Woman Tribune » Health & Fitness

Brain Hacks for the 7 Deadly Sins [Infographic]

Holly — Tue, 22 May 2012 13:00:17 +0000

The seven deadly sins are lust, gluttony, pride, sloth, vanity, greed, and envy, and as we all learned in explicit detail in the movie Se7en, possessing even one of these qualities can lead to some terrible outcomes. But even if you’re not being hunted down by a serial killer because of your reveling in one of these sins, they still aren’t very positive to possess and look good on no one.

The following infographic goes through each of the seven deadly sins and gives a simple explanation of what it means to possess one of these qualities, and then a brain hack for identifying the trait in your brain and then exploiting or hijacking the thought process in order to eventually change that habit and start looking at the world and at your life in a more positive light, which will ultimately lead to gaining more personal fulfillment.

From Become Career

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A Woman’s Journey Back to the Light — Love Thy Self!

Joss — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:00:10 +0000

Having turned 45 years old this fall and having lost all my children from the nest, I am in a reflective phase of my life. I felt very lonely and lost at first, but am now embracing the opportunity for reflection and a restart of sorts.

Growing up, I was a young girl looking for love any which way I could get it. I was manufacturing love all around me; I loved my gorgeous salesman husband, I loved my curious little children, I slaved to be the best wife and mother I could be. Periodically I felt resentment, loneliness, depression, and a feeling that my life lacked meaning. I had arrived at this place in my life in a daze. I felt like I had never consciously made any decisions for my life.

I pushed these feelings away and concentrated on loving and caring for those around me. It is not until now, with reflection, that I can understand my life and have compassion. Moving forward I have a great opportunity for growth through the final phase of my life. I have formulated five key areas to keep my life fulfilling to the end. Loving thyself doesn’t have to be as heinous as we have been brainwashed to believe!

Creativity

Creativity is in our blood. Children are born creating all day every day, and it is one of the first things we lose access to if not nurtured. Creativity for the elderly is alive and booming; we can create through drawing, painting, photography, acting, singing, redecorating, pottery, sculpture, and many more. Have a go! You will feel joy and youth, happiness and love, as you are taken back towards your real self that has become a total stranger to you.
Expression

Also lost very quickly as we become awkward in our bodies and socially conform. Loving the quirkiness of ourselves is very powerful. Allowing yourself expression permits all of those around you a little leeway. Do some therapy, everyone benefits from a professional boost to your reflections. It helps us appreciate how rich life is and builds compassion. Express your long repressed anger and fury, express your boundless love for your close ones, Rejoice in the new found freedom!
Action

It’s not all over! Get those foxy 40-year-old bodies moving. Start with walking or yoga. Drink in nature’s beauty as you walk along a scenic route with a friend. Go to the beach or the local river; water is soothing and nurturing. Try cycling or rock climbing, study a martial art form! Amaze your children and inspire them to be more loving of themselves. You are role modelling for them…still.
Learning and Growth

Go back to school. Learn a new language with a group of friends. Join a book club. Play games requiring intellectual exercise. Men, time to cook! Do some culinary courses with your mates and a beer.
Disclosure and Making Amends

There may be an uncomfortable corner in your consciousness requiring attention. If in all of this reflecting and learning you come across area of your life which have caused you or others pain, consider addressing it. This may be to your children, or your husband, your relatives or close friends. You may reflect that you would lose your temper easily with your children and yell at them frequently, by acknowledging this and apologizing to your children you can move forward to a more emotionally mature relationship with them. It is liberating and you may find barriers come down between you and your children.

So there are a few pointers; I have much more energy and my relationships are renewed and revamped with my children and my husband. I have met a lot of new people which has helped expand my horizons and I am feeling more love for myself and others than I can remember. Real, excited, energized love, not obedient and conscientious wife and mother love. Woo hoo here I come life! Come with me!

Stick With It! Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals to Lose Weight

Melissa — Mon, 07 May 2012 13:00:27 +0000

Too often, people will set a weight loss goal, work towards it for a few days or a few weeks, and then give up when they don’t see the results they’d like. It’s no wonder: goal-setting in general is just plain tricky. Fortunately, there are a few characteristics of achievable goals that you can take advantage of when setting your own.

I like the S.M.A.R.T. goal-setting method. It’s not exclusive to fitness, but works really well in this area. S.M.A.R.T. goals are those that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. Here’s how each aspect applies to fitness-related goals:

Be Specific

Pinpoint exactly what you want–be specific! Determine what you want and how you’re going to get there.

To give an example of how this looks in action, a goal like, “lose 15 pounds and be able to do 100 pushups by the time I leave for vacation in June,” is much more specific than a goal like, “get skinny and fit.” The goal answers three questions: what, why, and (at least partially) how.

Be Measurable

This is where fitness-related goal-setting is pretty simple, thanks to all the numbers we have to work with. The prior example fits in here as well. How do you measure, “get skinny and fit?” You can’t! There’s no way of clearly defining whether you’ve met your goal or not.

“Lose 15 pounds and be able to do 100 pushups by the time I leave for vacation in June” is extremely measurable. In June, as long as you are 15 pounds lighter and able to do 100 pushups, there is no question that you have met your goal. There is no gray area.

Another reason measurable goals are helpful is that you’re able to check in with your progress and make sure that you’re on track. If you’re two months in with one month to go and you’ve lost 10 of the 15 pounds so far, you know you are well on your way to achieving your goal.

Be Attainable

Your goals must be attainable if you want to reach them. For example, losing 50 pounds in a week just isn’t attainable–at least not by using healthy weight loss methods. Read every last one of the Schwinn elliptical reviews online and you’ll see that no amount of exercise can get you those results. Set a goal that’s attainable, like losing 2 pounds a week until you’ve lost all 50.

Be Realistic

Similarly, set goals that are realistic. Instead of saying, “I will never eat sugar again,” aim to eat a piece of fruit when you crave sweets. At face value, you might think “attainable” and “realistic” are basically the same thing. They are definitely similar, but keeping your goals realistic focuses on how you achieve them, while attainability is more about the end result.

Be Timely

Include a time limit when setting a fitness goal. Without a time frame to work with, your goal is too vague and procrastination is just too easy. My favorite way to set timely goals is to define a long-term goal and break it up into milestones. For instance, if I wanted to achieve that first goal of being able to do 100 pushups by June, I would add 10 pushups to my routine at regular intervals until I was there.

Pretty much everyone sets goals, but keeping these things in mind as you set your own will help you stand ahead of the crowd by actually achieving what you set out to do. These goal-setting guidelines are helpful for all different kinds of goals as well as the ones you set for health and fitness. Try implementing these S.M.A.R.T. tips and see how quickly you can reach your goals!

This is a guest post by Tracy Martin, a natural health and fitness enthusiast. As a writer and total health geek, she loves reading anything fitness-related she can get her hands on, whether it’s Yowza elliptical reviews or the latest news in nutrition. She loves yoga and dance and also stays fit by eating healthy, hiking with her husband, and chasing her two little boys around.

Photo by Oregon State University

Healthy Teeth for Life – 7 Tips for Families with Kids

Melissa — Tue, 01 May 2012 03:02:31 +0000

In his famous novel, Don Quixote, Miguel de Cervantes wrote, “Every tooth in a man’s head is more valuable than a diamond.” And that is so true; good dental health is an invaluable legacy that we can pass onto our children. I see the proof of it every time one of my children flashes a toothy grin or a dazzling smile.

Children brought up without good dental habits are often subject to frequent visits to their dentist later in life, whether it is for extra teeth whitening or other forms of cosmetic dentistry. Some children never visit a dentist until they reach school age, while others spend their entire childhood never stepping foot inside a dentist’s office.

Each of my children had their first visit to the dentist within a few weeks of cutting their first tooth. Dentists agree that around six months of age is a good time to schedule the first visit. Children who visit the dentist from an early age have fewer problems visiting the dentist later in life, especially if they’re required to undergo forms of cosmetic dentistry, like orthodontics to fix crooked teeth.

Here are 7 things you can do to promote good dental hygiene for your own family members:

Dental hygiene begins when the first tooth is cut, and parents can promote good dental hygiene by letting children chew on soft, clean teething toys. Parents can also wipe their children’s teeth with a soft cloth, and begin using a child-sized toothbrush once the molars cut through.
Brush your teeth together. When children see their parents enjoying the act of brushing their teeth, they will learn to enjoy it as well. Be sure to talk about how good it feels to have a clean mouth and how fresh-smelling it leaves their breath after.
Monitor toothpaste use because using too much toothpaste can be as bad as using too little, especially if the toothpaste is fortified with extra fluoride. Fluoride helps make teeth strong and fights cavities, but too much can stain teeth and cause them to break down. Because small children sometimes swallow the toothpaste, only use a dot about half the size of an adult fingernail.
Flossing is difficult for small children because they do not possess the hand dexterity to hold the floss in the proper way. Because of this, sealants are a good option, as they provide a protective coating over baby molars that are hard to reach. A good gauge of when children are ready to try flossing is when they begin writing legibly without assistance. Because children should see the dentist regularly, you can always ask the office’s dental assistant to show your child the proper way to hold floss for use in cleaning teeth.
Select toothpaste for kids, because grown-up toothpastes often have a strong, minty flavor. Even some brands for children cause the inside of the mouth to sting. While it might be trying to go through the trial and error of finding toothpaste that fits the needs of your family, or having several types on-hand for multiple family members, it’s a small price to pay when compared to the value of a healthy set of teeth.
Kid-friendly dentists are imperative when developing your children’s good dental habits. One bad experience during childhood can lead to a lifetime of dental phobia. Avoiding the dentist’s office has potentially serious consequences, especially if a problem arises that isn’t caught in time for proper treatment.
Good eating habits are also part of good dental health. Children taught from an early age to foster a love of fresh fruits and vegetables, almonds, and drinking plenty of water over unhealthy choices such as sugary sweets and soda pop are more likely to have whiter smiles and healthier teeth and gums.

Consult your family’s dentist for more tips about good oral hygiene and ways to naturally brighten your smiles. You may be able to prevent your children from needing cosmetic dentistry later in life. If anyone in your family has pain, sores that refuse to heal, loose adult teeth, gums that bleed, or any kind of growth inside their mouths, then it’s time to pay a call to the dentist as soon as possible.

This is a guest post by Becky James-Muth, a freelance writer whose interest in dental health for families was inspired for her own family’s dental habits. For her current series of articles on kid’s dentistry and healthy dental tips for families, she sought the help of Dr. Diane Bird, a Vancouver BC dentist. Becky also enjoys bowling, traveling, and gardening.

Photo by newsusacontent

CloSYS Oral Health Rinse Review

Holly — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 23:55:55 +0000

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of CloSYS. All opinions are 100% mine.

I have always had incredibly sensitive, temperamental teeth. Since adolescence, I have experienced issue after compounded issue with my oral health that has led to issues with my overall health, and even my quality of life.

Due to being pretty short changed in the genetics department, my front teeth have always been crooked and crowded. My family didn’t have the resources when I was growing up to get them fixed, and I was eventually diagnosed with Periodontal Disease, just as my father was, and my grandmother before him. Obviously, knowing that I am using the right oral hygiene products isn’t just important to me, it’s crucial, and I have tried a lot of products. In fact, I have tried more products made by a myriad of different brands and companies than I could ever count. From different toothpastes to medicated rinses and serums, I have found problems big and small with most products I’ve tried, never really finding that one great product or combination of products that did what I needed them to do all the time.

I was recently given the opportunity to try out CloSYS Oral Health Rinse. Before this, I had never heard of CloSYS, but after learning about Dr. Perry Ratcliff, one of America’s leading periodontists and experts on dental health and gum disease, who created the brand along with a team of leading dental professionals, I was impressed with their understanding of how oral health affects a person’s overall health, a sentiment in which I can attest to be absolutely true. This attention to the way in which our bodies work has gone into the formulation of their products.

CloSYS Oral Health Rinse is very different from other oral rinses I have used. Upon first inspection, it merely looks like water. There is no tint of color and no overpowering scent that practically jumps out of the bottle at you, which is great because those rinses usually have my eyes watering before I can even get a capful up to my lips.

With CloSYS, you control the taste. Using the small mint flavor dropper that comes with the rinse, you can add a touch of mint flavor to your liking or use it unflavored for a clean, fresh taste. After using it unflavored, I was really surprised with how clean my mouth felt not just right after rinsing, but for hours after. I later added a few drops of mint flavoring to the bottle and noticed a very subtle difference in the taste, and experienced that same clean feeling all over my mouth without having any bad breath odors creep in throughout the day, which always occurs with other rinses regardless of how flavored or strong they are. The reason for that, I have learned, is that over-the-counter mouth rinses merely mask bad breath odors, while CloSYS completely eliminates volatile sulfur compounds that cause bad breath and the harmful bacteria that create them. It is able to do this because CloSYS contains Cloralstan™, a powerful, patented ingredient that kills 99.9% of harmful bacteria in just 10 seconds. Wow.

CloSYS Oral Health Rinse is alcohol-free, so it doesn’t burn your mouth and it works gently but effectively. It is also gluten-free and balances the pH levels of your mouth, which is very important for keeping your mouth healthy.

I really love CloSYS Oral Health Rinse. Due to the fact that it isn’t heavily flavored and contains absolutely no alcohol, it doesn’t cause any problems for my highly sensitive teeth, and no other rinse has given me that overall clean feeling with fresh breath that has lasted for hours every single time I used it.

CloSYS line of products includes their Oral Health Rinse, Anti-cavity Fluoride, Fluoride-Free Toothpaste, and Fresh Breath Oral Spray. Check out their website for a list of physical and online retailers and don’t forget to like them on Facebook to stay up to date with everything they have going on.

Understanding the Phases, Symptoms, and Treatments of Menopause

Holly — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 19:09:15 +0000

Commonly referred to as “the change of life,” menopause is a truly dreaded phase that all women will eventually reach, usually kicking and screaming the entire way. Most women will reach menopause as they age gracefully, but premature menopause can occur due to genetics, autoimmune disorders, or medical procedures. While menopause brings a stop to your monthly menstrual cycle, that’s about the only welcomed relief associated with it. A lot of women don’t know what to expect when they think they feel menopause start to creep up on them, and others completely deny the symptoms they are experiencing, rationalizing their denial with the fact that it is widely believed that menopause occurs in women over a certain age and they have yet to reach that magic number.

Honestly, menopause is widely misunderstood, and just as we see with other issues that affect women’s bodies, it’s because of our contentment with not talking about it, or when we do, we’re often told that we’re giving too much information on the inner workings of our bodies. So let’s do the very thing that we have been trained by society not to do: Let’s talk about our bodies, and specifically, let’s dig deeper into what menopause is, how it affects women, and what women can do to treat the symptoms they experience as a result of this phase of life.

What is most frequently believed to be menopause is actually three different and distinct phases, menopause being the second phase. Perimenopause, or menopause transition, is the very beginning stages of menopause. This phase usually begins in a woman’s 40s, but can begin in her 30s, or in few cases, can even occur in a woman’s 20s. Perimenopause is when the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen over the course of about four years on average. Perimenopause can be a difficult time in a woman’s life because women will often experience the symptoms of menopause, but continue to have a monthly or erratic menstrual cycle.

Menopause, the second stage, is when a woman has not had a menstrual cycle in 12 months. It is at this point in life that a woman’s ovaries have stopped releasing eggs and producing most of their estrogen, marking the end of her reproductive period. The symptoms of menopause affect about 70% of women and are taxing both physically as well as mentally. The symptoms include mood swings, fatigue, decreased libido, breast tenderness, memory loss, difficulty sleeping, among others. The most common symptom of menopause, however, are hot flashes.

Studies suggest that hot flashes occur in menopausal women due to the withdrawal of estrogen from the system. This results in feelings of sudden, intense heat, flushing, perspiration, and rapid or irregular heartbeat and pulse. Not fun. In fact, hot flashes are a lot of the time to blame for the difficulty women in menopause have with falling and staying asleep. Waking up several times a night because of hot flashes certainly leads to fatigue and, if you don’t get enough sleep at night, you’re likely to become highly irritable. A lot of what we feel mentally and experience physically is directly linked to the amount of sleep we get and how restful it is.

There are many treatments for menopause available, including hormone replacement therapy. However, many doctors will typically advise against the use of hormones and many women are now choosing to steer clear of hormone therapies and synthetic remedies for their symptoms. A little treatment called Amberen is now coming to the aid of these women. Amberen is currently the only natural, nonprescription treatment for hot flashes on the market. Using patented technology, this treatment works with your body’s natural cycles and functions to reverse the body’s acceleration into the aging process. Through this treatment, countless women have experienced relief from hot flashes which has allowed them to sleep soundly through the night, alleviating mood swings and regaining a sense of clarity and focus that allowed them to continue to live their lives.

Finally, the third phase of menopause is postmenopause, which simply marks the years after menopause has occurred. If you are experiencing menopause’s harshest symptoms, take solace in the fact that this is but another rite of passage of being a woman. There are many treatment options available for women that will successfully treat menopause symptoms, which should be talked about with your doctor. Together, you can devise a menopausal treatment plan that is perfect for you.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Amberen. Incentive was provided to me, and opinions are my own.

Photo by pennstatelive

Yoplait Lactose Free Yogurt Review and Prize Pack Giveaway [Closed]

Holly — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:14:42 +0000

I love my dairy products. Ice cream, milk, cheese, yogurt, I love them all, and consume them happily as often as my heart and stomach desire. Unfortunately, my partner has had a love/hate relationship with dairy for years. As someone with lactose intolerance, he often denies himself the foods that he wants to eat because of the uncomfortable and sometimes painful consequences that come with them. He is just one of millions of Americans who are lactose intolerant, and while passing on dairy can spare people the effects of when it disagrees with their stomachs, it can also have unintended health consequences.

The National Institute of Health has stated that when dairy is avoided, there are lower intakes of calcium and vitamin D in a person’s diet. These nutrients are important for building and caring for your bones, so not getting enough of them can create a higher risk for osteoporosis.

Yoplait is helping those who are lactose intolerant and always saying ‘no’ to dairy products finally say ‘yes’ with their brand new Yoplait Lactose Free yogurt. This new yogurt comes in four delicious flavors–Strawberry, Peach, French Vanilla and Cherry–and contains 50% of the recommended Daily Value of calcium, with vitamins A and D in every cup. Lactose Free can also be used in your favorite recipes; because it contains no artificial sweeteners, it can be used in smoothies, cheesecakes, and more.

We had a chance to try out this new yogurt, and it is incredibly tasty. My partner has tried quite a few soy and lactose free products but has always made a funny face, said it “tasted weird”, and that was the end of it. With Yoplait Lactose Free yogurt, he had a whole new reaction. It doesn’t taste the least bit different from yogurt that contains lactose; in fact, if this yogurt were in a small bowl, instead of him eating right out of the container, he wouldn’t have known the difference. That is, he wouldn’t have known the difference until a little while after eating it when he didn’t get sick.

Yoplait Lactose Free is in grocery stores nationwide. If you or someone in your family is lactose intolerant, I highly recommend you try it out for yourselves. You can also save when you purchase your first cup by printing out this coupon for $0.30 off.

Giveaway

One lucky Woman Tribune reader will win a Yoplait Lactose Free prize pack, which includes one VIP coupon to purchase a free cup of Yoplait Lactose Free yogurt, a lunch tote, 2 gel packs, an individual bowl, and a matching spoon.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The VIP coupon included in the prize pack is not valid in the following states: Louisiana, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, and Tennessee.

Prize pack, information, and giveaway were provided by Yoplait through MyBlogSpark. No other compensation was received, and opinions are my own.

Don’t Have Dental Insurance? You Still Have Discount Dental Plan Options

Holly — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 09:04:26 +0000

Living without insurance can be downright terrifying. Sure, when you’re healthy you can go about your day without even thinking about it. You are likely to even skip routine checkups because hey, you’re healthy and everything is fine. But when you start thinking about the what-ifs, about the unexpected accidents that can occur, or the illnesses you can develop due to not receiving proper preventive care, visions of debt and flailing desperation can set in almost immediately. I know this feeling well, and unfortunately, there are millions of Americans who can relate.

For me, living without dental insurance has been the most troubling. Throughout my entire adult life, I have been self-employed working from home and unable to afford an insurance plan that would cover me with the pre-existing condition I have had since I was a teenager. I have developed additional health concerns because of my inability to afford an insurance plan or pay out of pocket for routine checkups and dental work. This is precisely why I wish I had heard about DentalPlans.com, a discount dental plan service, sooner.

Discount dental plans are an alternative to family and individual dental insurance plans, and DentalPlans.com offers over 30 different plans to choose from. What’s great about these plans, first and foremost, is that they are much more affordable than regular insurance, costing the equivalent of just one or two monthly premiums. For anyone who has ever gone to battle with their insurance company, you can agree that perhaps the most attractive part of discount dental plans is that you will not have to deal with claim forms or waiting for your insurance provider to process your claims. That means no more finding out how much you owe after having a procedure performed and finding out that you can’t possibly pay that bill. The discounts you receive with your discounted plan are already pre-negotiated with the network of dentists that work with the company that you have a discount plan with. When you get your dental work performed, you simply pay the discounted rate and you’re good to go.

Discount dental plans are ideal for individuals and families who undergo annual dental work, and they will also cover major procedures like fillings and root canals. Once you find a plan with a network of dentists in your area, you can rest assured that you will be accepted into the plan you choose without having to deal with the major issues that are routinely experienced with insurance companies. Discount plans do not exclude people with pre-existing conditions and they provide you with the peace of mind knowing that you and your family’s needs will be taken care of.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of DentalPlans.com. Incentive was provided to me, and opinions are my own.

Photo by BenefitsDeptInfo

Understanding the Process of Using Egg Donation in Fertility Treatment

Holly — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 00:02:01 +0000

About 1-in-8 couples of childbearing age experience fertility issues; that makes up about 7.3 million people in the United States alone who have tried to become pregnant unsuccessfully or have experienced a miscarriage. For those couples who are seeking a biological bond with their potential future-child, in vitro fertilization, or “IVF”, has become a widely-utilized fertility treatment. However, IVF is not always successful, and for some couples, may never be successful, even after spending years undergoing several cycles of treatment. For these couples, egg donation becomes the next available course of action.

Using eggs supplied by a donor allows women who lack healthy and viable eggs of their own to become pregnant at a high overall success rate. This treatment option is used most often in women who have already undergone several cycles of in vitro fertilization, who have premature ovarian failure, or elevated FSH levels.

If you are considering undergoing treatment using donated eggs, it is crucial that you understand the process that goes into this specific course of treatment. This process is made up of 7 steps, from the initial consultation to embryo transfer and hormonal supplementation.

The initial consultation is the very first step in the process of seeking IVF using donated eggs. This is the time the woman undergoing the treatment, commonly referred to as the “intended mother,” will have various fertility screenings. The intended parents will also have the opportunity to speak with and be counseled by a fertility specialist on treatment using a donor egg.

The second step of the process is what is called a Mock Cycle, where the health of the intended mother is ensured and she can begin taking hormones to prepare her womb for a mock embryo transfer. This is done so that when she proceeds with receiving a donor egg, it is confirmed that the procedure will go as smoothly as possible. Then it is time for the intended parents to work with an egg donation agency and select a donor.

When a suitable donor is chosen and begins working with the intended parents, the donor and the intended mother’s menstrual cycles are synchronized through the use of hormone therapy. The donor undergoes an egg stimulation cycle for egg retrieval, and if that goes smoothly, the donor’s eggs are retrieved and fertilized with the intended father’s sperm. Within the next 24 hours of the fifth step of this process, fertilized eggs within the batch can be identified.

The sixth step of the process is when the embryo transfer takes place. After developing for three-to-five days in an IVF dish, the fertilized embryo is transferred to the intended mother’s uterus. Pregnancy can be confirmed within one week of the transfer. If successful, the intended mother will then receive supplemental hormones for the first 12 weeks of her pregnancy.

Many fertility specialists and treatment centers have developed an extensive list of helpful resources for those who are interested in learning more about fertility issues and treatment. Santa Monica Fertility has their own Santa Monica fertility blog that discusses a myriad of fertility issues, from miscarriage and how it can be prevented, legal aspects of egg donation, and even videos of the IVF process, and more.

The decision to begin the process of fertility treatment is an important and deeply personal one. When gathering information about the process and what it entails, be sure to get your information from a variety of different resources and your counseling directly from trusted and respected fertility specialists.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Santa Monica Fertility. Incentive was provided to me, and opinions are my own.

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Calm Your Consciousness — 5 Tips for Your First Meditation

Joss — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 18:23:28 +0000

I attended my first-ever Meditation class recently after hearing of its many benefits in helping to manage anxiety and stress. Among the wonderful points the teacher taught us about Meditation, there was one that really stayed with me. She told us of how Buddhists describe life being full of 10,000 joys and 10,000 sorrows, and how these joys and sorrows travel through our consciousness. She said our consciousness is like a big river full of thoughts and Meditation is about getting on the bank of that river.

As a beginner to Meditation, I liked this visual picture to gain a better understanding of what it is you are trying to do when you meditate. It can be difficult when you are first starting out, as your mind can wander so much (as I found out) and you can feel like you are failing at it. You are supposed to keep your concentration on your breath or listen to the guiding voice, and instead you find yourself effectively falling into the river of your conscious thinking over and over again and getting preoccupied with all your thoughts!

But this river analogy helped me to realize that Meditation is about strengthening the process to getting on the bank, i.e. in getting to a tranquil place, and therefore it made me much more relaxed about the whole process. It helped me to understand that it is a practice. Your thoughts will always be there and you will find yourself off down the river of your thoughts, but you just keep gently coming back onto the bank through focusing on your breath again.

After my first Meditation class (in which I experienced mixed success), I felt I had gained a great visual of how the Meditation process works, but later I found that it also gave me a greater sense of awareness of our consciousness. When you think about it, our consciousness is really the most extraordinary tool we have. As far as we know, we are the only species who have been able to fully develop our consciousness. Meditation was developed over three thousand years ago for the purpose of calming and expanding our mind and consciousness, and can lead to state that brings peace and calmness.

For our fellow humans to have invented it they must have seen a very real need for it, and judging by how mainstream Meditation is becoming in this day and age, it would seem that they were absolutely right. In our beginners class alone, there were people from many different walks of life, including businessmen and women, a new mum, a grandmother, several Uni students, many 30-somethings, two surfers, a landscaper, a retiree, and a stay-at-home dad. When we were asked to say why we came, the answers were all mainly the same–to learn how to relax and calm our minds. As a side note, it was quite touching to think about how each of our different paths had lead us to that class that night.

Our teacher told us that in our consciousness everyday we have 60,000 thoughts and a high percentage of those we have had the day before. Can you believe it? Our consciousness is therefore very busy churning away, and that obviously has a big impact on our physical self. Meditation helps to calm our consciousness, to let go of that excessive repetitive thinking which can often be quite stressful, and help to give our bodies a well-earned rest by teaching us to be in the here and now, in the present moment. Some of the many benefits that can be experienced through Meditation include reduced stress, anxiety, anger, and tension; improvement in concentration, clarity of thought and memory, improved sleep, and the ability to know when to rest, just to name a few. There are also many physiological benefits that are well documented.

Here are five tips for learning to calm your consciousness through meditation. They are made up of things that I would have found handy to know before my first Meditation. I hope they are helpful and that you and your consciousness will enjoy the many benefits of Meditation as I am discovering.

5 Helpful Tips to Know Before Your First Meditation

Have an open mind. Try to let go of an preconceptions or judgments you have about Meditation before trying it for the first time. Try to have a “beginners mind” and view it with the freshness you would of seeing something for the first time.
It’s not about getting anywhere. So often we set expectations of where we want to be, we are always trying to get somewhere. Meditation is all about just being with yourself in the present moment, which is the challenge!
Your thoughts will come in. It is almost impossible to think you won’t find yourself taken away with your thoughts while you are learning to meditate. Try not to fight them or get frustrated and just let them go and return to your breath. My teacher said think of your thoughts like a playful puppy dog that wants to keep distracting you. That way, you don’t get as frustrated and angry or too enraged with them, just gently keep returning your focus.
Don’t take it too seriously, stay relaxed. It is overall an enjoyable and relaxing experience, and one that has many proven benefits, so relax and enjoy it. Much of the meditation practice involves acceptance and non-judgment, so don’t take it–or yourself–too seriously and trust in the process.
No meditation is ever the same. Each practice will be different depending on a variety of factors, including the kind of day you have had or stresses that you might be facing. Some days you might have a wonderful meditation practice and other days might not be so great. It’s always different. But it is a practice, so keep practicing and discovering the wonderful tool that Meditation can be in your life.

I hope you find peace in your inner thoughts as I am learning to do. Another wonderful tool I have found to clear my consciousness is Bikram Yoga, which I recently wrote about while also listing the pros and cons of the “hot yoga.”

The Meaning of Life Stretched Out of Me at Bikram Yoga

Joss — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 13:31:05 +0000

Five years ago my father died of a sudden heart attack. Naturally what followed were a few emotional months. It wasn’t the normal grieving process as you’d expect when someone in your family or a best friend passes away, as my father and I weren’t close. But because of our estrangement I had bottled up a lot of feelings and when I was told of his passing, all these feelings came to the surface, and my mind had become introspective, thinking deeply about the meaning of life. It wasn’t a healthy way to live and I needed something to help me move on. A colleague at work suggested I try Bikram yoga. Yes yoga! He’d been doing it for over a decade and swore by it.

If you don’t know what Bikram yoga is, here is a simple explanation. The Bikram yoga philosophy was founded by a man called Bikram Choudhury. it’s the yoga widely recognized as the hot yoga, as the yoga room is heated to around 39°C. (Although I have heard that in certain places around the world the temperature can reach 50°C. I’m sure when the class is full of students, the temperature is higher particularly in places closer to the equator!) A young man at the time, Bikram formulated 26 postures from the traditional Hatha yoga. The postures are performed twice and are very specific in their sequence. They are not all ‘stretching’ postures, there are a number of ‘compression’ postures helping to cleanse the blood, detoxify, and balance the inner body. The dialogue from the teacher is also very specific. The classes are 90 minutes long. Some call it torture, others claim it’s the purpose of life.

So with all my excess emotional energy and thoughts on life and the need to move on, I took my colleague’s suggestion and visited the closest Bikram yoga studio. Firstly I took up a 30 day introductory offer and attended as many classes as I could to expunge myself. Then, because of the positive response I was getting from doing Bikram yoga, I paid for a year upfront. If you are thinking of having a go and want just a laywoman’s opinion, then here are some of my pros and cons of doing Bikram yoga I tell my friends:

Pros of Bikram Yoga

If you are going through a difficult period in your life, then I highly recommend Bikram yoga. Most venues have what is known as The Challenge. It’s either a 30 day challenge or a 60 day challenge, where you have to complete 30 sessions in 30 days, or 40/50/60 sessions in 60 days. Do one. This will remove all excess anything!
A great destresser. There’s no “IT”, no mobile phones, no computers, no LED screens, no talking, no traffic, no children, no barking dog. Just 90 minutes to yourself, which can be a rarity these days.
The heat. Even though it’s hot, you eventually “acclimatize” and excess toxins are let out while you sweat, sweat, sweat.
Peaceful mind. Despite the torture of the 90 minutes, after the class your mind is in a peaceful state. You have done what is called 90 minutes of open-eye meditation. If you’ve never done meditation before, you’ll enjoy it.
Muscle tone. For us women who are concerned about our aging glutes, love handles, and tuckshop arms, Bikram yoga surprisingly helps these areas tone up.

Cons of Bikram Yoga

Intensity. Most of my friends aren’t like me, while I enjoy the combination of the heat, the 90 minutes, the postures, I always conclude that Bikram yoga is for the hardy.
Expensive. Electricity prices increase the costs, to keep the rooms hot. This means the cost of Bikram yoga is more than the local gym.
If you like variety in your exercise, then doing just Bikram yoga may not work for you.
Time consuming. Unless you live or work very close to a studio, 90 minutes plus shower time can seem like a lot.

Bikram yoga is not for everyone, but it is a whole mind and body experience. I had a specific purpose for going, I needed to match the intensity in my mind with intense physical activity and it was perfect for that. If you are going to try Bikram yoga, be open, leave all expectations you have of finding the meaning of life or conquering the world at the door, and enjoy the journey. Namaste!

Photo by rjremulla

Thanks for the Sickness, Spring!

Holly — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 13:00:47 +0000

I’ve mentioned it several times in posts here, in frequent updates on Twitter, and anyone who has spoken to me personally has heard all about it–I have been downright whining and complaining about the sporadic winter weather we’ve had in recent weeks. One day there would be several inches of snow on the ground, and the next, the sun would be shining, all of the snow would melt, hopes for spring to finally arrive–and stick around–would rise, only to wake up the next morning to more snow. This series of events was on repeat for weeks and I was pretty cranky about it.

Enter: a big, heaping dose of irony.

Throughout the past week we have had absolutely gorgeous weather. Temperatures in the mid-to-high 60′s, clear and beautiful blue skies, birds chirping and munching on birdseed at the new bird feeder we picked up last week; because buying a bird feeder sends a message to spring that we’re ready for it and then it will arrive more quickly, obviously. It has been a beautiful week of warm weather and I have been terribly sick. Of course, because that is what happens when you anticipate things! It finally arrives and you can’t even appreciate it because you are too busy sniffling, coughing, blowing your nose, and walking around whining about being sick like you’re five years old all over again.

On Tuesday afternoon I was certain that I had allergies. With itchy, watery eyes and a runny nose, I took some allergy medication and noticed absolutely no improvement whatsoever. A few hours later, my list of symptoms also included incessant sneezing, coughing, a sore throat, and the inability to breathe while lying down. By Thursday night, I was much worse. Due to all of the sniffling, blowing my nose, and coughing, the left side of my neck became so sore and stiff I could barely move it. Even after taking NyQuil, I was still waking up every few hours to blow my nose and because of the pain in my neck every time I moved. This cold has been incredibly frustrating.

And that pretty much sums up my existence over these past few days, which explains the lack of updates here. Sorry about that! It’s pretty difficult to focus when you’re terribly sick and high on an array of over-the-counter cold medicines. I did, however, catch up on some movies and television shows, which is really the only good thing that comes with being sick. I recorded the HBO film Game Change, which I liked a lot and may or may not review here next week; I haven’t decided yet. I also watched the entire sixth season of Dexter, and oh my goodness, that show is just great.

Legal Weed’s Top 10 Greatest Hits [Infographic]

Holly — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:18:39 +0000

Marijuana can be a rather divisive issue, although to be honest with you, I’ve never understood why. While I could very well craft my beliefs on the medicinal and recreational uses of marijuana into several paragraphs, and then go on longer about why it should not be part of the corrupt drug war, let’s just leave it at this: Marijuana has legitimate medicinal uses and can successfully treat a wide variety of ailments, including pain, stress, depression, anxiety, nausea, headaches, appetite, insomnia, and anger, among others.

In 1988, the U.S. Department of Justice wrote:

“Nearly all medicines have toxic, potentially lethal effects. But marijuana is not such a substance. There is no record in the extensive medical literature describing a proven, documented cannabis-induced fatality. In practical terms, marijuana cannot induce a lethal response as a result of drug-related toxicity.”

That is the quote that kicks off the following very awesome infographic that lists the top ten strains of legal, medicinal marijuana. The strains are ranked by the number of locations where it is sold, as well as the level of THC in each strain, the flavor, and what you can expect to feel like after smoking it.

Courtesy of Strain Exchange

Click image to enlarge in new window

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Buy 2 Pairs of Eyeglasses Get 1 Free at Zenni Optical

Holly — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 17:08:51 +0000

My entire family wears eyeglasses, and so did I, from the first grade until I was 19 years old. My first pair of glasses were too big for my face and bright purple. They matched nothing and when I see pictures of myself from that time, I can’t help but cringe a little. They were just that ugly. But I was a little kid and purple glasses, at that time, made me pretty happy. As I got older, I of course started to choose more sensible, stylish frames, and naturally, I realized just how much money people are expected to pay for eyeglasses that compliment their sense of style. That is, until the internet made shopping for frames a lot less frustrating, and Zenni Optical makes them affordable for the whole family.

The #1 online eyeglasses store known for their high quality affordable eyeglasses, Zenni Optical makes shopping for new frames feel less like a seemingly never-ending process of picking up a pair that catch your eye, looking at the price tag, and not being able to put them down fast enough, and more like shopping for your favorite accessories. In fact, because they have $6.95 prescription eyeglasses, you really can treat your eyeglasses like accessories and purchase multiple pairs, giving you the freedom of switching styles whenever the mood strikes you.

If you thought Zenni Optical’s prices were unbelievable to begin with, I’ve got some great news for those of you who wear glasses: there’s a promotion going on right now on all Zenni Optical eyeglasses, and it is a big deal. For a limited time, when you purchase two pairs of Zenni Optical glasses, you will get the third pair free (of equal or lesser value). This is the biggest promotion Zenni Optical has ever had and it will definitely save families a whole lot of money than if they were to purchase all of their frames directly through their eye doctor’s office.

A lot of people are weary of buying particular things they need online; eyeglasses are one of those things. It makes sense, how can you know how a pair of frames are going to fit your face unless you can actually try them on before purchasing them? I get it and evidently, so does Zenni Optical because they have an application on their website called the Zenni Frame Fit that allows you to upload a photo of yourself and then virtually try on each and every pair of frames on their website. You can also choose a selection of favorite frames and compare them until you settle on which you want to purchase.

All Zenni Optical glasses include a free thin and light 1.57 index single vision lens, anti-scratch coating, and full UV protection. You will also receive a free protective case and microfiber cleaning cloth.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Zenni Optical. Incentive was provided to me, and opinions are my own.

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Get a $1.00 Off Coupon for Children’s Advil and Stock Up for Flu Season

Holly — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 11:00:54 +0000

The weather has been incredibly erratic. It has no idea what it wants to do or for how long it wants to do it. Within the past week alone, we have had weather so warm and pleasant that I was positive the beginning of spring had arrived, only to wake up to a full-fledged snowstorm just the next day. It has snowed enough to accumulate inches of white powder that soon turned to invisible ice on hard, impenetrable snow, and then melt away completely not once, but twice over. This kind of cold weather with its bitter windy chills injected with short, cruel bursts of sunshine and rising temperatures signals the onset of one thing: flu season.

What’s worse than having a child sick with the flu is not having a thing in the house to give them to make them feel better. Having to make midnight runs to the pharmacy is pretty terrible, so it’s smart to stock up just as flu season approaches so when your child starts exhibiting flu symptoms, you’re already prepared.

To help you prepare for flu season, you can now print coupons for $1 off any Children’s Advil products.

Children’s Advil provides up to 8 hours of fever relief in just one dose. It relieves fevers faster and keeps it down longer to help kids get back to feeling like kids again.

Dye-free Infants’ Advil is available for children ages 6 to 23 months and Children’s Advil is available for children ages 2 to 11. It comes in four liquid suspension flavors, including Grape, Blue Raspberry, Fruit, and Dye-Free White Grape. Convenient Grape Chewables are also available.

Get your $1 off Children’s Advil coupons.

Information and coupon offer were provided by Children’s Advil through MyBlogSpark. No compensation was received, and opinions are my own.

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Why Cord Blood Banking? The Pros and Cons of the Important Issue Facing Expecting Parents Today that Could Potentially Save a Child’s Life

Holly — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 12:03:27 +0000

Expecting parents are positively overwhelmed by information from internet searches, books, pamphlets, research, studies, speculation, and sworn-by testimony regarding anything and everything having to do with the soon-to-be tiny new addition to their household. From the very moment the pregnancy test comes back positive, expecting parents are faced with information overload while having to make crucial decisions regarding their child before they are even brought into the world. As medical advancements continue to be made, parents are expected to be informed, know to request certain information, and ultimately make decisions about a myriad of different issues that will affect their child.

One of the more recent issues facing expecting parents today that has received a ton of press and attention is the option of banking umbilical cord blood. This decision can become a difficult one to make when you begin doing research on the topic, and also must be made well before the child is born.

Umbilical cord blood banking is the preservation of the blood and stem cells from your baby’s umbilical cord at the time of birth. It is then stored in a bank for potential future use to treat a variety of different illnesses and diseases, including leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell disease, and metabolic disorders.

Usually when we hear about stem cells being used to treat illnesses, they are debates laced in controversy. We know for a fact that stem cells work in treatment, but just like most other medical advances, it has its critics. However, stem cells that are found in cord blood are considered to be free of controversy since the act of preserving them does not hurt, harm, or pose any threat to the child whatsoever and would in fact be discarded anyway. Many expecting parents have become in-favor of banking their baby’s cord blood, and the reason as to why is really quite simple: anyone would undoubtedly do whatever they could to protect the health of their child.

When a friend of mine was pregnant with her first son, as part of her baby shower registry, she included an option for people to donate to her family’s fund for private cord blood banking. If you plan on banking your baby’s cord blood for future personal or family use, I think it’s really smart to reach out to friends and family as part of your baby shower registry in order to realistically be able to make this investment. The reason for this is because private banks cost money, and it may be more than you’re planning on spending. Typically, private cord blood banks charge a large initial processing fee, which can range from $595 to nearly $2,000. In addition to that fee, you are then charged an annual storage fee which runs around $95 a year.

When you choose to privately bank your baby’s cord blood, you pay an annual fee in order to keep it stored and available for you and your family if your child or a sibling should ever need it to help treat an illness.

Alternatively, you may choose to donate your baby’s cord blood to a public bank where anyone in need of a transplant could use it, or it may be used for research purposes. That isn’t to say that there wouldn’t be compatible cord blood available to your child if they did at some point need a transplant because they would also have access to the public bank.

Cord blood banking and donation is an intensely important and personal decision that every family must carefully weigh the pros and cons of with the help of their team of doctors before the birth of their child. Whether it’s public donation or private banking, we are certainly making tremendous medical strides in using stem cells to eradicate illness and disease in our children.

Photo by cvrcak1

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Start Your Day Off Right with General Mills Cereal with Whole Grain First Ingredient — Cereal with the White Check Giveaway [Closed]

Holly — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:30:44 +0000

The most recent Dietary Guidelines recommend that people get at least 48 grams of whole grain in their daily diets. If you’re like me, you have no idea how that translates into how much of what you should be eating daily. I have never been able to crack the Dietary Guidelines Code. I can read as many food packages as I want, but after reading off a seemingly endless list of ingredients for everything I put into my cart at the grocery store, I still walk out of there with a wish and a hope that I have a week’s worth of daily whole servings of what my body needs. Isn’t this the stuff we all learned year after year in health class; if it was easy enough to teach to us then, then why is it so difficult to figure out now as an adult?

The food industry advances and changes frequently and it is our responsibility to change right along with it while also learning to become more aware. We are bombarded by all sorts of health messages about our food every day in commercials, on the news, in newspapers, magazines, advertisements, and in the aisles of our local stores. It is sometimes hard to differentiate between what is hype to sell more of a product and what we should actually be paying close attention to.

One of the most deceiving products in terms of nutritional benefits that we all regularly buy is breakfast cereal. It isn’t like when you’re in the snack aisle and you know that everything located there is bad for you. In the cereal aisle, everything is combined. You have your bran sitting right next to your Cocoa Pebbles and you’re trying to find that balance between a cereal that is wholesome while also being something everyone in your family, especially kids, will eat.

Getting enough whole grain in your daily diet is important and General Mills is making it easy to start your day off right with a bowl of any one of their 50 cereals that have more whole grain than any other ingredient while still having the same great taste that you have come to expect. Looking for whole grain in your General Mills cereals is now easier than ever before.

All cereals with the white check currently have at least 9 grams of whole grain per serving.

Giveaway

To help get your day off to a great start, MyBlogSpark has generously provided us with the opportunity to give away an additional General Mills cereal prize pack to one lucky Woman Tribune reader. Included in the prize pack are 5 boxes of General Mills cereal with the white check: Cheerios, Lucky Charms, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Honey Nut Cheerios, and Total.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Prize pack, information, and giveaway were provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark. No other compensation was received, and opinions are my own.

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The Psychology of Color [Infographic]

Holly — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:52:11 +0000

Did you know that fast food restaurants like McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Pizza Hut use the color red in their logos because the color red is proven to stimulate the appetite? Or that blue is often used in corporate logos because the color blue represents feelings of something being non-invasive?

Even more interestingly, did you know that during the 15th century green was the preferred color choice for wedding gowns because green has long symbolized fertility? White wedding gowns were not always the norm, which is a pretty radical thought when you look at the wedding industry today.

There is an unspoken psychology behind colors and how they make us feel–whether we like it or not. The following infographic explores color psychology, including what specific colors have long symbolized and why, as well as what colors are best suited for the walls of a particular room in your home, which I will definitely be taking note of when I move into my new home next month.

Courtesy of Painters of Louisville

Click image to enlarge in new window

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The Tale of the New Year’s Fail [Infographic]

Holly — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:00:05 +0000

Each holiday season, the average American gains one pound. They then go on to make New Year’s resolutions to eat better, exercise more, and lose weight. Unfortunately, New Year’s resolutions that are focused on weight loss are not followed through to the next year even a quarter of the time, and that one pound that most people put on during the holidays is still there the next holiday season.

Check out the following infographic to see what those collective holiday pounds are costing two-thirds of Americans, as well as 10 ideas to make the long, hard road of getting and staying in shape a smashing success and something to be proud of when next year’s resolutions are being made.

Courtesy of Nexercise.com

Click image to enlarge in new window

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Hoarding Clean Up: Leave It to the Professionals

Holly — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:14:39 +0000

I used to have a particularly negative attitude towards documentary/reality television shows documenting a person’s struggle with a mental illness, an attribute that sets them apart from the society-accepted version of “normal,” or the challenge to change themselves in the face of discrimination. In my estimation, these shows, while they did strive to reveal a supposedly honest depiction of living with conditions such as substance abuse issues, obesity, and particular phobias, they were doing very little else but exploiting the subjects that were plucked from obscurity and put on the television screens of millions of homes nationwide. I saw the benefit of these shows in the sense that they bring a certain level of success to the television networks who produce and air them, and for the viewers who typically see quality entertainment value in the distress of the others.

While I certainly have some questionable taste in trashy reality television myself (Keeping Up with the Kardashians, anyone?), I wanted nothing to do with shows like Heavy, Addicted, Celebrity Rehab, and so on. That is, until I started watching the A&E show Intervention on a whim. This particular subject matter interested me because when I was growing up, my mother was an alcoholic and drug addict. She may still be, but she has not been in my life in any capacity whatsoever since I was about 10 years old. In some feeble attempt to make sense of my entire childhood within the course of seasons upon seasons of 44-minute episodes, I started with this show. I branched out to others over time, and more focusing on other subjects as I noticed articles popping up on blogs and websites I frequently read where the authors used these shows as catalysts to share their own stories, knowing that much of their audience had seen these shows and would know the basis of the issues they were discussing.

One topic that has come up quite a bit throughout the past few years is hoarding. The shows Hoarders and Hoarding: Buried Alive have continued to gain more popularity; because of this success it’s safe to say that while it is still technically “taboo” subject matter, these shows have instilled knowledge of what hoarding is along with how and why it happens into the people who have seen an episode or two. This has given people who hoard just a little more confidence in reaching out to others and sharing stories of their own struggles with this compulsive behavior.

Television shows on the subject of hoarding always provide the people who are the subject of an episode with a therapist to battle their obsessive compulsive behavior, which they always end up needing because with being on an episode of one of these shows comes the often traumatic cleanup process. Hoarding clean up is extremely risky to do without the help of professionals because often in spaces that are affected by hoardings, there is buildup of dust, mold, mildew, trash, expired food, rodent and animal droppings and infestations, and sometimes even live or dead animals who have also inhabited the same spaces. These spaces have become uninhabitable by the time these cleanup crews get to the house of someone who hoards, and by that time the disorder has become as unmanageable as their space for the person affected by a compulsion that they cannot cease on their own. The risk to one’s safety and health when cleaning out a space that has been inhabited by a person who hoards for in almost every instance, a prolonged period of time is quite high. Paths and exits become blocked and human interaction with expired food items, airborne contaminants that rise after moving items that haven’t been moved in years, and on a more severe level, animal dander, excrement, and in some cases, carcasses are very likely to get people sick.

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome is transmitted by infected rodents and their urine, droppings, and saliva. It can be passed to humans who breathe in the virus and even more frightening, it is a disease that has no specific treatment or cure. This is a major reason as to why if you are cleaning out a space where someone who hoards has lived, or if you have any cleanup job that contains biochemicals or hazardous waste of any kind, that you must contact a professional service to help. Cleaning up a serious mess on your own may save you a few bucks, but it isn’t nearly worth the risks you would be putting your health in.

Photo by Dragonarium

Simple Strategies for Coping with Childhood Allergies

Mikki — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:00:44 +0000

I will never forget the night my 12 year old woke me at midnight after waking with a swollen lip. At first glance I thought perhaps she had hit herself in the face and hadn’t noticed. Yet within an hour it had near doubled in size. I pulled out the liquid Benadryl and starting making calls.

What I didn’t know then was that night was the beginning of a long haul in allergy diagnostics. Two days later she woke yet again with another swollen lip, only the second time her entire body was covered in a mysterious red spotted rash.

The rash led to hives and the hives led to painful red skin. In fact at any given moment any one, or combination of these symptoms would randomly appear.

What began as a seemingly harmless swollen lip led us from Urgent Care to ER to allergist where they ran a series of tests to determine the source of her swelling and rashes. To my surprise, and that of the allergists, my daughter was allergic to EVERYTHING!

They had tested her for environmental allergies, food allergies and outdoor allergies. When everything came back positive I was shocked. You can imagine my relief when the allergist began to explain which allergens were more likely to cause her symptoms based on reaction. It was obvious that her allergies to dust, pollens and grasses had the highest reaction indicating they were likely the real cause of her symptoms.

Now that we knew the cause it was time to develop a plan for treatment!

The Simple Approach to Manage Airborne Allergens:

Each of the allergens impacting my daughter were categorized as airborne, meaning they float in the air we breathe and gain access to our bodies after being inhaled. I knew to minimize her symptoms I needed to focus on one key factor, the air!

Reducing the amount of grass and pollens she inhaled was rather simple. We paid attention to the pollen count, installed special screens that filtered these allergens out and avoided over exposure to the great outdoors.

My bigger challenge was dealing with dust mites as I knew very little about them and even less on how to control them. I began by studying up on these critters and exactly how they cause allergies. To my surprise everything revolved around the bed! This explains why she had so many late night flares.

To reduce dust mite allergens I had to purchase special mattress and pillow encasements that trapped the mites, and their waste, preventing them from floating in the air. Next I removed stuffed animals from her room, thoroughly vacuumed the carpets and finished up with an allergy quilt for that extra protection.

I have to be honest the results weren’t instant. In fact I began to question if my efforts were even worth it considering she was still having reactions weeks after implementing my new strategies. My worries were quickly put to ease when the allergist explained that it takes time for the body to fully eradicate allergens and that given some time her symptoms will subside. He was right and my daughter started sleeping peacefully again!

Photo by clearallergy

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What to Keep in Mind When Looking for Muscle Gaining Supplements

Holly — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 09:50:09 +0000

Back before I worked from home full-time, I worked at a small, independently-owned coffee shop. It was the best “job” I ever had, which may not be saying too much, considering I have only ever had four “real” jobs where I actually reported to a location, accomplished tasks for forty hours a week, and then scored a paycheck at the end of two weeks. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable experience. I worked alone most of the time, listened to whatever music I liked, and served people coffee for eight hours. And I love coffee! I think the reason why I enjoyed it as much as I did is because the business was created by a couple that I enjoyed working for. Having the opportunity to get to know the people who were employing me made me realize that the work I was doing was not only giving me the money I needed to survive, but was also doing the same for these people who worked so hard to establish a good, honest business and keep it afloat. Therein lies the difference between working for a huge corporation versus for an independently-owned business.

The space was located in the same building, directly downstairs from the biggest gym in the area. This place employed several personal trainers and instructors and they held group classes dedicated to a different exercise technique on any given day. Because of this, in addition to the countless black coffees and lattes, I was also making a whole lot of protein shakes and drinks containing weight builders and muscle enhancers. Think your personal trainer got those abs and rock-hard muscles by sheer exercise alone? Probably not. They’re heading to the coffee shop downstairs twice a day requesting shakes infused with twice the normal amount of muscle enhancers.

Knowing this piece of information led me to ponder if these personal trainers are suggesting muscle gaining supplements to the people they work with. They can’t possibly in good conscience be putting the weight of their success on the shoulders of their workout routines alone, and if they are coming clean about their twice-a-day drink of choice, are they also giving these people the world of information that goes along with any supplement?

Muscle gaining supplements can be valuable in helping to achieve the healthy amount of muscle you may be looking for but can’t seem to get your body to build with your workout routine alone. If you are looking into supplements, remember to take them only as instructed and it’s important that you keep up with your regular workout schedule. Supplements and no working out isn’t a healthy way to get the results you’re looking for. These supplements are a huge industry. Not all of them will work for every body type out there, so if you’re looking for the perfect supplement for you, be sure to read the labels thoroughly, don’t take any unnecessary risks for the sake of hoping to achieve the “perfect body”, and most importantly, look for supplements with little to no ill side effects. Your body will thank you.

Photo by Todd William

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How to Use Yoga to Calm Anxiety

Bethany — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:00:27 +0000

Let’s face it. It’s easy to get all worked up about nothing, whether it’s an annoying boss, a project deadline, or a fight with your spouse. Or maybe you have more serious circumstances going on in your life that are leaving you constantly anxious, stressed, and tired.

Whatever the case may be, it may be time to tap into your inner yogi…

Corpse Pose: If you’re stressed about an upcoming event, like an important presentation or a first date, try the corpse pose for a few minutes. Many people think that this pose is used to relax after a long yoga class, but it can be used to promote relaxation any time of day. To perform the pose, lie on your back with your arms angled away from your torso. Keep your legs separated and extended in front of you. Focus on slowly breathing in and out through your nose, aiming for six counts per breath. Are you feeling Zen yet?
Forward Bend: If you find yourself in the middle of a stressful situation, like an argument with a friend of your spouse, this is the perfect time to try the forward bend. This pose is ideal for letting go of stressful emotions in the moment. Take a moment to yourself and practice this pose in the privacy of a bathroom or your office. Stand and fold forward at the waist, lengthening your spine. Focus on extending from your hips to the crown of your head. Inhale and exhale deeply through your nose for five minutes. Suddenly, you’ll feel like your old, calm self again.
Legs Against the Wall: If you’ve recently experienced a stressful or traumatic event, it’s important to let go of those pent-up emotions. Even if you find yourself beating yourself up over and over again for making a mistake at work, this pose will work wonders. Begin by placing your hips on top of a pillow for support next to a wall. Lie down with your legs propped up against the wall and your arms resting at your sides. Your head and shoulders should be on the floor. This yoga pose will open your chest, boost circulation, and calm your nervous system. Keeping your legs above your hips will also help to flush toxins from your lymphatic system. Hold the pose and breathe deeply through your nose for 10 minutes.

Use any of the above poses the next time that a crisis hits, whether you’ve been stuck in traffic all morning or have just received some bad news. They really work!

Photo by Blissful_Bee

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How to Become a Healthy Work-at-Home Family – 5 Helpful Tips

Melissa — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 21:55:38 +0000

There has been an abundance of parents choosing to have a career so they can work from home, and for just as many reasons it seems. Perhaps that’s the reason there are so many advertisements for ‘working at home’ plans and programs, because they are well aware of the public’s desire for it. For some, it’s not a desire, but an actual necessity.

One reason a parent might choose this path is because of the exorbitant cost of daycare. By working from home, a family can save thousands of dollars a year just by not having to place their kids in daycare.

I have heard of a family who wanted to stay home with their disabled child. They couldn’t find a place to provide attentive and individualized care for their child, without having to take out a second mortgage. The mom found a way to work from home, and have help from the extended family and a hired aide for a few hours a week.

For me, it was an easy choice. I’m a freelance writer and didn’t need a traditional brick and mortar office, so I knew this was a path for our family. Attending our kid’s events and activities is an important goal for me. So, having a flexible schedule and office allows me the luxury of being able to be involved, and still help provide for the family.

The Pitfalls of Working from Home

I learned early on that working from home is not as easy as it sounds. If I hadn’t learned early on, it could have been an actual disaster, because it’s not necessarily the healthiest, both physically and mentally, to work from home.

It’s so easy to succumb to the dangers of staying home all day, even if you are working. The refrigerator is just a short distance away, as is the ‘treat drawer’. At times, it just might be the only exercise…walking back and forth to get a snack. I’m sure you see the dilemma.

Combining the ease of grabbing a snack, along with the idle position a freelancer has sitting at a desk all day, leads to a less than desirable result. However, it’s not just about your clothes feeling a little snug, or feeling mentally drained.

A sedentary lifestyle, combined with extra pounds, can lead to some serious complications. Back problems, sleep disorders, diabetes, and even heart ailments are all conditions that can be brought on, or worsened by an idle life with weight gain.

I knew that if I didn’t get this new habit of sitting and grazing under control, before it controlled me, I would have sabotaged the sole reason for wanting to work from home to begin with. I wouldn’t have the energy to spend quality time with my kids, or go to their events.

I needed to get control over it all, from the snacking to the lack of exercise. So, I did. Planning menus, exercising, and even investing in equipment such as the Bowflex 552 Dumbbells, went a long way in providing a healthy environment. But, I wanted it for my family as well.

5 Tips to Get the Family Involved and Healthy

I knew that in order to keep myself on track, I needed to integrate my entire family into the plan. Besides, a healthy lifestyle is just as good for them, as it is anyone else. So, I came up with some ideas that worked for all of us.

Walking
I scheduled a break in the day for my kids and me to walk. It doesn’t have to be a long walk, but enough to get our heart pumping a little faster. We could even incorporate a little scavenger hunt in the walk, such as looking for certain leaves, animals, or colors. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we choose another activity such as dancing.
Cooking
I found that my kids actually like to help with preparing a meal. So, I make it a challenge for them to find the ingredients, and to learn how to tell the difference between a healthy and fresh ingredient, over a processed one. Grocery shopping is also educational at times, if they come along.
Water
It’s common knowledge that drinking plenty of water is good for you. However, that doesn’t mean it’s easy to accomplish with kids. I have heard of someone who makes it a challenge, or contest. They keep track of how much water they drink on a weekly basis, and the one who drinks the most gets to choose one physical activity for the family to do on the weekend. I haven’t done this yet, but it’s on my list if drinking water becomes a problem for us.
Charting
Keeping a chart of all the intake for the family has been a real eye-opening experience. When marking down all the calories, carbohydrates, and fat, it makes you think twice before over indulging.
Exercise
Exercising is a great way to get, and stay healthy. It’s also fun to do as a family, and can be a simple game of tag in the yard, or a structured and intense workout program. I found a great one that I can do on my own, or with the family, through reviews for P90X. The best part is that I don’t have to take time away from the family to go to a gym, and it saves money.

I believe that a healthy environment is extremely important to have a successful and productive career at home. It doesn’t matter what your reason for wanting to work from home is, just that you don’t allow the pitfalls to control you. I hope I was able to provide some helpful information, and that you will prosper in work, health, and play.

Photo by rmolnar7

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What Are the 5 Best Foods to Burn Fat?

Bethany — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 20:00:19 +0000

Is it really possible to eat well and lose weight at the same time? You may have heard of something called “calorie negative” foods. These healthy foods require more energy to digest than the calories that they provide to the body. On top of that, calorie negative foods can also provide a source of vital nutrients to stimulate healthy digestion and metabolism to burn fat.

Without further ado, here are the top five foods to add to your diet to burn fat and stay healthy at the same time:

Celery: Celery is a calorie negative food that only has 19 calories per cup. And celery will help to you to effectively burn calories since it takes much more than 19 calories to prepare, chew, and fully digest a cup of this vegetable. Celery is also full of water to suppress the appetite to make it easier to lose weight.
Oatmeal: Oatmeal is a delicious breakfast food that is rich in fiber, which will help you to stay full for longer. Oatmeal will also keep your blood sugar levels stable throughout the day so that your body can efficiently digest and burn fat while at rest. As a warning, stay away from sugary oatmeal in a variety of flavors; these seemingly healthy breakfast treats will pack in unnecessary calories and sugar.
Salmon: Salmon is a healthy fish that contains omega-3 fatty acids. And your body needs omega-3 fatty acids to control a hormone called leptin, which regulates metabolism. Since salmon is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, it will help to boost your body’s natural ability to burn fat by regulating leptin.
Grapefruit: Grapefruit isn’t necessarily a calorie negative food, but it is very low in calories at only 74 calories per cup. Grapefruit also contains a powerful antioxidant called naringenin, which communicates with the liver to burn fat. No wonder the Grapefruit Diet is so popular! Of course, it’s best to enjoy grapefruit as part of an already healthy diet instead of restricting yourself to just one food group to lose weight.
Green Tea: There are a number of fat burning supplements that contain green tea as a leading ingredient. And as a natural beverage, green tea can help to boost metabolism due to its EGCG content. Green tea will also protect your overall health by reducing the risk of cancer with a generous dose of antioxidants.

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