Esteem Yourself E-magazine - Self Esteem for Women, Women Self Esteem, Confidence, Self Love, Self Worth, Young Ladies, Girls, Women Esteem Love Building Confidence & Self-Esteem. Shape Fitness Health Workout

clothes wearing a new shirt entire outfit. change our clothes, wardrobe clothing wardrobe clothing fits and fits clothes clothes clothing a jacket or shawl a jacket or a shawl jacket in the car wardrobe purse wardrobe purse. everyday wear wardrobe malfunction wardrobe wardrobe wardrobe your face face throw water wash your face in the morning and then apply your makeup. Taking care of your face takes time, dedication, and effort. If you want to have flawless skin you will need to stick to a routine. You also need a few ingredients that can give you the most successful results. You're in luck because this article will list the main ingredients and give you tips to getting healthy, flawless skin. All that's left is you. see a difference in your skin. important for your body. Your body tends to build up toxins in your system over time by various things for various reasons. When you drink water, it removes and cleanses those toxins from your body. It's kind of like giving the inside of your body a bath. If the outside of your body gets bathe regularly, then the inside of your body deserves the same treatment. When you are regularly drinking a recommended amount of water daily, then you are removing the toxins from your body, which means you are reducing the amount of oil in your face that creates those nasty bumps. to clear those toxins from your body. While drinking the recommended amount of water daily, another important ingredient for healthy flawless skin is vitamins. Value of Vitamins Add vitamins to your daily routine. May people in the world are deficient in one vitamin or another. Vitamins do tons of wonders for us and our bodies. Vitamins help grow and repair our bodies in so many ways we do not see or recognize. Taking vitamins helps you try to maintain a healthy balance in your body, because you are getting the healthy supplements you need. You will see your skin begin to show a natural glow. A glow that no bronzer or make up can give you. If you continued on a daily vitamin regimen, you should begin to see your skin brighten in its own natural way. Day & Night Wash The next step to a "clean and clear" face is to wash your face daily morning and night. Washing your face helps to remove dirt and dead skin cells that is on your face. When you don't wash your face, the dirt and dead skin cells build upon your face clogging your pores, in which they cannot breathe, resulting into an unhappy pimpled face. Your pores need to breathe just as you do. Remember, you can not be lazy on this step. Most people begin the routine of washing their face daily, morning and night, but then they slowly discontinue the process and ask themselves a few days later, "Why isn't my skin clear?" It's not clear because you stopped your regimen! If you are saying to yourself right now, "Ugh, I don't have enough time." or "It is too much effort.", then you will not see the best results. The Best Cleanser wash your face morning and night with a face cleanser. best type of face cleanser that is for you. A face cleanser may work for your friend but not for you, because everyone's face is different. Do some thorough research for the skin type you have and the types of face cleansers you could use. Once you have found some face cleansers, it's time to begin to try them out to see if it will help you. It is understandable that you are in a hurry to achieve a flawless look but don't use the cleanser for two days and then toss it away because you assume it doesn't work for you. You should continuously use the cleanser for a minimum of 4 weeks, to determine if you see some improvement or not. Make sure that you are washing your face morning and night or washing your face as the directions on the cleanser tells you to. Be diligent and you will be happy with your results. Moisturize, Moisturize, & Moisturize Moisturizing your face is another important step to achieving flawless skin. Moisturizing your face helps to keep your skin from drying up and also keeps your skin nice and soft. It is best to moisturize your face with something that is oil free and fragrant free. Again do thorough research on the type of moisturizer you should purchase for your skin type. You are what you think, you are what you do, and you are what you eat. To obtain flawless skin you have to watch what you eat. Eating a lot of oily and greasy foods can lead to an increase of breakouts on your face. Begin to eat healthier one day at a time to improve your diet. A healthy diet produces healthy skin, and healthy skin dramatically increases your chances of having flawless skin. We're all hoping for it to come soon. The warm weather, shining sun and the cool breeze. It's such a great time of the year. With the seasons changing, our wardrobes change along with it. We begin to wear lighter clothing, flowy dresses and skirts. This year when making the transition, make it chic, savy, and playful. Tips for Dresses & Skirts Think of spring as a playful and happy type of season. Imagine how you can incorporate it into dresses and skirts. Your dresses and skirts should be feminine and playful. Be sure to wear your dresses and skirts in a manner that represents you best. You don't want to wear anything that gives the wrong impression of who you are. You are a divine being, let others treat you with respect by observing what you wear. Tips for Shirts Bright colors and pastels are in! Wear bright colored shirts that have a soft tone. The best colors to wear are pastel colors. These colors are bright but still have a soft tone to them. A good combination to use would be to wear bright colored shirts as the main base to your outfit, then add a little bit of darker colors to your outfit here and there. For example wearing a blue pastel shirt with some dark brown jewelry, or yellow pastel shirt with a dark green tank top underneath that shows a little bit of the color. Wearing blouses in the springtime is also a plus; it gives you that playful feel which works well in the spring. Make sure to mix the colors, picking shades that work well together, other wise it could lead to a big wardrobe disaster. Tips for Wearing Sandals Another great plus during the warmer weather is the ability to wear sandals. Bright colors on toenails do not quite fit in with the spring season. So save those bright color nail polish for the summer time. During the springtime wear neutral deep colors that will give a nice finish. For example nice plum color or forest green or deep blue will work. Colors like these will give a good balance to the rest of your spring outfit. Knowing Your Seasons When looking in the closet to select your wardrobe, ask yourself, "Does this work for the feel of spring?" Get into the habit of knowing what will work and what does not work for different seasons of the year. Every season you can look fantastic and chic! Start now to get in the rhythm of knowing what to wear each season. declare your summer independence from blow dryers, straighteners, and curling irons today. It's difficult to maintain heat-it-to-achieve-it styles in the summer. The sun is scorching hot and washing your hair becomes more frequent. Thermal styling tools can give you an instant look, but constant heat styling can thin and damage natural, color- and chemically-treated hair. Let your hair cool off by trying alternative no- to- low heat methods for volume, texture, or sleekness. .Flip your hair upside down using a paddle brush, smoothing the back of your hair from the nape to the front (Optional: For extra hold, lightly spritz your hair with alcohol-free hairspray) When you use your heat styling tools less, your strands get a chance to breathe. Challenge yourself to give up heat for two weeks and evaluate your hair. If it hasn't been severely damaged by heat, you may notice that your hair looks and feels healthier and stronger. Each low-to-no heat method requires less stress on your hair and an overall healthy approach to your styling routine. Spend the rest of summer working on your tan, and not your hair. Eliminate Puffy Eyes Before you wash your face in the mornings, use a cue tip to lightly dab a very small amount of aloe vera gel (revered for its healing, anti-inflammatory, and cooling properties) over your eyes. Leave the gel on your eyes for five to ten minutes and then wash your face with your regular cleanser. You will you feel instantly refreshed and your eyes will look brighter and more youthful. The late-night puffiness around your eyes will begin to disappear. Good morning, Sunshine! Banish Rough Skin To remedy dry and cracked skin, formulate your own brown sugar scrub body treatment. The natural glycolic acid found in sugar works to gently slough off dead skin cells to reveal brighter skin. massage your sugar scrub to dampened skin. To lock in moisture, towel-pat dry and apply your lotion while your skin is slightly damp. Save your skin from damaging sun rays with a generous amount of sunscreen. Nothing can wreak havoc on your skin like sun damage. a sunscreen with SPF 15 may allow you to stay in the sun for 150 minutes without getting burned. However, even if you use sunscreen, try to chill in the shade for most of the day and feel fabulous in a big floppy hat for maximum skin protection. Your hair may be fighting the common hair cold right now- dryness, breakage, and dullness- due to the harsh weather. balance of protein and moisture in your hair. When the moisture and protein levels in your hair are in sync, you will notice less breakage, length retention, and an overall increase in the health of your hair. If your hair is hard, rough, or brittle you may need a deep conditioning treatment. This will help you restore softness to your hair and smooth your cuticle, the outermost layer of your hair strand. When applying a deep conditioning treatment, try to use a conditioner that is water-based and contains at least one humectant. Any product that lists humectants- propylene glycol, honey, glycerin- and water at the top of their ingredient list will work best to help your hair stay soft and moisturized. No More Weather Hair Worries When rain arrives unexpectedly, you aren't running to find shelter or making a make-shift umbrella out of a newspaper or your purse. You can play in the rain without worrying about you kinky hair getting ruined. Even in humidity, you can tie your hair back and let the humidity amplify your curls and get unbelievable volume. Curly girls who don't enjoy frizz or undefined curls can still leave the house and venture into high-humidity weather. Just be sure to apply a silicone-free styling serum on dry hair to keep your curls in sync. Your Facial Features Pop Some women with more traditional African features -full lips, broad nose, and high cheekbones- can appear more youthful with curly hair than straight hair. Flat hair can make these facial features seem larger than they actually are, and hide its true beauty. Shorter, tightly curled hair seems to defy gravity when worn out in an Afro style. It "lifts" the face and draws more attention to the eyes and cheekbones. You Become Healthier many times have you heard, "I know I need to go to the gym, but I don't want to mess up my hair"? When you wear your hair curly, you don't have to make the choice of having either a great head of hair or a great body. Let's be honest, your hair needs more than the perfect shampoo and conditioner. To give you hair optimum health, you have to eat right and exercise. When you have naturally curly hair, you no longer worry about your hair "reverting" when you sweat from a work-out. To freshen your curls after the gym, you can water-rinse or cleanse you hair with a sulfate-free shampoo. You Can Experiment with Color When you let your natural tresses roam free and treat it with care, you can experiment with more color without worrying about double-processing your hair with chemicals or daily doses of heat. If you apply heat on a daily basis or wear a relaxer, adding another hair-altering chemical like color to the mix can be a recipe for dryness and breakage. Even with chemical-free hair, color can still be damaging. Look for alternative and gentler coloring options like Henna or semi-permanent glosses. Maintain a healthier head of hair with color by putting the relaxer away, and treating your hair with nourishing products formulated for color-treated hair.Running to the salon every few weeks to tame those "unruly roots" is no longer your concern. Salon chemical and hair straightening services can cost upwards of fifty dollars per visit. Now that you've embraced the beauty of your bouncy ringlets, your wallet is packed with extra cash. Indulge your hair with at-home nourishing treatments using deep conditioners and essential oils. The next time you see a woman with an eye-catching hair style or lustrous curls, give her a compliment. Whether you have a spouse to give you roses or not, give yourself a love letter this month that highlights every feature you love to play up, make your hair one of your favorite features. Whether your hair is short or long, curly or straight, it is beautiful and deserves to feel loved. The New Year is your time to shine. Your hair should be no exception. If you need more products just to fake a healthy appearance from split ends, dullness, or limp hair, January may be the perfect time to start over. A healthy hair goal can be achieved if you start with the right plan. Trim Your Ends Get rid of split, frayed, and heat-damaged ends with a professional trim. Your hair cannot look its best when damaged ends are getting all of the attention. A trim can be anywhere from one-fourth of an inch to two inches, depending on the amount of damage. If you are apprehensive about getting a trim, you can do minimal shaping each month. However, eventually all the damaged ends will need to be cut off. Once damaged ends are removed, your hair will instantly look fuller, smoother, and healthier. Categorize your products (shampoos, conditioners, styling crème, etc.) and select one from each that works the best for your hair. The products that you do not select can be given away to friends, thrown out, or saved for the summer time. With a simple selection of tried and true products, your hair can be pampered and nourished with the correct products that work best on your hair. Commit to a Hair Care Schedule Consistently bathe your hair in deep conditioning, hot oil, and protein treatments. Your hair type and needs will determine how often you should do each treatment. There should be a healthy balance of protein and moisture to promote softer and stronger strands. Have a trusted stylist evaluate your hair. He or she will be able to help you commit to a healthy hair care schedule and help decide what healthy hair practices would work best for you.Handle Hair with Care Now that you are fully invested into your customized healthy hair journey, be gentle to your strands. Avoid styles that pull at the scalp and edges of your hair. The corners of your eyes should not meet at your scalp line. Instead, style your hair into loose, chic ponytails and buns. Keep hair manipulation low, only using proper combs and brushes sparingly and gently to detangle and style hair. Always moisturize and protect the ends of your hair to minimize split ends. Treat your hair with care, and it will flourish throughout the New Year. Curly hair has been called many names: beautiful, unique, unkempt, trendy, unprofessional, rebellious, romantic, lustrous, and the list goes on. Within the past five years, major hair companies have realized that curly hair is also very "marketable". When you listen to your hair and notice what it likes, your curly hair can become synonymous with another word - healthy.You are mingling at a party and in walks a bombshell in a fitted jacket, the best pair of skinny jeans you have seen, a head full of luscious curls, and a confident laugh that fills the room. You immediately envy the stillettoed goddess. improve your look and overall confidence. With minor changes and implementing the following "secrets" you will have the tools to always feel confident and look and your best. Wear Your Favorite Outfit When you like what you are wearing your confidence level rises. However, there are a few fashion tips you want to keep in mind. Tailored waistlines on dresses or jackets create slimming effects and pencil skirts hide upper leg blemishes and highlight calves. Black is always slimming but spice it up with red accents (scarf, shoes, jewelry). Highlight your best feature to feel extra sexy. Hair Is Important Many women overlook the importance of a well coiffed do. This year, to the benefit of all women, volume and curls are in. Try using hot rollers because they are easy to use, quick, and will not damage your hair. They create a loose curl that softens any look. Leave your hair down. If this drives you crazy, use a decorative clip to sweep up a side. If you don't have rollers, use a curling iron to add volume and curls to your tresses. The Arsenal Of Beauty Secrets These are wonderful beauty weapons used by many Hollywood stars. Most women are so good at these "tricks" that the result appears to be natural. Non Make-up Wearers You are blessed to have a fresh clean look naturally. For a special event, it is nice to wear a minimal amount of make-up for a more formal look. If you don't wear make-up, mascara and lip-gloss will enhance your look. Fake Eyelashes Fake eyelashes are a great way to widen the eye and create a come-hither look. The packs with sections or individual lashes rather than the full strip are easier to apply and look more natural. Apply them to the outer corner of your eye following the natural lash line. It will add a little length and enhance the look of the eye. Curly hair is a commitment, a long-term relationship. It is more prone to splitting up, as in split ends. It is constantly changing its mood, one day it's a poof, then it's a tangled nightmare. Style & Class Let's face it baggy jeans, baggy t-shirts, and over-sized flannels are not stylish. Anything that may fall into that category needs to be removed from your closet now! Also remove anything that is too tight. Clothes that are too tight are never in style however, don't confuse fitted with too tight. Confidence is Fashion There is nothing more sexy to a man than a woman that walks into the room with confidence. Make sure that whatever it is your wearing you feel great in it. Whether you are running errands or going out you should always feel confident in what you are wearing. The 4 Must-Haves A fitted jacket is essential this fall. Whether you are wearing it with your dress slacks to work or with your trendy worn jeans, a fitted jacket is a must have! Fitted Jacket For the tall and slim- Military jacket For the athletic build- tattered Levi jacket For the curvy- lightweight trench Tall Boots Tall boots make heads turn. You will want to splurge on this buy and ensure that you are getting good quality. They are great for the office or for a night out on the town. For the office put on a pair of tights with a skirt and for the night out leave the tights at home. The Perfect Pair of Jeans Every woman should have a pair of jeans that shape her figure, gives her comfort and builds her confidence. For this fall go for a fitted boot cut with embellishment on the back pockets or for the tall and slim woman go with the skinny jean and tuck them in your tall boots. Large Leather Hobo Handbag With the chill in the air a large hobo is needed. It will carry all your normal hand bag items like your wallet, phone, water bottle, ect. You can put a scarf and gloves in there too. To keep it stylish go with something that has a rock star edge to it. Just remember to control the amount of rock star. Shop around for the perfect hobo for you. Remember that every woman has a unique body shape. Take the fashion forecast and make it your own. Put your own unique spin on everything that you wear and remember to just be you! Fall is a great season to try out new colors. Now that we know the models wearing the colors are not perfect, hopefully we will feel a bit more adventurous with fall trends! You are just as beautiful as these models, so embrace your uniqueness, and remember they make you who you are. You are beautiful and unique. Every laugh line that is etched on your face should be treasured, every wrinkle, and every scar should be worn with proud. All those things have made you who you are today, and with that, you should be proud. Eyeshadow, Blush, & Lipstick This season, we are seeing lots of purples and grays on lids. These eye shadows have a ton of varying shades, so there is definitely one that is guaranteed to look fabulous on you. Maybe even more than one! These shades work with all eye colors, so do not be afraid to experiment. With all the focus on eyes and lips, you can take it easy on the blush. Shoes shoes shoes fabulous shoes Shades of roses and mochas will match these shadows fabulously, and keep you looking fall fresh. For lips, try shades of berries and reds. mascara and lip-glosses. Used mascara's can be very irritating to the delicate eye area, and lip-glosses can harbor unwanted bacteria. Lipsticks can be cleaned with a quick swipe of alcohol. Clean all eye shadows, swiping a tissue with alcohol over the shadow or the cream shadow. Also be careful.

Listening to the Whispers
By: Jeanine DeHoney

Have you ever ignored that voice, that gentle tap on your shoulder telling you not to do something, and afterwards you wished you had listened to it? Often times we are so busy trying to accomplish something, get from one place to another, swiftly meet our desires, be it in a relationship or in our career, we fail to pay attention to the whispers.
Listening to the whispers is a message Oprah often touted. She urged us to pay attention to those soft voices, those murmurs that could stop us from making the mistake of a lifetime. Listening to the whispers can help you enjoy the process instead of always rushing through to get the end result. It can help you make deliberate decisions and put you on the right path to reach your personal and professional goals. Listening to the whispers can give you a clearer perspective and help you choose a better vantage point for every aspect of your life.

So how do you go about doing that? First you have to be willing to listen to those whispers instead of masking them. Here are some tips to help you get started to tuning in to your inner voice.

Each day create a time and place for solace.
Solace will quiet your soul. Thus, you will be able to hear what needs to be heard, see what needs to be seen. Create a place for you to slip away to, for mindful solitude, to hear the urgings of your whispers.

Don't be fearful.
Don't cower away from the truth of your whispers once you start hearing them. Be courageous and embrace the lessons and the wisdom they have to offer even the disheartening ones. Accept the fact that each painful whisper you pay attention to will only make you stronger as you make a change and start anew. This is a time to rely on your faith as you determine your path after reflecting on your whispers, knowing that your loving Heavenly Father is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that you ask.

Slow down.
Take a moment to breathe and exhale deeply instead of always rushing through your tasks. Slowing down momentarily will help you be in tune to the whispers and listen to its promptings. By being unhurried, you can catch that error in a report your supervisor needs, you'll hear that voice that says don't take a quicker route to work that may be unsafe, you'll see those minute signs in a date that lets you know he's not the right one for you. Slowing down will help you heed the warnings.

Categorize your whispers and write down questions or comments under them.
Write down your whispers, categorize your whispers, and under them write down questions or comments about what actions you may need to take. For example, under relationship whispers you might write, "Is there someone I need to say goodbye to because that person is not being supportive of me?" Under career whispers you might write, "Do I want to stay in a job I hate going to each morning or do I want to follow my dream and have a career in which I can use my gifts and be creative?"

Keep a dream journal by your bed.
Often our dreams are whispers telling us our deepest thoughts. After waking up from a dream write it down and try to remember as many details as possible. Look for the messages in your dreams that your subconscious wants you to be aware of.

Embrace the positive benefits of your whispers.
You probably have heard the saying; "The Truth can set you free." Well so can your whispers, they are undertones of truth that liberate you and strengthen your spirit. Whispers can offer you the promise of new beginnings, sereneness in a chaotic world and enlightenment in our daily walk.

First published January 2012 © Copyright

Actions Speak Loudly
By: Ansa Edim French

An achievement is something attained through special effort or great courage; something to be proud of. When life gets complicated, it is easy to forget all that we have achieved. Be kind to yourself by remembering your accomplishments and making it a personal goal to achieve new things, encourage others to do so, and to always see the future as a body of uncharted water, ready to be filled with your accomplishments.

Remember Your Achievements
Reminding yourself of your achievements is a spin on counting your blessings. When things seem like they could not get any better, stop, take a deep breath and think about what you have done to get yourself where you are today. You are a strong, intelligent person who has made incredible feats in life and you must always remind yourself of that. Did you just receive a college degree? Did you recently get married to the love of your life? Are you a proud parent? Are you a reliable friend? Are you amazing at what you do? When you need a boost, remind yourself of the good that you have done in your life.

Dwelling on the negatives in life will bring you down. Stay positive by making a gratitude list of everything you are blessed with. If you can say so, remind yourself that you have your health, the love and support of your family, and above all, the love and support of yourself. Take stock of the love in your life and leave the negativity behind.

Achieve New Things
If you are feeling down about the current state of your life, do something new! For example, after a devastating blow at work, switching careers may seem daunting. However, take it as a challenge to prove (once again) that you are strong and can handle anything that comes your way. Every day is an opportunity to be successful in your own way. Decide each morning that you will stay positive. Setting a goal for yourself every morning, like making sure to smile throughout the day, can make a huge difference.

The feeling of achievement and accomplishment can easily change your outlook on life. Set small goals for yourself like to finally try salsa dancing, or to just do something you haven't done in a long time or have never done before. Achieving new set goals can lift your mood. There is so much in this world to do that can bring you joy and peace. Once you focus on achieving new successes, you open new doors of joy!

Encourage Others
Lead by example, by encouraging others to feel successful in their achievements. Spread positivity and surround yourself with positivity. Be a beacon of positivity! Success is contagious so let your efforts to feel successful affect those around you and vice versa. Encourage others to achieve their goals and you will feel successful yourself. No matter who you are or what you do in life, there is always someone looking up to you. Make them (and yourself) proud.

Look Forward to the Future
Tomorrow is just a day that you have yet to conquer. If today is not your day, remember that your time will come. With your strong will to survive you will achieve whatever you set your mind to. Achievement is something to remember when you feel unaccomplished. Count your blessings, count the good in your life, count your achievements and remember that you are an amazing person. Life is a challenge every day and that will never change. What changes each day is how you approach that challenge. Take it by the horns!

First published December 2011 © Copyright

Adulthood Act 2
By: Laura-Lee Smith

        Remember when you turned 21 and thought, "This is it! I'm officially an adult!" We dreamed of that moment all throughout our childhood. When you were an adult you could stay up as late as you want; you could go to the grocery store and mom wasn't there to tell you to put the Coco Puffs back; you could go wherever you please, whenever you please. Adulthood meant freedom and accountability to no one. Nine years later and on the cusp of thirty, however, the lesson we had to learn the hard way was that adulthood is all about accountability. We have to be accountable to our family, our friends, our society, and most importantly ourselves.
        No one told us it would be this hard. There are too many bills to pay, taxes, terrible bosses, wars we might not agree with but have to help pay for anyway, and there is the realization that you cannot continue to mask your insecurities and self-image issues behind bad decisions and unhealthy habits. Sure, when you turn 21 and you are legally allowed to make those bad decisions there is the impression of freedom; but you realize there is no freedom when you are listening to all of the negative thoughts that make looking in the mirror hard and waking up in the morning unbearable. It's a hard pill to swallow when you realize you are not free, but trapped in a prison of your own making. You can blame society for the way you view yourself.
        Indeed, it seems when we get to a certain age we begin working under the assumption that we are somehow broken. We are not pretty enough or thin enough, we aren't where we should be at this stage in our lives, and wonder why we don't you have a husband yet. You're 29 and your eggs aren't getting any younger! The thing is as an adult you must realize while outside factors might have molded parts of you, it is YOU who has the final say in the finished product.
        This self-made prison is harder to break out off because we think that when we reach thirty and we haven't gotten it together then there is definitely something wrong with us. That kind of thinking is part of the trap. Stop looking at your twenties as "your youth" or "the good ol' days" as though the good times are over for good and it's too late to become who you want to be. Instead, look at thirty as the new act in an improvisational play -a fresh blank page to continue writing your story on.
        That first decade of navigating our newfound freedom was murky and map-less. No one taught us how to be adults in school. At no point did anyone sit us down in Life Lessons 101 and say this is how to be a healthy adult. Navigating adulthood was a lesson we had to learn on our own and while your twenties were the beginning of answering that age-old question of "Who am I?" it certainly is not a failure on your part if you are still floundering a bit at thirty.
        Remember that you are your own creation and it's up to you to begin creating who you are and laying the groundwork for the person you want to be. The reality of being an adult and being accountable to yourself for the choices you make will assist you into the second act of your adulthood with more ammunition than when you started out. With that ammunition for a better you, you are then privy to a brave new world.

First published November 2011 © Copyright

What Will We Do With These Lemons?
By: Diana Paino Fulton

Have you heard the phrase "when life hands you lemons, make lemonade?" Now that all sounds like an appetizing drink, yet it is made of a very tart fruit. Somewhere we have had to add some sugar and water to get the lemonade. Where do we get the sugar in life? How do we take the tart fruit that is in our hand right now and believe we will use it for something delicious and sweet not tart? Where is the lemonade? How do we make lemonade and then step into our best life?

First, you must consider what brings you joy in your life. Does your joy come from money, things, children, a spouse, work, school, or is your joy rooted in God? As Jesus said, he is Life, that life is a well springing up within to bring joy in the hardest times. Our being is always striving for something to bring closure to our restless lives, filled with many layers, things and ideas. Yet, we wander off to people, personal accomplishments and goals to fill this void. However, the void is a lack, now what is that lack?

In our soul the lemons of life, our bad relationships, bad situations we have with ourselves or with others, the financial strains, physical limitations, emotional trauma, and just plain life itself in this world would be classified as our lemons. We all have lemons no matter how wonderful our childhood was or how great our life is today. We will be dealt life as we grow. Within all disappointments, pain and hurt we must find something sweet to add to our lemons, in order to get lemonade.

Nothing will satisfy our souls in order to make the lemonade except God himself. This void of joy and peace can be filled by God. He is the only ingredient that can fill our souls with joy and a wholeness that can surpass all of the disappointment, pain and hurt we go through. As we learn about God and his goodness, and how much he loves us, cares about us, comforts us, protects us, and accepts us; we must then realize that lemons can be made into lemonade. Just as Jesus cried at Lazarus's grave, He also cries with us and feels our pain.

Once you believe and step into a life in Christ, you step into a life that can be filled with joy from within. God is "Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end" - Revelations 22:13. He is the esteemer of all esteems and he can embrace you and empower you, if you go to him. He can be your best friend, Savior, keeper, advisor, counselor, Father, healer, and so much more in your life. To find all this in one God is an awesome thing to know and experience.

When you step into your best life, you will taste sweetness, ingredients from God mixed with the lemons in your life. Your best life will define you. It will mold you. Whether the things in life that define you include children, friends, nature, or indoor activities, your best life will fill you with joy from within. Once you live your best life, even during trials your cup will runneth over with lemonade.

Remember that the lemonade will not stay lemonade all the time. For as we go through life we will be handed more lemons…but with the knowledge and faith in the One who turns lemons to lemonade, we can overcome all, we can succeed, and we can live our best life. Be blessed and don't let the lemons get you down…for you know the ingredients of lemonade.

First published October 2011 © Copyright

Step Into Your Best Life
By: Paula M. Ezop

What is your best life? Is it determined by age or appearances? Is it made up of things that you own? Is it status? Is it your job title? Is your best life doing what makes you happy? Is it reaching your goals? Is it pursuing your dreams? Or is your best life made up of the things that you can't see, that you can't buy? Is your best life made up of relationships, emotional happiness, love, kindness, and spiritual well being? Or is it a combination of all of these things?

Most of us would agree that our best life is a combination of all of those things, some perhaps more important than others. The wonderful thing is that we are all so very different, what is one person's best life might make someone else very unhappy. Although we are all connected we are also individuals. Yes, individuals with different preferences and priorities, individuals that may enjoy entirely different things. We enjoy living in different places, and we have passions that reflect our spirits, our hearts and our souls. It is simply amazing.

What is even more amazing is that we can create our best life by believing that we can create it starting today. In many ways, we are the masters of our destiny. We can choose to remain positive. We can choose to see the glass half full instead of half empty. We can set our sights high and we can live in the moment, not dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. Living as your best self today and enjoying the present. Your best life is filled with joy and happiness from within your soul, with gratitude and hope to live in each moment.

Life has a way of changing just like the rhythm and melody of a song. We go through the different stages of life - as we learn and grow. That brings to mind the lyrics to that wonderful Frank Sinatra song. "But now the days grow short. I'm in the autumn of the year. And now I think of my life like fine old wine, from fine old kegs, from the brim to the dregs, and it poured sweet and clear. It was a very good year…" enjoying the best life into the autumn of our days. Even with all the changes in life, you can still live your best life.

There is a rhythm, a beat, a constantly changing melody to our lives as we continually strive to live our, "best life." We are the composers, we determine the rhythm, we set the pace, and we create the melody and lyrics. We determine the qualities that we desire for our "best life." This inner song that speaks to our souls is what makes our hearts sing! Follow that inner song, the inner joy and happiness. Listen to its beautiful melody, and step into your "best life" this very moment!

First published September 2011 © Copyright

Bitterness & Anger
From: Spirit Sapping Toxins series
By: Stephanie Mayberry

As humans, we are all prone to some rather "uncomely" emotions that can really bring out a side of us we'd rather not show the world. Bitterness, anger, fear, depression, envy, hopeless and loneliness can come out of nowhere, binding us in darkness, plunging into a pit that seems inescapable. They're just emotions, feelings, right? Everyone gets them, so what's the harm? Can't they actually be productive if used correctly? Well, not really.

These are spiritual sappers, toxins that invade you, polluting your mind, body and spirit. They will pull you down, make you ill, rob you of energy and steal your joy. But you can overcome!

This is the first installment in a multi-part series on spirit sapping toxins, how to identify them in your own life, how to break free of them and how to avoid them the next time they come calling.

Bitterness and anger usually go hand in hand. You can be bitter and angry, or your anger can turn into bitterness. What is interesting is that bitterness can come from any of the spiritual sappers. In fact, in many cases they overlap. So, when you identify one in your life, keep looking; you are bound to spot more.

Bitterness affects you and those around you. In fact, your bitter spirit can actually "rub off" on others, causing them to have a tendency to be bitter as well.

So, how do you know if bitterness is attacking your spirit? Honestly answer these questions:

- Do you have a grudge against someone or can't forgive someone? Do you have a strong emotional reaction when you
   think about this person or see them or hear about them?
- Do you complain a lot and see the dark side of things (not necessarily that you want to see the darker side)?
- Do you blame others for your troubles? Do you feel angry at people or just angry in general?
- Do you blame God for your troubles? Are you angry at Him? Do you feel like He is unavailable?
- Do you have difficulty loving or being loved?
- Do you work very hard to appear kind and happy (maybe even Godly) but inside you are actually seething?
- Are you depressed or even suicidal? Apathetic? Do you feel as if you can't do anything right? Do you have low self
   esteem?
- Do you feel like the world is against you?
- Are you very critical? Do you tend to judge others? When someone criticizes you, is it difficult for you to evaluate
   yourself?
- Do you feel as if you are owed, that you have no reason to be thankful or have gratitude for things in your life? Do you
   feel as if the world owes you?

If you answered yes to even one, you need to examine the possibility that you may be harboring bitterness. If two or more apply to you, the possibility is, of course, greater. The more questions that you answered yes to, the more likely it is that bitterness is polluting your spirit.

So, you have identified that you are bitter, so what? Is it really such a big deal?

Yes, my friend, it is a very big deal. The effects of bitterness can be devastating.

- It will hinder your relationship with God and can prevent you from effectively doing His good works.
- It will hinder your relationships with your parents, spouse, children, friends and everyone else.
- It can cause you to stress and worry.
- It will affect you physically through increased illness, obesity and premature aging.
- It will hurt those around you, your family, friends, everyone (the Bible warns us of this!).
- It will affect every aspect of your life, your job, family, even activities that you enjoy independently because it colors
   your world in a negative hue.
- It will disconnect you from people, the world in general.
- It can "infect" others, making them bitter as well.
- It will make your self esteem plummet.

When bitterness takes root, its poison seeps into every area of your life. It is like a spiritual cancer that will eat away at you. But there is a cure! It takes a little work, but you can beat bitterness and anger, infusing your spirit with positivity and finding joy once more. Take the following six steps to turn your life around:

1.Confess that you are bitter. This is the most difficult step to take because it means that you have to face yourself. Confess to a friend or someone you trust.

2.Take it to God. Ask for forgiveness for your complaining, anger, and whatever other ways that your bitterness manifests itself. Ask for help overcoming it through healing and wisdom. You will probably have to pray and ask for his help again and again.

3.Forgive, forgive, and forgive! If confession is the most difficult step, extending forgiveness is the second most difficult. Forgiveness is vital and you must give it with a earnest, pure heart so you really have to mean it.

4.Accept the things you cannot change. If you have done everything within your power to make things right and things still aren't going your way, accept it. If you can't change it, it is a harmful waste of energy to try to do so.

5.Begin to change your attitude, your perspective, your view of life, your view of yourself, and your view of the world. Live with positive words in your mind, heart, and soul. Defuse bitterness whenever you begin to feel it festering. Think about God and His will for you to be joyful, peaceful and happy in your life. Use this step to guide you out of any future relapse or back into a state of anger and bitterness. You may think it trite, but think, "What would Jesus do?" Then do it!

6.Praise God. Just as your body needs food and nourishment, so does your spirit. The more positivity you put into it (your spirit), the more positivity you will get out. Praise music can be cleansing, uplifting and even joyful. Listen to it, really listen to the words, until your spirit is infused with the words. And smile! You have a lot to be joyful about, you are a child of God!

It is a lot easier to fall into bitterness than it is to release yourself from it. When you cling to it, it is a surrender that causes you pain. Instead muster up the strength to surrender to God and happiness. When you escape, it takes energy, but it is so worth it! So, go find your joy within your spirit and reap God's awesome rewards!

First published August 2011 © Copyright

Are You Ready For A Throw Down with Your Man's Ex?
By: Jeanine DeHoney

Things are not always fair in love and war when there's an ex involved. At some point in your relationship you are bound to run into your partner's ex., especially if you live in the same neighborhood, shop at the same mall, or have mutual friends. Some of us manage to get through it unscathed emotionally, but some of us do not. If you are part of the later group what is it that you can do to anchor yourself emotionally for this kind of impromptu meeting. Are you ready for a throw-down? Well, if you're not a fighter the good news is you don't have to work for the WWF for this throw-down. You'll definitely need more wits than brawl.

So how can you and your partner's ex co-exist peacefully in the same hemisphere?
It takes a very self confident woman not to feel a little threatened by a boyfriend's ex-girlfriend. Still, a bit of jealousy is inevitable, because we're human. But you can cross paths without sparks flying. Here are some tips to show you how.

The lowdown before the battle.
Find out the lowdown about your partner's ex before that time comes. Honesty is the best policy. Your partner should be truthful about his relationship with his ex. Omission is not an option when it comes to knowing not about their intimate relationship but vital information such as how long their relationship lasted, how serious it was, (was marriage ever talked about), how it ended (on good or bad terms), and who ended it. This way there will be no surprise revelations when you run into her that she can maliciously throw your way.

Fighting rituals.
Work on strengthening your relationship with your partner. When you don't have any weak links in your relationship, then you'll feel less threatened by his ex. Establish your own rituals as a couple whether it's having game night every Friday or cooking a romantic gourmet dinner every Sunday together. Your positive energy together and safeguarding of your relationship will silence any negative vibes, real or imagined from his ex.

Stay focused on you and him.
Don't let your partner's ex become the elephant in your relationship. You only hinder your partner closing the chapter on his previous relationship when you're constantly questioning him about her. It serves no purpose in your life to know about the places they went out on dates, the type of clothes she wore, what his family thought of her, etc. Focusing on her only takes away from the quality time he could be spending on you. Once you have had the initial conversation with your partner about his relationship with his ex, move forward.

Think of a positive mantra.
In advance, before seeing your partner's ex, think of a positive mantra to say to yourself. For example you could say, "I feel confident in whom I am and I am secure in my relationship with my partne". Audition for your first meeting. Just like you prepare for an interview, or a presentation you're facilitating at work, prepare for the day you will meet your partner's ex. Practice being cordial. Imagine how you will respond if she says something offhanded. Practice taking deep breaths and walking away from an awkward situation without flying off the handle. Preparing for meeting an ex will leave you less stressed when that times comes.

Be the bigger person.
Take the high road. Don't put your man's ex down. Even if she is sucking her teeth, rolling her eyes or giving you the onceover, take the high road and remain dignified. Remember she is a woman too. You don't have to be friends, but she is someone's daughter, sister, or even mother. You don't elevate yourself by putting other women down, even if it's your partner's ex.

The letter.
If your partner's ex is still a thorn in your mind, especially after running into her too frequently, write her a letter telling her all of your true feelings and then share it with your BFF before tearing it up into tiny pieces. Let each piece symbolize something threatening, or annoying about her that you are letting go of. If she is saying things or spreading rumors about you, talk about the issue with your partner and try to reach a mutual agreement on how to handle the situation in the future. Sometimes just letting it play out through your non-response will end it.

When I met my husband's ex at a family function she went around telling everyone that he was supposed to be her husband. Although it irritated me that she could be so brazen I also felt a little bit sorry for her that she seemed so desperate to hold on to a fantasy that would never materialize. That showed me she was lacking something joyous and fulfilling in her life and I looked at her with less critical eyes after that.

Cease inappropriate activities.
Ask your partner to cease doing anything that may cause his ex to think she still has a chance of winning him back. He may think sending a tweet is innocent, she may feel differently. Set some ground rules but not ultimatums. If he respects your feelings he will understand.

Cause no disconnect.
Don't put your partner in an awkward and impossible predicament in her presence by stated things like, "If you loved me you wouldn't speak to her or look at her. A healthy relationship doesn't put those kind of unreasonable demands on each other because it causes resentment and a disconnect between you and your partner. If you trust your partner there will be no need for this, and if you don't, there's much couple work to be done.

Celebrate your victory.
Whether your partner's ex is attractive, successful, etc, know that you too have strengths and gifts, and characteristics that make you unique and beautiful. Take stock of what you have in your life, both inner and outer, including the great man who has chosen you as his number one. If you do, running into his ex will never be a big "to do" for either of you.

First published July 2011 © Copyright

Fathers and Daughters
By: Paula M. Ezop

Father's Day is a day of so many mixed feelings and thoughts. For some of us Father's Day is a time of reflection - it is a time of remembering with loving thoughts past Father's Days, when we were young girls. Perhaps you remember the homemade card and the gentle hug and then hurrying off to be with your friends or maybe you remember your father as he grew old and frail. You may remember the twinkle in his eyes and his words of wisdom to you as you too grew older. Yes, we remember…with love in our hearts…we remember…

While some of us may be thinking of our husbands, the father of our children, others may be thinking of husbands who are no longer with us, and tears fill our eyes. The "aloneness" on days like this causes a deep pain and longing within our hearts. We think of our daughters and sons and how hard this day will be for them. Some of us may be thinking of our grandchildren and of how much they loved their Grandfather. Yes, Father's Day for is a time for reflection and remembering…with love in our hearts…

If we have learned anything it is that love is the only thing that really matters. And, Father's Day is a day to celebrate the love that we have for our father. It is letting our father know just how much we love him. It is about making his day special by thanking him for all that he has done for us. It is a day of reflection and remembering for all of us...with love in our hearts…

For some of us it may also be a day for forgiveness and second chances. For some of us it may be the day for reconciliation and reconnecting to family. Yes, for some of us our relationship with our father may not be the best. It may not be the relationship that we know it can be. So, certainly, Father's Day is just the right time to reach out in forgiveness and to give that second chance to someone whose heart longs to hear from you. Yes, Father's Day is a day of reflection, remembering, and forgiveness…

It is not the gifts given, or the celebratory cake, it's not even the early morning golf game…it is the love that we hold within our hearts for our father.

So, as you reflect and remember on this Father's Day, celebrate the love that you have in your heart. Make this day a day that you will remember always. In the years ahead you will be able to look back fondly on this day, you will be able to remember Dad's special day with happiness and love. So, whether it is a day of reflection and remembering, or whether it is a day of forgiveness and second chances - make it a day of celebration.

Make this Father's Day a day filled with love and gifts from the heart. Make it a Father's Day to remember fondly.

Celebrate that special love that only a daughter or a son can experience. Cherish every moment of joy, cherish the laughter, cherish the gentle smile, cherish the look of wisdom in his eyes, cherish the strength he brings to your family, but most of all celebrate the love that you have for each other!

First published June 2011 © Copyright

A Lifetime of Memories
By: Tracey Kwan

        Recently, the office manager came up with the idea to have a "Retro Food Snack Day" at the office. Although this idea initially sounded cheesy, it was surprised to see how much the idea caught on and how much the staff became involved as they brought in their favourite old time snacks. Such food as Vachon flaky pastries, pink popcorn, gummy bears, wagon wheels, bottle caps candy, pixie sticks, Sara Lee cake, roasted peanuts and all kinds of food, all in the name of childhood memories. It turned out to be a good stress reliever and provided a nice sugar high for the day. All in all it bought back good memories from the past and at the same time, provided new ones. When aiming for a friendly get together, do not be afraid to look into the past for future ideas of fun.

Take an all girlfriend get away weekend.

You may not be as lucky as Sara Jessica Parker and her friends on Sex and the City. Your next getaway may not be to Abu Dhabi in the Arab Emirates. You may have to start more humble but at least you can see where the ceiling exists. A simple idea would be to invite girlfriends for a few cocktails and homemade snacks. You provide a favourite romantic comedy movie or rent a classic like Gone with the Wind or Titanic. If your friends really like the idea, try to do it on a monthly rotational. This is good if you have friends that live relatively close by. The men in your life could do the same think with a monthly sporting event.

However, if your friends now life far and wide, an annual or semi-annual get together may be more appropriate. A spa get-a-way at a hotel with spa services close by specializing in women services get-a-way packages may be the best way to create memories with old friends. Someone will have to take charge of planning the event. This will likely mean you will have to reserve your credit card in your name. Make sure your friends are serious and reliable before you book this type of occasion. Once your friends develop serious family commitments, this may be the only way to pull them away as time becomes much cherished.

Family time makes great time

Don't forget about the family. Planning a simple event like a picnic by the lake or local park on a seasonal basis are just as important as planning a family reunion. When planning the latter, make sure the majority of the family members are interested in the idea. For instance, plan an extended family Christmas or birthday dinner at a restaurant with the family matriarch at the head of the table opening gifts from the entire family. This may be just the most memorable event with cameras flashing.

Whatever the occasion, it is important to plan some memorable event from time to time. Pick a price point and work back from there. A family get together in a large back yard can be enjoyed by all when food and drink plans are made well ahead of time. A reason or a made up event are all good reasons to get together. Do not take on the idea of an annual event unless you are sure you can handle it. Remember, even the Olympics are only once every four years. So to keep it enjoyable, do not take on more than you are ready for. Ask yourself, does the desire to do this exist each and every year? If not, cut back. Another family idea if funds exist would be to rent out a cottage on a lake front for a more exotic twist. Planning a group get together takes some practice to get good at it but the memories and good times they create can last a lifetime and people are sure not to forget about you.

First published May 2011 © Copyright

Naming Our Days
By: Jeanine DeHoney

Have you ever thought of naming your days, carefully choosing words that inform, empower, and motivate you from Sunday through Saturday?

        Naming your days will prepare you to birth new ideas, new attitudes, or rebirth forgotten or stowed away dreams and visions. Naming your days will give you wings when you're stuck on the ground, uncertain of what is needed to soar. When you name your days you create a border to frame those hectic days in your life and they begin to feel less daunting. You no longer have to have just an ordinary day getting through mundane responsibilities on your to do list when you begin to name your days. You can have an extraordinary day because you anticipate doing something more gratifying. So, if you haven't thought of naming your days, maybe now is the time to undertake this self nurturing task. Here are some tips to help you begin.
        First you will need to write a list of words or ideas that exemplify those things, feelings, gifts, and dreams; you want to materialize in your life. Words such as joy, esteem, confidence, spirituality, compassion, forgiveness, self-love, optimum health, connection, daring, creativity, and other positive words are the appropriate list to make. After you have written down your list of words or ideas, choose a word to name each day of the week, from Sunday to Saturday.
        Next list the actions you will need to take to embody these words in your life after you have named each day. If you choose to name Sunday, Spirituality Day, some suggestions might be to wake up an hour earlier when the house is quiet to spend time in prayer or meditation, or to count your blessings. You might also search for a church home on this day or visit a different church or denomination if you already have one. You might also choose to learn a bible verse or psalm on this day.
        Maybe you name Monday, Optimum Health Day. On Monday choose to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Eat more fruit and veggies. Begin an exercise program. Start walking with a buddy to encourage you. Go shopping on your lunch break at a farmers market for a bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Prepare a meatless meal for dinner that night for you and your family. Choose to safeguard your emotional health. Eliminate negative people and as much drama from your life as possible. On this day, transform yourself from the inside out so it can eventually become a day to day lifestyle and not just a one day out of the week change.
        If you choose to name Tuesday, Self-Love Day, be that loving channel to yourself. Start the day with a look in the mirror, before you put on your make-up or style your hair, and tell your reflection how beautiful that person staring back is, and how much you cherish her. Don't focus on any of your flaws; see them only as beauty marks. Compliment yourself throughout the day and accept compliments from others, knowing you deserve them.
        If you choose to name Wednesday, Forgiveness Day, use this day to forgive those who wounded your spirit. Release those past hurts and try to move past your anger, and resentment and sadness so that you can be set free and progress forward. Remember that those who anger you, controls you and you should restore the control to yourself. You deserve to control your emotions and your life.
        Maybe Thursday you'll name Connection Day. On this day reach out to others, a new co-worker, and old friends and family members you haven't seen or talked to for a long time. Send a thinking of you e-mail or text, or greeting card, or pick up the phone to call and reminisce with your best friend. Let others know you are still their support network and how much you value them.
        If you choose to name Friday, Daring Day, do something on this day that requires you to go outside your comfort zone. Many of us let our fears and insecurities get in the way of us trying something new. But the first step to conquering our fears is to face it head-on. Be it eating at a five star restaurant alone, asking someone out on a date, or learning how to swim or pilot a plane. No, you won't be able to accomplish any daring task in one day, but you can take the steps needed to ultimately get there.
        If you name Saturday, Creativity Day, take a Pottery class or a poetry class, or a filmmakers class on this day or just get some paper and paint and paintbrush and paint to your heart's content. You can also make this a Culinary Exploration Day and try different recipes from other cultures and invite family and friends to join you for a tasting afterwards.
        Now that you have some examples of what it entails to name your days, remember there are no strict guidelines to this task. You may choose to name only one day out of the week instead of all seven or just the weekend because your time is more flexible then.
        Whatever days you choose to name, remember to always make it purposeful. You'll find that the myriad of choices you have created for yourself are instrumental in helping you become a truly dynamic woman. So let those days nudge you to embrace more of what you may be lacking in your everyday life, even if it's unadulterated hilarity. We as women could definitely use a hefty dose of that on any given day.

First published April 2011 © Copyright

A Toast To Nutrition & Your Health
By: Tracey Kwan

The good choices you make today for your health impacts your future. To help you get started, start with your grocery list each week and a plan of action to incorporate fruits and vegetables into your diet each day. All of us should have 2 to 3 servings of fruit or fruit juice each day. Having enough fresh fruit and/or canned fruit on hand is essential. Choose you're favorite with a calorie content of about 80 calories per serving. Try to shop for seasonal fruit as much as possible. This will keep things simple and cost effective.

Remember to try and eat your calories and not drink your calories, watch those fruit juices. When it comes to vegetables, eat at least 4 servings each day. This may include vegetable juices. Keep enough lettuce and tomatoes to add on top of your sandwiches. Wash and cut up your fresh vegetables each week and set up a vegetable platter called "crudités". This will help you save time during your busy weekly schedule. Most vegetables are quite good served raw. Try new ones every week. You could try broccoli, cauliflower, baby carrots, cucumber, celery, gherkins, dill pickles, radishes, turnip, cherry tomatoes, romaine lettuce cores and anis. You can also add zucchini to the list. Keep several low fat salad dressing handy to encourage you to eat more vegetables. You may have a V8 or tomato juice on hand for a quick and easy fill me upper which has only 80 calories.

You do need bread, cereals and grains and aim for no more than 180 calories per portion. Stock your cupboards with whole wheat spaghetti and pastas, Arborio (vegetable) rice, whole wheat bread, and pasta vermicelli. Also, quick cooking rolled oats make a great breakfast cooked in skimmed milk and then sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg. Look for cereals high in fiber. Sprinkle high fiber cereal on top of your regular boxed cereal, if you cannot tolerate high fiber cereal. Try to substitute meat dishes with some dried lentils or beans, tofu or nuts. You should be drinking skim milk or at least 1% milk and choose yogurt with low fat and low sugar as your snack. Consider low fat cheese.

Dairy products are important. Many North Americans, in particular women, aren't getting enough calcium, a crucial component of lifelong bone health. In North America, one in four woman and one in eight men are at risk of developing osteoporosis, a debilitating disease in which bones become thin and porous and fracture easily. As well, there is mounting evidence that calcium is significant for healthy blood pressure levels. The best sources of calcium are milk products because they contain a large amount of calcium but also because of the Vitamin D found in milk, Vitamin D is closely linked to the proper absorption and vitalization of calcium. Other foods contribute to calcium intake but few can deliver the calcium of milk products. The calcium of spinach contains large amounts of oxalate a substance that binds with the calcium making the absorption difficult. The same goes for the calcium in beet greens, sweet potatoes, and rhubarb. However, the calcium in either plant sources like broccoli, kale, and bok choy is well absorbed. It is difficult to meet the new calcium recommendations unless you consume 2 to 3 servings of milk products daily. In 1997, higher recommendations, for calcium intake were released. Meeting these higher levels is a challenge particularly for women, many of whom get less than 700 mg daily. For woman aged 19 to 50, it is recommended that they have 1000 mg a day. As a rule of thumb, it is important to eat a balanced diet, one that incorporates all food groups.

The good choices you make will show up as you grow older. Making good food and lifestyle choices can make your skin clearer, your teeth brighter and keep your weight down. Good eating coupled with a regular exercise program will ensure a more youthful look. All your efforts will pay off. Allow yourself some treats once in a while along the way. You deserve it and it prevents binging or cheating on diets.

Remember to take some time for yourself from time to time. Give yourself enough sleep. Cover yourself and/or protect yourself from the sun's harmful rays. Finally, look to enjoy and appreciate the smaller pleasures of life.

First published March 2011 © Copyright

How to Move Your Money
By: Diana Paino Fulton

As we move into 2011, we come to the beginning of a new year. It is an exciting new chance to start over with new resolutions made, and new dreams upon us. As we still will be surrounded by our ever low economy these days, one wonders how to move the money we have to advance ourselves, better our debt ratio, keep our credit score high, and be able to pay all our bills on time. Sometimes we get into a rut with bill dates, interest rates, shop sales, and the constant demands from our children and our own desires. It would be a picture perfect world if we had all our bills paid, no debt, and surplus in the bank. Some have been blessed to work hard to become debt free and that is to be commended! However, for some of us being debt free may take more dedication and work. So don't give up on yourself if you are in debt or have more needs then you have money.

Stop, Listen & Evaluate Choices
To take proper action to regain control of your money, you must stop, look at your choices, needs, wants and desires. Also, if you are giving to someone you need take these actions as well, so that you don't make the mistake of giving when you were not supposed to. Continually drawing near to the small still voice within will direct you and tell you when to give, when to spend, and when to know that you have given enough. Listen, hear, and then make that decision. Start out by considering the interest rates and considering bill charges. Call your bill company and ask them questions regarding interest rate and extra charges. If you can only pay a small amount to one debt a month, while the other is still high, then do so. Look at the dates of your bills, try to head off the ones that charge you late fees when you are one day late.

Keeping More of Your Money
In a time such as today it is a new day a new year and a new chance to make it with less debt. Many people have looked around their homes and sold things they do not use. Instead of using your money to buy something new, use that money for some of the debt you would like to see gone. Pay a bill more than you needed to so that your next bill will be lower. Put the extra money in a savings account or extra checking account for that emergency you will have someday.

Safe Keep Your Check
Just because you get your check from work, this doesn't mean you have to spend it all right away or pay your bills right away, it will all depend on the dates due, and the needs you have for that money. Let the money sit a bit and truly think of where you need it most, what payment would benefit you this month more.

Moving Your Money More
You may chose to shut down your cell phone (cell phone companies can shut phone down at your request to an extent) where you don't use it for a while. A minimum amount per phone would have to be paid for this service, while using the additional money from this bill to pay off other more pertinent bills.

You can also paying a bill through your credit card while paying that charge within the month, allows you the access to the credit portion that is open with no interest charged. It can cause you not to charge frivolous things as you have to leave that portion open for the bill you are paying each month on it. Maybe insurance, car bill, electric, whichever bill you decide, and your checking account is not having to be linked to the company for an automatic debit. That can be a horror at times. But you then must take from the checking or savings, where you have placed that money and pay the bill before the grace period is up.

In addition, bigger payments look good as you are not just paying the minimum amount. Some people do this for the reward programs given on credit card. The mortgage or creditors tell you to charge a small item and pay it off each month to build up your credit, when you are starting out.

Free Yourself From Debt
Money is a tool, it is not all we need in life, and we do not need instant gratification with items all the time. It is okay to wait for the item we needed or wanted. Sometimes we find that the item we really wanted wasn't the better item, we look, research, and find either a better deal or a better quality item. When you make a mistake along the way don't give up and don't give in! Continue to try again to get that debt down. Remember that you can only do so much at a time, just be a good steward of the money that you have. Realize there will be more from where that came as you continue forward and the day will come when you can also say you are debt free.

Don't be afraid to talk to the creditor, loan officer, be honest, and tell them you want to pay this bill, want to be on time, and need help right now to get back on track. And with all of this be sure to pray and believe you will get out of this time or season somehow and someway. It is just temporary and will not drag on forever. Focus on today to bring about a brighter tomorrow. If you don't look past today, work hard at moving your money, you will know that tomorrow will be taken care of tomorrow. Just worrying will only bring stress and sickness which can bring another bill. You do not need that!

Believe In Your Ability To Move Your Money
Believe you will be able to get free from the continual bills and payments you have now. Deal with your money issues one at a time. Don't just think they will go away and disappear, it is best to pay a small amount rather than nothing. You will get through; you can move your money and make it. Enjoy your new year with new dimensions, chances, and new confidence and esteem. Be strong and courageous knowing you are going to get rid of some of your debt or possibly all of your debt as you continue to look for the ways to move your money.

First published February 2011 © Copyright

The Benefits of Meditation
By: Tracey Kwan

There are many benefits to mediation. By sitting still and concentrating the mind, you slow your heart rate and breathing, which greatly reduces stress. Meditation has also been shown to decrease the rate at which cells decay, therefore slowing the aging process. People who mediate regularly seem to remain buoyant throughout the ups and downs of life. In fact, studies show that mediation boosts your immune system and brain scans suggest it may be rewiring to reduce stress. Described as the smart person's bubble bath, ten million America adults now say they practice some form of meditation regularly, twice as many as a decade ago.

Meditation is being recommended by more and more physicians as a way to prevent, slow or at least control the pain of chronic diseases like heart conditions, AIDS, cancer or even infertility. It is also being used to restore balance in the face of such psychiatric disturbances as depression, hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder (ADD). Doctors are embracing meditation not because they think it's hip or cool but because scientific studies are beginning to show that it works, particularly for stress related conditions.

By sitting in silence for 10-40 minutes a day and actively concentrating on breathing or an image, you can train yourself to focus on the present over the past, and the future transcending reality by fully accepting it.

How to Mediate
Prepare to mediate by sitting in a quite area in your home, preferably the same location and same time daily, early morning is good. This is because a regular habit is essential to gaining mastery of the mind. Mediate for 10-20 minutes daily and slowly increase up to an hour.

Different techniques can focus your mind to begin meditation. Some people use a home altar. To prepare one, cover a small table with an attractive cloth. Place an inspirational image on it such as a statue of a Buddha or a deity. You can add a candle, flowers, or a yantra (a mystical symbol or geometric diagram), as they are all useful mediation tools. Incense can relax you and help still your mind.

To mediate use an object such as a lit candle, first concentrate on the object and simply observe the flame. Avoid being distracted by any thoughts that arise in your mind about the object. Then close your eyes and see the flame, repeat the exercise.

Mediation with a mantra is also useful. Mantras are sacred sounds heard by ancient sages while meditating. The sounds are believed to set off sympathetic vibrations within the body that tune it into higher frequencies. Common mantras include OM or OM Shanti.

To keep your mind steady and focused, a comfortable posture is needed. You can sit on a dining chair with a straight spine. If you sit on the floor, place a cushion under your buttocks to raise your hips and prevent any back strain. Sit straight with your shoulders level, keeping your head in line with your spine. Your body should be at ease. Also, relax your face, close your eyes, and start to mentally bring your gaze inward.

Breath links your body and your mind, so breathe evenly. Try not to move when meditating, if you have any discomfort, make a minor adjustment but avoid fidgeting. Also, do not allow yourself to fall asleep. Meditation requires an active mind.

Benefits of Mediation
By practicing mediation you have moments of returning to your natural goodness without all the extras. You become more aware and more conscious. You also gain gratitude. Mediation helps you to reflect, rejuvenate, and regain your focus on what's important. As you continue to mediate, you will develop more stability, clarity and strength.

Other benefits of regular meditation includes gaining more control over your active mind, tension is released, nerves become more relaxed, physical health may improve, self-regulation becomes easier, impulse control decreases, and you experience inner peace. Also, rigidity, hang-ups, prejudices and egotism melts. Compassion, serenity, social concern and other emotional intelligences increase.

All of these things happen gradually in varying degrees with increased practice. Thus, you free your spirit and become more aware of who you are.

First published January 2011 © Copyright