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.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
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
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