Top Ten Self-improvement Objects in the way You Need to Cope With
Self-improvement may include anything, from providing up cigarette using tobacco to using the addiction of spending budget. However, the self-improvement objectives are not that easy to obtain. Your own thoughts may put a variety of obstructions in your direction. It is a well-known proven reality that an personal making initiatives for self-improvement is often frustrated by his or her own ideas and routines. The first thing should be to observe down these constraints and understand how to cope with them. Here is a conversation on the 10 typical self-improvement obstructions you need to cope with.
Habit of Postponing
The most usual obstacle is the habit to postpone the self-improvement efforts. The efforts for whatever change you wish to bring in your life should begin today itself. Delaying the things may put your interest off and you may never be able to start. For instance, if you wish to leave cigarette smoking, you must start practicing the right techniques like hypnosis from today onwards.
Habit of Acceptance
The efforts towards improvement often take the backseat if you accept that the things are not going to change. Don’t believe that the present circumstances can’t be improved at any cost. Remember that it is you who will evaluate your situation and take the decision to improve or not. Get out of the boundary of accepting the things easily and challenge yourself that you want to bring the change in order to improve your life.
To Do Lists Don’t Work
Many people fail to maintain schedule which is another common hindrance in the direction of self-improvement. This happens because of the general notion that to do lists don’t work at all. The fact is that scheduling and following the schedule religiously is one great step to achieve the improvement goals. In fact, planning a schedule will help you spare quality time for many more things that will make you happy and motivated.
Self-improvement Is Not for Me
People have the tendency to forget one of the most important facts of life that nobody in this world is perfect. You can keep on moving on the path of self-improvement to make your life better and better. Thinking that self-improvement is only for losers is actually depriving you from leading a life better than your present day living. For instance, if you don’t know swimming, just think how learning this exercise can improve your lifestyle.
Keeping It a Secret
It is a typical perception of individuals that it is better to keep the self-improvement initiatives a key from others. Some individuals never like others to know that they are going through weight-loss workouts. This form of considering can deny you from useful reviews that you must obtain from individuals around you. Keep in mind that getting your self-improvement activities evaluated by others will increase your assurance and encourage your further.
Self-improvement if Expensive
Many people never start with self-improvement initiatives, considering that it will include a lot of money. The truth is that you can always search for beneficial options that can help you in enhancing your life without strenuous big money. Even your buddies can help you by indicating some useful ways of self-improvement. You never have to shell out on many guides and programs for the objective of enhancing. Invest some time to discover one or two good guides or video clips that you discover value investing on.
Habit of Binding
People by characteristics are limited to develop within the relaxation areas of their specific societies. However, you can carry enhancement in lifestyle by studying new elements owed to various other societies. The best example would be to understand a new terminology that will add considerably to your understanding. Furthermore, you can increase further by studying a bit of different way of lifestyle.
Boring and Time Consuming
Upgrades in lifestyle may take several days or several weeks to display. This is a reality against what the so-called self-improvement professionals declare to carry up the changes in a couple several days. And, it is a frustrating believed for many individuals. You have to think this way that your lifestyle is going towards enhancement and you have to savor this modification. It is value knowing that this voyage for enhancement will be thoroughly pleasant.
Only Big Changes Lead to Improvement
Big changes do account for larger upgrades, but small changes are similarly significant. Many people immediate their initiatives to obtain big changes only, without acknowledging the value of the small steps. For example, if you start going for a day move daily, it will add to your time and effort of reaching health.
More Thoughts Fewer Efforts
Lastly, it is another element of people instinct that initiatives actually created towards self-improvement does not have behind the ideas of enhancement. In other terms, good considering alone cannot help you obtain the self-improvement advantages. You will have to create initiatives to recognize these ideas.
You will definitely link with many of these self-improvement obstructions. Give your best taken to get rid of these constraints and provides your 100% to increase for better.
Originally Posted by: Self Improvement Bible
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7 Steps to Instantly Calm
Serenity
Between his busy work schedule, child care, shopping, and, oh, a hundred other things you have to do in a day, is easy to forget how much stress you are really low.
But the body is well aware. All this tension could start a chain reaction of health problems. “When you get stressed several times, the nervous system remains tense, so that even small amounts of stress can make you feel overwhelmed,” says Henry Emmons, MD, author of Chemistry of calm.
That is why it is so important to build a relaxing routine for those times when life falls apart. Learning to cultivate peace with these simple suggestions.
Look for Signs
The best way to manage stress is to prevent the build first. But it can be difficult to know when you’re going to risk because the signals of your body can be subtle. “People are often not aware that stress affects sleep quality, you can get eight hours, but has still not very deep sleep, if you feel tired,” said Dr. Emmons.
To keep your stress levels in check, take a few minutes each day thinking about any unusual changes in your habits or physical health, which can be stimulated by fear.
Change Your Home
When you feel tense, you can get the (unproductive) you want to replay mentally what has happened several times in his mind.
Dr. Emmons recommends moving your attention to your body instead. Find a quiet place to sit and concentrate on feeling the seat under you. Then take a long, deep breaths from the diaphragm, try to breathe through your nose for four, with two, and exhaling through your mouth for seven years. Exhale more than breathe a deeper breath, which helps calm the nervous system. “You can even practice your breath when you are stressed, so you know exactly what that calm deep breathing,” said Dr. Emmons.
Get A Pass
Easy to use stress as an excuse to ignore the exercise has many other things in your mind, right? But working really helps balance stress hormones, said Dr. Emmons.
Then a break, and walk up and down some steps, or subscribe to the kickboxing class you’ve been dying to try. Then cool your routine with some sweet music: Make a special “calming” playlist on your iPod, recommended Beth Hamilton, MD, co-author ofSo Stressed: The Ultimate Stress-Relief Plan for Women. Studies show that brain waves are synchronized with the slow pace, puts you in a meditative state.
Right Snack
During periods of stress, it’s human nature to want to pamper yourself with a piece of cake. But it is more important than ever to stick to your eating habits, says Elizabeth Somer, RD, author of Eat your way to happiness.
Cravings for sweets highest level of glucose in the blood, making you feel more nervous. For a healthy drink, including anti-stress, fresh strawberries dipped in chocolate sauce, black, Somer. Vitamin C reduces the stress induced by free radicals fruit, while the black chocolate reduces stress hormones (like cortisol) in the body. Another option: carrot or celery sticks Snack. Crunchy Snacks chewing (but healthy!) Helps release pent-up frustration, says Somer.
Call a Friend
Being with friends helps our body to pump feel good hormone oxytocin. Then meet a friend at the end of a crazy-busy day, or call during your lunch break.
Even better: Take time to stroll on a regular basis, you will be paid a boost to your well-being continues. Just do not make calls to bitch fests, ranting will get you working again, Dr. Emmons said.
Get Out
Taking refuge in the office can make you get stuck in “I’m overwhelmed” Mode. Merely breathing the fresh air can improve their prospects, helping them deal with difficult situations more calmly. Get out and enjoy the moment in which the head of equilibrium rather than think about all the things you have to do. If there is a garden close by, stop and smell the flowers. Research shows that inhalation of certain aromas (like lavender) can help restore the immune system is stressed to normal levels.
Preparing For Bed
You know how it works: Just when you lie down for a good night, all the concerns of his career change. And lack of sleep makes you feel more anxious. To combat this vicious circle, the scope of a pad and pencil and write all the negative thoughts or lists of tasks pops into your head, says Sue Patton Thoele, author of Women Aware. Paradoxically, getting their thoughts down on paper really helps you set aside.
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Some Useful Key for a Wonderful Day
Yeah, I know this stuff is obvious, but sometimes we need to be reminded of the obvious.We need to be hit in the face with it so we will do something about it.
- Cut the rest of the world some slack I put this number one because I can think of no better way to chill out and enjoy yourself than just giving it a break. Who cares what anyone else is doing or how they are doing it or why they are doing it? I don’t.
- Cut yourself some slack. Give yourself the same break you need to give everyone else. You don’t have to be perfect. The food doesn’t have to be perfect. The place settings don’t have to be perfect. Your house doesn’t have to be spotless. Don’t try to impress yourself or anyone else.
- Take it easy. Don’t hurry or rush. Do everything in a relaxed easy going manner. Don’t tense yourself up no matter what it is your are doing. Athletes that stay relaxed run faster, swim faster, and move with less effort and more grace. There is something wonderful about slowing down and taking it easy. In the words of Foghat – Slow ride, take it easy.
- Do something for the pure enjoyment of it. To some of you this may be a radical concept but give it a try. It doesn’t have to be productive. It doesn’t have to have a pay off at some future time. It doesn’t have to please anyone else. It just has to be fun for you.
- Do something with wonderful people. If you can combine doing something for the pure enjoyment of it with spending time with wonderful people you might just find your little slice of heaven. There is almost nothing better than spending time with wonderful, positive people.
- Play Your Favorite Music. The other night I went to a local bar with some wonderful people for the pure enjoyment of it. We played our favorite music from days gone by. I remember nothing else about that day.
- Turn off the TV and don’t read any news. The odds of being exposed to something that makes you feel good is about 1 in 10.
- Avoid Toxic People. I know sometimes you just can’t, but at least try. If your toxic mother in-law comes over for the holidays, first cut her some slack. Then go somewhere in the house she isn’t. Go to a movie with your sister. You can find some way to avoid toxic people if you try. If you can’t then just pretend like they aren’t even there.
- Eat food you absolutely love. This shouldn’t be difficult this time of year. Take it easy because you just remember the last bite anyway. Don’t stuff yourself or you will find yourself thinking about how bad you feel instead of how good it was. Seriously, you should eat, drink, and be merry!
- Make remembering the wonderful things you did the last thing you do before going to bed.
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My Morning Rituals
Most personal development and productivity experts suggest mornings as the best time for clear and focused results-driven work. I’ve experienced the same and form my days around just a few hours of work in the morning between 10am and 1pm. I also believe that different people work best at different times, but no matter when you’re productive hours are, it’s important you set up your day for greater wellbeing with some healthy morning rituals. Here are ten ideas:
- Wake up. Don’t hit snooze. Jump out of bed as if someone threw a bucket of cold water on you. Half of your day’s success is actually showing up and being excited. Rest time is over, get out of bed now.
- Drink a pint of water first thing in the morning. If you don’t like water on its own, squeeze some fresh lime into it. Water is great for you – you know that, mom said that and now we’ve got to do it!
- Make yourself a blend of fruits that excite you. I love a carrot-apple-ginger juice and drink it in the morning before eating and wait at least an hour or so before I eat.
- Go out and take in the sunlight. I wake up when I see sun. Its energy, invigoration and excitement is absolutely amazing. Get up and spend a minute outside looking up in the sky taking in the morning light. Wrap up warm if it’s cold, but make sure you do it.
- Spend time in silence. Be grateful for what you have. Mentally or on paper, plan the day out. If you don’t do the previous night, write out your to-do list of the most exciting and important things.
- Cuddle your kids (or find some to cuddle). Kids bring excitement and awe in the way they think and view the world. Spending time around them helps you to cultivate the inner child within you. And doing it from the morning is even better.
- Brush your tongue. Lose the morning breath and start off on a minty note.
- Go for a walk. Or hop on the treadmill for 30 minutes. People who walk in the morning have more energy than those who walk at night after a long day. Use the work to appreciate your surroundings and plan your day. In silence if possible.
- Drink green tea. Instead of coffee, have a cup of green tea. Boosts your energy, provides antioxidants and has been promoted as a great natural healthy option.
- Journal. A list of rituals without journaling in the morning isn’t complete. I find it the most exhilarating thing to be sitting down for a short period and just writing out whatever comes to my head, no matter whether it immediately makes sense to me or not.
What do you do in the morning as part of your “rituals”? Tell me in the Comments Section Below:
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Truths You Should Learn About Life…!!
Everyone gets drilled with certain lessons in life. Sometimes it takes repeated demonstrations of a given law of life to really get it into your skull, and other times one powerful experience drives the point home once forever. Here are 88 things I’ve discovered about life, the world, and its inhabitants by this point in my short time on earth.
- You can’t change other people, and it’s rude to try.
- It is a hundred times more difficult to burn calories than to refrain from consuming them in the first place.
- If you’re talking to someone you don’t know well, you may be talking to someone who knows way more about whatever you’re talking about than you do.
- The cheapest and most expensive models are usually both bad deals.
- Everyone likes somebody who gets to the point quickly.
- Bad moods will come and go your whole life, and trying to force them away makes them run deeper and last longer.
- Children are remarkably honest creatures until we teach them not to be.
- If everyone in the TV show you’re watching is good-looking, it’s not worth watching.
- Yelling always makes things worse.
- Whenever you’re worried about what others will think of you, you’re really just worried about what you’ll think of you.
- Every problem you have is your responsibility, regardless of who caused it.
- You never have to deal with more than one moment at a time.
- If you never doubt your beliefs, then you’re wrong a lot.
- Managing one’s wants is the most powerful skill a person can learn.
- Nobody has it all figured out.
- Cynicism is far too easy to be useful.
- Every passing face on the street represents a story every bit as compelling and complicated as yours.
- Whenever you hate something, it hates you back: people, situations and inanimate objects alike.
- People embellish everything, as a rule.
- Anger reveals weakness of character, violence even moreso.
- Humans cannot destroy the planet, but we can destroy its capacity to keep us alive. And we are.
- When people are uncomfortable with the present moment, they fidget with their hands or their minds. Watch and see.
- Those who complain the most, accomplish the least.
- Putting something off makes it instantly harder and scarier.
- Credit card debt devours souls.
- Nobody knows more than a minuscule fraction of what’s going on in the world. It’s just way too big for any one person to know it well.
- Most of what we see is only what we think about what we see.
- A person who is unafraid to present a candid version of herself to the world is as rare as diamonds.
- The most common addiction in the world is the draw of comfort. It wrecks dreams and breaks people.
- If what you’re doing feels perfectly safe, there is probably a better course of action.
- The greatest innovation in the history of humankind is language.
- Blame is the favorite pastime of those who dislike responsibility.
- Everyone you meet is better than you at something.
- Proof is nothing but a collection of opinions that match your own.
- Knowledge is belief, nothing more.
- What makes human beings different from animals is that animals can be themselves with ease.
- Self-examination is the only path out of misery.
- Whoever you are, you will die. To know and understand that means you are alive.
- Revenge is for the petty and irresponsible.
- Getting truly organized can vastly improve anyone’s life.
- Almost every cliché contains a truth so profound that people have been compelled to repeat it until it makes you roll your eyes. But the wisdom is still in there.
- People cause suffering when they are suffering themselves. Alleviating their suffering will help them not hurt others.
- High quality is worth any quantity, in possessions, friends and experiences.
- The world would be a better place if everyone read National Geographic.
- If you aren’t happy single, you won’t be happy in a relationship.
- Even if it costs no money, nothing is free if it takes time.
- Emotions exist to make us strongly biased towards or against something. This hinders as often as it helps.
- Addiction is a much greater problem in society than it’s made out to be. It’s present in every person in various forms, but usually we call it something else.
- “Gut feeling” is not just a euphemism. Tension in the abdomen speaks volumes about how you truly feel about something, beyond all arguments and rationales.
- Posture and dress change profoundly how you feel about yourself and how others feel about you, like it or not.
- Everyone thinks they’re an above average driver.
- The urge to punish others has much more to do with venting frustration than correcting behavior.
- By default, people think far too much.
- If anything is worth splurging on, it’s a high-quality mattress. You’ll spend a third of your life using it.
- There is nothing worse than having no friends.
- To write a person off as worthless is an act of great violence.
- Try as we might to be otherwise, we are all hypocrites.
- Justice is a human invention which is in reality rarely achievable, but many will not hesitate to destroy lives demanding it.
- Kids will usually understand exactly what you mean if you keep it to one or two short sentences.
- Stuff that’s on sale usually has an annoying downside.
- Casual swearing makes people sound dumb.
- Words are immensely powerful. One cruel remark can wound someone for life.
- It’s easy to make someone’s day just by being uncommonly pleasant to them.
- Most of what children learn from their parents isn’t taught on purpose.
- The secret ingredient is usually butter, in obscene amounts.
- It is worth re-trying foods that you didn’t like at first.
- Problems, when they arise, are rarely as painful as the experience of fearing them.
- Nothing — ever — happens exactly like you pictured it.
- North Americans are generally terrible at accepting compliments and offers of help.
- There are not enough women in positions of power. The world has suffered from this deficit for a long time.
- When you break promises to yourself, you feel terrible. When you make a habit of it, you begin to hate yourself.
- A good nine out of ten bad things I’ve worried about never happened. A good nine out of ten bad things that did happen never occurred to me to worry about.
- You can’t hide a bad mood from people who know you well, but you can always be polite.
- Sometimes you have to remove certain people from your life, even if they’re family.
- Anyone can be calmed in an instant by looking at the ocean or the stars.
- There is no point finishing a book you aren’t enjoying. Life is too short for that. Swallow your pride and put it down for good, unfinished.
- There is no correlation between the price of a brand of batteries and how long they last.
- Breaking new ground only takes a small amount more effort than you’re used to giving.
- Life is a solo trip, but you’ll have lots of visitors. Some of them are long-term, most aren’t.
- One of the best things you can do for your kids is take them on road trips. I’m not a parent, but I was a kid once.
- The fewer possessions you have, the more they do for you.
- Einstein was wiser than he was intelligent, and he was a genius.
- When you’re sick of your own life, that’s a good time to pick up a book.
- Wishing things were different is a great way to torture yourself.
- The ability to be happy is nothing other than the ability to come to terms with how things change.
- Killing time is an atrocity. It’s priceless, and it never grows back.
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100 Snacks Under 100 Calories
Whilst I discourage extra snacking on carb high food and empty calories. I know this is easier said than done! Every now and then people give into temptation on diets and opt to have a cheeky snack, but finding the right ones that will satisfy your cravings without ruining your waistline can be tricky! However we’ve compiled a list of snacks under 100 calories that adheres to everyone tastes!
Remember to always double check the labels of your chosen foods for calories and to always keep to moderation.
20 olives
68 calories – If you like something to nibble with your treat glass of wine, why not steer away from the crisps and have some olives instead? At only 68 calories for 20 they’re a far healthier option. Olives are also good for the liver.
14 almonds
98 calories – A perfect snack for keeping at your desk when you need something to snack on, almonds is an ideal substitute for the savoury snacks people usually reach for and with heart protective monounsaturated fats (MUFA’s) and some vitamin b why wouldn’t you?
2 Jaffa Cakes
90 calories – Tasty treat that is calorifically low and with just one gram of fat per cake.
‘Be Good To Yourself’ Cool flavour tortilla snacks
93 calories – Having friends over and want low-calorie party food? These are perfect for sharing and won’t spoil your diet either.
Elizabeth Hurley’s Guilt Free Orange and Chocolate Oat Bars
100 calories – indulge in some chocolate orange (not a ‘chocolate orange’) without the hefty calories.
Two bags of Lightly Salted ‘Snack-a-jacks’ Popcorn
98 calories – Fancy a munch at the cinema? You can have two of these bags of ‘snack-a-jacks’ for under 100 calories (you may need to sneak them in however!)
100g of ‘Rod & Ben’s’ Pea & Mint soup
62 calories – Soups are satisfying, making them a great diet snack if you’re peckish.
Aero Bubbleball
99 calories – These ice-cream treats are based on screwball and with much less calories than most ice-cream snacks!
An apple
100 calories – “An apple a day can keep the doctor away.” Apples are rich in soluble fibre which helps protect against environmental pollutants and eliminates cholesterol. Go for one of the sweeter variety and you can skip a less healthy sugary snack.
1 ‘Skinny Cow’ Ice Cream
100 calories – You can still enjoy a frozen treat and keep your ‘beach body’ thanks to these low-fat iced deserts, and they come in a variety of tasty flavours, like berry and chocolate.
Miso soup
57 calories – You can buy miso soup in powder sachets so they make a quick and easy mid-afternoon snack for the office.
One ‘party size’ sausage roll
61 calories – pastry is no friend to a dieter, but luckily just one bite sized sausage roll won’t eat much into your calorie allowance.
Mini vegetable samosa
70 calories – Will count towards your 5 a day and the carbs in the pastry will help lift you from the 3 o’clock slump.
Quavers crisps
87 calories – a cheesy snack at a fraction of the calories of a chunk of cheddar.
10 salted peanuts
74 calories – Nuts are high in calories, but as a ‘Low GI’ food they release their energy slowly, so a small amount will keep hunger pangs at bay for a long time.
Three celery sticks stuffed with cottage cheese
75 calories – Celery may seem like boring diet food, but filled with soft cottage cheese it makes a great savoury treat.
Five ‘Werthers Originals’
100 calories – How long does it take to suck your way through five boiled sweets? It’ll be dinner time before you know it!
‘Be Good To Yourself’ Sweet Chili Cassava Snacks
76 calories – If you love crisps and can not think of anything better than a bag to snack on, opt for a low-calorie choice and avoid temptation.
Three chicken satay sticks with smooth peanut butter
98 calories – Yum.
Two stuffed vine leaves
100 calories – an alternative party snack.
Five squares of ‘Green and Blacks’ Butterscotch chocolate
85 calories – you can diet and eat chocolate (see our article on dieting and chocolate) Just make sure it’s high in cocoa and don’t graze too much.
Two lightly buttered oatcakes
100 calories – The energy given to us from oats gets used very slowly, so this should keep you going until dinner time.
‘Weight Watchers’ Frozen Chocolate Eclair
76 calories – Chocolate, pastry and cream at just 76 calories? It’s true!
Three potato wedges with ketchup
100 calories – It’s almost as good as being allowed chips. Just make sure you don’t put more than three in the oven and don’t overdo the ketchup…
30 grapes
100 calories – Last’s all morning and counts as one of your 5 a day. Grapes help in the treatment of anaemia, fatigue, arthiritis, gout, rheumatism and especially for recovery from illness.
Fun-size Milky Way
76 calories – “The red car and the blue car had a race… All red used to do was stuff it’s face; it ate everything it see’s from trucks to prickly tree’s… but good old blue he took the milky way!”
One melon
88 calories – Melons are the ultimate diet snack! They have such a low calorific value as they are made up mostly of water; go ahead and eat a whole one if you like!
Six dried apricots
100 calories – Convenient snack to have in your handbag, plus they’re full of fibre too.
Tomato soup
74 calories – a low calorie soup can be a filling snack and full of goodness.
Prawn cocktail Skips
89 calories – A light snack to calm your savoury craving.
Sugar-free jelly with two scoops Wall’s Vanilla Light Ice Cream
100 calories – re-visit your youth with this classic kids’ party pudding. Good for sore-throats too!
25 cherries
100 calories – Full of vitamins and low fat, cherries also take a while to eat as you have to avoid the stones, so your morning snack lasts.
‘Special K’ Chocolate Chip Cereal Bar
84 calories – Fewer calories than the standard chocolate bar; a great sweet fix and craving killer.
125ml red or dry white wine
85 calories – this one’s probably best saved for after work however!
2 crackers lightly spread with smooth peanut butter
93 calories – nuts release energy slowly (thanks to their low glycaemic index), plus crackers always take ages to chew, just don’t try to eat them in under a minute.
1 Birds Eye Potato Waffle
94 calories – a treat the whole family can enjoy (although probably best to multiply the quantity by the number of family members).
2 Tuna nigri sushi
98 calories – A very healthy snack for sushi fans!
Stewed apple with 1tbsp fromage frais
83 calories – Make in batches and keep in the freezer. It makes a healthy dessert for that kids will like!
Portobello mushroom stuffed with roast veg and feta cheese
100 calories – Packed with healthy veg and tasty cheese.
3 giant sea salt pretzels
93 calories – Filling treat to pick you up from your mid-afternoon slump.
2 satsumas
42 calories – low-calorie snack packed with vitamin C and awkward to eat which means your snack lasts longer!
Mini Babybel with two Nairn’s Mini Oatcakes
98 calories – sometimes it’s hard to resist cheese when you’re dieting, but you don’t need to as long as you stick with the ‘light’ option.
2 Poppadums with salsa
94 calories – spice up a poppadom with hot salsa!
Meringue nest with cream and strawberries
71 calories – This snack will certainly kill that sugar craving stone dead!
2 Grissini breadsticks with houmous
97 calories – Dipping snacks keep your hands busy!
Eight cashew nuts
100 calories – eaten in sensible quantities, nuts can be a dieter’s best friend, as they keep you fuller for longer.
‘Tunnocks’s’ Chocolate Teacake
91 calories – A chocolate marshmallow biscuit treat. What more can you ask for?
20 Chocolate coated raisins
80 calories – You can pick at this snack all afternoon, and not only is it chocolate but it contributes to your 5 a day. Bonus!
Four marshmallows
90 calories – Toasted until gooey or popped on top of your coffee, marshmallows are a fantastic low-fat sweet.
Carrot batons with extra-light mayo dip
65 calories – low-fat and nutritious.
Small bag of Twiglets
97 calories – Filling and full of flavour, perhaps not if you don’t like Marmite!
Pink wafer biscuit
72 calories – the perfect partner to your cup of tea or coffee.
‘Go Ahead!’ Strawberry Yoghurt Break Bar
72 calories – Fruity sweet fix without the guilt.
Flute of champagne
90 calories – This may not be in your daily, or even weekly budget, but every now and then it’s nice to treat yourself to a glass of bubbly.
Double vodka and slimline tonic
100 calories – Never forget the calories in drinks (You can read our article about alcohol and dieting here). Vodka and slimline tonic is however relatively low, though, so you can enjoy one occasionally.
One slice Warburtons bread toasted and soft cheese
100 calories – Toast with a delicious cheesy topping doesn’t have to be calorific. If you use healthy bread and spread your soft cheese thinly.
Thin slice Soreen malt loaf
86 calories – Sticky and sweet.
Mini pitta with 1tsp tzatziki
97 calories – A savoury delight, cut into pieces to help it last.
One mini Toblerone
21 calories – I bet this one is a realy shocker! Yes, bite sized chocolate with crunchy nougat chunks can be a mere 21 calories each believe it or not. (note MINI toblerone).
A crumpet
100 calories – We usually advise staying away from baked goods, however you can toast yourself a crumpet (avoiding butter) and dust with a tiny amount of grated low-fat cheese for a filling snack.
A pear
100 calories – Next time you fancy a snack, why not reach for a refreshing pear? One of your 5-a-day and less than 100 calories too.
A small baked potato
100 calories – Jacket potatoes are filling and very low in calories if you choose the right toppings. Try with two teaspoons of fat-free sour cream and/or half cup of salsa for less than 100 calories.
A ‘Slim-Fast’ Heavenly Chocolate Delight bar
95 calories – A tasty chocolate bar without the guilt. They also come in Chocolate Nutty Nougat and Caramel Treat flavours, too.
150g of Fat Free Vanilla Onken Yogurt
74 calories – Pop one of these yogurts in the fridge and you’ll always have a tasty snack when you’re feeling any hunger pangs.
A ‘School’ Bar
67 calories – These bars are a convenient snack for an energy boost. They don’t melt either!
‘Weight Watchers’ Luxury Layer Chocolate Brownie Pot
90 calories – If you feel like a treat after dinner but don’t want to ruin your diet; one of these iced desserts is perfect (and it’s much less fattening than ice cream).
A medium corn on the cob with seasoning
100 calories – It’s good to know that you can have a corn on the cob with a little salt and pepper for less than 100 calories!
2tsp hummus with a carrot
100 calories – Enjoy hummus with some crunchy carrot at any time for just 100 calories.
Four slices of mango
90 calories – You can enjoy four slices of juicy mango. They’re also sweet so great as a treat if you’d usually reach for something with more calories!
A cup of blueberries
83 calories – Blueberries (as well as being a strong antioxidant) are tasty, refreshing and a great way of getting one of your ‘five a day’. Also considered a ‘superfood’ for it’s ability to slow the aging process and protect against heart and circulatory disease and many forms of cancer.
A ‘Weight Watchers’ Mini Chocolate Stick
95 calories – There’s nothing better (and usually horrifically calorific!) than a tasty ice cream in the summer months, but if you don’t want to ruin your diet why not try one of these?
70g ‘TOTAL’ 2% yogurt with 80g strawberries
69 calories – Enjoy them with some creamy yogurt for only 69 calories. Strawberries also have the amazing ability to increase the body’s elimination of uric acid (a substance which irritates inflamed joints).
A bag of Fruit Flakes
66 calories – ‘Fruit Flakes’ would be more than three times heavier if they were non-dried fruit, which just shows how much fruit they pack in! Great for a nutritional boost.
A Brooklea Fromage Frais
87 calories – These fromage frais are handy for your lunchbox when you fancy a treat.
Opies cocktail gherkins 30 calories per 227g jar (seriously!)
30 calories – At an amazing 30 calories per jar these gherkins are a good substitute for any snack (and filling I imagine).
A ‘Monster Puffs’ cereal bar
83 calories – Based on the cereal ‘Sugar Puffs’, these bars taste delicious and are a great morning snack.
A bag of Slim Fast Cheddar Flavour Bites
95 calories – Cheesy snacks are notorious for being high in calories, but these cheddar-flavoured bites are only 95 calories a bag.
One Strawberry ‘Weight Watchers’ Mini Swirl Pot
92 calories – If you fancy a tasty snack in the evening, why not reach for one of these? They’re under 100 calories per pot and less calorific than a bowl of ice cream.
One Starbucks Tall Cappuccino with skimmed milk
76 calories – Coffees can be surprisingly high in calories, but if you’re dependant on your caffeine fix then why not opt for Starbucks ‘skinny cappuccino’? You can finally enjoy your hot drink without too much guilt!
10 Pringles
100 calories – At a party you can tuck into 10 Pringles without the guilt. However don’t be pulled into the addictive ‘once you pop you can’t stop’ slogan (pretty sure it’s not true).
A ‘Dole’ Pineapple Pot
62 calories – Pineapple is a great sweet and these pots are handy any time. Being both anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial; Sore-throats, digestive problems, bruising and blood clots all respond to Pineapple’s natural ingredients!
2 Cadbury’s Roses
100 calories – There’s no need to be scared of the box of Roses, you can have two of your favourites for under 100 calories, just make sure it is just ‘two’.
A ‘Slim Fast’ Sour Cream and Chive Flavoured Pretzels snack bag
95 calories – Pretzels are a great substitute for fatty crisps and will still give you that savoury kick.
2 kiwis
58 calories – Kiwi fruit’s not only contain as much vitamin C as an orange, it’s a great fruit to take to work or have at home and make a nice change from the more common fruit. Also an aid to digestion and skin problems.
A glass of orange juice
100 calories – Orange juice is the best way of getting your vitamin C and they are also low in calories.
A ‘Müller’ Light yoghurt
96 calories – With flavours like cherry, blueberry and raspberry what’s not to love?
One bag of Ryvita Salt and Vinegar Mini Bites
100 calories – If you fancy a packet of crisps with your lunch you can avoid the guilt with these bites.
16 strawberries
58 calories – Strawberries are one of Britain’s favourite summer fruits and they’re low in calories too. You can dig into 16 for a mere 58 calories! Strawberries also have the amazing ability to increase the body’s elimination of uric acid (a substance which irritates inflamed joints).
Half a pint of lager and seven peanuts
99 calories – There’s no need to miss out on that Friday drink and peanuts or substantially increasing your beer belly when you visit the pub. Half a pint and a few peanuts shouldn’t hurt your diet.
A ‘Slim-Fast’ Chocolate Nutty Nougat bar
95 calories – Keep one of these in your desk won’t be tempted to reach for a calorific chocolate bar next time you have the ‘choco cravings’.
A Frozen banana
95 calories – frozen bananas: They taste great! Simply push a lolly stick into a banana then just freeze it, and you have a cheap, healthy and tasty iced snack for around 95 calories. Take that ice-cream!
1 Cadbury’s Highlights Mousse
60 calories – Satisfy those chocolate cravings with a chocolate mousse, and at only 60 calories you can go to sleep content.
Two medium peaches
76 calories – Lowers cholesterol and high blood pressure, regenerates skin tissue and containing many essential vitamins, peaches are great for you and yummy too.
1 McVitie’s chocolate digestive
83 calories – There’s nothing like a chocolate biscuit with your afternoon cup of tea, and you can have a chocolate digestive for only 83 calories.
1 bag of ‘Walkers’ Salt and Vinegar French Fries
82 calories – If you fancy some crisps, snack on a bag of these and you can enjoy your crisps and avoid any guilt.
1 slice of Marmite on brown toast
100 calories – If you love Marmite and fancy something quick and filling, a piece of toast and marmite is still only 100 calories. Marmite (love it or hate it) is also a fantastic food for vegetarians as it contains vitamin B which is mainly found in meat, eggs and fish.
1 ‘Fruit and Fibre’ bar
95 calories – Under 100 calories and convenient for on the go, pop one in your pocket for when you’re out and about.
A hard-boiled egg
78 calories – Not only are they high in protein and amino acids, but hard-boiled eggs are a filling snack. Second to none for that protein boost. Also a wonderful source of zinc and vitamins A, B, D and E!
25 ‘Jelly Belly’ jelly beans
100 calories – Have a sweet tooth? Why not dig into some jelly beans next time you fancy a snack? You can have 25 of these and still not go over 100 calories.
10 Cosmetic Uses for Everyday Foods
Getting egg on your face can be a good thing
The folds in a chef’s hat are supposed to symbolize the number of ways that chef knows how to prepare an egg, but we’re sure there’s at least one missing: as a facial mask. Many common foods can be used as cosmetics with surprisingly good results. So no matter your motivation (you want to save a few dollars, up your green quotient, or just find a novel way to pass the time), here are 10 cosmetic uses for food that are just as good, if not better, than their store-bought counterparts. (A word to the wise: If you have sensitive skin or processed hair, try these remedies on a small patch of skin or hair first.)
1. Egg White Mask. You can either save your leftover egg whites for an omelet
or angel food cake, or use them for your next facial. Just one white, beaten until smooth, is enough to cover your face. As with other masks, let it dry completely, then rinse off. It will leave you feeling refreshed, and your skin will be noticeably more taut.
2. Oatmeal Face Wash. Oatmeal has calming properties that soothe the skin
and help reduce redness. It can be used in a variety of ways, from a body wash to a mask, but the most basic is this simple face wash: Mix together equal parts warm honey and lemon juice, then stir in three parts instant oatmeal until it turns into a paste. Apply to your face, then wash off with warm water.
3. Vinegar Hair Cleaner. Swap your conditioner for vinegar twice a month
and you’ll get rid of any nasty buildup, as well as improve your hair’s silkiness and shine. Seriously. Don’t use dark or expensive vinegars; stick to cider or white wine vinegar for less strain on the wallet and better results. But don’t do this more than a few times a month or you’ll risk drying out your hair.
4. Honey and Brown Sugar Scrub. Fill a jar about two-thirds full with honey, add a scoop of brown sugar and one halved vanilla bean, and mix. Keep this in the shower and use it as a body scrub that will leave you smelling nice and feeling smooth.
5. Lemon Juice Lightener. Beach-goers have been doing this for years to lighten their locks. Just combine the juice of half a lemon with a handful of leave-in conditioner (which is less goopy than regular conditioner), spread on your hair, and comb through, then wash out. (Note: Highlighted or color-treated hair should be spared this homemade remedy, which could make your hair look brassy.) Many people also apply lemon juice directly to age spots to bleach them out, though this should be avoided on sensitive skin because lemon juice is highly acidic.
6. Coffee: Scrub and Shine-Maker. Your leftover coffee grounds can clog your drain or, if you’re feeling adventurous, be used as an invigorating scrub. For more details, check out this CHOW Tip. Needless to say, avoid doing this if you have sensitive skin. Leftover brewed coffee can also be mixed with some coffee grounds and conditioner to help increase shine in dark hair.
7. Tea Bag Eye Rejuvenator. The quintessential home cosmetic remedy is using cucumber slices on the eyes to reduce puffiness. While that certainly works, brewed black tea bags are even more effective. Place them on your eyes (which should be closed, of course) and let the tannins work their magic—about five minutes should do the trick.
8. Baking Soda Teeth Cleaner. Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with a quarter teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide for one of the most basic forms of tooth care that exists. It’ll clean your teeth (some would argue better than store-bought toothpaste), but you’ll be missing out on the minty freshness. Of course, you could just go totally au naturel and gnaw a bit of spearmint for that.
9. Oil Moisturizer. Take a page from many a Mediterranean grandmother: Olive oil works fabulously as a lotion. Use too much and you’ll smell like pasta, but in small doses it works wonders as a daily lotion or massage oil. If olive oil isn’t your thing, sesame oil (regular not toasted), peanut oil, almond oil, and argan oil work too.
10. Cornstarch Bath Powder. Superabsorbent and extremely fine, cornstarch is the kitchen equivalent of baby powder and can be used in the same way. Combine it with a few leaves of a nice-smelling dried herb (rosemary, lavender, or sage, for instance) and pulse it in the food processor until evenly mixed. Sift out any large stray leaf bits, transfer to a container with a shake top (like an old baby powder bottle), and use to freshen up anything from your body to your sneakers.
8 Ways To Stop Being Afraid of Making Wrong Decisions
Every morning we wake up and face a new day with new challenges. It’s human nature and this is the course of life. Even if I was not always prepared for whatever fate has given me to carry on my shoulders I struggled and I managed to get all things to an end.
One of the greatest challenges I faced was fear: fear of change, fear of making wrong decisions and fear of holding my point of view. This instinct of fear can mess up our lives distorting the way we look at ourselves and at the people around us. From definitions, fear is a pre-programmed emotion that acts as an instinctual response to potential danger. And this instinctual response causes different physical reactions, because when we are afraid, the adrenaline and the stress hormone cortisol are released into the blood stream.
We can say there are two types of fear: healthy and unhealthy fear. For example if we are afraid of spiders or if we are afraid of not succeeding something, then we have an unhealthy fear. This fear is unproductive, it’s stressing us and it’s repressing our actions, blocking the normal course of things. On the other side, if we are smoking a lot and we are afraid of putting our health in danger, then this is a healthy fear. This healthy fear could motivate us to take better decisions and to better organize our life.
Unfortunately, what we face most are unhealthy fears. “The most destructive element in the human mind is fear. Fear creates aggressiveness” says Dorothy Thompson.
As I mentioned at the beginning, fear is the instinctual response to potential danger, therefore we must analyze and manage the “potential danger” in order to stop being afraid.
- See beyond the danger. When we face a potential danger we panic and this makes us take wrong decisions or run away from responsibilities. What we should do instead is take a deep breath and think of all possible consequences and implications. Many times,things are not as bad as we think they are.
- Take a positive attitude. We are strong enough to manage all the problems and nothing can stop us.
- Expand our comfort zone. There are three important zones where we can be situated: the comfort zone, the learning zone and the panic zone. Let’s think of it as three circles one inside another. The unexpected gets us out of the comfort zone and into the learning zone which leads to the panic zone. It was proved by scientists that operating on the edge of our comfort zone is the best place to learn and grow. As long as we are “inside” it’s ok, but if we face a new and different situation we get out of these zones and move into the panic zone. We have to learn how to behave and how to manage the new situations without being afraid of taking wrong decisions. After all, is practice and learning that make these transitions less scary, resulting in an expansion of the comfort zone.
- When you want to give up, do one more step. This step is about pushing our limits and becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable. We never know we will succeed unless we actually try.
- Do not avoid or postpone tasks and activities. I often find myself postponing and delaying certain activities just because I am afraid of the result. In the end, we still have to do that thing and with time passing it might become even harder and we won’t get rid of it. More that that the pressure and the stress will become more intense. So let’s do things at the right time and feel a great release indifferent the result.
- Don’t be afraid of competition. We are just competitors – like all the others. We don’t have to give up fighting just because we are scared. Just because we can’t read fear on our competitors’ face this doesn’t mean they are not scared. The first rule in winning is to participate!
- Strengthen your will with religious beliefs. If you are a religious person, then you should know that fear is not a God’s will. God wants us to be strong and to carry our problems with strength. Take some time to say a prayer and “have a talk with God”.
- Get enough sleep. Usually when we get into these situations, we neglect one of the most important things: sleep. If our body does not rest enough, there will appear another variable, fatigue, which will aggravate our situation even more. Sleep enough because it’s vital to be fresh when you take important decisions.
We might all have some fear about the future and about the unknown but we must always keep in mind that “The greatest barrier to success is the fear of failure.”
Related articles
- Living with Fears (12images.wordpress.com)
- How to live (peppidee.wordpress.com)
- How to Step out of your Comfort Zone (jemenah.wordpress.com)
10 Things Your Teenager Won’t Tell You
Wonder what’s bugging your teen? It’s hard to be certain when all your son does is grunt and your daughter won’t stop rolling her eyes. So rather than pressing our own kids to talk—not going to happen!—we asked teenagers from around the country what messages they wish they could share with their moms and dads. Sure, every child is different, but it may do you and your teen some good if you took these truthful kids’ concerns to heart.
1. She needs privacy.
“I hate that my parents don’t give me any personal space,” says Eleanor, 14. “And I hate that they don’t think I need it.” Even if your children share a room, give each child an area that’s off-limits to everyone else in the family (including you), such as a desk or a spare closet. To show that you respect your teen’s privacy, don’t rummage through her personal space unless you have a concrete reason to believe that she’s lying to you or hiding something serious. And remember: “All kids today are doing drugs” isn’t a concrete reason.
2. Sometimes he just needs you to listen.
“I want to tell my mom and dad everything,” says Keegan, 13, “but I don’t want to listen to them nag.” Understand that sometimes your kids just want a sounding board—they’re not looking for you to solve all their problems. When your son complains that his science teacher is being unfair or his soccer coach has been extra-hard on him, encourage him to talk by asking open-ended questions. (“Well, how does that make you feel?”) Don’t jump in with advice or threaten to intervene.
3. She may be dating—even if you’ve explicitly said she can’t.
“I didn’t tell my parents about a guy I dated for a year, because they didn’t allow me to have boyfriends,” says Marla, 15. “They knew we hung out, but I’d say, ‘Oh, we’re just friends.’” Try to be relaxed when it comes to dating—even if it’s killing you. Instead of forcing your daughter to sneak around, let her start with group dates, where at least four other kids are with her and her date at all times.
4. He may not be getting great grades on every assignment.
“I don’t tell my parents when I get a bad grade because I don’t want to listen to them tell me how I’ve let them down,” says Sam, 16, who says he occasionally fails a quiz but usually makes up for it with better exam scores. “There are nights I just don’t feel like studying!” Sometimes one bad grade is just that: one bad grade. If your son feels like he can vent to you about bombing a quiz or a book report, you won’t have to wait until the end of a semester to find out he’s struggling in school.
5. She doesn’t want to talk to you about sex.
“My mom knows I’ve kissed a boy,” says Sonia, 15, “but I don’t want to tell her anything else. It’s my life, not hers.” The good news is, in a 2005 government survey, less than half of high school students (47 percent) said they’d had sex. Still, it’s safest to assume your teen is in that 47 percent and educate her about birth control or preventing STDs. Don’t press her for personal details, but do offer advice; use third-person examples if it helps.
6. He hates when you don’t hold his siblings accountable.
“I hate that my parents don’t care how my youngest brother acts,” says Henry, 13. “When he swears or picks a fight with me or my older brother, they say, ‘He’s 7. He doesn’t know any better.’ But when I was his age I would have been in big trouble for swearing.” While it’s natural to become more lax as you have more children, it’s important to consider each unique situation, not just your children’s ages. Remember, all of your kids will respect you more if they think you’re a fair and reasonable parent.
7. She wishes you’d cut her some slack.
“It makes me sad when my mom screams at me when I’m already down,” says Erin, 17. Even if your daughter seems to screw up every time you turn around, it’s important that she doesn’t feel like you’re constantly coming down on her. When you’re upset, take some deep breaths; a few minutes might give you perspective (is it really worth it to lose your cool over dirty laundry?) and a chance to evaluate your daughter’s mood. Perhaps she’s ignored the laundry because she’s stressed about school or antsy about a boy who hasn’t called her back.
8. He lies to stay out of trouble.
“Sometimes I don’t come home because I’m too drunk to drive,” says Aaron, 19. “If I told my parents that, they’d flip out, so I lie.” While it would be irresponsible to give underage drinking the green light, you don’t want your child to be in an unsafe situation because he’s rushing to be home on time. If your son calls just before curfew and says he needs a ride, save your questions (and lectures) for the morning.
9. She gets frustrated when you use her age to your advantage.
“I can’t stand it when my parents say, ‘You’re 17. Act like a grownup,’ one day, and then turn around and say, ‘You’re not old enough to do that. You’re only 17,’ the next,” says Izzy. “Which is it? Make up your mind!” Since “age-appropriate” is subjective, try to give your child hard-and-fast rules that aren’t dependent on a number. (“Every member of this family attends church on Sunday,” or “Visiting friends at college isn’t allowed until you’re in college yourself.”)
10. He wishes you would trust him.
“My parents don’t trust that I don’t do drugs,” says Steven, 15. “And I really hate that they believe what other people tell them instead of what I tell them.” Constantly accusing your kids of this or that—especially if your accusations are unfounded—breeds mistrust. Eventually they’ll do something dishonest just because they’re sick of being wrongly accused. Trust your kids until they give you a real reason not to.
Related articles
- Parenting advice by teens, Radical Parenting. Ask yours to be “Teacher for the Day.” (howtobeawalkingmomtra.wordpress.com)
- Busting the myth of the teenaged monster (jamespatrick1.wordpress.com)
- Tips for Talking With Your Daughter (teens.webmd.com)
- Helping Your Teen to Stay Healthy (brighthub.com)
8 Secrets of Sexually Satisfied Couples
Your sister, your best friend, your cubicle-mate—you keep hearing about these women who enjoy fabulous sex lives with their partners. But how do they manage to keep it hot, especially when they have a couple of kids and more than a few years together? So you don’t have to broach the subject yourself, we asked a few lucky women for their secrets to a satisfying sex life. Here’s what they had to say—and how you can apply their advice in your own bedroom.
1. They schedule sex.
What? Put “Have sex” on your calendar? “Absolutely!” say couples happy with their sex lives. Rather than killing the mood with a lack of spontaneity, scheduling sex tends to “take away all the very real excuses I could otherwise use, like that I’m exhausted after working and getting the kids to bed,” says Holly Jenkins,* who has been married for two years and has three boys under the age of 10. “For couples in long-term relationships, planning a romantic interlude leads to a higher-quality, more enjoyable sexual experience,” says Victoria Zdrok Wilson, JD, PhD, who cowrote The 30-Day Sex Solution with her husband, John Wilson. Instead of thinking of calendar sex as unromantic, view it instead as a delicious form of foreplay. Send each other anticipatory texts, plan what you’ll wear (or not), and so on.
2. They lock the bedroom door.
This little bit of hardware is essential in a home with children, says Jennifer Flanders, who’s been married 24 years and has 12 children, ranging in age from 11 months to 23 years. She jokes that whenever the family moves to a new home, a new lock on the master bedroom tops the to-do list. Even if you don’t have a physical lock, creating a sense of boundaries is key, says Sacha Mohammed—married 14 years, with 7 children. “I always made sure the children were put to bed on time when they were little so my husband and I could have our time together; the kids were also taught to always knock to announce their presence.” According to Dr. Zdrok Wilson, “each couple needs to evaluate their environment and determine the optimal conditions for great sex.” For some, a lock may be enough to create an adults-only barrier. Others may need to go further to create a sensual, relaxing haven in their bedroom by banning electronic gadgets, computers and TVs, not to mention kids and their toys!
3. They have perfected the quickie.
During certain critical periods in a marriage––particularly when you’re new parents––time and energy are both at a premium. Couples who maintain a good sex life during these challenging times have learned to make the quickie something that’s good for both of them. If you’ve avoided speedy sex sessions in the past because it takes time for you to physically get in the mood, don’t underestimate the power of the mind-body connection. Try thinking of a place or time when the sex was amazing, and use it like a meditation, taking yourself back there in your mind, says Sharon Gilchrest O’Neill, marriage and family therapist and author of A Short Guide to a Happy Marriage. And “don’t be afraid of fantasizing,” she adds, because if you can figure out how to use 20 minutes to your advantage, you can avoid dry spells in your sex life.
4. They experiment.
“Be open to different ways of expressing yourself sexually,” says Jenkins. “As with music, people tend to like a mix of the predictable and unexpected.” You have to find the right balance between being adventurous and being conventional: Don’t be so conventional that it’s boring. But don’t be so adventurous that you lose your intimacy–or level of comfort. This could mean everything from positions to the overall attitude you bring to the intimate encounter. Sexual ruts––always doing it on a certain day, at a certain time, in a certain room––can breed boredom. Something as simple as mixing it up on the living room floor or in the shower can add some much-needed spice. Or get out of the house entirely. “Many couples report that they have the best sex when they’re not at home,” says Dr. Zdrok Wilson. “I call it ‘the dirty little motel’ syndrome.” And it doesn’t have to be limited to when you’re on vacation—hire a babysitter or drop the kids off at their grandparents’ house every once in a while so the two of you can book a room even if it’s only for a couple of hours.
5. They keep communicating.
Mohammed says that “excellent communication skills” is the top reason she and her husband continue to enjoy a satisfying sex life. “Before we got married, my husband told me we would talk about everything, and he meant it,” she says. There’s no other way to understand what your partner wants, needs or enjoys other than talking. And don’t make assumptions: You may be surprised to learn that what you thought was foolproof doesn’t really float his boat anymore, says Gilchrest O’Neill. “Save those conversations for when you’re not having sex, though in the actual moment, speak up about small adjustments your partner can make to increase enjoyment.
6. They avoid or reject excuses.
“Many of the excuses other couples use to avoid sex––like headaches, stress, tiredness or arguments––are some of the exact same reasons we choose to make sex a priority,” says Flanders. “Sex relieves pain, reduces stress, promotes better sleep and motivates us to settle our disagreements quickly.” Beware of letting excuses take on a life of their own, because, to use one example, the kids aren’t needy babies forever, and before you know it sex is so far on the back burner it’s fallen completely off the stove. “Brainstorm solutions to the things that get in the way of having sex,” suggests Gilchrest O’Neill. Tired? Go to bed earlier. Not enough time? Get creative with the hours or minutes you do have. However, if the root of your excuses isn’t fixable with practical changes (for example, if there are underlying problems or resentments), consider seeing a therapist.
7. They trust each other.
Jenkins cites her and her husband’s adventurous sex life, but is quick to add that for adventurousness to exist, it has to be preceded by trust. “Great sex is a reflection of the overall rapport and communication you have in other rooms of the house. To have trust with your spouse, you have to always try to build each other up outside the bedroom. If you say or do something critical or disrespectful to your partner during the day, why would he want to be naked and try something new with you later that evening?” she asks. Trust, comfort and ease with each other happens when you engage in active listening, says Dr. Zdrok Wilson. “You have to work on listening to your partner in an active, empathetic way and reciprocate by confiding in him, and baring your own feelings,” she says. Once you two feel like allies—not adversaries—your sex life will feel more honest and, hopefully, a lot hotter!
8. They care about their appearance and health.
“We still take pride in how we look for each other,” says Mohammed. Certainly staying in shape and paying attention to appearance helps you and your partner maintain the mood. But it’s not just about pleasing your partner’s eye; taking care of yourself makes you feel good about yourself. Not only that, but your libido is dependent on your overall health. “When you feel unhealthy, tired, ill or lacking in energy, you’re not likely to be motivated to engage in regular sexual activity,” says Dr. Zdrok Wilson. So, hit the gym, put on some makeup or dress up even if you’re not going anywhere. Do whatever makes you feel sexy and he’s guaranteed to notice.
Also Read This Great Related Articles
- 10 Reasons Why Having Sex Is Good For Your Health
- Hit the Snooze Button To Live Longer
- Use Common-Sense Lifestyle Tips for Longevity
- 5 Keys to Enhanced Sleep
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Assess Your Sleep Needs
The Takeaway
- Although there is some genetic variation, most adults need between 7.5 to 8.5 hours of sleep per 24-hour period to function optimally.
- You can find your optimal sleep time if you set aside several days (perhaps during a vacation) to allow yourself to sleep as long as possible.
- Once you know how much sleep you need, it’s important to allot that amount of time in your daily schedule for sleep.
How Much Is Enough?
The amount of sleep that a healthy individual needs is largely determined by two factors: genetics and age. Genetics plays a role in both the amount of sleep a person needs, as well as his or her preference for waking up early (these are the so-called “larks,” or morning-type individuals) or staying up late (these are the “owls,” or evening-type people). Our internal biological clock, which regulates the cycling of many functions including the sleep/wake cycle, can vary slightly from individual to individual. Although our internal clock is set to approximately 24 hours, if your clock runs faster than 24 hours, you tend to be a “lark” and wake up early; if your clock runs more slowly, you tend to be an “owl” and go to bed later.
The majority of healthy adults require between 7.5 to 8.5 hours per 24-hour period. This is true from young adulthood through late in life, though many older people have difficulty sleeping in a single block of time each night. Generally, sleep needs during a 24-hour period follow this pattern:
- Newborns (1 to 2 months) – 10.5 to 18 hours
- Infants (3 to 11 months) – 10 to 14 hours
- Toddlers (1 to 3 years) – 12 to 14 hours
- Preschoolers (3 to 5 years) – 11 to 13 hours
- School-aged children (5 to 12 years) – 10 to 11 hours
- Adolescents (12 to 18 years) – 8.5 to 9.5 hours
- Adults (18 years to the end of life) – 7.5 to 8.5 hours
Even without considering genetics and age, the National Sleep Foundation‘s 2008 Sleep in America poll found that many adults are apparently not meeting their sleep needs, sleeping an average of only 6 hours and 40 minutes during the week, and about 7.5 hours on the weekends. How can you tell if your sleep is adequate and meets your needs? Sleep scientists and physicians have a variety of methods to help determine if you are getting enough sleep.
How Much Sleep We Need(1:04)
Dr. Lawrence J. Epstein discusses ways to determine individual sleep needs.
Pay Attention to Your Sleepiness
Sleep needs and patterns of sleep and wakefulness are not the same for everyone. The first step in determining your need for sleep is through self-evaluation. Ask yourself: “How tired do I feel during the daytime? When do I feel most alert? When does fatigue set in?” Even moments of sleepiness that you may think of as routine, for instance, falling asleep on the subway on the way to work, or during a lecture, are likely a sign that you are not getting enough sleep.
Paying attention to your body’s cues for sleep is the first step toward figuring out if you are meeting your sleep needs, or if you are sleep deprived or suffering from a sleep disorder (or possibly both).
Keep a Sleep Diary
A very helpful tool to track your sleep time and patterns is a sleep diary. Used in sleep research and clinical settings, a sleep diary is a handy reference to help people become familiar with their own natural patterns of sleep and wakefulness. The information that you will record in the sleep diary is simple and straightforward. It includes the time you go to bed, the time you wake up, your total hours of sleep, and whether you had any nighttime awakenings (and if so, how long you were awake) and any daytime naps. In addition, noting how you feel upon awakening (refreshed or tired), and how you feel at different times of the day will enable you to become more aware of your patterns, and help you determine if you are getting adequate sleep. Just keeping track of your sleep in this way may help improve your situation. If you need more help to improve your sleep, refer to Adopt Good Sleep Habits andAddress Your Sleep Issues.
Follow this link to print out a Sleep Diary [PDF].
Take a Sleep Vacation
Another method for determining your sleep need is to take a “sleep vacation.” During a two-week period, when you have a flexible schedule or perhaps are on vacation, pick a consistent bedtime and do not use an alarm clock to wake up. Chances are that for the first few days or week you will sleep longer because you’ll be paying off your “sleep debt“—the amount of sleep deprivation that you’ve accumulated over a period of time. If you continue going to bed at the same time and allowing your body to wake up naturally, you will eventually establish a pattern of sleeping essentially the same amount of time each night, probably in the range of 7 to 9 hours. Congratulations! You’ve identified the amount of sleep that you need.
Make Sleep a Priority
Now that you know how much sleep you need—and if you’ve allowed your body to pay back your sleep debt and “find” its natural sleep patterns and duration—you are probably also feeling a lot better, sharper, happier, and healthier. This is how it feels to be well rested. The next step is to make sure that you continue to make sleep a priority and find ways to protect your sleep time.
If You’re Having Problems with Sleep
You may be doing all the right things—respecting your sleep needs and patterns, setting aside an ample amount of time to sleep, keeping a sleep diary—but still experiencing daytime sleepiness, fatigue, or insomnia. If that’s the case, you should consider consulting a sleep specialist who can help you set up a better sleep environment, provide support for making behavioral changes that may be interfering with sleep, or possibly diagnose a sleep disorder. You have a right to feel well rested—and there are many resources available to help you get the sleep you need.
Resources and References
- National Sleep Foundation, Children and Sleep, 2008.
- National Sleep Foundation, 2008 Sleep in America Poll.
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How To Improve Marriage And Slow Down Life At The Same Time
Everywhere you look, things are moving at a fast pace. Hurry up is a common phrase. When I want something, I want it right now. “What? You mean I have to wait 45 seconds for the book I just bought to download? Where’d I put the number for my Internet provider, I need a faster connection!”
The speed of life takes its toll on marriage and family as well. If your day is spent racing around from one thing to the next, it’s too easy to continue this pace when you arrive home each day.
If you feel like life is too fast, if there is no more room on the schedule for another thing to do, if the chaos of the world around you has caused you to create a life determined by others rather than yourself, and if you are desperately seeking a way to slow things down in order to breathe – then here’s a few suggestions to try.
- Take a walk. Make it a point each day to walk with your spouse and your kids. Spring is here in Texas so the weather gets better each day. Go outside and sit and observe the world around you. Walk and talk with your spouse.
- Walk or ride a bike to places you need to go. Some stores may be too far to walk, but not all. I love the times when my wife and kids and I walk or ride up to the grocery store or a restaurant for dinner. Sure it takes longer to get there, that’s the point. Enjoy the journey there together.
- Make it a point to eat outside often. There’s something about being in nature that allows you to slow down. Go to the park for a picnic, eat out in the backyard, or on the patio. Get outside.
- Find a moment alone each morning. Before you jump into the day, take some time to simply sit quietly. The longer the better. Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. Breathe in and out, relax, meditate, pray. What better way to start each day?
- Don’t check email first thing in the morning. I struggle with this one the most. It’s such a routine to fire up the laptop first thing in the morning and check to see what’s going on with the blog, emails, etc. This allows too many other things to invade my life too soon in the day. Try waiting until 9 or 10 each morning to check email. That way the first part of the day can be spent on whatever is most important.
- Turn off all phones. At some point each evening, turn off your phones, or at the very least don’t answer them for a while and spend that time with your spouse and family. Play games, read together, talk.
- Color with crayons. This one is great if you have little ones around. There’s something magical about the feeling of coloring with crayons. Let yourself go and color. Don’t simply help your child with their coloring, color for yourself.
- Go on a media fast. We’ve been on a news fast for almost a year. Absolutely love it! Most everything reported today is negative, so why get caught up in it each evening? Don’t worry, with Google and Yahoo, you’ll still know the major things happening in the world.
I’m sure there’s more, add your ideas in the comments.
7 Detox Smoothies With Added Health Benefits
Smoothies are a great way to boost your fruits and veggies daily intake. It makes a delicious quick breakfast, a nice refreshing snack, a wonderful healthy dessert or a super post-training drink. Not only the flavor combinations are infinite, you can prepare different recipes to benefit from specific health components from its ingredients. One other great thing about smoothies is that to the opposite of simple juices, it keeps all the natural fiber, which help cleansing the digestive tract. The powerful detox foods that go into it help your liver to detox naturally, and they can help you stay healthy and look great.
Flat Tummy
Rich in digestion supporting ingredients, this smoothie will help prevent bloating and digestive stress that can sabotage your tummy flattening efforts.
- 3/4 c. papaya
- 3/4c. sliced peaches
- 1/2 pear, sliced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger
- 2 mint leaves
- Water to thin
Skin Saver
Antioxidants in berries are known to help to fight wrinkles and other skin ageing signs. Berries are also a great way to control blood sugar that can sabotage your complexion. This smoothie also contains Omega 3, to fight inflammation, as well as vitamins E and C, both renown to help the skin.
- 3/4 c blueberries
- 3/4 c pitted cherries
- 5 strawberries
- 1/4 avocado, peeled and pitted
- 2 tsp wheat germ (optional)
- 2 tsp ground flax seed
- Water, to thin
Peanut Butter Energy Booster
This protein-rich and minerals-filled smoothie will give you long-lasting energy. Cinnamon will help to control your blood sugar so your energy level won’t crash too quickly.
- 1 big banana
- 1 scoop of natural hemp protein powder
- 2 tsp of natural peanut butter
- 1 handful of fresh baby spinach
- 1/2 tsp of cinnamon
- Water, to thin
Bone Lover
This vitamin-rich green smoothie contains calcium, magnesium and other bone building minerals to keep your bone strong and healthy.
- 2 bananas
- 1 handful of chard leaves
- 1 handful of kale leaves
- 1 tsp of green matcha powder
- 1/2 cup of homemade almond milk
Immune System Booster
Rich in vitamin A, C and zinc, this smoothie can increase the production of white blood cells and antibodies to get your body ready to resist this season’s infections.
- 1/2 c. mango cubes
- 1/2 c. cantaloupe cubes
- 1/2 c. fresh pineapple cubes
- 1/4 c. chopped pumpkin seeds
- Water, to thin
Natural Skin Tanner
Studies have proven that a beta-carotene rich diet can make your complexion glow, and that particular skin tone is usually considered healthier than a regular skin tan. This smoothie can help you get that healthy glow without risking your skin lying under the sun.
- 1/2 cup of cantaloupe cubes
- 1/2 cup of papaya
- Juice of 1 orange
- 1/2 cup of carrot juice (or water)
- 1 small knob of fresh ginger
Antioxidant Power
Feel the power of this detox foods-rich smoothie. Very rich in antioxidants, this smoothie will help to support your liver to detox naturally and help your body stay healthy and young longer.
- 1/3 cup of blueberries
- 1/3 cup of raspberries
- 1/3 cup of pomegranate kernels
- 1/4 cup of beet juice (optional)
- 1 banana
- Water to thin
What’s your best smoothie recipe? Share it with us!
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Sacred Heart Diet – Quick fast weight loss
Okay, before i go into this diet in detail, be aware it IS a fad diet, however its one of the more healthy ones, and its VERY effective. I used this to kick my plateau.
I would never reccomend this unless you absolutly had to kick a plateau, or need to loose weight for surgery etc (which is why i did it).
Its very hard to stick to, and i had been happily sticking to a 1200 calorie a day diet for 8 months at the time of doing this, and i STILL found it excessivly hard to stick too. On the bright side, im on day 6 now and ive lost 4.5kg/10lb.
It generally seems to deny you:
* All fats
* All Starches
* All Wheat based products
* All Processed foods
If correctly followed, it will clean out your system of impurities and give you a feeling of well-being. After only 7 days of this process, you will begin to feel lighter by at least 10 pounds (4.5kg) and possibly 17 pounds(7.7kg), and experience an abundance of energy. (though i felt tired for the first couple days on this diet)
- SOUP:
-
- 1 or 2 cans of stewed tomatoes
- 3 plus large green onions
- 1 large can of beef broth (no fat)
- 1 pkg. Lipton Soup mix (chicken noodle)
- 1 bunch of celery
- 2 cans green beans
- 2 lbs. Carrots
- 2 Green Peppers
- Season with salt, pepper curry, parsley, if desired, or bouillon, hot or Worcestershire sauce. Cut veggies in small to medium pieces. Cover with water. Boil fast for 10 minutes. Reduce to simmer and continue to cook until veggies are tender.
- This soup can be eaten anytime you are hungry during the week. Eat as much as you want, whenever you want. This soup will not add calories. The more you eat, the more you will lose. You may want to fill a thermos in the morning if you will be away during the day.
- DRINKS:
-
- Unsweetened juices
- Tea (also herbal)
- Coffee
- Cranberry juice
- Skim milk
- Water, water, water
- DAY ONE
- Any fruit (except bananas). Cantaloupes and watermelon are lower in calories than most other fruits. Eat only soup and fruit today.
- DAY TWO
- All vegetables. Eat until you are stuffed with fresh raw, cooked or canned veggies. Try to eat green leafy veggies and stay away from dry beans, peas or corn. Eat veggies along with the soup. At dinnertime tonight reward yourself with a big baked potato and butter. Don’t eat any fruits through today.
- DAY THREE
- Eat all the soup, fruit and veggies you want. Do not have a baked potato. If you have eaten as above for three days and not cheated, you should find that you have lost 5-7 pounds.
- DAY FOUR
- Bananas and skim milk: Eat at least 3 bananas and drink as much milk as you can today, along with the soup. Bananas are high in calories and carbohydrates, as is the milk but on this particular day, your body will need the potassium and carbs. Proteins and calcium to lessen the cravings for sweets.
- DAY FIVE
- Beef and tomatoes: you may have 10 to 20 ounces (300-550grams) of beef and a can of tomatoes, or as many as 6 tomatoes on this day. Eat the soup at least once today.
- DAY SIX
- Beef and veggies, eat to your heart’s content of the beef and veggies today. You can even have 2-3 steaks if you like with green leafy veggies but no baked potato. Be sure to eat the soup at least once today.
- DAY SEVEN
- Brown rice, unsweetened fruit juice and veggies, again, be sure to stuff yourself and eat the soup. You can add cooked veggies to your rice if you wish.
- By the end of the 7th day, if you have not cheated on this diet, you should have lost 10 to 17 pounds. If you have lost more than 17 pounds, stay off the diet for two days before resuming the diet again.
- This diet is fast. The secret lies within the principle that you will burn more calories than you take in. It will flush your system of impurities and give you a feeling of well-being. This diet does not lend itself to drinking any alcoholic beverages at any time. Because of the fat build-up in your system. Go off the diet at least 14 hours before any intake of alcohol.
- Due to the variety of digestive systems in individuals, this diet will affect everyone differently. After day three, you will have more energy than when you began, if you do not cheat. After being on the diet for several days, you will find that your bowel movements have changed. Eat a cup of bran or fiber. Although you can have black coffee with this diet, you may find that you don’t need caffeine after the third day.
- The basic fat burning soup can be eaten anytime you feel hungry during the seven days. Eat as much as you wish. Remember the more you eat, the more you will lose. You can eat broiled, boiled or baked chicken instead of the beef. Absolutely no skin on the chicken. If you prefer, you can substitute broiled fish for the beef on only one of the beef days. You need the high protein in the beef for the other days.
- Continue on the diet as long as you wish and feel the difference both mentally and physically.
- DO NOT – DO NOT
- No bread, alcohol, carbonated drinks (including diet drinks). Remember, absolutely no fried foods.
- DO – DO – DO – DO
- Drink plenty – at least 6 to 8 glasses – of water a day, as well as any combination of the following beverages: black coffee, unsweetened fruit drinks, cranberry juice and skim milk.
- This diet comes from the Sacred Heart Memorial Hospital that is used for overweight heart patients in order to lose weight rapidly, usually prior to surgery.
8 Things I Wish I Knew When I Was 22
When I was 22, I wouldn’t have listened to my old curmudgeonly self. I would have said, “You don’t get it”, then put my headphones back on and headed over the Haymarket. I might have written about it on my blog over at TheGlobe.com (remember that site?) under my pen name ‘nehalennia’. 1999 was a great year, and I was going to make a million trillion dollars working teh internets. Instead I got laid off from my dot com job and ran into the warm embrace of reliable employment. So despite the fact that I wouldn’t have taken my own advice, here are
8 Things I Wish I Knew When I Was 22:
1. Pick a career you love; you don’t have to give into the pressure to be practical.Everyone changes careers over their lifetime; why not experiment with one that you are crazy about? Worst case scenario, you go get that crappy corporate job when you’re 28 and let the cool waters of 9-5ing wash away any memories of your failed Falafel-R-Us Gift Basket business.
2. Pay off your credit card debt and don’t buy so much stuff. Does every college do this? Offer credit cards at the student union, and in exchange for filling out an application, they gift you a candy bar? I was hungry! I was broke! Sign me up! Thankfully I was so thoroughly burned the first time, I learned my lesson.
3. Your student loans can be deferred practically indefinitely. After graduation, just call them and ask for a deferment. They will bend over backwards to make deferring easy to do. In six months when your deferment is over, call them up and do another. Repeat as needed.
4. It doesn’t cost as much as you’d think to travel. You don’t need to save $50,000 to spend a year overseas. If you’re young, willing to sleep anywhere (hello, couchsurfing!) and go to countries off the beaten tourist track, then you can survive on much less (I’ve heard as low as $1000/mo).
5. The job you have right now is not that important. If I were an employer I would only hire ambitious twenty something’s. They will knock themselves out working incredibly hard on stuff that barely matters. Try to get a 35 year old to take photocopying that seriously and you’re more likely to get your dog to iron your suit in the morning.
6. You don’t need a safety net. You can figure this out. The idea of being out there, with nothing to catch you if everything goes wrong may make your stomach do little flips, but really, you’ll be just fine.
7. This is the best time in your life to travel carefree. If you wait it’s going to be more complicated financially and emotionally. Now instead of putting on a backpack and heading out the door, I’ve got to cancel leases, forward mail, set up online payment arrangements, sell a ton of stuff, convince my family that I don’t need an MRI “just in case this idea is a sympton of a brain tumor”, and wrangle with complex stuff like dodging the “when are you going to have kids” question.
100 Ways to Uncomplicate Your Life
My grandfather used to say that we were born as smart as we’d ever be, and that we became less bright with age. I never understood what he meant, until today.
You see, when we’re born we see the world in an uncomplicated way. We know what we need, and we ask for it. We like nice people, and we don’t like mean people. We sleep when we’re tired, we eat when we’re hungry, and we stop eating when we’re full.
As we grow older, we eat and drink to console ourselves, rather than addressing what’s bothering us. We overwork to avoid close relationships, rather than finding people we can trust to form strong bonds with. We hold grudges, play games, spend more than we make, want things we don’t need, and we get too far away from our basic human needs. In other words, we complicate things.
Today, on what would have been my grandfather’s 88th birthday, I dedicate this list to my Papa. Thank you for everything. I finally get it.
1. Don’t try to read other people’s minds
2. Get up 30 minutes earlier so that you don’t rush/get a ticket while driving too fast/have to explain why you’re late/get fired
3. Get 8 hours of sleep per night so that you think more clearly
5. Start saving and investing every week, no matter how little you can spare
6. Balance your checkbook
7. Don’t try to be friends with everyone. Cultivate closer relationships with fewer people.
8. Don’t try to do business with everyone. Identify your target client and take very good care of them.
9. Before getting angry, ask yourself if it will really matter in 20 years
10. Focus on being a good person, not on pleasing others
11. Stay home this Saturday, and finish off that nagging chore that you need to finish
12. Kiss and make up
13. Make a weekly menu, and shop for only those items at the market
14. Ask your grandparents the best way to uncomplicate life, and try it for a month
15. Fill up your gas tank when it’s half full
16. Don’t drink alcohol when you’re tired, sad or mad
17. Pay your bills on time
18. Get an annual physical examination
19. Say “I love you” to your significant other and to your children. Studies show that more marriages last, and fewer kids use drugs, when these words are spoken every day.
20. For just one day, imagine everyone’s intentions are good because most people’s are
21. Give away clothes that haven’t been worn in two years
22. Throw out clothes that are in disrepair, and can’t be mended
23. When you have a conflict with someone, talk it out. Don’t let it turn into more than it is.
24. Know what your priorities are in life, and act as if they are your priorities
25. Tell the truth
26. Don’t cheat
27. Don’t steal
28. If you’re holding a ridiculous grudge, let it go
29. Clean your house weekly, so that it doesn’t become too large a chore
30. Do your best at work, or at school
31. Don’t eat when you aren’t humgry
32. Eat when you are hungry
33. Be yourself
34. Say no unapologetically
35. Cook simple meals
36. Don’t try to keep up with the Joneses
37. Pay off your car before buying a new one
38. Organise your desk at the office
39. Change your smoke alarm batteries when the clock springs forward, and when it falls back
40. Organise your important paperwork
41. Take only half the clothes that you planned to take with you on holiday
42. Help your children with their homework every night, and have an open dialogue with their teachers
43. Have white sheets and white towels in children’s rooms, because they’re easily bleached
44. Spend your time with nice people
45. Avoid drama
46. Don’t text or talk on the phone while driving
47. Turn off the television/video games/computer; they’re time consumers
48. Don’t engage in office politics
49. Refuse to gossip, or talk behind other people’s backs
50. Do the dishes right after dinner
51. Never go to sleep angry
52. Ask nicely for what you need and want
53. Walk 10,000 steps per day to help your heart
54. Do 20 push-ups before speaking in anger
55. Leave work at work
56. Don’t befriend anyone that isn’t trustworthy
57. Don’t envy others
58. Have your oil changed
59. Take vitamin C before you catch a cold
60. Don’t work more than 8 hours per day
61. Weed your garden weekly
62. Wash your car weekly
63. Have a spring cleaning month every year, and do one room at a time
64. You don’t need to be best friends with work colleagues, but build respectful partnerships
65. Don’t drink and drive
66. Don’t look for reasons to be angry or sad, look for reasons to be happy. You’ll always be able to find plenty of each.
67. Be friendly with your neighbours
68. Return emails and phone messages promptly
69. Schedule in free time
70. Don’t procrastinate
71. Do what you say you’ll do, when you say you’ll do it
72. Be more flexible when you’re able to be
73. Forgive and forget. End of story.
74. Break the consumerism habit…put a three month moratorium in place on buying anything not deemed a necessity
75. Start your diet on September 1, rather than January 1, so that you won’t also have holiday pounds to lose
76. Take care of any health issues or concerns
77. Have your tires rotated
78. Have your brakes checked
79. Have your eyes checked
80. Don’t let your imagination run away with you
81. Let go of perfection in others
82. Let go of perfection in yourself
83. Don’t try to help those that refuse to help themselves
84. Find a way to reduce your commute to work
85. Have an alloted amount of worry time per day/week, that you strictly abide by
86. Drink more water
87. Eat more salmon
88. Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill
89. Wear your hair in a classic, easy to care for style
90. Finish what you start
91. Wear classic clothes and shoes that never go out of style
92. Create a daily routine
93. Have a 1, 5, 10 and 20 year plan for your financial and life goals
94. Slow down
95. Eat out less often
96. When you ask your husband which outfit looks best, thank him for his answer and wear the one he liked
97. Allow your children to grow up
98. Clean out your garage, and donate anything that hasn’t been used in the past year
99. Stretch every day
100. If a relationship is over, let it go
don’t forget to comment
Best Romantic Ideas
1. Get tulips and attach this note: “I’ve got two-lips waiting for you!”
2. On a special occasion, buy your partner eleven real red roses and one artificial red rose. Place the artificial rose in the center of the bouquet. Attach a card that says:“I will love you until the last rose fades.”
3. If your partner is going away for a few days, tell her that you are worried about her so you have organized a bodyguard to look after her. Then give her a small teddy bear.
4. Write him/her a check for one million kisses.
5. Take a book that your partner is reading and using a pencil, underline letters in a section of the book she has yet to read to spell out a love letter. For example in any exert from a novel, you may underline the letters so that the underlined letters come together to spell out your secret message. That secret message may be “I love you” or “Honey, you are my life” or anything you want.
The underlined letters will make your partner curious and with a bit of luck she will write them down to decode your special message.
6. Buy a packet of glow in the dark stars and stick the stars on the roof above your bed to spell out a message such as “I Love You” When the lights go down, your message will be revealed!
7. Buy a tree with your partner and plant it in a special spot. Each year on your anniversary, have a glass of champagne next to your tree and talk about how your love and the tree have grown.
