Month: January 2009

Fear of Failure: What Does Failure Mean To You?

by shabnamahsan



Margaret Paul, Ph.D.


What do you believe about failure?

The ego wounded part of ourselves, the left-brain part of ourselves that has been programmed with many false beliefs, often believes that:

“If I fail, I am a failure.”
“If I fail, I am stupid.”
“If I fail, no one will like me or value me.”
“If I fail, then there is no point in ever trying again.”
“If I fail, it brands me for life as incompetent.”
“If I fail, then everyone who thought I was smart will now think I am stupid.”
“If I fail, I will have made a fool of myself.”

On the other hand, the loving adult part of us – our right brain, open, creative and learning part of us – generally believes that:

“If I fail, then I just need to work harder, to put in more effort.”
“If I fail, I will have learned valuable lessons that will eventually lead to success.”
“Failure is a part of life. No one succeeds without some failure.”
“Failure does not at all reflect on my worth as a person. I am intrinsically worthy, regardless of success or failure.”
“Failure offers me incredible opportunities to think outside the box, to think creatively. Let’s get to work!”
“I love learning and I love challenges. What I do is not about success or failure – it is about the joy of creativity, learning and expressing who I am.”

Which way of thinking prevails within you? What are the consequences to you of allowing yourself to think from your wounded self instead of from your loving adult?

Failure – A Part of Life

The fact is that mistakes and failure ARE a part of life. Instead of fearing them, why not make it okay to make mistakes and to fail? Why not take the onus off of failure? Why not embrace the process of learning and growing instead of only being focused on the outcome of your efforts? Why not focus on enjoying the process of learning and creating something that is important to you?

People who don’t worry about success or failure, who instead are excited about their learning and growing process, generally find their way to succeed. The reason for this is that they don’t let failure stop them. Instead, failure spurs them on to work harder, to put forth even more effort to learn what they need to learn to succeed.

On the other hand, even very smart people, who are dominated by their ego wounded selves, generally allow failure to derail them. Believing they ARE a failure if they fail, they become too afraid to make more effort. In addition, they often believe that success or failure is not dependent on effort, but on ability. When this is their belief, they often give up at the first sign of failure, fearing that, if their natural intelligence and ability is not leading to success, then there is no point in trying harder.

Creating Success

Every successful person knows that effort, creativity, openness to learning, and perseverance are what create success, not necessarily high intelligence, talent, or ability. Every truly successful person is someone who has not allowed failure to stop him or her from forging ahead with passion and purpose.

I encourage you to tell yourself that it is okay to make mistakes and okay to fail. I encourage you to see mistakes and failures as wonderful learning opportunities for growth. I encourage you to let go of the outcome and allow yourself to become fully excited about the process learning, of growth, and of creation. Being fully present and excited for the process is what life is all about!

About Author
Margaret Paul, Ph.D. is a best-selling author of 8 books and co-creator of the powerful Inner Bonding® healing process. Ready to join the thousands who have healed their pain and discovered their joy? Learn Inner Bonding now! Click here for a FREE Inner Bonding Course, and visit our website at www.innerbonding.com for more articles and help. Phone Sessions Available.



http://www.articlesbase.com/self-help-articles/fear-of-failure-what-does-failure-mean-to-you-713213.html

Flossing – Remove Your Plaque With Few Hassles

by shabnamahsan
by: Felicia Williams
How Important Is Flossing?
In one word…very! Flossing not only cleans areas of the teeth where ordinary toothbrushes can’t reach, it is a key factor in preventing gum disease. Brushing is an excellent beginning, but flossing is a crucial factor when it comes to keeping healthy teeth. The bacterium that gets caught in the nooks and crannies between teeth and in the tight spaces that toothbrushes can’t reach is removed by flossing.
Bacteria, if not removed regularly, may cause a host of problems in a person’s mouth. For instance, a byproduct of the bacteria is acid; this acid eats into the enamel of otherwise teeth and creates cavities. Another byproduct of the bacteria is a sulfur compound which causes halitosis.
Remnants of food, combined with remaining bacteria turns into plaque. Plaque, left hanging around between the teeth will become a stronger more toothbrush resistant substance called tarter. Tarter is not removed by normal brushing. Tarter remover requires the professional services of a dentist.
Tarter left alone allows the bacteria to breed and cause a more serous condition called gingivitis. Gingivitis occurs when the bacteria emits toxins that irritate the gums and causes redness and swelling. Left alone, it worsens and causes periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease occurs when the bacteria have been allowed to manifest and invade not only the gums, but also the bones. This is dangerous because the bones are the very support structure that holds teeth in place. Left untreated, teeth will fall out.
I Haven’t Flossed In A While. What Should I Expect?
If you haven’t flossed in quite a while, there is a possibility that you may see a hint of blood on the floss and in your mouth. This means that your gums are somewhat irritated and are really in need of flossing. Don’t give up. Keep flossing. Over a period of time, with regular flossing and brushing, the red should diminish and eventually go away. If it does not, pay a visit to your dentist.
How Often Should I floss?
According to the American Dental Association, you should brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss at least once a day.
What About My Children? When Should They Start Flossing?
The minute two teeth are able to rub together, thus creating a condition whereby food and bacteria can hide and grow, start flossing. Of course when they are young, they will require parental guidance. Continue to do so until you feel comfortable that your child can properly floss unaided.
How Do I Floss?
1.) Use about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around the middle finger of one hand and the rest around the middle finger of the other hand.
2.) Gently guide the floss between your teeth with a rubbing motion.
3.) Once the floss nears your gum line curve the floss against one tooth in a ‘C’ shape. Slide it gently in the space between you tooth and gum.
4.) While keeping the floss against the tooth, gently, with an up and down motion, move the floss away from the gum.
5.) Repeat as needed.
6.) Remember to floss between all of your teeth, even the hard to reach ones in the back of your mouth. Also floss the back of the last teeth.
7.) Remember this is a gentle motion. Do not use a frontward, backward sawing motion. That can cause injury and prove to be painful.
About Auther
Felicia Williams  is a Freelancer Writer and owner of tidbitsandstuff.com.


http://www.e-healtharticles.com/Detailed/1926.html

Pamper Your Lips

by shabnamahsan
By Joanne Elliott
Do you sometimes think that you would kill for beautiful full lips? Sure, you could get Collagen implants, or tattooed outlines around your lip… But it’s a little bit excessive, I’m sure you’ll agree! There are other cheaper, and much more practical, ways of achieving a similar affect. Here’s how to get beautiful full lips in four easy steps…
Step one: Lip balm babe
Prepare your delicate lips with a generous slick of lip balm in advance. Nobody likes cracked and frayed lips! And in this cold winter weather its important to take more care than usual. (Cold weather will dry the moisture from your lips). Make sure that the lip balm has sunk a little before you go on to step two, otherwise your lip liner won’t work.
Step two: Line and define
Get a natural lip liner, and carefully draw around the very rim of your lips. If you get a wobbly line, don’t panic (and don’t think nobody will notice it)… just carefully remove it and start again! When you have a firm line fill in the rest of your lips with the same color.
Step three: Now add some shine!
Here comes the glamorous bit, the lip-gloss! Again, keep the color natural. Forget lipstick that’s too dark or too light. One thing you’ve gotta remember though, gloss looks better but doesn’t have the staying power of lippy. Make sure you keep it in your purse and re-apply during the day.
Step four: Plump them up
This is the ‘hard bit’. But actually it’s not! All you’ve got to do, (after you’ve completed steps one through three), is dot a white shimmery product like eye shadow or an eyebrow highlighter in the very center of your lips. Start slowly, and blend very carefully. What you are looking to achieve is natural looking shading, with your lip color being lighter where your mouth opens. This will create the illusion of beautiful full lips.
Oh, one last thing. Remember, people always want what they haven’t got, so don’t fret… just make the best of what you’ve got. And you know what they say; if you’ve got it, flaunt it!

How Serious Are You About Your Weight Loss Goals?

by shabnamahsan
By: Janice Willingham

Are you serious about weight loss? If you want permanent results, being able to follow a healthy and natural weight loss plan is the only way. There are no shortcuts. Ask most of the experts and they will recommend that you starve yourself, drastically decrease your food intake and exercise until you drop! What people don’t know when taking in all this information is that these three weight loss methods can be very unhealthy and could complicate your health.
The goal of weight loss is to become slimmer, to look good and most importantly to become healthier. When you participate in unhealthy weight loss methods you might lose some pounds, but you also have to consider whether your choices are healthy and making your life better.
Any diet that sounds too good to be true because of claims of quick weight loss or being easy or not very challenging to achieve success is usually categorized as a fad diet. You can find fad diets without having to look for them. They are on the Internet, in periodicals and if you can’t find them they are sometimes delivered by word of mouth!
Most fad diets become about survival because the requirements to participate can push you to your breaking point. Instead of being focused on your weight loss goals, you find yourself wishing for your next meal. Those thoughts do nothing for you but sabotage your efforts. Remember, weight loss is about moderation without having to take it to the extreme.
Once the decision is made to begin a weight loss plan it is usually as a result of health issues or because you have decided it is about time to lose the extra weight which will not only affect your outer appearance, but your quality of life also. Before embarking on a rigorous weight loss program, there are two things you should consider:
1. Ask yourself the question, do I really need to lose weight? Sometimes we enter into a weight loss plan because a friend has told us we are gaining a few pounds or even we may have noticed some extra pounds while looking in the mirror or even those favorite jeans don’t fit anymore.
All this doesn’t mean you are grossly overweight and need to lose weight immediately, it just means that you might need to be more cognizant of what and how much you eat. And, maybe you need to be more active than your normal daily activities and getting in and out of the car.
The best way of determining if you are overweight is to use a BMI (body mass index) calculator. Based on your age and height, the BMI calculator is a tool used to estimate what should be your healthy weight as it relates to your height.
People sometimes believe that the BMI measures the percentage of body fat that one has, but that is not correct. The BMI basically determines your overall fitness, identifies any issues regarding obesity and will give you an idea on how many pounds you need to lose in order to become healthy.
The obsession we have for becoming thin is promoted by the ultra thin celebrities or models. Our obsession with thinness More and more people want to become as slim as their favorite celebrities, and often they end up with fatigue, nervousness, bulimia and anorexia. Remember that you should lose weight only if there are valid medical reasons for it, not because you “think” that you are overweight!
2. Following a healthy eating plan is the key. A lot of people get involved in fad diets believing they are the answer due to the ease of getting started and the promises of quick and easy weight loss. The right dose of weight loss consists of healthy meals and exercise. When you starve yourself in the quest of losing weight with fad diets, your body goes into protect mode. Your body will start to make more fat and fight to hold on to the fat you’re trying to lose.
Weight loss is a serious business because you really have to be prepared mentally and emotionally. The other aspect of embarking upon this journey is willpower and commitment to work towards your weight loss goals.

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

7 Highly Effective Habits of Happy People With Illness

by shabnamahsan

By: Lisa Copen

As I sit here working on this article my 4-year-old son hangs out with me with a little cold and fever. I keep telling him he needs some medicine but all he has said since he got out of bed is “I’m better now. I’m all better.” How much does our attitude effect how well we deal with our illness and our level of happiness?
Everyone copes with challenges in their lives in different ways. For those who are diagnosed with a chronic illness they may put on a happy face and literally decide they will use this as a dare to succeed, constantly trying to overcome any limitations it sets forth. Others will drive home from the doctor’s office wondering how much longer they will be able to drive because of the pain. They’ll flop down on the couch and rarely roam from it for years. What is it that makes some people thrive despite their chronic illness and others simply survive and use it as an excuse for everything that goes wrong?
People who live with an illness and still radiate happiness and joyfulness for life have some things in common. None of us cope with our illness perfectly, so even if we tend to deal with it well, there is likely a tip below that we could use to improve our outlook on life.
Happy people who live with illness have the following in common:
[1] They possess hope. Research has shown that hope actually increases the speed at which people recover from surgery. Hope is vital and a necessary step in finding contentment despite our circumstances. The 2006 theme of National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week was “My illness is invisible but my hope shines through.” We all should live with this attitude.
[2] They persevere and keep going no matter what. Living with a chronic illness is painful! Emotionally, physically, and spiritually it has the ability to quickly drain our strength and spirit. Our health is one of the main things we depend on to help us conquer our dreams, even referring to the saying, “At least you have your health!” But people who live with chronic pain and still are happy have learned to persist in reaching for their dreams, or even re-examining their dreams in order to create new ones. At times, the news goals can be more exhausting than the original ones, but passion can create a lot of adrenaline.
[3] They are good advocates of their own health. Paul J. Donoghue and Mary E. Siegel, authors of “Sick and Tired of Feeling Sick and Tired,” write “Getting this help in a consistently satisfying manner is as essential as it is challenging. You will need perseverance, courage and skill. You will need to understand your needs and be committed to getting them” (p. 160). People who take part in the decision making process on the topic of their care and treatment, and who actively hunt for out doctors who will partner with them, are more happy than those who feel out of control. For example, if it’s one’s desire to have children it’s important to have a medical team that will understand this desire and provide good treatment even if they don’t agree with your decision, rather than reprimand you by giving you poor care.
[4] They don’t play the victim role. They say “Why not me?” rather than “Why me?” To form this attitude can take time if it doesn’t come naturally. But by being involved with organizations that serve people who are ill, have cancer, or who have left abusive homes–whatever your passions are–you will begin to understand that this world is not perfect. When things are going right in their lives, they recognize it as a blessing, not a right.
[5] They understand who they are and so aren’t overly sensitive, taking other’s comments too personally. If one has a strong faith this can make everything much simpler because one understands her value and worth as a person doesn’t count on what she can accomplish with her physical strength. She learns what she is accountable for (like an attitude) and not (like an infection that keeps returning). This can help keep away unnecessary guilt for things out of her power.
[6] They communicate adeptly. Being able to talk with others, explain your feelings, learning to listen effectively, and watching your words carefully, can help you avoid a lot of troubles. Misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and arguments can affect your whole life and your body’s capacity to cope with an illness. One must learn to manage bitterness and focus on healthy relationships. Happy people with illness are good at understanding when to talk about their illness and how much to share about their personal lives.
[7] They sincerely care about other people. Your illness may not have been the education you had hoped to get, but people who are happy see their experiences as a gift of knowledge. They can share their ups and downs, and struggles and successes with others who are going through challenging experiences and need a friend or mentor. To truly find happiness, we must search outside of ourselves and reach out to other people.
J.K. Rowling, author, once said, “It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” This quote is perhaps one of the most wonderful examples of a good attitude for those with chronic illness.

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/49031

How to Become the Best

by shabnamahsan

People who become the best at anything aren’t born with a blueprint for success. They struggle to get where they are, and they work hard to become the best at what they do. They all begin their journeys by emulating the attitudes and habits of other successful people. Here are a few of the main characteristics the best and the brightest share.

Optimism: People who reach the top always believe things can get better, or that there’s a better way to do something. They don’t believe any action is futile. Not only does optimism help them continue on their ambitious course, it attracts other people’s interest and respect.

Vision

: The top achievers have a vision of their desired future. They know what the end results should look like when their goal has been reached, and they won’t rest until that vision is a reality. Becoming the best means avoiding the pitfalls of the here and now to create a better future.

Leadership: To become the best, you must expect to lead, and rise to every opportunity to do so. Successful men and women know they’re not average followers. They always equip themselves with the skills they need to command, and when the time comes, they lead others to achieve success.

Legacy: While they enjoy the rewards of achievement, successful leaders don’t merely strive for themselves. They strive for goals that benefit others: family, friends, charities, and communities. They choose to leave a legacy that will make the world a better place.

Helpfulness: The best help other people reach their goals and dreams. True leaders understand that all people are connected: the good they put out into the world will someday benefit them, directly or indirectly. They know that success does not come to someone who stands alone.

No Excuses: No one is perfect, and even the most successful will fail along the way. But when they do fail, outstanding individuals take responsibility for their actions and move on from defeat. Only repeated actions determine character. Becoming the best means only expecting results.

Making Failure an Ally: The best never see failure as an enemy: it is an ally. They consider such losses a learning experience, and recognize that every failure brings them closer to success.

Most people live by default, settling for a mediocre life in which they see themselves as victims of circumstance. The best live actively—they envision a better life and take the necessary action to achieve their dreams. And so can you!

About Author
Mario is the creator of the ebook and audio Millionaire Mindset Success Series. Click here to receive over 50% off.


http://www.articlesbase.com/self-improvement-articles/how-to-become-the-best-731865.html

5 Secrets of Excellent Digestion

by shabnamahsan
By: Cindy Papp
Digestion is an important process and key to excellent health. Good digestion can help speed metabolism while poor digestion causes a sluggish metabolism and weight gain. You can help your body to strengthen this process with a little effort.
These tips are called secrets because they are not what you would normally read about to help you strengthen your own digestion. Many people want to sell plant and other kinds of enzymes. While some of these may help, using them for your entire life can prove inconvenient and expensive. Try these secret tips to help your body manufacture more of its own enzymes, which will naturally lead to excellent digestion.
Tip 1 – Don’t overeat. Overeating is a main cause of digestive problems. The body can only digest a certain amount of protein at one time. What isn’t digested gets stored as waste and creates toxins. In addition, your body can only digest a few types of food in one sitting. Too many different types food will require more enzymes than your body can produce at one time. This will lead to digestive problems.
Tip 2 – Always chew your food until it is completely dissolved. This really sounds easier than it is. Most of us eat on the run, only partially chewing our food. This can cause heartburn, stomach upset and bloating, among other things. Paying attention to chewing your food can have numerous health benefits.
Digestion starts in the mouth. In fact, chewing is the first stage of digestion. Most people think if you don’t finish chewing your food, it will just take longer to digest in the stomach. This is not true. If you don’t complete the chewing process – your stomach enzymes cannot do their job. This makes it almost impossible for the intestinal enzymes to break down the food when it finally gets there.
Your teeth must break down the food into a substance that your stomach and intestinal enzymes can then break down. Add to this the fact that your saliva is full of digestive enzymes. These enzymes start the digestion of starches. One step must be completed before the other steps can work.
There are other benefits of thoroughly chewing your food. People who take time to eat have less risk of heartburn than those who eat too fast. And – studies prove that extended chewing actually strengthens the immune system! So slow down, chew your food and enjoy.
Tip 3 – Relax before eating. This might sound like a new-age thing, but there is scientific evidence that relaxing helps strengthen digestion. Studies in Japan show that the saliva of a relaxed person is thinner and full of enzymes. This makes for stronger digestion.
The same studies show that saliva of a stressed or hurried person is thick and devoid of enzymes. This may be one reason why stress can interfere with digestive health.
Tip 4 – You can strengthen your natural digestion and help your body produce more of its own natural digestive enzymes. How can you do this without taking external enzymes?
Eat according to digestive cycles. Your body has natural, circadian rhythms like the sleeping cycle and hormonal cycle. Digestion is also a rhythm, or cycle, that is stronger at some points of the day than others. Here’s how it works…
The morning is your body’s natural cleansing, or flushing time. This is when your liver is supposed to dump toxins and fat for release. This should stimulate your intestines and colon to work. To work with this part of the cycle, eat fruits which are natural cleansers of the body.
Mid-day is the time when your digestive enzymes peak and are at their strongest. This is the best time to eat raw vegetables which are more difficult for most people to digest. Eating a large, raw vegetable salad with protein will strengthen your natural enzymes over a short period of time. As your body begins to expect your daily salad, it gets more enzymes ready to digest the raw veggies. Be sure to chew your salad well.
Evening is when your natural digestive enzymes are slowing down. To strengthen digestion, start your meal with a small, green salad. This will get your enzymes revving. Then complete your meal with steamed veggies and a protein serving. This is an easier food combination for your body to digest. It will not interfere with your natural enzymes, but work with them.
Tip 5 – Eat yogurt for the good bacteria. Good bacteria must thrive throughout your digestive system. It keeps the bad bacteria and other pathogens in check, which in turn strengthens not only your digestion, but your immune system as well. Be sure to eat yogurt that lists the available probiotics on the label.
It might seem like a difficult cycle when trying to correct poor digestion. You need proteins and raw veggies to add enzymes and to stimulate and create your own enzymes. But it might be difficult to break down these proteins and raw veggies if your digestion is out of whack. Try these simple tips for starters.
If you are taking digestive enzymes and prefer not to, don’t just stop taking them, wean off slowly to ensure balance. The key to any natural healing process is slow, steady and consistent. Working like this can help you take control of your health.

25 Reasons Why You Should Start Drinking Green Tea

by shabnamahsan
Green tea has increasingly become a very popular drink worldwide because of its immensely powerful health benefits.
It is extraordinarily amazing what green tea can do for your health.
And if you’re not drinking 3 to 4 cups of green tea today, you’re definitely NOT doing your health a big favor.
Here Are The 25 Reasons Why You Should Start Drinking Green Tea Right Now:
1. Green Tea and Cancer
Green tea helps reduce the risk of cancer.
The antioxidant in green tea is 100 times more effective than vitamin C and 25 times better than vitamin E.
This helps your body at protecting cells from damage believed to be linked to cancer.
2. Green Tea and Heart Disease
Green tea helps prevent heart disease and stroke by lowering the level of cholesterol.
Even after the heart attack, it prevents cell deaths and speeds up the recovery of heart cells.
3. Green Tea and Anti-Aging
Green tea contains antioxidant known as polyphenols which fight against free radicals.
What this means it helps you fight against aging and promotes longevity.
4. Green Tea and Weight Loss
Green tea helps with your body weight loss. Green tea burns fat and boosts your metabolism rate naturally.
It can help you burn up to 70 calories in just one day.
That translates to 7 pounds in one year.
5. Green Tea and Skin
Antioxidant in green tea protects the skin from the harmful effects of free radicals, which cause wrinkling and skin aging.
Green tea also helps fight against skin cancer.
6. Green Tea and Arthritis
Green tea can help prevent and reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis.
Green tea has benefit for your health as it protects the cartilage by blocking the enzyme that destroys cartilage.
7. Green Tea and Bones
The very key to this is high fluoride content found in green tea.
It helps keep your bones strong.
If you drink green tea every day, this will help you preserve your bone density.
8. Green Tea and Cholesterol
Green tea can help lower cholesterol level.
It also improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol, by reducing bad cholesterol level.
9. Green Tea and Obesity
Green tea prevents obesity by stopping the movement of glucose in fat cells.
If you are on a healthy diet, exercise regularly and drink green tea, it is unlikely you’ll be obese.
10. Green Tea and Diabetes
Green tea improves lipid and glucose metabolisms, prevents sharp increases in blood sugar level, and balances your metabolism rate.
11. Green Tea and Alzheimer’s
Green tea helps boost your memory.
And although there’s no cure for Alzheimer’s, it helps slow the process of reduced acetylcholine in the brain, which leads to Alzheimer’s.
12. Green Tea and Parkinson’s
Antioxidants in green tea helps prevent against cell damage in the brain, which could cause Parkinson’s. People drinking green tea also are less likely to progress with Parkinson’s.
13. Green Tea and Liver Disease
Green tea helps prevent transplant failure in people with liver failure. Researches showed that green tea destroys harmful free radicals in fatty livers.
14. Green Tea and High Blood Pressure
Green tea helps prevent high blood pressure.
Drinking green tea helps keep your blood pressure down by repressing angiotensin, which leads to high blood pressure.
15. Green Tea and Food Poisoning
Catechin found in green tea can kill bacteria which causes food poisoning and kills the toxins produced by those bacteria.
16. Green Tea and Blood Sugar
Blood sugar tends to increase with age, but polyphenols and polysaccharides in green tea help lower your blood sugar level.
17. Green Tea and Immunity
Polyphenols and flavenoids found in green tea help boost your immune system, making your health stronger in fighting against infections.
18. Green Tea and Cold and Flu
Green tea prevents you from getting a cold or flu.
Vitamin C in green tea helps you treat the flu and the common cold.
19. Green Tea and Asthma
Theophylline in green tea relaxes the muscles which support the bronchial tubes, reducing the severity of asthma.
20. Green Tea and Ear Infection
Green tea helps with ear infection problem.
For natural ear cleaning, soak a cotton ball in green tea and clean the infected ear.
21. Green Tea and Herpes
Green tea increases the effectiveness of topical interferon treatment of herpes.
First green tea compress is applied, and then let the skin dry before the interferon treatment.
22. Green Tea and Tooth Decay
Green tea destroys bacteria and viruses that cause many dental diseases.
It also slows the growth of bacteria which leads to bad breath.
23. Green Tea and Stress
L-theanine, which is a kind of amino acids in green tea, can help relieve stress and anxiety.
24. Green Tea and Allergies
EGCG found in green tea relieves allergies.
So, if you have allergies, you should really consider drinking green tea.
25. Green Tea and HIV
Scientists in Japan have found that EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate) in green tea can stop HIV from binding to healthy immune cells.
What this means is that green tea can help stop the HIV virus from spreading

20 Beauty Secrets Every Teen Should Know

by shabnamahsan
There’s nothing worse than getting advice from older people, we know, we know, but the truth is some advice is worth taking and keeping, especially when it comes to fun beauty tips. We’ve been reading fashion magazines and testing beauty products for years. In this time, we’ve read 1000s of beauty tips, tried 1000s of products, but only a few are worth keeping around. So, here we share with you the 20 things we wish we knew when we were teenagers.
1. Skip the foundation If you have acne the first thing you want to do is slather on the thick foundation. Don’t. Foundation is for women over 35. Not only will it cover up your natural beauty, but foundation on a teenager looks anything but natural. Instead, cover up blemishes with concealer, then follow with a powder or tinted mosturizer. Tinted moisturizers tend to be lighter than heavy foundations.
2. You pat concealer in, you never rub it in We know this from watching the Tyra Banks show. When applying concealer, put a bit on the pad of your middle finger and pat it in. Never rub. Got acne? Pat the concealer on top of it.
3. Play up your lips or your eyes, never both If you are wearing heavy eye makeup, go for nude lips with just a bit of gloss. Prefer the drama of dark lipstick? Keep face light (stay away from heavy blush) and wear only mascara on your eyes and a light eyeshadow. Don’t heavily line your eyes. Play up both and you’ll look like a clown.
And never, ever line lips in a darker color than your gloss or lipstick.
4. Less is more Ever notice how some of your friends look best with no makeup at all? No matter your age, too much makeup makes you look worse. If you wear foundation, powder, blush, liner, mascara, eyeshadow, lip liner and gloss on an everyday basis, then you’re overdoing it. Tone it down: All you really need is a great mascara, concealer for blemishes and gloss. Add a pop of blush in winter.
5. Natural hair is always hot If you have super dark hair, lighten your look by going a shade darker or getting lighter highlights. Blonde? Try highlights, especially framing the face. We see too many teens lightening their hair several shades and the look can be super-tacky, not super-fabulous. The trick is to let people assume you were born with sun-kissed hair, not that you gave yourself a bad dye job from a bottle. More hair color tips here.
6. Vaseline is your best friend Vaseline is a great, cheap eye makeup remover. It’s also great for fixing chapped, scaly lips. Slather on a bunch of Vaseline, then use a toothbrush to massage lips. Wipe the excess off on a tissue. Your lips will be smooth and soft.
7. You can never go wrong with layers Long layers are great for any hair type: Super curly, straight or wavy. It makes thin hair appear thicker, curly hair appear manageable and wavy hair appear just-got-back-from-the-beach sexy. Just make sure you don’t get too many layers cut in. Too many short layers is dated.
8. Acne? Get thee to a dermatologist, stat Biggest mistake people with acne make? Not going to a dermatologist. Forget those $150 jeans you covet. Getting rid of those pimples will be the best investment you’ll ever make. And the only guaranteed way to do it is with a dermatologist.
9. Spend money on key beauty products Not sure what to splurge on and what to save on? I give you the scoop in this article. See if you should splurge or save on cleansers, mascara, concealer and more.
10. Buying foundation or lipstick? Test it first There are some beauty products you simply must try out at a department store or Sephora before you buy. These include: Foundation, lipstick, blush and powder.
Buy these products in a grocery store and you’ll be lucky if you picked the right color for your skin tone. What you can get away with without testing: Mascara, eye liner, most basic eye shadows and lip gloss.
11. When can you skip sunscreen ? Never Here’s a trick we wish we knew: The first beauty product you should apply every day is sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy or rainy outside. Why? Good habits start young and if you use sunscreen now, you’ll have gorgeous skin when you’re 50, 60, 70. Remember, the sun’s UV rays can penetrate clouds and car windows.
12. Wrapping hair around the barrel creates waves There’s nothing cooler than long, layered waves. To get them, wind hair AROUND the barrel of a large curling iron. Reverse direction for each 2-inch section (wind up for one, down for another).
13. Self-tanner will always stink Unfortunately, even the best ones smell. Your best bet is to apply self-tanner a good 24 hours before an important event and take a shower (don’t loofah) to wash off any smell. For really big events like a dance or wedding, consider a professional spray tan. These are pricey and don’t last long, so make sure to do it a day before the big event.
14. Don’t let nails go Not into manicures and pedicures? No worries. Just make sure to keep nails clean and the same length. If you do want to paint them, don’t keep the polish on until half of it’s chipped away. Also, there’s nothing worse than too-long toenails. Keep nails clipped between pedicures! People tend to judge others by the care they put into their hands and feet.
15. Don’t line the inside of your eyes It will make your eyes appear smaller. Instead, line just at the lash line. Also, an obvious line doesn’t look natural. Smudge the line just a bit.
16. Oily hair? Invest in a dry shampoo If you have blonde hair, sprinkling a bit of baby powder on your roots and at your crown will soak up excess oils. If you have brown hair, you might be better off with a dry shampoo for your hair color.
17. Shave legs at the end of the shower Cut down on nicks and cuts by making shaving the very last step in your shower or bathing ritual. Nine more shaving tips here
18. Know your best feature and play it up What feature do people comment on most? Play it up. If you’re told you have Angelina Jolie lips, make sure to wear gloss and play with bold lipstick colors. If it’s your eye color people love, find eyeshadow colors that complement them and make sure to wear mascara. Also, know what color shirts look best on you and go shopping.
19. Scrubs are great for dry skin If you have dry, itchy skin in winter, invest in a scrub and handmitts and scrub away in the bathtub. Make sure to slather on a thick moisturizer afterward. For dry, callousy feet, buy a pumice stone. They work better than any of the other wimpy options on the market.
20. Remember: Beauty is mostly internal Think about a girl you know who’s overweight yet all the guys love her. Why? Because she’s confident. If you aren’t wearing makeup and your toes haven’t been repainted in weeks, if you’re happy and smiling you will still be 10 times prettier than the mopey cheerleader sitting next to you in class. Trust us (wink).

http://beauty.about.com/od/teenbeauty/a/teenbeauty.htm

HOW TO AVOID STRESS!

by shabnamahsan
1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won’t fit into your time schedule, or that
will
compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too
many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over
time;
don’t lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out
what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can’t do
anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don’t use credit cards for ordinary
purchases.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key
buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent
an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
16. Carry a Quraan with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest.
18. Eat right.
19. Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of
life.
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.

Creating A Weight Loss Walking Habit

by shabnamahsan

by Jim Bolding

Walking is one of the easiest and most profitable forms of
exercise. All you need is a good pair of shoes, comfortable
clothing, and desire. Of the three desire is the one that
you really can't do without. Ok, maybe some clothing.  

Spring has now arrived and the weather will be warming up
soon. So there's really no reason not to consider building a
walking habit. 

The "taper on/taper off" method of creating a good habit or
breaking a bad one is what I like to use. With this method
you just take baby steps toward forming a new good habit or
breaking a bad one. It works for me. 

Building a good habit takes time. You should expect about
three or four weeks of continuous repetition to create a
weight loss walking habit. 

If you have the desire, I mean really, really have the
desire to make walking a habit the rest is easy. Just walk
out the door. You're not walking to improve health or to
lose weight or any of the other reasons walking is so good
for you. You're walking to create a habit. 

Keep the sessions short. Five minutes will be ok. You're
"tapering on" to a weight loss walking habit. What's
important at this stage is just doing it. The duration
doesn't matter; it's the repetition that matters. 

After three or four weeks of just getting out the door you
can begin increasing the duration and intensity of your new
habit.

Your long-term goal for a weight loss walking program
should be walking a minimum of five days a week for 45 to
60 minutes at a "talking" pace. But that's on down the road.
Right now don't worry about it. Just get out the door. 

http://www.holisticonline.com/Remedies/weight/weight_creating-a-weight-loss.htm

Dry Skin for Women Over 40

by shabnamahsan

by: Yana Berlin
 As women approach 40 their skincare regimen needs to be assessed. Even though aging occurs gradually and sometimes it is hard to notice the slight changes, especially when we fall in love with a product that we use for years, swear by it and refuse to realize that times have changes, and so have we.
It is very important to be on top of what is available on the market and moisturize should be our number one priority. While we all dream about a quick fix, or better yet a miracle in a bottle we have to give up our unrealistic obsession with flawless skin. Life takes over, wrinkles happen; aging is a natural and beautiful process that is inevitable to everyone.

Instead of concentrating on how many wrinkles you have embrace yourself for all that you achieved, for everything you have learned and for all that is still ahead. Now after you are done embracing, lets move on to enhancing. To downplay some of the natural effects of aging follow those simple steps, and enjoy your beautiful features, and remember the best is yet to come!

1. You Can No Longer Afford to Have Direct Sun Light. It’s bad for you…get over it…

2. If you are still smoking, your skin will have irreparable damage, It will be dull and gray. Just imagine yourself with grey hair and grey skin. If you haven’t put down that cigarette of yours yet, don’t come crying to me.
3. You are what you eat.
Vegetable and Fruits are good, Meet and Dairy is bad. Learn to live with it I did.
4. Most of all diseases are caused by stress

5. Your face is your treasure, wash it twice a day and moisturize it. NEVER go to sleep with make up on. I don’t care what time you are climbing into your bed.
6.  Your neck, your hands,elbows and heels is in immediate need of attention,. Remember MOISTURIZE.
7. If you have the urge to touch your face, think twice. If you still have the desire, go wash your hands.

8. Your make up has not meant to last forever, you are over 40 how old is that Channel eyes-shadow of yours?

9. Exercise your abs, work out your legs, and don’t forget your jaw muscles.

10. WATER, 10 glasses a day will keep plastic surgeon away. Water with lemons, water with cucumber, plain water and herbal tea is your goal. Stay away from carbonated and sugar drinks.

Take care of your skin and your soul will take care of itself.
 About Author
Yana Berlin is the founder and CEO of http://www.fabulously40.com, devoted to the celebration of all things, primarily women and the challenges and joys they face juggling their careers, children, relationships, and life’s other issues. Fabulously 40.com is a social network for women that catalyzes its members to celebrate and embrace their life. Since launching http://www.fabulously40.com Mrs. Berlin has been connecting, and supporting women all over the world. Join us as we embark on our journey to the BEST part of our lives. Membership is FREE


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