The trace mineral iodine is well known for its crucial role in enabling the body's manufacture of vital thyroid hormones, but it is also important for the health of the immune system and for optimal brain function. It is widely believed by many authorities that iodine deficiency should never be seen in the affluent West, although this problem affects millions throughout the developed world.
Some nutritionists argue, however, that this conventional view is too optimistic, because the content of all minerals in foods is heavily dependent on the mineral content of the soil from which those foods are derived. The assumption must therefore be that the continuing de-mineralisation of farm soils has led to a reduction in the amount of dietary iodine commonly consumed.
Fish and other seafood, however, remain a relatively rich source because these ocean creatures concentrate the sea's iodine in their flesh. Though not commonly eaten in the West, seaweed, or kelp, is also an excellent source of iodine for this reason, and is readily available in the form of a dietary supplements. Dairy products and certain meats may also be a good source, particularly where iodine is routinely added to farm animal feed. But in countries, including most of Western Europe, where animals are grazing fields growing on iodine depleted soils, levels are likely to be much lower. So even in the West, those not including fish or seafood in their diets, and not using iodised or sea salt, may be at real risk of deficiency.
In an effort to compensate for low levels of dietary iodine, the mineral has been routinely added to ordinary table salt in the US for many years. But the practice is not as common in the UK and other European countries, where specially iodised or natural "sea-salt" has been marketed more as a luxury alternative. The problem of insufficient dietary iodine has been compounded on both sides of the Atlantic, however, by increasing concern about the possible adverse health consequences, particularly high blood pressure, of excessive salt intake. Many nutritionists, however, regard these fears as exaggerated, and believe that any such potential problems are far less serious than the consequences of an insufficiency of iodine, and may be easily resolved by the use of the low sodium salt alternatives available.
Iodine, however, cannot in any case be regarded as a luxury. Its essential function lies in the production of the vital thyroid hormones; thyroxine, sometimes known as T4, and tri-iodothyronine, or T3. And as is well known, these hormones are crucially important in ensuring a healthy metabolic rate and the release of energy from food; so an underactive thyroid gland is commonly the villain in cases of excessive weight gain, particularly where this of sudden onset, and in cases of difficulty in losing weight even when following a sensible reducing programme.
A healthy thyroid gland is also crucial for the optimal functioning of the immune system. But perhaps even more importantly, iodine deficiency is also known as a major cause of avoidable brain damage; a problem which the World Health Organisation has estimated to affect an astonishing 50 million people worldwide. Sadly, many of these cases occur in children whose mothers were iodine deficient in pregnancy, resulting in a condition of severely retarded brain development known as congenital hypothyroidism, or "cretinism". Even where such catastrophic consequences are avoided, iodine deficiency in childhood may also have serious effects on the developing brain, leading to low energy and motivation for learning, and measurable impairment of IQ scores.
Friday, November 21, 2008
ORGANISING THE KITCHEN
PANTRY OR FOOD SHELVES: Put like items together, soups in one place, and canned vegetables in another and canned fruits all together, pasta in one place—you get the idea. Everything has its place so when you need it you will save time and easily be able to see what you have. (It just might scream 'take out' pizza night.) If you haven't done this for awhile it is a good idea to make sure the cans or bottles are still good by checking expiration dates and check to see it is bulging. If it is, it is definitely spoiled and you need to get rid of it.
Snacks basket :Place them in a basket at a convenient level to grab and go. Or if you have family members that you don't want to get into them, hide them. Lids: Do you have plastic or glass bowls used for storing left-overs? If the lids are always all over the place, put them in a basket by themselves which makes it easy to match to the bowl and eliminates hunting for the matches. If you keep the lids on the container that takes up a lot of space in your cupboard.
DISHES: Do you have enough room for all you have? Get metal stacking shelves that can double the amount of space in your cupboards. They come in many sizes and there are corner ones as well as straight ones that are adjustable. It is a good time to determine if you like or need all the dishes you have. If you see you never use some as you don't like them or you have too many for your needs or space; then donate to a charity.
Silverware drawer: Place the silverware in a container made for that purpose. Larger serving pieces can be placed next to it. Does your container slide back and forth as you open the drawer? A simple solution is to use sticky Velcro on the underside of the container—works great for bathroom drawers too where containers tend to want to slide about.
Pans: Place the ones you use most frequently toward the front of your shelf (if you hang them you have no problem with finding the right size when you need it). If you have pans with a finish that can be chipped or scratched paper plates between the pans prevents this from happening. If you have medicines in the cupboards check their expiration dates and make sure little children can't get into them. Have vases become squatters under your sink? If they belong in a different place, move them to their home. Kitchens are often the hub of the home so a well organized one makes everyone happy. While you are waiting for Spring, or if you live where it is already Spring check out those cupboards, take an inventory and Get Organized now.
Snacks basket :Place them in a basket at a convenient level to grab and go. Or if you have family members that you don't want to get into them, hide them. Lids: Do you have plastic or glass bowls used for storing left-overs? If the lids are always all over the place, put them in a basket by themselves which makes it easy to match to the bowl and eliminates hunting for the matches. If you keep the lids on the container that takes up a lot of space in your cupboard.
DISHES: Do you have enough room for all you have? Get metal stacking shelves that can double the amount of space in your cupboards. They come in many sizes and there are corner ones as well as straight ones that are adjustable. It is a good time to determine if you like or need all the dishes you have. If you see you never use some as you don't like them or you have too many for your needs or space; then donate to a charity.
Silverware drawer: Place the silverware in a container made for that purpose. Larger serving pieces can be placed next to it. Does your container slide back and forth as you open the drawer? A simple solution is to use sticky Velcro on the underside of the container—works great for bathroom drawers too where containers tend to want to slide about.
Pans: Place the ones you use most frequently toward the front of your shelf (if you hang them you have no problem with finding the right size when you need it). If you have pans with a finish that can be chipped or scratched paper plates between the pans prevents this from happening. If you have medicines in the cupboards check their expiration dates and make sure little children can't get into them. Have vases become squatters under your sink? If they belong in a different place, move them to their home. Kitchens are often the hub of the home so a well organized one makes everyone happy. While you are waiting for Spring, or if you live where it is already Spring check out those cupboards, take an inventory and Get Organized now.
Friday, November 14, 2008
WAY TO RELEASE STRESS
A well balanced diet is crucial in preserving health and helping to reduce stress. Certain foods and drinks act as powerful stimulants to the body and hence are a direct cause of stress. This stimulation, although quite pleasurable in the short term, may be quite harmful in the long run.
As stress naturally increases cellular activity and reduces the effectiveness of the digestive system it leads to nutritional deficiencies and therefore a diet of nutrient dense foods needs to be followed.
The recommendation is a 60-75% raw food diet, full of fresh fruit and vegetables, which not only supply valuable vitamins and minerals, but are also rich in compounds called flavanoids, which help to counteract stress.
Eat a meal high in carbohydrates
Carbohydrates trigger release of the brain neurotransmitter serotonin, which soothes you. Good sources of carbohydrates include rice, pasta, potatoes, breads, air-popped popcorn and low-cal cookies. Experts suggest that the carbohydrates present in a baked potato or a cup of spaghetti or white rice, is enough to relieve the anxiety of a stressful day.
Eat food high in fiber
Stress result in cramps and constipation. Eat more fiber to keep your digestive system moving. Your meal should provide at least 25 grams of fiber per day. Fruits, vegetables and grains are excellent sources of fiber. For breakfast, eat whole fruits instead of just juice, and whole-grain cereals, and filling foods like upma.
Eat more vegetables
Your brain’s production of serotonin, is sensitive to your diet. Eating more vegetables, can increase your brain’ serotonin production. This increase is due to improved absorption of the amino acid L-Tryptophan. Vegetables contain the natural, safe, form of L Tryptophan. Meats contain natural L-Tryptophan also, but when you eat meat, the L-Tryptophan has to compete with so many other amino acids for absorption that the L-Tryptophan loses out. The net result is that you get better absorption of L-Tryptophan when you eat vegetables.
Micronutrients are important
The key nutrients for stress are those that aid the adrenal glands, which are the tranquilising mineral, magnesium (best taken in the evening) and all the B vitamins, in particular, Vitamin B5 to prevent adrenal atrophy. Urinary excretion of Vitamin C increases under stress so extra should be taken to support the cells and immune function.
A good diet is always important, whether you are going through a stressful period or not. However, there are a few things you can do to boost your diet when you are dealing with a lot of stress.
Reduce fats (recommended daily intake is 20 to 30% of total diet)
Avoid too much sugar
Limit your intake of salt
Eat a variety of foods
Eat more complex carbohydrates
Maintain your ideal weight
Limit caffeine intake
Limit alcohol intake
Take a multivitamin tablet each day
Drink more water (recommended intake 1.5 to 2 litres daily)
Follow these basic guidelines as a general rule and when you are going through a particularly stressful time try to couple it with some extra physical exercise
As stress naturally increases cellular activity and reduces the effectiveness of the digestive system it leads to nutritional deficiencies and therefore a diet of nutrient dense foods needs to be followed.
The recommendation is a 60-75% raw food diet, full of fresh fruit and vegetables, which not only supply valuable vitamins and minerals, but are also rich in compounds called flavanoids, which help to counteract stress.
Eat a meal high in carbohydrates
Carbohydrates trigger release of the brain neurotransmitter serotonin, which soothes you. Good sources of carbohydrates include rice, pasta, potatoes, breads, air-popped popcorn and low-cal cookies. Experts suggest that the carbohydrates present in a baked potato or a cup of spaghetti or white rice, is enough to relieve the anxiety of a stressful day.
Eat food high in fiber
Stress result in cramps and constipation. Eat more fiber to keep your digestive system moving. Your meal should provide at least 25 grams of fiber per day. Fruits, vegetables and grains are excellent sources of fiber. For breakfast, eat whole fruits instead of just juice, and whole-grain cereals, and filling foods like upma.
Eat more vegetables
Your brain’s production of serotonin, is sensitive to your diet. Eating more vegetables, can increase your brain’ serotonin production. This increase is due to improved absorption of the amino acid L-Tryptophan. Vegetables contain the natural, safe, form of L Tryptophan. Meats contain natural L-Tryptophan also, but when you eat meat, the L-Tryptophan has to compete with so many other amino acids for absorption that the L-Tryptophan loses out. The net result is that you get better absorption of L-Tryptophan when you eat vegetables.
Micronutrients are important
The key nutrients for stress are those that aid the adrenal glands, which are the tranquilising mineral, magnesium (best taken in the evening) and all the B vitamins, in particular, Vitamin B5 to prevent adrenal atrophy. Urinary excretion of Vitamin C increases under stress so extra should be taken to support the cells and immune function.
A good diet is always important, whether you are going through a stressful period or not. However, there are a few things you can do to boost your diet when you are dealing with a lot of stress.
Reduce fats (recommended daily intake is 20 to 30% of total diet)
Avoid too much sugar
Limit your intake of salt
Eat a variety of foods
Eat more complex carbohydrates
Maintain your ideal weight
Limit caffeine intake
Limit alcohol intake
Take a multivitamin tablet each day
Drink more water (recommended intake 1.5 to 2 litres daily)
Follow these basic guidelines as a general rule and when you are going through a particularly stressful time try to couple it with some extra physical exercise
Friday, August 29, 2008
DIGESTION
An important physiological function performed by our body is that of digestion. The power of digestion determines the overall health of the body’s functioning.
We can always do a few things to improve our digestive powers. There are no strict rules that can bring on immediate effects but there are some sure practices that can streamline the digestion processes by way of converting them into good eating habits.
What really happens when you eat? After that burger disappears into your mouth, it makes its way down the esophagus, through the stomach and into the small intestine, where the major part of digestion takes place. Food is broken down into nutrients small enough to be absorbed into the bloodstream. The bloodstream carries the nutrients to all parts of the body and that is how you get the energy to do the things you do every day. Nutrition not only boosts the muscles you use, it also provides energy to keep up the things you do not think about: the building and repairing of cells and the movement of blood through your body.
To improve digestion, eat only when you are hungry.
The body can tolerate even wrong combination of foods in strong genuine hunger. But the fact remains that the digestive system should be handled with utmost care. Some experts are of the opinion that food like milk should not be combined with any other food. It should be taken alone as it is a complete and concentrated food in itself. It prevents the gastric juices from reaching out to the other foodstuffs, hence delaying digestion. Milk is best taken with light snacks like biscuits.
Melons should also be eaten alone. Melons digest more quickly than other foods and may even ferment sometimes. Also, as a law no liquid should be taken with solids. Liquids tend to rush through to the intestines directly taking away all the digestive enzymes thus inhibiting the digestion. Take one type of food or lesser varieties of foods at a time. More variety of foods puts great strain on digestive system since body can handle one food at a time more smoothly. It has no provision to secrete many juices and digest different foods at one time.
Hence many varieties of foods taken at a time result in delayed, imperfect digestion and fermentation and putrefaction. For example, having a beverage like tea, coffee or soft drink with food severely restricts the proper gastric secretions and therefore normal digestion is hindered. Milk and yogurt should not be taken together for the same reason. Fruits and vegetables too should not be taken together. Avoid eating fats with proteins as fat depresses the action of gastric glands and inhibits the release of proper gastric juices, which are required for protein digestion. It lowers the digestive tone by more than 50 percent. Unlike proteins, combination of carbohydrates with fats is tolerable. Applying butter on bread is acceptable.
For optimum usage of nutrients in meals, make it a point to consume natural raw foods to the maximum. Munch on an apple when hunger strikes in between meals. Having a carrot to assuage hunger pangs or a bowlful of pulse sprouts for breakfast or even a few almonds when the craving to munch is there, is a good idea as food such as these is light work for the digestive system.
As it is, these foods are fibre rich and fibre helps in weight reduction. Fibre makes a person feel full even though it does not contribute calories. This is because one has to eat this kind o food more slowly since the food needs more chewing. One will swallow more saliva also in the process to fill stomach. A high fibre diet is always a low fat diet and a high fat diet is always a low fibre diet.
Let us take a quick appraisal of tolerable combinations of foods that are ideally most often used in daily fare:
• cereals and pulses
• cereals and buttermilk
• rice and milk
• rice with fish/ egg curry/ meat
• bread and eggs
• sprouted pulses with lemon or tomato
• egg and milk
• nuts and milk
• yogurt and rice
• yogurt and bananas
We can always do a few things to improve our digestive powers. There are no strict rules that can bring on immediate effects but there are some sure practices that can streamline the digestion processes by way of converting them into good eating habits.
What really happens when you eat? After that burger disappears into your mouth, it makes its way down the esophagus, through the stomach and into the small intestine, where the major part of digestion takes place. Food is broken down into nutrients small enough to be absorbed into the bloodstream. The bloodstream carries the nutrients to all parts of the body and that is how you get the energy to do the things you do every day. Nutrition not only boosts the muscles you use, it also provides energy to keep up the things you do not think about: the building and repairing of cells and the movement of blood through your body.
To improve digestion, eat only when you are hungry.
The body can tolerate even wrong combination of foods in strong genuine hunger. But the fact remains that the digestive system should be handled with utmost care. Some experts are of the opinion that food like milk should not be combined with any other food. It should be taken alone as it is a complete and concentrated food in itself. It prevents the gastric juices from reaching out to the other foodstuffs, hence delaying digestion. Milk is best taken with light snacks like biscuits.
Melons should also be eaten alone. Melons digest more quickly than other foods and may even ferment sometimes. Also, as a law no liquid should be taken with solids. Liquids tend to rush through to the intestines directly taking away all the digestive enzymes thus inhibiting the digestion. Take one type of food or lesser varieties of foods at a time. More variety of foods puts great strain on digestive system since body can handle one food at a time more smoothly. It has no provision to secrete many juices and digest different foods at one time.
Hence many varieties of foods taken at a time result in delayed, imperfect digestion and fermentation and putrefaction. For example, having a beverage like tea, coffee or soft drink with food severely restricts the proper gastric secretions and therefore normal digestion is hindered. Milk and yogurt should not be taken together for the same reason. Fruits and vegetables too should not be taken together. Avoid eating fats with proteins as fat depresses the action of gastric glands and inhibits the release of proper gastric juices, which are required for protein digestion. It lowers the digestive tone by more than 50 percent. Unlike proteins, combination of carbohydrates with fats is tolerable. Applying butter on bread is acceptable.
For optimum usage of nutrients in meals, make it a point to consume natural raw foods to the maximum. Munch on an apple when hunger strikes in between meals. Having a carrot to assuage hunger pangs or a bowlful of pulse sprouts for breakfast or even a few almonds when the craving to munch is there, is a good idea as food such as these is light work for the digestive system.
As it is, these foods are fibre rich and fibre helps in weight reduction. Fibre makes a person feel full even though it does not contribute calories. This is because one has to eat this kind o food more slowly since the food needs more chewing. One will swallow more saliva also in the process to fill stomach. A high fibre diet is always a low fat diet and a high fat diet is always a low fibre diet.
Let us take a quick appraisal of tolerable combinations of foods that are ideally most often used in daily fare:
• cereals and pulses
• cereals and buttermilk
• rice and milk
• rice with fish/ egg curry/ meat
• bread and eggs
• sprouted pulses with lemon or tomato
• egg and milk
• nuts and milk
• yogurt and rice
• yogurt and bananas
MAKING CHILDREN SELF RELIANT
Most parents are trying to stay clear of the label "helicopter parents," because they don't want to be seen as the type of mother or father who hover and "overprotect." The most powerful parents have realized that when their children have the opportunity to make mistakes, they gain an invaluable opportunity to learn from those mistakes. It's developmentally appropriate for children to become more and more independent, self reliant and responsible as they age. It can be challenging for parents to know when to step back and let their children try something on their own. After all, from the time their children were babies, parents have spent years meeting many to all of their child's needs.
Striking a balance between allowing your children to do tasks for themselves and helping them when they seem to need or want is a talent of very powerful parents. This balance allows their children to thrive because they feel more confident in themselves while still feeling supported and properly mentored. How can we instill self reliance and responsibility into our children? (1) Allow your children to make some decisions: Even young children can make sound decisions if you give them a few select choices. Do you want to wear the red shirt or the blue shirt? Would you like a peanut butter sandwich or a cheese sandwich? As children get older, you can allow them to make more important decisions with little to no guidance. They can determine things like which Fall sport they'd like to play, if they need a tutor for math, and which friends they'd like to spend time with each day without needing much, if any, input from parents. While it's tempting to make these kinds of decisions for your older children, they need to stand on their own two feet—after all, their decisions are often correct!
(2) Encourage your children to try tasks on their own: While it's often quicker and more skillfully done when we do it for them, children need to engage in tasks on their own if they're ever going to learn how to do them well. Laundry, shoe-tying, and making the bed are great places to start with young children. Older children can handle more complicated tasks such as cooking, preparing their own lunch, and doing their own homework.
(3) Model responsibility and self reliance: Parents have many responsibilities—let your child see them and hear about them! Say out loud; "This screw seems a little loose, I'll go get the screwdriver and tighten it" or "I have to plan our weekly menu for dinner; let's see...Monday night we'll have..." When children see you making decisions, taking initiative, and displaying self reliant behaviors, they will engage in similar behavior.
(4) Be your child's coach rather than his sage: When your child asks you questions about how to do something or what to do in a certain situation, sometimes asking questions is more important than providing answers. "What do you think you should do? How would you feel if you chose X? What would happen if you did Y instead?" These questions can unlock the answers in your own child's brain so the next time he's in a similar situation he'll be able to call on his own experience and judgment to make a decision.
(5) Be a good support system: Sometimes this means cheering them on from the sidelines and other times it means encouraging them to try again. Of course, when children truly need your help, they should know that they can count on you. If you teach them to ask for help when they really need it (when something seems unsafe or too challenging), they should know that you will be there to assist them. Children who know that they can count on their parents when they really need it feel better about taking risks and the possibility of making mistakes.
(6) Provide them with responsibilities: Chores are great for teaching children how to be self reliant as well as how to work as a team. After teaching them how to do the chore properly, let them give it a try with some assistance, if needed. You can even work on a checklist together which helps to break down the task into easy, age-appropriate chunks. For example, (a) Take the clothes out of the dryer, (b) Separate the clothes by family member, (c) Match up all the socks...and so on. When we provide children with ways to help out the family, we give them opportunities to build responsibility, self confidence, and self reliance.
(7) Encourage healthy risk-taking: Assure your children that making mistakes is OK. The most important thing is that s/he tries! Most things are not done perfectly the first time—even when you're an adult. It doesn't mean "the end of the world" and there is no reason to be embarrassed. Watching our children make mistakes can be challenging. We may want to rush to their aid to shield them from impending failure or disappointment. However, when parents do this, they rob their children of some very powerful tools; self confidence, stick-to-itiveness, and of course, self reliance. Your children are relying on you to teach them how to approach the world. Sometimes that means they have to watch you to learn how to approach the task. But other times that means, you must watch them from the sidelines and encourage them to figure it out on their own.
Striking a balance between allowing your children to do tasks for themselves and helping them when they seem to need or want is a talent of very powerful parents. This balance allows their children to thrive because they feel more confident in themselves while still feeling supported and properly mentored. How can we instill self reliance and responsibility into our children? (1) Allow your children to make some decisions: Even young children can make sound decisions if you give them a few select choices. Do you want to wear the red shirt or the blue shirt? Would you like a peanut butter sandwich or a cheese sandwich? As children get older, you can allow them to make more important decisions with little to no guidance. They can determine things like which Fall sport they'd like to play, if they need a tutor for math, and which friends they'd like to spend time with each day without needing much, if any, input from parents. While it's tempting to make these kinds of decisions for your older children, they need to stand on their own two feet—after all, their decisions are often correct!
(2) Encourage your children to try tasks on their own: While it's often quicker and more skillfully done when we do it for them, children need to engage in tasks on their own if they're ever going to learn how to do them well. Laundry, shoe-tying, and making the bed are great places to start with young children. Older children can handle more complicated tasks such as cooking, preparing their own lunch, and doing their own homework.
(3) Model responsibility and self reliance: Parents have many responsibilities—let your child see them and hear about them! Say out loud; "This screw seems a little loose, I'll go get the screwdriver and tighten it" or "I have to plan our weekly menu for dinner; let's see...Monday night we'll have..." When children see you making decisions, taking initiative, and displaying self reliant behaviors, they will engage in similar behavior.
(4) Be your child's coach rather than his sage: When your child asks you questions about how to do something or what to do in a certain situation, sometimes asking questions is more important than providing answers. "What do you think you should do? How would you feel if you chose X? What would happen if you did Y instead?" These questions can unlock the answers in your own child's brain so the next time he's in a similar situation he'll be able to call on his own experience and judgment to make a decision.
(5) Be a good support system: Sometimes this means cheering them on from the sidelines and other times it means encouraging them to try again. Of course, when children truly need your help, they should know that they can count on you. If you teach them to ask for help when they really need it (when something seems unsafe or too challenging), they should know that you will be there to assist them. Children who know that they can count on their parents when they really need it feel better about taking risks and the possibility of making mistakes.
(6) Provide them with responsibilities: Chores are great for teaching children how to be self reliant as well as how to work as a team. After teaching them how to do the chore properly, let them give it a try with some assistance, if needed. You can even work on a checklist together which helps to break down the task into easy, age-appropriate chunks. For example, (a) Take the clothes out of the dryer, (b) Separate the clothes by family member, (c) Match up all the socks...and so on. When we provide children with ways to help out the family, we give them opportunities to build responsibility, self confidence, and self reliance.
(7) Encourage healthy risk-taking: Assure your children that making mistakes is OK. The most important thing is that s/he tries! Most things are not done perfectly the first time—even when you're an adult. It doesn't mean "the end of the world" and there is no reason to be embarrassed. Watching our children make mistakes can be challenging. We may want to rush to their aid to shield them from impending failure or disappointment. However, when parents do this, they rob their children of some very powerful tools; self confidence, stick-to-itiveness, and of course, self reliance. Your children are relying on you to teach them how to approach the world. Sometimes that means they have to watch you to learn how to approach the task. But other times that means, you must watch them from the sidelines and encourage them to figure it out on their own.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
HOME IMPROVEMENT.
Everyone wants to have a home like those featured in Architectural Digest, but if you're like most, your finances will not allow for it. There are, however, several approaches to decorating and designing that you can take without breaking the bank. A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for brightening up a room, or even changing it completely.
Having a room professionally painted can be pricey, however, depending on the contractor hired and the type of services provided. Rather than hiring someone, painting is a skill that is easily acquired and can even be fun to do. While it may be time consuming, it is not a difficult skill to master. A roller, pan and brush set will cost about $10.00, and a gallon of paint between $20.00 and $30.00. Add in some extra money for spackle to fill any cracks or nail holes, some primer or a base coat, drop cloths and paint remover. If you figure on two gallons of paint, depending on the room's square footage, you could have a white-walled room turn a beautiful hunter green for less than $150.00 all told! In the end, you will be left with a freshly painted, new look and the pride of having done it yourself.
Another way to save money decorating is to shop the yard sales. Sound silly? It's not. Springtime is a great time to do this, as many people are cleaning out their closets and putting things in the yard that they no longer want or they simply don't have room for. You've heard the saying "One man's trash is another man's treasure?" This can be your opportunity for treasure hunting! How many times while shopping have you stepped into an expensive boutique or gallery, just to window shop, and while browsing spotted the ‘perfect' oversized vase for your floor, or a really odd sculpture or ironwork that would be just right for your living room? Yard sales are full of these type items! Because proud homeowners re-decorate every few years, they put perfectly good (and pricey!) merchandise out for sale to the highest bidder. If you do not live in the suburbs, you can still take advantage of these type sales at your local flea market on a Saturday morning or the market on your block.
Want a completely FREE solution? Move some furniture! Not only can you change the look of your home by moving furniture within a room, you can even get creative and change the actual rooms themselves. Why not? If you have a large spare bedroom on the second floor that you have been using for a guest room, why not make this into your growing toddler's bedroom and convert his or her room to the less used, smaller guest room? If you have a family room and a living room that are approximately the same size but in opposite areas of your home, why not simply reverse the floor plan? You would be amazed at the difference this can make in livening up a house that has become stale in the decorating department. If this seems too drastic for you or you don't have the extra rooms, even moving furniture within a room can be a completely cost-free way to renovate.
Who says decorating has to be on the inside of the house only? The first impression you and your guests will have is of the outside of your home. Many people spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars in landscaping, when this cost can be cut significantly by doing your own outdoor gardening, planting and decorating. Rather than having a master plan scoped out by a professional, get creative and think of what colors and types of plants you enjoy looking at and what will grow well in your environment. It is then just a matter of buying the soil, plants, potters, and perhaps some decorative stones to lay around the new plants. This process will not be cost-free, but will be significantly less money to do it yourself than to hire a landscaper. It will also be a great excuse to get outside, enjoy the fresh air, and get some exercise! You can think of the colors you like most, and start with plants in those color schemes.
Consider whether you like low-lying plants, or whether you may need to shade certain areas of your property. If so, perhaps you can consider strategic tree planting, so that you have beautiful and mature trees down the road that otherwise would have cost a fortune to have put in. Stones can be relatively inexpensive depending on where you get them and what type they are, yet they can beautify a garden, walkway, path or planted area tremendously. This is something you can add to your landscaping creation as well.
Whether indoors or out, you don't have to break the bank to have a beautiful home. A bit of creativity and a few dollars can go a long way to making the home of your dreams if you take advantage of these few simple suggestions.
Having a room professionally painted can be pricey, however, depending on the contractor hired and the type of services provided. Rather than hiring someone, painting is a skill that is easily acquired and can even be fun to do. While it may be time consuming, it is not a difficult skill to master. A roller, pan and brush set will cost about $10.00, and a gallon of paint between $20.00 and $30.00. Add in some extra money for spackle to fill any cracks or nail holes, some primer or a base coat, drop cloths and paint remover. If you figure on two gallons of paint, depending on the room's square footage, you could have a white-walled room turn a beautiful hunter green for less than $150.00 all told! In the end, you will be left with a freshly painted, new look and the pride of having done it yourself.
Another way to save money decorating is to shop the yard sales. Sound silly? It's not. Springtime is a great time to do this, as many people are cleaning out their closets and putting things in the yard that they no longer want or they simply don't have room for. You've heard the saying "One man's trash is another man's treasure?" This can be your opportunity for treasure hunting! How many times while shopping have you stepped into an expensive boutique or gallery, just to window shop, and while browsing spotted the ‘perfect' oversized vase for your floor, or a really odd sculpture or ironwork that would be just right for your living room? Yard sales are full of these type items! Because proud homeowners re-decorate every few years, they put perfectly good (and pricey!) merchandise out for sale to the highest bidder. If you do not live in the suburbs, you can still take advantage of these type sales at your local flea market on a Saturday morning or the market on your block.
Want a completely FREE solution? Move some furniture! Not only can you change the look of your home by moving furniture within a room, you can even get creative and change the actual rooms themselves. Why not? If you have a large spare bedroom on the second floor that you have been using for a guest room, why not make this into your growing toddler's bedroom and convert his or her room to the less used, smaller guest room? If you have a family room and a living room that are approximately the same size but in opposite areas of your home, why not simply reverse the floor plan? You would be amazed at the difference this can make in livening up a house that has become stale in the decorating department. If this seems too drastic for you or you don't have the extra rooms, even moving furniture within a room can be a completely cost-free way to renovate.
Who says decorating has to be on the inside of the house only? The first impression you and your guests will have is of the outside of your home. Many people spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars in landscaping, when this cost can be cut significantly by doing your own outdoor gardening, planting and decorating. Rather than having a master plan scoped out by a professional, get creative and think of what colors and types of plants you enjoy looking at and what will grow well in your environment. It is then just a matter of buying the soil, plants, potters, and perhaps some decorative stones to lay around the new plants. This process will not be cost-free, but will be significantly less money to do it yourself than to hire a landscaper. It will also be a great excuse to get outside, enjoy the fresh air, and get some exercise! You can think of the colors you like most, and start with plants in those color schemes.
Consider whether you like low-lying plants, or whether you may need to shade certain areas of your property. If so, perhaps you can consider strategic tree planting, so that you have beautiful and mature trees down the road that otherwise would have cost a fortune to have put in. Stones can be relatively inexpensive depending on where you get them and what type they are, yet they can beautify a garden, walkway, path or planted area tremendously. This is something you can add to your landscaping creation as well.
Whether indoors or out, you don't have to break the bank to have a beautiful home. A bit of creativity and a few dollars can go a long way to making the home of your dreams if you take advantage of these few simple suggestions.
Friday, July 11, 2008
DISCIPLINE.
Children learn best by being given clear, firm and consistent direction from parents who are clear, firm and consistent in their approach. How to Discipline Children by Being Clear:
Firstly find and maintain clarity within yourself and then follow through on simple, clear instructions. Clarify for your self what being clear means. It is about being plain, obvious, and understandable in a clear, short sentence that explains exactly what you mean. It isn't about maybe this or maybe that. Often parents have no idea that they chop and change their minds within minutes. To become clear about your own patterns of behavior, observe yourself and ask for your partner's help in this. "We are going to tidy up your toys in five minutes", is clear and direct. Follow this with, "Please help me tidy up your toys now" and it means just that. Be firm with yourself about this. It doesn't mean soon, or later, but now.
I have seen parents give out this simple instruction, then become distracted themselves by a television program, conversation or magazine. What their children observe is parents saying one thing and doing another and this gives a much distorted message. Multiplied over many times each day, is it any wonder that children cease to follow simple instructions?
How to Discipline Children by Being Firm: Firstly find and maintain firmness for yourself and then follow through with firm clear directions in a firm, clear tone. Clarify for your self what being firm means. To be firm is to be certain, definite, and determined. It is also being loving, kind and calm. It means saying no and meaning no, or saying yes and meaning yes and sticking to it. It's about now being now. How often does your no become perhaps, later, maybe giving in, next time, soon, or alright then? This is a very common fault in how to discipline children and again it leads to numerous mixed messages for children.
Resolve within yourself and with your partner's help to ascertain how often you are both easily swayed into changing your decisions. Are you allowing your children to manipulate you? Imagine how simple your life will become when you are clear and firm within yourself. It is every child's right to KNOW they can trust their parent's boundaries.
So firstly, become firm with your own boundaries and then apply this to your parenting discipline. "It is bedtime, (bath time, meal time) in five minutes" is a clear direction. Now follow through on this. Giving the direction in a calm, clear, firm tone of voice helps your children to understand that you mean what you say. Being firm is about being in control of both yourself and the situation.
How to Discipline Children by Being Consistent: Firstly find and maintain consistency for yourself and then follow through with a firm, clear, consistent approach. Clarify for yourself what being consistent means. To be consistent is to be reliable, dependable and constant. These words immediately convey comfort don't they? Let's look at the opposite of being consistent. Contradictory, unpredictable, changeable. That's definitely lacking in comfort and safety. So how do you want to be seen by your children?
To begin with it can seem quite time consuming to concentrate on clear, firm, consistent guidelines. Be aware that this is very true. It takes concentrated effort and time to change old habits to new ones, but if you maintain consistency, you will be very surprised how quickly new patterns of behavior are formed.
Parenting Discipline In Summary: With parenting discipline we are teaching our children how to have self control, self discipline and to become self reliant, so they are able to make good choices for themselves. The only way children can learn to do this is by being given the opportunities for this learning. This means not over protecting them, or doing everything for them, but maximizing their opportunities to learn through personal experience and observation, even when this means making mistakes. Can you see the opportunities here to change some of your own patterns of behavior into superior ones? Clear, firm, consistent parenting is quality parenting. You learn to trust your own responses and your children are surrounded by your loving constancy. This is the recipe for creating a happy, well adjusted family.
Firstly find and maintain clarity within yourself and then follow through on simple, clear instructions. Clarify for your self what being clear means. It is about being plain, obvious, and understandable in a clear, short sentence that explains exactly what you mean. It isn't about maybe this or maybe that. Often parents have no idea that they chop and change their minds within minutes. To become clear about your own patterns of behavior, observe yourself and ask for your partner's help in this. "We are going to tidy up your toys in five minutes", is clear and direct. Follow this with, "Please help me tidy up your toys now" and it means just that. Be firm with yourself about this. It doesn't mean soon, or later, but now.
I have seen parents give out this simple instruction, then become distracted themselves by a television program, conversation or magazine. What their children observe is parents saying one thing and doing another and this gives a much distorted message. Multiplied over many times each day, is it any wonder that children cease to follow simple instructions?
How to Discipline Children by Being Firm: Firstly find and maintain firmness for yourself and then follow through with firm clear directions in a firm, clear tone. Clarify for your self what being firm means. To be firm is to be certain, definite, and determined. It is also being loving, kind and calm. It means saying no and meaning no, or saying yes and meaning yes and sticking to it. It's about now being now. How often does your no become perhaps, later, maybe giving in, next time, soon, or alright then? This is a very common fault in how to discipline children and again it leads to numerous mixed messages for children.
Resolve within yourself and with your partner's help to ascertain how often you are both easily swayed into changing your decisions. Are you allowing your children to manipulate you? Imagine how simple your life will become when you are clear and firm within yourself. It is every child's right to KNOW they can trust their parent's boundaries.
So firstly, become firm with your own boundaries and then apply this to your parenting discipline. "It is bedtime, (bath time, meal time) in five minutes" is a clear direction. Now follow through on this. Giving the direction in a calm, clear, firm tone of voice helps your children to understand that you mean what you say. Being firm is about being in control of both yourself and the situation.
How to Discipline Children by Being Consistent: Firstly find and maintain consistency for yourself and then follow through with a firm, clear, consistent approach. Clarify for yourself what being consistent means. To be consistent is to be reliable, dependable and constant. These words immediately convey comfort don't they? Let's look at the opposite of being consistent. Contradictory, unpredictable, changeable. That's definitely lacking in comfort and safety. So how do you want to be seen by your children?
To begin with it can seem quite time consuming to concentrate on clear, firm, consistent guidelines. Be aware that this is very true. It takes concentrated effort and time to change old habits to new ones, but if you maintain consistency, you will be very surprised how quickly new patterns of behavior are formed.
Parenting Discipline In Summary: With parenting discipline we are teaching our children how to have self control, self discipline and to become self reliant, so they are able to make good choices for themselves. The only way children can learn to do this is by being given the opportunities for this learning. This means not over protecting them, or doing everything for them, but maximizing their opportunities to learn through personal experience and observation, even when this means making mistakes. Can you see the opportunities here to change some of your own patterns of behavior into superior ones? Clear, firm, consistent parenting is quality parenting. You learn to trust your own responses and your children are surrounded by your loving constancy. This is the recipe for creating a happy, well adjusted family.
Laughter.
If there's one thing I have to admit about my mother is that she was always right about this: Laughter Is The Best Medicine. If you can't laugh about yourself and the things that happen to you - you're headed for a heart attack or some other malady, it's the way the body works. Laughter lightens the moment and strips away the seriousness that many of us approach life with; it releases the pain and chases away your personal rainstorms leaving a bright sunshiny day. Scientists have also discovered that laughter strengthens your immune system and increases your cardiovascular flexibility (your blood vessels exercise through dilation).
According to Dr. Goodheart, the laughter doctor, laughter convulses your diaphragm, which in turn massages your internal organs. Massaged internal organs are happy internal organs and they cooperate by staying plump and juicy. She says that laughter also causes you to gulp in large portions of air, oxygenating your blood. When that air is expelled, it's been clocked at 70 miles an hour, providing the lungs with an excellent workout. By laughing, she says, you lose muscle control, which relaxes the skeletal system. According to Dr. Goodheart, four-year-olds laugh 500 times a day, while adults laugh a mere 15! She's convinced that if we laugh as much as a four-year old, we've have the heart rate and blood pressure of that same child. On top of all that, she continues, laughter causes the brain to produce hormones called beta endorphins which reduce pain and causes our adrenal glands to manufacture cortisol, which is a natural anti-inflammatory that's wonderful for arthritis. Laughter also provides a catharsis, which means to purify or purge, to the emotions. It also brings about a spiritual renewal or release from tension. You notice how sometimes you'll see a comedian on television, and while he may not be that funny, something just makes you laugh uproariously? Your body seems to know that it needs the chemicals that are released through laughter. I've always felt better after a good belly laugh or two. For me that means some very large-sounding snorts and a few donkey brays thrown into the bargain. Some people won't even go to the movie with me because when I start laughing I cannot stop. My daughters always used to go, Mom! as they slunk down into their seats trying not to be seen. When someone's laughing, others laugh along. It's contagious. You can't help it.
Oftentimes in my movie-theater laughter excursions, I have motivated a whole theater-full of people laughing right along with me. All this during the credits! (John Belushi being escorted through the prison in the opening credit scenes of The Blues Brothers. If you notice very carefully, while walking he has his butt cheeks pressed ever so tightly together as he's leaving the prison. It was a subtle physical comment that kept me laughing. The more people turned and looked at me, the harder I laughed! Finally, they just gave up and joined me.
The Difference between Laughter, Humor, Teasing and Tickling However, there is a difference between laughter, humor, teasing or tickling. Humor is your way of looking at the world, it's an intellectual exercise. It's your idea of what's funny; it's not the actual act of laughing. Teasing and tickling are really a way of ridiculing someone. Tickling is something beyond someone's control and is actually a physical invasion of sorts. Children laugh when you tickle them because the body works that way, but it's actually a form of emotional ridicule that can result in very unpleasant feelings. Teasing usually has an edge to it. People say they're teasing, but essentially they are dead serious. I think teasing is a passive-aggressive way of hurting someone through the guise of humor. Teasing, according to Dr. Goodheart, "involves our having information about something that another person has very strong feelings about - usually painful feelings - and then bringing that information up without permission." She also says that as people become very good friends they might give each other permission unconsciously to push each other's buttons.
Husbands, wives, lovers, and friends play with each other's pain with permission. "When you tease without permission in order to trigger laughter, it's very manipulative and controlling." All in all, when you're feeling down and need a lift, try laughter. It may be hard at first, but just try laughing. Force yourself. Pretty soon, you'll find yourself laughing at your own laughter and the looks you get from your family members. They'll begin to wonder what's so funny and the corners of their mouths will crinkle up in the beginning of a smile. Now you're laughing because they give you these quizzical looks wondering what you're laughing about. Pretty soon, your laugh is real, your belly aches, the tears flow from your eyes, and the world takes on a different hue.
As for me when I laugh like this, I need Depends. I laugh so hard sometimes I wet my pants and that has nothing to do with my age. I can still hear my friend's mom yelling at me today nearly 38 years later (while grinning ear to ear) to get off her brocade couch whenever I started laughing. She knew what would happen.
According to Dr. Goodheart, the laughter doctor, laughter convulses your diaphragm, which in turn massages your internal organs. Massaged internal organs are happy internal organs and they cooperate by staying plump and juicy. She says that laughter also causes you to gulp in large portions of air, oxygenating your blood. When that air is expelled, it's been clocked at 70 miles an hour, providing the lungs with an excellent workout. By laughing, she says, you lose muscle control, which relaxes the skeletal system. According to Dr. Goodheart, four-year-olds laugh 500 times a day, while adults laugh a mere 15! She's convinced that if we laugh as much as a four-year old, we've have the heart rate and blood pressure of that same child. On top of all that, she continues, laughter causes the brain to produce hormones called beta endorphins which reduce pain and causes our adrenal glands to manufacture cortisol, which is a natural anti-inflammatory that's wonderful for arthritis. Laughter also provides a catharsis, which means to purify or purge, to the emotions. It also brings about a spiritual renewal or release from tension. You notice how sometimes you'll see a comedian on television, and while he may not be that funny, something just makes you laugh uproariously? Your body seems to know that it needs the chemicals that are released through laughter. I've always felt better after a good belly laugh or two. For me that means some very large-sounding snorts and a few donkey brays thrown into the bargain. Some people won't even go to the movie with me because when I start laughing I cannot stop. My daughters always used to go, Mom! as they slunk down into their seats trying not to be seen. When someone's laughing, others laugh along. It's contagious. You can't help it.
Oftentimes in my movie-theater laughter excursions, I have motivated a whole theater-full of people laughing right along with me. All this during the credits! (John Belushi being escorted through the prison in the opening credit scenes of The Blues Brothers. If you notice very carefully, while walking he has his butt cheeks pressed ever so tightly together as he's leaving the prison. It was a subtle physical comment that kept me laughing. The more people turned and looked at me, the harder I laughed! Finally, they just gave up and joined me.
The Difference between Laughter, Humor, Teasing and Tickling However, there is a difference between laughter, humor, teasing or tickling. Humor is your way of looking at the world, it's an intellectual exercise. It's your idea of what's funny; it's not the actual act of laughing. Teasing and tickling are really a way of ridiculing someone. Tickling is something beyond someone's control and is actually a physical invasion of sorts. Children laugh when you tickle them because the body works that way, but it's actually a form of emotional ridicule that can result in very unpleasant feelings. Teasing usually has an edge to it. People say they're teasing, but essentially they are dead serious. I think teasing is a passive-aggressive way of hurting someone through the guise of humor. Teasing, according to Dr. Goodheart, "involves our having information about something that another person has very strong feelings about - usually painful feelings - and then bringing that information up without permission." She also says that as people become very good friends they might give each other permission unconsciously to push each other's buttons.
Husbands, wives, lovers, and friends play with each other's pain with permission. "When you tease without permission in order to trigger laughter, it's very manipulative and controlling." All in all, when you're feeling down and need a lift, try laughter. It may be hard at first, but just try laughing. Force yourself. Pretty soon, you'll find yourself laughing at your own laughter and the looks you get from your family members. They'll begin to wonder what's so funny and the corners of their mouths will crinkle up in the beginning of a smile. Now you're laughing because they give you these quizzical looks wondering what you're laughing about. Pretty soon, your laugh is real, your belly aches, the tears flow from your eyes, and the world takes on a different hue.
As for me when I laugh like this, I need Depends. I laugh so hard sometimes I wet my pants and that has nothing to do with my age. I can still hear my friend's mom yelling at me today nearly 38 years later (while grinning ear to ear) to get off her brocade couch whenever I started laughing. She knew what would happen.
Monday, July 7, 2008
BLOODPRESSURE.
I had two friends for tea the other day and one topic led itself into another. Finally we came upon the topic of blood pressure. One of them was saying ‘ Doctor says my husband has high blood pressure and has to reduce weight for which he has prescribed walks and a special diet’. She then added ‘Where is the need for all this? Just one pill in the morning and he should be fit, shouldn’t he? He does not have the time for walks, special diet and all that.’ Then she added ‘ the blood pressure is just a little high, but doctors these days make such a big fuss… eat this, don’t eat this and what not. My husband is just 35…” she went on and on in this stream.
I was quite aghast at her trend of thinking. Her husband was diagnosed of hypertension (as high blood pressure is medically termed as) and she wanted to know why he should reduce or go on a special diet when a pill a day can do the trick … But then I realised that my friend was not isolated in her ignorance.There must be many more who take high blood pressure for granted.
High blood pressure or hypertension should never be taken lightly even if it is just a little higher than normal for if ignored and not taken care of immediately it can lead to serious repercussions. First of all we need to understand what blood pressure is all about.
What is Blood Pressure?In simple terms, blood pressure is the pressure that the blood exerts on the blood vessels while circulating.When the heart contracts, it forcefully drives the blood into the arteries. This is ‘systolic blood pressure’. And when the heart relaxes, the pressure is comparatively low and termed; ‘diastolic blood pressure’
What should the blood pressure be?A systolic pressure of 120 mm Hg and a diastolic pressure of 80 mm Hg are considered normal. These pressures are read as 120/80.
What are the functions of blood pressure? Blood pressure has three important functions:a) To take blood back to the heart after making its way through more then 60,000 miles long blood vessels.b) To exchange nutrients and waste products between the various cells of the body and the blood capillaries.c) To filter (and therefore purify) blood in the kidneys and the lungs.
What is Hypertension or high blood pressure?Hypertension is a result of interaction of Cardiac (heart) output and the resistance to this blood flow by arteriole. As such if blood flow increases the resistance will decrease and normal blood pressure will be maintained. If one of these two factors or both increases, the blood pressure goes up.
What are the probable factors that may lead to hypertension? In 90% of the cases the cause of hypertension is not known. This type of hypertension is called essential or primary hypertension. However some other factors which could lead to hypertension are:
1. Heredity: It is possible that some gene may be responsible for hypertension, but it is now well understood that if environmental forces are not at play, heredity can have little influence.
2. Tensions: Mental tensions leads to excessive secretion of catecholamines (adrenaline and non adrenaline). These secretions stimulate the nerve endings in the brain stem to cause an elevation of the blood pressure.
3. Excessive intake of salt: studies have shown that in all those countries, where the average salt intake is high, the incidence of high blood pressure too, is high. Studies have further suggested that those people who are genetically prone to hypertension should limit their salt intake.
4. Obesity: Obesity is even more strongly correlated to hypertension than excessive intake of sodium. Weight reduction will lower the blood pressure of both hypertensive and normotensive individuals. Incidence of high blood pressure is 2½ times more in obese than in normal persons. Another alarming fact is that in obese people high blood pressure develops much earlier in life.
5. Other factors: like sedentary life style, smoking and alcohol consumption can all lead to high bloodpressure.
Who are more prone to hypertension?There are some people who are genetically prone to hypertension. However, there are no practical methods to detect genetically prone people. But individuals who are at great risk of developing are :
a) Those with a family history of hypertension.
b) those whose resting heart rate is considerably more rapid than would be expected from their state of physical fitness.
c) those who are more than 15% above optimal weight.
d) Incidences of hypertension in over ambitious people or highly self-controlled people or workaholics have been found to be much higher.
Studies have also shown that persons with a particular type of personality or behaviour pattern termed as ‘Type A behaviour’ suffer more.
What are the characteristics of ‘Type A behaviour’?Some traits that can be found in people of this type of behaviour are:
a) Always moves, walks, talks and eats rapidly
b) Becomes impatient
c) Talks aggressively
d) Gets irritated
e) Tries to be a perfectionist
f) Prefers to go through the summary of a book instead of reading it fully
g) Feels challenged or jealous when in company of another ‘type A’ person
h) Unconsciously clenches his fists or jaws and grinds his teeth, while occupied in some work
i) Cannot remember the colour or furniture of even a most recently visited place
j) Considers it to be a waste of time if he has to play with his children
It is clear that a ‘type A’ person considers life as a battle, races against the clock and invites mental tension.
I was quite aghast at her trend of thinking. Her husband was diagnosed of hypertension (as high blood pressure is medically termed as) and she wanted to know why he should reduce or go on a special diet when a pill a day can do the trick … But then I realised that my friend was not isolated in her ignorance.There must be many more who take high blood pressure for granted.
High blood pressure or hypertension should never be taken lightly even if it is just a little higher than normal for if ignored and not taken care of immediately it can lead to serious repercussions. First of all we need to understand what blood pressure is all about.
What is Blood Pressure?In simple terms, blood pressure is the pressure that the blood exerts on the blood vessels while circulating.When the heart contracts, it forcefully drives the blood into the arteries. This is ‘systolic blood pressure’. And when the heart relaxes, the pressure is comparatively low and termed; ‘diastolic blood pressure’
What should the blood pressure be?A systolic pressure of 120 mm Hg and a diastolic pressure of 80 mm Hg are considered normal. These pressures are read as 120/80.
What are the functions of blood pressure? Blood pressure has three important functions:a) To take blood back to the heart after making its way through more then 60,000 miles long blood vessels.b) To exchange nutrients and waste products between the various cells of the body and the blood capillaries.c) To filter (and therefore purify) blood in the kidneys and the lungs.
What is Hypertension or high blood pressure?Hypertension is a result of interaction of Cardiac (heart) output and the resistance to this blood flow by arteriole. As such if blood flow increases the resistance will decrease and normal blood pressure will be maintained. If one of these two factors or both increases, the blood pressure goes up.
What are the probable factors that may lead to hypertension? In 90% of the cases the cause of hypertension is not known. This type of hypertension is called essential or primary hypertension. However some other factors which could lead to hypertension are:
1. Heredity: It is possible that some gene may be responsible for hypertension, but it is now well understood that if environmental forces are not at play, heredity can have little influence.
2. Tensions: Mental tensions leads to excessive secretion of catecholamines (adrenaline and non adrenaline). These secretions stimulate the nerve endings in the brain stem to cause an elevation of the blood pressure.
3. Excessive intake of salt: studies have shown that in all those countries, where the average salt intake is high, the incidence of high blood pressure too, is high. Studies have further suggested that those people who are genetically prone to hypertension should limit their salt intake.
4. Obesity: Obesity is even more strongly correlated to hypertension than excessive intake of sodium. Weight reduction will lower the blood pressure of both hypertensive and normotensive individuals. Incidence of high blood pressure is 2½ times more in obese than in normal persons. Another alarming fact is that in obese people high blood pressure develops much earlier in life.
5. Other factors: like sedentary life style, smoking and alcohol consumption can all lead to high bloodpressure.
Who are more prone to hypertension?There are some people who are genetically prone to hypertension. However, there are no practical methods to detect genetically prone people. But individuals who are at great risk of developing are :
a) Those with a family history of hypertension.
b) those whose resting heart rate is considerably more rapid than would be expected from their state of physical fitness.
c) those who are more than 15% above optimal weight.
d) Incidences of hypertension in over ambitious people or highly self-controlled people or workaholics have been found to be much higher.
Studies have also shown that persons with a particular type of personality or behaviour pattern termed as ‘Type A behaviour’ suffer more.
What are the characteristics of ‘Type A behaviour’?Some traits that can be found in people of this type of behaviour are:
a) Always moves, walks, talks and eats rapidly
b) Becomes impatient
c) Talks aggressively
d) Gets irritated
e) Tries to be a perfectionist
f) Prefers to go through the summary of a book instead of reading it fully
g) Feels challenged or jealous when in company of another ‘type A’ person
h) Unconsciously clenches his fists or jaws and grinds his teeth, while occupied in some work
i) Cannot remember the colour or furniture of even a most recently visited place
j) Considers it to be a waste of time if he has to play with his children
It is clear that a ‘type A’ person considers life as a battle, races against the clock and invites mental tension.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
BUDGET KITCHEN.
Change the lookIf you have a kitchen that has been squeezed into a window less corner of an open-plan room, then this kitchen needs a colourful makeover that will brighten it up and improve the view from the living and dining area. This kitchen also calls for you to shell out some expense. If there is a budget that you need to follow, take home these easy tips.
In a room with yellow walls the sun never stops shining, so it’s an obvious choice to cheer up a dark space. Team it with mint and pistachio green, which give a fashionable 1950s retro feel. Accessories in yellow and silvery metallics keep the look smart and simple, while you can choose to go for wood flooring to add a more retro touch.
The original units could be of any colour, but if they look too utilitarian, let us change them to make the kitchen a multipurpose room. Colour gives it a more dressy look; mint –green paint transforms the doors and drawers, and long curved metal handles add a stylish finishing touch. New laminate worktops in pistachio green complete the colour show. Go for a white fridge.
Most kitchens do not have a splash back. This little protection at the stove prevents damage to the wall and can also help you to save money! How? Removing old wall tiles is a horrid job, and replacing them can be pricey. But doesn’t mean you have to live with them. Painting is an option, but even easier is covering them with another material. It is a good idea to have the splash back covered with sheets of yellow laminate, glued onto the existing tiles.
Most modern kitchens do have a microwave. If you have a small household, a hob and a microwave may meet all your cooking needs. Building in microwave beneath the worktop gives a streamlined look, but make sure you allow for ventilation.
In a room with yellow walls the sun never stops shining, so it’s an obvious choice to cheer up a dark space. Team it with mint and pistachio green, which give a fashionable 1950s retro feel. Accessories in yellow and silvery metallics keep the look smart and simple, while you can choose to go for wood flooring to add a more retro touch.
The original units could be of any colour, but if they look too utilitarian, let us change them to make the kitchen a multipurpose room. Colour gives it a more dressy look; mint –green paint transforms the doors and drawers, and long curved metal handles add a stylish finishing touch. New laminate worktops in pistachio green complete the colour show. Go for a white fridge.
Most kitchens do not have a splash back. This little protection at the stove prevents damage to the wall and can also help you to save money! How? Removing old wall tiles is a horrid job, and replacing them can be pricey. But doesn’t mean you have to live with them. Painting is an option, but even easier is covering them with another material. It is a good idea to have the splash back covered with sheets of yellow laminate, glued onto the existing tiles.
Most modern kitchens do have a microwave. If you have a small household, a hob and a microwave may meet all your cooking needs. Building in microwave beneath the worktop gives a streamlined look, but make sure you allow for ventilation.
MATKA KULFI.
Ingredients
Milk 1 1/2 litres
Sugar 1/4 cup
Saffron a few strands
Almonds, toasted 10-12
Green cardamom powder a pinch
Method
Heat milk in a saucepan and bring it to boil. Simmer and reduce to one third the original quantity, stirring constantly. Add sugar and stir till it dissolves.
Soak saffron in a tablespoon of warm milk and add it to the reduced milk. Chop the toasted almonds and add it to the milk. Add green cardamom powder and mix.
Pour the above mixture into four small matkas and freeze it for four to five hours. Serve chilled.
Milk 1 1/2 litres
Sugar 1/4 cup
Saffron a few strands
Almonds, toasted 10-12
Green cardamom powder a pinch
Method
Heat milk in a saucepan and bring it to boil. Simmer and reduce to one third the original quantity, stirring constantly. Add sugar and stir till it dissolves.
Soak saffron in a tablespoon of warm milk and add it to the reduced milk. Chop the toasted almonds and add it to the milk. Add green cardamom powder and mix.
Pour the above mixture into four small matkas and freeze it for four to five hours. Serve chilled.
ANGER.
Barely had Adam and Eve been created, when they grabbed the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. In that seminal moment, anger and mankind were linked forever. Thousands of years later, it’s still the same. Angry thoughts and angry feelings, increasingly backed by angry actions, are again dominating human life.
People are getting upset for any rhyme or reason. Few days ago I heard about a youngster in Delhi who killed his father because “he wasn’t taking care of the family”. The son’s rage went to the extreme apparently because he saw no other way to deal with his frustration. This is happening more in the modern world where all and sundry do not endorse each other’s opinions. And what each one desires is not delivered. Somebody quoted that “anger is the spinal chord of the times we live in”. Evidently, there’s an outburst every seventh second.
Anger is a very normal state of mind. Without our aggression, we wouldn’t be able to achieve anything, there’s nothing wrong with being angry. The question is how to channel it. “Without our drive and aggression, we wouldn’t have achieved anything. There would be no justice if there was no rage of injustice. It is important to express our anger sometimes.” Most analysts agree though, that levels of frustration are probably more important than the external factors.
Elements of Anger
Blame game: Need is a key word behind the motive in such cases. People are generally needy, as they cannot cope with life on a daily basis. They do not find themselves loveable enough and do not find acceptance. Hence, they blame others. The resultant anger almost always leaves a mark on the other person.
Cycle of anger and resentment: The cycle, begins when a person starts to look at other people and blame them for not seeing his/her predicament and not solving the problems. Whatever or whoever it is that begins to tap a person’s fear and self-pity becomes a target for resentment. From self-pity, a person can only emerge in anger and resentment. Further leading to doubts, suspicion and accusations. And finally, ruined relationships.
Anger: Anger is a drive for action. It is good when reason controls anger. Not good when anger controls reason. There are two origins of the word anger one comes from the Latin word Ira meaning irritable. The other from the Old Norse word Angr meaning grief. It is the second nature to us. And our reactions are usually violent.
Manifestations of Anger
Quarrelling (Which could be verbal, physical or silent)
Cursing (Targeting at self, others and God)
Resentments, carrying hatred
Bitterness of speech
Arrogance
Sulking and pouting
Violence
How Anger hurts the body
There is essentially a link between anger and various ailments of human body. People are born as purely pleasure seeking animals. They remain so with modifications. People would like to believe that they are intellectual animals, meaning that they are governed by intelligence but they are not. People are full of feeling of anger that manifests itself in direct or disguised ways.
The expressions of anger are:
· I am annoyed
· I am irritated
· I am fed up
· I’ve had it
· I am sick and tired
In some, anger may be disguised in many ways such as
· Language
· Actions
· Body reactions
· Entertainment (clowning)
Some outlets may be healthy, as in humor or sports. In others, one may get aches and pains, injure others or self, or become withdrawn or depressed.
Headaches
There are many causes of headache including meningitis, brain tumors, abscesses and hemorrhages. By far, the most common cause is tension and tension is more often created by repressed anger.
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Repressed anger frequently uses the gastrointestinal tract that extends from the mouth to rectum as an outlet. People described as having week stomachs, throw up for the slightest cause. One factor to be considered is hidden anger.
Respiratory Disorders
The most common disease, “common cold” is probably related to repressed anger. Resistance may be lowered because of emotional stress and one of them is anger.
Skin Disorders
Repressed anger can affect the skin and one of the most common conditions is itching. When anger is repressed, it may lead to attacking the skin. One form that is particularly uncomfortable is itching around the rectal area.
Genito-urinary Disorders
Suppressed anger can affect genito-urinary tract. A common expression of anger is “Piss on him”. Some people urinate frequently because of repressed anger. Anger can cause sexual problems such as inability to have an erection or frigidity in females.
Arthritis
There are many causes of arthritis and repressed anger is certainly a contributory factor.
Nervous system Disorders
Neurologists are well aware of the role of anger in headaches and backaches. There’s a possible contribution of other neurological conditions such as strokes, tics of various sorts, speech disturbances.
Circulatory Disorders
Vacillations in blood pressure are a common outlet for anger. In an individual with coronary artery diseases and anginal attacks (diseases of heart causing pain), the condition is aggravated by emotions particularly anger.
Emotional Disturbances
As extensive are the effects of repressed anger on our physical being, their influence on our emotional lives is worse. There is a broad spectrum of emotional disturbances from withheld rage, extending from impaired judgement to suicide.
Harmful effects of anger
1. Anger almost always increases frustration.
2. Getting angry prevents a person from solving a problem because anger is not the solution to frustration. It is a reaction to frustration.
3. One sets poor example of mental health.
4. Anger makes a person physically sick.
5. Anger is the greatest single cause for break in human relationships.
6. Anger is responsible for one of the most depraved human behaviour – child and wife abuse.
What makes a person angry?
The sequence of anger build up is:
I want it my way
I didn’t get what I wanted and therefore I am frustrated.
It was awful and terrible not to get what I want. This leads to depression.
It is people who upset themselves by thinking in an upsetting manner.
If not anger than what?
Control anger: be calm and think twice.
Never give up thinking people can control their anger, even though difficult.
Remember behaviour counts, not words
Never forget how neurotic people are.
Count to 10.
What to do about anger?
Some helpful suggestions:
Recognize you are angry.
Identify the source
Understand why you are angry.
Deal with it realistically.
Constructively used anger can give strength back, physically and mentally. The individual must never be so overwhelmed by his anger that he is rendered ineffectual. Look for opportunities for some socially acceptable outlets.
Coping with upset feelings
People are upset with what they tell themselves! Our thinking about something and not the something itself, upsets us. No situation or person can upset us or make us feel bad. We are responsible for causing our feeling. Thus, when we judge or evaluate something in a negative way, we will usually be upset.
In contrast, when we judge or evaluate something in a positive way, we usually feel good. In other words, we feel the way we think. The more upset we are, the more upsetting and negative our thinking is likely to be.
What happens as a result of our feelings?
Actions. What we do generally depends on how we feel about a particular situation. When we get angry we might yell at someone. When we get depressed, we might withdraw. An upset person often acts in self-defeating ways. Many people use alcohol or other drugs to change their angry depressed feelings.
Because we feel the way we think, upset feelings mean upsetting thoughts. The degree of our upsetting emotion is a measure of how upsetting or negative our thinking is.
Some people also believe the way to temporarily change their upset feelings are through the use of mood–altering substances.
However, when we justify our upsets, we do not look at the underlining distressing beliefs that are really causing the upset feelings.
We are responsible for how we feel in regard to a situation primarily on what we think about that situation.
If our emotional upset results in self-defeating or destructive behavior, then it would be better to do something constructive about our upset feelings.
People are getting upset for any rhyme or reason. Few days ago I heard about a youngster in Delhi who killed his father because “he wasn’t taking care of the family”. The son’s rage went to the extreme apparently because he saw no other way to deal with his frustration. This is happening more in the modern world where all and sundry do not endorse each other’s opinions. And what each one desires is not delivered. Somebody quoted that “anger is the spinal chord of the times we live in”. Evidently, there’s an outburst every seventh second.
Anger is a very normal state of mind. Without our aggression, we wouldn’t be able to achieve anything, there’s nothing wrong with being angry. The question is how to channel it. “Without our drive and aggression, we wouldn’t have achieved anything. There would be no justice if there was no rage of injustice. It is important to express our anger sometimes.” Most analysts agree though, that levels of frustration are probably more important than the external factors.
Elements of Anger
Blame game: Need is a key word behind the motive in such cases. People are generally needy, as they cannot cope with life on a daily basis. They do not find themselves loveable enough and do not find acceptance. Hence, they blame others. The resultant anger almost always leaves a mark on the other person.
Cycle of anger and resentment: The cycle, begins when a person starts to look at other people and blame them for not seeing his/her predicament and not solving the problems. Whatever or whoever it is that begins to tap a person’s fear and self-pity becomes a target for resentment. From self-pity, a person can only emerge in anger and resentment. Further leading to doubts, suspicion and accusations. And finally, ruined relationships.
Anger: Anger is a drive for action. It is good when reason controls anger. Not good when anger controls reason. There are two origins of the word anger one comes from the Latin word Ira meaning irritable. The other from the Old Norse word Angr meaning grief. It is the second nature to us. And our reactions are usually violent.
Manifestations of Anger
Quarrelling (Which could be verbal, physical or silent)
Cursing (Targeting at self, others and God)
Resentments, carrying hatred
Bitterness of speech
Arrogance
Sulking and pouting
Violence
How Anger hurts the body
There is essentially a link between anger and various ailments of human body. People are born as purely pleasure seeking animals. They remain so with modifications. People would like to believe that they are intellectual animals, meaning that they are governed by intelligence but they are not. People are full of feeling of anger that manifests itself in direct or disguised ways.
The expressions of anger are:
· I am annoyed
· I am irritated
· I am fed up
· I’ve had it
· I am sick and tired
In some, anger may be disguised in many ways such as
· Language
· Actions
· Body reactions
· Entertainment (clowning)
Some outlets may be healthy, as in humor or sports. In others, one may get aches and pains, injure others or self, or become withdrawn or depressed.
Headaches
There are many causes of headache including meningitis, brain tumors, abscesses and hemorrhages. By far, the most common cause is tension and tension is more often created by repressed anger.
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Repressed anger frequently uses the gastrointestinal tract that extends from the mouth to rectum as an outlet. People described as having week stomachs, throw up for the slightest cause. One factor to be considered is hidden anger.
Respiratory Disorders
The most common disease, “common cold” is probably related to repressed anger. Resistance may be lowered because of emotional stress and one of them is anger.
Skin Disorders
Repressed anger can affect the skin and one of the most common conditions is itching. When anger is repressed, it may lead to attacking the skin. One form that is particularly uncomfortable is itching around the rectal area.
Genito-urinary Disorders
Suppressed anger can affect genito-urinary tract. A common expression of anger is “Piss on him”. Some people urinate frequently because of repressed anger. Anger can cause sexual problems such as inability to have an erection or frigidity in females.
Arthritis
There are many causes of arthritis and repressed anger is certainly a contributory factor.
Nervous system Disorders
Neurologists are well aware of the role of anger in headaches and backaches. There’s a possible contribution of other neurological conditions such as strokes, tics of various sorts, speech disturbances.
Circulatory Disorders
Vacillations in blood pressure are a common outlet for anger. In an individual with coronary artery diseases and anginal attacks (diseases of heart causing pain), the condition is aggravated by emotions particularly anger.
Emotional Disturbances
As extensive are the effects of repressed anger on our physical being, their influence on our emotional lives is worse. There is a broad spectrum of emotional disturbances from withheld rage, extending from impaired judgement to suicide.
Harmful effects of anger
1. Anger almost always increases frustration.
2. Getting angry prevents a person from solving a problem because anger is not the solution to frustration. It is a reaction to frustration.
3. One sets poor example of mental health.
4. Anger makes a person physically sick.
5. Anger is the greatest single cause for break in human relationships.
6. Anger is responsible for one of the most depraved human behaviour – child and wife abuse.
What makes a person angry?
The sequence of anger build up is:
I want it my way
I didn’t get what I wanted and therefore I am frustrated.
It was awful and terrible not to get what I want. This leads to depression.
It is people who upset themselves by thinking in an upsetting manner.
If not anger than what?
Control anger: be calm and think twice.
Never give up thinking people can control their anger, even though difficult.
Remember behaviour counts, not words
Never forget how neurotic people are.
Count to 10.
What to do about anger?
Some helpful suggestions:
Recognize you are angry.
Identify the source
Understand why you are angry.
Deal with it realistically.
Constructively used anger can give strength back, physically and mentally. The individual must never be so overwhelmed by his anger that he is rendered ineffectual. Look for opportunities for some socially acceptable outlets.
Coping with upset feelings
People are upset with what they tell themselves! Our thinking about something and not the something itself, upsets us. No situation or person can upset us or make us feel bad. We are responsible for causing our feeling. Thus, when we judge or evaluate something in a negative way, we will usually be upset.
In contrast, when we judge or evaluate something in a positive way, we usually feel good. In other words, we feel the way we think. The more upset we are, the more upsetting and negative our thinking is likely to be.
What happens as a result of our feelings?
Actions. What we do generally depends on how we feel about a particular situation. When we get angry we might yell at someone. When we get depressed, we might withdraw. An upset person often acts in self-defeating ways. Many people use alcohol or other drugs to change their angry depressed feelings.
Because we feel the way we think, upset feelings mean upsetting thoughts. The degree of our upsetting emotion is a measure of how upsetting or negative our thinking is.
Some people also believe the way to temporarily change their upset feelings are through the use of mood–altering substances.
However, when we justify our upsets, we do not look at the underlining distressing beliefs that are really causing the upset feelings.
We are responsible for how we feel in regard to a situation primarily on what we think about that situation.
If our emotional upset results in self-defeating or destructive behavior, then it would be better to do something constructive about our upset feelings.
INGREDIENTS.
Saffron
Saffron is an intensely aromatic spice, golden orange in colour, made from the dried stigmas of a species of crocus. Only a small amount of saffron is used to infuse aroma and impart a golden hue to dish.
Salmon
Salmon is a fish with flavourful, flaky flesh that ranges in colour from pale pink to red. The meat is moderately lean or somewhat oily, depending on the species.
Salsa
Salsa is the Spanish word for sauce and refers to a variety of different mixtures. Salsas can be fresh or cooked and can range from mild to very hot. Typical fresh salsas are made from tomatoes, peppe
Salt
Salt is a white crystaline, odourless, sharp-tasting substance, which is used as condiment and preserving agent. It is available in several forms.
Salted and smoked snuk
A type of fish that is generally salted and smoked.
Sambhar masala
A curry powder specially blended to make sambhar
Sambhar onions
Sambhar onions are small sized onions that are added whole to sambhar as well as to other preparations in South India.
Red chilli powder
Sankeshwari chillies are very spicy. Grown in Maharahstra they are mostly used in Kolhapuri cuisine.
Saffron is an intensely aromatic spice, golden orange in colour, made from the dried stigmas of a species of crocus. Only a small amount of saffron is used to infuse aroma and impart a golden hue to dish.
Salmon
Salmon is a fish with flavourful, flaky flesh that ranges in colour from pale pink to red. The meat is moderately lean or somewhat oily, depending on the species.
Salsa
Salsa is the Spanish word for sauce and refers to a variety of different mixtures. Salsas can be fresh or cooked and can range from mild to very hot. Typical fresh salsas are made from tomatoes, peppe
Salt
Salt is a white crystaline, odourless, sharp-tasting substance, which is used as condiment and preserving agent. It is available in several forms.
Salted and smoked snuk
A type of fish that is generally salted and smoked.
Sambhar masala
A curry powder specially blended to make sambhar
Sambhar onions
Sambhar onions are small sized onions that are added whole to sambhar as well as to other preparations in South India.
Red chilli powder
Sankeshwari chillies are very spicy. Grown in Maharahstra they are mostly used in Kolhapuri cuisine.
All purpose flour.
Wheat flour milled from hard wheat or a blend of soft and hard wheat. All-purpose flour may be bleached or unbleached and may be enriched with four vitamins (niacin, riboflavin, folic acid, and thiamin) and iron. All-purpose flour may be used in a wide variety of home baked goods, such as cookies, quick breads and some yeast breads
Monday, June 30, 2008
The four things an affiliate marketer need.
Here's my response, along with some information on what it takes to be successful as an affiliate marketer and tips on how to make affiliate marketing work for you as an online home business. You may not think that having a home business provides as much security, but you won't get laid off and you won't be called back into the office, and you should almost always get along with the Boss. In my mind, all of this makes the idea of starting a home business all the more appealing. There are thousands of work at home jobs and home business opportunities on the Internet.
After a LOT of research, as well as plenty of trial and error, I have learned some very important things to look for in home businesses, work at home jobs, affiliate programs and all the other types of work at home business opportunities. My preferred niche is in affiliate marketing, this vs. traditional marketing is by far easier and more lucrative in the long run. You can build a higher residual and passive income this way. My opinion, of course, but try it out for yourself and see that I know what I am talking about.
Useful Tips
1) Starting a successful online business begins with research.
Look into every aspect of your business, Are you going to need inventory, storage, up front money? Websites, domains, and hosts are very important factors in research! The wrong web host and you are doomed from the beginning*. Write it all down so you can look back from time to time. Research your niche, by that I mean what kind of business would best suit you and your needs. What are you good at? Think about this question before you go any further and write down your answers so you can research them.
2) Websites, domains, and web hosts are crucial in your success.
Like I said above*, Most Internet businesses, that have a drive to succeed, focus all of their time and resources on building a great site, and then trying to drive tons of traffic to that site. I recommend staying away from Free web hosting for a business , Most free hosting has drawbacks such as they reserve the right to place ads of all kinds on your site, this looks very unprofessional and will make you lose business in the long run, so beware, free isn’t always good. Check out reviews on the host of your choice to make sure they have good credibility standards on the internet. I personally recommend Host 4 Profit as they have always had great customer service, and they, to my knowledge, are rarely if ever down like some hosts I’ve ran across in the past. Anyway, research this one immensely.
3) One of the biggest key factors in building a successful online business is traffic. Only after you have chosen the right name and host for your business should you move to this step. There are many Free ways to get traffic on the web; Articles, blogs, free advertising sites there are plenty of, traffic exchanges like Traffic Swarm, Traffic G, etc. Making sure you get enough backlinks to your site makes the Big difference. Search engines like Google, Yahoo, MSN will not pick you up if they can’t find you. Make your website available to be found by getting your link on everything you can, but always staying within the rules of advertising, otherwise you do more damage than good to your business. If you have NO traffic, you have NO sales. No sales equals No Business. You see the effect here.
4) Perseverance, it’s not something you can find online it’s something you have to find within. I know you’re thinking now why did I put that in there. Perseverance is what you will need most when you start and try to maintain an affiliate marketing online business. When you work at home you get to set your own hours and granted you can even work while still in your PJ’s but at home there are constant distractions to stop you from staying on task. Someone will stop by, the kids will start fighting, emergencies arise, the phone never stops ringing, etc… You name it, it will be sure to happen. This is why perseverance is in my top 10 tips to maintain a successful online business. You must make it a point every night before going to bed to make a ‘to do’ list for the next day concerning your business. This strategy has helped me most of all and it keeps me on task.
Quote of the Day:
"Any Statement made after the phrase 'I AM' has power, whether positive or negative, it will have power"
To Your Success and Happiness In your NEW Life
After a LOT of research, as well as plenty of trial and error, I have learned some very important things to look for in home businesses, work at home jobs, affiliate programs and all the other types of work at home business opportunities. My preferred niche is in affiliate marketing, this vs. traditional marketing is by far easier and more lucrative in the long run. You can build a higher residual and passive income this way. My opinion, of course, but try it out for yourself and see that I know what I am talking about.
Useful Tips
1) Starting a successful online business begins with research.
Look into every aspect of your business, Are you going to need inventory, storage, up front money? Websites, domains, and hosts are very important factors in research! The wrong web host and you are doomed from the beginning*. Write it all down so you can look back from time to time. Research your niche, by that I mean what kind of business would best suit you and your needs. What are you good at? Think about this question before you go any further and write down your answers so you can research them.
2) Websites, domains, and web hosts are crucial in your success.
Like I said above*, Most Internet businesses, that have a drive to succeed, focus all of their time and resources on building a great site, and then trying to drive tons of traffic to that site. I recommend staying away from Free web hosting for a business , Most free hosting has drawbacks such as they reserve the right to place ads of all kinds on your site, this looks very unprofessional and will make you lose business in the long run, so beware, free isn’t always good. Check out reviews on the host of your choice to make sure they have good credibility standards on the internet. I personally recommend Host 4 Profit as they have always had great customer service, and they, to my knowledge, are rarely if ever down like some hosts I’ve ran across in the past. Anyway, research this one immensely.
3) One of the biggest key factors in building a successful online business is traffic. Only after you have chosen the right name and host for your business should you move to this step. There are many Free ways to get traffic on the web; Articles, blogs, free advertising sites there are plenty of, traffic exchanges like Traffic Swarm, Traffic G, etc. Making sure you get enough backlinks to your site makes the Big difference. Search engines like Google, Yahoo, MSN will not pick you up if they can’t find you. Make your website available to be found by getting your link on everything you can, but always staying within the rules of advertising, otherwise you do more damage than good to your business. If you have NO traffic, you have NO sales. No sales equals No Business. You see the effect here.
4) Perseverance, it’s not something you can find online it’s something you have to find within. I know you’re thinking now why did I put that in there. Perseverance is what you will need most when you start and try to maintain an affiliate marketing online business. When you work at home you get to set your own hours and granted you can even work while still in your PJ’s but at home there are constant distractions to stop you from staying on task. Someone will stop by, the kids will start fighting, emergencies arise, the phone never stops ringing, etc… You name it, it will be sure to happen. This is why perseverance is in my top 10 tips to maintain a successful online business. You must make it a point every night before going to bed to make a ‘to do’ list for the next day concerning your business. This strategy has helped me most of all and it keeps me on task.
Quote of the Day:
"Any Statement made after the phrase 'I AM' has power, whether positive or negative, it will have power"
To Your Success and Happiness In your NEW Life
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
JILEBI.[SWEET]
Ingredients
Split black gram (urad dal) 1 cup
Rice ¼ cup
Edible orange red colour as required
Sugar 5 cups
Saffron a generous pinch
Rose essence 6 drops
Green cardamom powder 1 teaspoon
Ghee to deep fry
METHOD
1. Soak dal and rice together for about forty-five minutes. Drain and grind with the colour to a soft, spongy mixture with a coarse texture. You would need about one cup of water to grind. The batter should not become too thin.
2. Boil sugar with two and a half cups of water and prepare a syrup of single-thread consistency. Remove from heat and strain the syrup. Add saffron, rose essence and green cardamom powder. Keep the syrup hot.
3. Heat sufficient ghee in a shallow flat kadai (jalebi kadai).
4. Take one ladle full of batter in the jilebi cloth, hold tightly and press the batter through the hole into the hot oil. For the traditional design, make a small circle around which make another circle and over these two make scallops in anti-clockwise direction ending at the starting point.
5. Make small batches and deep fry on both the sides till crisp and light golden brown.
6. Drain the hot jilebi and dip into the sugar syrup. Let them remain immersed till they have absorbed enough syrup.
7. Drain and place the jilebi on a flat plate. Repeat this process till all the batter is used up.
8. Serve hot.
Split black gram (urad dal) 1 cup
Rice ¼ cup
Edible orange red colour as required
Sugar 5 cups
Saffron a generous pinch
Rose essence 6 drops
Green cardamom powder 1 teaspoon
Ghee to deep fry
METHOD
1. Soak dal and rice together for about forty-five minutes. Drain and grind with the colour to a soft, spongy mixture with a coarse texture. You would need about one cup of water to grind. The batter should not become too thin.
2. Boil sugar with two and a half cups of water and prepare a syrup of single-thread consistency. Remove from heat and strain the syrup. Add saffron, rose essence and green cardamom powder. Keep the syrup hot.
3. Heat sufficient ghee in a shallow flat kadai (jalebi kadai).
4. Take one ladle full of batter in the jilebi cloth, hold tightly and press the batter through the hole into the hot oil. For the traditional design, make a small circle around which make another circle and over these two make scallops in anti-clockwise direction ending at the starting point.
5. Make small batches and deep fry on both the sides till crisp and light golden brown.
6. Drain the hot jilebi and dip into the sugar syrup. Let them remain immersed till they have absorbed enough syrup.
7. Drain and place the jilebi on a flat plate. Repeat this process till all the batter is used up.
8. Serve hot.
Quick gulabjamoon.
Ingredients
Milk powder 1 cup + 2 tablespoons
Refined flour (maida) 1 tablespoon
Soda bicarbonate ¼ teaspoon
Green cardamom powder ½ teaspoon
Ghee 4 teaspoons + to deep fry
Sugar 1 cup
Lemon juice 1 teaspoon
METHOD
1. Take milk powder, refined flour, soda bicarbonate, green cardamom powder and four teaspoons of ghee in a bowl and mix.
2. Heat sugar and one cup of water in a pan and cook to make a syrup. Add lemon juice to clarify the syrup. Remove the scum. Transfer the syrup into a serving dish.
3. Heat sufficient ghee in a kadai.
4. Add sufficient water to the milk powder mixture and knead into a soft dough. Divide the dough into small balls.
5. Deep fry these in the heated ghee on low heat. When the gulab jamuns are golden brown, drain them and add to the hot syrup.
6. Serve hot or at room temperature.
Milk powder 1 cup + 2 tablespoons
Refined flour (maida) 1 tablespoon
Soda bicarbonate ¼ teaspoon
Green cardamom powder ½ teaspoon
Ghee 4 teaspoons + to deep fry
Sugar 1 cup
Lemon juice 1 teaspoon
METHOD
1. Take milk powder, refined flour, soda bicarbonate, green cardamom powder and four teaspoons of ghee in a bowl and mix.
2. Heat sugar and one cup of water in a pan and cook to make a syrup. Add lemon juice to clarify the syrup. Remove the scum. Transfer the syrup into a serving dish.
3. Heat sufficient ghee in a kadai.
4. Add sufficient water to the milk powder mixture and knead into a soft dough. Divide the dough into small balls.
5. Deep fry these in the heated ghee on low heat. When the gulab jamuns are golden brown, drain them and add to the hot syrup.
6. Serve hot or at room temperature.
Kitchen tips.
) Rub the surface of a chopping board with a halved lemon to get rid of onion, garlic or fish smell. It works for the hands too.
2) Place rolled puris in the fridge for ten minutes before frying them, they will consume less oil and will be crispier.
3) Soak lemons in lukewarm water before slicing and squeezing them in order to extract maximum juice.
4) When using curds in gravy, add salt only after curd is cooked so that it does not curdle.
5) To get light spongy idlis, do not stir the batter when pouring it in the moulds. Instead, mix it well the night before.
6) One teaspoon of vinegar added to oil while deep frying foods will prevent them from absorbing too much oil.
7) For crispy French fries, cut and deep-fry (half done). Cool and then store covered in freezer for 5-6 hours. Fry in hot oil at the time of service.
2) Place rolled puris in the fridge for ten minutes before frying them, they will consume less oil and will be crispier.
3) Soak lemons in lukewarm water before slicing and squeezing them in order to extract maximum juice.
4) When using curds in gravy, add salt only after curd is cooked so that it does not curdle.
5) To get light spongy idlis, do not stir the batter when pouring it in the moulds. Instead, mix it well the night before.
6) One teaspoon of vinegar added to oil while deep frying foods will prevent them from absorbing too much oil.
7) For crispy French fries, cut and deep-fry (half done). Cool and then store covered in freezer for 5-6 hours. Fry in hot oil at the time of service.
GOBIPARATHA
This is some what similar to aloo parathas and obviously instead of aloo , we use grated gobi. It is advisable not to grate Gobis well before making it as Gobi leaves a lot of water and it gets difficult to stuff. And salt should be added just before making it and mixed.
Ingredients:
For the stuffing:
1 big cauliflower - seperated into big florets and grated with a grater.
1/4 tsp turmeric
1 tsp salt
1 tsp red chilli powder
1 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp cumin powder
1/2 tsp aamchur powder
1.5 tsp grated ginger
1/2 - 1 tsp garam masala
2 tbsp chopped coriander leaves.
For the dough:
2 cups wheat flour
salt to taste
2 tbsp refined oil
enough water to knead the dough
Method:
1. Make a dough with the ingredients listed under dough. The dough shouldn’t be hard. It should be soft and elastic. Now make small balls ( not very big) of the dough of similar size and keep aside.
2. Mix all the ingredients listed under stuffing, adding salt only just before making it. Otherwise it would turn very watery.
3. Take a ball of the dough and roll it into a small circle with the help of a rolling pin.
4. Take a fistful of stuffing, squeeze it very well and place on the dough. Don’t place them with water else it will get very difficult to roll it.
5. Gather all the ends of the dough carefully one by one and close it carefully.
6. With the help of a rolling pin roll the dough gently, slowly and carefully so that the stuffing doesnt come out. You can also sprinkle some flour on it while rolling so that the dough doesn’t stick with the rolling pin or the board.
7. Heat a heavy griddle and place the paratha on it. Keep turning on both sides adding enough oil.
8. Serve hot with pickle or yoghurt.
tip : Add little salt, red chilly powder and chaat masala with the yoghurt and serve with hot parathas. It tastes very good.
Ingredients:
For the stuffing:
1 big cauliflower - seperated into big florets and grated with a grater.
1/4 tsp turmeric
1 tsp salt
1 tsp red chilli powder
1 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp cumin powder
1/2 tsp aamchur powder
1.5 tsp grated ginger
1/2 - 1 tsp garam masala
2 tbsp chopped coriander leaves.
For the dough:
2 cups wheat flour
salt to taste
2 tbsp refined oil
enough water to knead the dough
Method:
1. Make a dough with the ingredients listed under dough. The dough shouldn’t be hard. It should be soft and elastic. Now make small balls ( not very big) of the dough of similar size and keep aside.
2. Mix all the ingredients listed under stuffing, adding salt only just before making it. Otherwise it would turn very watery.
3. Take a ball of the dough and roll it into a small circle with the help of a rolling pin.
4. Take a fistful of stuffing, squeeze it very well and place on the dough. Don’t place them with water else it will get very difficult to roll it.
5. Gather all the ends of the dough carefully one by one and close it carefully.
6. With the help of a rolling pin roll the dough gently, slowly and carefully so that the stuffing doesnt come out. You can also sprinkle some flour on it while rolling so that the dough doesn’t stick with the rolling pin or the board.
7. Heat a heavy griddle and place the paratha on it. Keep turning on both sides adding enough oil.
8. Serve hot with pickle or yoghurt.
tip : Add little salt, red chilly powder and chaat masala with the yoghurt and serve with hot parathas. It tastes very good.
Kadalaiparuppupoli.
Ingredients
For the outer cover1 cup maida1/4 tsp turmeric2 tbsp oil + little morea pinch salt
For the stuffing1 cup channa dal1 and 1/2 cup jaggery1/4 tsp cardamom powder1.5 tbsp cashewnuts very very finely broken into pieces and roasted lightly1.5 tbsp grated coconut
Method:
For the outer cover:1. In a bowl, take maida. Add salt, turmeric and 2 tbsp oil and mix well. Add water and knead it into a soft dough. Don’t knead it very hard. After kneading well, add little more oil spread on the dough. Keep the dough closed for around 3 hours atleast.
For the stuffing:1. Take channa dal in a bowl. Add water just enough to cover it. Steam it in a pressure cooker only upto 2 whistles or less. It shouldn’t be over cooked. This is very important. It should be just cooked. When we press with fingers it should be done. It shouldn’t be sticky. You can leave upto one whistle, check and if required steam again. If the dal is not done properly, then the whole process gets ruined.
2. Once removed from the cooker, just put it into a colander and let the water drain. Keep in the open for some time to let it get dried. Can mix occasionally so that it is dried from within too.
3. Now, put this into a mixer and grind it. Don’t fill the mixer. Should fill only till the blade. So should grind in 2-3 instalments. Grind lightly. Normally it just powders out.Yesterday mine was a little sticky, but somehow I managed and made it fine. Keep it aside.
4. In a pan, put the grated jaggery and 1 tbsp water. Allow it to melt. First keep mixing it and then occasionally. Allow it to boil for a little while. It shouldn’t get very thick nor should it be very thin. The consistency should be in between. Just after the too thin stage. Now add the ground dal, cardamom powder, cashewnuts, grated coconut and mix very well. remove from fire.
Now to proceed:
1. Make very small balls out of the dough and keep aside. Normally for a cup, we can make around 15-16 balls.
2. Also make balls out of the jaggery-dal mixture and keep aside. These balls are fairly bigger in size compared to the maida ones.
3. Heat a heavy non-stick griddle.
4. Now take a maida ball, and flatten it to a small circle with the palm wetted with ghee on a plastic cover. I used a ziplock cover. On the small flat dough , place the dal-jaggery ball and close the ends of the dough like we do for a paratha.
5. With the closed end above, again flatten the dough, wetting the hands with ghee. Do it gently, so that the stuffing doesn’t come out.
6. Place this on the griddle. Keep turning the sides adding ghee once on each side. Keep turning till they are done like in the image above.
7. Serve hot with ghee spread on it
For the outer cover1 cup maida1/4 tsp turmeric2 tbsp oil + little morea pinch salt
For the stuffing1 cup channa dal1 and 1/2 cup jaggery1/4 tsp cardamom powder1.5 tbsp cashewnuts very very finely broken into pieces and roasted lightly1.5 tbsp grated coconut
Method:
For the outer cover:1. In a bowl, take maida. Add salt, turmeric and 2 tbsp oil and mix well. Add water and knead it into a soft dough. Don’t knead it very hard. After kneading well, add little more oil spread on the dough. Keep the dough closed for around 3 hours atleast.
For the stuffing:1. Take channa dal in a bowl. Add water just enough to cover it. Steam it in a pressure cooker only upto 2 whistles or less. It shouldn’t be over cooked. This is very important. It should be just cooked. When we press with fingers it should be done. It shouldn’t be sticky. You can leave upto one whistle, check and if required steam again. If the dal is not done properly, then the whole process gets ruined.
2. Once removed from the cooker, just put it into a colander and let the water drain. Keep in the open for some time to let it get dried. Can mix occasionally so that it is dried from within too.
3. Now, put this into a mixer and grind it. Don’t fill the mixer. Should fill only till the blade. So should grind in 2-3 instalments. Grind lightly. Normally it just powders out.Yesterday mine was a little sticky, but somehow I managed and made it fine. Keep it aside.
4. In a pan, put the grated jaggery and 1 tbsp water. Allow it to melt. First keep mixing it and then occasionally. Allow it to boil for a little while. It shouldn’t get very thick nor should it be very thin. The consistency should be in between. Just after the too thin stage. Now add the ground dal, cardamom powder, cashewnuts, grated coconut and mix very well. remove from fire.
Now to proceed:
1. Make very small balls out of the dough and keep aside. Normally for a cup, we can make around 15-16 balls.
2. Also make balls out of the jaggery-dal mixture and keep aside. These balls are fairly bigger in size compared to the maida ones.
3. Heat a heavy non-stick griddle.
4. Now take a maida ball, and flatten it to a small circle with the palm wetted with ghee on a plastic cover. I used a ziplock cover. On the small flat dough , place the dal-jaggery ball and close the ends of the dough like we do for a paratha.
5. With the closed end above, again flatten the dough, wetting the hands with ghee. Do it gently, so that the stuffing doesn’t come out.
6. Place this on the griddle. Keep turning the sides adding ghee once on each side. Keep turning till they are done like in the image above.
7. Serve hot with ghee spread on it
Tamarind Sevai.
Ingredients:
Readymade Sevai - 900 grams
Tamarind - about the size of a lemon (in puree form)
Ulundam Paruppu (Urid Dal-white) - 1 tsp
Groundnut (Roasted, unsalted) - 2 tsp
Gingelly Oil - 2 tbsp
Red Chillies (dried) - 4
Turmeric Powder - ¼ tsp
Curry Leaves, Mustard seeds - as required
Salt to taste
Masala powder to be made from:
Malli (Dhaniya) - 4 tsp
Cumin seeds (Jeera) - 1 tsp
Split peas (Channa Dal) - 1 tsp
Fenugreek seeds - ½ tsp
Asafoetida - a pinch
Grated Coconut (unsweetened) - 1 tsp
Directions:
Readymade sevai is available in the market.Buy it and prepare sevai as described in it.Roast and grind the ingredients given for the Masala powder. Heat oil, put mustard seeds, Ulundam paruppu, Red Chillies and Curry leaves and fry well. Now pour the tamarind puree into it. Add the prepared masala powder, Turmeric powder and salt. Cook the mixture well in low heat, till the oil seprates and floats. Remove from heat, let it cool, and mix well with Sevai and serve.
Readymade Sevai - 900 grams
Tamarind - about the size of a lemon (in puree form)
Ulundam Paruppu (Urid Dal-white) - 1 tsp
Groundnut (Roasted, unsalted) - 2 tsp
Gingelly Oil - 2 tbsp
Red Chillies (dried) - 4
Turmeric Powder - ¼ tsp
Curry Leaves, Mustard seeds - as required
Salt to taste
Masala powder to be made from:
Malli (Dhaniya) - 4 tsp
Cumin seeds (Jeera) - 1 tsp
Split peas (Channa Dal) - 1 tsp
Fenugreek seeds - ½ tsp
Asafoetida - a pinch
Grated Coconut (unsweetened) - 1 tsp
Directions:
Readymade sevai is available in the market.Buy it and prepare sevai as described in it.Roast and grind the ingredients given for the Masala powder. Heat oil, put mustard seeds, Ulundam paruppu, Red Chillies and Curry leaves and fry well. Now pour the tamarind puree into it. Add the prepared masala powder, Turmeric powder and salt. Cook the mixture well in low heat, till the oil seprates and floats. Remove from heat, let it cool, and mix well with Sevai and serve.
Quick soups.
I really have never thought about writing an article on soup before. What brought it about was that I have just returned from a walk and the temperature is barely 30 degrees. Now, let me tell you, I am a warm weather person, so I was basically shaking in my boots.
On the way home my thoughts turned to soup…..steaming, delicious soup.I am aware that many soups take hours of simmering before they are ready to serve. What I had in mind was what I call “Quick Soup”. It is amazing how easy and quick it is. There are only two basic ingredients – broth and canned tomatoes. I usually use chicken broth and diced tomatoes. Of course you can use quartered, halved or whole tomatoes. It only depends on what you prefer.
Seasoning is also up to the individual. I prefer to add some pepper, onion seasoning, garlic, and maybe some oregano. Keep it mild or spice it up.I love vegetables so I usually add vegetables. I chop zucchini, carrots, celery, onions and throw in some frozen corn. This has become my favorite soup because it is so versatile. Whatever vegetables are on hand can go in it. This is great as a snack or an appetizer.
Do you need a heavier soup for a main course? Just stick with “Quick Soup”. Add some meat. With the chicken broth I tend to use chicken. If I want to add beef I tend to switch to beef broth. Serve this soup with a salad and some crusty French Bread and you have a quick, nutritious meal.
To be good a food does not have to be complicated. Especially with our busy lives simplicity rules. What more could you ask for? This dish is quick, simple, and healthy.
On the way home my thoughts turned to soup…..steaming, delicious soup.I am aware that many soups take hours of simmering before they are ready to serve. What I had in mind was what I call “Quick Soup”. It is amazing how easy and quick it is. There are only two basic ingredients – broth and canned tomatoes. I usually use chicken broth and diced tomatoes. Of course you can use quartered, halved or whole tomatoes. It only depends on what you prefer.
Seasoning is also up to the individual. I prefer to add some pepper, onion seasoning, garlic, and maybe some oregano. Keep it mild or spice it up.I love vegetables so I usually add vegetables. I chop zucchini, carrots, celery, onions and throw in some frozen corn. This has become my favorite soup because it is so versatile. Whatever vegetables are on hand can go in it. This is great as a snack or an appetizer.
Do you need a heavier soup for a main course? Just stick with “Quick Soup”. Add some meat. With the chicken broth I tend to use chicken. If I want to add beef I tend to switch to beef broth. Serve this soup with a salad and some crusty French Bread and you have a quick, nutritious meal.
To be good a food does not have to be complicated. Especially with our busy lives simplicity rules. What more could you ask for? This dish is quick, simple, and healthy.
Keep the sparkle in your Diamond.
Diamonds are the hardest natural material. Only a diamond can scratch a diamond. Use great caution when wearing multiple diamond rings on the same finger. If the diamonds of one ring touch diamonds in another ring, both diamonds will likely end up scratched in a relatively short time. If you have a diamond wedding band next to your diamond engagement ring, be sure their design allows them to fit together so the diamonds do not touch.The next most dangerous place for diamonds scratching each other is in the jewelry box. Do not throw your diamond rings, diamond earrings, and diamond bracelet together. Since diamonds will scratch diamonds, think of what they can do to other gemstones and precious metals. Keep your diamond jewelry in separate compartments or isolated by soft cloth to keep them from rubbing each other.
While diamonds are very durable, they can break or chip. You would not let someone hit your diamond with a steel hammer but your diamond ring faces the same type of danger every day. File cabinets, metal seat belt buckles, and car doors are just a few of the metal surfaces that can hit a diamond in the course of a normal day. Avoid sharp impacts with hard surfaces and you will avoid chips and cracks in your diamond.
Diamonds are natural grease attractors. Some diamond mines separate diamonds from the broken rocks by running the material over a conveyor belt covered with a layer of grease. Diamonds stick to the grease and the rocks slide off. At the end of the shift, they remove the grease and melt it away, leaving the diamonds. Remember diamond’s attraction to grease when you touch a diamond with your finger. The oil from your fingertips will coat the diamond and reduce the sparkle. The same is true when your diamond ring touches the oil in your hair. Hand creams, lotions, hair spray, soap, and grease from food will create a film on your diamond that hides its beauty. When you put your hands in dishwater, the dirt and grease in the water will adhere to the diamond. Dust and powders also cling to diamonds.
Fortunately, diamonds are easy to clean. Put your diamond jewelry in a warm solution of mild liquid detergent and water. You can also use the containers of “Jewelry Cleaner” available at jewelry and department stores. These typically have a small basket the ring can sit in and a small, soft brush to clean the hard to reach places around the diamond. Swish the ring around in the solution, rinse it with warm water, and dry the ring with a lint-free cloth. While chemicals will probably not hurt your diamond, harsh chemicals like chlorine or bleach can weaken and discolor the metal in the jewelry. Keep in mind that swimming pools and hot tubs usually have high levels of chlorine and are not a safe place for jewelry.There are many types of ultrasonic cleaners available to the public today. The piece of jewelry sits in a basket of water and detergent. The ultrasonic cleaner produces high-frequency turbulence that is an excellent way to clean the hard to get at part of jewelry.
Not all gemstones are as durable as diamonds. Never put soft materials like emeralds, opals and pearls in an ultrasonic cleaner.With a little common sense and regular cleaning, your diamonds will keep their sparkle and beauty for years of enjoyment
While diamonds are very durable, they can break or chip. You would not let someone hit your diamond with a steel hammer but your diamond ring faces the same type of danger every day. File cabinets, metal seat belt buckles, and car doors are just a few of the metal surfaces that can hit a diamond in the course of a normal day. Avoid sharp impacts with hard surfaces and you will avoid chips and cracks in your diamond.
Diamonds are natural grease attractors. Some diamond mines separate diamonds from the broken rocks by running the material over a conveyor belt covered with a layer of grease. Diamonds stick to the grease and the rocks slide off. At the end of the shift, they remove the grease and melt it away, leaving the diamonds. Remember diamond’s attraction to grease when you touch a diamond with your finger. The oil from your fingertips will coat the diamond and reduce the sparkle. The same is true when your diamond ring touches the oil in your hair. Hand creams, lotions, hair spray, soap, and grease from food will create a film on your diamond that hides its beauty. When you put your hands in dishwater, the dirt and grease in the water will adhere to the diamond. Dust and powders also cling to diamonds.
Fortunately, diamonds are easy to clean. Put your diamond jewelry in a warm solution of mild liquid detergent and water. You can also use the containers of “Jewelry Cleaner” available at jewelry and department stores. These typically have a small basket the ring can sit in and a small, soft brush to clean the hard to reach places around the diamond. Swish the ring around in the solution, rinse it with warm water, and dry the ring with a lint-free cloth. While chemicals will probably not hurt your diamond, harsh chemicals like chlorine or bleach can weaken and discolor the metal in the jewelry. Keep in mind that swimming pools and hot tubs usually have high levels of chlorine and are not a safe place for jewelry.There are many types of ultrasonic cleaners available to the public today. The piece of jewelry sits in a basket of water and detergent. The ultrasonic cleaner produces high-frequency turbulence that is an excellent way to clean the hard to get at part of jewelry.
Not all gemstones are as durable as diamonds. Never put soft materials like emeralds, opals and pearls in an ultrasonic cleaner.With a little common sense and regular cleaning, your diamonds will keep their sparkle and beauty for years of enjoyment
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
The art of buying and storing vegetables.
Short of curing cancer and promising never-ending longevity, vegetables are accredited with so many health benefits it's a wonder that their daily consumption is not a common obsession. Rich in vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre, vegetables are THE cornerstone of a healthy diet. Once the exclusive domain of vegetarians, vegetable-only meals are being incorporated into a growing number of weekly menu plans. And why not? They're good for health, they help with weight loss and they're easy on the budget. With increased demand comes increased availability and today's supermarkets and grocers offer an exciting diversity of vegetables.
If you're shopping for lettuce, what type? Good shops will have at least 5 varieties of hand. Check out the cos, iceberg, mignonette, green coral, red coral, butter endive, rocket and radicchio. And potatoes? Look for the pink eye, desiree, pontiac, king edward, new and sebago. Capsicums are available in a multitude colours. Asian vegetables such as bok choy, chinese cabbage and ginger are plentiful and fresh. There are lots of books that shows versatility of vegetables. It is used almost in every dishes. Don't you ever think why people don't like spinach when it has lot to offer?
BUYING AND STORING When shopping for vegetables, it's worth remembering that freshness is important. Buy only what you need - shopping for small amounts of vegetables a few times a week is much better than once weekly shop for everything. Plan meals with vegetables in seasons. These will be the freshest and most reasonably priced vegetables available. Watch the weather - long periods of rain can reduce the supply and the price will rise. If you establish a good relationship with your fruit and vegetable provider, they will be able to assist you in the best buys from week to week. Also keep in mind that frozen vegetables can be added to soups and simmering dishes. Despite being frozen, they still contain nutrients and can be extremely handy if you don't have the time to shop every couple of days.
Lettuce and leafy greens Looks for lettuces and leafy greens with crisp shiny leaves. The base of the lettuce should be dry and not slimy. Wash the lettuce, remove the core and, if possible, spin dry in a salad spinner or pat dry in a tea towel. Store the lettuce in a plastic bag or wrap in wetted absorbent paper in the crisper section of your refrigerator. Lettuce should keep for up to 7 days for the crisper varieties, softer leaf types will only last for 3-4 days.
Salad leaves deteriorate after a few days, so it's best to only buy what you need; some supermarkets are now selling prepackaged salad mixes that last up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Root vegetables Avoid root vegetables with blemished skin, green or purple marks, a musty smell or that have started to sprout. Carrots, potatoes, parsnips, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, beetroot, celeriac, sewedes, jerusalem artichokes and turnips are all quick to show signs of spoilage, When purchased, carrots should be firm with no signs of wrinkles. Store most root vegetables in the vegetable crisper of your refrigerator for 6-8 days. There are many different varieties of potatoes available for cooking; the two main groups being floury and waxy. Floury potatoes are suited to baking, mashing and frying while waxy potatoes are good for boiling. Potatoes should be bought with the dirt still on to protect them from bruising and exposure to light. If stored in a cool dark placecc in a hessian bag, potatoes can last for up to 1 month.
Whole pumpkins will keep for months in a cool dark place. Wedges wrapped in a plastic can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Unless you have a good, sharp and large knife, it is probably best to buy pumpkin bu the wedge. Check that the seed area is moist, but not slimy, and that there is no mould.
Tomatoes Store tomatoes at room temperature as refrigerating will soften the flesh. To ripen tomatoes leave them on a window sill in a sunny spot in the kitchen. Unfortunately, the colour of a tomato is no longer indicative if the flavour. Vine ripened tomatoes that have been, as the name implies, left to ripen on the vine usually have a stronger sweeter flavour. Roma or egg tomatoes can also be sweet.
Brassicas Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and brussels sprouts are quick to show signs of spoilage. With broccoli and cauliflower, look for tightly packed florets that show no evidence of yellowing or tiny flower. Cabbages and brussels sprouts should be dense with crisp out leaves.
Onions Purchase onions with skins intact and no soft spots, green sprouts or any signs of moisture. Spring onions (also known as green onions) should have crisp green stems with moist roots.
Peas and Beans The best way to test the freshness of a beans is to bend it - if it snaps it is fresh, it it bends it is on its way out. Try to purchase beans loose as this allows you to pick your own. Store them in a plastic bag in your refrigerator for 2-3 days. Sugar snap and snow peas (also known as mangetout) should be crisp and bright green with no sign of blemishes; they should be eaten on the day of purchase. Buy peas in the pod and shell them just before cooking - 1 kg peas will yield 500 grams shelled peas. About the only way to tell the sweetness of a pea is to put it to the taste test.
Capsicums Look for capsicums (also known as peppers) with shiny waxy skins; they should also be heavy for their size with no signs of softening. They can be stored at room temperature for 1-2 days or in the vegetable crisper of the refrigerator for 4-5 days
Celery, Fennel and Asparagus Stalky vegetables should be crisp with upright stalks. Celery should have bright green leaves. Look for asparagus with firmly closed buds. Store stalky vegetables in the vegetable crisper for 2-3 days.
Avocado To select a ripe avocado, gently press your thumb into the top near the stem and if it gives slightly it's ready to eat. Ripe ones should be eaten with 2-3 days of purchasing. Store unripe avocados at the room temperature.
Sweet Corn Corn is best purchased in its husk. Peel back the husk and silk and check the kernels for signs of drying. Also, the silk should no be starting to moisten - the whiter the silk the fresher the corn. Corn is best eaten soon after purchased.
Mushrooms Look for clean white mushrooms with a fresh earthy aroma and tight caps. Exotic mushrooms are usually sold in trays covered in plastic so check carefully for any signs of decay. Mushrooms last longer when stored in paper bags in the vegetable crisper in the refrigerator. Do not wash or peel mushrooms; brush clean with a piece of absorbent paper towel.
If you're shopping for lettuce, what type? Good shops will have at least 5 varieties of hand. Check out the cos, iceberg, mignonette, green coral, red coral, butter endive, rocket and radicchio. And potatoes? Look for the pink eye, desiree, pontiac, king edward, new and sebago. Capsicums are available in a multitude colours. Asian vegetables such as bok choy, chinese cabbage and ginger are plentiful and fresh. There are lots of books that shows versatility of vegetables. It is used almost in every dishes. Don't you ever think why people don't like spinach when it has lot to offer?
BUYING AND STORING When shopping for vegetables, it's worth remembering that freshness is important. Buy only what you need - shopping for small amounts of vegetables a few times a week is much better than once weekly shop for everything. Plan meals with vegetables in seasons. These will be the freshest and most reasonably priced vegetables available. Watch the weather - long periods of rain can reduce the supply and the price will rise. If you establish a good relationship with your fruit and vegetable provider, they will be able to assist you in the best buys from week to week. Also keep in mind that frozen vegetables can be added to soups and simmering dishes. Despite being frozen, they still contain nutrients and can be extremely handy if you don't have the time to shop every couple of days.
Lettuce and leafy greens Looks for lettuces and leafy greens with crisp shiny leaves. The base of the lettuce should be dry and not slimy. Wash the lettuce, remove the core and, if possible, spin dry in a salad spinner or pat dry in a tea towel. Store the lettuce in a plastic bag or wrap in wetted absorbent paper in the crisper section of your refrigerator. Lettuce should keep for up to 7 days for the crisper varieties, softer leaf types will only last for 3-4 days.
Salad leaves deteriorate after a few days, so it's best to only buy what you need; some supermarkets are now selling prepackaged salad mixes that last up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Root vegetables Avoid root vegetables with blemished skin, green or purple marks, a musty smell or that have started to sprout. Carrots, potatoes, parsnips, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, beetroot, celeriac, sewedes, jerusalem artichokes and turnips are all quick to show signs of spoilage, When purchased, carrots should be firm with no signs of wrinkles. Store most root vegetables in the vegetable crisper of your refrigerator for 6-8 days. There are many different varieties of potatoes available for cooking; the two main groups being floury and waxy. Floury potatoes are suited to baking, mashing and frying while waxy potatoes are good for boiling. Potatoes should be bought with the dirt still on to protect them from bruising and exposure to light. If stored in a cool dark placecc in a hessian bag, potatoes can last for up to 1 month.
Whole pumpkins will keep for months in a cool dark place. Wedges wrapped in a plastic can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Unless you have a good, sharp and large knife, it is probably best to buy pumpkin bu the wedge. Check that the seed area is moist, but not slimy, and that there is no mould.
Tomatoes Store tomatoes at room temperature as refrigerating will soften the flesh. To ripen tomatoes leave them on a window sill in a sunny spot in the kitchen. Unfortunately, the colour of a tomato is no longer indicative if the flavour. Vine ripened tomatoes that have been, as the name implies, left to ripen on the vine usually have a stronger sweeter flavour. Roma or egg tomatoes can also be sweet.
Brassicas Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and brussels sprouts are quick to show signs of spoilage. With broccoli and cauliflower, look for tightly packed florets that show no evidence of yellowing or tiny flower. Cabbages and brussels sprouts should be dense with crisp out leaves.
Onions Purchase onions with skins intact and no soft spots, green sprouts or any signs of moisture. Spring onions (also known as green onions) should have crisp green stems with moist roots.
Peas and Beans The best way to test the freshness of a beans is to bend it - if it snaps it is fresh, it it bends it is on its way out. Try to purchase beans loose as this allows you to pick your own. Store them in a plastic bag in your refrigerator for 2-3 days. Sugar snap and snow peas (also known as mangetout) should be crisp and bright green with no sign of blemishes; they should be eaten on the day of purchase. Buy peas in the pod and shell them just before cooking - 1 kg peas will yield 500 grams shelled peas. About the only way to tell the sweetness of a pea is to put it to the taste test.
Capsicums Look for capsicums (also known as peppers) with shiny waxy skins; they should also be heavy for their size with no signs of softening. They can be stored at room temperature for 1-2 days or in the vegetable crisper of the refrigerator for 4-5 days
Celery, Fennel and Asparagus Stalky vegetables should be crisp with upright stalks. Celery should have bright green leaves. Look for asparagus with firmly closed buds. Store stalky vegetables in the vegetable crisper for 2-3 days.
Avocado To select a ripe avocado, gently press your thumb into the top near the stem and if it gives slightly it's ready to eat. Ripe ones should be eaten with 2-3 days of purchasing. Store unripe avocados at the room temperature.
Sweet Corn Corn is best purchased in its husk. Peel back the husk and silk and check the kernels for signs of drying. Also, the silk should no be starting to moisten - the whiter the silk the fresher the corn. Corn is best eaten soon after purchased.
Mushrooms Look for clean white mushrooms with a fresh earthy aroma and tight caps. Exotic mushrooms are usually sold in trays covered in plastic so check carefully for any signs of decay. Mushrooms last longer when stored in paper bags in the vegetable crisper in the refrigerator. Do not wash or peel mushrooms; brush clean with a piece of absorbent paper towel.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Tips for balancing career and family.
Whether you are male or female, a mom or a dad, balancing career and family can be really difficult. When you're a woman, though, the choices you have to make seem especially difficult and the responsibilities all the more great. For some reason, women are guilt-ridden with their career decisions and the choices they make about working while trying to raise their children, providing nutritious meals for their family, keeping a respectable house and keeping their husbands happy. Last on the list, of course, is finding some time for themselves. So how does a woman find time to actually feel happy with her daily activities while keeping up with all of the responsibility?
First, take time to smell the roses! Literally, you can take time to smell the roses but you can actually do this with no flowers in sight. Every day, try to look around and appreciate what you have, taking in the sounds of your child's laughter, the wag of your dog's tail, the special glance of your husband as you tell a funny joke. Sometimes, the knowledge of what you have on your plate for the day will feel overwhelming, but a little perspective goes a long way. It may be a cliché and a very tired phrase, but it truly does work. People tend to get lost in the mundane, day-to-day "functioning" instead of really living their lives. For example, next time you are worried about fitting in your exercise with your child's play date at Little Gym, forego the Little Gym and head out with your son or daughter for a run. Strap the little one in the jog stroller or if he or she is old enough, ask them to put on the running shoes with Mommy and head outside! Once outside, you can literally stop to smell the roses. Just a few minutes of gratitude a day will work wonders for your soul and automatically make your life feel more balanced.
Along these same lines, try and give yourself some "me" time once a week. Once a week may not seem like much, but if you really allow yourself to soak it in and enjoy the time spent, it will make the stress of all of the rest of the hectic days melt away. Take a good block of time on a Saturday or Sunday - 2 hours, maybe - and mark this time in your calendar in pen, not pencil. Keep a standing appointment with yourself, and honor it as you would any other. Think you are too busy on a weekend to do this? You will feel much more productive the rest of the weekend allowing yourself this little ‘refresher', rather than trying to cram some time in on a random Tuesday or other weeknight. For this special time, you can book a massage or a facial at your favorite spa. Take a couple of hours to go window shopping at your favorites stores, by yourself or with a friend. Take in a matinee with a couple of girlfriends. If your husband is willing to fly solo on a Saturday night, you can even book a girls' night out once in a while and truly let loose! Even if your budget doesn't allow for these activities once a week, you can lock yourself in the bathroom with a good book, a bubble bath and a nice glass of wine and feel good about your time alone - you deserve some!
Probably the most obvious way to balance career and family is to incorporate your family into what would otherwise be "work time". If you have a short commute to work, for example, perhaps you can drive your kids to school each morning instead of having them take the bus. In the alternative, you could have your morning cup of coffee at the bus stop with them and spend a few minutes chatting about their day and what they plan to learn in school as you sip your cup of Joe and breathe in the morning air to mentally prepare for your own day ahead. If you normally exercise in the morning and leave the house very early, switch your workout time to lunch and leave the office to go to the gym, eating at your desk when you get back. You will have more time with your family each day and get a healthy break from your pile of papers to boot. You may need to get a little creative with your schedule, but there are definitely ways to help balance career and family. Sometimes an extra few minutes each day or a once-weekly good block of time can go a long way in helping restore your peace of mind and help you feel less harried.
First, take time to smell the roses! Literally, you can take time to smell the roses but you can actually do this with no flowers in sight. Every day, try to look around and appreciate what you have, taking in the sounds of your child's laughter, the wag of your dog's tail, the special glance of your husband as you tell a funny joke. Sometimes, the knowledge of what you have on your plate for the day will feel overwhelming, but a little perspective goes a long way. It may be a cliché and a very tired phrase, but it truly does work. People tend to get lost in the mundane, day-to-day "functioning" instead of really living their lives. For example, next time you are worried about fitting in your exercise with your child's play date at Little Gym, forego the Little Gym and head out with your son or daughter for a run. Strap the little one in the jog stroller or if he or she is old enough, ask them to put on the running shoes with Mommy and head outside! Once outside, you can literally stop to smell the roses. Just a few minutes of gratitude a day will work wonders for your soul and automatically make your life feel more balanced.
Along these same lines, try and give yourself some "me" time once a week. Once a week may not seem like much, but if you really allow yourself to soak it in and enjoy the time spent, it will make the stress of all of the rest of the hectic days melt away. Take a good block of time on a Saturday or Sunday - 2 hours, maybe - and mark this time in your calendar in pen, not pencil. Keep a standing appointment with yourself, and honor it as you would any other. Think you are too busy on a weekend to do this? You will feel much more productive the rest of the weekend allowing yourself this little ‘refresher', rather than trying to cram some time in on a random Tuesday or other weeknight. For this special time, you can book a massage or a facial at your favorite spa. Take a couple of hours to go window shopping at your favorites stores, by yourself or with a friend. Take in a matinee with a couple of girlfriends. If your husband is willing to fly solo on a Saturday night, you can even book a girls' night out once in a while and truly let loose! Even if your budget doesn't allow for these activities once a week, you can lock yourself in the bathroom with a good book, a bubble bath and a nice glass of wine and feel good about your time alone - you deserve some!
Probably the most obvious way to balance career and family is to incorporate your family into what would otherwise be "work time". If you have a short commute to work, for example, perhaps you can drive your kids to school each morning instead of having them take the bus. In the alternative, you could have your morning cup of coffee at the bus stop with them and spend a few minutes chatting about their day and what they plan to learn in school as you sip your cup of Joe and breathe in the morning air to mentally prepare for your own day ahead. If you normally exercise in the morning and leave the house very early, switch your workout time to lunch and leave the office to go to the gym, eating at your desk when you get back. You will have more time with your family each day and get a healthy break from your pile of papers to boot. You may need to get a little creative with your schedule, but there are definitely ways to help balance career and family. Sometimes an extra few minutes each day or a once-weekly good block of time can go a long way in helping restore your peace of mind and help you feel less harried.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Maintanence of CDs
As we all know CDs & DVDs are prone to scratching, marking, cracking & breaking. If you leave discs out near your PC or stereo, dust will settle or the data side will get scratched or marked. Now the best ways to prevent this happening are simple. They may sound straight forward but you’ll be surprised how many times CDs & DVDs are not protected properly. Following these simple steps will ensure you can use your CD's and DVD's for dvd copying and cd copying for years to come.
Keep your CDs in there Jewel Cases. If not there are PVC wallets which act as ample protection or Card Wallets. For you DVDs you must keep them in their DVD boxes or, as previously mentioned, PVC Wallets and Card wallets will do. If your CD or DVD gets scratched, you may think that it’s damaged forever……..Wrong! The scratching on the surface of the disc simply fools the laser and makes it skip. Or, if you’re player has difficulty in loading the data, it’s due the surface being scratched and unable to read the digital data below. However, do not panic!
There are plenty of repair kits around to eliminate this problem and allow you to perfrom that all important cd copying or dvd copying. If you’ve thought you’ve lost a CD forever due to mark or scratch, think again! These repair kits are a compound mixture of polish, which are specially designed for plastic (which discs are made up of). The mixture interacts with the polymer and allows the polish to get to work on the scratch. This polish will remove the majority of the disc that has been damaged and restore the music/data back to full playability. Therefore, you revive your discs using these kits. However, I suggest you look after your CD or DVD by putting them back into their Jewel Case, DVD box, PVC Wallet or Card Wallet. Keep them in a dust-free environment or storage case. Keep your discs playing longer... When you remove your discs from their CD Jewel Cases or DVD box then you risk the centre-hub cracking or breaking. This will lead to disc failures. Especially for console playing or DVD films.
Having looked around for a remedy to this common problem, we have found a solution... It’s in the form of a metal reinforced centre-hub. It’s easy to attach and will reduce the stress that is normally applied when removing CDs or DVDs from Jewel Cases or DVD Boxes. This will prevent the discs from cracking at the centre. “Hurray!” I hear you say.
Keep your CDs in there Jewel Cases. If not there are PVC wallets which act as ample protection or Card Wallets. For you DVDs you must keep them in their DVD boxes or, as previously mentioned, PVC Wallets and Card wallets will do. If your CD or DVD gets scratched, you may think that it’s damaged forever……..Wrong! The scratching on the surface of the disc simply fools the laser and makes it skip. Or, if you’re player has difficulty in loading the data, it’s due the surface being scratched and unable to read the digital data below. However, do not panic!
There are plenty of repair kits around to eliminate this problem and allow you to perfrom that all important cd copying or dvd copying. If you’ve thought you’ve lost a CD forever due to mark or scratch, think again! These repair kits are a compound mixture of polish, which are specially designed for plastic (which discs are made up of). The mixture interacts with the polymer and allows the polish to get to work on the scratch. This polish will remove the majority of the disc that has been damaged and restore the music/data back to full playability. Therefore, you revive your discs using these kits. However, I suggest you look after your CD or DVD by putting them back into their Jewel Case, DVD box, PVC Wallet or Card Wallet. Keep them in a dust-free environment or storage case. Keep your discs playing longer... When you remove your discs from their CD Jewel Cases or DVD box then you risk the centre-hub cracking or breaking. This will lead to disc failures. Especially for console playing or DVD films.
Having looked around for a remedy to this common problem, we have found a solution... It’s in the form of a metal reinforced centre-hub. It’s easy to attach and will reduce the stress that is normally applied when removing CDs or DVDs from Jewel Cases or DVD Boxes. This will prevent the discs from cracking at the centre. “Hurray!” I hear you say.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Education
Nowadays education seems to be very tight for children.The portions are vast.Moreover the number of children getting educated has also increased and all of them are brainy. So there is a tough competition between them.The aggregate they get is increasing year after year and is really a tough time for the students.So the mental capability of the children has to be increased.So the parents should also help their child to face this situation.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Dandruff
Do you suffer from itchy scalp but embarrassed to scratch in public? Do you have hair loss while you always have white flakes shedding on your clothes? You are not alone as there are millions like you who suffer from Dandruff. Understanding what this skin disease is and how to combat it effectively is the only solution
Dandruff is the name given to the shedding of skin on the scalp, and appears as white flakes in the hair causing discomfort. Although our skin sheds dead cells and renews itself every fortnight, the word dandruff refers to the unsightly shedding of dead skin which is known to be caused by a fungus. The common symptoms are itchy scalp and white flakes visible in the hair and surface when you scratch.
Dandruff is usually two fungi, Malassezia Furfur and Pityrosporum ovale, that reside in the human body. The fungus sometimes creates an imbalance, so that the renewal of skin cells leads to an overload of dead cells being shed. Most of the dandruff shampoos which claim to reduce dandruff contain Zinc Pyrithione and Nizoral. However, the more chemical you apply to your skin, the more the chances of an adverse reaction increase. In the case of an allergic reaction, consider trying out natural and herb based shampoos, which can contain the growth of dandruff. You will need to wash your hair very frequently with these highly chemical based shampoos to curb the spread of these fungi.
The main function of anti dandruff shampoos is to wash away and remove the dead skin cells faster than they can be shed. This is the only way to keep your scalp healthy and clean. Anti Dandruff shampoos contain strong chemicals which break down oils and contain fungicides to kill the microbial and fungi growth for cleaner hair and a healthier scalp. Lemon, orange, basil, papaya, cloves and other citrus fruits contain astringents that help keep the scalp clear of dead skin
Applying herb based oils containing Lemon have concentration of anti fungal properties. Lemon oils are used to treat skin allergies which occur due to intense oil production. Lemon has a unique quality of sapping away excess oil which helps to eliminate acne and dandruff. Washing your hair after oiling it well with coconut oil is also known to benefit curbing dandruff. You can also condition your hair using eggs, once a fortnight as egg is known to give a beautiful shine to your hair
Dandruff is the name given to the shedding of skin on the scalp, and appears as white flakes in the hair causing discomfort. Although our skin sheds dead cells and renews itself every fortnight, the word dandruff refers to the unsightly shedding of dead skin which is known to be caused by a fungus. The common symptoms are itchy scalp and white flakes visible in the hair and surface when you scratch.
Dandruff is usually two fungi, Malassezia Furfur and Pityrosporum ovale, that reside in the human body. The fungus sometimes creates an imbalance, so that the renewal of skin cells leads to an overload of dead cells being shed. Most of the dandruff shampoos which claim to reduce dandruff contain Zinc Pyrithione and Nizoral. However, the more chemical you apply to your skin, the more the chances of an adverse reaction increase. In the case of an allergic reaction, consider trying out natural and herb based shampoos, which can contain the growth of dandruff. You will need to wash your hair very frequently with these highly chemical based shampoos to curb the spread of these fungi.
The main function of anti dandruff shampoos is to wash away and remove the dead skin cells faster than they can be shed. This is the only way to keep your scalp healthy and clean. Anti Dandruff shampoos contain strong chemicals which break down oils and contain fungicides to kill the microbial and fungi growth for cleaner hair and a healthier scalp. Lemon, orange, basil, papaya, cloves and other citrus fruits contain astringents that help keep the scalp clear of dead skin
Applying herb based oils containing Lemon have concentration of anti fungal properties. Lemon oils are used to treat skin allergies which occur due to intense oil production. Lemon has a unique quality of sapping away excess oil which helps to eliminate acne and dandruff. Washing your hair after oiling it well with coconut oil is also known to benefit curbing dandruff. You can also condition your hair using eggs, once a fortnight as egg is known to give a beautiful shine to your hair
Steps to change a baby's diaper
Change your baby's diaper in a safe, sturdy place. In fact, I you should create a permanent diaper-changing area equipped with everything you need close at hand. Diaper changing tables are generally ok, but a lot of them wobble, and you don't have access to a sink. If you don't want to pay the money to buy a changing table, use your bathroom counter (if it's long enough). Set up the bathroom counter by removing all your makeup, cologne, or whatever may be in the way, and put it somewhere else. You don't want anything close at hand that your little one can grab and pop into an eager mouth.Put a clean towel down as a cushion, and set aside one of the drawers that's close at hand for all your diaper-changing paraphernalia: diapers, butt-wipes, ointment, and so on. Be sure to include gadgets and toys to keep your baby's mind off the actual diaper-changing process. Mobiles are great to hang over your changing station.This bathroom sink setup is a great alternative to changing tables. You have at least one wall to keep things secure so that baby doesn't fall off, and you have a sink in which to wash diaper bottoms that are truly messy from those explosive diapers - when those tiny little baby wipes just won't do the job.If you want to be really careful, you can buy straps and side bars to turn your bathroom counter into a changing table. Also, consider your child on a changing table just like you do the ocean or a class of kindergartners: Never turn your back on them. Always leave one hand on a child who's on the changing table.Changing a diaper is not like brain surgery, but there are some similarities. Both are delicate procedures in dealing with sensitive body parts - just at opposite ends of the body. Both can be very messy, both take special tools and equipment, and it would be nice if you used a mask for both - although when it comes to diaper changing, we seldom take the time to put one on. The only difference is that brain surgeons get paid a lot of money and parents don't. And once an operation is finished, the brain surgeon doesn't have to go back and do it over and over and over again.
1. Open and unfold the new diaper. Lay the baby wearing his used diaper on top of a new diaper
.2. Unfasten the used diaper: If it's a boy baby, open just a little bit at first because air tends to make a baby want to go right then and there
.3. Gather the baby's feet and lift. Remove the dirty diaper, wad it up, and dispose of it.
4. Gently Clean your baby
.5. Gently lower your baby onto the new diaper
.6. Fasten the diaper securely on the baby while saying something cute to make him feel all warm and fuzzy.
1. Open and unfold the new diaper. Lay the baby wearing his used diaper on top of a new diaper
.2. Unfasten the used diaper: If it's a boy baby, open just a little bit at first because air tends to make a baby want to go right then and there
.3. Gather the baby's feet and lift. Remove the dirty diaper, wad it up, and dispose of it.
4. Gently Clean your baby
.5. Gently lower your baby onto the new diaper
.6. Fasten the diaper securely on the baby while saying something cute to make him feel all warm and fuzzy.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
The art of pizza making
A lot of factors influence will influence the results of your pizza making efforts. Primary among these factors are the pizza ingredients and pizza equipment used. The following are some pizza making tips and tricks that you can apply for the best homemade pizza. Pizza Ingredients The pizza ingredients that you use depend on the type of pizza that you wish to make. Moreover, you usually have to prepare three sets of ingredients: one for your pizza crust, another for your pizza toppings and another set for your pizza sauce, "
Pizza crust recipes: usual ingredients and tips Flour is a definite necessity when making pizza crust. The usual ingredient in making the basic pizza dough is wheat flour, although whole wheat flour is also used by some. For a firm, elastic pizza dough, you'll want to use flour with moderately high gluten content (this is also known as hard flour). The gluten is formed when water is added to the flour and it is a crucial part of the pizza's structure. Thus, when you make pizza crust, it is best to use bread flour or flour with especially high gluten content (check the label) which has enough gluten content for pizza making purposes. However, people who have celiac disease or those who prefer a low carb pizza crust usually opt for flour with low gluten content. Some even make gluten-free pizza in the belief that it is healthier. In any case, it is advisable to use premium-grade flour milled from first-grade wheat; the flour, moreover, should have quality protein (the flour and water mixture should be very easy to handle) and should be able to absorb a lot of water without becoming soggy and limp.
Yeast is another requirement in making the pizza base. The yeast is the leavening agent and it helps the pizza dough rise as well as helps the dough achieve elasticity (so you can stretch it into pizza rounds without breaking). Yeast and its fermentation, furthermore, give the pizza crust its distinct flavor. Unless you are using the instant dry yeast variety, you should mix yeast with warm water then let the mixture stand for around ten minutes before you use it in your pizza dough mixture. Furthermore, the best, yeasty flavor is achieved by leaving the pizza dough to rise for several hours after kneading.
The other dry ingredients that basic pizza dough has are salt, sugar, baking powder (if you need more leavening than what the yeast can provide), and dry milk. The salt is necessary to create the slightly salty taste of pizza crust which provides a great contrast to the pizza sauce flavor. Sugar, on the other hand, is added to add a slightly sweet taste to the crust as well as to facilitate yeast activity and to yield a browner pizza crust. Do not add a lot of sugar. Powdered milk or milk solids, on the other hand, adds to the dough's bulk, adds flavor and nutrients to the pizza dough as well as gives strength to the pizza dough's structure even if such is over-fermented. Use the non-fat variety especially if you are making low fat pizza. The liquid ingredients include water and oil. Water is necessary for gluten generation and for activating yeast. Use slightly acidic as well as slightly hard water for best results. To ensure standard water pH, you can use distilled water (which has neutral pH) or tap water (which is usually slightly acidic, especially in cities).
Oil, on the other hand, serves well to lubricate the dough for easier handling. Use extra virgin olive oil if you want it to serve more than just lubricating purposes; extra virgin olive oil also has a distinctive flavor. Olive oil, moreover, is healthy for it has lower saturation than other types of oil. If you prefer, you can use egg white or egg yolk in your pizza dough. The egg white helps strengthen pizza dough whereas egg yolk helps soften dough. As such, you can use either depending on the type of crust you want to make. Add egg yolk, for instance, if you need to make your pizza dough softer. If you will use eggs, don't forget to reduce the amount of water in your pizza crust recipe. You can also add flavorings like garlic powder to your pizza dough. You can even use herbs on your dough to give it a distinct flavor. Use sourdough starter, on the other hand, if you want to make sourdough pizza. "
Pizza toppings: usual ingredients and tips There's not much you should know about pizza toppings. The ingredients are pretty much up to you and should depend on the type of pizza you are making.
However, there are certain techniques to preparing your pizza toppings. For one, you should use fresh Mozzarella cheese when making your pizza. Moreover, you should not put the cheese on top if you need to bake the pizza for a long time; you'll end up with burnt cheese this way. The usual pizza toppings include pepperoni, sausages, ground beef, ham, canned tomatoes, bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, bacon, ham, various types of cheese, and olive oil. Other toppings include shrimp, salmon, chicken meat, anchovies, fruits, artichokes, etc. " Pizza sauce: usual ingredients and tips The usual pizza sauce recipes have tomato sauce. Flavor is enhanced by adding garlic and onions (whether powder or sautéed) then ground meat, salt, pepper and other usual pizza spices such as basil and oregano. Typically, tomato-based sauces are thick. On the other hand, you can make a thin pizza sauce by mixing oregano and basil with olive oil. The fastest way of making pizza sauce is by using canned pizza sauce. You must remember to apply pizza sauce with a light hand. Thick sauce must be carefully added on top of the pizza toppings. Thin sauce must be gently rubbed over the pizza. Excessive use of pizza sauce can lead to excess moisture and thus a limp pizza.
Pizza Equipment You can cook your pizza using a pizza pan or bake it directly on a pizza stone. If you are going to use a standard oven without a pizza stone, then stretch your pizza dough into the desired thickness on your pan, add your toppings and pizza sauce, preheat your oven and bake according to your pizza recipe. If you are using a pizza stone, cut your pizza dough, use one of the portions and stretch it into a pizza round of your desired thickness. Add your desired toppings and your homemade pizza sauce, load the pizza on your wooden peel (pizza paddle) then place said pizza round on top of the pizza stone. The pizza stone, at this point, should have been kept hot in the oven for at least an hour. It is best to use a pizza stone for baking pizza. This leads to a crispier pizza crust for two reasons. First, it absorbs run-off and excess moisture. Second, it distributes heat from the oven evenly; thus, the pizza crust is uniformly cooked all over. Naturally, if you want to make deep dish pizza, you have to use a pizza pan. On the other hand, you can pre-bake your deep dish pizza crust, add toppings and sauce then finish baking your pizza on a pizza stone. A good oven with a timing device and a temperature monitor is also necessary for precise pizza baking. A wooden spoon, on the other hand, should be used for mixing the pizza dough to prevent sticking. Use a marble countertop when kneading dough for the same purpose. After using your pizza equipment, clean each piece carefully according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Pizza crust recipes: usual ingredients and tips Flour is a definite necessity when making pizza crust. The usual ingredient in making the basic pizza dough is wheat flour, although whole wheat flour is also used by some. For a firm, elastic pizza dough, you'll want to use flour with moderately high gluten content (this is also known as hard flour). The gluten is formed when water is added to the flour and it is a crucial part of the pizza's structure. Thus, when you make pizza crust, it is best to use bread flour or flour with especially high gluten content (check the label) which has enough gluten content for pizza making purposes. However, people who have celiac disease or those who prefer a low carb pizza crust usually opt for flour with low gluten content. Some even make gluten-free pizza in the belief that it is healthier. In any case, it is advisable to use premium-grade flour milled from first-grade wheat; the flour, moreover, should have quality protein (the flour and water mixture should be very easy to handle) and should be able to absorb a lot of water without becoming soggy and limp.
Yeast is another requirement in making the pizza base. The yeast is the leavening agent and it helps the pizza dough rise as well as helps the dough achieve elasticity (so you can stretch it into pizza rounds without breaking). Yeast and its fermentation, furthermore, give the pizza crust its distinct flavor. Unless you are using the instant dry yeast variety, you should mix yeast with warm water then let the mixture stand for around ten minutes before you use it in your pizza dough mixture. Furthermore, the best, yeasty flavor is achieved by leaving the pizza dough to rise for several hours after kneading.
The other dry ingredients that basic pizza dough has are salt, sugar, baking powder (if you need more leavening than what the yeast can provide), and dry milk. The salt is necessary to create the slightly salty taste of pizza crust which provides a great contrast to the pizza sauce flavor. Sugar, on the other hand, is added to add a slightly sweet taste to the crust as well as to facilitate yeast activity and to yield a browner pizza crust. Do not add a lot of sugar. Powdered milk or milk solids, on the other hand, adds to the dough's bulk, adds flavor and nutrients to the pizza dough as well as gives strength to the pizza dough's structure even if such is over-fermented. Use the non-fat variety especially if you are making low fat pizza. The liquid ingredients include water and oil. Water is necessary for gluten generation and for activating yeast. Use slightly acidic as well as slightly hard water for best results. To ensure standard water pH, you can use distilled water (which has neutral pH) or tap water (which is usually slightly acidic, especially in cities).
Oil, on the other hand, serves well to lubricate the dough for easier handling. Use extra virgin olive oil if you want it to serve more than just lubricating purposes; extra virgin olive oil also has a distinctive flavor. Olive oil, moreover, is healthy for it has lower saturation than other types of oil. If you prefer, you can use egg white or egg yolk in your pizza dough. The egg white helps strengthen pizza dough whereas egg yolk helps soften dough. As such, you can use either depending on the type of crust you want to make. Add egg yolk, for instance, if you need to make your pizza dough softer. If you will use eggs, don't forget to reduce the amount of water in your pizza crust recipe. You can also add flavorings like garlic powder to your pizza dough. You can even use herbs on your dough to give it a distinct flavor. Use sourdough starter, on the other hand, if you want to make sourdough pizza. "
Pizza toppings: usual ingredients and tips There's not much you should know about pizza toppings. The ingredients are pretty much up to you and should depend on the type of pizza you are making.
However, there are certain techniques to preparing your pizza toppings. For one, you should use fresh Mozzarella cheese when making your pizza. Moreover, you should not put the cheese on top if you need to bake the pizza for a long time; you'll end up with burnt cheese this way. The usual pizza toppings include pepperoni, sausages, ground beef, ham, canned tomatoes, bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, bacon, ham, various types of cheese, and olive oil. Other toppings include shrimp, salmon, chicken meat, anchovies, fruits, artichokes, etc. " Pizza sauce: usual ingredients and tips The usual pizza sauce recipes have tomato sauce. Flavor is enhanced by adding garlic and onions (whether powder or sautéed) then ground meat, salt, pepper and other usual pizza spices such as basil and oregano. Typically, tomato-based sauces are thick. On the other hand, you can make a thin pizza sauce by mixing oregano and basil with olive oil. The fastest way of making pizza sauce is by using canned pizza sauce. You must remember to apply pizza sauce with a light hand. Thick sauce must be carefully added on top of the pizza toppings. Thin sauce must be gently rubbed over the pizza. Excessive use of pizza sauce can lead to excess moisture and thus a limp pizza.
Pizza Equipment You can cook your pizza using a pizza pan or bake it directly on a pizza stone. If you are going to use a standard oven without a pizza stone, then stretch your pizza dough into the desired thickness on your pan, add your toppings and pizza sauce, preheat your oven and bake according to your pizza recipe. If you are using a pizza stone, cut your pizza dough, use one of the portions and stretch it into a pizza round of your desired thickness. Add your desired toppings and your homemade pizza sauce, load the pizza on your wooden peel (pizza paddle) then place said pizza round on top of the pizza stone. The pizza stone, at this point, should have been kept hot in the oven for at least an hour. It is best to use a pizza stone for baking pizza. This leads to a crispier pizza crust for two reasons. First, it absorbs run-off and excess moisture. Second, it distributes heat from the oven evenly; thus, the pizza crust is uniformly cooked all over. Naturally, if you want to make deep dish pizza, you have to use a pizza pan. On the other hand, you can pre-bake your deep dish pizza crust, add toppings and sauce then finish baking your pizza on a pizza stone. A good oven with a timing device and a temperature monitor is also necessary for precise pizza baking. A wooden spoon, on the other hand, should be used for mixing the pizza dough to prevent sticking. Use a marble countertop when kneading dough for the same purpose. After using your pizza equipment, clean each piece carefully according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Parents as a roll model
Most parents want to be good parents. Yet parenting is one of those things that does not have hard and fast rules. So how do we know what to do? How do we know what will support our children in being all they can be? One of the most important things for parents to do is to learn to trust their own intuition. Your feelings tell you when you are on course or off course in your behavior with your children. When things feel right inside, then you know that you are being a truly loving parent, and when they feel wrong inside, you know you are out of alignment with what is in your highest good and your children's highestgood
I remember my mother telling me that she used to put her fist in her mouth to stop herself from crying and from picking me up when I was an infant and cried. She had read in Dr. Spock that babies should not be picked up when they cry, that it is good for their lungs to cry, and that she would spoil me if she picked me up. But her insides were telling her the opposite - that babies cry when they need food, changing, or love. It is so sad that she followed Dr. Spock instead of her own inner knowing. Now research has proven that babies who are not picked up when they cry become more dependent and insecure than babies who are kept with their mothers. In other countries, babies sleep with their parents until they no longer want to, feeling safe all night. In our country, most babies are alone at night, some crying themselves to sleep. This is not only sad, it is not healthy for the baby. So the first thing your child needs from you is to trust your inner knowing rather than any book you read. Your child needs your loving presence - not your busy preoccupied presence. For your children to feel important to you, they need to feel you fully present with them - reading to them daily, playing with them, holding and comforting them, and listening to them. Your children need for you to create a healthy environment for them by feeding them healthy food, restricting screen time - TV, computer, video games - and making sure they play outdoors and get enough exercise. They need your encouragement to develop their hobbies and interests. They need you to try natural remedies before resorting to drugs for illness, so that you don't set them up for more illness with the side effects of drugs. They need for you to be a good role model of self-care. Children need to see their parents taking full responsibility for their own feelings instead of being victims and blaming others. With this role modeling, they will also learn to take full responsibility for their own feelings.
Learning and practicing the Inner Bonding process that we teach will support you in becoming this loving role model for your children. Children also need you to be a role model for care of the environment. My daughter told me that my 3-1/2 year-old grandson got very upset with the checker at the market for using a plastic bag. "No, no plastic bags! It's bad for the environment!" he told the checker. By role modeling caring for our planet, we can raise children who are much more conscious of taking care of our environment. Your children need to see you being connected with a spiritual Source of love, peace and wisdom in order to naturally connect with their own higher power. By developing your spiritual connection, they can learn to have their own.
What do your children really need from you? They need you to learn to be all you can be so they have the role modeling and permission to be all they can be.
I remember my mother telling me that she used to put her fist in her mouth to stop herself from crying and from picking me up when I was an infant and cried. She had read in Dr. Spock that babies should not be picked up when they cry, that it is good for their lungs to cry, and that she would spoil me if she picked me up. But her insides were telling her the opposite - that babies cry when they need food, changing, or love. It is so sad that she followed Dr. Spock instead of her own inner knowing. Now research has proven that babies who are not picked up when they cry become more dependent and insecure than babies who are kept with their mothers. In other countries, babies sleep with their parents until they no longer want to, feeling safe all night. In our country, most babies are alone at night, some crying themselves to sleep. This is not only sad, it is not healthy for the baby. So the first thing your child needs from you is to trust your inner knowing rather than any book you read. Your child needs your loving presence - not your busy preoccupied presence. For your children to feel important to you, they need to feel you fully present with them - reading to them daily, playing with them, holding and comforting them, and listening to them. Your children need for you to create a healthy environment for them by feeding them healthy food, restricting screen time - TV, computer, video games - and making sure they play outdoors and get enough exercise. They need your encouragement to develop their hobbies and interests. They need you to try natural remedies before resorting to drugs for illness, so that you don't set them up for more illness with the side effects of drugs. They need for you to be a good role model of self-care. Children need to see their parents taking full responsibility for their own feelings instead of being victims and blaming others. With this role modeling, they will also learn to take full responsibility for their own feelings.
Learning and practicing the Inner Bonding process that we teach will support you in becoming this loving role model for your children. Children also need you to be a role model for care of the environment. My daughter told me that my 3-1/2 year-old grandson got very upset with the checker at the market for using a plastic bag. "No, no plastic bags! It's bad for the environment!" he told the checker. By role modeling caring for our planet, we can raise children who are much more conscious of taking care of our environment. Your children need to see you being connected with a spiritual Source of love, peace and wisdom in order to naturally connect with their own higher power. By developing your spiritual connection, they can learn to have their own.
What do your children really need from you? They need you to learn to be all you can be so they have the role modeling and permission to be all they can be.
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