Maintaining your health is another way to achieve happiness. Being overweight or not eating nutritious foods can have a negative effect on your mood. Additionally, exercise has been known to release endorphins that give you a feeling of happiness.

Finally, it is important to understand that you deserve happiness. Those who believe that they are not worthy of happiness may subconsciously sabotage their efforts to achieve happiness. If necessary, tell yourself each day that you deserve to be happy and remind yourself what steps you will take to achieve the happiness you desire

Make up and pimples

2010-03-20T19:56:00.002+08:00

Most women attempt to conceal their blemishes or skin disorders by opting for various cosmetic products. Covering up pimples and zits may sound as a brilliant technique to achieve the perfect smooth skin look but the truth is that your beauty products, particularly certain specific cosmetic items might actually result in an enhanced Pimple condition. While this alarming fact may strike as an unpleasant surprise but it calls for a state of awareness and preparedness while choosing your makeup items and when dealing with skin problems.

Even though the connection between makeup and Pimple is not entirely known or proven, studies reveal that worsened skin conditions may be caused due to several factors such as inadequate use of makeup products resulting in clogging of pores, using unhygienic items on sensitive skin such as applicators and brushes that may carry Pimple-causing bacteria and usage of incorrect and incompatible makeup products such as usage of oily based products on an already sensitive skin. Excessive oil accumulation is a leading Pimple aggravating factor and while choosing makeup products it is highly recommended that you are alive to the ingredients and constituents of whatever you apply on your skin.

Therefore, before going to bed, make it a habit to thoroughly clean all the makeup from your face and neck and every once in a while make use of gentle cleansers and toners to give your pores a break!

Happy Birthday Anak!

2010-03-04T08:50:00.001+08:00

happy birthday RJ!

Sleep disorder and aging

2010-03-03T08:22:00.001+08:00

Are you one of millions of seniors who think life would be pretty good….if you could just get some sleep?

Sleep disturbances are very common in older people. Changes in sleep patterns may be a normal part of aging, but many other factors common in older people contribute to sleep problems. These include physical illness or symptoms, medication side effects, changes in activity or social life, and death of a spouse or loved one. Sleep disorders decrease quality of life in older people by causing daytime sleepiness, tiredness, and lack of energy. Poor quality of sleep also can lead to confusion, difficulty concentrating, and poor performance on tasks. Sleep disorders also are linked with premature death

Feeling good about yourself

2010-02-26T05:53:00.003+08:00

Everyone wants to look and feel good about him or herself. So if you are not too happy about yourself, think about your image and how you can improve it. You can always improve without going to the lengths (and expenses) of plastic surgery!

*Are you an active person? Do you exercise every day? Do you take care with personal hygiene?
*Do your clothes fit you or do you look like you are drowning in them or trying to escape from them?!
*Do you eat the right kind of foods?
*Do you smile at people and make positive comments?
*Are you resilient? Can you bounce back when things go wrong?
*Do you work at having and keeping friends?

Feeling good about yourself is something you can do something about.

If you do all of these things, you will have a healthy active life and look great at the same time, even if you don't have huge muscles or great pecs or bigger boobs or longer legs or … whatever your current 'if only' is!

Flame your social life

2010-02-24T19:31:00.002+08:00

Man is a social animal and thus, if we are labeled with this tag, we should make efforts to keep its essence alive. Thus, we socialistic in your approach and stretch the diameter of your social lifestyle:

•Be faithful towards all relationships in your life. These relationships are treasured possessions of a person and thus, must be cherished by each one of us.
•It is important to participate in social gatherings to make maximum use of your being a human. It provides you with the opportunity to meet people with different shades and thought processes and you definitely learn one thing or another from them.
•How about actively taking interest in social responsibilities? You must keep some part of your life reserved for duties towards society. By doing so, you can feel a sense of satisfaction and completeness.
•You must possess memberships to various social clubs online as well as offline. This will help you to explore the world and learn about society in a big way.

Above all, you must understand the purpose of your existence on this planet. An aimless spirit inside you must be tamed to perform appreciable tasks, while leading a life. If you are confused about the aims and objectives of your life, never hesitate in asking from experts

Thus, we must have the desire to extract maximum out of every moment presented by our life. And once you achieve this, you will find that there is no better place than planet Earth to live in this Universe.

Osteoporosis and yoga

2010-02-23T20:40:00.002+08:00

I just spotted this interesting piece about the possible benefits of yoga in fighting bone loss: http://www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=48392&sc=274

I have to admit I'm skeptical of the anecdote suggesting that a woman with decreased bone density was able to improve it simply by dropping coffee and adding more time on the mat (what about calcium intake, Vitamin D, and other lifestyle changes?) but the point is well taken.

Yoga can be a beneficial weight bearing exercise to help build bones and I just might try some of the recommended poses. It may not be the right choice, however, for those who have compression fractures in their spine or are otherwise frail, so do check with your doctor if you are considering starting a program.

Sweating and body odor

2010-02-19T04:54:00.003+08:00

There are lots of different activities that cause us to sweat more than usual. Hot weather, exercise and doing something that makes us feel anxious all cause the sweat to flow. Sweating is one of the body's ways of cooling down and it is important that we do sweat. There is a very rare condition where people do not sweat, and they are at a very high risk of overheating.

Sweat by itself does not have much of an odour. Most of the smell is caused by bacteria which live on the skin and in clothing. Strange as it may seem, people with unpleasant body odour are unable to smell their body odour. Because they live with it all the time, they are no longer sensitive to the smell.

Underarm deodorants make the sweat acidic which stops bacteria from growing. We still make the same amount of sweat, but there are fewer bacteria to make the smell. Antiperspirants block the sweat ducts with aluminium salts, so that less sweat is produced. Less sweat equals fewer bacteria and less smell. They should only be used on underarms - you need to be able to sweat over the rest of your body to keep yourself healthy.

Anger can take over your life!

2010-02-17T14:05:00.002+08:00

If you feel low or have little control in your life, you can sometimes use anger to manipulate or make others afraid of you. This can give you a sense of strength, power and control over the people around you. Using anger this way can hurt other people and yourself.

It makes it difficult to keep friends or other relationships and can lead to feelings of guilt or shame. These feelings can lead to low self-esteem, and increased anger and loneliness. It becomes a vicious cycle! It is never OK to use anger to hurt people in any way!

Attire makes a big impact

2010-02-16T08:07:00.003+08:00

The way you dress can make a big difference in the way you look. Not only can you appear more professional or more relaxed depending on what you wear, but you can also look thinner depending on your choice of wardrobe. If doesn't matter what your dress size is, or whether you are bottom-heavy or simply out of proportion, by adjusting your attire you can make a big impact on your looks.

Probably the number one mistake people make is to wear clothes that don't fit. Wearing larger sizes does not make you look thinner. In fact, it will make you look even larger. On the same basis, wearing a size 12 if you are a 14 will not make look like a 12. All it will do is to accentuate every single area in which your body is hiding extra fat. Wearing clothes that fit may seem like an obvious answer, but if you want to look thinner, this should be the first thing you do. The same holds true for fabric. Avoid clingy outfits (Lycra and silk are difficult to wear properly) and instead choose pre-shaped outfits that will give you a general outline and make you look thinner.

If you need to look thinner on the bottom, avoid pleated skirts (they make your stomach look bigger) and instead choose A-lineskirts. If you need to hide bulges, choose loose-fit and low-ride jeans. With low-ride jeans, however, make sure to wear a top that is long enough. Boot-cut pants will balance large hips, and simple designs without a lot of extra pockets will also make you look thinner. Avoid slim-fit jeans if you have large thighs, and opt for darker shades to minimize trouble spots.

If you are trying to make your upper body look thinner, avoid tank tops in summer, as they emphasize your arms. On the other hand, if your arms are toned, showcasing them will take the focus away from your problem areas. Boatneck tops are great for balancing your body, and something you should definitively use if you have good-defined shoulders.

secret to flat tummy

2010-02-15T14:12:00.003+08:00

Our tummies are always the hardest to trim whenever we decide to shape up. We do crunches and sit-ups to get rid of the bulge and unwanted "love handles," exerting so much effort into toning and firming them up, yet with little or no results--until after at least a month of doing them daily. But did you know that there’s a simple way to achieve a flat belly?

The secret, if you haven't discovered it yet, is simply practicing good posture. Abdominal muscles are partly responsible for holding our bodies upright.Imagine if your belly always looked as good as it does when you turn sideways in the mirror and suck it in. Ab exercises can help, but 5—or even 50—minutes of crunches won't do any good if you're letting it all hang out for the remaining 23 hours of the day.

No need to worry since posture can easily be corrected, and it even has a bonus: "Correcting poor posture can make you look five pounds slimmer instantly.

2010-02-14T20:23:00.000+08:00

Camera critters

2010-02-13T21:05:00.000+08:00

Ways to increase metabolism

2010-02-11T17:37:00.004+08:00

There are very few people who are able to eat everything they want and still not put on weight. Not many people have a perfect metabolism. In order to help the calories which enter our organism we have to respect certain rules.

Having breakfast

The metabolism decelerate in nighttime, when we don’t consume food for 9-12 hours. When we refuse to have breakfast we give a signal to our metabolism not to begin its activity and continue to sleep. The organism decide it have to protect its energy until the receipt of food. Breakfast has the capacity to stimulate the metabolism, in this way reminding the organism it has to begin the working process.

Drink green tea

Green tea is a fount of useful substances. But the most important is the fact that green tea contains phenols, which clean the liver, helping the organism to get read of toxins and thermogenics – substances, which have the property to burn fats, assuring a more efficient work of the metabolism.

Eat carefully

Concentrate not on the fact WHAT are you eating, but HOW are you eating. The process of digestion begins with the moment you smell the food you intend to eat. Therefore it is not recommended to eat in front of the monitor, while watching TV or while reading a book or a magazine. Concentrate on the process of food consummation, eat slowly and chew carefully.

Take into account the subtleties of diet

Our organism requires a diversity of products. The only exception can be our breakfast. The metabolism will reward us if we will eat porridge regularly (every morning). In order to be more tasteful we can add some fruits or natural yogurt. Fresh juice is also very useful in the morning (if it is too sweet, we may dissolve it with water).

Physical exercises will help us burn our fats

It is not important when you carry your physical exercises in the morning or in the evening. The morning exercises will help to activate the working process of your body and to line up the level of endorphins which will fill your day with positive emotions and good mood. On the other side in the evening the muscles are in their maximal tone, and it is less probably to get muscle pulls while making sports. In the evening the organism is in the peak of cheerfulness and calories are burnt faster. Active exercises will help you to increase the musculature and decrease the fat mass of your body. As bigger is the muscle mass as active is the metabolism, because the calories are expended for the muscles and not for the fat accumulation.

Try to walk more often

If you don’t have time to undertake walks or to do physical exercises try to use other methods. For example, don’t use the elevator at home or in your office. If your home or office is too high, you can walk a few floors by feet and the rest using the elevator. You can climb on the elevator and go down on the stairs. You can also replace the use of public transport with a few stations walk. The metabolism will show its gratitude in the future and will fill your day with positive mood.

Don’t ignore the vitamins and the minerals

Calcium, zinc, selenium will accelerate the metabolism and will stimulate the work of lymph system. Consult your physician, dietician, or fitness coach what kind of vitamins are better for you and for your body.

Metabolism is the set of chemical reactions that occur in living organisms to maintain life. These processes allow organisms to grow and reproduce, maintain their structures, and respond to their environment

Substitute junk food with healthy food, take longer walks and be an optimist – that’s the secret not only of a good metabolism but of a good life in general.

Why do Happy and Optimist live longer

2010-02-10T20:14:00.003+08:00

Studies across the world have proved that people who are happy and have a positive outlook of life live healthier and longer lives. Now lets figure out why. Those who are happy and optimistic have lesser cardio logical problems; these also refer to coronary diseases and angina. People who are more optimistic also heal faster and have a faster recovery rate than those who are bleak and pessimistic about their health. The rate of re hospitalization after heart surgery also drops with the more optimistic lot.

According to research and studies conducted, those who are optimistic are less likely to suffer from strokes. Depression can lead to strokes, which can be fatal. Those who are less depressed, and less likely to have a stroke as compared to those suffering from clinical depression. Remember a stroke can lead to partial or full disability when not fatal. So avoid the occurrence of a stroke with a more optimistic outlook to life.

What is your outlook on aging? Don’t think this question is important? Think again! Research proves that those who are happy and optimistic about aging live longer, seven and a half years longer. So instead of working so hard on your blood pressure and cholesterol levels (and I am not saying don’t) why not just think happy and live longer!

Today's Flower #13

2010-02-07T17:22:00.000+08:00

Camera Critters #7

2010-02-06T16:44:00.004+08:00

Juice fasting for weight loss

2010-02-06T16:38:00.002+08:00

Juice fasting for weight loss is a way of fasting for weight loss, by substituting the regular food with water, vegetable juices and fruit juices. It is also a wonderful way of getting rid of body toxins, as the juices do a thorough cleansing of the body. Among the weight loss processes, juice fasting for weight loss is considered as one of the most effective.

Juice fasting for weight loss is not only considered a weight loss plan, but also as a detoxification diet. An intake of raw vegetable and fruit juice and water is used instead of the normal solid diet. Juice fasting is advocated because of the juices being a good source of vitamins and antioxidants are helpful to the body. It is also considered as a detoxification diet, because the body is cleaned of toxins in juice fasting for weight loss.

Enhancement pills that works

2010-02-06T11:32:00.005+08:00

In every marriage there are times when the partners are tested and required to stop and re-define their relationship, to look and see what is going on, decide what it is they need from one another and what it is that they can or will provide. This is a process that one may have to go through many times during the course of a long relationship. Its quite interesting and common all the same that guys and girls both depict extreme differences when it comes to everything, even sex. Its quite a different story to understand that both sexes at some given point in time experience similar pangs of sexual feelings and flights of fantasy and yet problems arise when there is an inverse proportion of how each is affected by it.

Men need to feel loved and unlike women, their need for this sort of love is through sex. Women tend to draw in closer after their new life gets set after the baby and its is perhaps nothing short of boredom, that brings them closer to their man again. For men too, erection problems and their pot bellies can pose a threat to their sexual life. To pump your lady with your stream of love can only be possible to your satisfaction if you have a normal, and less bloated tummy. Sure your libido might be high but if your body isn’t in your hands then its quite depressing for a man to fulfil his lover’s needs. It is in this scenario that a man often loses hi erection, causing a lowered sexual drive in him. He may be turned on by a sexy lady by his side, but if he cannot perform, something that’s absolutely essential for him as a man, then he’s already lost the battle even before he began!

You can find some of the best male enhancement pills online but remember that not all of these pills can ensure hard erections and improve penis size. Therefore, it is important to do your research before purchasing. It is also important to note that though these pills help treat different sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction, low libido and premature ejaculation, they cannot really increase penis size. In fact, there is an increase in erection size only because of the improved flow of blood to the penis, which lasts as long as one keeps on taking the pill. Most natural penis pills such as enzyte contains a fairly good mix of ingredients which are considered effective in increasing blood circulation. Aside from using male enhancement pills, it is also recommended do natural penis exercises if you want to effectively increase your penis size. These exercises can help expand penis tissues, resulting to increased capability to hold blood that produces thicker and bigger erections.

How to cheer someone up?

2010-02-05T21:23:00.002+08:00

Human nature has always found a way for us to look for the worst in almost every situation. As a result of this, everyone knows what it feels like to be low on confidence and down in the dumps. Being depressed once in a while is not uncommon, and there are many reasons that bring this on.

At times like this, it is friends and family members that take up the formidable task of cheering up someone with the help of encouraging positive thinking. No one really knows how to cheer someone up, and many people actually have a tendency to make things worse with mindless comments. But almost every person has a streak in them that enables them to listen to another's complaints, and attempt to lighten their spirits. Here's some helpful advice about how to cheer someone up.

Knowing how to cheer someone up who is depressed, stems from the simple art of listening. If you're attempting to cheer up someone who is feeling low, you need to place your troubles aside for a while and concentrate on simply listening to what he or she has to say. Everyone loves an outlet for their problems and having someone to talk to is the first step in cheering up somebody. It's best not to be judgmental and opinionated sometimes, and this could not be more applicable than in such a situation wherein you're trying to figure out how to cheer someone up.

Think of the times when you've had a bad day and had nobody to talk to, and how different things may have been if you had. Learning some effective listening skills can help you make someone feel better. After all, cheering people and being there for them is what friendship is all about.

Deepest desires

2010-02-02T18:09:00.003+08:00

What are the keys to a happy marriage? How can you enjoy the blessings of a happy family? Is your marriage fulfilling and satisfying? The hope for a happy, fulfilling marriage is one of our deepest desires. Sharing our hopes, dreams and life with the one we love is one of life's most fulfilling experiences.

A good marriage blessed with happy, respectful, successful children is the crowning touch of a good life. We'd all love to have this story be our story!

Everyone wants to live this life, but it seems many don't know how to have a happy marriage. What's missing? And where does God fit in the picture? Did He have anything to do with the institution of marriage and, if so, did He give us any instructions?

wrinkles on forehead

2010-01-27T15:31:00.003+08:00

With aging come wrinkles. Facial wrinkles can be the most annoying. Wrinkles on forehead are a kind of the facial wrinkles. One can get wrinkles on forehead at a young age. But one can get rid of these wrinkles.

Wrinkles home remedies will moisturize the skin and make it look younger. Some of the natural home remedies for wrinkles and skin care are as follows.

*In a bowl, take an egg white, 2 spoons of rose water, and 2 spoons of glycerin. Apply on the forehead and leave for 10 minutes, and then wash with cold water.
*Use castor oil on frown lines, 4 times a week.
*Mix honey and glycerin, and apply on the face for 10 minutes, and wash.
*Mix yogurt and rice powder, massage for 5-6 minutes, and wash.
*Empty two vitamin E capsules, mix some lemon juice and yogurt in it. Apply on the forehead, leave it for 10 minutes, and then wash.

Today's Flower #12

2010-01-24T23:00:00.004+08:00

My bestfriend, my husband

2010-01-19T15:00:00.001+08:00

I need to tell you a little something that I am sure you are aware of, its just that I really must introduce you to this son of a gun, a man whom I have adored, despised, hated, sworn and yet maintain that he is the best man God ever made. I am sure you’d love to meet him…. He is My husband!

Ordinarily, women tend to be more mellowed with their boyfriends rather than their husbands. Well, I had no such luck! I knew it from day one that I am going to be dominated for the rest of my life…. Am I glad I let that happen to me! There’s a lot that one tends to learn from husbands. Like what it is to laze around on a day that’s buzzing with activity! How not to keep your things in the right places when all of these qualities you’re supposed to master! I am sure many would agree with me when they are perfectly in tandem with their daily chores and as long as you’ve been around the room, there’s no demand whatsoever, the minute you leave and move over to mend something else and Voila! You’ve been summoned to complete something totally different from what you’ve been doing!

I can almost picture every woman nodding at this statement. Most women I’ve spoken to have the same story to tell. And by the end of each story they all seem to zero in on one similarity (many men would butt in and mention… "See we’re so very predictable!"); that men never change. They may have zillion strands of white hair on their head and keep mentioning that they are the best at the drop of the hat, but every woman I have encountered says this with a big smile on their face that ‘Husbands’ just don’t change!! I wonder why they said that with a smile on their face all the same! I found mine to be the absolute menace of a man when we started off our lives together.

He’d scream, get irritated, making me irritable too, but from all the good things and bad things I’ve discovered that we women keep saying that ‘we’re doing this for your good!’ but some of us (hey! This is my personal view!); only some of us live it the way our husbands do. The reason is simple.

We, as women and later as wives are so stuck with our roles (that we take on so seriously) that we somehow forget to handle situations tactfully. Husbands being the physical people that they are tend to go overboard with their long speeches of women empowerment but find it difficult to get the message across! So the same rule applies, at least I do that of late; let him be as he is…. He’s probably great that way, treat him as a friend; talk to him often and for no reason, butter getting absolutely nothing from him………. In short treat him as your best friend, I sure did!!

healthy late night snacks

2010-01-19T14:11:00.002+08:00

Most of us are in the habit of staying up late, either working, reading, watching T.V. Whatever the reason may be, you can begin to hear your stomach growling in those late nights. It is true that most of our late night food cravings stem from boredom. Sometimes, though, they are genuine and may happen because of early dinner, dehydration, low salt levels or low sugar levels, or lack of proteins. In any case, our hunger needs to be satisfied. So why not opt for some healthy late night snacks and save on those calories which collect more easily and quickly late at night

Now in our state of cravings and hunger we end up reaching for whatever is in sight, without giving it a thought about whether it's healthy or not, especially at night. But before you do so, stop just for a moment and think about what you should be eating rather than what you want to eat.

Always give priority to protein rich foods rather than carbohydrates. This is because proteins take longer to digest while foods rich in carbohydrates digest very quickly, thereby causing hunger in short spans. Refer to: list of carbohydrate rich foods.

If you have a special 'late night snack corner' in your kitchen, it'll make it easier for you to make choices at that hour. It can be full of healthy late night snack choices, and does not require you to stress yourself on thinking about what's good and what's bad for you at that hour.

Camera crtters #6

2010-01-17T06:40:00.001+08:00

Forgotten secret of health

2010-01-14T16:17:00.004+08:00

The benefits of drinking water are so amazing that it's been called the forgotten secret of health. Water is the one key ingredient to health. You must take it the right way for full health and vitality. Your body's processes depend on water. It helps you recover and heal from hurts and illnesses, cleans out the system, and even improves digestion and sexual performance.

No matter how well you eat, if you aren't drinking enough water you won't be healthy. I'm always surprised by the people I meet who say they don't drink much water. They live off soda or coffee or juice and they wonder why they never feel up to par.

While there is some disagreement over how much water is necessary, a good rule of thumb is to drink eight to twelve 8-ounce glasses per day. If you are active and exercise a lot, you may need more due to fluid loss through sweating.

What if I'm not thirsty? you ask. Well, by the time you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated. If you eat a lot of fruit and vegetables, you may be getting a lot of water in your food and may not need to drink as much as those who subsist on packaged, dry foods alone.

A good way to make sure to stay hydrated is to drink 16 ounces of water upon waking in the morning. This gets your body off to a good start for the day, rehydrates your body after a long period of sleep, and wakes your body up much better than coffee. You'll feel great knowing you've already consumed two glasses of water. Try adding the juice of half a lemon for a great morning start.

2010-01-13T13:54:00.001+08:00

Irresistable attraction

2010-01-12T17:11:00.000+08:00

When it comes to germs and kids, an irresistible attraction is imminent. What can you do to avoid these two opposites from becoming attracted to each other?

*Teach your child to cover his or her mouth when coughing.
• Have them wash their hands frequently, especially before and after dinner, after using the bathroom, or touching animals.
* Place hand wipes in your child’s lunchbox, so she can wash her hands before and after lunch.
* Tell your child not to share lunch with classmates.
* Ensure that sheets and pillowcases are washed regularly.
*Vacuum and dust your child’s room at least once a week.
*Make sure your child is properly vaccinated against all diseases.

Children have a wonderful curiosity; especially when presented with something new and shiny. Whenever buying a toy or stuffed animal, read the label to determine if there are caustic or toxic chemicals. While you can’t keep your child in a germ-free bubble, you can take certain precautions to ensure their attraction to germs are limited.

Dealing with anger

2010-01-11T17:05:00.000+08:00

Anger is a completely natural response to frustration. Let’s face it, life is filled with things that can become frustrating, and most of those things are totally out of our control. What we do control is how we deal with those issues. In this message, I wanted to touch on positive ways that we can deal with, express and release our anger and frustration in positive ways.

Think it out – When you begin to feel angry — sit down, relax and then try to think about how you can solve the issue.

Talk it out – Talk to a friend, coach, counselor, or a church member. Expressing your anger by talking to someone about it is a great way to get the anger out.

Write it out – Keep a journal about your feelings. It really helps to get your feeling out of our head and heart and onto paper.

Let it out – Find a place that is secluded and SCREAM!! Yes, let it out – you can scream into a pillow, punch a pillow or stomp. Sometimes a good temper tantrum is in order.

Channel it out – Find some creative way to channel your feelings. Listen to music, paint, turn on the music and dance! There are many ways to creatively channel out anger.

Chill out – Try listening to calming music, taking in slow deep breaths, meditating or doing yoga.

Work it out – Do something physical. Get out and run, go to the gym or go for a brisk walk.

Please keep in mind that anger isn’t always a bad emotion but sometimes the way we deal with our anger is bad. There are many times where anger can be good and is quite appropriate. At can be protection from allowing other people to manipulate or dominate us. It can also motivate us to take action when needed.

Todays flower

2010-01-10T21:13:00.002+08:00

Camera Critters #5

2010-01-09T16:58:00.000+08:00

Teens eating disorder

2010-01-08T16:52:00.000+08:00

The sad truth is that society puts a lot of emphasis on physical appearance and teenagers are probably the most susceptible to the “notion” that everyone has to be skinny to be pretty and accepted.

We, as parents, know that is false but teens are very impressionable and many teens fall victim to eating disorders. Here are just a few signs that your teen may be suffering from an eating disorder or have a distorted view of his/her body:

*Fear of gaining weight that is severe and persistent
* Refusing to eat or extremely restricted eating
* Continual and obsessive dieting
*Obsessively exercising

Although the majority of cases reported are females, males suffer from teen eating disorders as well. According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, nearly 1 million men suffer from an eating disorder. In reality, the true number is probably higher.

Internet Monitoring

2010-01-07T16:49:00.000+08:00

The Internet is a great place to gather information and many children use the internet for both school work and pleasure (smile). As parents, we need to look at the internet as if it were a large community and in any given community there are people, places and things that you really need to be mindful of and careful around. Also as parents, we need to be aware of what are children are doing while online. It is important to talk to your child about online predators, certain websites and chat rooms.

By alerting our children to the dangers that lurk on the internet and teaching them how to avoid them, they can take advantage of all the positive aspects of the Internet while avoiding most of its pitfalls.

Here are some safety tips to consider as you guide your children online:

*Create a list of Internet rules with your child. You should include the kinds of sites that are off limits, Internet hours, and guidelines for communicating with others online, including in chat rooms and instant messenger.

* Teach your child to never to give out personal information without your permission when using e-mail, chat rooms, or instant messaging, filling out registration forms and personal profiles, and entering online contests.

*Investigate Internet Monitoring/Parental Control Software. This is software that can be safely installed on your pc that will monitor the sites that are visited and can even keep a log of what is typed into e-mail, search engines and instant messenger.

*Make sure your child checks with you before making financial transactions online, including ordering, buying, or selling items.

Reach for your Goal

2010-01-06T16:42:00.000+08:00

Setting good, clear goals is a powerful process for both your personal and professional well-being. By setting goals on a routine basis YOU decide what you want to achieve and then move step-by-step towards achieving these goals.

I always encourage women to make an effort to spend time setting sharp and clearly defined goals. One of the beautifully empowering things about goal setting is that you can measure and take pride in the achievement you make as you get closer to your goals. By setting goals, you will also raise your self confidence as you recognize your ability and competence in achieving the goals that you have set.

The process of setting goals allows you to choose where you want to go in life. By knowing precisely what you want to achieve, you know what you have to concentrate on to do it.

Remember, your goals are the road maps that guide you and show you what is possible for your life.

Pampering Ideas

2010-01-05T16:37:00.000+08:00

All moms need special pampering, but don’t forget to include your daughters in on the pampering from time to time. This is a vital part of parenting because you will teach your daughter that pampering herself is a very important part of life.

If you have a younger daughter, you can pamper her by inviting her with you to the nail salon or perhaps by doing each others nails. This is a great idea for a fun mother-daughter night. Take turns giving each other facials and manicures, rubbing lotion on your feet or combing each others. If you have an older daughter, you can save and plan for a special mother-daughter pampering day at the spa.

Fight stress with good eating habits

2010-01-04T16:33:00.000+08:00

We all know that stress is inevitable but did you know that there are ways to minimize its grip on your life, starting with your diet?

Research suggests that cutting down or avoiding “food stressors” like sugar, caffeine, alcohol and chocolate really helps to lower the inpact stress has on you.

When you are under stress it is easy to immediately turn to junk food but instead you should increase your intake of water, vegetables and fruits as they help to keep you healthy.

Today's Flower #10

2010-01-03T21:55:00.001+08:00

Dealing with Child tantrums

2010-01-03T16:24:00.001+08:00

Most parents have witnessed their little bundles of joy in the throws of a temper tantrum. Even the most dignified parent has been left red-faced and wanting to be swallowed into the ground while their toddler is having a public meltdown.

Here are a few easy ideas for avoiding temper tantrums:

Don’t Let Your Child Get Over Tired – Don’t let your child become too tired. Set a regular nap routine and try to stick to it, and make sure your child goes to bed at a reasonable time and gets enough sleep during the night. Tiredness is often the first reason for a tantrum.

Give Them Time – Allow enough time for activities like getting dressed, brushing their hair and getting in and out of the car. Your child will want to do a lot of these things on his own and rushing him is a sure way to start a tantrum. Give him a little extra time and let him try to be independent by allowing him to do certain things for himself.

Camera Critters #4

2010-01-02T07:09:00.001+08:00

Happy Year of the Tiger

Happy happy New Year!!!!

2010-01-01T06:46:00.000+08:00

New Year Resolution

2009-12-31T06:37:00.000+08:00

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

2009-12-30T06:25:00.000+08:00

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

2009-12-29T06:21:00.003+08:00

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

2009-12-26T05:37:00.001+08:00

Seasons greeting

2009-12-25T05:22:00.000+08:00

happy holiday to you and yours!

Why are the Holidays so Stressful?

2009-12-24T05:19:00.000+08:00

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

2009-12-23T05:14:00.000+08:00

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

2009-12-22T05:08:00.002+08:00

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

2009-12-21T05:41:00.004+08:00

Tha serenity prayer

2009-12-21T05:00:00.002+08:00

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

2009-12-19T11:00:00.003+08:00

Hand washing

2009-12-19T10:23:00.000+08:00

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

2009-12-18T10:11:00.000+08:00

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?

2009-12-17T10:02:00.000+08:00

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

2009-12-16T09:50:00.003+08:00

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

2009-12-15T16:38:00.002+08:00

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

2009-12-13T14:50:00.001+08:00

Mind games for mind exercise

2009-12-11T15:39:00.000+08:00

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

2009-12-09T15:56:00.000+08:00

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

2009-12-08T15:45:00.000+08:00

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

2009-12-06T17:30:00.000+08:00

apple and banana health benefits

2009-12-04T06:35:00.000+08:00

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

2009-12-01T09:07:00.000+08:00

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

2009-11-28T17:30:00.000+08:00

Camera Critters #1

2009-11-27T18:30:00.000+08:00

Fun Indoor Activities for Kids

2009-11-24T00:12:00.000+08:00

Parents are always looking for great ideas for fun kids activities for all occasions. Kids love to play and be creative and the more new kids activities parents can come up with the less bored the kids will be and the more creative and self developed they will become. .

Parents can read and discuss a book or a chapter of a book with their kids. Parents can make up their own endings to make the stories more exciting and unpredictable. You can even make up your own stories by sitting the kids in a ring and letting them "add a sentence". You will be surprised at how good the stories end up to be. Kids are usually very creative.

Today's Flower #5

2009-11-22T06:38:00.000+08:00

How To Look Younger & Beautiful

2009-11-19T04:56:00.001+08:00

There will hardly be any one on this earth who wants to look old. In fact, almost every one of us wants to look young throughout his/ her life. However, time is relentless and you tend to get older every year. When it comes to looking younger, there is no need to go under the knife.

All you need to do is to inculcate few tricks in your routine. There are some tips and techniques that, if followed religiously, can make you look younger than your age and also much more beautiful. For instance, if you keep fit, exercise on a regular basis and watch your diet, your body will feel as well as look quite young.

Let us explore some tips on looking younger than your age.

*Make sure that you drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. It will help your body stay hydrated and flush it free of toxins as well. At the same time, it will make your face glow and shine.
*Always wear a sunscreen lotion when you go out in the day, to protect your skin from harmful ultra violet (UV) rays. Make sure that you are using a sunscreen with at least 15 SPF.
*Visit your hairdresser for a younger hair makeover. Rather than sticking to an old-fashioned hairstyle, go for a younger and more carefree look. You will drop years from your age, this way.
*Pay attention to the lipstick color. Always avoid bright red and brown shades and stick to neutrals, like beiges and pinks.
*Do not overdo with your eyebrows outlining. Subtlety is the key when it comes to eye makeup that makes you look young.
*Get manicures and pedicures done on a regular basis. Go for a facial sitting at least once in a month.
*Avoid wearing round neck blouses, which may draw attention to a drooping posture. *You should always prefer wearing V-neck clothes, which direct the eye up.
*Always maintain a proper and confident posture. It not only makes you look younger, but also help you appear slimmer than you are.
*A young fragrance always makes you seem much younger than you really are. According to a survey, women wearing scents with pink grapefruit in it appeared, on average, 6 years younger than their actual age.
*Try to get at least 7-8 hours sleep on a daily basis. It will help you feel younger as well as extremely refreshed.
*It is said that love can make you feel as well as look years younger than your age. *Fall in love with your spouse once again. Better yet, fall in love with yourself.
*Avoid processed foods as well as those food items that have too much sugar in them.
*Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Increase your consumption of food items that are rich in proteins.
*If you are overweight, try to lose those extra pounds, by sticking to a healthy diet and indulging in exercise. No crash dieting please!
*Include the basic steps of cleansing, toning, moisturize and nourishing your skin, in your daily routine.

My disclosure

2009-11-18T19:26:00.000+08:00

This policy is valid from 18 November 2009

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.

This blog abides by word of mouth marketing standards. I believe in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. The compensation received does not influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post will be clearly identified as paid or sponsored content.

The owner of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner of this blog receives compensation for her posts or advertisements, she always gives her honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products.

The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely her own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.

This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.

To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org

Key to enjoying life

2009-11-18T17:19:00.000+08:00

Finding ways to relax is one key to enjoying life. Relaxation calms your fears and helps you release stress. Having less pent up stress can be helpful for fighting disease and staying healthy.

If you haven't been good at relaxing, how do you start? First, it's important to surround yourself with positive people. Negative vibes from friends and co-workers can spread, making it hard for you to relax. Avoid them or, even better, have them join you in some spirit-raising activity!

Rent a funny movie or visit a joke Web site. Laughter releases tension and helps put life back in perspective.

Clean your inbox daily. No, not your e-mail. Your mind. Buy yourself a notebook or start a computer journal. Every night jot down happenings, thoughts and things accomplished that day, or even your frustrations. When your mind is "cleaned up," it is easier to relax and fall asleep.

Being able to unwind and relax is one step toward a happier, healthier life. Don't be shy about being happy, pass it on to your friends and co-workers, they'll thank you for it.

Today's Flower #4

2009-11-15T17:39:00.000+08:00

Carrot Coconut Soup

2009-11-15T04:23:00.000+08:00

This soup is rich in vitamin A and has great flavor!

Ingredients:
1 large onion, chopped
1 TBS + 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
2 TBS fresh ginger, sliced
4 medium cloves garlic, chopped
1 tsp curry powder
2 cups sliced carrots, about ¼-inch thick
1 cup sweet potato, cut into about ½-inch cubes
5 oz canned coconut milk
salt and white pepper to taste

Directions:

Chop onion and let it sit for at least five minutes to bring out its hidden health benefits.
Heat 1 TBS broth in a medium soup pot. Healthy Sauté onion in broth over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring often.
Add garlic and ginger and continue to sauté for another minute.
Add curry powder and mix well with onions.
Add broth, carrots, and sweet potato and simmer on medium high heat until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes.
Add coconut milk.
Blend in batches making sure blender is not more than half full. When it's hot, and the blender is too full, it can erupt and burn you. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Return to soup pot and reheat.

Hair color trends 2010

2009-11-14T13:21:00.000+08:00

Gone are the days when hair colors were just used to hide grays. Today, the hair colors are as much as an accessory as are the lipstick, shaving cream, and even soap. Actually, hair colors not only up your glamour quotient but also provide a necessary glint to your face. The easiest way to bring out a change in your appearance is by making a change in your hair. While until ten years back, no person could think of coloring their hair before it started graying, today, even, teenagers are opting for hair colors.

With all the biggies in the fashion world bringing in their signature hair color, how could the en masse not get swayed. The trend of hair coloring is spreading rights and lefts and not without good reasons. Nothing can lift your mood and looks better than a good hair color. Fashion is fickle but in the world of hair colors, it changes very gradually and pretty much anything goes. The trend of the color largely depends on the season mainly winter and summer. While for summers all shades of blondes generally rules, for winter, brown and black shades are preferred.

As 2010 is a year of natural shades for hair, the year has brought with itself the rage of all shades of brown hair colors. In all the fashion weeks for the upcoming year, the models walked with brown or shades of brown hair. The idea behind this is that brown colored hair matches all the skin complexion and so people with any skin tone whether fair, pale, wheatish, etc can wear this hair color. Moreover, many hair experts claim that brown colored hair gives natural warmth to the facial structure of a person. Go for any shades of brown especially chocolate brown, light ash brown, dark golden brown, Glazelnut, cocoa, light chestnut etc.

If you are bored with the same hair color but don’t want to experiment too much then you can consider shades of plums, mahogany or auburn. These not only give you a fresh and gorgeous look but would also give your face a soft look. Although before you choose any of the given colors, make sure that you are not giving your hair a drastic change. For instance if you have blonde hair, then switching to auburn, plum or mahogany, color would be a bit drastic. This change would be a good change for brunettes. However if you have ivory or creamy toned skin, then you can go with these hair colors

Garlic remedy on my feet?!?!?

2009-11-13T04:33:00.000+08:00

Garlic on my feet. Yes, you read right. Here’s what I do: I crush a few garlic cloves, put them in a little jar or bowl, and cover it just so in olive oil.

In about a half hour, I rub the oil on my feet. I do this on my kids as well when they have a bad cough or they have a chest cold. For me, I also put the garlic pieces between my toes (but not for kids).

Then, I put socks on for the night and go to sleep. When I wake up, I have garlic breath, so I know it works! No kidding! Garlic enters your system and heads straight for the lungs.

Garlic is amazing for the lungs. This is a great way to fight bacterial infections. It also enhances your immune system and fights viruses at the same time! I love this garlic remedy.

It’s not just for vampires anymore!

2009-11-12T04:28:00.000+08:00

Well, I have no personal experience with garlic being effective on vampires, but I did see it once in a movie. However, I do have A LOT of experience with garlic warding off illness.

Not only is it antibiotic, it is also directly effective against viruses. It is also anti-fungal and anti-parasitic as well among many other things. It's important for colds AND flus.

Well, the most obvious garlic remedy is to cook with it. I give ideas about using garlic in the immune soup recipe as well as in my special-tea. Eating garlic regularly is extremely healthful. It also helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol counts. It’s absolutely amazing.

It’s most potent to use garlic raw. Cooking with it regularly is good for your health, but when you need it in an acute situation, use it raw.

Juicing it and adding it to other juice is a great way to take raw.

There are many good raw garlic recipes that are garlic remedies, such as humous. This is a traditional middle eastern dish/spread. You can find it at supermarkets or you can make your own.

These recipes are a great example of "eating your medicine." Eating healthful meals with antiviral and antibiotic properties built into them is optimal. However, if you are already sick, then cooking garlic into your soup is one of your best options.

How to help someone you’re worried about

2009-11-11T05:44:00.000+08:00

Everyone has human qualities they can draw on to help a suicidal person. Anyone can be called upon to help a friend, parent, or coworker

If you find yourself in this situation, the following tips can help you assist someone in trouble:

*Take the person seriously and avoid mocking them, moralizing, or challenging them.
*Tell them that you’re worried about them.
*Listen to them and show them that you understand the severity of their distress.
*Check whether the person is thinking of committing suicide, and if so, try to find out how, where, and when they intend to do it—the more precise the plan, the greater the need to act quickly.
*Support the suicidal person in their search for a solution but respect your own limits and avoid doing everything in the person’s place.
*Encourage the person to go for help and accompany them if necessary.
*Seek information and support for yourself so you can be in a better position to help.

Keeping the suicidal person’s secret to yourself can limit your ability to act and leave you carrying the burden of the other person’s well-being on your own. However, out of respect for the affected person, be discreet when seeking help.

Today's Flower #3

2009-11-10T04:01:00.000+08:00

Flowers have a long-term positive effect on moods

Electric shock

2009-11-10T03:31:00.000+08:00

What is an electric shock?

You know that all the appliances like fans, lights, TV, computers etc. work on the principle of electricity. The human body offers considerable resistance to electricity when it is dry. However, wet skin allows transfer of electric current into our body easily. Materials like wood, glass, air and rubber also offer resistance to electricity. Sometimes while using various electric appliances just by putting fingers into the sockets, we may get a jolt of electric shock Cuts and abrasions are wounds that cause your skin to break. Cuts can be caused by sharp object such as knives, glass splinters. brasions are caused when your skin rubs against a hard surface and it breaks. Small cuts called scratches may be caused by needle or thorns.

What happens when we get an electric shock?

When current passes through our body, it causes contraction of the muscles. If the current is long enough and strong enough, it may cause the eart to beat funnily, it may destroy the muscles and even cause burns at the site where we touched the electric point. Hence, the best may to prevent electric shock is to wear rubber-soled shoes or slippers while handling electric appliances. Also if a person is struck to the electric source, do not pull the person with bare hands but pull him with help of a wooden rod.

"Last but not the least,Do not ever touch the live wire or else you’ll go all haywire!"

Maximizing With Music Therapy

2009-11-09T03:01:00.000+08:00

As I mentioned yesterday, there is not a single music that is good for everyone. People have different tastes. It is important that you like the music being played.

The following are general guidelines to maximize the effectiveness of the music.

To wash away stress, try taking a 20-minute "sound bath." Put some relaxing music on your stereo, then lie in a comfortable position on a couch or on the floor near the speakers. For a deeper experience, you can wear headphones to focus your attention and to avoid distraction.

Choose music with a slow rhythm - slower than the natural heart beat which is about 72 beats per minute. Music that has repeating or cyclical pattern is found to be effective in most people.

As the music plays, allow it to wash over you, rinsing off the stress from the day. Focus on your breathing, letting it deepen, slow and become regular. Concentrate on the silence between the notes in the music; this keeps you from analyzing the music and makes relaxation more complete.

If you need a stimulation after a day of work, go for a faster music rather than slow calming music.

When going gets tough, go for a music you are familiar with - such as a childhood favorite or favorite oldies. Familiarity often breeds calmness.

Take walks with your favorite music playing on the walkman. Inhale and exhale in tune with the music. Let the music takes you. This is a great stress reliever by combining exercise (brisk walk), imagery and music.

Listening to the sounds of nature, such as ocean waves or the calm of a deep forest, can reduce stress. Try taking a 15- to 20-minute walk if you're near the seashore or a quiet patch of woods. If not, you can buy tapes of these sounds in many music stores.