10 Ways to Improve Your Day in Just 5 Minutes

Five minutes. True, it's not a heck of a lot of time. But it's just long enough for you to do one thing -- and maybe that one thing that will turn your day around.

In our busy 24/7 universe, it often seems like there's not enough time to do everything you want in a day. But take five and try these 10 simple ways to lower stress and boost your mood and energy levels. They may just help you find the extra spark you need to meet the challenges of the day.

1. Make your bed. Starting off each day with this small ritual can help create a calm environment for you in your bedroom. Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project, writes that many people benefit from making this modest step part of their routines. By checking it off your to-do list first thing, you've got one less thing to worry about for the rest of the day.

2. Pack a snack. Before you head out the door in the morning, go into the kitchen and grab a fruit (like a banana, apple or grapes) or a healthy snack (like unsalted nuts or low-fat cheese). This way, when a case of the munchies strikes later in the afternoon, you won't be reaching for a bag of chips or a candy bar from the vending machine out of convenience. Besides, you know what they say about an apple a day.

3. Clear your desk. You may not be able to overhaul your closet in five minutes, but you can manage to tidy your desk at work. From stray papers to scattered coffee mugs, clutter can make you lose focus and curb productivity. Declutter your outer environment and you may feel lighter on the inside and more motivated to concentrate on the task at hand.

4. Pump up the music. Several studies have found that listening to music can help lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and boost mood. The right music has the power to change your attitude. So load up your MP3 player and create a special playlist that will make you smile -- whether you're working or working out.

5. Sniff a lemon. For a quick de-stressing trick, turn to an underrated sense -- your sense of smell. Japanese researchers found that linalool; a substance found in lemons, has anti-inflammatory properties and may reduce the flight-or-fight stress response. Other scents like basil, juniper, and lavender have also been found to lower stress. 

6. Stretch. You don't have to be a yogi to benefit from light stretching. Lift your arms above your head at your desk. Or better yet, stretch your legs by walking outside. Stretching can help improve your circulation and flexibility, and may help ease the tight muscles that accompany stress.

7. Meditate. Try meditation and deep breathing to relax and turn your mind off. You don't need any special equipment to practice meditation. Find a comfortable position in a chair or on the floor. Meditating on a daily basis, even just for a few minutes, has been shown to fight depression and ease stress.

8. Keep a gratitude diary. Take a minute every day to write downseveral things you're thankful for, whether they're big or small things. It's easy to vent about weather, traffic, or job woes, but complaining brings negative energy along with it. Being thankful for what you have can make you appreciate all the positives in your life.

9. Turn off your electronics. Just becausewe live in a wired world doesn't mean you need to stay connected every minute of every single day. Staring at computer screens and electronics all day long can zap your energy and encourage inactivity. So log off youremail, phones, and Internet (yes, social networking web sites count, too). This is especially important to allow you to unwind and relax before bed.

10. Prioritize. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you have multiple tasks crowding your mind. Make a list and finish your most dreaded duties first to avoid the anxiety caused by procrastination. Make a list and check off each task as you complete it. At the end of the day, a list of accomplishments is a great visual reminder of how productive you were.

By Jennifer Soong

Swim your pain away

Swimming, water aerobics and other exercises in warm water are particularly beneficial to people living with arthritis.

Here’s what you should know:

First find out from your doctor if it’s safe for you to exercise in warm water. If she gives the thumbs-up, you can do fairly vigorous exercises in a spa bath, but remember that the temperature should be lower than when you’re doing very gentle movements. When you first enter the spa bath, spend a few minutes allowing your muscles to become accustomed to the warmth. Then start your exercise routine. If you feel uncomfortable or nauseous at any stage, get out of the water immediately.

Woman to woman

Start the day sunny side up

Eating a proper breakfast is one of the best steps you can take to lose weight, research has shown. 

Unfortunately, nearly 25% of people skip breakfast, often blaming lack of time.

It may take a bit of planning to make breakfast part of your routine, but it's definitely worthwhile. The following suggestions may help you: plan what you are going to eat for breakfast and include these foods on your shopping list; set the alarm to go off 15 minutes earlier, so that you will have time to eat a simple, healthy breakfast; and if you can’t face food just after getting up, prepare food to take along to work and eat during the course of the morning.

My Beautiful Body

So just what health benefits does sex bring?

Believe it or not, sex is not only their for carnal pleasures. It is also good for your health:

Improved sense of smell:

Prolactin (a hormone produced after sex) stimulates the olfactory nerve, the center for smell, increasing smell perception.

Reduced risk of heart disease:

For men! Having sex 3 – 4 times a week will cut your risk of heart attack or stroke in half! Women also benefit in this category though the results are not as clear in percentage.

Weight loss, overall fitness:

During sex, the average person maintains their heart rate above 70% of the maximum, making sex a wonderful workout. (So although quickies are fun, marathons can be great cardiovascular workouts!)

Reduced depression:

Sperm contains prostaglandin (a male sex hormone) that when absorbed in the female reproductive tract helps to regulate female hormones maintaining a balance and decreasing mood swings and depression.

Pain Relief:

Endorphins released immediately upon orgasm are natural pain relievers that remain active in the body for several hours after climaxing. Intercourse also produces more estrogen in the female body which helps to reduce the discomfort of monthly PMS.

Improved immunity:

People who have sex once or twice a week have been shown to have higher rates of immunoglobulin A, a known immune booster.

Better bladder control:

The muscles used during sex are the same used in doing the infamous "kegel exercises". Yes, this applies to men too!

A happier prostate:

To produce seminal fluid, the prostate and the seminal vesicles take minerals, zinc and calcium, concentrating them up to 600 times. However, any carcinogens in the blood would also be concentrated to this amount. Urologists support ejaculation as a measure of prostate cancer prevention by removing the concentrated carcinogens, rather than allowing them to cluster and cause damage.

The Moral of the Story

Sex has many health benefits throughout all our different stages of life. Overall, it promotes physical, psychological and sexual health. And if you are in between lovers, abstaining, or waiting for that one special person, remember your roots; masturbation. It is a natural part of your sex life that will bring along many of the benefits of sex with a partner, plus provide a great time learning more about your own body and sexuality.

Woman to woman

How to kiss!

Every woman has her own kissing style that comes about as a result of her mouths anatomy, the length of her tongue and her personality, either she is going to go full tilt or be coy about it. However, the mechanics of kissing will always be the same. First, slant your head to one side, but be sure that it is the opposite way to your partner.

Then, open your lips slightly allowing your partner time to part his lips in reaction, once this has happened add some tongue action and explore each others mouths this way. Once you’ve got the basics down you can choose to lust it up or mellow it down, this is completely situation specific. 

If you are both ready to go for it there is nothing like a wild, passionate kiss. But, if you or your partner needs some time to get into it, start slowly, lick his lips gently, make deep eye contact and let things heat up naturally.

My Beautiful Body

The power of positive thinking

Virtually every self-help book on the market have one thing in common - expressing the importance of being positive to increase your happiness and well-being.

There have been many studies done on the power of positive thought and the conclusions show a mass amount of health benefits, without having to take medication! Positive thinking has been proven to reduce stress, help people live longer, and improve your overall well-being and ability to cope.

So if it is that simple, then why aren't we living in a society of total bliss and happiness? The answer is that no one, you nor I, wants to admit that they are negative. And if you can't admit that you are negative then how can you ever change your lifestyle to being positive?

In Online Dating Magazine's article about online dating profile tips, the #1 tip is to avoid negativity in your profile. Whether it is "I'm lonely" or "my last boyfriend was a jerk" these types of statements turn people off, making it easy to bypass your profile for one where a person seems more in tune with life, and himself/herself.

But avoiding negativity shouldn't just be an issue for your profile. It should be an issue for your life. And with that in mind, here are seven steps to help you turn negativity into positive thinking:

Step 1: Admit You Are Negative

The first step to changing your life is to admit that you are negative or that you have negative thoughts. Whether talking about a coworker behind his/her back or believing you "can't" do something; these contribute to a non-healthy lifestyle.

Step 2: Be Determined to be Positive

Once you've admitted you are negative, or at least have some negative tendencies, you can resolve to changing the way you think. Become conscious of your daily thoughts and when a negative thought enters your mind, quickly turn it around. Instead of "I don't think I can do that," think "I love a new challenge and will conquer this one" or "I can do this no matter how hard it is." Instead of "I'll do this later," think "By getting this done now I can have it accomplished." Eliminate words like "can't" from your vocabulary and replace them with "can". Start to say positive things about other people. Start to think positive things about other people. "Wow, that was really nice what he/she did." When presented the opportunity to comment on someone else, refrain from saying anything bad.

Step 3: Remove Yourself From Negative Influences

Your environment begins to reflect who you are after time. Thus if you have friends or coworkers you hang out with who are always griping about their job, boss, or life then begin to slowly weed out that group of people and seek out those who are positive and don't talk about others behind their back. When you replace a negative environment with a positive one, you make huge strides in improving your lifestyle.

Step 4: Replace Cola with Water

The healthiest beverage you can drink is water. And by replacing chemical and sugar-filled drinks with water, you will make massive improvements to your health. First of all, you are eliminating the sugar and caffeine that are so addicting, yet bad for overall health. Second, you are increasing your water intake. Chemical-free natural water will help improve your energy, eliminate toxins from your body, make your skin more healthy looking, and improve your mental performance. How can you not help but become more positive with such changes to your life?! Drink lots of water - it is the true "miracle vitamin".

Step 5: Stop Watching the News

Murder. Rape. Fraud. War. Daily news is often filled with nothing but negative stories and when you make reading such material a part of your daily lifestyle, you begin to be directly affected by that environmental factor. If you still need a dose of news, then tune into a station or site that features "Good News".

Step 6: Learn to Meditate

Meditating allows you to clear your mind, lower stress, become more focused, and stay positive. It's a very positive and powerful medium. By taking just 15 minutes a day to meditate, you'll find yourself handling time and stress much better. You'll also gain a more positive outlook on life.

Step 7: Spread Your Positiveness to Others

Put your new positive thinking lifestyle into action. Take time out to write down the top 10 things you love about your partner and give that list to him/her. When you experience good customer service, take time to write a note or e-mail expressing your gratitude. Practice spreading your positiveness to others and it will grow.

When you allow yourself to become immersed in positive thinking, you will start to see it affect other aspects of your life. For example, instead of feeling "inconvenienced" by merging traffic, you'll allow someone to easily merge in front of you and feel great about it. They might even wave or mouth "thank you". At a grocery store when you have a cart full of groceries and the person behind you has only one or two items you may find yourself saying, "please go ahead of me since you only have a few items" and that person's gratitude will make your day. You'll find yourself actively thinking about others and your contribution to their positive experiences will have a huge affect on your eternal happiness.

 Ouma se kombuis

Shop for Sassy ... Erotic ... Daring... Lingerie

The term lingerie denotes for stylish and fashionable undergarments especially for women. This term applies for that innerwear which is especially designed to be more appealing and visually erotic, with incorporating typical materials such as silk and lace but is less applied to functional cotton innerwear. The concept of visually appealing of lingerie is materialized recently. However, women do lingerie shopping to meet three important purposes; for hygiene, for their shape alteration and for modesty. Now a days, lingerie manufacturers have started glamorizing this product with the developing idea of sex appeal within a lingerie.  

You always spend hours and sometime even days by wandering at various lingerie shops to get what you are looking for, a perfect one and at the end of the day, many a times you come back to the home empty handed. As a result, this led you very frustrating and discouraging while you try to purchase these on impulse. Internet is a great source to make you free from this hassle and to provide you an ability to shop for the lingerie from around the world within the comfort of your own home.  There are companies available on the Internet where you can easily check out the numerous range and size available in the lingerie offered by many lingerie manufacturers.

You can easily get all the stuff with the help of these websites right from the high-end, sensual lingerie, body stockings, baby dolls, bridal bustier, bras, panties, costumes, corsets and hosieries according to your needs and tastes. The sensual and sassy lingerie are really high in quality and are manufactured by luxurious, soothe and silky material that makes your skin feel great about it, and to get these, you do not need to wander and search endless stores thus making yourself tired. Shop for the lingerie that not only makes you feel and look great, but also be as foremost turn on to your spouse that also spice up your bedroom in an unbelievable way. There is no other attire of a women which gives her a gorgeous look than lingerie, therefore while shopping for lingerie, women need to be very cautious and careful. Comfortable and flattering lingerie makes women look more appealing and attractive.  

You can also shop for best designers lingerie for yourself as these comes flawlessly into play for offering exquisite designs in sensual lingerie for all sized women. There is a wide choice available to shop from designer bustiers, corsets, thongs, elegant sleepwear, panties, and bras and much more for you. You can surprise your spouse by shopping on Sensual Surprises Company also. Theses companies include huge selection of clothing and novelties, gorgeous hosiery, sexy lingerie and other apparel, leather lingerie, sexy costumes and also offer matching sets to heat things up in your bedroom.  When buying lingerie for yourself, in spite of the type of the lingerie in which you are fascinated in, the comfort you have is of utmost importance. It will not solve your purpose entirely if the lingerie you wore is not comfortable, and then there is genuinely no aim in buying that lingerie. Wait till you get something that is essentially liked by you and in which you feel perfectly comfortable

by Marry Jones    

Find joy and passion in life

Finding something you love to do is a good start to increasing the moments of joy in your life, and your passion for living.

Today's pace of life prevents too many people from finding what they love to do because they feel so tired. But when you give in to the urge to take photographs or make your own clothes or do woodworking, or become a first-class baker, you're giving yourself a gift. It takes energy, but it also creates energy in the passion you find for a new activity.

You may or may not be able to change careers, but doing something you love even as a hobby brightens you up. You'll look forward to getting up in the morning, you'll feel more interested and alive, and other people will be drawn to your energy. If schools really wanted to increase the quality of kids' lives, there would be a place in the curriculum for finding things you love to do and working at them, attaining a level of expertise that lets you express your creativity.

As adults, we can re-educate ourselves about joy and passion by skipping the night class in business management and studying sculpture instead.

Ouma se kombuis

Eight steps to healthy nails

There are a number of things you can do to help prevent nail fungus and infections, says the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. The society offers the following tips:

• Purchase your own tools for use in nail salon procedures. Infectious particles can be transmitted on tools such as emery boards, which cannot be sterilised.
• Ask about the sanitation standards of nail salons. How do they clean their equipment and how often? How often do they change the filters in the foot massages?
• Keep your toenails trimmed, clean and neat. Keeping your nails healthy helps prevent the spread of infection and helps your overall health.
• Make an annual visit to a derma surgeon to have your skin and nails checked for early signs of illness or problems.
• Don't have your cuticles cut during salon procedures. If too much of the cuticle is cut back during a manicure, the cuticle can be separated from the nail, and infectious agents can get into the exposed area.
• Don't shave your legs before they're exposed to circulating water in a pedicure spa. Nicks and cuts from shaving can be infected by bacteria in inadequately cleaned pedicure spas.
• Don't ignore infections. If there's redness or soreness after a procedure, it may be a sign of an infection. See your derma surgeon.
• Only go to licensed, trained professionals. Each manicurist should have a state-issued cosmetology license that is current and visibly displayed.

Acknowledgement: HealthDayNews


Ouma se Kombuis

How to Tell if a Guy Likes you - Five Signs He's Interested

How can you tell if a guy likes you or is interested? You noticed him when you were standing and talking with a friend. You think he noticed you, but maybe it was your imagination or just wishful thinking. He looked at you at about the same time you saw him. Your eyes met for just a few seconds, and then you looked away. When you looked back up, he was talking with some other people. Was he watching you as you mingled? Or were you making that up? How can you tell if a guy likes you? Why are guys so hard to read?

Here are five signs that he is interested in you too. If any of the following happens, he is probably trying to get close enough to ask you out:

1. He tells someone

Is he interested? He likes you if he tells a mutual friend that he wants to know more about you, or he asks other people who you are and where you're from. He is trying to act like he's "just asking" but his questions indicate more than a casual interest. And when he tells someone that he finds you attractive, he probably knows that it will get back to you. He's hoping it does.

2. The look

He gives you a look that betrays his calm exterior. Even though he is across the room, "that look" he has says it all. It is sweeping, from your head to your toes, and then his eyes linger on yours. You think you notice the beginning of a tentative smile.

3. The conversation

Does he like you? When he manages to get close enough to you, to ask you questions, he is interested. He appears to be listening and responds to what you say. He's moving in to the ultimate question, which is: "Are you seeing anyone." He would only ask this question if he wanted to date you, and he hopes the answer is "No." Never ever wear a ring in public. When a guy is across the room, he cannot tell which finger it is on and he may assume incorrectly that you are taken. If he doesn't ask you the question of whether or not you are attached, he may ask someone whom you both know.

4. He appears unexpectedly

He likes you a lot if he shows up out of nowhere. He can only do that if he has been asking people about your schedule, or he has been paying attention to where you are going and at what time. His face may turn red when he sees you. A sudden, "Oh, hi," is his way of saying, "I don't want to seem obvious, but I am interested in you." If you feel the same way, do not act shy. Stop and talk to him.

5. EVERYONE likes you

Is he interested? When you are well liked and a happy person, why wouldn't he like you? Of course he does. If you don't have a great life, however, now is your time to start working on one. Take a look at your career possibilities, body image, future, plans, and resources. You may be naturally talented at something, but it won't matter unless you work on your strengths. Misused or unused talents fade away. School and training do not.

These are the five signs that he is interested and he is on the verge of asking you out. Make it easy for him and be friendly. This is where relationships begin.

By Tonja Weimer

Ouma se Kombuis

Decrease Breast Size Naturally!

Women with big breast size feel shy and uncomfortable. Reduce breast size with plans which includes exercise, diet, weight loss etc., as the breasts are made up of fat tissues. Exercise and proper breast care can lead to weight loss which will surely reduce breast size.

Proper breast care will also tone up the pectoral muscle which will help to lift and define the shape and size of the breast. Getting surgery to reduce breast size is an expensive job. Exercise and breast pills or creams are nice options to naturally reduce breast size. So, try out the natural ways to decrease breast size at home which are easy and not even expensive.

Here are natural ways to decrease breast size without surgery:

Lose weight: Most of the women have reduced breast size by adopting strict weight loss plan. This natural ways to decrease breast size is permanent as it shrinks the breast. But women with dense breast can not only rely on weight loss to decrease bust size. Avoid food which is high in fat and calories. Deep fried, processed and refined food are high in saturated fat so skip such food options and eat fruits, vegetables, lean meat, nuts, low fat dairy products, beans and whole grains. These are nutritional food which will not only decrease bust size but also provide protein, fiber and carbohydrates for a healthy body.

Breast pills: Herbal breast reduction pills are considered as magical pills which reduce the breast size naturally and doesn't have side effects too. You can ask your doctor or health provider to ensure a safe and healthy measure. Alexia and Trima are two very effective herbal breast pills.

Breast creams: These are one of the natural ways to decrease breast size. Breast creams have been clinically approved to tighten skin, shrink pore, reduce stretch mark whilst providing its most important function: decrease bust size! Massaging your breasts with cream will also tighten and tone the breast size thus giving a beautiful shape to it. But see to it that the cream suits your skin.

Tight bras: Wear a tight, fitting bra which are also known as minimizing bras. These tight bras will make the breast look smaller and in shape. Wearing lose bras increase breast size.

Breast reduction exercise: Last and one of the most important natural ways to decrease breast size is exercise. Burn calories with cardiovascular exercise which decreases calories and reduces weight not only of the whole body but also of the bust. Running, chest flies, rowing, biking, chest presses, swimming and stair stepping are easy breast reduction exercises.

So, follow these natural ways to decrease breast size and change the shape of it to best compliment your body. The benefit is it can be done at home and it cheap!

One India 

Beauty of success

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a little better; whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is the meaning of success."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Self-Care

When you are creating effortless success, it’s important that you learn to take extremely good care of yourself – physically, mentally and spiritually – and to always put your best interests first. There is a good reason why airlines instruct passengers who travel with small children to put their own oxygen mask on in an emergency and only then put a mask on the child. It may seem counter-instinctual since we are all conditioned by evolution and culture to risk our own life to save the life of a small child. This is a good and natural instinct as it helps to ensure the continuation of our species. That is the bigger picture. In the smaller, more immediate picture, it is in both your best interest and that of the child for you to put your own oxygen mask on first. Why? Imagine that you followed your natural instinct and put the oxygen mask on your two-year old son first before attempting to fasten your own. Before you can attend to your mask, the lack of oxygen overcomes you and you pass out. Now, you have no mask and your child has no one to comfort and continue to look after him. Imagine instead, that you first put on your mask, and then put an oxygen mask on your son. If he has passed out the oxygen will revive him and now you are both conscious and your child has you to continue to comfort and protect him during the emergency.

This is an extreme case example but the principle is the same whether you are on that plane or safe in your home. Telling your child that mommy need 20 minutes of uninterrupted quiet time to take a bubble bath is not neglecting your child. Rather, it is practicing extreme self-care. Just as there was a larger benefit to the child on the airplane to being second in line for an oxygen mask (continued protection and comfort from you) there is a benefit to your child, children, husband, wife, friends, etc. of you practicing extreme self-care in your everyday life. That benefit is a happier, healthier, more focused you. Rather than begrudgingly or grumpily spending time with your family when what you really need is a half hour alone to unwind after a tough day at work or at home, take the half hour for yourself. Read, journal, go for a bike ride, take a relaxing bath, whatever will make you feel better. Then you can spend time with your family in a happy and healthy mood. Your family would rather spend one hour of joy with you feeling great than two mediocre or tense hours with you wishing you had a moment to yourself.

You may not need quiet time every single day, or maybe you do. Identify what you need to feel your best and then give yourself the gift of yourself. Ask the older kids to watch the younger ones, or ask your spouse or a neighbor to watch them all, and take a stroll after dinner. Combine your quiet time with an easy task and take the dog with you. Enlist your family into the process. Everyone might like a quiet hour before or after dinner or reading time before bed. There are many ways to take extremely good care of you. Take a whole day once a month to be alone or ten minutes every day. Whatever works for you.

To get started, make a list of the top one to ten activities you would like to include in your day as part of your self-care. I like to call these your Delicious Daily Habits. Once you have your list, start to incorporate these things into your life on a daily basis. Then sit back and see your spirits rise.

Here are examples of some possible delicious daily habits to kick-start your imagination. Choose from this list or invent your own unique habits. Avoid feeling overwhelmed by starting with one self-care change each day or week and keep building momentum until taking extremely good care of yourself is second nature to you.

1.) Walk

2.) Journal

3.) Talk to your mom

4.) Play with your cat/dog

5.) Spend time in nature

6.) Swim, dance, move your body

7.) Sing

8.) Read a great novel.

Be creative in finding ways to make your self care a priority. Have fun with this!

By Ruth Hegarty

Ruth Hegarty helps women entrepreneurs create confident and effortless success. As a certified Law of Attraction Coach, Ruth teaches women to unleash their powerful creator. She hosts the popular “The Art of Joyful Living Radio Show.” Listen every Tuesday by visiting Art of Joyful Living .

Taming Your Long Hair

Long hair can be sexy and fashionable when taken care of. However, keeping long hair styles healthy takes more than routine shampoo and conditioner applications. While long hair care doesn’t need to take loads of time, it’s important for your overall hair health. Most people understand proper nutrition and vitamins can help your hair stay healthy. However, there are also a few beauty techniques that can show you how to keep your long locks away from split ends and tangles.

Washing Your Long Hair Doesn’t Need To Be a Hassle

The number one mistake women make when it comes to their hair is over-washing. Sure, you may feel like your hair should always be clean. You may be a lady who feels the urge to shampoo on a daily basis. The good news is you can keep your hair clean, without using shampoo daily. If you must “wash” your hair daily, do so without shampoo. Either opt for a water-only wash, or opt for using conditioner only if your hair is dry or damaged. However, shampoo should only be applied every other day (at the maximum). Your hair will be shiny and silkier than ever before!

How to Protect and Care for Your Hair at Night

Many women find long hair annoying when they sleep. They often throw their hair up into a ponytail or a tight bun, just to get it out of their face during the night. This can be damaging to long hair. Bedtime hair routines should start with combing or brushing. After all tangles are out, arrange your hair into a loose braid. Tie your braid off with accessories made specifically for fine hair because they won’t cause your hair follicles to break. Sure, an old fashion rubber band can be used on your hair. But, it’s certainly an accessory you should avoid if at all possible. If you’d like, you can even wrap your hair in a silk scarf to keep it smooth and natural throughout the night.

Long Hair Still Needs To Be Salon Styled Cut

Another major mistake women make with long hair is avoiding the salon. In fact, many women only venture to the stylist if they need a products or a formal updo. Although you may want to keep your length, to avoid split ends you will need to have a trim. Small cuts can help your hair retain its best shape and natural volume. This is particularly important if your hair is thick or curly. If you learn how to accessorize with clips you can stretch your trims to about 12 weeks. However, trims are ultimately necessary!

Long Hair Care: Don’t Overdo It With Heat

When you have long hair, you understand the time it takes to get it dry. Sure, a blow dryer may seem like the most obvious tool to use for this task. However, the amount of heat you need to dry long hair completely can damage your hair. Think about allowing your hair to air-dry for about 20 minutes after washing it. Then you can attack it with the hair dryer. It will cut down on your drying time and the amount of heat exposure your hair gets.

Beautiful South Africa 

Date Rape Prevention Tips

Dating safety is not a joke and everyone can benefit from reading these easy to follow safety procedures, to ensure your well-being on or off a date.

1. Use the buddy system. There is safety in numbers. Group dates are less tense not to mention extremely safe.

2. Don't accept blind dates.

3. Never get in a car with someone you don't know. Always "meet" somewhere on the 1st date. Less romantic but much safer.

4. Never let a first time date know where you live. Again it sort of puts a damper on the romance but it could save you from stalkings and other unpleasantness.

5. Stay away from secluded beaches and other private "date" spots until you feel comfortable with them. Even if you're in a group, secluded areas are not recommended.

6. Whatever you do don't give out personal info until you know that person well . This means address, social security number, bank card, etc. Height, weight (optional), likes and dislikes are okay.

7. Make sure at least one other person knows where, when, and who you will be with.

8. For first dates pick a time to call this other person and do so just to "check in". This might remind you of high school but it could save your life.

9. Scope out the restaurant and know where the phones are located. Bring extra change in case you find yourself stranded. (If you are following Rule 3. you won't need this rule.)

10. This is the most important rule. Go with your gut, if it doesn't feel right it probably isn't. Go home and rent a movie but never do anything you don't feel is in your best interest.

Your Guide to Masturbation

The 3 Body Language Flirting Tips That Will Draw A Man In

Are you uncomfortable and nervous about the idea of flirting with a man? Do you feel blocked even rigid with fear when you’re in the presence of a man, fear that you might get rejected by him?

You may not be aware that your non-verbal is telling a man that you are unapproachable. He feels whether or not you are open to having a conversation that will flow with ease or whether it will be awkward. And this decision is made within seconds of seeing you.

I know it’s not fair but we are ALL guilty of the same thing…judging people by their cover. Once you know that it’s not a personal thing but an automatic impulse that is almost out of our control…then you get the courage to step up and become visible! 

I remember feeling like the nerd in school…involved in every social activity but never had a boyfriend. And once my divorce happened, I found myself in the same predicament…I had to go back out in the dating scene and get over my fears all over again. I was surprised at how insecure I felt…the courage I lacked.

The one thing that got me back in the game was my body language! And not just any kind of body language but the kind where I consciously flirted!

I wanted to be that charismatic woman that everyone noticed. I spent years being in the background with my ex-husband that it was time for me to shine. So first I looked up the meaning of flirting.

Here is what I found…

“Behave as though attracted to or trying to attract someone, but without serious intention; act amorously without serious intentions; play at love; coquet”

And when I asked men how they felt about women flirting…they unanimously agreed that it IS a necessary skill in looking attractive. They actually felt like it was a compliment towards them!

So flirting really means taking an interest in someone…being curious about what motivates a man in a playful way. And when you set that intension, then every body language technique you do is coming from a kind place where it doesn’t feel like an interrogation.

A man doesn’t remember as much the words you use but how he feels being around you. Throughout your encounter your body should move like oil…no tension, no stiffness…just flow.

So how do you make this flow of your body language happen?

Become aware of these 3 flirting tips:

1) LEAN BACK

In any conversation with a man, it’s important to lean back in your stance or in your chair. This action makes you naturally relax into the convers ation. Leaning back takes away all tension in the body, where every move or transition will feel like oil (nothing harsh…you melt into every body position or self-touch).

2) UNZIP YOUR HEART

I learned this technique from my coach Rori Raye. It allowed me to go a level deeper in listening. If you can visualize yourself unzipping and exposing your heart. You’ve got it! It feels vulnerable but freeing at the same time. You take down your guard while listening so that to remain compassionate.

3) SELF-TOUCH

A woman that regularly touches herself gives the impression to a man that she is comfortable in her body…she loves how her body feels. So caress your neck, your arm, your hair…anything that will make you relax into listening and being in his presence while enjoying yourself.

Within seconds of doing these flirting techniques, men would smile, move in towards me and feel the ease of being in my presence. 

Patty Contenta

How To Get A Close Shave

Whether you’re learning to shave for the first time as a young lady or you’ve been shaving for years, chances are you’re legs aren’t as smooth as you’d like them to be. There aren’t any incredibly secret or hidden tricks when it comes to attaining a close shave. It’s not difficult! All you must do is follow these simple safety hints and hair removal advice and before you know it you’ll learn how to get smooth and sexy legs, every time you shave.

The first step you should take, before shaving your underarms, legs or bikini area is choosing a razor. It may sound like an easy task, but finding a razor that’s best for your body and skin can be a challenge. Some people prefer to use an electric razor while others like a ceramic or double edge straight razor. The best way to find out what works best for you is to experiment. Try each type of razor and see which one you feel most comfortable using. If you’re looking for a close shave, steer clear of disposable razors, unless you’re traveling. Whether you go with Venus or Gillette has less consequence than what type of razor you choose.

Shaving every single day to keep away unwanted body hair takes time and effort.  And, even when you put in that time and effort, often your legs, underarms, and bikini area are still not as smooth as you’d like.  

Professional laser hair removal treatments can be extremely costly, more than most people can afford.  What if there was a way to decrease the amount of unwanted hair, not only allowing you to shave more infrequently but also have smoother skin?  Thermal hair removal devices send a signal of heat to the hair, basically removing the hair and delaying regrowth.  Regular use of thermal hair removal will result in thinner, less coarse hair, ultimately requiring less shaving and maintenance.  And, by avoiding the irritation of shaving, you’ll have fewer ingrown hairs, pimples, or rashes to worry about.

One of the vital components needed in attaining a shave free of knicks is lubrication. Many people are mistaken and think soap is a good way to prepare your legs for the shaving process. The truth is that soap can often dry out your skin, making you more prone to knicks, bleeding, ingrown hairs and bumps. Shaving cream or gel is often the easiest way to prepare your legs for the process and avoid a rash, unwanted stubble or missed hair growth.

Remember this warning; never leave the bathroom after shaving without moisturizing. It is vital you moisturize your legs after shaving them. After getting out of the shower or bath, be sure to grab some unscented body lotion and give your legs a good drink. Use unscented varieties because they’re easier on your open pores and won’t likely break you out in a razor rash. If you’re extremely sensitive, be sure to skip the lotion and go straight for a little baby oil. It will provide the moisture, without leaving you with red bumps. With oil, a little goes a long way!

Shaving Tips

·         The key to getting a good shave is following a good routine. Here are some other shaving tips that can help you get the close shave you desire.

·         Wait until the end of your bath or shower to shave. It’s when the skin is most supple and the hairs are softer.

·         Shave in the morning for a guarantee of smooth legs throughout the day.

·         Don’t shave before hitting the beach or pool. If you need to shave for these events, do so the night before.

·         Shaving your bikini line every day will help you avoid razor rash in that area.

·         If you run out of shaving cream or gel, grab your hair conditioner instead. It works great as a lubricant for shaving and will leave your legs conditioned and smelling great.

Acknowledgement: Free beauty tips

Woman to woman

Learn to smile

In a recent study, men and women of all age demographics were asked what makes someone beautiful. An overwhelming majority responded that above all else, it was a great smile. Try it more often and you'll find your own self-image improving as well.

You'll work less too. Research shows that it takes twice as much energy to frown than to crack a smile. Next in the survey came personality, sense of humour and approachability.

Don't let anyone tell you that beauty comes in a vial of cream, syringe, tablet or a tube of lipstick. That $600 dress, though flattering, does not make you attractive.

Rather, your spirit and passion are the true litmus for beauty. As you successfully navigate your way through another hectic day of workplace and household pressures, look into the mirror and see yourself as the beautiful woman you already are.

And for an even clearer vision, stare into the eyes of your loved ones and behold the difference that your presence in their lives has made. Surround yourself with positive influences. Listen to your internal voice. You are beautiful. You are desirable. You are unique. You are special!

My beautiful world

12 Tips for a Beautiful Body

When it comes to exercise, motivate and expand on your usual routine of training – there’s no need to lose hair worrying! Here are some tips and tricks as simple as the alphabet. Add in a few in your life to see results within a few months.

Improve muscle mass

Regular practice of a sport increases how many calories you burn, but increasing the intensity of it helps your muscles develop more. Too often, women forsake the gym for fear of excessive growth of muscle mass. Big mistake. It is perfectly possible to maintain a proper weight; you end up burning more calories during your cardio workout. The more muscular you are, the more you'll burn extra calories: especially when you’re at rest. Interestingly, muscles expend energy and burn calories doing nothing!

Move!

Even if only to clean, play with children, walk up some stairs, take a short walk, find an excuse to move and be active.

Choosing the right shoe

Your feet are the most important part of your body, because they support you. It is important to choose the right shoe for your activity. Too often, beginners neglect this aspect, which then translates into physical ailments.

Dance

By setting up an evening to dance, you spend a lot of calories while having fun with friends.

Stretching

Stretching is essential to conclude a workout. Too often overlooked, stretching allow us to maximize the effects of exercise and stay young.

Close your eyes

If your eyelids are closed when you perform your strength exercises, you can concentrate on the muscles you work. Of course, it is advisable to close your eyes only when you practice reps while seated. Squatting with your eyes closed is much more difficult!

Keep the aspect of novelty

To avoid getting bored or have your body get accustomed to a routine, it is better to change the same every six or seven weeks. If you do aerobics, change the type of course you’re on, or even your teacher!

Hip-hop

Why not take hip hop dance lessons to start moving more vigorously?

iPod

If you listen to music during our training, you’re doing a good job. Experts believe that music can stimulate us. It also makes exercise more fun!

Juggling machines

By changing the exercise machine you’re working on every 10 minutes, you increase your rate of burning calories and your interest. If you‘re enrolled at a center that offers a wide variety of courses and facilities, take advantage! Combine a variety of courses to vary movement. Doing the same thing over and over is not very good either!

Kinesiologist

Working with a coach or a teacher that’s a graduate in kinesiology is a guarantee of quality. These exercise professionals can answer all your questions.

Don’t Quit

Try not to drop your entire health drive after a few weeks; if you’re bored, choose an activity that you like instead of dropping the lot altogether.

Beauty products care

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) - Home Treatment

For as long as you have a menstrual cycle and ovulate, your hormone-producing endocrine system has powerful, cyclic effects on your body. If you have symptoms that are or may be premenstrual syndrome (PMS), use the following home treatment measures as initial and on-going treatment.

Keep a menstrual diary. By recording your symptoms, their severity, and the days when you have your period and ovulate, you can identify patterns in your cycle and plan the best treatment with your health professional. You can also use your menstrual diary to plan ahead for, prevent or reduce, and better cope with your premenstrual symptoms. Whenever possible, plan to take extra good physical and emotional care of yourself during your premenstrual days. It's also useful to let people close to you know when your more trying days will be. See examples of symptom diaries or use this menstrual diary.

Begin or maintain a moderate exercise schedule (at least 2½ hours a week). Exercise helps reduce depression. Women often report that exercise helps relieve tension, pain, and mood-related PMS symptoms.

Take daily calcium and vitamin B6 (50 mg to 100 mg). Calcium and vitamin B6 may help relieve PMS symptoms.

Follow a sensible and balanced diet that provides the recommended levels of vitamins and nutrients.

Use a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to reduce PMS pain. NSAIDs relieve premenstrual and menstrual pain and reduce menstrual bleeding. They reduce inflammation, which is from increased prostaglandin production during the premenstrual period. NSAIDs work best when taken before and continued at regular dosage intervals throughout the premenstrual pain period. For some women, this continues into the first days of menstrual bleeding, to relieve painful cramps. If you have regular cycles, start taking an NSAID 1 to 2 days before you expect pain to start.

Avoid or eliminate unhealthy habits, such as smoking or having too much caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, or salt.

Reduce stress in your life.

Create a support system. Join a support group of women who are managing their PMS or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). With your loved ones, plan ahead for ways to reduce the demands and stress placed on you, as well as the amount of stress that your premenstrual symptoms place on them.

Wear a more supportive bra, such as a sports bra, if your breasts are tender during your premenstrual days.

If you have cramps, you can usually relieve them with over-the-counter medicine and home treatment. These self-care measures can help you figure out which changes are most useful in relieving your PMS symptoms. 

It may be best to:

Try one or two techniques at a time, instead of all of them at once. This will allow you to identify the most helpful techniques.

Try the technique for two to three menstrual cycles. Some techniques may require more than one cycle to be helpful.

Stop using a technique if you have tried it for 2 or 3 months and it doesn't seem to be helping. (But if it is improving other parts of your life, you might want to keep doing it even if it isn't reducing your PMS symptoms.)

My beautiful body

Date your husband

If marriage has dulled the edges of your passion for your man, here's how to turn him back into that heavenly hunk you first fell in love with.

Remember how you'd sit for hours staring at your computer screen, unable to concentrate because you were waiting for him to call, remembering last night's lingering kisses or anticipating dinner-date deluxe.

Then you moved in together or got married and had a kid or two and now you're more likely to fall asleep in front of your laptop than dream of him.

So what went wrong? Nothing, actually. Quite simply, life intervened. Building a home together necessitates certain practicalities, which quickly become routine, and when routine sets in, butterfly-belly excitement is usually first on the casualty list.

Then there's the exhaustion that pole-axes you after kids, chores, work, meals and bills have been dealt with. If you're lucky, you still have sex fairly regularly, but chances are that's not as toe-curlingly thrilling as it used to be either. What you need is that boyfriend back. Here's our recipe for rekindling that flame:

Go out
Psychotherapist Jeanine de Villiers says: "I have found that many of the couples that seek therapy seldom go out alone together, so – ironically – the time spent in weekly sessions becomes one of the few times that they are in an environment where meaningful contact is made.

"Unfortunately If the 'no time, no money' excuse goes too far, and one may eventually need to spend time and money seeing a couples' therapist anyway."

Go out without him
When you were dating you did things without him. Yoga classes in the evening, summer school, book club, girls' nights at the coolest clubs. Now you feel guilty even suggesting meeting a girlfriend for a quick drink after work.

"Communication is the hallmark of a good relationship. This means communication about issues, about shared endeavours like children, and about work, but also about things done separately, of separate experiences – which can only happen if you and he go out alone," says de Villiers.

Let him go out without you

When you met he had a wide circle of male friends. But over the years, as you and he have built a life together, that circle's got smaller and he may even have given up many of his interests to spend more time with you.

Encourage him to re-establish some of those old bonds, to play the occasional game of pool on a Saturday afternoon, to watch rugby in the local pub. When he's gone for five hours, you'll start to miss him and anticipate his return with excitement. And it'll give you the space to re-acquaint yourself with your own needs and personality.

There's always the danger in a long-term relationship that identities begin to erode – that we become so absorbed in the other person and in the family's demands on us that we forget who and what we are, and what we want from life.

Let him take charge
Yes, yes, we can do it better (and usually a lot quicker), but letting him take charge of the dinner bookings, the travel arrangements, the plumber, the present-buying (gulp, be brave) etc., lets him feel he's indispensable to you; that he's providing and spoiling, the way he used to when you were dating. And it's great for you to be able to sit back and let someone else take charge for once!

Leave his wardrobe alone
Ooh, this is a tough one. Yes, those leopard-print slip-slops are vile and that leather jacket is sooo last millennium, but remembers how you ignored those "small" issues when you were looking at him through the rose-coloured spectacles of first love? Imagine what you're doing to his self-esteem if you keep telling him how awful his clothes are. There are more important issues to fuss over...

Play it again, Sam
What happened to the candles, the soft music, the rose petals on the sheets? Romance doesn't have to die just because you're married, and think how much sexier you'll both feel if a few accessories are added to your love-making. And soft-lighting is very kind to rolls and wrinkles.

Ban the kids from the bedroom
How sexy can he be if he's separated from you by a tossing, turning two-year-old?

Pay someone
A man with his hand down the loo is not attractive, nor if he has his feet protruding from under the sink. If the plumbing goes belly-up, call a plumber. Pay someone to do the DIY. Chances are if you let him do it you'll argue about how he does it, or about how long it takes for him to get round to doing it in the first place. Spare yourself – and him – the pain.

Pretend he's someone else's husband
Keep a surreptitious eye on him at the next social gathering you're at. Note his sexier bits – the abs (if they're still there), those finely chiselled calves, that manly jaw. Wish he was yours (which he is, yay!).

Share the pleasure
If there's a pastime he loves but you couldn't give a toss about, give it a try anyway. He'll be pathetically pleased if you join in and love it (even if you have to pretend). Watch how his chest expands as he "shows you the ropes". Seeing him stand tall is worth the pain.

Acknowledgement Shape