Monday, September 30, 2013

Some Myths about Romantic Love

There are movies, webpages, clichés, and children’s stories that reproduce myths about romantic love, where idealization plays a major role in the way a child lives and experiences love. We are going to identify some of these myths so we can be aware if we are unconsciously reproducing these myths and stereotypes. 

Love is a feeling that will give sense, direction, and consistency to any relationship by itself. This view tends to identify love, being in love, or having a crush. Love is not magic, love needs dedication, fidelity, and sincere acts that show genuine interest and caring for the other. Love is more than being in love, love is compromise. 

You´ll need to find your other half to be happy. This is one of the most common myths, you begin to think you are one piece of a puzzle in another’s life. Its true that other people make us happy and can be a perfect complement to our life, but we are complete by ourselves, we are not incomplete if we are single. People that are by themselves are as precious, important, and meaningful as any other person. 

Some Myths about Romantic Love

To love someone is to lose your freedom. Many think that being in a relationship is being chained to another. You may feel this if one partner comes from an oppressive and obsessive relationship. In a healthy relationship communication is key, speak out about what is within boundaries and what is not. A healthy balance between being ourselves with authenticity and the positive compromise of being with someone could be the key to success.

Love is a spark. Many believe in love at first sight. Love is something you have to build on and grow, if you think you can be in love from the first meeting or first date you are maybe confounding things. Not all love starts like the movies with a series of unpredictable or fantastic events. 

People who are in love never fight. This is not true, often people think that having an argument or disappointing the other is absolute failure. Couples that don’t fight are suspicious in the sense that having arguments can be healthy for some relationships, absence of differences can be a sign of over-pleasing. All of us have bad days, we misinterpret information, or we might a have bias that doesn’t allow us to clearly see our relationship as it is. If you run after an argument or you cannot confront your partner in a sincere and assertive way, maybe you are not in the mood for love.

7 Signs You Need To Leave Your Relationship

Sometimes in a romantic relationship one partner might feel it’s time to move on. Sometimes this is inevitable and there is a risk that the other person doesn’t know it. Its common when a couple realize there is a physical distance, they didn’t notice the early signs of emotional distance. Do you feel things turning sour with your partner? Do you feel its not the same as before? Everyone can identify when something is not good in our relationship, but sometimes we prefer to avoid the truth or we are just misinterpreting facts. 

Signs of emotional distance:
• Lack of spontaneity- If laughing about anything is difficult, playing in the grass or doing something wild or crazy is prohibited consider how serious or predictable you are and how novelty is escaping from the routine.
• Absence of romance- They don’t say romantic words to you, although were tender at the beginning, you start to feel that its more like friendship than a romantic relationship.

7 Signs You Need To Leave Your Relationship

• Lack of sexual satisfaction- If you don’t feel the same when you make love to that special person, or that person tells you that it’s not the same, you don’t do it at the same frequency or if there are sexual difficulties in one of the partners, this might be a sign of distance. 

• Lack of attention- You start feeling disinterest about the other person’s life, needs, and don’t share things.
• You don’t feel support, solidarity, or emotional confidence toward that special person, its common to look for a refuge like friends, work, hobbies, social contact, anything to avoid the responsibilities and realities at home with your partner. 

• You start creating social relationships or bonds with others where your partner is not included or mentioned at all. You might start looking for new friendships or new people and you feel accepted. Its possible to keep talking with people without mentioning that you’re in a relationship. 

• The unsatisfied person will look for self-validation and self-esteem from others when he or she feels they’re not receiving enough love, compassion, or even physical signs of love. 

Sources
SAGE Publications(Marc 2010) How a romantic breakup affects self-concept.
Field, Tiffany. Romantic Breakups, Heartbreak and Bereavement—Romantic Breakups, Psych, Vol 2. (4)

How Not to Marry the Wrong Person

• Focus more on character than chemistry
Love is a temporary psychosis. Never marry someone because you are in love. Identify specific character traits you want in a spouse and know how to clearly assess each one. Be especially careful to check out the family. Background checks are essential. Temperament types are essential to know.

Don’t choose someone who is abusive
You’re afraid to express your feelings and opinions in an abusive relationship. In an abusive relationship you don’t feel safe. An abusive person is demanding, controlling, and/or communicates with anger and criticism.

You communicate well
Before you get married make sure the two of you communicate well. Have confidence that together you can repair breakdowns and you work well together. Listen to each other and make it safe for each other to express feelings.

How Not to Marry the Wrong Person

Pressure
Feeling left out of the group may feel awkward, it’s not a good reason to jump into marriage. Marriage under pressure may lead to choosing the wrong person.

Money
Though having money doesn’t hurt, it’s not the basis for a solid relationship and won’t hold together a bad union.

Own up to what you need
As you look over the qualities in your partner consider their downsides and if you can handle them. Look for a partner who has all the inner-circle qualities and few of the outer ones, not the other way round. 

Choose a partner with common life goals and priorities
The basic ways we connect with a person are chemistry and compatibility, shared common interests and goals. Two people who ultimately share the same understanding of life’s purpose and the same priorities, values, and goals is the true definition of soul mate. Make sure you share the deeper level of connection that sharing life goals provides.

Don’t use the relationship to escape from personal problems and unhappiness
Marriage doesn’t fix personal, psychological, and emotional problems, it may exacerbate them. If you are not happy with yourself and your life, take responsibility to fix it now while you are single. Your future spouse will thank you and you will feel better.

Don’t expect your partner to change after marriage
The golden rule is, if you can’t be happy with the person the way he or she is now, don’t get married. Never marry potential. Make sure you can live with the other person’s spirituality, character, personal hygiene, communication skills, and personal habits as they are now.

Clear all issues
A discussion should be had about anything that bothers you in the relationship. The only way to evaluate how well the two of you communicate, negotiate, and work together is by bringing up uncomfortable stuff. Never be afraid to let the person know what bothers you.

Sunday, September 29, 2013

lemon benefits

6 Ways to Improve Your Leg Strength

Eat More Protein
Eating the appropriate amount of protein is necessary to improve strength as it provides building blocks to your muscles. Foods with at least 5 to 10 grams of protein are better. An egg is a great source of protein as it contains 6 grams of protein. Also try beans, milk, whole grains, nuts, and lean meats.

Weight Machine
Sit with your legs inside the machine and your feet resting on the foot rests while pushing the weights out to work your outer thighs. To work your inner thighs, place your legs on the outside of the machine with your feet on the footrest and your legs spread. Bring your legs together, pushing in against the weight. Repeat both of these 8 to 12 times.

Resistance Bands
Loop the ends around your ankles. Stand so that you can steady yourself against an immobile object and so you have room to move your feet from side to side. To work the outer thigh, keep one leg immobile and swing the other foot out to your side against the resistance. To strengthen your inner thigh, start in the same position but instead of moving your foot out to the side bring it across the body to the other side while working against the resistance. You will need to do this 8 to 12 times for each leg.

6 Ways to Improve Your Leg Strength

Lunge with Knee Lift
Start in lunge position with right leg back and knee slightly off the ground while left knee is at a 90-degree angle, slowly bring right leg forward and lift knee to chest while balancing on your left leg. Slowly return to starting position. Do 20 on each leg 3 times (use a chair for balance if needed)

Reverse Sit-Up
Lie on floor, lift legs in the air keeping a slight bend in knees. Keep feet and knees together, lower legs as far to the ground as you can, or until you feel resistance in your lower stomach. Hold for four seconds and slowly return to starting position. Repeat 10-30 times in 3 sets.

Flexibility and Stretching
Flexibility and stretching is important to prevent injury while running and increase your strength and length of each stride by promoting longer, leaner muscles. Hold each stretch for about 20 to 30 seconds and repeat.

Miranda Kerr’s Super Model Ballet Workout

Miranda Kerr, one of the famous faces of Victoria’s Secret’s runway, shares her secrets to a perfectly toned body. Her secret is simple, the secret is the ballet barre. Her ballet workout has sculpted her shapely shoulders and tight tush.

Miranda Kerr's Super Model Ballet Workout
Follow the next video of Miranda’s favorite exercises from the personal trainer and founder of Ballet Bodies, Andie Hecker. Its time for you to bring out your inner ballerina and let her guide you into deep abs, you don’t need any dance experience to work these moves, but you do require enthusiasm and willpower.

This workout routine consists of Pilates fused with ballet techniques, a fat-blasting combo that burns 300-500 calories per workout, it utilizes true ballet fundamentals placed atop Pilates, traditional personal training and various cardiovascular activities such as jumping and kicking.



Saturday, September 28, 2013

Home Remedies for Stretch Marks

Potato Juice
Potato juice is a great remedy for stretch marks, it fosters growth and restores skin cells. Slice a potato and rub the pieces on your stretch marks for a few minutes covering the entire affected area. Rinse with lukewarm water after a few minutes.

Vitamin C and Sugar
Sugar can be used to exfoliate your skin. Mix one tablespoon raw sugar, some almond oil, and a few drops of lemon juice. Mix well and apply to stretch marks, massage for about 10 minutes on your skin before taking a shower. Keep doing it for a month or so and feel the difference. For better results, you can dab a cotton ball in the mixture and apply on your stretch marks.

Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter works best for stretch marks that occur post-pregnancy. Apply to your hips, thighs, buttocks, and abdomen in the morning and before bed. Its good at penetrating the upper skin layer and reaching the dermis.
Home Remedies for Stretch Marks

Carrot puree
Mash some soft steamed carrots and make a paste, apply to stretch marks and let it sit for as long as possible then rinse with lukewarm water. (Caution: In lighter skin tones it may temporarily turn you orange)

Aloe-Vera
Aloe-vera is helpful for many skin problems, it has essential nutrients and active compounds which can be used to treat minor burns as well. Because of its healing and soothing properties, it works well on stretch marks. Directly rub the aloe vera gel on your marks and let it dry for a few minutes, then wash off with lukewarm water.

Olive Oil
Olive oil is rich in nutrients and antioxidants that help improve various skin problems including stretch marks. Dab a cotton ball or a soft cloth into olive oil and apply it to the affected areas, this improves circulation and reduces stretch marks to a great extent. You can leave it to soak in so that your skin absorbs the vitamins A, D, and E present in the oil. You can also mix olive oil with water and vinegar and use it as night cream to keep your skin moisturized.

Grapes
Grapes are one of the best moisturizers, the extract from grapes protects and beautifies your skin as it hydrates and revitalizes the effects of dry skin. You can apply it as a mask, Let it dry for 20-30 minutes then rinse with lukewarm water. It will eliminate the stretch marks and will also prevent reoccurrence.

Tea Tree Oil
One of the best oils for your skin is tea tree oil. Tea tree oil has amazing antibiotic, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory benefits which make it an effective remedy for many skin problems. You can apply it once a day. It has a medicinal strong smell which some people might not like, but the odor does fade.
 

5 Best Workouts You Can Do in Front of Your Television

If watching TV is something you spend a lot of time doing, you can try these 5 ways to exercise while watching TV:

Fidget while you watch TV
Science has shown that fidgeting while sitting down can burn up to 350 calories an hour. If your body is in motion, then it is burning calories. Keep fidgeting while watching TV. You can also dance with your baby with some music on. 

The Wooden Leg
This exercise is easy to do while sitting in your chair and helps to strengthen your lower body. While sitting on your chair extend one leg out straight in front of you and hold for two seconds. Then raise it up as high as you can and hold again for two seconds. Repeat with each leg 15 times.

5 Best Workouts You Can Do in Front of Your Television

Move your Exercise Equipment in front of Your TV
If you have treadmill or stepper and its stuck in the corner as a clothing hanger simply place it in front of your TV and you can walk while your favorite shows are on. This way you can enjoy your show while caring for your health. 

Push-Ups
If you are a beginner you should start during commercial breaks. Once you become more adept at exercising you can see how many you can do during a half hour show or hour long show. 

March On The Spot
Marching is a great exercise for your thighs and buttocks. Bring your knees up high and do as many as you can. Doing it on the spot will help you burn calories and watching TV will keep it interesting.

7-Minute Total Exercise Routine

No matter where you are, get that body fit with this new and wonderful 7-minute workout. It requires no gym equipment whatsoever, therefore no excuses. All you need is in your house already, a chair, a wall and your own body weight.
This routine combines the best 10 exercises to burn calories and stay fit and strong, according to many scientists, and you should do each for 30 seconds with a 10 second rest in between in order for the workout to be effective.
Remember to always keep your abdominal muscles contracted in every exercise and in every position as well. 

#1 Jumping Jacks
The first step is to stand up straight with your feet together and your arms at your side, then bend your knees slightly and follow this with a jump. In mid-jump, bring your legs out to the side about shoulder width or slightly wider. As you are moving your legs outward, you should raise your arms up over your head to elevate your heart rate. 

#2 Wall Sit
Stand approximately 2 feet in front of a wall with your back facing it, and lean against the wall slowly and begin to slide down the wall until your knees are bent at 90 degree angles, as though you are sitting in a chair. Keep this position for a minimum of 20 seconds or a maximum of 60 seconds.

#3 Push-Up
This exercise is great for targeting your pectoral muscles, triceps, and anterior deltoids. Push-ups are performed by pushing your body up and down using your upper body and arm strength. To do a correct push-up, you must raise your body up onto your toes so you are balanced on your hands and toes. It is important to keep your body in a straight line from head to toe without sagging your torso or arching your back. 

#4 Abdominal Crunch
Lie on the floor, facing up, with your knees bent, then curl your shoulders towards your pelvis. You can either place your hands beside your neck, resting gently behind your neck, or placed across your chest. To perform a proper crunch, your lower back must remain resting against the floor allowing your hip flexors to rest so all of the attention can be focused on your abdominal muscles.

#5 Step-Up onto Chair
The step-up onto chair routine is super effective for your body. Not only does it work on your abdominal muscles, but it also builds lean muscle mass, boosts your metabolism and aids in weight control – Bonus!
Position a sturdy chair in front of you and stand with your feet about hip-width apart and your arms at your sides. Next, step up onto the seat with one foot and press down while bringing your other foot up next to it. Step back with the leading foot and bring the trailing foot down beside it to finish one complete step-up. 

7 minute routine workout

#6 Squat
To perform a proper squat, your feet should be flat on the ground, about shoulder-width apart and point your feet slightly facing outward, rather than straight ahead. Never let your knees extend beyond your toes, as this will increase the likelihood of damage to your knees. Keep your back straight and bend at your knees as if you were going to sit back in a chair, thrust your hips forward and pull in your abs whilst keeping your back only slightly arched. Slowly lower your body so that your legs are almost parallel to the floor.

#7 Triceps Dip On Chair
Sit on the chair with the palms of your hands on the edge, and then slowly slide your buttocks off the seat whilst supporting your weight with your hands. First, straighten your right leg and keep your left leg bent at a 90-degree angle keeping your elbows bent all the time, slowly lower your buttocks towards the floor. Push back up until your arms are straight. 

7-Minute Total Exercise Routine

#8 Plank
This exercise is vital for building your core and arm strength.
Lie face down on the floor with your elbows resting on the floor and your arms in a 90-degree position. You then push down on the toes of your feet to extend your feet and push your body so it is off the ground and resting on your elbows and toes. Hold the position for as long as you can. 

#9 High Knees Running In Place
Perform a typical running motion while lifting your knees high into the air. Ensure that your legs are at 90-degree angles when being lifted high into the air and point your toes forward in order to maintain the correct form and to really benefit from this simple exercise. This exercise is great for the muscles in your legs and hips, and can even improve your lower body flexibility.

#10 Lunge
Lunges are great for toning a number of different areas of your body, so they are a particularly useful exercise.

To perform a basic lunge, you must first begin by standing up straight with your shoulders back and relaxed and your chin up, step forward with one leg, lowering your hips until both knees are bent at about a 90-degree angle. Maintain the weight in your heels as you then push up to the starting position.

Sources:
http://dailypix.me/sports/the-7minute-total-workout-no-equipment-required?page=1
https://www.google.co.cr/webhp?hl=en&tab=Tw&q=englomera#hl=en&gs_rn=19&gs_ri=psy-ab&tok=-GQFf35xMXgOihtbnsFejA&pq=englomera&cp=12&gs_id=6s&xhr=t&q=agglomerates&es_nrs=true&pf=p&output=search&sclient=psy-ab&oq=agglomerates&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.48705608,d.dmg&fp=5e7c1a84a8df5057&biw=1920&bih=976

Friday, September 27, 2013

Help your Child Avoid Toxic Friendships

Friends effect all areas of a person’s life, this effect can be more long-lasting during adolescence because it’s the period of self-identification. Grades, free time, interests, and how they behave in public places are some of the noticeable influences of friends. Those who find difficult to make new friends sometimes drop out of school. Children of all ages need to feel that they belong in a social group, accepted, and share common experiences. When someone hits adolescence there is often a desire to belong to a particular group or urban tribe. This might lead to special identity or stereotypes, which is a common issue in most schools, when children are often labeled into groups.

Many parents have concerns about how much their children are influenced by friends while their own influence is diminishing. Naturally, parents are more concerned if their children engage in risky or illegal situations. Some studies show that friends and colleagues have a big influence on someone’s attitude and behavior, this might lead to similarity in many aspects, including language, body language, attitude toward life, and relationships, especially dating. If someone identifies himself as problematic, its probable that he will behave worse once he identifies himself, and its probable that another person can be influenced by that label and behavior. 


Starting high school is one of the stages where friends are shaped by their peers in things like musical preferences, clothing, hairstyles, and hobbies. Remember that friends do not replace the role of parents, who will always be influential in their child’s life. Many adolescents look to their parents rather than friends in decisions such as the future, moral, and religious values. This influence is naturally greater if there is a basis of good relationships between parents and parents and children. 

Help your Child Avoid Toxic Friendships

Understanding your children’s new friendships
• Recognize that peer pressure can be good or bad. Most adolescents are attracted to friends that are more popular, interesting, or those they admire most.
• Know their friends. A good way to interact and to know your child’s friends is to invite them over or take them to school so you can talk with them.
• Get to know the parents of your children’s friends. It’s not necessary to be friends but you might get a better idea of what values and discipline are present in that house.
• Give them time to spend in a safe way with their friends. Activities are important, schedule them. Too much of one activity can lead to burnout. Encourage your kids to be involved in more social environments or relationships.
• Be a role model for your children. Your kids will learn what is to be a good friend from your example.
• Speak with your children about risky or improper situations, like illegal drug use, violence, crime, and sex. You need to know how your children will react in different situations and be prepared.
• Speak with your children about friendships, relationships, and how to choose good options. Its normal for adolescents to pay too much attention to what others think about them. They can be under pressure to disobey or break rules. Kids need to acknowledge what role they are assuming with that friend and what are they expecting from their friendship.
• Supervise their friendships in order to avoid risky behaviors. Adolescents need supervision, especially after school. Keep in mind who your children’s friends are and what they do when they gather. Don’t be afraid to ask or confirm information from other parents. 

Sources
Toxic Friends: Less Friend, More Foe by Heather Heatfield.
‘Frenemies’ and toxic friendships By Raising Children Network of Australia.

Causes of Blackheads and Whiteheads

1. Stress
A daily dose of stress can turn our hair grey and lead to blackheads and whiteheads.

2. It is about what we eat
It is widely believed that there is a direct relationship between the food we eat and the health of our skin. Unhealthy food like fried foods, sugary foods, and foods high in carbohydrates are likely to have an impact on our skin. 

3. Make up, Make off
Don’t go to sleep without taking your make-up off. Clogged pores can be caused if you are not cleaning your face after applying makeup and this can cause blackheads and whiteheads. What you choose to use on your face is also important as certain ingredients can harm your skin. 

Causes of Blackheads and Whiteheads

4. Alcohol and Caffeine
Studies show that alcohol and caffeine are likely to have adverse effect on the health of your skin. If you like to get your day started with hot coffee or you enjoy having wine with dinner, you may need to quit. The oil glands in your skin become active from stimulants in caffeine, your sleeping pattern is affected by alcohol which in turn affects the health of your skin. The size of pores is reduced by alcohol which makes them more susceptible to clogging.

5. Smoking
No one is unaware of the fact that smoking is injurious to health. The treatment of blackheads and other skin-related problems can be hindered by smoking. The surface of your skin is damaged by cigarette smoke which contains harmful particles like tar and ash and this ultimately leads to dead cells and blocked pores.

6. Hormonal Changes
During puberty production of oil increases in the sebaceous glands, one reason blackheads and whiteheads are common in teenagers. Mood swings because of hormonal changes are also responsible.

7. Unclean Skin causes blackheads
You might face blackheads if you don’t keep your skin clean, especially during puberty. More and more dead skin cells build up if the skin is not cleaned properly, blackheads are formed as a buildup of oil is accelerated by blocked pores

8 Natural Ways to Stay Awake

Eating an apple
An apple a day keeps your drowsiness away. According to some surveys, apples work better than coffee to keep you awake. Proper nutrients and healthy diet contribute to healthy sleep and helps avoid daytime sleepiness. 

Power Nap
Taking a power nap on your break is a good idea to avoid sleepiness. A 2006 study at the Harry S. Truman Veterans Administration Hospital found a nap of 10-30 minutes helps restore alertness and increases productivity. If your nap is longer than 30 minutes its more likely to cause inertia and less productivity. 

Shower
Taking a shower can be a good idea to stay awake for those who are sleep-deprived. As per a survey almost 59 percent of men and 64.4 percent of women surveyed had baths to fight sleepiness. You can wash your face with cold water or take a shower.

Keep yourself hydrated
Keep yourself hydrated throughout the day. Dehydration makes you feel sluggish and perform inefficiently. After a night’s sleep when your body feels dehydrated, having a glass of water in the morning helps restore hydration helping avoid sleepiness.

8 Natural Ways to Stay Awake

Regulate your sleeping schedule
Regulate your sleeping schedule if you want to fight sleepiness. Going to bed at the same time every night is important if you want to stay alert in your working hours. Avoid staying up too late on weekends as this will hamper your sleep and your efficiency on Monday. Once your schedule is disturbed it can disturb your entire week.

Listening to Music
Music is a good way to fight sleepiness and keep your mood fresh. It can temporarily help you stay alert and avoid drowsiness. As per a study, sleep deprived auto drivers who turned on their radios before they started their cars felt much better and accident rates were drastically reduced. 

Exercise
Exercising in the morning is a perfect way to help combat drowsiness, it keeps you alert and helps improve the quality of your sleep. The researchers at UKK institute for Health Promotion Research in Finland stated that menopausal women who are bothered by hot flashes and suffer from daytime sleepiness sleep better if they start exercising in the morning. 

Switch On your Lights
Rooms with dim lights increase sleepiness. When you feel sleepy and you want to be alert turn on the lights and see instant results. It will reduce the heaviness of your eyes and keep you alert.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Eat More Fish

Fish is the most abundant form of food on the planet, largely due to the fact that so much of the earth is covered by water. Apart from offering tremendous choice and variety, fish is remarkably good for you. It is unquestionably one of the best anti-aging food sources.

All types of fish and shellfish are great source of protein, vitamins and minerals, studies have also known that a diet that is rich in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids may help to improve a person’s ability to concentrate and reduce the risk of the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Omega-3 fats also have an anti-inflammatory effect that may help relieve the symptoms or rheumatoid arthritis as well as skin problems, such as psoriasis. Additionally omega-3 fats may help keep the heart healthy by making the blood less likely to clot, lowering blood pressure, and encouraging the muscles lining the artery walls to relax, improving the flow of blood to the heart. 

Eat More Fish
Although omega-3 fats are also found in plants sources, the long-chain omega-3s found in oil-rich are the most beneficial kind for the body.

Oil-rich fish are also one the few foods that contain vitamin D, which is essential for calcium absorption. They also provide iodine and selenium, which are important trace elements that benefit the body..
White fish are particularly low in fat, and low in calories, making them a good choice for your waistline as well as general health. 

Although certain shellfish contain high levels of cholesterol, this is not responsible for raised levels in the blood. The cause is a diet high in saturated fats that the body itself then turns into cholesterol in the blood. Some shellfish also are high in toxic mercury, so use caution when eating them.

Fish do well with herbs and spices of all kinds, making it easy to avoid cooking them in fats and heavy cream sauces, which will quickly eliminate the health factor you want.

Live Simply So Others Can Simply Live

Are you happy with your life? As you become older, is it matching up to your expectations? If the answer is no, perhaps you have lost sight of basic pleasure of existence, remember not to have expectations, they will make you want more and not feel satisfied, things are perfect the way they are, and is time for all of us to realize that. There is no mistake in life.

You might benefit from simplifying your life and getting back in touch with nature, the real gold, the one that keeps you alive. 

gandhi
These days we all live such hectic, fast-paced lives. This is wearing and prematurely aging. But does it have to be this way? No, it does not. Sometimes just being, in the moment of your existence, being here now, can be a real eye opener and can rejuvenate and make you feel more positive about your experience of day-to-day living. Try the following tips to make your life simpler:

• Next time you are outside, stop and smell the flowers. Do just that.
• Appreciate the sound of nature, close your eyes and listen.
• Watch nature at work, observe a bird twittering or a squirrel in a tree.
• Reach out and touch, do not be afraid, caress the bud of a tree or an ear of corn.
• Breathe deeply and feel the rhythm of the natural world.

Once you do this you will understand, life is much more about what you are wearing, what car you drive or how people see you. In fact, as soon as you realize you are the master of your life, you don’t need much to live happily ever after. This is the path to the real happy ending.

4 Benefits of Dance

Dancing in one of the best exercises you can do, for your body and soul. Its the perfect way for people of all ages to stay in shape, and its much more fun than running on a machine! We give you 4 benefits about dance:
4 benefits about dance
  • Flexibility
Dancing requires a great amount of flexibility, an important part of being healthy.
Dancers must strive to achieve full range of motion for all the major muscle groups. The greater the range of motion, the more muscles can flex and extend. Bending and stretching are the most required moves to perform while dancing.
  • Strength
Strength is defined as the ability of a muscle to exert a force against resistance, which is built in dancing by forcing the muscles to resist against a dancer’s own body weight.
Many styles of dance require jumping and leaping high into the air, which require tremendous strength of the major leg muscles.
dance
  • Endurance
Dance is physical exercise, therefore it increases endurance, which is the ability of muscles to work hard for increasingly longer periods of time without fatigue.
  •  Sense of Well-Being
Dancing is a social activity and it has been known that strong social ties and socializing with friends contribute to high self-esteem and a positive outlook.

Home made Remedy For Acne ( Banana Peel )

Before you go to any store to buy some chemical acne treatments, visit first your kitchen cupboards or grocery store for some nice organic bananas, the best treatment for moderate to severe cases of acne. Here we give you a home made remedy for acne, banana peel.

Begin by eating and enjoying the other amazing health benefits of the banana, and save the peel, make sure it is yellow/black for more efficiency, and rub the infected area with it.

banana peel acne remedy

The inside part of the banana peel decays into black color as you rub due to whatever soot gets on your face, rub your face for approximately 10 minutes, if the banana peel gets entirely black, replace it with another one.

banana peel acne remedy

After rubbing your face, do not wash it, it will lose the effect of what you just did. The compound of the peel will help you remove the infection from the skin, wash your face just before you are going to bed.
This is no magical potion, you need to be consistent, do this every day, you’ll see improvements after the first day, but it takes a little time to fully work, with this amazing natural remedy the infection is weakened and cannot grow anymore.

how-to-use-banana-peel-for-acne-3

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

10 Benefits of Having a Pet

Decreased Stress
Pet owners suffer less from depression than those without pets. As stated by a study from State University of New York, when conducting a stressful task people experienced less stress when their pets were with them than when a spouse, friend, or a family member was with them.

More Exercise
Pets have positive effects on your health, especially dogs. You need to walk and play with your dog several times each day so that most dog owners get the recommended minimum 30 minutes of exercise a day keeping them in shape and lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease.

A More Active Social Life
Polls show that people tend to trust people with pets more than people without pets. People are more likely to indulge in a conversation with those who own a pet. Having a pet is just like having a friend. 

Eases Pain
Pets can be the best medicine, especially when you are going through chronic pain. It also reduces anxiety. 

Lowers Blood Pressure
People who own pets have lower blood pressure than those who don’t. 

10 Benefits of Having a Pet

Lowers Cholesterol
Another health benefit of owning a pet is lower cholesterol. It has been observed that people who own pets have significantly lower cholesterol and triglycerides than those who don’t.

Improves Mood
Having a pet helps to improve your mood. When you return to your they are always happy to see you. Pets therapy is becoming much more widespread. Those who own pets are less likely to commit suicide than those who don’t. 

Keep Your Chin Up
Having a pet is a great way to beat the blues. Pets offer unconditional love and also give their owners a sense of purpose, which can be crucial for those feeling down. Pets combat feelings of loneliness by providing companionship, which can boost your overall mood and bring you feelings of joy and happiness. 

Cancer Detection
Your pet can be a saviour. Our canine friends often have the ability to smell cancer in the human body. It has been witnessed that owners whose dogs kept sniffing or licking a mole or lump on their body so they get it checked out, discovering it was cancer. Dogs are so good at this that some of them are trained to detect cancer.

Involves less Doctors
Pet owners over 65 make 30 % less visits to their doctors than those without. Owning a pet helps you stay healthier and happier.

10 Ways to Prolong Your Pet’s Life

1. Visit the veterinarian more often
According to ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) cats above 10 years of age and dogs above 7 years should be taken to vet at least twice a year. It is also important to record your pet’s weight from time to time. Any unusual change may be a reason to worry.

2. Be alert to changes
If your pets lose their eyesight and/or hearing immediately bring this to your vet’s notice. These losses could bring changes in the way your pets behave and your vet should be aware of these changes to ensure that necessary steps are taken to cure or care for your pet.

3. Plenty of exercise
Just like humans, exercise is an important component of healthy lifestyle for animals. Pets like to take long naps, so it is essential for pet’s owner to ensure that between these naps they are spending active play time outside the house. Taking your pet out on a walk is as essential as providing the right diet. 

4. Keep up with vaccinations
It is very important for pet owners to ensure that their pets are up to date with vaccinations. Some vaccinations work for the lifetime of the pet, some require updating. It’s a good idea to ask your vet to schedule appointments in advance to mitigate the risk of forgetting when its time to bring your pet in for a booster.

10 Ways to Prolong Your Pet’s Life

5. Pay attention to your pet’s appearance
With health issues pets generally stop grooming and can get greasy fur. Short haired pets should be brushed once a week while pets with long hair require daily brushing. Your pet’s skin should also be monitored for lumps or lesions.

6. Monitor your pet’s diet
Providing the right diet to your pet is essential to ensuring a longer life. It’s not important to buy mature or adult food formulas, and it is very important to let your vet know if your pet’s appetite decreases.

7. Proper in-house care
Your pet needs a warm, quiet place to rest, away from all drafts and off the floor. A training crate is ideal. You may wish to buy a pet bed, or make one out of a wooden box. Place a clean blanket inside the bed and wash the bed often.

8. Licensing and identification
Pet owners must follow their community’s licensing regulations. It’s a good idea to attach the license to your dog’s collar. This license, along with an ID tag, can help your pet’s safe return should they become lost.

9. Good hygiene
If your pets spend most of their time outside the house it is extremely important that they are not playing in dirty or dangerous areas and are away from any kind of bacteria- spreading environment. It is also advisable to use an antibacterial lotion.

10. Reduce stress and anxiety
Pets, just like humans, suffer from stress and anxiety. Animals are creatures of routine. It is helpful to establish a daily routine for them and stick to it as much as possible. Having consistency in their schedule helps them stay happy and secure, and perhaps live a longer life.

10 Interesting Facts About Cats

Most tamed animal
The domestic cat is the most tamed four-legged animal and the favorite pet in America. According to a survey conducted by American pet product manufacturers association (APPMA), there are approximately 73 million cats in houses through out the country while there are 68 million dogs. 

Cats sleep 2/3 of their life
On average a cat sleeps for about 16 hours a day. If your cat is 9 years old, she has spent 6 years of her life sleeping. Felines often find a particular place they enjoy and make it their favorite napping spot.

Cats have human-like emotions
Cats have emotions and feel happiness, sadness, anger, excitement, and playfulness. Though the range and depth of these emotions is debatable, studies have confirmed that kitties have the tendency to feeling human emotions. The gray matter of a cat’s brain shares similarities to the human brain.

10 Interesting Facts About Cats

Cat bites are dangerous
Statistics show that every year around 40,000 people are bitten by a cat across the United States. According to Briarcliff Animal Hospital, cat bites are very dangerous and can lead to serious bacterial infection. It can be treated with penicillin, however if left unchecked, it can spread throughout your lymph system and in rare cases may lead to death.

Cats have inbuilt GPS
Cats have the ability to find their way home if lost. Experts associate this capability with sunlight angles, magnetic field of earth, and PSI travelling. There are various documented cases where cats have completed long journeys from very distant places to reach home.

Cats can use the toilet
Experts say there is no need to buy kitty litter for your cat. Cats can be trained to use human toilets and flush. Once trained, your cat will always find your toilet a comfortable place to answer calls of nature.

facts about cats

Cats can jump high
As a matter of fact, cats can jump up to 5 times their own height in just one leap. What does this mean for a cat owner? Make sure you keep all the fragile items out of reach and if possible use china cabinets to keep your fragile collection from becoming your cat’s toy.

Size doesn’t matter
Despite their tiny size a cat has almost 290 bones and 517 muscles while humans, who are much bigger in size, have only 206 bones. Cats rarely damage their bones and are generally unaffected by a fall.

Cat’s tongue
Did you know that your cat’s tongue is divided into sections and each one is responsible for differentiating tastes? Cats cannot taste sweet things so don’t add sugar to your cat’s milk, it will be of no use. Chocolates are harmful to cats also.

Cat’s eye color
Have you ever noticed the color of your cat’s eyes? As a cat owner you may notice that as your cat ages his eye color changes.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Break Your Dog’s Bad Habits

1. Dogs do what works
Dogs behave in a particular way when certain behavior gets them what they want. Try to understand what your dog gets out of bad behavior or habit and then take that thing away – the bad habit will stop or change. For example, dogs often jump on people when they come home looking for attention. Stop giving them attention when they do so and they will stop doing it.

2. Dogs don’t generalize
Dogs cannot make leaps of understanding like humans. We look at a paper tree or a real tree and we see it as a tree but dogs don’t think that way. For example, you may teach your dog to sit but always in the kitchen. If you ask your dog to sit when outside he might not understand what you mean.

3. Determine why your dog is repeating bad habits
Try to figure out what the dog is getting out of his bad habit that keeps him doing it. Is it your attention or is it turning out to be a fun game for him? Act accordingly and take away the fun factor.

Break Your Dog’s Bad Habits

4. Look at your behavior
If you pay a lot of attention to your dog’s bad habits, they might enjoy it which would gives them reasons to continue. Even angry attention is attention. If you are noticing too much or giving attention when dog is busy with his bad habits, you may be responsible for motivating him to continue with his bad habits.

5. If you have adopted your dog as an older dog with habits that seem to be set in stone
As mentioned earlier, dogs are very context specific and this sometimes works in our favor. If the dog has a new home and if the limits and expectations are set immediately when the dog arrives at home, he will learn quickly. It helps to train dogs per one’s needs, which results in developing good habits.

6. Rewarding your dog for giving up bad habits
Select three different levels of treats – bronze, silver, and gold for following your instructions.

7. Be Consistent and patient
You have to be consistent and patient with your dogs if you want them to give up bad habits. It might take some time.

8. Remove physical stimulants
If there are certain objects in your home or garden that drive your dog towards the bad habit, remove the object that acts as a stimulant.

10 Surprising ‘People’ Foods your Dog Can Eat

Carob
Carob is a chocolate substitute, it contains vitamins and minerals and, most importantly, does not contain caffeine or theobromine. It also contains fiber and pectin which are good for your dog’s health.

Peanut butter
Whether dogs can eat peanut butter or not is a question that remains on many dog owner’s minds. The truth is, dogs can eat peanut butter without worry. The quantity should be monitored and controlled because it can lead to an overweight dog if given to excess.

Pears
Dogs can eat pears safely, but keep in mind the seeds of pears can be toxic to canines, if you want to share with your dog cut it up and feed the pieces to your dog and toss the core.

Popcorn
Popcorn is little tricky. It’s ok to give your dog a bowl of popcorn as long as its plain. Once you load it with butter and salt it’s a lot less healthy for canines. 

10 Surprising 'People' Foods your Dog Can Eat

Fruit salad
There are many fruits that are sweet, delicious, and healthy for dogs, like strawberries, blueberries, apples, and cantaloupe. Mix all these fruits together in a pleasing fruit salad and present it to your dog. Never include grapes though.

Tuna
Tuna is a classic cat snack, however many dogs like it too. Its a healthy option with protein, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Pasta
Yes, dogs can eat pasta. Any variety of pasta is healthy for dogs. It’s essential to hold the commercial pasta sauce as these are usually acidic and too much sugar and salt. Pasta is nothing more than flour, water, and sometimes eggs, all of which are safe for dogs.

Peppermint
Peppermint is safe and can be used as an ingredient if you bake your own homemade dog biscuits. It freshens up you dog’s breath and relaxes the tummy.

Pretzels
Pretzels are as good as popcorn so feel free to consider it for your dog’s snack. They are healthy for dogs as it is essentially just bread. Just like popcorn unsalted pretzels are much better.

Zucchini
Zucchini’s potassium, folate and vitamin content make it healthy for you and your dog. No part of this vegetable is toxic for canines. Go ahead and feed without fear.

10 Foods Your Dog Should Never Eat

Milk and other dairy products
The digestive system of dogs does not contain lactase (the enzyme that helps break down lactose) which means introducing cow’s milk or milk based products to your dog’s diet might lead to digestive issues.
• Raw meat and bones
Raw meat transmits bacteria like E. Coli that can be harmful to pets. Avoid sharing any uncooked beef, poultry, or fish and keep any items you are defrosting for dinner out of reach.

Alcohol
You might think it funny to see how your dog reacts after consuming alcohol, however it is not funny for him. It can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, depression of the central nervous system, breathing issues, and tremors.

Caffeine
Caffeine contains methylxanthines which are very harmful to animals. This chemical is found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, etc. Ingestion of this chemical can lead to hyperactivity, panting, increased thirst, and excess urination.

Diet sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners cause insulin release in animals which leads to hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar levels. Signs of ingestion may include lethargy, lack of coordination, and vomiting. 

Foods Your Dog Should Never Eat

Grapes and raisins
Even though grapes and raisins are of nutritional value to human beings, they should be kept out of reach of your pets. The impact of ingestion of grapes by pets can range from lethargy, depression, kidney failure, and even loss of life.

Avocados
They contain a substance called persin, which if given in large amounts can be fatal to dogs. If you grow avocados, keep them out of reach of your pet.

Chocolate
Luckily most of us know that chocolate is not good for dogs. It contains a chemical called theobromine that causes distress, all types of chocolate are harmful, especially dark chocolate.

Onions and garlic
Prolonged consumption of onion and garlic reduces the red blood cell counts in dogs which can lead to anemia. Its best to avoid onion and garlic in foods for your dog. 

Yeast dough
If dough with yeast ends up in your dog’s stomach it will rise and expand causing your dog’s belly to swell and cause severe pain. The yeast ferments the dough which releases alcohol and might also cause alcohol poisoning.

Monday, September 23, 2013

17 Little Tips for Big Weight Loss

Small Changes That Will Help You Lose Excess Fat

Making small changes in your daily life can help you take off big pounds. Beginning a fat-loss plan doesn’t have to mean drastic changes. As you incorporate these minor adjustments into your lifestyle, you’ll begin to see how they can add up to big calorie savings and fat loss.

Begin by evaluating your eating habits, if you are eating late at night, nibbling while cooking, etc.
Identify a few of these behaviors and stop them, this will add up to big calorie savings.
Make a meal plan, if you are going to be out for long, pack healthful snacks for the times of day that you know you are typically hungry.

Add one less teaspoon of sugar (15 calories) to your cup of morning and afternoon coffee each day and you’ll save about 10,000 calories—the equivalent of about 3 pounds per year.

17 Little Tips for Big Weight Loss
Always shop with a full belly, eating right starts with stocking healthy food in your pantry and refrigerator, which can get a little complicated when you go into a grocery store starving.

Flavor your sandwiches with very low calorie condiments like mustard or vinegar instead of calorie-packed mayonnaise. Leave off 1 tablespoon (100 calories) every day and you’re looking at close to 10 1/2 pounds a year.

Have a meal schedule and stick to it, this helps to prevent bingeing.

Eat your food sitting down at a table, and from a plate. Eat consciously, food eaten out of packages and while standing is forgettable.

Bowls of food on the table beg to be eaten, serve food onto individual plates, and leave the extras back at the stove. Remember, it takes about 20 minutes for your mind to get the signal from your belly that you are full.

Turn off the TV, we eat around 40 % more when watching TV and we’re more likely to eat junk food while distracted.

Add fruits and veggies.

Go for a walk immediately after a meal

Eat mindfully, eat slowly, chew every bite, and savor the taste of the food.

Don’t take weekends “off” , just because is Sunday doesn’t mean it won’t affect you.

Don’t eat after dinner, this could add a lot of unnecessary calories. Brushing your teeth after dinner helps reduce the temptation to eat again.

Breakfast could be your best friend, in fact it’s the most important meal of the day. Swapping out your morning bagel for eggs could help you lose 65 % more.

Get some sunshine, it will boost your vitamin D3 levels, which has been linked to increasing your body’s type 2 fast twitch muscle cell fibers enhancing your athletic performance.

Want smooth skin treatment? Coffee ground scrub can fight cellulite

As many of you are aware I am fascinated by anything having to do with health and wellness. I research absolutely everything having to do with the body inside and out.

Many years ago I noticed that there were very expensive creams on the market to fight against cellulite. Many of these creams contain caffeine. I began to research anything and everything having to do with caffeine as it relates to the skin.

cellulite

Consequently, I found out that caffeine increases blood flow thereby helping to reduce the effects of fat cells underneath the skin. Several of you wrote in and asked if coffee grounds were my number one solution to cellulite. You are correct of course but but my technique is original and has a twist. Years ago I created a technique and shared it with people who were suffering with cellulite. It helped to make their skin smooth, soft and certainly reduced their cellulite. If you have cellulite I suggest you try it. Actually, if you don’t have cellulite I suggest you also try it, you will be amazed at the results.
Coffee Ground Scrub
Ingredients:
  • Day old coffee grounds
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt
  • Bath mit (sponge, but looks like a glove)
Directions
1. In a large bowl combine 1 cup coffee grounds with olive oil and salt. Use enough oil to create a thick paste and sprinkle in some kosher salt. Depending on whether or not you like a hard or soft exfoliant will depend on how much kosher salt you sprinkle in. I suggest a tablespoon. Some people prefer more so as to create a harder scrub.

2. 35 minutes before taking a shower, put your hand with the bath mit into the bowl and grab some of the paste. Rub the paste onto your legs and hips (actually you can rub the mixture anywhere you like, you will see fantastic results after just a week of using this technique).

3. Wrap yourself in your bathrobe and keep the paste on for 30 minutes.

4. Rinse off in a warm shower. I would like to point out here that for all of you that like to take two or three showers per day, I strongly suggest you cool your water temperature. Showering with very warm water will dry out your skin. So if you take numerous showers throughout the day try to make them as cool as possible.
I strongly recommend you try this paste. I have recommended it to many people over the years and they always give me rave reviews. Remember it is great to exfoliate your body anyway, why not use something natural. This is one of the best ways that I know to fight cellulite, and might I add, the cheapest. So what do you have to lose my friend?

Vicky DeRosa is Founder and CEO of Studio V Health Corp. For more information check out www.studiovhealth.com.

Coconut Sugar Scrub

There is no need to pay a lot of money on chemicals to make your skin look better, nature’s got a better deal, no chemicals, no fragrances, 100% natural. All you need is sugar and coconut oil, yep just that!

Coconut oil is a miraculous oil, full of benefits for you from head to toe. For skin it is a moisturizer, antibiotic, multivitamin, multi-nutrient, nourishing, anti-aging, anti-wrinkle and anti-oxidant, we can’t say mother earth doesn’t love us, right? 

coconut sugar scrub

And the best part, it is as simple as using ½ cup of sugar per ¼ coconut oil mix the two together completely and rub your hands and/or feet with your new high class-all natural moisturizer.

coconut sugar scrub1

http://www.aprettylifeinthesuburbs.com/2011/08/coconut-sugar-scrub.html

Sunday, September 22, 2013

4 Rules for Healthy Drinking By Dr. Oz

1. Pour Wisely
Doctors always advise drinking in moderation, if it all. Research shows women should not consume more than one drink per day. More than one drink can lead to cancer or liver damage. A study conducted in 2011 shows that having 3-6 drinks per week increased the risk of breast cancer by 15%. One drink is 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of liquor. 

2. Keep it Light
If you are planning to have more than a cocktail or two you should limit yourself to clear light liquor like vodka or gin. Dark liquors like whisky or brandy can cause a severe hangover. Dark liquor has a higher concentration of toxic compounds formed when alcohol is fermented.

4 rules for healthy drinking by Dr. Oz

3. Abstain during Pregnancy
One research states having one drink doesn’t affect the behavioral or cognitive development of the baby, still it is better to avoid it during pregnancy. Research is too inconsistent to warrant the risk. Studies show children of eight years old whose mothers had 5-6 drinks a week during pregnancy had lower IQ.

4. Don’t save up for the Weekend
After tiring working days, people often have several drinks over the weekend. Binge drinking – defined for women as four or more drinks in roughly two hours – is on the rise among American women. Consequences of binge drinking can be very serious.

Profile of a Cheater

To cheat or betray someone will trigger different responses in people, feelings of frustration or guilt are common. What personality traits or feelings are experienced in someone who is a serial cheater, or someone that had a slip? 

According to studies, men and women cheat for the same reasons, romance, lack of affection, personality traits like extroversion, impulsivity, high sensation-seeking, and high socio-sexual orientation. Standards concerning cheating are rather permissive, couples are more permissive and there is less of a taboo to open relationships or polyamorous bonds, where someone consciously can have several romantic partners. This is not the case for most couples, who expect at some point mutual sexual and emotional closeness.

According to experts men and women display different feelings when they betray their romantic partner. Men tend to feel a mix of infidelity and guilt. This guilt is increased if there is a religious background or any neurotic tendencies. The association between infidelity and guilt is mediated by the concept of sin. Social judgment is another important ingredient in the mix when a cheater is male, however it is more accentuated in women, they feel they are going to be harshly judged because of their infidelity. Men and women tend to use more economic and energetic resources on the cheating partner, which can increase guilt for not providing everything to spouse or children. 

The profile of a cheater
Women tend to see infidelity as a romance, feeling they deserve romance because they feel loved and sexy. Men and women can feel trapped into boring, lack of affection, emotional and physical support, loyal, and honest relationships. Both share a common basis that infidelity often goes along with anxiety and stress. Men often feel of everything is in control but anxiety in women and men can be suspicious and a warning sign. The fear of being caught is the reason for this anxiety.

A fundamental feeling that can arise when infidelity occurs is frustration. Frustration from having a family, spouse and kids, a life, and feeling a void, not feeling at ease with the family situation and not being able to open up emotionally. They often feel frustrated because they cannot do simple things like being in public, having dinner out, or go to the movies. There is a kind of rush in being a cheater and this can be addictive as adrenaline. Some people make the act of cheating something pathological and they become serial cheaters, they create an addiction of not being caught, the emotion of hiding and having another one. 

Its uncommon for serial cheaters to attend therapy or counseling. Many times the one who is being betrayed is the one to seek help. Its difficult to overcome infidelity issues in any relationship, however in all cases therapy or counseling, individual and marital, are helpful to learn possible solutions of the situation, focusing on things the couple have in common. In some cases serial cheaters go to therapy looking for help to stop the cycle because of side effects or they might come to therapy because of doubting their relationship, in any case it is the most valuable thing to do. 



sources:
Donohew, L. D., Zimmerman, R. S., Novak, S. P., Feist-Price, S.,&Cupp, P. (2000). Sensation-seeking,impulsive decision-making, and risky sex: Implications of individual differences for risk-taking and design of interventions. Journal of Personality and Individual Differences, 28, 1079–1101.
Whitley, B. E. (1998). Factors associated with cheating among college students: A review. Research in Higher Education, 39, 235–274.

The Bitter Truth Behind Bottled Drinking Water

Many people believe that bottled drinking water is healthier than tap water because of absence of things like parasites, chlorine, dioxins, and fluoride. There are some areas in the world that do not have safe drinking water. If you live there you should drink bottled water, try purchasing gallons rather than individual bottles. A water filter can save money, the environment, and clean impurities from your water for much less money. Environmentally responsible companies are making glass, cardboard, and other plastic-free containers for food and water.

Here are a few reasons to avoid bottled mineral water:

No value for money
The bottled mineral water that we purchase from the market cost around $1. If we compare the production cost with the revenue, there is no value for money. Bottled water, which manufacturers claim to be higher in essential vitamins and minerals is no different from tap water. A study found that packaged mineral water costs around 1900 times more than tap water.

1- No health benefits
Various water manufacturing companies claim that their bottled water is healthier than other sources of drinking water. This is absolutely incorrect. Various tests conducted around the globe have proved that packaged mineral water has no added health benefits.

The Bitter Truth Behind Bottled Drinking Water

2- Plastic hazards
Almost all mineral water producing companies sell their products in plastic bottles regardless of the size of the package. Plastic comes with numerous health hazards. Plastic packaging of water contaminates it and makes it unfit for use. Some of the dangers of drinking water packed in plastic bottles are mentioned below.
• Studies show that drinking water from plastic bottles reduces sperm count and is associated with numerous potency problems.
• Plastic used for packaging of water is made up of toxins called antimony. These toxins have the ability to leach into the water. Small consumption of this toxin may lead to severe dizziness, prolonged consumption may result in severe vomiting and may become fatal in extreme situations.
• Plastic bottles contain chemicals like phthalates and Bisphenol A (BPA) which leach into the water and contaminate it. These chemicals lead to fatigue and dullness. They also disturb the endocrine system which results in hormonal imbalance.
• In a study conducted on manufacturing of plastic water bottles it was found that a substance called antimony is used in production of these bottles. Consumption of this substance may cause depression and violent vomiting. If water lies in these plastic bottles for more than three months, the levels of antimony in the water are doubled.
• One study found that bottled drinking water stimulates the growth of breast cancer cells and catalyzes their multiplication.

3- A report released by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) summarizing tests conducted on 10 U.S. bottle brands revealed that water manufactured by them contains harmful cancer causing byproducts added during the process of chlorination. Bottled water also contains other fertilizer residues like nitrate and ammonia which are harmful to health.

4- Environmental hazards
Manufacturing of bottled drinking water harms the environment. Production of water bottles results in release of various harmful gases in the environment which creates pollution and leads to many airborne diseases.

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Anxiety and the Big Bad News

I have talked in past blogs about how to handle your anxiety when things get chaotic and interrupt your routine. Today I would like to discuss what happens when you get the really “big bad news”. A family member has cancer, the baby you are carrying has something wrong with it, you are getting a divorce. How do you cope? When anxiety goes from zero to warp speed and threatens never to leave, it feels like it may become a way of life. That terror that resides in your chest or the knot and nausea that come to dwell in your stomach are a constant reminder that your life may never be “normal” again.

 

The first thing to do when you get uncomfortable news is to focus on the felt sense of whatever emotion is evoked in your body. It could be that your muscles tense, you get a knot in your stomach, a tightness in your chest, or your breathing becomes short and rapid. Notice those symptoms, and actually do of the opposite of what your body wants to do. If you notice that it wants to tense up, then purposefully let your muscles go limp. If you tighten in your stomach, release the muscles and breathe relaxation into that area. If your breaths become short and rapid, make a point of taking slow deep breaths. This will help to stop that hormonal cascade that begins with a shot of adrenaline when you get upsetting news. If you intervene immediately it can prevent may unpleasant symptoms from taking root in your body.

Seeing emotions as literally being energy in motion in your body that want to be expressed (or actually squeezed out,) allows you to visualize allowing the energy to exist without resistance and to assist that energy in moving through the body in a way that minimizes the effect of those negative emotions. The key is not resisting the negative feeling. When a negative feeling is present we tend to tighten around it because we are afraid that if we allow it, it will get worse and become more unpleasant. Actually the opposite is true. When we allow the sensation to pass through like the lines passing across the screen of an EKG machine then we free our bodies up from become a home to that trapped energy.


Breathing properly is vital in this process. Slow deep nourishing breaths are in order. When “bad” things happen we forget to breathe. Slow deep nourishing breaths allow the energy to pass, and keep our bodies pH balanced.  A good balance of the in-and-out breath keeps the pH stable in the body.  Breathing in more increases acidity;  breathing out more creates alkalinity, as it gets rid of carbonic acid through the carbon dioxide we breathe out.  “Hyperventilating” means a lot of breathing out, so making us too alkaline, which has its problems like any imbalance (it may cause numbness or tingling in the extremities, lightheadedness, fainting); then one has to “breathe into a paper bag,” that is, breathe back in some of the acids we got rid of, to regain the proper balance of acids and bases in the blood. Paying attention to the body helps us balance the breathing.


Instead of receiving information as “good” or  “bad,” become curious about what you hear. It is easy to jump to conclusions based on what you have experienced in the past or by facts that you know or by stories that you have heard from others in your situation. Be curious about whether this situation HAS to play out like you would assume, with you “freaking out” and adopting a tragic story based on your negative feelings. Be curious if you have to freak out at all. Just because it is expected that you freak out, doesn’t mean that is the response that you have to have.  Instead, adopt a sense of wonder. “I wonder how this will change my life?” “I wonder what skill I will learn thorough this?” “I wonder what the gift will be in this for me?”

I am not advocating denial of your circumstances, or a Pollyanna attitude, I am just stating that it seems many of us respond to unexpected news in ways that are reflexive, knee jerk reactions, in ways that we believe we are “supposed to” react. I wonder if we get centered and grounded by taking some deep breaths and focusing on feeling our bodily sensations for a moment (“I feel my feel on the floor, I feel the chair to my back, I feel the cool air in the room”) if we might buy ourselves the time to choose a different response? I wonder if choosing that different response might put us in that “road less traveled” place, a place that is more peaceful and honoring of the experience, and instead of bringing us a sure tragedy, might bring us a gift instead?

If you are having trouble coping with unexpected news, I am here to support you. Please call me at 770-789-0847, or see my website at www.carolyntuckertherapist.com for more information. 

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