Friday, December 26, 2008

Before the Mozart Effect there was Suggestopedia


What is suggestopedia?

"Suggestopedia (in its new desuggestive development as well) is a science for developing different non-manipulative and non-hypnotic methods for teaching/learning of foreign languages and other subjects for every age-group on the level of reserve (potential, unused) capacities of the brain/mind. That means: at least three to five times faster, easier and deeper learning, inner freedom, increasing the motivation for learning, joyful learning and psycho-physiological well-being. The effectiveness as well as the benefits of the genuine method have been confirmed by the most prestigious international commissions and scientists. The genuine method has been also officially tested and highly evaluated from one international expert group of UNESCO that recommended the method to be applied all over the world." Lozanov

"Suggestopedia is one of the teaching methods developed by Bulgarian psychotherapist Georgi Lozanov based on the study of Suggestology. The method has been used in different fields of studies but mostly in the field of foreign language learning. Lozanov claimed that by using this method one can teach languages approximately three to five times as quickly as conventional methods.

The theory applied positive suggestion in teaching when it was developed in the 1970s. However, as improved, it has focused more on “desuggestive learning” and now is often called “desuggestopedia.” [1] Suggestopedia is the latest of the six major foreign-language teaching methods known to language teaching experts (the oldest being the grammar translation method.) The name of Suggestopedia is from the words “suggestion” and “pedagogy.” Wikipedia

More information on suggestopedia

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Bureaucratic Frustration


Here is my latest one-
I am a licensed counselor and applied to be a counselor/provider for one of the mental health insurance companies. I got rejected today (because they "have too many counselors in the area") Isn't this ridiculous? I am going to appeal this because I can provide counseling and hypnosis in 4 languages and do not believe there are that many others in the area who can do so.
If a person/client wants to shop and "hire" any of us out there, so much the better. Variety is best; don't you think? The insurance does not really owe me anything unless I file a claim once I see a client (and you wait about 3-4 weeks to get your little check from them). They won't lose money if I don't get to see a client. They pay a measly $42 an hour (of which as a contracted counselor I would have to pay 30% to the company where I would do the counseling) But the catch 22 is that if I am not on an insurance panel I won't be able to get a contractor opportunities...
So, do the math and figure out what frustrations are out there for poor counselors like myself. To even make a decent living you'd have to see people 6 or 7 days a week all day long (and I am only trying to do this on the weekends) since I have a different job during the week. I need to mention that if a client does not cancel and then no shows you waste your time and gasoline driving to the office. If a client at the end of the sessions says "oops, I forgot my wallet.." you don't get paid at all or you don't get paid the patient' co-pay...
I guess one goes to school and spends thousands of $ (I owe a second mortgage on my schooling and licensing) works at practicums for free for 9 months and then begs and fights to work in ones field. Yeap!

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Equality in a relationship


... a relationship should be based on equality. In relationship without equality one partner tries to control the other. Many fall into the trap of believing that their partner loves them because she or he says so. They become blind to the fact that their partner controls them through jealousy, threats, and continuous inquiry of an account of their daily activities. This is an unhealthy relationship. Being in a partnership does not constitute a loss of individuality. A healthy relationship is build upon trust.
 Use the following guide to rate how you see your partner’s governing style in your relationship.
Democratic (egalitarian)
 Making decisions together (listening to each other’s ideas)
 Respecting each other’s space/comfort zone
 Assuming mutual responsibilities for kids/pets/finances
 Allowing the other to express themselves freely (no put downs)
 Not demanding but asking
 Power is shared equally (no one is the boss of the other)
Disempowering (authoritarian) Ordering the other person around
 Disregarding the other person’s ideas
 Making decisions for the other
 Criticizing without giving positive feedback
 Demanding versus asking; physically assaulting when angry
 Expecting that things are done versus helping
Disengaged (disconnected) Not engaging in activities together
 Lack of concern; not offering to help
 Doing ones own thing
 Disregarding the other’s feelings
 Leaving the relationship openly (moving out, divorce, separation)
1. Do you notice any similarities between each other’s answers?

2. What do you think contributes to this?

If you check more than three categories in each style, it is possible that you identify your partner with that style of governing pattern. The Disempowering and Disengaged relationship styles cause the most tension between partners because they are not based on equality or concern for the other within a relationship. The Democratic style offers flexibility and ensures respect in a relationship while providing autonomy to each partner.

Excerpt from : Couple's Communication Made Easy (audio book)

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Friday, December 12, 2008

Holiday Shopping Made Easy


Hate going to the stores trying to find a parking spot, dread the long lines and people who would happen to try and look at the exact same item as you do etc...????
Make it easy on yourself. Here is how - my tested ideas -

1) overstock.com (has free shipping on many items) or $2.95 (also you can use the bill me later option and won't have to pay for 90 days)

2) Fredericks of Hollywood has many items on sale (cheaper than Victoria's Secret and even sexier)

3) Venus has wonderful deals on outfits and accessories

4) Swanson is great if you're buying for a health nut (they have the most affordable herbs and supplements) 5) crankychicks.com for beauty products and books

6) A.R.E. has horoscopes for reasonable price (you can get one for yourself or someone else)

7) Let's not forget the option for a gift for the two of you from Adam & Eve

8) for the Chocoholic of course chocolate from Dan's Chocolates

9) for the Euro kafe lovers check out Gevalia Coffee and thier gift options

10) Palm Beach Jewelry has affordable gifts (and even a 3 months 0% payment plan option)

Holiday Gifts for Girlfriends

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Intimacy in a relationship


To make love is to be connected on these two levels – emotional and physical. Staying connected only on a single level is to just have sex. Sometimes couples do not even realize that this is causing a problem in their relationship. Partners just know that something does not feel right. A true partnership functions as a union. This means that when you partner is depressed, stressed and discontent with something in his or her life that you find the time to attend to his or her needs. You do not just go to bed, have sex and fall asleep and then wake up and go on with the next day. When your partner’s experiences become your own concern, you will know what a true partnership is. Only then, you will find true intimacy and a fulfilling relationship. Find time to help with chores around the house. Do not read your newspaper or watch TV during dinner. Do not answer phone calls during times when the two of you are spending quality time. Find time to compliment each other. Do not neglect your appearance just because you’ve already found someone to be with. Take risks and try out new things together. Start paying closer attention to your partner’s emotional state. Break the monotony of your relationship by breaking off from your usual routine. Do not plan on being physically intimate only on weekends when you’re off. Make your partner feel desired through the week. Sex does not per se equate intimacy. For example, you may want to take your partner out to dinner on Wednesday and perhaps on Friday share physical intimacy. Try to keep things like this in your relationship unpredictable. This will take the pressure from both of you. Your partner will feel attended to and you will have less pressure to perform. Do not set a routine because as you know routines become boring. Routines are also influenced by the events in our life and we do not always have control of the external situations in life.
Use the following activity to brain storm some ideas of how to enhance your intimacy.


How can I show more physical affection to my partner?
What makes your relationship appear dull and predictable?
What can you do to liven up your intimacy?
What makes you fear intimacy?

Excerpt from : Couple's Communication Made Easy (audio book)

Saturday, December 6, 2008

What is love (continuation...)


Psychologists have speculated whether feelings arise from our thoughts or whether our feelings generate thoughts. One plausible version is that thoughts produce feelings. When we focus on positive thoughts, our feelings change and as a result our actions reflect this in the outer world. A person has many thoughts during the course of the day. Some of our thoughts cause us to feel anxious, worried, peaceful or inpatient. Whatever the case is, the feelings we experience are the result of our own thoughts. If we put our energy into thinking how to help another sentient being, eliminate pollution in nature, or strive to evolve and connect with our inner wiser self, we would create a healthier atmosphere all around us. What we send into the universe comes back to us. The more love we send towards other sentient beings, the more love we will receive in return.
What we need to recognize is that love should be the driving force behind our growth, life, and aspirations. This is what the spiritual masters have taught through the ages. In Corinthians 13-8 we read, “Love is eternal.” God is eternal, which in turn translates to the well-known saying that God is Love.
Love is not a quality common and reserved only to humans. It is the essence of life. How can a person say that they love God but fail to love all of creation? We often hear that we have to love ourselves in order to love others. This does not come easy to some people because they have been wounded by others along their journeys, either psychologically, emotionally, or physically. Love therefore may be seen as another thing causing vulnerability. After all, no one wants to get hurt. When we withhold expressing love, we ultimately hurt ourselves in the long run.
The Master Beinsa Douno noted, “An intelligent man is a man who, even in the middle of the deepest darkness, can find the path that leads to God- the eternal and unchanging love in the universe.” In addition, the Dalai Lama points out that all sentient beings are equal. You can decide to love and be loved or continue to create unhealthy karmic patterns in your life. Freewill belongs to all of us and how we choose to exercise it is our responsibility. As we grow spiritually, we are able to recognize our uniqueness as well as our Oneness with all life forms. Sometimes we are scared of saying “I love you” because we fear that the other person may not say “I love you” back to us. Love is about giving freely without worrying about “what’s in for me”?

Excerpt from : Guru in Jeans: Inward Journey to Psychospiritual Awakening

Friday, December 5, 2008

The Pill and Libido

Monday, December 1, 2008

Reasonable vs. Unreasonable Expectations in parenting


When a parent changes his expectations of the child, something great happens―there is a change in the outcome of behavior. Parents who are sensitive to the needs of their child are prone to having more reasonable expectations than those who merely react to their child’s behavior. Expectations that are clear and age appropriate are those that will most likely be met by the child. On the other hand, expectations that are either too high or age inappropriate will be unmet. For example, a parent who is allowing her twelve-year-old daughter to do her own laundry but fights with her to have her load the dishwasher is not having realistic expectations of the daughter. A father who expects his five-year-old son to do his baby sister’s laundry in addition to cleaning the bathroom every evening is expecting a bit too much from the child.
At times, parents who have not been actively present in the child’s life―for example, if the child was raised by extended family members, came from a foster home, or was raised primarily by the sole custodian or guardian―face issues they must address, and they may lack the tools to parent effectively.
This may be a common occurrence in situations where the child has suffered an illness for a prolonged period of time. It is not unusual for parents to try and rescue the child by trying to meet each of his needs. This is not helpful to the child because it does not allow him to develop a sense of age-appropriate autonomy and responsibility. In the long run, the parent will feel frustrated when the child does not meet the set expectations, and the parent will continue to do injustice to the youngster. An example is the case of the twelve-year-old girl from whom the parent expects only the minimum. In that scenario the daughter may grow up to be overly dependent on others and irresponsible. Correcting behaviors early in the child’s development is important in ensuring that the child develops moral and ethical healthy character. Children should be able to participate in family life by having on-going age-appropriate responsibilities.
Excerpt from: My Kid is Acting Out and I am about to shout: Effective Parenting Made Easy (audio book)

Sunday, November 30, 2008

PMDD



Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

In most menstrual cycles during the past year, five (or more) of the following symptoms were present for most of the time during the last week of the luteal phase, began to remit within a few days after the onset of the follicular phase, and were absent in the week postmenses, with at least one of the symptoms being either:

Markedly depressed mood, feelings of hopelessness, or self-deprecating thoughts
Marked anxiety, tension, feelings of being "keyed up" or "on edge"
Marked affective lability (e.g., feeling suddenly sad or tearful or increased
sensitivity to rejection)
Persistent and marked anger or irritability or increased interpersonal conflicts
Decreased interest in usual activities (e.g., work, school, friends, hobbies)
Subjective sense of difficulty in concentrating
Lethargy, easy fatigability, or marked lack of energy
Marked change in appetite, overeating, or specific food cravings
Hypersomnia or insomnia
A subjective sense of being overwhelmed or out of control
Other physical symptoms, such as breast tenderness or swelling, headaches, joint or muscle pain, a sensation of "bloating," or weight gain
The disturbance markedly interferes with work or school or with usual social activities and relationships with others (e.g., avoidance of social activities, decreased productivity and efficiency at work or school).
The disturbance is not merely an exacerbation of the symptoms of another disorder, such as major depressive disorder, panic disorder, dysthymic disorder, or a personality disorder (although it may be superimposed on any of these disorders).
Criteria A, B, and C must be confirmed by prospective daily ratings during at least two consecutive symptomatic cycles. (The diagnosis may be made provisionally prior to this confirmation.)

DSM IV criteria

PMDD "cures" - antidepressants i.e Prozac, counseling, accupuncture

Friday, November 28, 2008

Spice up your relationship


Spice Up Your Relationship

You may have been with you partner for many years or just several months. One of the secrets to making you relationship work as a well-lubed machine is bringing flavor into it on a consistent basis. Think of your relationship as an exotic meal and you and your partner as the cooks.
You will need to spice up your relationship continuously in order to keep it “hot”. This is where the real challenge comes in. Couples are busy tending to jobs, children, finances, societal and family obligations. After a while, partners begin to cohabitate or simply exist in a shared living area. Intimacy, leisure, and simple fun are replaced by the business of everyday demands, arguing, discontent and eventual dissatisfaction.
Miscommunication or lack of communication is only one of the problems on the surface. What is below the surface is a whole smorgasbord of other issues. Some of those issues resurface during couple’s therapy. For some it is lack of sexual desire, the need to overpower the other, boredom, lack of trust just to name a few.
Even if you have been in a relationship with your partner for a long time, boredom may creep in. Boredom in the bedroom and boredom during daily activities translates to boredom with the partnership in general. Intimacy is a sort of an art form. It takes work, dedication and creativity. It is essential to find out what you partner likes and what turns him or her on. You must stay consistent in making your partnership enjoyable and entertaining. If you do not work on improving and spicing up your relationship you may find yourself fantasizing to be elsewhere with someone else. If you are the only one spicing up your relationship, that is going to be in vain. It takes two people to make a relationship and it takes both partners to keep it candled. After all, no one wants to be kissed on the forehead when they come back from work. Parents kiss their children this way. This is a red flag. Perhaps your partner had a hard day at work or perhaps he or she does not find you sex - appealing anymore. You need to watch out for repetitive behaviors. They are the clue to how your relationship really is. People are not perfect so neither are you nor your partner. Listen to your inner voice and take notice.

 Here are some ideas to help you spice up and rekindle your relationship::
 Go for walks together
 Go to a comedy club
 Surprise each other by preparing a romantic (at home dinner)
 Go for a day trip to the park, historical town, zoo, botanical garden
 Eat dinner together without external distractions
 Go to a picnic in the park
 Prepare a special meal and have a kindle lit dinner
 Make time each week for at least 45 minutes to share your feelings and concerns with each other. Find out how your partner’s day at work went, how he or she is feeling etc.
 Go to a weekend get away (camping, log cabin, beach resort)
 Plant something together
 Engage in a foreplay (give each other a foot rub, use massage oils, candles, rose petals, sexy lingerie)
 Buy your partner something to make him/her feel special (example: cologne, jewelry, a CD, or gift card to their favorite store)

Excerpt from : Couple's Communication Made Easy (audio book)

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Living with Autism and Surviving the Mental Health Loop


In this age, mental health services are becoming more and more difficult to define to the general public. What will the insurance or Medicaid cover and what is to be done if someone does not have any coverage are the frequent questions that are asked especially by parent care givers of individuals with Autism.

If not specializing in this area, one is to usually refer these parents to the Autististic Society in Atlanta but what afterwards? We’re not always dealing with child clients.
Many parents try to find services on behalf of their adult children. Now, does this change the criteria for having to serve and make the appropriate referrals for adults with Autism versus a child is the most common concern?

What will a person without any sufficient insurance expect to receive in return?
These questions are not posed out to confuse anyone but to evoke an awareness that is usually not present within the larger bodies governing our mental health treatment options available to families.

For instance, many of the community state funded mental health agencies in Georgia do not provide just medication management and will require another mental health diagnosis in order to serve a client with Autism. Second, a person with Autism who does not have a good support system or insurance whether private or public coverage will run into a problem as to how to pay for services.

It is as though clients with severely persistent mental health illness can be served by the low fee community agencies only if they meet a certain criteria. Many of the therapists at those agencies are not trained specifically to work with individuals with Autism and although many of us consider ourselves to be generalist and strive to provide a decent service we run into a brick wall when it comes to ensuring that we can provide a long term and adequate treatment to those most deprived of mental health services.

There is a growing need for therapists to receive more training in treating Autism that does not surpass the need for more services to be available for individuals of Autism not only children but adults and greater support availability for their families.
Copyright: Dr. Rossi Davis

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Yoga

Friday, November 21, 2008

Anger poisons relationships


Anger is something we all experience. It is a powerful emotion that can be very destructive. I wonder if you feel anger in other situations besides in your relationship. Sometimes we feel angry because of something else in our life (such as job unsatisfaction, low self esteem, money stressors, kid problems, etc) and unknowingly we take our anger on the person closest to us. This is a defense mechanism called displacement. An example of this would be - a man having a hard day at work who comes home and kicks his dog or yells at his wife. He is not per se angry at neither one but they are there and he takes his anger on them (or rather displaces his anger onto them) Sometimes anger in relationships may occur because it is driven by things such as jealousy, sexual or personal unsatisfaction, or disappointments (or anything else).
What may help you find the answer to what causes the anger is to start keeping track of when you get angry- for instance is there a pattern? Then, try to see if there had been times when you felt those feelings (even the anger) and did not act out on them. How did you cope? What did you do? Then, try to replicate this when you start to feel angry. I think that it would also help if you talk to the other person honestly when you're not angry.
Acknowledging the fact that you get angry is a step in this process and it seems that you have done so. Remember that feelings like anything else in life are temporary but what we tell or do when angry may leave lasting effects on the other person. I think that we all are able to act and be the way we want to be if consciously we make that choice. Sometimes it helps to admit that we don't always have to be right, we don't always have to have the last say, and we are not in some kind of battle that we have to exert our energy through being angry. Life is here to present us with all kinds of disappointments, choices, heartaches and lessons and we're given the opportunity to make the best of it (or not) It's up to us. Ask yourself why am I angry and how is it hurting me? Then, step by step try to work with those emotions that evoke the anger. There may be different things that make people feel anger but that pattern is usually the same. It starts we thoughts, feelings, and then our emotions erupting. What thoughts lead to your feelings? What do you think before you get angry? Then find out if the things you think are really truthful. Some times we think things that are rubbish, they just fill our head with thought after thought. At other times our thoughts are signals to what is going on in our life and what may needs to change in order for us to be happier, healthier and more peaceful. Think before you feel like yelling, count to ten, take deep breaths and ask yourself what is going to be accomplished if I yell this time?

Copyright: Dr. Rossi Davis 2008

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Vegan Thanksgiving Meals

As Plato had allegedly said "don't make your stomachs graves for animals" Eath healthy, stay healthy, keep other beings healthy and alive.

Expressing your feelings in a Relationship


Time after time people tell me that they have difficulty in communicating with their partner. Often, I help them see that at times not talking is a way of communicating something. If you are unclear of what your partner is trying to tell you, ask. Often times, not talking is still “talking” without words. In either scenario there is information that you receive because researchers say that 90% of what we communicate is done nonverbally. For instance, if at some point you have tried to express a certain concern to your partner and he or she rejected you, you may shy away from engaging in that specific topic for a while. Another person may react by becoming more forceful and vocal. This all depends on ones personality. In either situation, feelings are being expressed verbally or nonverbally. In the former it may be hurt, disappointment or shame. In the latter, it may be anger and frustration. Each of us is entitled to our own feelings. We all experience the world and the events around us subjectively. Nevertheless, bottling our feelings is not healthy. We may become resentful, disappointed and blame our partner for the way we feel. Remember that you have to claim what you feel because only you chose your feelings and what to do with them. When we enter into a conflict with another person, it is often times the result of two things: the first one is- we believe that the other person is trying to change us; and the second is that we are trying to change the other person consciously or unconsciously. The reason behind doing this is due to our belief that we will become more content, happy, and more in sync and satisfied and less stressed in our relationship. When we feel positive feelings we’re usually free of anxiety. It is in our nature to try and decrease unpleasant experiences. However, what we do not realize is that conflict arises when we fail to honor the other person’s autonomy. Arguments, fighting and miscommunication occur when we disregard the other person’s feelings, point of view and authentic self. During an argument, most likely, we believe that we are right and the other person is wrong. If we both agree on something we would not become argumentative. In many cases people fail to pick their battles. Does it matter who picked the mail the day before and who walked the dog in the evening? People become resentful and argumentative when they feel that their autonomy is in some way affected by the other person’s actions. Of course, what people chose to ignore is that no one; not even our partner is responsible for the way we feel.
We chose to react to certain situations based on our values, personality traits and desires amongst other factors. It is hard to admit that we are our own directors of our feelings. It is easier to point the finger especially when we are unhappy about something. For instance, often time partners blame each other because of what the other person in their opinion is failing to contribute to the relationship. In this situation, it is helpful to re-examine what made us commit to this person, what we liked about him or her, what things are we willing to get used to and how we both can grow closer together. Miscommunication and fighting naturally pull us apart from others not just our partners whom we hopefully love and feel a stronger bond with. Just think about the way you treat your partner or how you talk to him or her when you’re upset. Most likely we do not talk like that with others such as our boss, authorities, or our teachers. What on earth makes us think that it is acceptable to treat our partner that way?
A partner may get fixated on who started the argument. This is a very childish and unhealthy behavior. At times we yell and punish our partners. In an adult relationship partners should be equal. A sign of unhealthy relationship is when one partner is trying to assume a domineering role. Parents reprimand their children. Partners should work together to solve a problem. When one partner tries to assume the parent role, naturally the other will become more resistant. In this scenario, even if the other partner had a valid point, the way in which he or she tries to express it will hinder the process of communication. In a parent –child relationship the communication style is usually one way.
The parent is the deliverer of information and the child is the recipient (Parent  Child). In adult relationships, both partners should be able to express concerns and feelings (Partner Partner) with equal validation.
There are various verbal acts that we engage in with others in order to communicate our feelings and thoughts.
1. We ask questions – Can you please feed the pets today?
2. We agree or disagree – (express our opinion) – I don’t like this restaurant as much as you do.
3. We make promises to each other – I promise to help you clean the house this weekend.
4. We bargain (coerce) – If you help me wash the car, I will help you plant the flowers.
Excerpt from the audio book Couple's Communication Made Easy

Law of Attraction Part II


As promised here are my two cents about that (continuation from part I)
If anyone teaches that what you wish for comes true we'd all be rich and famous. You cannot just sit and cross your fingers and wish, and wish, and wish. Actually, you can but that is not what works. If you have a desire to get something in life wheat er it is a new job, a car, a partner etc, you will need to not only clarify that goal, you'd have to make the necessary steps to get that. Sometimes you do, sometimes you don't. When "The Secret" came out, I was not really surprised at how many people took that information and ran with it. I am a believer in the law of cause and affect. I believe that certain things are circumstantial and that some are reactions to some action(s) in the past. For instance, if someone hates you, perhaps you either did something to cause that or they are just a low life- you did nothing they are just a hateful person. I do believe that at times when you smile the world smiles back at you (of course if you do in the psych ward with all the institutionalized suicidal patients) that may not happen (don't blame it on karma or say that the law of attraction is not working) It is what it is.
Can the mind cure the body? Yes, in certain cases hypnosis is show to be beneficial in the removal of phobias, pain, rashes etc. Can the mind cure AIDS or cancer? I am not going to make that statement. When wide sound research shows that it does then I'd say yes it's possible. Do I believe that meditation is beneficial? Yes. Do I believe that you can be a slave to your mind when you get depressed or addicted to something? Yes. Can the mind move mountains (kind of- when a group of man with bulldozers and dynamite gets together and clears the path for a train rail to be placed) Use your mind constructively but don't think that wishing only will bring you your desires. Been there, done that!
Copyright: Dr. Rossi Davis

False Eyelashes - How to Apply

Friday, November 14, 2008

What is Love?


Neuroscientists and researchers tell us that the feelings of being in love and later on the cause of monogamous relationship to an extent are the result of various neurotransmitters in our brain. But what exactly is love? My husband once said to me that love can even be expressed in the simple act of buying expensive cookie dough for your spouse to make the cookies she likes, despite the fact that you do not like that specific kind of cookies. Many people define love as a strong feeling. The Bible mentions that: “God is love”. Is not love then a characteristic rather than a feeling? A characteristic people possess just like a skill; - to love or not to love. If so, is love innate or learned? Is love really eternal or can it disappear as fast as it comes? Some people say both. God is love, and those who live in union with the rest of the sentient beings are exercising the God spark within. Love is the beginning of wisdom by realizing our union with all of creation. Love is the melody of the heart which lulls you into serenity though hardships and fear. I think that love is not only a concept, but also an act. Perhaps a selfless one. If someone truly loves oneself, he will never hurt another. There is a difference between selfishness, self-centeredness, and selflessness. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” I Corinthians 2:9
You cannot send out hatred, malice, and destruction and expect to receive love in return. We are gods. We are all connected. We are all One. What we send out of our inner Being comes back to us. When we send love, love is what we receive in return.
Excerpt from the book: Guru in Jeans: Iwanrd Journey to Psychospiritual Awakening

Friday, November 7, 2008

Kitchen Beauty - Style Tips from Marie Claire

Amatokin


Amatokin- Youthful face a jar away?

Amatokin is a cream that utilizes the body's natural stem cells to rejuvenate the skin as it aims at reducing deep facial lines. The cream was developed in a Russian laboratory with the intent to heal burn victims. The cream was fist released to consumers in France.
The original cream contained of a 153 amino-acid polypeptide which showed to effectively heal scars that caused by severe burns. Amatokin stimulates the production of stem cell that are otherwise damaged by environmental factors and the aging process itself.
Amatokin is made by Voss Laboratories which is a company that is owned by Basic Research – the makers of StriVectin! Amatokin’s effectiveness is based on about 15 years of research.
“Stem cell creams” are seen by some as the future of skin rejuvenation as they offer safe non invasive alternative to botox or plastic surgery. Some of those who have used Amatokin report improvement in skin appearance, renewal of older skin tissue making it look younger and firmer, elimination of deep wrinkles and more.
Buy here

Vagi what???


What is Vaginismus?

From the DSM IV (psychiatric bible) a psychosexual disorder classified by -
(1) Recurrent or persistent involuntary spasm of the muscles of the outer third of the vagina that interferes with sexual intercourse.
(2) The disturbance causes marked distress or interpersonal difficulty.
(3) The disturbance is not better accounted for by another disorder (e.g., somatization disorder) and is not due exclusively to the direct physiological effects of a general medical condition.
Some women who have vaginismus find sexual intercourse quite painful and cannot tolerate it. Some proposed causes (when this condition is not seen to be caused by medical ones) is fear of intercourse, past sexual abuse history (unconscious or conscious association with this), apprehension towards ones partner (for whatever reason) growing up with beliefs that sex is sinful or dirty etc.
What are some of the treatment options?
The condition is treatable with treatment options such as: muscle relaxation techniques, counseling, hypnotherapy, behavioral desintezation therapy (exposure to the painful experience gradually with least distressing to most distressing scenario) and/or disentization involving gradual vaginal dilation.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

All-Star Ab Exercise Moves Video

Firm Abs for Chicks

LOWER ABS: Safer Leg Lifts

Aromatherapy


Natural remedies have been around longer than commercial ones. They are safe and free of toxins. Aromatherapy is an old healing practice; it also provides a more cost effective therapeutic benefits. For stress some of the widely used aromatherapy oils (also incense) are: rose, vanilla, ylan-ylang, orange, chamomile, lavender, jasmine, Valerian, sandalwood, etc. For insomnia these are on the top: lavender, Valerian geranium, myrrh, lemon, chamomile, jasmine, melissa, nutmeg, rose,etc.
The true founders of aromatherapy are thought to be the Egyptians although other ancient cultures used the healing properties of plants. You can use aromatherapy essential oils for massage, in your bath, and in oil burners (you will only use fragranced oils and not essential oils and you'd never use them on the skin)

Among some of the essential oils for dry skin are: rosemery, rosewood, lavender, chamomile, jasmine, sandalwood, geranium, citrus.
Essential oils for oily skin: sage, ylang-ylang, eucalyptus, cedarwood, lemongrass.
Anti-septic and drying oils may be used for problems such as acne. Among some of those essential oils are: tea tree, sage, lavender, eucalyptus, juniper, rosemary.
Did you know that rose hips oil heals scars and improves the facial tone in those who are prone to acne?
Visit the crankychicks store

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Comfort Zone in Relationships


We all have a comfort zone where we feel most secure and undisturbed. When we enter into a relationship with another person who also has a comfort zone of his or her own, we may suddenly feel that we’re losing our own. This may occur for several reasons. The first one is – what is comfortable to one person is not comfortable to the other. The second reason is – you have just started dating and you’re willing to make all sorts of sacrifices to please your partner. This of course wears off after a while and you’re left feeling out of place. Another reason is you yourself or your partner have children from a prior relationship and now you’re faced with parenting these children. So, what do you do in situations like these?
Well, some of the things people start to do unintentionally is to feel stressed out, inflexible and argumentative. They both then form a zone of its own kind that has nothing to do with comfort. For example, they create an atmosphere in which they attempt to cohabitate without disturbing the peace. Of course, this does not really work out because in order for a partnership to operate as a unit, each person must keep his or her autonomy. Partners become enmeshed with each other and lose their own comfort zone when they sacrifice their individuality to please the other. What they are left with eventually is a poorly defined personal boundaries. Respecting each others boundaries does not mean that you do one thing and your partner does another over and over again. At times however is necessary to enjoy doing the things you like to do with friends, co –workers, or others who share the same interests with you. It is unrealistic to think that just because you go to yoga class or your partner goes car racing that the two of you should always do things together.
Excerpt from Couple's Communication Made Easy Audio Book

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Anti Aging Red Light Therapy


Light therapy in this case using a red spectrum light has shown to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles. The red light improves facial blood circulation when the light enters the skin as a photon; it is a safe and effective way to improve skin tone and skin appearance as it has healing properties. It can promote skin healing as the light penetrates the skin tissue deeper than a blue light. Nasa has researched the healing properties of the red light. Red light is used not only as a rejuvenation therapy but it used also in healing of scars, eczema, skin wounds such as those in burned victims. It also restores the natural collagen production, reduces the affect of sun damage, decrease redness, skin discoloration and more. It is pain free and many dermatologists use it in their office (although the over all cost is higher) Having your own red light is cost effective and you can use it over and over.
For more information on the product and or purchase go to crankychicks store

Monday, October 27, 2008

The Law of Attraction or Hard Work?


The Power of Intention Part I
I don’t watch a whole lot of TV and generally won’t watch reality shows. This weekend though my hubby called me over to see a reality show about the “house wives of Atlanta” I watched it very briefly. The questions that popped up in my mind were “why there is a reality show about millionaire house wives (the average women do not really identify with them) and (why are these wealthy women in a show?) It’s not like they need the money. I was not surprised to see that they cared about fashion, brand names and other frivol ties. That is fine of course since they can afford whatever they want (or at least the money they’ve got from where ever were allowing them to lead a certain life style)
Now some of you may say “what about the law of attraction”? What about it?

The law of attraction does not work by wishing and waiting. If someone wants something in life, whether it is wealth, love, respect, kids etc, one has to work towards that. In the example of the house wives – well they worked through it trough marriage and what not. To elaborate on the law of attraction- that really is not a new concept. It did not start with The Secret, or with Ask and it is Given, it did not even start with Wayne Dyer’s the power of intention. Some of you may have come upon this concept from Wattles writing grow rich, Jose Sylva’s Method,…..A Bulgarian spiritual teacher by the name of Omraam Mikhael Aivanhov also mentioned this in his writings as the Law of Correspondence or the Boomerang Effect. There are of course others before him that did so as well and the list can go on.

If you want to get something or achieve something you’ve got to set goals for yourself and pursue them. I believe that whatever you focus on you draw that to you. If you focus on misery, you get bogged down. If you focus on love, you’re more loving towards others and they at times return your love. You get the idea. I suggest you take with a grain of salt who teaches you that wishes just manifest. There are certain things that just don’t. There is not going to be snow in the desert no matter how long someone there intends for that (unless you’re considering the Saudi Arabian man-made ski resort) Intention and manifestation are not magic. You get results out of your attempts. I am very weary of teachers who proclaim other wise. I will talk more about it in another post.
Copyright: Dr. Rossi Davis

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Calcium Rich Vegetarian Options


Have you heard of the amazing “thermogenic” properties of Calcium? Yes, the easily accessible to us calcium which you can find right in our kitchen. Thermogenic means having the ability to burn fat and convert it into energy in our bodies. What a better, easier and cheaper way to lose weight? Recent study findings show that we can shed those extra pounds by increasing our intake in calcium rich foods. Research points out that people who ate a diet rich in calcium were quite successful in losing weight. It appears that calcium can lead to weight loss by increasing fat break of fat cells.
Many dieters reduce dairy products in from their meals. However, yogurt may in fact help the body to burn fat and thus contributing to a desirable slimmer body. Data shows that those who included yogurt in their diet regime lost more weight than those who only reduced calorie intake. The calcium which is present in dairy foods is shown to be absorbed promptly that that from cereals and vegetables because dairy products contain nutrients that assist in calcium absorption. Other beneficial qualities of calcium from various sources are attributed to its aid in clotting of the blood, maintaining healthy bones and teeth and in controlling what your body does with calories.

Disclaimer:
on this blog, you will find vegetarian meal choices and recipes which do not aim at treating obesity and /or providing a strict nutritional regime. Rather, they may be used along with your exercise routine, fitness, medical and nutritionist’s professional consultations.
Remember to eat healthy, live healthy, and to be environmentally mindful.


Meal Suggestions
1. Breakfast:

Toasted wheat bread (2 slices)
1 small container of yogurt
Several medium size dried or fresh figs
1 8oz glass of orange juice

1. Lunch:

2 Wheat tortilla wraps filled with tofu (see under recipe section)
1 cup yogurt with fruits
1 8 oz glass of skim milk.

1. Dinner:

½ cup of mustard greens (steamed0
Broccoli, cucumbers, dark leaf greens salad sprinkled with feta cheese oil and vinaigrette
A singe serving of refried vegetarian beans

Fact: Did you know that calcium is an essential element in our diet and the most abundant mineral in our bodies?

Anti Aging recommendated cosmetics


Top choices of this week's anti aging creams-

(1) StriVectin-HS Hydro-Thermal Deep Wrinkle Serum

(2) Freeze 24 / 7 Twice The Ice

(3) CLARISONIC Renewal Serum 1 fl oz

(4) SkinMedica TNS Recovery Complex Best Result..

(5) Prevage Anti-Aging Night Cream by Elizabeth Arden

For more top choices and purchases visit the Online Store

Relationships need a "work out"!


We want the things that we do not have and need the things that we find important. You do not per se need to have sex every night. Maybe you want to have sex at least once a week to keep your relationship intimate.
Couples fall into the trap of mistaking their needs with wants when they do not communicate what they want. The result is miscommunication, hostility, betrayal, and discontent just to name a few. All of these scenarios can be prevented if only each partner verbalizes his or her needs in the form of feelings, expectations, desires or hopes. When you miss the right timing to express your needs, a problem of some sort arises. The problems that have always been there in one form or another can resurface at any time. It is a difficult realization for couples to accept that they prolong the existence of problems by avoiding to speak about them.
Couples often wait until their relationship is in a crisis before initiating any changes. Their relationship has started to overflow with issues that they’ve suppressed or ignored for too long thus reinforcing the cycle of miscommunication between each other.
A partner may wait for the other one to guess what he or she needs. The other however may never realize that something is wrong and will continue to act the same way or do the same things that are frustrating. For example, one partner may want the other to spend more quality time with the family by eating dinner together, playing with the children and helping around the house instead of working long hours and engaging in solitary activities. Partners make the mistake of assuming that their feelings, needs and wants should be clearly know by the other . This is not a realistic expectation. It is more practical to let your partner know how you feel and what your expectations are rather then wait for him or her to guess. Verbalizing your feelings early is going to save you frustration, disagreements and confusion later on. If you do not express your feelings on time, you may enter into an agreement of some sort with you partner that you regret later. For instance, you may relocate, buy the house you did not really want to, keep your job that you do not like just to pay bills the list goes on. Later on, mistakenly, just to unload your frustration you may blame your partner and create arguments. You will be displaying your frustration towards your partner who is not really the cause of your discontent. After all, you are the one who is responsible for your own feelings, needs, wants and ultimately- choices. Speaking up is a good way to get heard and make your needs and wants known.

From Couple's Communication Made Easy (audio book)

Vegetarianism


People need food to survive. Why are so many people obese when there is no scarcity of food especially in the West? Being a vegetarian or a vegan is not only healthy, it is also humane. Do you really need to eat a duck or a rabbit to feel satisfied in your belly, entertain your taste buds, or say to yourself I had a nice meal?
Plato said "Do not make your stomachs graves for animals" and I agree. When an animal was maltreated, filled with hormones and finally slaughtered so you can eat it, all of the animal's fears and anxieties in addition to the unhealthy hormones, it releases cortisol (stress hormone) in its body. Now you've just consumed that as well. Think of the suffering animals, think of how people act cruel towards other beings and how the rest of the people who are carnivourous support this either overtly or covertly. Make healthy and compassionate choices.

Types of vegetarians- Get your free vegetarian starter kit Here

Ovo-lacto vegetarians do not eaty any red meat, chicken or fish, but eat milk and milk products (cheese etc) and eggs.

Lacto vegetarians do not eat red meat, chicken, fish or eggs, but they do consume milk and milk products (ice cream, sour cream, cheese etc).

Vegans do not eat any animal products at all. Instead they eat fruits and vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds and variety of beans.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Feeling Blue?


Symptoms of Depressed Mood -
A. Five (or more) of the following symptoms have been present during the same 2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning; at least one of the symptoms is either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure.

Note: Do note include symptoms that are clearly due to a general medical condition, or mood-incongruent delusions or hallucinations.

(1) depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective report (e.g., feels sad or empty) or observation made by others (e.g., appears tearful). Note: In children and adolescents, can be irritable mood.

(2) markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day (as indicated by either subjective account or observation made by others)

(3) significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain (e.g., a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month), or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day. Note: In children, consider failure to make expected weight gains.

(4) insomnia (inability to fall or stay asleep) or hypersomnia (sleeping too much) nearly every day

(5) psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down)

(6) fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day

(7) feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (which may be delusional) nearly every day (not merely self-reproach or guilt about being sick)

(8) diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day (either by subjective account or as observed by others)

(9) recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide

B. The symptoms do not meet criteria for a Mixed Episode.

C. The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

D. The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., hypothyroidism).

E. The symptoms are not better accounted for by Bereavement, i.e., after the loss of a loved one, the symptoms persist for longer than 2 months or are characterized by marked functional impairment, morbid preoccupation with worthlessness, suicidal ideation, psychotic symptoms, or psychomotor retardation.

There is help in the form of couneling, medication, natural supplements and changes in lifestyle and behavior. Only an MD (medical doctor such as a psychiatrist, PCP, nurse preactitioner, neurologist etc can prescribe medication (in some states a PhD or PsyD- psychologist can do so only if they have been trained and credentialed in pharmacology) There are different counseling options from one on one counseling, group therapy, family counseling etc. In severe case a hospitalization is required. A person may be hospitalized for reasons such as feeling suicidal, homicidal, being psychotic or at risk to harm others and self. If you're are just feeling blue without the intent for harm most likely you will be referred to counseling and medication may be given to you as an option.
What causes depression? It may be triggered by different reasons in different people. That is why some people respond better to the same medication than others.
For some people situational trigers can cause depression such as a divorce, loss of job, death in the family etc. Depression can be also biologically based (you may have family members with this condition) Other trigers are psychological such as a pessimistic view, type A personality driven self, etc.
Natural supplements such as lack of certain vitamins and amino acids can triger depressed mood. Some people experience SAD (seasonal affec disorder) Which is marked by milder depressed mood in the falll and winter seasons. The use of a blue spectrum light and supplementation with vitamin D can help.

Anxiety is another illness commonly found in women. There are different kinds of anxiety as there are different kinds of depression. There are also different treatment options. Here the most common anxiety disorders are listed-
GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) Generalized meaning no specific triger is found as a cause.
For more than half the days in at least 6 months, the patient experiences excessive anxiety and worry about several events or activities.
The patient has trouble controlling these feelings.
Associated with this anxiety and worry, the patient has 3 or more of the following symptoms, some of which are present for over half the days in the past 6 months:*
(1) Feels restless, edgy, keyed up
(2) Tires easily
(3) Trouble concentrating
(4) Irritability
(5) Increased muscle tension
(6) Trouble sleeping (initial insomnia or restless, unrefreshing sleep)

The symptoms cause clinically important distress or impair work, social or personal functioning.
The disorder is not directly caused by a general medical condition or by substance use, including medications and drugs of abuse.
It does not occur only during a Mood Disorder, Psychotic Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder or Pervasive Developmental Disorder.

PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
The patient has experienced or witnessed or was confronted with an unusually traumatic event that has both of these elements:
The event involved actual or threatened death or serious physical injury to the patient or to others, and
The patient felt intense fear, horror or helplessness
The patient repeatedly relives the event in at least 1 of these ways:
(1) Intrusive, distressing recollections (thoughts, images)*
(2) Repeated, distressing dreams*
(3) Through flashbacks, hallucinations or illusions, acts or feels as if the event were recurring (includes experiences that occur when intoxicated or awakening)*
(4) Marked mental distress in reaction to internal or external cues that symbolize or resemble the event.
(5) Physiological reactivity (such as rapid heart beat, elevated blood pressure) in response to these cues
The patient repeatedly avoids the trauma-related stimuli and has numbing of general responsiveness (absent before the traumatic event) as shown by 3 or more of:
(7) Tries to avoid thoughts, feelings or conversations concerned with the event(8) Tries to avoid activities, people or places that recall the event
(9) Cannot recall an important feature of the event
(10) Marked loss of interest or participation in activities important to the patient(11) -Feels detached or isolated from other people(12) -Restriction in ability to love or feel other strong emotions
(13) Feels life will be brief or unfulfilled (lack of marriage, job, children)
At least 2 of the following symptoms of hyperarousal were not present before the traumatic event:
(1) Insomnia (initial or interval)
(2) Irritability
(3) Poor concentration
(4) Hypervigilance
(5) Increased startle response
The above symptoms have lasted longer than one month.
These symptoms cause clinically important distress or impair work, social or personal functioning.
Specify whether:

Acute - When the symptoms have lasted less than 3 months

Chronic - When the symptoms have lasted 3 months or longer



Disclaimer: ALWAYS consult your PCP or another health care professional for proper diagnosis and treatment!!!!!!!!

Ready for Halloween?


Are you ready for Halloween? Waiting until the last moment has its positives and negatives. For one you get your stuff discounted but two you may not get exactly what you wanted if they've run out of it. This year there are a lot of sexy costumes for chicks and cute ones for kids (even pets) If you don't want to spend money and have old costumes from prior years you may want to exchange with a friend and that way this year you get a new look so does your friend.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Eating Disorders


I am baffled as to how many people in the USA develop eating disorders from anorexia and bulimia to morbid obesity. There is an abundance of food yet some people eat themselves to death while others starve to death. Why I wonder??? This is a Western phenomenon (and unfortunately other countries adopt these behaviors) There is help though available from counseling to gastric by pass surgery - lap band, effective fat burning and weight reduction options, etc.
Check the symtoms to see if you are struggling with any of these disorders

Table 1:
DSM-IV Criteria for Anorexia Nervosa
Refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for age and height (eg, weight loss leading to maintenance of body weight less than 85% of that expected or failure to make expected weight gain during period of growth, leading to body weight less than 85% of that expected).

Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though underweight.

Disturbance in the way in which one's body weight or shape is experienced, undue influence of body weight or shape on self-evaluation, or denial of the seriousness of the current low body weight.

In postmenarchal females, amenorrhea ie, the absence of at least three consecutive cycles. (A woman is considered to have amenorrhea if her periods occur only following hormone, eg, estrogen administration.)
Specify type:

Restricting Type: During the current episode of anorexia nervosa, the person has not regularly engaged in binge-eating or purging behavior (ie, self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas).
Binge-Eating/Purging Type: During the current episode of anorexia nervosa, the person has regularly engaged in binge-eating or purging behavior (ie, self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas).

DSM-IV Criteria for Bulimia Nervosa
Recurrent episodes of binge eating. An episode of binge eating is characterized by both of the following:(1) Eating, in a discrete period of time (eg, within any 2-hour period), an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat during a similar period of time and under similar circumstances.(2) A sense of lack of control over eating during the episode (eg, a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating).
Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behavior in order to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting; misuse of laxatives, diuretics, enemas or other medications; fasting or excessive exercise.
The binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors both occur, on average, at least twice a week for 3 months.
Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight.
The disturbance does not occur exclusively during episodes of anorexia nervosa.
Specify type:

Purging type: During the current episode of bulimia nervosa, the person has regularly engaged in self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics or enemas.
Nonpurging type: During the current episode of bulimia nervosa, the person has used inappropriate compensatory behaviors, such as fasting or excessive exercise, but has not regularly engaged in self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics or enemas.

I am pro healthy living and advocate for healthy eating, exercise, yoga, use of herbs, supplements and meditation as ways to find balance in one's life.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Firm Abs

I had been searaching for info on firm abs and anything to do with losing belly fat. Now we all know of pills and diet, and exercising. I honestly believe that whatever you try it works best as a combo. I am a vegetarian so I have to watch not to overdo on carbs. Also, exercise is important because no matter what else you do, you don't get a six pack just by sitting on your butt all day long. I have gotten the bender ball and a larger exercise ball
One thing that I was not careful about in the begining is doing the ab exercises correctly. I not only hurt my back, I did not get the results as I should have. core abs exercises. There are many videos and programs out there.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Cramps Cure


Cramps are really a curse. There are some options that are supposed to help you. You have heard of the pill, I posted some herbal remedies info and now I am going to list Laparoscopy and Endometrial Ablation.
Now you may have painful periods because of fibroids and there is cure for this. Some procedures may hindre pregnancy in the future but you will have to discuss this with your doc. Some say there is 50-50% chance so explore your options carefully.
Vulvar pain foundation diet tips here

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Does Spanking Work?


Parents and psychotherapists are both faced with the question of what is the best way to discipline a child most effectively. Parents have many options, from following the familiar discipline style that they themselves endured as children, to choosing from a variety of parenting training models. Psychotherapists on the other hand are faced with the dilemma of how to serve the families they see in therapy and put their own beliefs aside, therefore serving both child and parents objectively.

One issue that often comes into question, especially in the South, is the use of corporal punishment as a discipline method. There are numerous schools throughout Georgia that continue to use the paddle as a way of “putting a youngster in check.” Numerous research findings report that children that undergo corporal punishment may exhibit behavioral acting out, low self esteem, poor socialization, and poor academic performance. Yet parents and school personnel continue to employ such practices as a way to discipline a child.

Children that undergo physical punishment may experience shame, guilt, physical and emotional pain to name a few. Perhaps physical punishment is viewed as an affective discipline tool by many; but is it effective and psychologically safe in the long run? Children learn through examples and modeling. Wouldn’t it be better if adults teach and discipline children through non-violent means? Some parents believe that “a spanking” solves a problem by halting the child’s undesirable behavior. Are children learning internal locus of control because of some therapeutic effect of corporal punishment or are their behaviors driven by fear?

Another dilemma psychotherapist and other mental health professional are faced with involves the parameters of what is culturally acceptable and unacceptable behavior when it comes to disciplining children. With the influx of immigrants from different cultural backgrounds, the helping professionals are left with the task of not only acting as therapists but also as educators. It may be helpful for those working with children and parents to familiarize themselves with the existing body of research regarding the effects of corporal punishment and to advocate for children’s welfare both physical and psychological.

Relationships?


I love pets. We try to adopt them and all of my little furry family is made up of adopted pets. One ex homeless cat, one adopted muti-mix (I hate the word mutt) and one older adopted baby (got him when he was 8) Now you wonder why I start this blog with information about unlucky become the luckiest of pets? Because I think that human relationships are more or less like that. My little adopted 8year baby (now 13) was given away by his former family once they had a baby because he the doggie bites at times. Well, I think how this was kind of sad having to take in a pet for such a long time and then once they've got a baby to just give him up. But I love that little guy. There is nothing he could do to make me ever give him up. I think sometimes people stay in abusive relationships because they find something that they love in the other person. I am not promoting abusive relationships. All deduce is that there must be a reason for a person not to leave wheater it is out of fear, dependance, lack of resources or whatever the reason(s)

Friday, September 26, 2008

PMS

Ok, I too get cranky because of PMS. Wheather it is due to hormonal changes, astrological allignments, the weather, your partner's innatentiveness and lack of sensitivity, stress, tiredness, you name it, I am going to stick with old fashion natural remedies - chocolate, chamomile, warm baths, lavender scented candles and insense, carbs (in moderation) massage, rest and all other women's R&R and TLC options. Nows thinking of chocolate I absolutely must have Nutella, Milka and Kinder Eggs (my favourite ones) You can dip pretzels in the Nutella ohhhh so delicious.

Cramps relief naturally

Consider taking supplements such as Chaste Berry, Vitamin E, Bulgarian Tribulis, Maca, Evening Primrose oil, Raspberry Leaf capsules or tea.

You may want to avoid herbs which promote the production of estrogen such as Black Cohosh, Dong Quai and Soy products.