Interesting facts on sugar

Sugar is a popular part of peoples’ everyday lives. They spoon it into coffee. Stir it in cakes, and enjoy it in hundreds of foods known to be high in sugar. There are also dextrose, fructose, mannose, maltose and more. 

Sugar is found in many processed food. If the label on food products is scrutinized carefully, a person may be surprised to note its presence - as dextrose, or under some other lesser known name - in beans, soups, yoghurt, baby food, canned ham, vegetables, bread, even non-sugar coated cereals, tomato sauce, peanut butter, salad dressing, chilli and many other foods.

Sugar refining is the process which extracts the sugar from the cane or beet, separating it from those elements which permit its proper digestion and assimilation.

Thus it becomes actually a very negative substance with the following 6 of many side effects:

·         It causes irritability;

·         It leads to obesity and restlessness;

·         As it really does not provide quick energy, it actually on the long run, drains the body of energy.

·         With a high intake of sugar, the pancreas must constantly produce insulin.  Eventually the pancreas can wear out and is no longer able to clear sugar from the blood, and diabetes is often the result.

·         In women, it can increase PMS symptoms

·         Sugar causes the brain to release the chemical serotonin, boosting a person’s mood, and causing a mild feeling of happiness.

To avoid the negative side-effects of sugar, the best is to cut down on the consumption of sugar, by trying the following:

·         Always read the label on processed foods and avoid those with sugar - or other sweeteners such as dextrose or fructose - high on the list of ingredients.

·         Switch from soft drinks to fruit juices or water.

·         Reduce the amount of sugar you use in coffee or tea – or eliminate it altogether.

·         Do not keep sweetened foods in the house, or use them to reward children.

·         Serve more fresh fruit and fewer baked goods for snacks and dessert. Beware of the high sugar content in the syrup of many canned fruits.

·         Experiment with gradually cutting down on the amount of sweetener in recipes. Adding a grated carrot to a recipe can replace some of the sugar in tomato sauce, salads and even biscuits.

In conclusion, while some popular scientists link sugar and heart disease, there is no specific support for such speculation. However, a diet high in sugar - or, of course, high in any source of kilojoules - may lead to obesity, which is often associated with heart disease as well as various other health problems.

Be proud of your womanhood

A woman is a strong and powerful person. She is thoughtful, intuitive, resourceful, sensitive, and creative. When a woman succeeds in bringing all these beautiful qualities together, she feels confident, alive, energetic, assertive and empowered. This is all what womanhood are about. You are woman!

But, a woman is also made up of more than her physical body. She is a highly developed spiritual, emotional and mental qualities and she experiences every moment of her life with her mind, body, spirit and emotions:

Mind: Observe your beautiful, positive thoughts

Body: Observe you’re your beautiful physical appearance

Spirit: Be aware of your spiritual well-being

Emotions: Acknowledge your inner, womanly feelings

Every event in your live is responded to by your mind, body, spirit and emotions. Remember the times in your life when your self-esteem was on a high? Your energy was flowing freely, your mind was thinking positively, you were in touch with your own feelings, you acted assertively and you were aware of your own spirituality.

But, any high self-esteem can change in the wink of an eye into a very low-self-esteem. One minute you are balanced, centred, in control of everything, feeling good about yourself and life! Then down you go, feeling worthless, useless and uncomfortable with yourself. Your energies are out of balance.

Whenever you feel worthless, you are allowing a negative pattern to run your life. A negative pattern is something which creates a low self-esteem by blocking your energy which results in you not feeling balanced and in control.

You can change all the patterns that do not work for you into positive patterns which will support and empower you. But, then you must first become aware of yourself – of your mind, body, spirit and emotions. Self-awareness is the key to self-change and is the mother of self-esteem – self-awareness creates self-esteem.

Building self-esteem is a very personal issue which involves the overcoming of individual obstacles hindering you to believe in yourself.  All this can be done, not spite of being a woman, but because of being a woman!

You are woman, become self-aware, and change your critical negative patterns for others which will offer support and self-esteem. Embrace your power of being a woman by learning to trust yourself. Learn to develop and balance your female energies so that your body, spirit, mind and emotions work in harmony with each other.

You are woman!

How to maintain a great and loving relationship

PFD862ESDHUT

Top ten tips

1. Show appreciation for each other every day. These include your respect and desire for your partner. It is the little appreciative words and actions that count. “Thanks for a lovely dinner”, will do wonders!

2. Give each other more. Here is a hefty list – more affection, more hugs, more kisses, more massages, more flowers, more physical contact, yes, and even more sex!

3. Speak out! Tell your spouse or partner what is bothering you about him or her. Do not crop up things. Good communication is also talking about the small hindrances in a relationship.

4. We have two ears and one mouth. This means we must listen to what our spouses or partners say. We all need the to feel that we are heard and understood. It is not only listening, but also showing that we indeed listened.

5. Be supportive. In any relationship, the crux is to be supportive of each other. This means we must be each other’s best supporter or fan! We must encourage, praise and appreciate each other’s good qualities, projects and desires. It is no use to support only in words – it is also the deeds behind the words: prepare food, massage each other, assist with the household chores, etc.

6. Spend quality time together. There is a time for being busy, a time for being by yourself but also a time to spend quality time together, even if it means just to hold each other.

7. Have fun. Do the things you did when you first met and tried to impress each other. Share a joke, play some ball on the lawn, play miniature golf, or anything both of you enjoy.

8. Be balanced and fair. Be aware for one of you having less than his or her share of the good stuff or more than his or her share of the bad stuff. Correct any imbalances or unfairness as quickly as possible.

9. Put yourself in your partner’s shoes. See things from his or her point of view. Try to understand how the other one will feel or react.

10. Be open. With each other. Let your partner feel that the two of you are intimate by opening a window to your heart and mind. Never allow him or her guess what you are thinking or feeling. Speak out!

Love and embrace each other every day!

How to be a seductive beauty

Seduction is alluring

Making ourselves alluring and attractive to the one we desire is both fun and exciting. If that wasn't the case, then there wouldn't be as much need for glamorous lingerie stores, hair dressers, rows and rows of cosmetic shelves in department stores, stores that sell sexy clothing and hundreds of fragrances from name brand manufacturers.

It all depends on what turns on the object of your desire. Some women love a man with a full beard, whereas, others couldn't tolerate all that facial hair. Some men are switched on by a female in black, lacy lingerie and five inch heels while other men couldn't care less as they would rather have less packaging to deal with. A pair of sexy legs is appealing to a man. Women seem to prefer manly posteriors (okay, butts). It is all very subjective and based on personal preferences.

So, in order to be seductive, you will have to do your homework and know what turns on his/her switch. You will need to get to know the person to accomplish this.

Seduction is Romantic

Romance is the fine art of genuinely treating the object of your love with a sweet daringness that arouses the desire in them to want to be with you. If you want to seduce him/her, be romantic!

Seduction is Visual

To be seductive, you have to look appealing and sexy.

And most importantly, have Fun!

How to take control of your life in easy steps

In our busy, hectic lifestyle, it often seems like there's not enough time to do everything you want in a day. All you need is 5 minutes a day to stop and smell the roses.

1. Make your bed. Starting off each day with this small ritual can help create a calm environment for you in your bedroom. 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 or a healthy snack This way, when the cravings strike later during the day, you won't be reaching for a bag of chips or a candy bar from the vending machine out of convenience.

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. Decluttering your environment and you may let you 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.

5. Sniff a lemon. For a quick de-stressing trick, turn to your sense of smell for help. 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 diary. Take a minute every day to write down several 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 because we 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.

10. You must learn to prioritize. Make a list and finish your most dreaded duties first to avoid the anxiety caused by stalling. 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.

Graced by your beauty

The sound of your voice is music to my ear

So soft, sweet, and clear

The kiss from your lips words cannot explain

It takes away my worries and my pain

The caress of your hand sends shivers down my spine

Every day I thank God that your mine.

The sight of your lovely face takes away all my fears

You're the one I want to love throughout the years

For an eternity I want to spend in your arms

Every day graced by your beauty and your charms.

Unknown

How to Have a Great Time at a Party

When most people think of fun, they think of a party. It is one of the most common ways to interact with other people and have fun. This being said, it doesn't mean that there are not frequent times when it's a challenge to truly enjoy a party. However, there are ways to effectively handle such times.

There are many ways to have a great time at a party. The most important part is to use your head and put them into practice. Here are some of the most relevant ways:

1. Choose the right parties. Some people love parties with a lot of dancing, some with a lot of talking. Some people love huge parties with lots of people; some prefer a small and more intimate party.

We all have our preference for certain types of parties. Before you say 'yes' to a party invitation, get the details of the party and make sure it's the type you naturally enjoy.

2. Go in a good mood. The better your mood when you arrive at a party, the more chances that it will get even better, faster. Avoid going to a party directly from a long and stressful day at work, having a bad mood.

Instead, get some rest before a party and get yourself in a positive mood before leaving for it: listen to your favourite music, watch stand-up comedy, whatever work for you.

3. Be sociable. We are social animals. We love to interact with other people and to have social activities, even if we may also enjoy a lot a lot of activities done alone. So at a party, let your social animal come out and play.

Interact with many of the people who are at the party, talk to them and get to know the ones you don't know. Even if you're a bit shy, push yourself do to this more than you're conformable.

4. Take initiative. You don't have to wait at a party for other people to entertain you. Take the initiative and make things enjoyable for you. If you want to change the music, try to do so; if you want to make cocktails, go for it.

Keep in mind that a party is an opportunity to have fun, but nobody is going to get you to have fun if you just stand there. Take action, get involved, and you'll have a great time.

How to deal with Itchy skin

Itchy skin may have many underlying causes, from dry skin to serious skin infections. Here are some common tips on how to deal with this problem:

Do not scratch

The foremost tip is not to scratch. The main reason is that you may break the skin and sores may develop. Apply crushed ice wrapped in a towel to the area.

Take a soothing bath

Tie a cup of oatmeal in a cheesecloth bag, and swish the bag through warm bathwater until the water looks milky. Alternatively, add half a cup of salt to a bath of tepid water. Soak in the bath for about 10 minutes.

Use calamine lotion

Calamine lotion will help for itchy skin. However, do not apply it if you have an infection, in such cases; consult a doctor before treating a rash in this way. Also, limit the use of the lotion to four or five days. If the itching still persists, see a doctor.

Experiment with different fabrics

Many people cannot tolerate wool; others react badly to dyes and synthetics. Your detergent and fabric-softener may also be the culprit. Try putting clothes through an extra rinse cycle. Wear plain white cotton, which seldom provokes reaction, next to the skin.

Watch what you eat or drink

If you tend to have itchy skin, watch what you eat and drink. Coffee, alcohol and spicy or steaming hot foods cause the blood vessels in the skin’s outer layer to swell and can trigger itching. Also try to avoid excessive heat, especially from lying in the sun, and tension and stress.

Daniel

How to relieve stress easily

Here are a few ways to ease your everyday stress that only take a few minutes, but will make your life a little easier.

Sit in a comfortable chair, close your eyes and breathe deeply in through your nose filling your chest with air. Breathe out slowly through your mouth releasing the problems of the day. Think only about the things that make you happy.

Sit in a comfortable position. Lean your head against the back of a chair. Close eyes, take a deep breath and place each thumb at a point on the base of the skull near each ear. Move thumbs downward from ears to shoulder tops; press and hold tense spots as you go. Then rub back of neck from base of skull downward, pressing and holding tense spots. Cross one arm over chest and press muscles along top of opposite shoulder; hold until tension is released. Repeat with other arm. Drop arms to sides, and breath, imagining your skull is heavy as a bowling ball. Relax completely.

Take a bubble bath. Light scented candles all around you, and turn off the lights listen to classical music.

 Imagine you’re self on a quiet tropical Island. See yourself-relaxing on a great lounge chair while servants take care of your every need.

Get a good night's sleep: Don't drink coffee or eat too late as it makes it difficult to sleep. Try listening to soothing music as you drift off to sleep. Don't think about what you need to do the next day.

Add a few drops of calming aromas to Olive oil, smooth on temples or earlobes.

Exercise; It increase blood flow, bringing more oxygen to your brain and unkinks tight muscles.

To ease kinks out of shoulders and upper body, while sitting at your desk, alternate each arm, reaching towards the ceiling.

Light scented candles around the room turn off lights lie on your back and reach arms and legs toward ceiling. Rotate, starting with each arm and then each leg.

Rotate your head stretching as far as you can, start to your right shoulder, the to the back as if looking at the 

ceiling, then to left shoulder then to front, putting chin to chest. Do for a few minutes then rotate starting with 

left shoulder.

Close your eyes lift both arms over your head until your hands touch. Slowly lower your arms down to your sides up and down as if in a flying motion. Imagine you are a bird flying over the ocean. Let your imagination soar.

Remember,  make "don't worry, be happy" your daily motto!

Use the French Kiss to express your love!

Of all the types of kisses, nothing is more romantic and more sensual than a French kiss. The reason is that people see a French kiss is filled with passion.

The reason is that a French kiss is romantic and passionate. The ultimate aim is to create a romantic mood filled with intimacy and tender love. The first rule is to moisten the lips before moving close to your partner's lips.

Rub your tongue on the lips sensually to signal that you are in a mood to kiss passionately! The secret here is that the lips must be moistened. Use lip gloss or lip balm to moisten the lips.

Once the lips are moistened, move closer to your partner, and tilt your head angle towards one side either left or right to avoid the interference of nose.

The eyes must be closed to get in the mood and the vibe of romance and sensuality. This will also establish intimacy.

French kiss is an open mouth kiss which involves lip contact. Start by first kissing the closed lips and then open the mouth slowly and let it go deep.

While you give a French kiss, you either suck the lower or upper lip at a time. If you are sucking the lower lip of your partner, your upper lips will be sucked by the partner.

Use your tongue while kissing. This type of kiss is not limited to lips but also involves tongues. While kissing, rub your tongue on the partner's lips and try to insert in the partner's mouth. You can also pull the tongue slightly with the help of your teeth when your partner tries to put the tongue inside your mouth.

This type of kiss can make the use of tongue to tickle each other while kissing. Use the tongue to its fullest while you give French kiss.

A fresh breath is essential. Avoid smelly foods (garlic, brie cheese, corn chips, coffee) beforehand. Freshen up with a mint or gum.

Read your date's body language to ensure a French kiss would be welcomed. Holding hands and gentle brush-ups during the date are good signs.

There is no single right way to French kiss. Kissing is as individual as the people doing it. The most important thing is to be true to yourself, your date and the moment.

French kissing can quickly unleash passions. Know your limits beforehand and be prepared to put the other person on hold when you reach them.

Kissing is a nice way to end a fight or to express your love to your partner. It is intimate, sensual and filled with passion. Kissing anytime makes you feel great. For women, kissing is a way to know and express your love. If her man kisses her, she feels wanted and loved.

Try it – it something out of this world – no wonder the French is such passionate lovers!!!

Safety tips for walking the streets

World-wide our city streets are roamed by criminals. This article is about the opportunistic street criminal. They are those who take advantage of people on the streets who unwittingly or foolishly offer themselves as targets for this type of street criminal.

 Next time you are on the streets observe your fellow pedestrians how they make it obvious that there is a bulging wallet in the back pocket, or carry their handbags with the zippers or flaps open or the same handbags nonchalantly thrown loosely over their shoulders. Remember, there are career criminals whose job it is to see this could-not-care attitude of pedestrians and then capitalize on it. But it is the same could-not-care people who will cry foul when mugged or robbed or pick-pocketed – then they will blame the authorities for not ensuring sufficient police on the streets.

It is also our responsibility to look after our own safety. Be like the street criminals – always observant and aware of everything that is going on around us and keeping the following tips in mind:

1. When your wallet, handbag or anything else is grabbed, do not resist. The odds are that you can be injured, even seriously, or that your assailant will become more violent through anger, when he is challenged.

2. Do not advertise that you have a large amount of money on you when drawing cash at an ATM or when paying for goods at a shop.  The best is to pay by means of debit cards.

3. Try not to walk alone. Go with a companion and always stay away from deserted places, deserted bus stops, empty parking lots and unlit areas.

4. Be aware of your surroundings and always anticipate the worst. Do not get into an elevator if you do not like the look of a single occupant in the elevator. The same principle applies when you are in the elevator and a suspicious looking person enters on a floor. Without making a scene, get out as if it were your designated floor. When threatened in a moving elevator, do not press the emergency stop. You will be stuck between two floors with a potential attacker – best is to run your hand over the button panel and try to press as many buttons as allowed!

5. Be mentally alert. Visualise yourself in various situations and how you would react and practise this often.

6. Walk against the traffic flow. Should you perceive a threat from an approaching car you can run past it and it will not be possible for the car to speed after you.

7. In today’s world it will be wise to invest in a self-defence course.

In conclusion, it takes a thief to catch a thief. Therefore, become as streetwise as the opportunistic street criminal just waiting for you to open your defenses!

Daniel

How do you describe a beautiful woman?

Here is my best shot . . . . .

Woman, beautiful woman, the song goes. At first glance, she looked eighteen, maybe twenty; looking her square in her face, she still looked eighteen but could have been forty. Or a hundred and forty. She had the agelessness of perfect beauty. Like Helen of Troy, or Cleopatra. She was a tawny toast colour all-over without a hint of bikini marks and her hair was the same shade two tones lighter. It flowed, unconfined, in graceful waves down her back and seemed never to have been cut.

She was tall, and light in weight. Not fat, not fat at all save for that graceful padding that smoothes the feminine form, shading the muscles underneath -  she carried herself with the relaxed power of a lioness.

Her shoulders were broad for a woman, as broad as her very female hips; her waist might have seemed thick on a lesser woman, on her, it was deliciously slender. Her belly did not sag at all but carried the lovely double-domed curve of perfect muscle tone. Her breasts jutted firmly out and moved only a trifle when she moved, and they were crowned with rosy brown confections that were frankly nipples, womanly and not virginal. Her navel was that jewel the Persian poets praised.

Her legs were long for her height; her hands and feet were not small but were slender, graceful. She was graceful in all ways; it was impossible to think of her in a pose ungraceful. Yet she was so lithe and limber that, like a cat, she could have twisted herself into any position.

Her face -- How do you describe perfect beauty except to say that when you see it you can't mistake it? Her lips were full and her mouth rather wide. It was faintly curved in the ghost of a smile even when her features were at rest. Her lips were red but if she was wearing makeup of any sort it had been applied so skilfully that it was difficult to detect -- and that alone would have made her stand out, for that was a year all other females were wearing "Continental" makeup, as artificial as a corset and as bold as a doxy's smile. Her nose was straight and large enough for her face, no button. Her eyes were endless emerald pools, soft and friendly.

A breeze carried her womanly fragrance like a beacon, signalling, “I am woman, I am beautiful”!

How to Feel Good About Yourself

Engage in an exercise program: It will not only tone up your body, you will feel much better about yourself. Any physical activity will be great – even if it is just a 20 minute brisk walking a day.

Change your clothes: Shop for clothes that make you look more lively and cheerful. Choose colors that go well with your skin and hair colour.

Invest in high-quality lingerie: Do not be too worried if it is too risqué. You will feel great when you wear it.  

Spend more time in front of the mirror: Dress up in your favourite outfits and admire your body in front of the mirror. Just because you have small front, it does not mean that you should not look at yourself in the mirror. Notice, in particular, those assets of your body that stand out, whether it is your hair, eyes, or rear.

Read inspirational books to develop your self-esteem.   

Remember, you are woman – be proud!

Women and long working hours

Working long hours can cause women to indulge in unhealthy behaviours such as snacking, smoking and drinking too much caffeine, says a study that found that men and women respond very differently to long work periods.


Women who work long hours eat more high fat and high sugar snacks, exercise less, drink more caffeine and, if smokers, smoke more than their male colleagues,  a research study found. On the flip side, for men, working longer hours, it has no negative impact on exercise, caffeine intake or smoking.


While women might adopt unhealthy behaviours in response to working long hours, researchers believe that there is at least one beneficial effect. The one clear positive impact of working long hours for both sexes is that alcohol consumption is reduced.


Stress disrupts people's normal eating habits. It causes people to opt for unhealthy high fat and high sugar snacks in preference to healthier food choices. Also people under stress eat less than usual in their main meals including their vegetable intake but shift their preference to high fat/high sugar snacks instead.


As part of the study, the researchers examined the stress caused by certain events (giving a presentation at work, missing a deadline, losing your keys) and the effect on food consumption. The findings showed that those who experienced one or more such hassles during the day consumed significantly more between-meal snacks than usual.


It was also found that  mental rather than physical stress leads people to snack. To establish this, the researchers categorized daily hassles into four types: ego threatening (e.g. giving a presentation), interpersonal (e.g. an argument), work-related (e.g. a meeting with your boss) and physical (e.g. a severe headache). While ego-threatening, interpersonal, and work-related hassles lead people to snack more, physical stressors actually lead people to snack less.


It seems that certain types of people are more likely to snack than others. Those most at risk of snacking under stress are best described as 'emotional eaters. These individuals have higher levels of vulnerability and tend to turn to food as an escape from self-awareness.


Source: Economic & Social Research Council 

Catering for the Nutritional Needs of the Critical Adolescent Years

Adolescence is the period of psychological and social transition between childhood and adulthood. This transition involves biological (i.e. pubertal) and psychological changes – Yahoo Answers.

Adolescence is a time of extremes and contradictions. It is a period in which enthusiasm and tiredness seem to alternate; in which rebelliousness is often matched by an unquestioning conformity to peer pressure; and in which idealism and harshness peak together.

Biologically, sexually, psychologically and mentally a person is coming of age and part of this process, is undergoing the greatest spurt of physical growth since infancy. However, every adolescent matures according to their own inner clock, some much later than others, but individual body consciousness is at an all-time high throughout this period with great emphasis on height, weight, attractiveness and perceived physical maturity.

With the exception of pregnancy and breast-feeding for women, total energy requirements are at an all-time high during adolescence. Satisfying the appetite of a teenage boy often seems impossible and indeed cannot always be successfully accomplished in the traditional three main meals of the day. Substantial additions may be needed. Given free reign and the money to pay for it, most will assure themselves of the additional kilojoules quite easily; the problem lies in assuring that the food they eat out of sight of parents is of good nutritional and health quality.

Adolescent girls also have high kilojoule needs. But, females store more of their body weight as fat and fat uses fewer kilojoules than muscle. Therefore, their needs are appreciable lower than boys’. The trickiest dietary problem that has to be faced by adolescent girls is maintaining a balanced weight while satisfying nutritional needs. Girls must pack in all essential needs in far fewer kilojoules than boys in order to avoid unwanted kilograms. Because girls are exposed as regularly as boys to high-kilojoule foods of questionable worth, they are particularly vulnerable to becoming overweight and malnourished.

This can also give way to another more serious problem under girls. Due to peer pressure and the inner need for attractiveness, it can lead to Anorexia nervosa, a disorder characterised by an unnatural fear of gaining weight and which affects mainly adolescent girls. The sufferer convinces herself that she is too fat, and that she needs neither food nor treatment. Her weight loss is apparent to everyone except but herself.

Another problem during adolescence is the question of obesity which can hit both sexes. Adolescence is a period during which the body can accelerate its addition of fat cells. And if for no other reason, obesity in adolescence should be fought. An estimated one-third of all adolescents   are overweight with females suffering more than males – Readers Digest. The solution or the counter-act does not only lie in inculcating healthy eating habits but also increasing physical activity.

The main task of any parent during the adolescent period of a child is to provide wholesome food at home, both at regular meal times and for the inevitable snacking between meals. The most serious nutritional deficiencies amongst adolescents are calcium and iron. The calcium shortage is rooted in the availability of soft drinks and their frequent substitution for milk. Not only does milk consumption drop but the phosphorous in soft drinks and processed foods reduces the efficiency of calcium absorption by the body. 

Iron shortages are due to increased demand for the manufacture of blood and tissue in both sexes and the onset of menstruation in girls.

In conclusion, adults should remember they also went through the adolescent period. During this phase of a person’s life there is an increased desire for independence which may cause sporadic rejection of old family nutritional values, but this is likely to be compensated for by fresh suggestions gleaned from the dining tables of friends. Therefore, the adolescent’s adventurous side in trying out alternatives is well worth cultivating.

Daniel de Villiers

Work on your sense of humour

If you want to have more fulfilling relationships you might want to consider sharpening your sense of humour as a great place to start.

1. Cultivate an atmosphere of humour and laughter

Begin to cultivate an atmosphere of humour and laughter in your relationships by focussing on the funny things in life and enjoying the laughter they evoke. Soon you will be seeing humour all over and enjoying it fully.

2. Associate with fun-loving people

If you don't laugh as much as you used to and want to correct the situation start associating with humorous, fun loving people and avoid the kill joys of life.

3. Learn to laugh at yourself

If you don't laugh at yourself other will do it for you. So many people are unable to laugh at themselves because of their own insecurities and fears. They are afraid to look foolish in the eyes of others and appear to be incompetent.

4. Make a habit of collecting jokes

Collect cartoons and jokes and put them on display for all to see and enjoy. Remember, there is plenty of good clean humour to go around. Keep the humour clean.

5. Use humour to neutralize conflict

Learn how to be witty. When things get tense use wit or humour to brighten things up. Humour can let the biggest bully crack a smile or even burst out in laughter.

Remember, cry and you cry alone; laugh and the whole world share your joy!

How to improve intimacy in your relationship

To address a lack of intimacy in your relationship, the first step is to try to determine the root of the problem. If it is a medical or health concern then you should seek the advice of your health care professional. However, if the lack of intimacy is caused by other factors, such as stress or tension there are some steps that you can take to help put your relationship back on track.

Stress is one of the most prevalent causes underlying a lack of intimacy between couples, and therefore it is the first area to be addressed. Stress can cause the body to go into defense mode. It can also suppress the Immune System leaving the body susceptible to sickness, exhaustion, and feeling as if you have no energy to perform every day chores. By ensuring that you have a healthy diet that includes plenty of exercise, you can prevent stress from getting its hold on you.

It may sound strange at first, but the best way to prevent a lack of intimacy is to begin by taking care of your own health. When you exercise, you will release hormones (such as endorphins) and have a positive outlook on life. This will give you the stability that you need to face the challenges of everyday life. Once you have your life in balance, you will be able to enjoy spending time with your partner in a greater capacity. You should also consider taking a daily multivitamin supplement to ensure that your physical well-being is at its optimum.

Once you have taken the steps necessary to ensure your health and well being, you should also look at ways that you can prevent or reduce stress specifically. Find a way to relax every day and you will begin to have the energy needed to spend intimate and stress free time with your partner.

When couples lack intimacy, whether it is physical or emotional, a lack of communication begins to develop. To reverse this, it is imperative that you communicate with each other. Discuss what is going on. If it is a medical concern, tell your partner. Intimacy issues can be a cause of fear and anxiety, and by sharing them with your partner, you can depend upon the strength and support that they offer. Talking is the best way to sort out the issues that may be the underlying root of your intimacy issues as well.

However, some couples find that writing a letter may be the best way to express how they feel. Whichever way you choose, the point is to make sure that you communicate your concerns, fears, thoughts, and anxieties with your partner. By working through these issues together, you can ensure that you will pass through this stage in your relationship and enjoy a deeper and greater level of intimacy.

How to deal with a wandering eye

Does your partner have a wandering eye, and ogle other people while with you?

It is quite natural for any man to appreciate beauty in all forms. Just as you might look at a gorgeous sunset, or a beautiful beach, men are able to appreciate the beauty of a well-formed woman.

The question is whether your partner appreciates your unique qualities more than that of another woman. person, If he is always staring at other women, but rarely compliments you on your own qualities, it is time to address this. Sit down and talk about why this happens.

If your partner neglects you in favour of spending time with others, it is also time to talk with him. A partner should respect his woman over others.

If you are feeling neglected or overlooked, sit down and talk about this with your partner. Look through the jealousy tips - you need to be realistic about how needy you are, but you also need your partner to respect you

How to be a passionate lover

1. Shower together. When in the shower, keep close physical contact. Wash him and whisper in his ear the things you love about him.

2. Share a romantic dinner in front of the fireplace. Wear something sexy and enticing. Make sure the dinner is conducive to a romantic setting. Food that can easily be eaten with the least amount of utensils is usually your best bet!

3. Let there always be some physical contact with him when at home. Keeping a sparked connection throughout the night is one of the most effective ways to keeping your partner passionate about you.

4. Do not neglect the magic of kissing. How often do you really just express your desire in a kiss? When you first start dating, it is usually one of the only ways to express your desire. Refresh your kissing skills by every so often catching your partner off-guard with a weak-in-the-knees passionate kiss.

5. Relieve his work stress at the end of the day with a slow, sensual massage, complete with massage oil.

6. Spoil him by reading him an erotic bedtime story. The best encounters are those you do not plan on.

7. Write a sexy letter describing everything you would like to do to him. Leave no doubts about your attraction and get them ready for some loving with a very in-depth description about what you enjoy doing to them!

Remember, it is the small things that count. The most important three words are: “I love You”

You can eat to make you beautiful

The term 'beauty comes from within' traditionally means that personality, kindness and compassion are just important as the way you look. If you are beautiful on the inside, you will be beautiful on the outside too.

This common saying can also be taken to mean that beauty grows from what we put into our bodies, namely the food we eat.

We all know our diet contributes to our body weight but it's also intrinsically linked to our skin, hair and nails.

Without, drinking sufficient water and eating enough fruit and vegetables, we will not get the vitamins, minerals and fluids our skin needs.

No amount of face creams and serums can compensate for a poor diet.

However, it is important not to go overboard with your diet. The key is a healthy, balanced diet... one that you have more than a remote chance of maintaining.

Ten Amazing Facts About Beetroot

I was never a beetroot fan. The only things I knew about beetroot were that occasionally it could be a tasty salad and on the negative side that when you work with it (making a salad for instance) it stains your fingers and when you spill it, it also stains carpets, table cloths, etc. which is difficult to get out.

However, beetroot is actually an amazing vegetable; here are 10 amazing facts about beetroot:

1. Beetroot, botanically known as Beta vulgaris, are native to the Mediterranean.

2. Although the leaves have been eaten since before written history, the beetroot was generally used medicinally and did not become a popular food until French chefs recognized their potential in the 1800’s.

3. Some frozen pizzas use beetroot powder to colour the tomato sauce.

4. The most common garden beetroot  is a deep ruby red in colour, but yellow, white, and even candy-striped (with red and white concentric circles) are available in specialty markets.

5. Beetroot juice can lower blood pressure.

6. Beetroot contains potassium, manganese, and folic. Therefore, it is also a liver tonic.

7. It is boron rich, which stimulates the production of sex hormones.

8. Beetroot with vinegar or lemon juice has a low GI and therefore it gives sustained energy.

9. Beetroot contains betaien, which is an important nutrient for heart health.

10. It is rich in fibre and therefore good for natural digestion.

There you are. With some interesting facts on beetroot, I am now more “beetroot-friendly.”

Daniel