6:41 AM

Are You Using a Natural Bristle Hair Brush?

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Using the right kind of hair brush and keeping it clean is necessary if you want to have strong hair, which will not fall out in the future.

A Natural Hair Brush

Using a natural bristle like boar's hair is a good decision. The boar bristle hair brush bristles are similar to the keratin of your hair and absorb the dirt and oil just like your hair. In addition the tips of the boar hair brush are rounded and gently massage your scalp and hair.

Kent hair brushes are available in boar hair. But avoid the Kent nylon hair brush if you want the best care for your hair.

The nylon hair brush is not recommended since it is rougher on your scalp and is no where as good as the boar bristle hair brush. The nylon bristles are usually sharp and inflamed your follicles and break your hair when you use it.
 
Brushes and Combs
 
 Brushing Your Hair

To maintain good hair growth you need good circulation to your scalp. You need also need a clean scalp with little oil and dirt accumulating in your hair follicles. The boar hair brush helps you achieve this when you regularly brush your hair.

Brush your hair when it is dry. This prevents breaking of your hair. When you brush, the gentle pulling of your hair stimulates your scalp bringing in more blood to feed your hair. Also the slight pulling stimulates the release of oil from your follicles which lubricates your hair.

Brush your hair with a boar bristle hair brush twice a day for the best hair care - morning and night. For short hair brush for three minutes and for long hair brush five minutes.

By bending your head to the floor, when brushing, you will increase the blood circulation to your scalp. Now, brush from your neck forward to the front of your scalp, then, from sides to your crown. Lastly, brush from the front of your scalp to the neck.

Cleaning Your Boar Hair Brush

If possible, you should clean your brush every day. If you have two or more hair brushes then it will be easier to do this. Your boar bristle hair brush accumulates dirt and oils from hair when you brush. Without regular cleaning of your hair brush, this dirt and oil will redeposit onto your hair. Over time this added dirt and oil will plug up your hair follicles and lead to hair thinning or permanent hair loss.

You can clean your brush every day when you shower. Clean it with shampoo and scrub the bristles with your hand back and forth. After cleaning, you can dry the brush with a towel and let it sit until the next day. By the next day, it is ready to use and your other brush is ready to be cleaned.

So, using a natural hair brush like the boar bristle hair brush is the best way to care for your hair. Gentle daily brushing stimulates your scalp and keeps you hair healthy. But don't forget to keep your hair brush clean, since your don't want to put the dirt and oil on your brush back onto your scalp.

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5:02 AM

How to Choose the Perfect Ring

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Choosing a ring

When it comes to choosing our own jewelry we can be very picky as well as we can be very impulsive buyers. I would like to give you some advice about choosing your rings. When I help out my customers in person I get to really direct them into jewelry that fits for them individually. What I mean by that, is that many people only look at the jewelry without taking in consideration their hands, fingers & comfort. When choosing a ring of course we want the ring to look good but will it look good on our specific type of hands? It's just like clothing, it may look great on the models but maybe not so much on you. Look at your hands, are they wide or narrow, are your fingers short, long, thin...

If you have big hands you must get a solid ring because chances are your hands are strong & you use them accordingly & you don't want the band to brake. Also don't choose something too tiny it will look out of proportions. Wide bands can fit you but not too wide, go for about half an inch wide. You are one of the lucky people who can wear very large stones
so don't miss out on that!

If you have small thin hands you probably already know that rings which are too massive & heavy aren't meant for you. Go for filigree or Celtic designs they will be much more comfortable & will suit you best. Wide bands can suit you as long as they are not too wide & keeps you from closing your hands completely so if you buy online & don't get to actually try it on before buying verify the width.

Wide bands are very hot right now, but they aren't meant for everyone. Long slim fingers suit them best. Actually most rings will suit you best but not too narrow, stick with about a quarter inch and more width in the front.

Short chubby fingers sorry for you but you should avoid wide bands, you wont be comfortable & it will end up in a jewelry box. If you have short fingers choose a thinner band with the front part small to medium size. If you really want to go with a wide band well choose one that tapers down in the back to about a quarter of an inch or less. Try a colorful stone that will catch the eye or maybe a cameo ring.

I hope this advice will help you find rings that better suit you & that it will have you purchase the right ones. After all when we love a ring, that it looks great on your hand & it is comfortable it often ends up being a real treasure.

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4:18 AM

Lose Weight by Eating More -- Food that is Virtually Impossible to Store as Body Fat

Posted by Doncrack | Labels: ,

calimix.jpg (64877 bytes)

Certain foods are extremely difficult for the human body to convert into body fat - not impossible but damned near impossible. By consuming calories derived from these foods, the anabolic margin of error is extended dramatically, which means it will be easier to lose fat and gain muscle, if you choose.

Lean protein, protein devoid of saturated fat, has been the staple, the bedrock nutrient of elite athletes for 50 years. Why? You can eat a mountain of lean protein and not get fat - assuming you train with intensity sufficient enough to trigger muscle growth. Lean protein is difficult for the body to break down and digest. As a direct result of this digestive difficulty, the body kicks the metabolic thermostat upward to break protein down into subcomponent amino acids.

The human body wants to preserve stored body fat as a last line of defense against starvation. If overworked and under-fed, the body will preferentially eat muscle tissue to save precious body fat.

Obese people that go on crash diets, precipitously slashing calories, might lose 100-pounds of body weight, yet still appear fat. Despite losing from say 350-pounds to 250-pounds, they still appear fat because they still are fat. The body has cannibalized muscle tissue and saved the fat. Though they might weigh 100-pounds less, they still possess 25-40% body fat percentile.

Lean protein is the bedrock nutrient in the physical renovation process because it supplies muscle tissue battered by a high intensity weight workout with the amino acids needed to heal, recover and construct new muscle tissue. Lean protein is a bedrock nutrient in the physical renovation process because it causes the basal metabolic rate (BMR) to elevate; the metabolic thermostat, the rate at which our body consumes calories, increases when digesting protein. Lean protein is a bedrock nutrient in the physical renovation process because it is damned near impossible for the body to convert it into body fat.

The other bedrock nutrient in the physical transformation process is fibrous carbohydrates: carrots, broccoli, green beans, bell peppers, spinach, cauliflower, onions, asparagus, cabbage, salad greens, Brussels sprouts and the like. Fibrous carbohydrates, like lean protein, are nearly impossible for the body to convert into body fat. Fibrous carbohydrates require almost as many calories to digest as they contain. A green bean or carrot might contain 10-calories yet is so dense and difficult to break down that the body has to expend nearly as many calories to break down that bean or carrot as the vegetable contains.

Fibrous carbohydrates have a wonderful "Roto-Rooter" effect on the internal plumbing: as they work their way though the digestive passageways they scrape mucus and gunk off intestinal walls and help keep sludge buildup to a minimum. For this reason fibrous carbohydrates are the perfect compliment to a lean protein diet. Too much protein can cause bile buildup: fiber is the Yin to protein's Yang. The two nutrients should be eaten together.

Both protein and fiber have a beneficial dampening effect on insulin secretions. It is no accident that professional bodybuilders, the world's best dieters, capable of reducing body fat percentiles to 5% while maintaining incredible muscle mass, construct their eating regimen around protein and fiber.

The best way to eat is to eat often. If you eat 3,000 calories a day the best way is in five 600-calorie feeding or six 500-calorie feedings instead of a breakfast containing 400-calories, a lunch of 1000-calories and a late dinner of 1,600-calories. Avoid calories easily converted into body fat.

Eat multiple small meals in the 400-600 calorie range comprised exclusively of foods near impossible for the body to convert into body fat. Plus, these foods cause the metabolism, the BMR, the body thermostat to elevate in order to digest them. Optimally you should eat every three hours: in about the time the nutrients from the previous meal have dwindled, been expended and exhausted, in about the time the elevated metabolism is 'settling back down to normal,' eat another small protein/fiber meal. This reestablishes anabolism, kicks the metabolism upward once again and gives the body more practice at assimilating and distributing quality nutrients.

They say practice makes perfect and by eating small, power-packed, tough to digest meals every three hours, the metabolism is kept elevated, anabolism is established and maintained and the individual never feels hungry. A person who is not hungry is far less inclined to binge on sweets and treats, junk and trash then the crash diet/calorie cutters who always feel hungry, deprived, listless and lacking energy.

The small meal/protein/fiber approach has been used successfully by elite athletes for decades and is not some untried dietary abstraction - rather it is the proven method of choice, one that has withstood the test of time, one that has been used for decades and been proven effective time after time.

If a person is able to establish a multiple meal schedule comprised primarily of lean protein and fiber eaten every three hours, then adds to this eating schedule some serious weight training and a cardiovascular regimen, physical transformation is a biological certainty.

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8:44 AM

Living with Passion or Living with Fear

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“People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Whenever I teach, coach, counsel, consult, or speak, the subject of fear always seems to rear its overpowering head. Of course in the culture in which we now live – a culture of war, terrorism, lack of job security, diminishing health care, and the like, fear is a major player in our lives. Yet, one thing I have come to discover is that one cannot live the life they were destined to live if these fears are not dealt with.

Dealing with fears does not mean ignoring, denying or avoiding them; it does mean being able to walk through the fears and embrace them.

A fear is an unpleasant feeling of perceived risk or danger, real or not. It is one of the basic emotions. We were born with two fears: the fear of falling and the fear of loud noises. All other fears are learned. We all face fears, which is perfectly normal, unless they control our lives.

When we allow fear to take over, fear diminishes freedom of action. However, when we can learn to embrace the fear, then fear is a signal that there is something for me to learn.

One of the catch-all scenarios I hear is about fear of the unknown, which is absolutely unfounded. Fears are “perceived” dangers; risks that we know about and are aware of. If the risk or danger is unknown, then what is the basis of the fear? When one speaks of fear of the unknown, then the fear is usually about an outcome that is unknown to us; and that outcome has a name: fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear of being mistreated, the list can go on.

In order to begin to face and embrace our fears, we must first name the fear. We need to call it what it is. Until we can name our fear, we will continue to deny or ignore it.

Live passionately and fearlessly,
Coach Carolyn

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11:58 AM

Laser Hair Removal - Is it Right For You?

Posted by Doncrack | Labels:

laser hair removal

Laser hair removal is heavily advertised but little is known about this technology. However, that will change after you spend 58 seconds to read every word of this article and become well-informed on permanent hair removal. After analyzing the facts you will be able to make a decision on whether or not laser hair removal is right for you.

How It Works
The laser is used to quickly and gently remove unwanted hairs.
Laser hair removal uses a light wavelength that targets dark colored materials on your skin. This is usually the pigment of the hair. A hand held device is then used to target these areas and remove hair from them. This procedure works best for those with fair colored skin and dark colored hair. With darker skin, it is harder to target these areas. People with darker skin can be treated, but results are slower and more sessions are required. Also, you'll want to find a doctor with greater expertise if you do have darker skin.

Laser Hair Removal must be individualized for each patient.
Different types of hair respond differently to the laser procedure. Coarse dark hair seems to respond the best to laser treatment. Light hair is much more difficult to treat. Blonde or red hair becomes extremely complicated. With lighter hair, results are variable and you must have multiple treatment sessions.

Actually, almost everyone requires multiple treatment sessions for optimal results. This is because hair grows in cycles. Not all of the hairs are in the growth phase at any given time. Additional sessions insure that you catch all of the hairs when they are in the growth phase.

Cost of Laser Hair Removal
The costs of laser hair removal can vary depending on your location. However, they range from $300 to $500 per session. Because this is a form of medical care, it is always best to seek the clinic with the highest quality rather than the lowest price. Laser hair removal requires many years of training, individual attention, experience, and a trained, caring, and professional staff.

Side Effects of Laser Hair Removal
Most patients do experience some very minor side effects after each session. This is usually in the form of a mild sunburn-type sensation that goes away in 2-3 hours. Moisturizers and cool compresses can help to relieve any discomfort during this time. Any small blister areas that may appear should be treated with a topical antibiotic until resolved. Because you have been exposed to this particular form of light ray, sun block should be used for up to 6 weeks after treatment if you expect to be exposed to the sun. Any further instructions should be given by your doctor.

If you tired of waxing or shaving, laser hair removal may be the perfect solution for you. Now that you know more about it, you should be able to make the right choice for you.

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9:40 AM

Cellulite: Way To Health And Smooth Skin!

Posted by Doncrack | Labels: ,

Woman legs
 
 
 
For all body systems to work properly, it is absolutely necessary that the body be provided with all necessary nutrients properly. It is necessary to maintain a proper balance in body so that not just the health, skin health too, is benefited.

Almost all those conditions that apply for maintaining good health apply for maintaining excellent skin health. Skin in fact requires more attention, because unlike other body parts skin is exposed to several external as well as internal, therefore skin health requires all the more attention. You should pay attention to these facts so that you do not suffer from skin problems like cellulite.

Cellulite problem is not just skin deep, it has several reasons that support it, and cellulite is generally a product of unhealthy body. This might not be true in case of those people for whom cellulite is a hereditary problem more than a health problem. Trying to avoid cellulite can be a way to ensure a healthy body and skin. There are several ways how you can avoid cellulite.

All these ways will not just help you avoid cellulite but also help towards a healthy you. These are different ways, you can avoid cellulite, firstly, avoid junk food totally. Junk food is a teenager's love, even adults don't mind on the most convenient handy food quite regularly. This food is harming your body. Also this food hardly happens to be a substitute for a dinner or a healthy meal. Junk food contains saturated fats and very less fiber. Fats increase blockage in nerves and less fiber makes it difficult for the food to digest, also toxins are not removed properly. Toxins are the main reason what cellulite forms, so removal of toxins is utmost necessary.

Avoid aerated drinks, caffeine, alcohol, etc. Many times people feel, having an aerated drink or a coffee or a glass of wine, will be a substitute to water. However not only are these drinks harmful for your body, but these also contain toxins. Increase in toxin levels in your body can increase the chances of you getting cellulite. Drinking 7-8 glasses of water in a day is must, it is most advisable if you start the day by drinking lukewarm water so that toxins are removed from your water. Make effort to consciously drink water at specific intervals throughout the day. Water will help you stay lively, ensure proper blood supply, remove toxins through urine and sweat and most importantly keep your skin hydrated.

Smokers beware, smoking can weaken your skin and also put in toxins in your system, both are ill effects and highly likely to cause cellulite. Therefore if you would like to avoid cellulite, the best way would be to quit smoking. Help should be taken at the earliest if you want to avoid smoking all together. Quitting smoking will benefit you in several different ways.

All the above factors contribute to cellulite, if you can follow the given steps and maintain skin health as well as physical health; your chances of getting cellulite are reduced by some percentage.

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9:30 AM

Herbal Products for Breast Enlargement

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                                                                                                                                                                                        breasts.jpg                                  

In the past few years the powers of herbal and natural treatments have been rediscovered. These herbal treatments are now being scientifically formulated and incorporated in medicines to cure new-age problems.

Breast enlargement and enhancement cases have grown over the period. Once, women who decided to undergo this treatment were looked down upon. Mindsets of the new generation has changed a lot as now you can see women talking at ease about such cosmetic enhancement of their beauty. Breast size is one such issue. Women who link their beauty and self-confidence with the size and shape of breasts have resorted for such breast enhancement techniques.

The fastest and the sure shot method of getting fuller breasts are to go for breast implants or mammoplasty. This is however an invasive procedure and involves surgical implantation of the saline filled or silicone filled implants in the breast tissue. Surgery brings with it, trauma and pain. Additionally, there are chances that one has to go for further surgeries for the removal or replacements of implants that have aged or deflated. Hence, the need of non-surgical procedures is ever increasing.

There are natural and herbal breast enhancement options available in the form of pills, creams and lotions that can be used for getting enhanced breasts. There are a lot many options to choose from. A whole lot of herbal industry is surviving on these requirements. The effective treatments commonly include ingredients that imitate the effect of the female hormone, estrogen. These bring in changes in the female body similar to the changes that occur during puberty.

Some of the constituents of these breast enlargement natural treatments are:

1. Saw Palmetto – it is a sexual stimulant and a hormonal weight regulator.
2. Damiana – it has been used for generations of naturopaths for treating depression, nervousness and anxiety. It has been widely recommended to promote a sense of well-being, and stimulate growth of breast tissue.
3. Wild Yam – it contains natural progesterone, female hormone and is used in treatment of premenstrual symptoms.
4. Fenugreek – it is considered an effective menstruation promoter. Fenugreek contains chemicals very similar to the female sex hormone estrogen. This herb has properties that help in the swelling and growth of healthy breast tissue.
5. Fennel Seeds – it is an appetite suppressant and also helps in stabilizing the nervous system.

While choosing products for breast enlargement it is necessary to see that the company uses best of the ingredients. You can feel cheated if you have decided on one particular breast enhancement product based on its pricing. One must carefully examine the testimonials and the other promises made by the manufacturer to know well about the breast enhancement product and its functionality. It is also essential to follow the user's guidelines and use the product consistently for getting desired results. Most companies also refer using breast enhancement creams in combination with the oral pills for achieving faster results like Breast Actives Program.

Unlike the chemical drugs, the natural and herbal medicines have no harmful side effects. In fact in case of breast enhancement medications the side effects are quite pleasing. As these contain or stimulate the female hormones, they are also useful in curing many other female related disorders. These also give you a beautiful and clearer skin. So, one need not bother herself with un-necessary doubts and go ahead to use the best available natural breast enhancement products for fuller and firmer breasts.

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9:22 AM

Pregnancy Week By Week

Posted by Doncrack | Labels:

pregnant woman
 
Especially in the early stages of pregnancy, the changes to the mother's body seem to be very slow. Just because all of the many miraculous events are undetectable to the eye does not mean that pregnancy week by week is anything short of ever changing. From the moment of conception to the actual arrival of the baby, pregnancy is a constant state of a work in progress. Every week brings more changes and development for both mother and baby.
 
For a look at pregnancy week by week, let us take a particular week from each trimester to get a clear look at how rapidly things change inside an expectant mother's uterus. Week six of the first trimester is usually about the time mother-to-be discovers the existence of her little baby. By this stage, the little one already has a heartbeat but is only about 1/17 of an inch long. That heartbeat is moving the baby's own blood through the tiny body and the beginnings of arms and legs are starting to form. Facial features are also on their way to development at this early stage. Every baby and pregnancy is unique so this is a rough guess of the state of progress at week six.
 
Moving forward a few months to the second trimester in pregnancy week by week places events at week twenty one. The baby is moving a lot at this stage. Daddy and other loved one may be able to feel the movement now. Growth slows a little as the heart grows stronger. And to help out with all of that movement, the baby's legs are becoming more proportionate to the rest of it's body. Mother is probably feeling more comfortable with morning sickness hopefully behind her. This is about the time when her pregnancy is becoming obvious to others.
 
In the third trimester it is a run to the finish line. Week thirty is right in the middle of the third trimester in our look at pregnancy week by week. At this point the baby probably weighs about three pounds and is gaining weight everyday. That means mother is probably feeling a little awkward and uncomfortable. The baby's eyelids are working. Week thirty also brings the baby's ability to produce his own red blood cells. In other words, the bone marrow is now functioning independently of Mother.
 
Despite the feeling of pregnancy lasting forever that many pregnant moms experience, pregnancy week by week is a new adventure. Both Mom and the new arrival are in constant motion preparing for the final stages of this beautiful and exciting time.

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9:07 AM

Preparation Checklist For Your New Baby

Posted by Doncrack | Labels:

      
 
You are expecting a baby and may have already been thinking about what is needed, and perhaps even started preparing for your baby's arrival.

There are two main areas for your focus on the preparation:

* Preparing your home for the new baby
* Preparing yourself and packing

Preparing your Home

When preparing your home, your first consideration is probably that your baby comes home to a safe, clean environment. Once you arrive home you will be so busy and tired and that isn't the time to be cleaning the house.

Prepare by thoroughly cleaning the nursery, and the rest of the house as well if you can.

You want to clean all dust and dirt on shelves and furniture, and thoroughly vacuum the carpets if you have them in the nursery. Sanitize all surfaces, especially the bathroom and food preparation areas. Thoroughly air these areas.

You will need items like a crib with mattress, sheets, bumpers, toys and accessories. A bassinet will need liners, sheets and a quilt.

Your baby's furniture should include a dresser, changing table, storage bins, toy boxes and a diaper holder.

Ensure you have a plentiful supply of diapers, wipes, sanitizer, baby clothes and blankets.

You will be very busy however your health is very important and you need to eat well and not skip meals because you are so busy.

To prevent missing meals or not eating well, prepare lots of meals before the arrival of your baby, and freeze them. You can either make extra when preparing normal meals, or you can dedicate a day to meal preparation.

Your Preparation

When deciding what to pack for the hospital, contact them first to find out what they provide, as you don't want to leave something important at home.

Mom

* Hospital paperwork for checking in
* Birthing plan
* Any medications
* Clothes
o Gown if not provided by the hospital
o Pajamas
o Socks
o Maternity clothes for going home
* Sanitary pads
* Toothbrush, toothpaste
* Hairbrush
* Shampoo, conditioner
* Cosmetics
* Glasses, contacts, cleaning solution
* Purse
* Magazines or books

Dad

* Camera, camcorder
* Wallet
* Cellphone [with all appropriate friend's contacts] or pay phone money
* Books, magazines
* Pen, notepad to remember those things to bring from home or things that you've both forgotten to do
* Pajamas, overnite bag, clothes if staying

Baby

* Diapers
* Wipes
* Going home clothes
* Blankets
* Car seat

Check with the hospital first as you may not need all of the above items if they already provide some of them. The weather will also determine the style and quantity of clothes or blankets for your baby when they leave the hospital to travel home.

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3:37 PM

Herbal Skin Care

Posted by Doncrack | Labels:

Skin care is not a topic of recent times; it has been in practice since ancient times, when herbal skin care was probably the only way to take care of skin. However, skin care has transformed in a big way. Herbal skin care routines have been replaced by synthetic/chemical-based skin care routines. The herbal skin care recipes which once used to be common place are not so popular today (and even unknown to a large population). This transformation from herbal skin care to synthetic, can probably be attributed to two things - our laziness (or just the fast pace of lives) and the commercialisation of skin care. Even herbal skin care products have been commercialised. These commercial herbal skin care products have to be mixed with preservatives in order to increase their shelf-life, hence making them less effective than the fresh ones made at home. However, it seems that things are changing fast and more people are now opting for natural and herbal skin care routines. But still, none want to make them at home and hence the commercial market of herbal skin care products is on the rise.

So what are these herbs or herbal skin care mechanisms?

Aloe vera, which is an extract from Aloe plant, is one of the best examples of herbal skin care product. Freshly extracted aloe vera is a natural hydrant that helps in soothing skin. It also helps in healing cuts and treating sun burns.

A number of herbs are known to possess cleansing properties. Dandelion, chamomile, lime flowers and rosemary herbs, are a few examples of such cleansers. Their herbal skin care properties get invoked when they are combined with other herbs like tea.

Antiseptics are another important part of Herbal skin care. Lavender, marigold, thyme and fennel are good examples of herbs that are known to possess antiseptic properties. Lavender water and rose water also form good toners.

Tea plays an important part in herbal skin care. Tea extracts are used for treatment of skin that has been damaged by UV radiation.

Oils prepared from herbal extracts present another means of herbal skin care. Tea tree oil, Lavender oil, borage oil and primrose oil are some popular oils used in herbal skin care. Some fruit oils (e.g. extracts from fruits like banana, apple and melon) find use in shower gels (as a hydrating mix)

Homeopathic treatments and aromatherapies also come under the umbrella of herbal skin care remedies.

Herbal skin care is good not only for the routine nourishing of skin but also for treatment of skin disorders like eczema and psorasis. Most herbal skin care products don't have any side effects (the most important reason for preferring them over synthetic products) Moreover, herbal skin care products can be easily made at home, hence making them even more attractive. So, herbal skin care is the way to go. However, this does not mean that you totally discard the synthetic products. Some people go to the extent of debating with their dermatologist, if he/she suggests a synthetic product. You should accept the fact that some skin orders might need usage of clinically proven non-herbal skin care products.

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3:35 PM

Facts To Know About Perfume

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Perfume (Latin "per fume" meaning "through smoke") was highly favored by the Egyptians, Romans, and Arabs. In East Asia, perfumes were incense based. People used to make perfumes from spices and herbs like bergamot, myrtle, coriander, conifer resin, and almond. The use of flowers came only after Avicenna, an Iranian doctor and chemist showed the process of distillation, whereby oils could be extracted from flowers. In 1370, at the behest of Queen Elizabeth of Hungary, the world's first modern perfume - "Hungary Water" was made by blending scented oils in alcohol solution.

The composition of a perfume is of vital significance and is handled by an expert known as a perfumer, who deals with primary scents like rose, jasmine, cola, etc; modifiers like esters; blenders like linalool and hydroxycitronellol; and fixatives like resins, wood scents, and amber bases. The resulting scent is explained in a musical metaphor of three 'notes', namely, top notes (consisting of fast evaporating small size molecules) like citrus and ginger scents; middle notes (consisting of slow evaporating medium size molecules) like lavender and rose scents; and base notes (consisting of slowest evaporating largest size molecules) like fixatives etc. All these notes work together like a musical chord.

Perfume oils contain volatile compounds in high concentrations and thus have to be diluted by solvents, so that injury is not caused when applied directly on skin or clothes. The common solvent is pure ethanol or ethanol mixed with water. Fractionated coconut oil or wax, neutral smelling fats such as jojoba, can also act as solvents and dilute the perfume oil. The perfume oil is further mixed with other aromatic compounds. Generally, the percentage of aromatic compounds in perfume extract is 20% to 40%; in eau de parfum is 10% to 30%; in eau de toilette is 5% to 20%; and in eau de cologne is 2% to 5%.

The oil concentration in a perfume along with other aromatic compounds, determines the intensity, longevity, and price of the perfume and thus it is a closely guarded secret of every perfumer and perfume house. By adjusting the percentage level and the notes of the perfume, variations on the same brand may be created like Chanel's Pour Monsieur and Pour Monsieur Concentree.

Classification of perfumes is never complete, due to its ever-evolving nature. The traditional classification comprises of categories like Single Floral, Floral Bouquet, Ambery, Woody, Leather, Chypre, and Fougere; while the modern classification comprises of Bright Floral, Green, Oceanic/Ozone, Citrus/Fruity, and Gourmand. In 1983, Michael Edwards, a perfume consultant, created a new fragrance classification "The Fragrance Wheel", which classified and sub-grouped five standard families, namely Floral (Floral, Soft Floral, Floral Oriental), Oriental (Soft Oriental, Oriental, Woody Oriental), Woody (Wood, Mossy Woods, Dry Woods), Fougere (has fragrance elements from all the families), and Fresh (Citrus, Green, Water).

Perfumery has used a number of aromatic sources like plants, animals, and synthetic sources in the making of perfumes. Plants are used as a source of aroma compounds and essential oils. The parts of plants that are used are:

1 - Bark (cinnamon, cascarilla);
2 - Flowers (rose, jasmine, osmanthus, tuberose, mimosa, vanilla);
3 - Blossoms (citrus, ylang-ylang, clove);
4 - Fruits (apples, strawberries, cherries, litsea cubeba, juniper berry, vanilla, oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit);
5 - Leaves and Twigs (lavender, patchouli, citrus, violets, sage, rosemary, hay, tomato);
6 - Resins (labdanum, myrrh, gum benzoin, Peru balsam, frankincense/olibanum, pine, fir, amber, copal);
7 - Roots, Bulbs, and Rhizomes (vetiver roots, ginger and iris rhizomes);
8 - Seeds (coriander, cocoa, mace, cardamom, anise, nutmeg, caraway, tonka bean);
9 - Woods (agarwood, birch, rosewood, sandalwood, pine, birch, juniper, cedar).

Animal sources include Ambergris, Castoreum, Musk, Rom terpenes, Honeycomb, and Civet. Other natural sources include Lichens and Protists. Synthetic sources include synthetic odorants synthesized from petroleum distillates, pine resins, etc. Modern perfumes are mostly made from synthetic sources as they allow fragrances not found in nature, like Calone is a synthetic compound that imparts a marine metallic ozonous fragrance. Synthetic aromatics are more consistent than natural aromatics, and are hence, widely used nowadays in modern available perfumes.

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10:57 AM

Blogs, Iguanas, France, Passion and Purpose

Posted by Doncrack | Labels: , , , , ,

Well, passionate folks, I have returned from my very first trip off of the continent. And I live to blog about it!

I just spent a week on a spiritual pilgrimage in France. Lots of time to think about my purpose and what I am passionate about. France is an interesting place. I got to use my 10+ years of French. However, in school we never learned words pertaining to airport security. What the hell is "Too many liquids?" in French anyway?

And by the way, did you know that in Paris, powered makeup is considered liquid. There's goes the American advertisements. I tried to explain that I just don't wake up looking this gorgeous -- I have to work at it! They did confiscate my toothpaste. There goes my dazzling million dollar smile.

Being on pilgrimage meant no blogging. I nearly died from the withdrawal! I did take my laptop along. But forgot the adapter. And there are no blogging methadone clinics in the spectacular mountains of the French Alps. So, I had to drink of the springs of spirituality. It worked, sort of.

So, what did we do for seven days? Visited no less than ten churches, ten airports, five hotels, six towns, but still no blogging. And because these people are "spiritual," I couldn't even mention blogging because no one knew what I was talking about. Go figure! I mean, what is spirituality with stuff like blogs, mp3 players, and iguanas?

So, I was excited to get back -- still groggy and running on Paris time -- and find a post about a bloggers get together here in New York City. The pilgrimage worked! My prayers have been answered. Blog talk, at last!

Because the lovely Diva Toby Bloomberg was descending on NY, the fabulously illustrious CK decided to have a little martini gathering last night at the Cafe Iguana, which is just slightly north of the theater district. I desperately needed a fix. Or is it a hit? So, I drowsily headed to the Iguana.

I am still drowsy, hence all the over the top adjectives. In France, I had to conjugate verbs; in New York, we work in adjectives.

I met some of the most fantastic folks. CB Whittemore was just a dream. We chatted about blogs, bathrooms and France. How totally normal is that?! And, I had a boob graze moment with the lovely Ann Handley. Yes, New York is one helluva town.

The fellows were simply divine. Then there was Curious George. Yes, the monkey. Okay, why am I mentioning all this? Because I went to France to confirm my passion and purpose; and returned with the confirmation of getting together with the very people who add value to my purpose and passion. Bloggers.

As one dynamic coach always says, the answers are in the same room as the questions. My passion and purpose are so apart of me. I know it because I totally missed it when I was abroad; and was drawn to it when I returned home. How flippin' amazing is that?!

Glad to be home. Glad to be blogging again. There's no place like home and the blogosphere!


The W List Women:
CB, Toby, CK, Ann, and
moi!

Photo courtesy of the dazzling Steve Woodruff, who referred to me all evening as the Wild Wiki Woman. Don't you just love it? These are my people, n'est pas?!

Live your passion,
Coach Carolyn

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8:09 AM

How Exercise can Improve Your Mental Health

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Feeling a little blue? Why not try a jog around the block or a session with the weights? Exercise has been proven in recent years to not only benefit our bodies, but our minds as well. And it appears that there are a number of reasons why physical activity will keep the blues at bay.

Many of us are familiar with the idea of endorphins – chemicals released by the brain that can reduce the effects of pain and put us in a more joyful state of mind. Endorphins are released through physical activity, which is why you can kiss tension and depression goodbye with a daily walk around the neighborhood. Health experts all seem to agree that exercise is indeed good for the mind. But the benefits are much more numerous and far reaching than researchers originally assumed. Daily exercise can help in all of the following areas:

Depression – A study done at Duke University a number of years ago showed that exercise is as effective in treating stress and depression as antidepressant medications are. This means that you can commit to a healthy activity every day to beat your depression, rather than rely on a medication to do so. As little as 30 minutes of physical activity each day can boost your mood effectively, and it doesn't seem to matter what type of exercise you choose – aerobic workouts, strength training and programs like Yoga all seem to make a difference in a person's mood overall.

Insomnia – I can personally attest to the benefits of daily exercise in treating insomnia. Because exercise can reduce stress and anxiety, and just plain wear your body out, many people find that a daily exercise program helps them to sleep better. In order to find out what the best time of day is for your exercise regimen to work in improving your sleep habits, the Mayo Clinic suggests that you exercise close to bedtime for two weeks, and evaluate the quality of your sleep every morning when you wake up. Next, try exercising in the morning for two weeks, and follow the same process. Average your sleep quality for those two week blocks, and determine which exercise time brought on the highest quality of sleep. Cutting back on insomnia issues is a significant step in your mental health, since depression and other conditions can lead to poor sleep habits.

Stress – Ah yes, isn't life full of stress these days? Yet most of us don't really know how to keep our stress levels in check to protect our physical as well as our mental health. The good news is that stress management can be as simple as keeping your daily date to walk the dog or spend 30 minutes with your free weights. It might be a session of Yoga or Pilates, or a trip with a friend to the local Jazzercise studio. Exercise will reduce the physical tension that inevitably accompanies stress, clear our minds and lift our spirits.

Self Esteem – Studies show that regular exercise makes us feel good about ourselves. Logically, this makes a lot of sense – after all, if we look better, we tend to feel better and exercise is the first step in keeping our weight in check and our body healthy. Exercise also helps our self esteem, because when we stick with an exercise program, we feel a sense of accomplishment for a job well done. That kind of satisfaction is always good for the mind as well as the body.

So if you're feeling sad and blue, get off the couch and get moving. There are few things better for your mind than exercise.

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7:50 AM

Protect Your Skin in Winter

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Protect Your Skin in Winter

Has your skin suddenly turned into a dry, itchy mess? Ah, it must be wintertime. When the outdoor temperature drops and indoor heating cranks up, your skin is officially under assault. Chronic low humidity levels and wintertime habits such as long, hot baths can make your delicate dermis crack, peel, and itch -- not a pleasant feeling.

 

 

 

You should do something to protect your skin. Prepare yourself with a skin-saving arsenal that includes:

  1. An emollient-rich beauty bar, such as Dove or Oil of Olay, to replace your usual body soap 
  2. A tub of petroleum jelly
  3. A big bottle of therapeutic lotion that contains petrolatum or mineral oil
  4. An alpha hydroxy acid lotion (if your dry skin is really flaky)
  5. Body oil, such as Neutragena Body Oil or Rainbath Dry Oil
  6. A winter-weight face cream, with at least SPF 15
  7. A humidity gauge for your home ($20 or so at hardware stores)
  8. A humidifier ($15 or less in many drug stores) - be sure to clean the filter frequently to prevent mold from growing

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7:47 AM

Myths about magical diets revealed

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Myths about magical diets revealed

Choosing a perfect diet isn't always easy. Here are some pointers that will help you plan a perfect weight loss program for yourself.

Myth 1  Follow a strict diet.
Do not follow a regimented diet. Rapid weight loss causes the basal metabolic rate or BMR to fall. This makes your body less efficient at burning calories and more prone to putting the weight back on as soon as you're on a normal diet.

Myth 2  Starve/Skip a meal.
Do not starve or skip a meal. This is likely to increase weight as you run the risk of snacking. Besides, an empty stomach may cause headaches and irritability.

Myth 3  Eat low fat foods.
Do not get taken in by low fat labels. Low fat does not necessarily mean low-calorie and it is the overall calories consumed that matter. In most cases, low fat foods have more or less the same calories as regular food.

Myth 4  Avoid fats completely.
Do not avoid fats completely - fats do contain a lot of calories but they are also excellent sources of Vitamins A, D and E. Even though they are not recommended in large quantities, they are essential components of a balanced diet.

Myth 5  Totally eliminate snacking
Eat moderately. Do not eliminate snacks altogether. When calculating your total caloric intake, include the occasional snack.

Myth 6  Stick to certain food groups.
Don't stick to specific food groups. Eat a variety of foods. This will ensure you get all the nutrients besides keeping the meals interesting.

Myth 7  Fat is inherited.
We do not inherit fat but we do inherit lifestyles.

Last, but not the least, there are no good or bad foods. Only diets can be good or bad.

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7:24 AM

London Fashion Week: Duro Olowu

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London Fashion Week: Duro Olowu

doro4.jpg

Best known for his insanely flattering kimono dress, Duro Olowu had most definitely bought Portobello chic to the high fashion market with his exotic prints, chic Summer suits and trademark dresses. Mixing African themes with florals and picking a palette of green, red and pink with splashes of other shades, this was a wearable, pretty collection...

From belted smocks to frilled blouses and pretty slouchy shapes that would flatter any shape, this collection is definitely created with real women in mind. There are no edgy shapes or unflattering cuts here, it's all created to make the most of what we have.

 

doro1.jpg

Full skirts with flock-style florals and pink stripes, slouchy satin 3/4 trousers and diaphanous printed chiffon tea dresses all featured, alongside more earthy looks like deep blue smocks with tribal trims, a pink sparkly zig-zag t-shirt dress and sweet patchwork swing jackets.

 

doro3.jpg

Green was the key colour, appearing on the chic pencil skirted suit with safari jacket, a matching trouser suit and a gorgeous full length gown with frills that reminded me of an old YSL collection from a few years back. This is a fabulous colour that I hope takes off next Summer. I'm all about the green dresses!

 

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6:58 AM

Planning to Have a Baby

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Planning to Have a Baby

For many women and their partners, the decision to have a baby does not come lightly. A new baby, although very special, brings changes into our lives on many levels. If you are considering having a baby, whether it is your first or an additional child, there are several factors you may wish to explore beforehand.

According to recent research a number of aspects affect a women's ability to conceive, the kind of pregnancy they have and the ultimate health of the baby. These include environmental and nutritional factors, along with issues related to lifestyle, general health and wellbeing.

Are you ready?

Here are some typical questions that you might like to consider and raise with your partner:

  • Is it too soon or too late?
  • How will a baby affect our relationship?
  • Will we return to work?
  • Are there any experiences we've had that may affect our parenting?
  • These are some of the issues to think through. Seeking information and discussing them can help you come to a decision.
  • What, if any, pre-pregnancy tests are recommended?

A good place to start is by choosing and visiting a health professional, that has an interest in preconception health care.

They can take a detailed history and provide a complete physical checkup. They may suggest further tests such as:

  • Blood tests to check your blood group, iron levels and immunity to rubella
  • Pap Tests –they are recommended every 2 years
  • Any existing medical conditions and underlying gynaecological conditions may affect conception and should be discussed with your doctor before pregnancy
  • Sexually Transmitted Infections and Blood Born Viruses should be treated before pregnancy as some infections such as Chlamydia may interfere with fertility.

What other nutritional supplements are helpful?

Folate is especially important during the preconception period and for the first three months of pregnancy because it reduces the risk of birth defects such as spina bifida. Folate rich foods include green leafy vegetables, cereals with added folate, fruit, dried beans and peas.

It is recommended that women intending to become pregnant take 0.5mg of folic acid per day for one month before pregnancy and for the first three months after becoming pregnant. If you have a family history of spina bifida or cleft palate or on epilepsy it is important to talk to your doctor about this as you may need higher doses of folic acid may be recommended.

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4:34 AM

IBM Scores 'Symphony' as Free Online Office Rival

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IBM Corp. has spun out productivity software included in the latest version of Lotus Notes as a free stand-alone suite to compete with Microsoft Corp.'s Office productivity suite.
 
The name for the suite, Symphony, is the same name IBM used for its first integrated productivity suite, which it offered in the 1980s but which never took off with customers. Mike Rhodin, general manager of Lotus Software for the IBM Software Group, said the company brought back the name to "herald in a new age" of productivity software.
 
Symphony includes Lotus Symphony Documents, Lotus Symphony Spreadsheets and Lotus Symphony Presentations. The applications are available online at a new Web site that will also serve as the home page for a community IBM hopes will grow around the suite.
 
Rhodin said IBM is offering Symphony in beta form because it wants the community to suggest improvements for the software so the suite can evolve more quickly than it could if the company were to work on it independently.
 
Like the productivity software built into Notes 8, Symphony is based on the open-source Eclipse platform and uses Open Document Format for XML (ODF) as its native file format. ODF is a document standard recognized by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), but a rival to Microsoft's Open XML (OOXML), which is the native format in Office. Microsoft's quest to have OOXML become a standard alongside ODF was dealt a significant blow when the ISO voted against fast-tracking approval of the format earlier this month.
 
IBM has been an ardent supporter of ODF for some time, but with Symphony the company is bringing this support into the Web 2.0 age. Symphony is an alternative not only to Office but to Google Docs & Spreadsheets, the search giant's own version of online document-editing and creation software. IBM also is offering fee-based telephone support for services if customers want that option.
 
In addition to Symphony, IBM Tuesday also unveiled Lotus Notes as a hosted service on Tuesday. Rhodin said the service is meant for the small-to-medium-size business market, for organizations up to about 10,000 users. According to IBM, the operational cost of hosted Lotus is about US$5 to $10 per user, per month.
 
In addition to Lotus Notes, customers can choose to include hosted versions of Lotus Sametime and Lotus Quickr as optional services, Rhodin said.
 

Catch up on fall's hot new shows on Yahoo! TV. Watch previews, get listings, and more!

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4:25 AM

Apple may be next in EU antitrust sights

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September 18, 2007 -- With Microsoft Corp.'s antitrust appeal now decided, the next U.S. technology company to get a place on the European Union (EU)'s regulatory hot seat may be Apple, an antitrust expert said today.
"The decision by the Court of First Instance is a clear signal to the European [Competition] Commission that it has the leeway to go ahead," said Herbert Hovenkamp, a professor at the University of Iowa College of Law and a noted antitrust scholar. "[The commission] now has a license to go ahead, and they have a pretty aggressive posture. I think this bodes ill for some companies."
Among those already facing investigations or accusations from the EU antitrust agency, which is led by Neelie Kroes of the Netherlands, are chip makers Rambus Inc. and Intel Corp.; Qualcomm Inc., a wireless technology vendor; and Apple Inc.
Apple, in fact, will face two days of hearings before the commission starting Wednesday to answer charges that it and its four music label partners are violating EU laws with the pricing structure and purchase restrictions of the iTunes music store. In early April, the commission confirmed that it had sent a Statement of Objections (SO), the agency's term for an official complaint, to Apple and partners EMI, Sony BMG, Warner Music Group and Universal Music.
The SO claimed consumers are restricted in their choice of where to buy music -- because each country's version of iTunes only accepts orders from customers who live in that country -- and at what price. ITunes tracks sales for varying amounts, depending on the country.
But the commission steered clear of calling Apple another Microsoft in April. "The Statement of Objections does not allege that Apple is in a dominant market position," the group said in a statement at the time.
Yesterday, Kroes downplayed any link between the court's rejection of Microsoft's appeal and possible action against other U.S. technology companies. "You may hear scare stories about the supposed negative consequences of this ruling for other companies," she said during a news conference Monday afternoon. "Let me be clear. There is one company that will have to change its illegal behavior as a result of this ruling: Microsoft."
Microsoft, however, thought different.
During his own news conference yesterday, Brad Smith, Microsoft's general counsel, repeatedly pointed to Apple. "Apple has something like a 70% market share for digital music," said Smith. "ITunes is far and away the leading source for music on the Internet; the iPod is far and away the leading hardware device for digital music."
Even the U.S. Department of Justice weighed in. Thomas Barnett, the assistant attorney general for antitrust, yesterday said: "We are concerned that the standard applied to unilateral conduct by the CFI [Court of First Instance], rather than helping consumers, may have the unfortunate consequence of harming consumers by chilling innovation and discouraging competition."
Hovenkamp was confident that yesterday's decision would embolden the commission. "This was a landmark decision, and a landmark case," he said. "It stands for a couple of important things. First, it's a declaration of independence, a statement that their anticompetitive policy is not going to be dictated by U.S. policy. Second, it clears the way for the commission to pursue new cases.
"You're going to see a more aggressive commission that will go after high technology companies, especially those that are involved with networks or standard setting," Hovenkamp said.
"Rambus and Qualcom, certainly," he said, are among the companies at risk from a combative commission. "Intel? Perhaps. As for Apple, there are some undeveloped issues there."
In Apple's favor, he said, are European antitrust traditions that may let the iTunes operator and iPod maker off the hook. Europe's antitrust agency has typically looked differently at two kinds of pricing discrimination. The one where a company prices products differently in different countries in order to squash competition -- pricing products lower in nations where rivals exist, higher where competitors are lacking -- is usually treated harshly, said Hovenkamp. The other type of pricing discrimination, where a seller prices products based on what it thinks a particular country's buyers can bear -- more in Germany, for example, less in Portugal -- are not generally considered a competition problem.
"If Apple is pricing differentially because of economies and consumer buying power," said Hovenkamp, "it is probably safe. But if [it is] doing this to suppress competition, the commission may act."
Among the possible results of the hearings: fines levied to the tune of 10% of global net revenues. Kroes' agency could also dismiss the SO after the hearing.
"Europeans are much more comfortable with regulation," said Hovenkamp.
Apple did not reply to a request for comment on the court ruling yesterday or on the hearings that kick off tomorrow in Brussels.

Pinpoint customers who are looking for what you sell.

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11:47 AM

Breaking Through the Either/Or Syndrome

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Here's a fabulous article on limiting beliefs by Lisa Jimenez of Rx-Success. Enjoy!


Let's take a little quiz. Read the following five questions and answer them as honestly as possible. Ready? Begin...

1. Do you want a successful career or a close relationship with your family?
2. Do you want to earn a fortune or do the work you love?
3. Do you want to enjoy a delicious love life or grow your business?
4. Do you want to give to your favorite charity or invest in the new car?
5. Do you want to travel the world or make money?

There's only one answer to all of these questions.

The answer is... BOTH!

One of the most powerful habits that can bring more abundance in your life is the habit of thinking, "Both".

Rich people live in a world of abundance. Poor people live in a world of limitation. Poor people think there's not enough to go around in the world. They come from a fear-based mindset.

Their answers are "either/or", but never "both". In a poor person's mind-set they go for security above love, safety before self-expression and protection over possibility.

What about you? Are you a possibility theorist or a fear-based thinker?

Rich people live in a world of abundance. Poor people live in a world of limitation. Rich people understand that with a little creativity, a willingness to be unconventional, and an open mind, they can have both. When you build your business (and your life) on the "Both" mentality, you will see opportunities that you were once blind to.

I invite you to begin today to alter your mind-set. Get in the habit of saying "Both!" Try it for the next seven days. Anytime you're asked to decide on two options, say both and then use your creative genius to make it happen. You're asked if you want peanut butter or pralines and cream. Say both and then do a double work out that day.

You're asked if you can write that article or take your daughter to soccer. Say both and then skip TV that night. You're asked if you want to spend a week at the lake or a week at the beach. Say both and sign up for a house exchange.

You're asked if you want to attend Yale or Berkeley. (Ha! This is the questions my daughter Auriana poses as I write this E-Zine.) I say, "Let's jump on a plane, tour the campuses and make a choice. To which my 18-year-old daughter replies, "And whatever college I don't get my Bachelors from, I'll attend for my Masters!

Just say, "Both!"

Only you can make the decision to break through the limitations put on life. YOU have the power to change your beliefs about abundance and prove to yourself you really believe in enjoying "both!" Your first homework assignment this month is to practice saying, "Both" for seven days and notice the changes in your life. Your second homework assignment is to celebrate those changes and all the abundance that you will begin manifesting into your life.

Live passionately on purpose,
Coach Carolyn

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