Spafaery Magazine Aug - Sept 2014

spa faery

Issue 11 Dhs 15

www.spafaery.com

Aug - Sept 2014

Wedding Guides

Yoga Practices and Its Health Benefits Wellbeing . Fitness . Cuisine . Adventure . Lifestyle

the

Best

Spa Destinations

Diva Carioca Samba

available at Paris

Gallery

NEW RE-NUTRIV ULTIMATE CONTOURING EYE LIFT

contents

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The Heart of a Yoga Practice: Dedicating your Efforts

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The 8 Physical and Mental types of Yoga

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How Fantastic Would A Spa Break Be

30 Spa Vacations -Which Ones Are Best

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Going To Africa?

Lend a Helping Hand While Going on Safari

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Elephant-Back Safaris In South Africa

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Lemon Scallops with Curry Yogurt Sauce

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Healthy Cooking Why It’s A Must For Families

PLAY IT BRIGHT, PLAY IT BLUE New Classic Blue

by David Beckham

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Five Ways To De-Stress The Stay-AtHome-Mom!

74 How to Have a Beautiful Life in a Mad Dash Society

90 Summer’s Coming – How Does Your Face Look?

96 Whenit comes to Menopause You Are What You Eat

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Simple Ways to Get Slim, Drop Cellulite and Increase Breast Size Without Surgery

110 Spas on the World’s Best Cruise Ships

128 Apply Eyeliner Like A Professional

156 Juice Up Your Life Juice It Up!

www.hermes.com

Publishers: Farouk Kamber James Michael Editor in Chief: James Michael james@spafaery.com EDITORIAL editorial@spafaery.com Advertising: advertise@spafaery.com TEL: +971 4 3325125 Online Team: online@spafaery.com Sales And Marketing: marketing@spafaery.com Contributors: Merina Fathima Sarah Mohammedi Hodon Koreye Galila Hassan Rafaat Aneka Chohan Saniyah Hassan Ouijdane Bahoussa SUBSCRIPTION subscribe@spafaery.com Printed By: Masar Printers Distributed By: U.A.E Jashanmal

spa faery

Published By: Iceberg Media & Advertising MFZ LLC P.O. Box 32429, RAK, UAE Sales Office: 1202, City Tower 1, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971-4-3325125 Fax: +971-4-3327728 Facebook.com/spafaery Twitter.com/spafaery Info@spafaery.com www.spafaery.com The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for errors or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the reader’s particular circumstances.

The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof maybe reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the publishers. An exemption is hereby granted or extracts used for the purpose of fair review. * Unless stated otherwise, all figures herein are publisher’s own data

spa faery

Issue 10 Dhs 15

T

o celebrate the arrival of summer, this special edition of spafaery magazine is positively bursting with articles designed to inspire healthy and wellness lifestyle. we showcase a number of tips and guide to help you achieve a better you, inspire you to take up a lifestyle that's not only good for you but as well as for your family as a unit.

We also took a lot at some of the best spa destination in Asia and the floating spa, spas on cruise ships as quite an experience, who said you cant float and spa at the same time?

Continuing on our quest to bring you the very best in wellness living, we spoke a number of fitness experts,, nutritionalists and yoga specialists, all of whom shared theirt thoughts on the role of exercise and nutrition as an integral part of any wellness programme.

Elsewhere on this sizzling summer issue, we bring you healthy recipes, for you and your family, while also bringing you summer beauty tips and how to keep those abs perfect for the outdoors.

Finishing this issue with a flourish, our luxurious expert guide to travel will help you give your partner or family a lifetime experience. As ever, please do get in touch with any suggestion for future editorial subjects or treatment trends you wish to know more about, but most of all, make sure you enjoy the summer outdoors

James Michael Editor in Chief +971 4 3325125 | jamnes@spafaery.com www.spafaery.com @spafaery #spafaery

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SUMMER ESCAPES

Wellness

2014 Wellness Information & Guides

Wellbeing . Fitness . Cuisine . Adventure . Lifestyle

the

Best

spa Destinations

Spas on the World’s Best Cruise Ships

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Yoga

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here are a variety of reasons people begin practicing yoga. Many wonder what all the fuss is about, some have heard that it can help with flexibility and strength, and others wonder about the stress relief benefits. More than fifteen million Americans have stepped on the mat and have explored how yoga can enrich their lives, but many only see the physical benefits.

Despite the growing popularity of yoga, many instructors are left wondering if many people are really missing the true purpose of the practice.

What are yoga students missing when they are only taking class to lose weight, become fit, or relieve stress? They are missing the heart of the practice and the chance to make significant positive changes in their lives. When going to a yoga class becomes something greater than just something you do for yourself every now and again, you begin to realize that it is not just about you anymore. Dedicating the practice to something greater than yourself is what draws the distinction between just doing exercise and practicing yoga.

These days, it seems that the mention of dedication, or devotion, can be a tricky subject in yoga class. People tend to be unresponsive when the idea of the divine is mentioned. It is important for yoga practitioners to know that the philosophy of yoga is inextricably linked with divinity, no matter what name is given to it or how it is incorporated. Yoga was built on the idea that there is a force greater than ourselves, and yet we are still connected to

it. This is the idea of Oneness, and the idea is more than fairly comforting. Others who are religious fear a conflicting of faiths by believing in the spirituality of yoga; however, Swami Satchidananda said, “The Truth is one, the paths are many.” Therefore, people of any faith or belief can practice yoga. Even if a practioner of yoga does not believe in any form of divinity, this does not present a problem. They must simply recognize that the nature of all beings is joy and try to connect with that.

Now that we’ve gotten that sticky subject out of the way, I want to explain this idea of dedicating your practice in greater detail.

It’s not even so much about dedication as it is relinquishing or letting go of everything whether they be worries, fears, misunderstandings, or hang-ups. My teacher, Sharon Gannon, always promotes the idea that “You’ve got to get down to get up.”What she means is that you need to be rooted in the here and now and be able to let go of all the fruits of your actions. Why, you ask? Why shouldn’t you just keep on doing yoga to perfect your chatturangas, balance longer in tree pose, and get that yoga butt? The answer is a simple one. What are all those things going to get you in the long run?

Sure, nailing that Chatturanga feels great, and deepening your Hanumanasana (splits pose) can give you a bit of a rush. I’m not denying that one bit, but what is the true purpose behind the motions? Yoga practice can help you to break a cycle, stop bad habits, and transform your life. Yes, it can do all of those

The Heart of a Yoga Practice:

things, but you have to let it. You see, you can’t acquire yoga like you can dance steps or aerobic maneuvers; you have to let go of what is obscuring it. You have to let go of your preferences and simply be in the moment as a divine being.

So why do asana at all if you’re not supposed to be attached to the outcome? Because the asanas help to show you the interior of your own mind, they clearly point out what you’re holding on to and what you still need to work through. They transform you into the tree or the warrior and make you see what it is like to step outside of yourself, even for the briefest of moments. Asana also gives you the chance to see that both the world and you yourself are constantly changing. This, in turn, gives you the opportunity to find what is real and unchanging.

When you realize that the purpose of your yoga practice is not to keep you rooted in this world, but to let you move through it, you begin to have faith in your ability to reach the divine with your actions. It can ignite the soul and give you a sense of renewed dignity and worth. Because you know that you’re not just performing the motions for your own benefit, the sense of satisfaction from your practice can grow beyond the mat. For example, have you ever had the opportunity to offer selfless service to another? Maybe you’ve adopted a pet and taken on the full responsibility of loving and caring for it, and, in exchange, all you have received is unconditional love from them for giving happiness and freedom.

Dedicating your Efforts

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This is what the act of devotion is all about— realizing that it’s not all about the wishes and wants you only think you need.

When you start letting go of the selfish motives for practice and try to connect with something greater, you inspire your own ability to love. This is the nature of the spirit, and connecting with that is the ultimate goal of yoga practice. Samadhi is union with the divine, a connection with the source, which is true love. Everything else is negligible. As my teachers, Sharon Gannon and David Life, would say, “The sheer desire for Oneness is the way to it.”

Realizing that all the beings in this world are connected in this way is a remarkable step for the yogi. Once the lines between ‘you’ and ‘them’ begin to fade, you realize how important it is to share love and a sense of gratitude with everyone around you.

“You have little daily, vast emergency and infinite divine source of energy. Waking, sleeping, dreaming know yourself as light.

Attain your inner flame. Then you can kindle other’s light also. Surrender your buts.

Become conscious. Then everything follows.” says Sunita Bhalla, Meditation Teacher

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Yoga

The

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Physical and Mental types of Yoga

Yoga T

here are a lot of different types of yoga today, so if you are starting out and feeling confused, you are normal. It is best to start with a type of yoga that is appropriate for your own level of fitness, physical and spiritual goals and health condition.

The 8 most common types of yoga are described in this article and briefly explained to help guide you in choosing the best type of yoga that you can start with.

Physical-Focused Types of Yoga Iyengar Yoga: Iyengar yoga is focused solely on body alignment and executing precise movements. Yoga accessories such as blocks and straps are normally used by beginners who are not as flexible as the experts.

Yoga accessories help assist all sorts of people to be able to do the poses comfortably.

Because of its attention to details and the flexible modification of poses, Iyengar yoga is often considered a good form of exercise

for people with neck or back pain, as they are likely to benefit from the random movement in the poses.

Practicing Iyengar yoga will give you a good knowledge on the classics in yoga poses so that whatever other style you eventually practice, you will have the basic fundamentals on how to do each position.

In Iyengar yoga the teacher focuses more on alignment and inner awareness. This awareness starts with the body and expands to other parts of the self as one continues to practice regularly Ashtanga Yoga: Ashtanga yoga is commonly called "power yoga" because it is focused on a powerful flowing movement.

The movements include pushups and lunges, which deals with strength and stamina.

Ashtanga yoga is best for people who have a strong back, or have successfully overcome back injuries and are looking for more challenging practice.

Athletic people such as runners, cyclists and gynmasts who wish to add more balance and concentration to their routines are also fans of Ashtanga yoga.

Bikram Yoga: Bikram yoga is also known as the "hot yoga" because it is done in a very warm room. Bikram yoga is an excellent tool to increase flexibility because the heat helps you to stretch. Keep in mind that Bikram yoga is not safe for anyone who has developed cardio vascular diseases, because vigorously exercising in the heat places strain placed on the body.

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Mental-Focused Types of Yoga Bhakti Yoga: or commonly known as devotional yoga. Bhakti yoga focus on self surrender in the face of the divine, if you know what that means.

Mantra Yoga: Mantra yoga is known as the "yoga of potent sound". Mantra yoga aims at liberation through the verbal or mental repetition of empowered sounds, such as "om," "hum," and "ram."

Viniyoga: Viniyoga yoga links breathe and movement in flowing exercises that are modified to each individual. Viniyoga is a good form of yoga for those with back

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problems or neck injuries because it can be easily adapted by everyone.

Raja Yoga: Raja yoga aims for liberation through meditation. Raja yoga is meant for those people who are capable of intense concentration.

Hatha Yoga - This type of Yoga is relatively slow paced, gentle type of Yoga and is a good place to start if you are completely new to Yoga and don’t know any of the asanas (poses). Like all types of Yoga, Hatha Yoga aims to unite the mind, body and spirit.

“Structural yoga therapy is built on hatha

yoga to release your tight and stiff body parts and wisdom of energy lines from yoga philosophy.” says Sunita Bhalla, RYT 200, RYT 500, EYT, Yoga Alliance U.S.A. & U.K As you can see, there are many types of yoga to choose from. It is a good idea to discuss the type of yoga practiced before engaging in any yoga class. In particular, learn which philosophy the teacher uses, so you'll know if it will be a gentle, passive yoga, or a bone crunching form.

Both you and the teacher will be glad you knew what you were getting into, before the class begins.

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Health Benefits

How Fantastic Would A Spa Break Be

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hese days’ alternative therapies are all the rage. Reiki, aromatherapy, reflexology, crystal healing, detox regimes, it is difficult to know where to start. One of the best ways to try out some of the more popular treatments available is to go for a stay at a spa centre. Not only can you get away from all the burdens and bustle of modern life, but you can also try out many new treatments and leave all the hard work in the hands of others.

While a visit to a spa is often seen as simply a great way to pamper the body, they are becoming an increasingly popular for brides to relax and beautify following all the arranging required and prior to the actual wedding event instead of a hen

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night. They are also a fantastic way to wind down after periods of high stress and form a central role in the healthcare and beauty regimes of all the female, and many male, Hollywood celebrities.

Typical services that are available can include a full body massage, aromatherapy, body wraps, facial treatments, Jacuzzis, saunas, steam rooms, swimming pools and gymnasiums, however most spas will also offertheirownselectionoftailoredtreatments from skilled therapists to provide the ultimate in holistic beauty care and supreme relaxation.

Usually the modern spas will offer a selection of different types of massages such as:

- Shiatsu which is meant to balance the body's QI energy forces. This involves the applying of varying degrees of pressure along points and meridians throughout the body which are associated with the QI energy flow. This is meant to strengthen and balance the bodies energy flow in order to promote feelings of well-being.

- Reiki which unlike many other forms of massage does not involve any pressure, instead using a traditional pattern of hand positions resting on the body to help bring deep relaxation and healing.

- Swedish massage is probably the most well known type of massage in the West, and uses a series of kneading, pummelling,

brushing, tapping and rubbing motions to help treat injuries and reduce body tension.

- Reflexology is a surpisingly effective and deeply relaxing foot massage which uses steady pressure being applied to corresponding points in order to free blocks throughout the body, eliminating tensions, stimulating the circulation, and assisting the body's own natural healing process.

- CranioSacral Therapy is used to treat chronic pain, migraine headaches as well as a range of other conditions through the realigning of the spinal cord, from the bones of the skull right down to the sacrum at its base, along with the interconnected membranes.

- Lymphatic Drainage has become a popular

and widely used whole-body technique, utilisingprecise,gentleandsoothingrhythmic movements to aid both acute and chronic conditions such as, neuromuscular disorders, headaches and even types of fibrosis.

- Rolfing uses deep manipulation to help restorethebody'snaturalalignmentfollowing injury or damage due to poor posture.

Other types of massage therapy can also be easily found, making often the most difficult part of the entire experience, deciding which ones to choose. If there is any doubt however there is sure to be someone on hand to advise which would be most suitable, at any reputable centre.

Next you can go on to the other services such as a facial which will leave you feeling cleansed and rejuvenated, after your skin has been exfoliated, toned and moisturised.

Then when you are thoroughly worn out by being pampered, simply lie back and relax or visit the Jacuzzi to really feel the burn.

Locating a suitable spa is easy; a quick search on the internet should bring up a list of fitting venues and treatments to choose from. Just don’t become too stressed when deciding where to go.

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Spa Vacation Staying Zen And Beautiful While Cruising

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the refreshing services of their local spa.

Crystal Cruise lines is a chief in spa vacations within the luxury cruise dispatch experience.

On timber the gemstone Symphony, the 5,000 straight foot gemstone Spa and store offers beauty, vigor and spa services. The Symphony's spa adheres to the principles of feng shui and offers ocean views throughout its gathering and gym. Guests can take from aerobic, yoga or Pilates classes, open weights, and private training. gemstone Symphony also offers a speciallytailored food for those who want to keep a exclusive diet during their cruise vacation.

Spa vacations have also been incorporated into cruising post with Silversea Cruises and renown Cruises. The renown Millennium skin an AquaSpa SM aboard the ship, with a 25,000-square-foot service with 16 therapy rooms and a vigor center with panoramic views.Services existing at the spa enter manicures, facials, and massages. At the vigor center, guests can take a vigor class and hire a private trainer.

We have had a lot of fun during the first portion of this article and hopefully you feel as though you have a firm grasp on the topic.

Silversea Cruises' spa vacations are run by the prominent Mandara Spa, which offers a comprehensive list of fitness, beauty and spa treatments on all Silversea cruise ships. Guests can take from an extraordinary spa menu incorporating exotic, classic and cuttingedge fitness and beauty programs. In this way, passengers get a risk to explore different sorts of spa amenities while they explore the exotic ports of call on their itineraries.

B

Knowing the ins and outs of this topic will help you to fully understand the importance of this entire subject. efore we begin, know that our goal is to give you as much useful information as we can fit on our page.

With the surge of interest in spas and spa practices like massage, facials, saunas, and acupuncture among landlubbers, it's no wonder that more cruise lines are starting to incorporate spa services into their normal on-deck beauty amenities. The addition of spa services means that travelers can take a luxury cruise to a far-flung location like Bali without losing the comforts of home, and www.spafaery.com

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Spa Vacations -- Which Ones Are Best

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re you looking for a vacation that will spoil you with body massages, facials, healthy meals, and wonderful beauty treatments? Spa vacations help you escape from the everyday pressures of life and relax in a beautiful and tranquil environment.

Specific destination spa vacations are to educate men and women about their health while coordinating healthy lifestyles and physical fitness activities.

There are spa vacations that include your particular hobby. You can book a spa vacation for a biking adventure, canoeing, kayaking, ski adventures, walking vacations, and horseback and golf vacations. If you are looking for just a relaxing spa retreat, you will find stress management retreats, weight loss vacations, spiritual retreats, and yoga vacations. There is a vacation spa package to fit nearly every possible need.

These spa vacations are professionally managed and teach the guests healthy habits that they will take home with them.

Which spa is best for you? Here are some tips on how to find the perfect spa vacation.

Choose a spa vacation that fits your needs. If you’re looking for a spa to refresh your spirit, then choose a tranquil spot that will be most restful to you. That could be an oasis in the desert or a peaceful resort on the ocean.

Choose one that is within your price range, so won’t add to your already high stress level.

Choose one that you feel you can get to or afford easily. Remember the purpose of a spa vacation is to relax and de-stress, not add more. There are stress management spa resorts that will teach you techniques to lower your stress level and give you a better quality of life. They may teach you yoga or meditation so you can more easily control your stress.

Stress can make you sick in body and in spirit.

If you are looking to be just pampered there are spas that will do exactly that. All you need to do is go and do what they tell you. This spa will pamper you with facials, massages, and manicures, the whole works. That could be

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exactly what you need for this time of your life.

Do you feel the need to lose weight? Then a spa that will specialize in weight reduction should be your choice. Most of these spas will provide you with healthy foods, personal trainers, aerobics, nutritionist, and therapists. They will work with you to change your lifestyle to not only lose the weight but to keep it off once it’s gone. They will train you to make the right choices and continue your exercise routine when you return to your regular return. Sometimes it’s that little push that can give you the incentive to make permanent changes in your lifestyle for a healthier and happier you.

You may choose a spa vacation that will pamper you but also give you the opportunity to play nine holes of golf or take a private lesson. They offer all the same features of a regular spa but also include your favorite pastime to make it even more enjoyable.

Your choice might be a get back to nature spa. You can do that in some of the most beautiful spots in Southern California.

The Spa at Terranea Resort offers you a retreat on the ocean to reconnect with nature and you. It offers quiet, peaceful surroundings and therapeutic treatments.

You may choose to go to a relaxing spa by yourself, with a spouse or significant other or with a larger group. A spa retreat is a great idea for reunions and family gatherings, and corporate brainstorming sessions.

Maybe you would love to go to a spa on your honeymoon. It could be one of the most restful trips you’ll ever take together.

Regardless of what spa vacation you choose.

You will come away with a renewed sense of serenity and peace, and a new awareness of your body and how its surroundings affect it.

So, go for it, whether you take a solo trip, a trip with a spouse or best friend, or meet as a group, you will find the spa experience to be a welcome break in this hectic, stressful world.

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Spa Entrance

The Peninsula Spa Asian Tea Lounge

Private Spa Suite For Two

Private Spa Suite For One

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Top HOTEL Spas In Asia

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Hotel Spa can offer you a luxurious, relaxing experience even if you are staying in a hotel for business purposes. There are many quality, top-notch hotels in Asia that have Hotel Spas that are world class and open long hours for the convenience of their guests. This means that if you are on a family holiday and wish to visit the health and beauty spa later in the evening when the children are in bed, you can or even after a long day of business meetings.

LaStone Therapy 3

The Peninsula Spa By Espa At The Peninsula is located in Hong Kong and won the 2006 Crystal Award for the best Hotel Spa in Asia. The Espa is a world leader in Health spa companies and when combined with the high service levels of The Peninsula Hotel, they have proved themselves to be second to none. Espa themselves conclude that this health spa is their new premium facility, being the most spacious and lavish in design.

The Peninsula Spa by Espa upholds the highest standards in hiring their therapists, insisting on representatives having the best training, talents and abilities. Therapists must be qualified and experienced before working for any Espa Beauty spa and they are also required to partake in expert, intense company training prior to commencement.

At the Peninsula Spa by Espa you can choose from a broad range of treatments that have been formulated by combining traditional, natural therapies and products. This means that their effects are lasting, unlike some more chemically based, short fix alternatives.

The Peninsula Spa by Espa upholds the highest standards in hiring their therapists, insisting on representatives having the best training, talents and abilities. Therapists must be qualified and experienced before working for any Espa Beauty spa and they are also required to partake in expert, intense company training prior to commencement.

This is why they can have a company vision statement that claims “perfection is their passion�.

Another fantastic hotel beauty spa in Asia is at The Oriental in Bangkok and they have also won various awards over the last eight years for being the best city hotel spa. The Oriental has designed their beauty spa as a reflection of Nirvana, with their aim being to refresh the body and sooth the soul. They have fairly recently spent well over a million dollars refurbishing and upgrading what was already seen by many as the top health spa in the world. Open until 10pm every day, every guest can find an opportunity to spoil themselves.

Other top Hotel Spas to watch for include The Spa At Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong, Grand Hyatt Erawan in Thailand, The Rafflesamarita Spa at Raffles and The Plaza in Singapore. Asia is home to many quality hotel health spas, so do your research and ask others who have visited them before so you can make an informed decision. The Peninsula Spa By Espa At The Peninsula in Hong Kong and the Oriental in Bangkok are two hotel spas in Asia where you are guaranteed to have the experience of a lifetime.

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Going to Africa?

Lend a Helping Hand While Going on Safari

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o those living outside of the continent, Africa represents exotic locales, the opportunity to witness an incredible variety of wildlife, and experiences that will create lifelong memories. The idea of an African safari conjures up images of bumpy rides on dirt roads, lodges with few amenities, and glimpses of elusive creatures during the night. Today, while a classic African safari is certainly available, an increasing number of travelers are opting to make a safari part of a larger eco-friendly vacation that includes giving back to the people and places of Africa through volunteerism.

Africa: More than

Africa: More than You Imagine

Africa: More than You Imagine

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When you spend your holidays in Africa, you find that each country and region offers a unique array of opportunities, from gorilla trekking to white water rafting to mountain climbing to the traditional safari.

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With the Masai Mara's open savannah, Kenya is known for the safari experience.

Yet it also offers enticing treks up Mt. Kenya, exciting white water rafting down the Nile, and scuba diving and sailing along the Kenyan coastline. Meanwhile, Tanzania beckons with the Serengeti and the world's most densely populated area of wildlife. It also features the largest volcanic depression, the Ngorongoro Crater, as well as Mt. Kilimanjaro, and the spectacular beaches of Zanzibar.

If you choose to vacation in South Africa, you'll encounter an ocean lover's paradise in Cape Town, the whale watching capital of the world. After your ocean safari, you can experience breathtaking botanical gardens and a penguin colony, as well as the primate sanctuary in Tsitsikamma National Park.

The country of Namibia offers a gateway to Victoria Falls, as well as subterranean lakes, enormous canyons, and a desert that brings together lions, giraffes, elephants, and rhinoceros. For the ultimate safari vacation, though, a trip to Botswana is in order. Both the Chobe National Park and the Moremi Game Reserve will give you the opportunity to view unprecedented varieties of wildlife and birds.

When it comes to Egypt, culture reigns.

You can experience the wonders of the Pyramids, the Valley of the Kings, and the Egyptian Museum. The contrast of ancient artifacts against the backdrop of modern Cairo marries the past and the present for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Holidays that Help When you embark on an African holiday, you can do more than experience the natural wonders of the continent. You can book your travel with a company that is committed to empowering local communities and that engages in sustainable tourism. When you do, you can not only make arrangements for a safari, but you can also volunteer a few days or a few weeks of your time to help with construction, health care, conservation, or teaching.

Holidays that combine a safari with volunteer work give you a unique perspective on African culture and allow you to come home with a sense of satisfaction for your contributions to a grand and wondrous continent. There's no better feeling in the world! www.spafaery.com

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Elephant-Back Safaris In South Africa

S

outh Africa Elephant Back Safaris - following in the footsteps of the Ancients: Elephants, the largest land animals in the world, inspire a feeling of awe and respect in most people.

Weighing up to 6 tons (11 000lb) and reaching speeds of up to 40km/hr, this monster of the animal kingdom has an impressive presence.

Whilst the majority of people will never have the opportunity to come close or even touch these animals, many South African game reserves offer the once in a lifetime chance to do an Elephant Back Safari. Imagine yourself, perched 6ft in the air on the back of a 6 ton elephant, slowly making your way through open velds or dense forests. It’s a safari like no other. As such, Elephant Back Safari’s in South Africa are growing in popularity.

South African elephant back safari is a truly wonderful experience.

The elephants are prepared with a comfortable saddle and you’ll be seated behind an experienced elephant handler.

An elephant back safari will usually last around an hour and 30 minutes

Game viewing on elephant back provides you with the unique opportunity of getting really close to wildlife that you could normally only view from far off. The smell of the elephants overpowers that of people so that other animals like rhino, giraffe and buck etc will not be scared off by the scent of people nearby. As such you’re able to get close up to extraordinary wildlife. An elephant back safari at most game reserves is usually a well catered for event including meals and of course, the elephant ride. The elephants are prepared with a comfortable saddle and you’ll be seated behind an experienced elephant handler. An elephant back safari will usually last around an hour and 30 minutes.

Granted, your initial few minutes on the back of this monstrous animal will be endured with more than a little apprehension, but rest assured that as the safari begins and you become accustomed to the rhythmic and calm movements of the elephant, the experience that follows will be incredible.

Many game reserves in South Africa also provide the unique and enjoyable opportunity to walk along with the elephants as you move through the velds and forests.

Being surrounded by these enormous

animals and moving along with them during the safari is a sobering experience and one that is not easily forgotten. The elephant sanctuary near the Magaliesberg Mountains offers the opportunity of spending an entire day out with these animals and taking part in activities like elephant walks, elephant back safari rides, feeding and brushing the elephants and much more.

A South African elephant back safari is a truly wonderful experience. Being immersed so deeply in nature and interacting with such powerful creatures is deeply rewarding and satisfying and is an opportunity that should not be missed.

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Angsana Resort & Spa Great Barrier Reef One Of The Small Luxury Resorts Of The World

W

hy not travel to the Barrier Reef for your Australia Luxury Vacation, and stay at the Angsana Resort & Spa, one of Australia’s great luxury resorts, and one of the small luxury hotels of the world. It is the only resort in the region situated on the beachfront, and it nestles in the beautiful village of Palm Cove.

The Angsana Resort & Spa has a lovely sandy tropical beach, three swimming pools, and a luxurious spa, you don’t have to go anywhere other than this luxury resort, but there is a lot to do if you so wish. There are excursions to the Great Barrier Reef, trekking in the tropical rainforest, wildlife watching, and not for the faint hearted bungee jumping!!

As the resort fronts the Coral Sea it is perfect for snorkelling, windsurfing, scuba diving and windsurfing.

It is the resort for visiting the Great Barrier Reef and the world’s oldest tropical rainforest which is close by.

If you are a nature lover, then the Angsana Resort & Spa is perfect for you. On the other hand if you are a water sport enthusiast, or a spa freak then you are also in the right place.

As befits one of the Small Luxury resorts of theWorld the accommodation is understated but luxurious, there being only 67 suites, with ceiling to floor glass doors that overlook

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The Angsana Spa has a wonderfully calm setting, and here you will find aromatic baths, massages, facials, and body therapies on offer.

outdoor patios and tropical gardens, allowing the breeze in.

They are all air conditioned and decorated with Thai silk drapes, with ceiling fans as well. Each suite comes fully equipped with television, private mini-bar, personal safe, hairdryer, bath robes, slippers, coffee and tea making facilities and a kitchenette that comes with a refrigerator, microwave and table settings.

If your bank balance runs to it, then book

the Angsana Suite, which is just furnished extravagantly, and superbly well equipped, this suite has its own swimming pool, sun terrace, and even a BBQ.

does credit to the Small Luxury Hotels of the World Group, and if you are in that part of the world then you can safely include it in your Australia Luxury Vacation Itinerary.

The Far Horizons restaurant is a good restaurant serving Asian inspired food based mainly on seafood and other local ingredients. You can sit inside or on the beachfront, and you can add to this the Poolside Gourmet BBQ for lunchtime eating.

The Angsana Resort & Spa Great Barrier Reef

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Feng Shui

F

Bagua Map

eng Shui is an ancient Chinese art used in the home to create balance and harmony. Feng Shui Practitioners have many tricks of the trade used to get rid of negative energy and promote happiness, stability, affluence, tranquility and peace.

With the help of this guide, now you, too, can use Feng Shui to enhance your surroundings.

Here are some Feng Shui fast solutions to allow you to experience maximum fulfillment in your current home: Color. Color can lift you up or bring you down, so pay attention to the colors you choose for your furniture and to decorate your house.

Decide on which color best suits your living room, bedrooms, dining room and furniture by figuring out the energy you would like for that particular room or area. * Red: Great for energy and excitement.

Works perfectly in a dining room to keep folks awake at the dinner table. Not so good for bedrooms and studies, as its properties can make it hard to relax and unwind. * Orange: Stimulates hunger. Softer, lighter shades work great for living rooms,

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playrooms, and even bedrooms. * Yellow: Inspires happiness and creativity.

Use in any room to add brightness and vitality. * Green: A healing and soothing color. A perfect choice for a living room or any room where you want to enhance the energy of balance. * Blue: A healing and soothing color. A perfect choice for a living room or any room where you want to enhance the energy of balance. * Indigo: Yet another color that heals and soothes. Good for a child’s room to promote healthy sleep habits. * Purple: A highly spiritual color that promotes richness and transformation. Can be too high of a frequency for a large room, so consider using accents of purple as an alternative to painting an entire room.

Light. Light exerts a strong influence over how we feel. Take care to light each room so that you achieve the appropriate calming or energizing effect.

Feng Shui

Cures * Sunlight: Natural lighting is the very best way to brighten a room. * Good Quality Lighting: Second best to natural lighting. If possible, don’t skimp when it comes to buying lamps, track lighting, or fixtures for your home. * Bright Lighting: Promotes energy and activity (for a playroom, for example). * Low Lighting: Promotes calmness and relaxation (for a bedroom or study, for example). * Dimmers: Can be purchased at a local hardware store. Dimmer switches give you the flexibility to alternate between bright and low lighting in the same room. With a dimmer, bedrooms can be used to play, study, or sleep, your dining room can accommodate a lively brunch or a romantic supper, and the living room can foster animated conversation or some quiet family reading.

Touch. Designers often overlook the power of texture and how it influences the energy of your home and surroundings. Play with accessories and furniture of different materials to achieve surprising results. * Rugs: A shag rug emits a playful energy, while a tightly coiled country rug adds a homey, nurturing touch to a living room. Decide whether you would prefer to tread barefoot upon a soft carpet or a cool shiny wood floor.

One draws the energy of comfort, the other professionalism. Choose the materials best suited for the energy you would like each room of your home to radiate. * Pillows: Silk pillows add richness and sensuality. Cotton is good for kids or casual relaxation, and fun, fluffy pillows can be employed for a lighter, playful effect in a living room or playroom.

* Furniture: Sleek wood furniture conveys a sturdy and reassuring energy, while soft leather couches and armchairs add a luxurious energy to a living room or study.

Smell. Aromas are an easy and inexpensive solution to help you achieve a harmonious home environment. Play with different scents in each room, changing them occasionally to see how the smells aid in energizing or relaxing you. * Flowers: Flowers can be a terrific addition to any household because of their color and innate positive energy. Easy to forget, however, is how wonderful a room smells when fresh flowers are added. * Candles: Candles look beautiful and have an immediate calming effect on a room.

Use different scents for each room, or place various candles with unique smells together in one collection. *Cooking:Cookingprovidesnourishmentand comfort. An added benefit is the wonderful smells of cooking, which contribute to a balanced atmosphere in your home. * Incense or alternatively, Sage: Incense is a fantastic cleansing agent. Use it to erase negative energies, such as after an argument.

The scent will permeate all corners of the room, and either relax or invigorate the inhabitants, depending on what type of incense you use.

You! Don’t forget the most important element of your home: you and your family. Even plants and flowers play a vital role in livening up an environment. Pets and children are great for adding movement in each room, which, in turn, keeps the energy of your house circulating. Play with these and other Feng Shui solutions, to maintain balance and perfect harmony in your home.

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learn the feng shui design most important tips.

1. Feng shui design should always be done having the people who will be in it in mind.

People's comfort must be a priority, and all you do must be done thinking of that.

2. You should be guided by the bagua map and the areas it indicates within that space in order to distribute objects and furniture in it.

3. Make use of the main feng shui elements.

An interior design uses furniture and objects which may contain the different elements.

These elements should always be in harmonic quantities and according to the bagua map indications.

4. You should choose colors according to what they symbolize and represent. Different colors represent different elements and have different symbolisms.

5. Good feng shui design does not allow dark spots in it since that doesn't allow chi flowing properly.

6. You should choose carefully the shapes of the objects and furniture; different shapes provide different feelings as well as tend to balance in different ways.

7. Couches and chairs should always be placed in a way that allows those who sit on them to easily look at the door.

If you wish to learn how to manage interior design according to feng shui design guidelines, there are some major tips you must know.

We wish to help you achieve a balanced and harmonic feng shui design for any environment you wish it to be.

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8. According to feng shui design guidelines beds should not be right across the door and ideally should have a wall at one side as protection.

9. Mirrors should be placed strategically, thought according to the light amount wished as well as which objects you wish it to reflect.

10. Correct feng shui design would allow people to feel good and comfortable in that interior without really noticing it has been carefully thought of. It should be natural and balanced, providing comfort to those occupying it.

The

Ten

Most Important Feng Shui Design Tips

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FO OD Good Enough To Eat

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Lemon Scallops with

Curry Yogurt

recipes - Pasta

Sauce

You'll Need: 2 box ( 8 oz / 227g ) Notta Pasta 1 & 1/4 lbs sea scallops Lemon & Pepper Seasoning Salt, to taste 2 Tbsp butter 1 bunch scallions, chopped, greens separated from whites 4 cloves garlic, minced 2 tsp Madras curry powder 1 & 1/2 cups plain, whole milk yogurt 1 lemon (1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice & 4 wedges) 2 Tbsp chopped cilantro

Procedures : 1 Put a large pot of salted water on to boil for pasta.

2 Pat scallops dry and sprinkle with lemon & pepper seasoning salt.

3 In a large skillet, melt butter over a mediumhigh heat, until foamy. Pan-sear scallops until lightly browned on both sides. Transfer to plate and cover to keep warm.

4 In same skillet saut? the white parts of scallions and garlic until soft. Add curry powder and stir until incorporated and fragrant. Add yogurt and lemon juice. Cook until combined and heated through.

5 Cook Notta Pasta in boiling water according to box directions, stirring frequently. Drain and briefly rinse.

6 Add Notta Pasta and green parts of scallions to skillet. Toss until combined. Pour Pasta onto platter or divide between four plates.

Top with scallops and any accumulated broth. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve with lemon wedges.

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Healthy Cooking why it’s a Must for Families

W

hen it comes to cooking healthy meals for our families, there is always some degree of dissention among the ranks. The good news is that there are recipes that are very healthy but the healthy nature of these recipes is somewhat disguised. What they do not know in these instances truly should not bring harm their way (outside of allergies, which should never be ignored).

Healthy cooking is often difficult as most of us do not want to spend time planning and preparing meals that our families refuse to eat. At the same time, we want our families to be healthy so we feel compelled to learn new and improved ways of cooking healthy foods for our family to enjoy (and unfortunately in some cases scorn).

With weight and nutrition being known as

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the culprit in so many health conditions it is impossible to ignore the importance of not only eating healthy ourselves but also of teaching our children the importance of eating healthy. One way to insure that your loved ones are in fact eating healthy is to make sure that you are cooking healthy and nutritious foods for them. This does not mean that you cannot enjoy the occasional calorie splurge or even that you shouldn't. The key to cooking healthy is learning to control portions and understanding the importance of moderation.

For those that are hoping to incorporate healthy cooking habits into their daily routines, there are no more resources available than ever before in order to assist you in those endeavors. You can seek the services of a professional nutritionist, your doctor can offer advice, you can find all

kinds of books on healthy eating, cooking, and living at your local library, and the Internet is an outstanding source of all kinds of information when it comes to leading a healthier lifestyle all around.

There are many books and magazines that are filled with recipes that encourage healthy cooking and eating habits. If you truly love to cook, then there is no shortage of recipes that you can try out along the way. The really good news is that you can incorporate healthy cooking into your cooking routine whether you are cooking for one or a household of ten.

There are many that will argue that cooking healthy food costs more than cooking the prepackaged foods that pack on the calories and additives. The truth of the matter is that when you compare the costs with the medical bills of the future for failing to do so, they seem rather slight by comparison.

Yes, good food costs more money. In many cases, that is a simple fact of life. However, by learning portion control and eating the proper portions you just may discover that you are actually spending less as you adjust to the proper amounts of food you should be consuming in order to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

Cooking healthy isn't an overnight change; it is a lifestyle change that should be

implemented one step at a time. You do not have to go into your kitchen and through out every little thing that you deem 'unhealthy' only work to not buy more of these items once they've been used. Make wiser decisions when purchasing fats for food preparation and you will discover that you've made a vitally important step in the process of incorporating healthy cooking and eating habits in your home.

It's those small steps you take towards your goal of cooking healthy foods for your family that will matter far more than any giant leap.

Before you know it you will find that you all have more energy and a better sense of overall health than you would have imagined before changing your cooking habits. If that isn't enough to encourage you however, you can always check out the excuse to go shopping for new clothes after you drop a size or two.

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recipe Serving Size: 3 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced 2 medium zucchini, about 3 cups sliced 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste Freshly ground pepper -- to taste 4 large eggs 2 tablespoons fresh basil, finely chopped 2 tablespoons flat-leaf Italian parsley, minced 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese

Low Carb Recipe Diets

Heat 1/2 Tbsp. oil in a 10-inch, heavybottomed, oven-proof skillet. Add onion and sauté until tender and translucent. Stir in garlic and zucchini and continue sautéing until squash is just tender. Season with salt and pepper and remove from heat. In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, basil and parsley.

Stir in sautéed vegetables. Add remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil to same skillet over medium heat, tilting pan to coat bottom and sides.

Addegg-vegetablemixture,spreadingevenly.

Reduce heat to low and cover pan. Cook 10 to 15 minutes, until set. Preheat broiler. Sprinkle grated cheese on top of frittata if desired and broil briefly until lightly browned. Cut into 3 wedges. Serve immediately from the pan or transfer to a large round plate or platter.

Zucchini Frittata

1 (6 oz.) skinless salmon fillet, cut into strips 1/2 cup heavy cream 1 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. ground white pepper 1 lb. lump crabmeat, picked over for shells 1/4 cup finely diced, seeded tomato 2 tbsp. each snipped fresh chives and chopped parsley 1 tbsp. olive oil In food processor, pulse salmon strips until finely chopped. With machine running, slowly add cream, salt and pepper; process until smooth. Transfer to medium bowl; stir in crabmeat, tomato, chives and parsley until well blended. Shape into 8 (3 inch round) cakes, about 3/4 inch thick.

In large non-stick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add 4 cakes; fry 21/2 minutes per side to brown. Drain on paper towel. Fry remaining cakes; drain.

Crab and Salmon Cakes

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Makes 4 servings. Per serving: 316 calories, 32 g protein, 2 g carbohydrates, 20 g fat, 0 fibre, 180 mg cholesterol, and 930 mg sodium.

Billion Pierced Earrings

Billion Necklace

Billion Ring

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5

Minute Healthy Breakfasts

-Saniyah Hassan

D

o you find yourself sluggish in the morning or slow to get going or even have low energy and concentration levels mid-morning?

If you answered yes to all of them, then perhaps you are one of the many people that skip the most important meal of the day – breakfast. A good breakfast provides the nutrients that people need to start their day off right. One in four people skip breakfast during the week and as many as one in six adults never eat breakfast.

Many of us belong to the working class and hence the morning run where you are unable to find time to have breakfast. I have a hasty morning too, but then I came across these healthy recipes that are doable in jus 5 minutes. You are entitled to a healthy body. Five minutes is the least you can spare for yourself.

You can make this burrito even faster by skipping the skillet and combining the tofu, salsa, salt and pepper in a bowl and microwaving until hot, about 1 minute. Use soy cheese to make it a vegan burrito

Nutrition Per serving: 259 calories; 13g fat; 13mg cholesterol; 30g carbohydrates; 0g added sugars; 15g protein; 4g fiber; 648 mg sodium; 341 mg potassium.

INGREDIENTS

Salsa - Tofu Breakfast Burrito

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• 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil • 1/2 cup crumbled extra-firm tofu • 2 tablespoons fresh salsa • Pinch of salt • Pinch of freshly ground pepper • 2 tablespoons shredded Monterey Jack cheese • 1 8-inch whole-wheat tortilla

PREPARATION 1. Heat oil in a small nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.

2. Add tofu and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown, about 2 minutes.

3. Stir in salsa, salt and pepper; continue cooking until heated through, about 30 seconds.

4. Spread cheese down the center of tortilla.

5. Top with the tofu mixture.

6. Fold in the ends of the tortilla and roll into a burrito.

Cinnamon Sugar Snackers You'll Need:: 2/3 cup sugar 1 tablespoon cinnamon 1/3 cup margarine or butter, melted 1 (12-oz.) can Pillsbury? Golden Layers?

Refrigerated Buttermilk Biscuits Procedures : 1. Heat oven to 400?F. Lightly grease cookie sheets.

2. In small shallow bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon; mix well. Separate dough in 10 biscuits. Separate each biscuit into 3 to 4 layers. Dip each layer in melted margarine; coat both sides with cinnamon sugar mixture.

Place 1 inch apart on greased cookie sheets.

3. Bake at 400?F. for 6 to 8 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm It has plenty of protein from a vegetarian sausage patty and fiber from the whole-wheat bread and apple to keep you satisfied all morning long.

INGREDIENTS • 2 slices cinnamon-raisin bread, preferably whole-wheat • 1 frozen vegetarian sausage patty • 1 teaspoon raspberry jam • 4 thin slices apple • 2 tablespoons shredded Cheddar cheese PREPARATION 1. Toast bread.

2. Microwave sausage patty until hot, about 30 seconds, or according to package directions.

3. Crumble. Spread jam on 1 piece of toast.

4. Top with the sausage, apple slices, cheese and the remaining slice of toast.

5. Cut in half and serve

Apple & Veggie Sausage Breakfast Sandwich

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Melbourne Restaurants – 4 restaurants in Melbourne providing a unique Melbourne experience

Melbourne restaurants are known as some of the finest in the world. If you are planning a trip to Melbourne and looking for a “uniquely Melbourne” experience, visit one of the following Melbourne restaurants for more than a dining delight.

1. The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant Cruise the scenic streets of Melbourne aboard a converted 1927 tram that is the first traveling tramcar restaurant in the world.

Enjoy first class cuisine and the very best of Australian wines as you take a journey into a little piece of Victoria’s history. The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant has become one of Melbourne’s star attractions since its inception in 1983. Expect all the comforts of a top Melbourne restaurant – air-conditioning, piped music, plush burgundy carpets, velvet covered seats, stately brass fittings and fresh flowers – all creating a cosy atmosphere

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reflective of the colonial period.

Enjoy a three, four or five course meal while gliding through the streets of Melbourne with all food prepared on the tram. The set price is inclusive of all food and beverages from the fully stocked bar. Tempt your taste buds with one of the delicious menus including grilled kangaroo fillet, Prime eye fillet of beef, a selection of Australian cheeses, and mouth watering desserts.

Luncheon is a four course meal and the tour is from 1pm-3pm. You can decide between an early dinner – 3 courses from 5:45pm-7:15pm or a full 5 course dinner from 8:35pm-11:30pm. The maximum party size is 108 people (36 people per tram) and the restaurant operates 7 days per week. It is advisable to book well in advance.

2.The Spirit of Melbourne Cruising Restaurant If you are looking for the perfect romantic experience, what better place than aboard the Spirit of Melbourne, right in the heart of our vibrant river city? Savour the everchanging city background reflecting the cosmopolitan culture that is Melbourne.

Enjoy a luxurious dining experience while cruising the magnificent Yarra River. The Spirit of Melbourne caters for only 40 guests and the setting is intimate, yet relaxed with personalized service and attention to detail.

Delight in the fusion of international dishes and fine Australian wines. The extensive six course meal is freshly prepared on board by the gourmet chefs. All beverages, including Australian wines, beers, spirits, cognac and liqueurs are included.The Spirit of Melbourne is fully enclosed with air-conditioning and heating or enjoy a breath of fresh air on the alfresco deck.

The Spirit of Melbourne departs from berth no. 6, Southbank Lower Promenade at 7:30pm every Friday and Saturday evening and returns at 10:30pm. Bookings are essential. www.spafaery.com

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Green tea is quickly sweeping the nation, because the health benefits of tea are overwhelming. Green tea is widely known for providing a number of health benefits, including anti aging properties, the elimination of free radicals, weight loss benefits and many other advantages.

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Amazing

Health Benefits

of GREEN Tea T

ea is fast becoming one of the most popular drinks in the world. Tea tastes excellent, and it is a very versatile drink, but it is also extremely healthy for you as well. Many people understand the health benefits of tea, including Chinese cultures, Japanese cultures, Europeans, Taiwanese and African cultures. Health conscious citizens in America are just now beginning to understand the health benefits of tea, and the fact that drinking tea or consuming tea in other forms can be one of the best things that you can do in order to benefit your body.

Green tea is quickly sweeping the nation, because the health benefits of tea are overwhelming. Green tea is widely known for providing a number of health benefits, including anti aging properties, the elimination of free radicals, weight loss benefits and many other advantages.

time.

Because of the health benefits of tea, there is no greater health drink that you can consume not only to keep you healthy but also prevent and cure some illnesses. Green tea comes from the same plant as other teas, like black and Oolong teas for example.

Green tea is different however, because it does not undergo the fermentation process and therefore still contains the EGCG. The benefits of green tea include weight loss, fighting bacteria, fighting infection, preventing tooth decay, repairing your immune system, fighting free radicals and preventing cardiovascular disease.

Green tea, because it is not fermented like Oolong tea, black tea and other forms of tea, offers more health benefits that other forms of tea cannot offer. All forms of tea offer their own unique set of health benefits, so drinking any tea will be beneficial to your health and

well being. Black tea, for example, contributes to reducing bad cholesterol and has been linked to healing blood cells. Black tea also contributes to good heart health. Oolong, which is only partially fermented, offers a mix of the benefits associated with green tea and those associated with black tea.

Black tea, Oolong tea and green tea all offer benefits, which make them an excellent addition to your diet. If you can incorporate tea into your diet on a daily basis, then you can benefit long term from the antioxidants that these forms of tea are rich in. The health benefits of tea are numerous, and make it well worth adding to your diet if you want to maintain good health for a long time.

Many of the health benefits of tea come from EGCG, which is an extremely powerful natural antioxidant. Antioxidants work to rid your body of harmful free radicals, which can damage the cells in your body, reducing your lifespan and causing other illnesses like cancer. Free radicals are responsible for many of the effects of aging, and the aging process can therefore be slowed down by EGCG and tea. The EGCG in your tea can also help speed up your metabolism, giving you a better sense of well being and making it easier for you to lose weight and remain healthy over www.spafaery.com

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What sets green tea apart from other types of tea is the fact that it undergoes a minimum amount of oxidation during its processing, preserving the high quality and the natural elements that are associated with the fresh green tea leaves. Green tea leaves are plucked and handmade during the early part of the spring. The bright green leaves which are still quite young are baked or steamed in order to preserve their freshness, and the resulting green tea is quite rich in nutrients and minerals.

Organic green tea is green tea that is free of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, but rather is grown completely naturally. Organic green tea can refresh your body because it offers a high Vitamin B content, which allows you to deal with stress, releasing energy more readily. Organic green tea will also help to restrain the growth of the bad bacteria responsible for causing disease.

Organic forms of green tea are rich in healthy

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Organic

T

he world is becoming increasingly aware of the harmful effects that come from chemical pesticides and fertilizers, allowing organic products like organic green tea to increase in popularity.

Green tea is a widely produced form of tea that is consumed in China and Japan as well as across the rest of the globe. Green tea has been valued in China for its medicinal capabilities as well as its promotion of good health, and organic green tea is even more popular because it is completely natural and organic, and nothing is better or more natural than that.

caffeine and Vitamin C. Chinese green teas like this are prized for offering a sweet and herbaceous flavor. They offer a refreshing taste which sets them apart from other kinds of teas. Japanese green teas are also delicious and fragrant, offering an excellent color and wonderful flavor that compliments many meals and drink choices.

Organic green tea is also capable of helping to reduce the risks associated with cancer, especially because this form of tea offers so many excellent antioxidant properties.

Antioxidants protect your cells from a natural process known as oxidation. Oxygen may be vital for life, but the process of oxidation produces free radicals which are capable of damaging your cells. Antioxidants are capable of eliminating these harmful free radicals and preventing more from being produced.

Green tea contains polyphenols, which are really powerful and beneficial antioxidants.

These antioxidants favor the bacteria that are beneficial within your body, and they kill the bacteria that are harmful to your health.

Organic green tea is the right choice because organic forms of green tea are subject to securitization to make sure that the plants are grown without chemical pesticides or fertilizers or other harmful exposure. These plants, which are grown completely naturally, produce completely natural and healthy tea leaves; and this means that organic forms of tea leaves are the most ideal tea to consume.

Green Tea

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Vege tarian ism I

f you’ve made the commitment to becoming vegetarian yet finding it difficult to make the transition in your diet and your lifestyle, here’s some suggestions on how to make the switch a smoother ride.

Start out with committing to be a vegetarian for three days per week for the first couple of weeks. Start substituting ingredients in your favorite dishes to make them truly meatless.

Throw in mushrooms to that marinara sauce to take the place of meatballs, or try some textured vegetable protein (TVP) in that lasagna recipe. Making simple replacements in your tried and true recipes can inspire you to stay on the vegetarian track once you see

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how delicious they can be.

Next, commit to five days per week for the next two weeks. Study the natural foods aisle at your local grocer, or make it a point to introduce yourself to the local health foods store. Treat yourself to a few new vegetarian products and try them in your next meal. The internet can be a great source of vegetarian recipes. And don’t limit yourself to being vegetarian only at home; most all restaurants offer delicious vegetarian entrees, so be sure to try them. You may even find inspiration for your home cooking by doing so.

Now all that’s left to do is add two more days on your week, and you’ll be a converted vegetarian all week long! After all, you’ve been doing it for a month now; you’ve become a seasoned rookie in the game. Take pride in your accomplishments, because not only have you made positive changes in your lifestyle and eating habits, but for the environment and animals as well. Remember it’s not about being perfect; every animalpositive change you make it your diet has a great effect. By rewarding yourself for each vegetarian choice you make, and you’ll be motivated to continue in the right direction.

Flipping the Switch to Vegetarianism

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any times our choice to become vegetarian isn’t only for health, environmental, or economical reasons, but also spiritual. There is a heartfelt connection between vegetarianism and the deeper side of nourishment. We must learn to nourish ourselves not only physically, but also spiritually.

The subject of nutrition is not simply a question of the food we eat at meals. Besides nutrients, foods contain scents, colors and invisible particles that attract pure light, light that is so essential for our joyful life and well-being. The choice we make is therefore always of consequential significance.

Grains, fruits and vegetables naturally grow and flourish in sunlight, and you could deduce they are actually their own form of light. In order to develop the qualities of the heart, we must eat not only peacefully, but consciously. Therefore it makes sense to consume food that is nourished by sunlight.

As a result, our emotions and our essence are illuminated and nourished as well.

It’s long been said that your body is your temple and everything that enters that temple has a direct result in who we become. Therefore, when we choose to nourish our bodies with healthful, nutrientdense plant foods from the earth, we are in turn nourishing our souls, our spirit, and our being. The quality of your food and its

DIET

Nourishing our Body, Nourishing our Spirit

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VEGETARIAN

physical properties not only transforms our emotions and mind, but can actually change your appearance and personality.

By focusing our diet on fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season and organically produced, we are in turn connecting with nature and learning to live in harmony with it. By committing and devoting ourselves to a vegetarian lifestyle, we’ve also committed to nourishing our souls and our inner wellbeing. You can’t ask for a more perfect health food than that!

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any people start vegetarian and vegan diets without devoting an adequate amount of time to nutritional research and meal planning. As a result, a considerable amount of people who start vegetarian diets do not last for more than 1-2 months.

Many dieters who fail to carefully research and plan complain that they lack energy - and often experience a significant loss in muscle mass. Others observe a number of other more peripheral problems that come with a poorly-planned vegetarian diet.

The first group--the group that most failed dieters fall into--is actually experiencing a form of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM).

PEM emerges when a person fails to consume enough protein, leading to muscle loss - and subsequently feelings of weakness that are often accompanied by head and muscle aches.

This problem can be circumvented by dietary alterations. A vegetarian who is experiencing PEM should either a) find out what foods contain what amino chains, so they can combine them to form proteins; or b) start consuming larger amounts and more diversified sources of protein, such as nuts, soy milk, and yogurt.

The first group is often iron-deficient as well.

Because vegetarians can only consume nonheme iron, which is more sensitive to iron inhibitors, they often do not consume enough to maintain healthy blood-iron levels. This can cause pervasive weakness and even anemia.

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Most nutritionists suggest that vegetarian and vegan dieters consume roughly twice the recommended amount of iron while greatly reducing their consumption of iron inhibitors.

People in the second group--the smaller one--who suffer from a range of other peripheral, diet-related problems are often not consuming enough of the nutrients that they would normally take in unknowingly on a diet that includes meat and dairy products. These nutrients include, for example, zinc, calcium, vitamin b, and riboflavin.

Some recent studies have suggested that vegetarians also process certain types of foods with less efficiency because they consume different amounts and varieties of absorption inhibitors and enhancers.

Recent studies also suggest, however, that a vegetarian or vegan diet, when done right, is not only as healthful as a non-vegetarian diet, but it is also much more heart-healthy - and usually contains higher amounts of antioxidants.

What does this all mean for you as a prospective vegetarian? It means that eating a healthful vegetarian diet is not only a good alternative to your current diet, but it can also lower your chances of getting heart disease and cancer.

However, in order to eat a HEALTHFUL vegetarian diet, you must actually put in the time to research and plan; if you don’t, you most certainly will end up in one of the two groups discussed above.

Eating A Healthful Vegetarian Diet

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ith as many as 50% of all children being overweight in this country, parents are beginning to realize that something must be done.

There is no shortage of information about nutrition and exercise, but the task of helping an overweight child without setting them up for a lifetime of dieting is a daunting challenge. Parents who understand the five truths of getting a child’s weight on track can begin to address the issue in a healthy and effective way.

Why Are Our C h i l d r e n Getting Heavier?

-- The Five Truths Every Parent Must Know To Get Their Child’s Weight On Track.

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Truth #1: Parents are the problem AND the solution. Heavy kids eat too much and they don’t get enough exercise. It’s that simple.

Parents of overweight children must own up to the fact that they are allowing and enabling their children to eat too much and move too little. Once parents accept this, they will begin to understand that they have tremendous power to solve their child’s weight problem.

Truth #2: Kids need to be educated. You may know how much, and what kinds of foods your child should eat. And you may expect that your children have the common sense to know, too. But did it ever occur to you that your children really don’t know?

They understand that too much is bad and that some foods are better than others. But without education, they have no idea why, or what effects eating too much of the wrong

things have on how they look and feel in their daily lives. Once they are educated, children take great pride in becoming good stewards of their own bodies through activity and nutrition.

Truth #3: An overweight child is a family issue. Whether one, some or all in a family are overweight, solving a child’s weight problem must become a priority for the entire family.

Otherwise, a child can feel singled out, different and ashamed. Getting the whole family involved helps with the child’s selfesteem by letting them know they are part of a powerful team that will help ensure success.

Truth #4: Your child has an “ideal weight.”

No two children are alike, but your child does have a “normal” weight range based on their height, gender and age. They also require a set number of calories each day.

Knowing a child’s normal weight range and knowing how many calories they require is fundamental to getting their weight on track.

Truth #5: Parents need a plan. Losing weight is not rocket science. But changing the habits and lifestyle of a family in today’s busy world is difficult and multi-dimensional. Especially when the emotional well-being of a fragile overweight child is at stake Parents need a plan and they need perseverance. Many parents fail because don’t have a solid, longterm plan for success.

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Do You Know Your Parenting Style?

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ant to be a better parent?

Knowing what your current parenting style is will help you identify your needed areas for improvement. Promoting the self-discipline and self-esteem of the children in your family often requires an emotional juggling act by you as a parent. It is not easy to be firm and demanding with a child one minute, then warm and affectionate the next. This is an ongoing education process both for the parent and for the child. In addition, many adults naturally have personalities or temperaments that predispose them toward one parenting style or another.

Authoritarian Parenting Parents who tend to overemphasize the discipline side of the equation are referred

to as authoritarian. Authoritarian parents are demanding in the worst sense of the word.

They are intimidators, requiring obedience and respect above all else. They become overly angry and forceful when they don’t get that obedience and respect. Their love and acceptance appear totally conditional to the child. They do not teach or listen to their kids or explain the reason for their expectations, which are frequently unrealistic. They often see their children’s individuality and independence as irrelevant or threatening.

Research has shown that authoritarian parents tend to produce children who are more withdrawn, anxious, mistrustful and discontented. These children are often overlooked by their peers. Their self-esteem is often poor.

Permissive Parenting Parents who overemphasize the selfesteem side of the equation are referred

to as permissive. They may be warm and supportive, but they are not good disciplinarians - even in the privacy of their own home. They make only weak demands for good behavior and they tend to avoid or ignore obnoxious behavior. They seem to believe that children should grow up without any anger, tears or frustrations. They reinforce demanding and inconsiderate behavior from their children and often find it easier to just give in to their child's demands. Their love and acceptance are “unconditional” in the worst sense of the word, for they set few rules or limits on what their children do.

Research has shown that permissive parents tend to produce children who are more immature, demanding and dependent.

These children are often rejected by their peers. Their self-esteem is often unrealistic and hard to interpret, for they often blame

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others for their problems and misfortunes.

The Authoritative Parenting Model Parents who are able to provide for both the discipline and self-esteem needs of their youngsters are referred to as authoritative.

They clearly communicate high—but not unrealistic—demands for their children’s behavior. They expect good things from their kids and reinforce those things when they occur. They also tend to give more positive encouragement at the right places. When kids act up, on the other hand, authoritative parents respond with firm limits, but without fits of temper. They are warm, reasonable and sensitive to a child’s needs. They are supportive of a child’s individuality and encourage growing independence.

Authoritative parents tend to produce competent children. These kids are more selfreliant, self-controlled, content and happy.

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They are usually accepted and well-liked by their peers and perform better in school.Their self-esteem is good and they report having a happier childhood experience overall.

Where Do You Need Work as a Parent?

Logic and research, then, support the idea that children need both firm discipline and emotionalsupporttogrowuppsychologically healthy. After reading the descriptions of the parenting styles above, if you found that you leaned too much toward the demanding, authoritarian style, then you need to work on the warm, supportive side of parenting.

You need to have more fun with your kids, listen better and dole out more praise. If on the other hand, you leaned too much toward the permissive style, you need to work on establishing clear rules, setting limits, and confronting obnoxious behavior. Need to modify your parenting style? Start today!

NEW

Five Ways To De-Stress The Stay-At-HomeMom!

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s a stay-at-home mom, I often wonder why I get so stressed out.

Before having children, I worked fulltime and managed to be involved in multiple extra-curricular activities – none of which seemed to put me over the top. So why does being a mother and homemaker frazzle my nerves so much?

I think I may finally have the answer to this question. I’ve come to realize, for myself at least, that a well-balanced mood comes from a well-balanced life. When I used to work fulltime, I had multiple different outlets in my life: home life, work, social groups, athletic groups, etc. If I was having difficulties in any one of these areas, it was ok because I had enough others in my life to even it out. As a stay-at-home mom, however, I have not given myself those outlets. When I feel bogged down at home, I have no where else to turn for relief. So what was I to do? I wasn’t going to go back to work or stop being a SAHM – I loved it too much. So it made me do some thinking and some research to figure out ways to manage my stress so I could maintain my sanity and enjoy my time at home that much more!

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at the last minute or miss an appointment altogether. These last minute mistakes cause an undue amount of stress and are easily avoidable with the proper planning. I recommend a simple day planner (which you can purchase from your local office supply store for under $20) to keep track of all your appointments, as well as household chores that need to be done.

Create a family budget. I know the number one thing that has caused stress in my life is worrying about money. Once I created a budget, however, that stress quickly diminished. By setting spending limits each month that are within our available income, I no longer have to worry if we’re going to come up short some month. Plus, make savings a part of your budget. This will help in the event there is a financial emergency.

Last but certainly not least, make time for yourself! Being a mom is a tough job and you deserve a break once in a while. In fact, you NEED a break! This can be any number of things. Personally, I like to schedule a date night with my husband each week. Or sometimes I’ll just curl up with a book. Either way, this is time spent purely for the fun of it.

Each week you should schedule something fun to break up the monotony of all the work. Plus, it will give you something to look forward to.

The first recommendation I have is to get regular exercise. Even if it’s nothing more than plopping your kids in the stroller and taking a few spins around the block. The next thing I recommend is to avoid high-sugar and other empty-calorie foods. You may not have much time to eat, so make sure you are getting a good supply of nutrients when you do. Active moms, especially those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, need to maximize the nutrients in the food they consume. Avoid fad diets and just stick to the appropriate helpings from the basic food groups. In addition to having more energy yourself, you’ll be setting a great example for your kids.

The bottom line is this: the more stress and negative energy that comes from you, the more strained your household will be. Have you ever heard the saying, “When mama’s happy, everyone’s happy?” There’s a lot of truth to that statement. Our kids are a direct reflection of our attitudes, actions and emotions. The more we can do to maintain a level head, the more peaceful our home will be.

Keep a schedule. The more organized you are, the less likely you are to forget something

I hope you have found this information to be helpful and wish you a very stress-free day!

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Getting Your Family Into Fitness

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etting and staying in shape is important for you - but your workouts may be more important for your family. The reason: your family is inexorably drawn to follow your fitness example - for good or bad. How you manage your personal fitness and nutrition has a ripple effect that spreads across your entire family.

Your “personal ripple effect” may be one of the most powerful forces shaping your family's mental and physical future. Consider the following: We are products of our environment. We gravitate toward what we are repeatedly exposed to. It's a simple matter of repetition.

The more we see, hear, use, or eat something the more it becomes ingrained in our psyche. In fact, social scientists believe environmental repetition may have an effect on gene expression and can literally change your biochemistry.

It’s never too early or too late to start. In the research center, my staff and I see the impact that consistently exposing people to a healthy lifestyle has on individuals. As people mature, they embrace exercise as a natural, fun part of their lives.

You have the power to influence the health and fitness of every person in your family (your children, your spouse, your siblings, your parents --- and even your friends). The fitness habits you help them build will keep serving them in every area of their life. I can think of no better gift to give people than the gift of health.

But here's the secret...

You absolutely must lead by example. Never "tell" a person what they should do, just keep living a healthy life in a tight lean body, and people will instinctively gravitate to you and learn from your examples.

The power of suggestion is strong. The power of repeated suggestion is practically unstoppable. So if you’re making poor fitness and nutrition choices at any age, it’s likely your family will be making the same choices shortly.

The process for some "hard-headed" folks might be a bit slower, but they'll come along once they see how much more fun you're having in your new body than they could ever hope to have unless they pick up the pace and learn from your example.

“When Junior sees Dad parked in front of the tube and digging into a bag of chips, it's hard to resist the same lifestyle. And chunky Mom, plus chunky Dad, often equals chunky kids”.

So how do you do it? It’s a day-to-day process and a series of repeated small steps that add up to awesome health habits. Every time you choose the vegetables over the chips, a walk over a drive, and an active game over T.V., you’ve just made another donation to yourself and to your families lifetime health and fitness fund.

The evidence is compelling. Your example, your behavior, your habits are being absorbed by your family at warp speed. The secret is making it a blessing instead of a curse.

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hen you go out, look at the people around you. Don't they look like they're in a hurry to get somewhere? When you ask your friends out for a gathering, do you often get, "Sorry, I've got an appointment, or I've a meeting on that day"? Many people are chronically busy nowadays. They all have the compulsion to be successful as fast as possible. And to achieve that, they figure they have to compress five years of work into one, by moving five times faster! So they rush – developing a hard-nosed edge, sacrificing personal time and relationships, to get as much done as they can. But despite their earnest and wholehearted attempt to be successful, they often waste their effort because they lose their sense of direction – focusing on the trees, but failing to notice the forest – they end up running in circles. If you don't occasionally stop running and look up at the stars, how will you know which way is North? (Don't tell me you have a compass.) In real terms, this means you have to set some time everyday to stop, and reflect. · What do I value in life? · What does success mean to me? · Has what I've done today brought me closer to my life's goal? · How do I get from where I am, to where I want to be?

Yes, these questions require you to think deep; do some soul-searching. But when you have the answers, your mind will be clear. It's like driving a car with a clean windscreen... you can see where you’re going! I suggest you clean your windscreen every night by taking time to reflect. That way, your VISION will be as sharp as can be. Everyone needs a Vision – that vivid mental image of what you'd like to Be, Do, and Have in life. Without it, we can't see which way we're headed. And the only way to develop it is to pause, reflect, think deep, and search your soul. *The Love of Having* Have you heard of Retail Therapy? Women

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love it. It's the idea that you can go shopping, buy something you like, and it will make you feel good about yourself. In the Be-Do-Have model, buying stuff is obviously in the HAVING stage. People subconsciously feel that having more stuff, will make them become who they want to be (Have>>Be). But the sad part is, only the reverse is true. Being who you want to be, will lead you to having what such a person has (Be>>Do>>Have).

Many people are using the Retail Therapy model to feel successful. They scamper to earn as much money as they can, then they splurge it on a lavish lifestyle – fast car, high-class dining, luxurious apartment, hot nightspots, and exotic traveling. All these luxuries and status symbols are suppose to help them BE somebody... But unless they already know who they are on the inside, they often end up being nobody. Luxury rich, but cash poor. These people have spent all their money on the toys. They will never get rich because they have none left over to invest.

We all know that you MUST use the money you accumulate to buy assets which produce residual income, if you are EVER going to achieve wealth and financial freedom.

As we rush through our day, making money and spending lavishly, in a race to be successful, perhaps we can realize that all it takes... is one diagnosis of a critical illness, one lawsuit that bankrupts you, or the death of a loved one, to shift your values in life.

Suddenly the stuff you have isn't important anymore... You’d gladly give it all away to get back your health, to shelter your family, or to share more time with your loved one.

All a dying man wants is to be well again. All a homeless man wants is good food and a warm place to sleep at night. And all a grieving man wants, is to have spent more time with his loved ones. Don't let this happen to you. Slow down, pause, and reflect. Figure out what's important to you in life. Then spend more time doing what's important, rather than following the masses – being busy everyday; chasing an imaginary shopping list of what it takes to be successful. Remember… better to walk slowly in the right direction, than to dash madly all over the place.

How to Have

a Beautiful Life in a Mad

Dash

Society

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Interior Decorating Themes What's Your Decorating Style?

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here are a variety of decorating themes from formal to informal and everything in between. Which one best describes your decorating style?

Formal Traditional Furnishings and designs from the Renaissance, Baroque, Early and Late Georgian, Federal, Greek Revival and Victorian eras. This style is shown with fine furnishings, elegant, refined and exquisite wall coverings, elaborate moldings, formal window treatments and Oriental rugs.

Informal Traditional The same eras as above but this style has less refined versions of furnishings. There are more touchable elements, more earthy colors, and some urban archaeology

without restoration is common. This style is comfortable and inviting.

American Country This style holds furnishings from the 17th century through the present, all simple with the appearance of hand-crafted work. Two versions are popular today: Upscale Country with the use of more tactile, comfortable elements and very close to Informal Traditional but with a clearly country theme in all the furnishings; and Rustic Country, which sports a reused, recycled quality. The wall coverings and window treatments set the theme and the furnishings have a justfound-it-at-the-antique-market feel.

International Modern This is a look of ultra simplicity, hard lines, and smooth surfaces contrasted with abstract patterns and unusual textures.

Environmental Designs in this theme contain colors, textures and very subtle patterns of the earth.

Romantic Victorian

Country French This style is exhibited in Classic Rococo, Neoclassic or Empire-inspired country furnishings. Wall coverings include florals, ticking, toile, and moirés depending on the level of formality.

This style still is a favored theme for rooms with lots of pattern featuring English garden florals in dreamy colors. Both fabric and wall coverings can be patterned, and clutter decorating – especially with accessories – is part of this look.

or tactile textures coupled with patterns that are charming because of their lack of sophistication fit here.

Fabric and Wall Covering Themes This is a wonderful way to decorate – by selecting a great fabric or wall covering that inherently features a theme. Some examples include sea and shore, sports, outdoor recreation, kitchen or domestic elements, juvenile elements, feminine floral themes, exotic designs from far away lands, and more.

Ethnic and Primitive This masculine approach has many faces from African to the American Southwest, from the lodge-look to the South Seas. Heavy

Arts & Crafts This simple style is also known as Early Modern or Organic Modern. The era focuses on hard, stained oak furniture with simple, straight lines.

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Fitness

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Diet & Workouts Desk pushup:

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k, so your one of those people who just has the worst kind of schedule known to mankind. You get up at 5am so you can get to the office by 7am to start your day. You have to go to a parent-teachers meeting at your kid's school right after work, then you have to take your kid to soccer practice after that. You seem to have days like this almost all the time. You never seem to have much time for yourself between all of the things you have to do every day, so how can you possibly find the time to incorporate exercise into your day?

Exercise takes time, and time is one luxury you just don't have.

Well, there is a way to get some exercise into your day and that way is to simply exercise at your desk. No, that was not a typo. Here is a little routine that you can do right at your desk. It doesn't take up much time and while it will not make you a candidate for the next fitness competition, it will give your muscles enough work to stay firm.

Complete one set of each exercise in order.

Do 10 to 20 repetitions of each exercise, and follow with 1 to 2 more sets in order if time permits it.

Chair crunch: Sit tall in your chair with your feet flat on the floor. Begin to slowly round your upper back downward until you feel your abdominal muscles tighten. Hold for 3-5 seconds, and then return to the start position.

Squats:

Stand up in front of your chair. Sit back into a squat like you are sitting back down in your chair, keeping your weight on your heels and your knees behind your toes. When you are almost touching your chair with your butt, push yourself back to the standing position using your leg muscles.

Calf raises: Stand in front of your desk and put your hands on the desk for balance. Lift yourself up onto the balls of your feet. Hold for 3 to 5 seconds, and then lower yourself back down to the floor.

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Stand 4 to 5 feet away from your desk and put of your hands on the edge of the desk. Relax your lower body and using just your arms, lower your chest down toward the desk and stop when your chest is about 3 to 6 inches away from it. Then push yourself back up to the starting position again using only your arms.

Seated triceps lift backs: Sit tall in your chair. Put your arms down at your sides with your palms facing forward.

With your arms strait and elbows locked, slowly bring your arms up behind you until you feel your triceps muscles tighten. Hold for 3 to 5 seconds, then lower your arms back to the starting position.

Seated bicep curls: Sit tall in your chair. Start with one arm down at your side, palm facing forward in a fist. Put your other hand over your fist and push against it for resistance while bringing your fist up toward your shoulder. Once your fist is close to your shoulder, lower it back

down to the starting position maintaining constant resistance with the other hand throughout the entire movement. Complete all repetitions for that set, then switch sides and repeat.

After you have completed each exercise for the amount of repetitions and sets you can do, sit down and straighten your legs. Now gently reach for your toes until you feel you can't go any further, hold for 10 seconds (do not bounce), then return to the starting position. Next, reach your arms out to your sides as far as you can. Keeping them fully extended, bring them slowly to the front and cross them over each other as far as you can.

Hold for 10 seconds, and then return them to your sides. Now, reach your arms over your head as far as you can, hold for 10 seconds, and then return them to your sides.

Taking the time to do this simple but effective exercise routine at the office will help to keep you toned and you can do it even with the worst schedule possible because it can be done during your lunch break and still leave you enough time to eat your lunch.

Enjoy your workout.

E

An xercise Routine You Can Do at

The Office

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Diet & Workouts

How To Keep Stress At Bay When There's No Time For A Break

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aking exercise helps us get back in touch with reality, it grounds us and releases tension and feelgood endorphins. However tough deadlines don't always allow for a break from our desks so what can you do when you need to work at your maximum and keep your mind sharp?

When you are straining your brain over some task or problem the neurons of your brain function more intensely. As they do this, they build up toxic waste products that can cause foggy thinking. You know that feeling you get when your mind just seems to be like 'cotton wool'? Can you afford to operate like this?

At its very worst, not doing any form of exercise can lead to depression, neck and back problems and there is evidence that illnesses such as IBS either start with or are exacerbated by allowing tension to build up.

By exercising, you speed the flow of blood through your brain, moving these waste products faster. You also improve this blood flow so that even when you are not exercising, waste is eliminated more efficiently.

But of course you don't have the time to take exercise. Well you think you don't. But you could fool yourself into doing exercise regularly by sneaking it in to your life. Here's how.

If you are sitting at your desk now, take a deep breath in and let it out like a sigh. Feels better already, doesn't it?

Hands Up. Sit up and making sure your feet are flat on the floor, raise your arms straight up and join your hands together with your arms as near to your ears as possible. And stretch; really S-T-R-E-T-C-H. Release your arms now and relax. Repeat at least twice.

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Flopsey-Wopsey.

Swing your chair away from your desk, kick your shoes off. Start with a deep breath in, take your arms over your head, and slowly with a flat back, fold yourself over whilst exhaling and flop down with your arms dangling to the floor and just rest there. Your back will thank you and your brain will experience the benefits of blood and oxygen. (Pretend you're looking for a pen or something if you think everyone's looking, but chances are they're so involved with worries they won't notice.)

Now come up and take a few more calming breaths. Repeat as you feel the need.

Let's Twist.

Body twists are good if you're feeling blue, anxious or fearful. (Explore yoga if you want more benefits.)

Sit on the edge of your chair with left side facing the back of the chair. Your feet and knees are together and need to stay that way throughout the pose. Place your hands on the back of the chair or as near to it as you can get. Keep your feet and knees together.

Take a deep breath in, allow you shoulders to rest downwards as you do. Exhale and twist your upper body round to your left to look behind you and go as far as is comfortable.

Keep your face aligned with your chest. When twist to the left push with your right hand and pull with your left. Repeat the other side.

Now I bet you're feeling better, feeling brighter and more 'up for it'? Are you not?

Having got a taste for exercise capitalise on it and start thinking how you can build more walking into your day. A walk at lunch time, walking up stairs instead of taking the lift or escalator, a walk around the office or to someone else's office. There are countless ways for you to do this. Act now, because as you do more you create the habit and your

mind will present more opportunities for you to take an exercise break and you will find that you want to do longer, regular forms of exercise.

Speed Up Your Success By Slowing Down And finally if like most people you always tend to be in a hurry, rushing from one place to another and not really spending much time sitting down and clearing your mind.

You may find that when you have to perform, for example by giving a presentation, that you r mind goes into panic. Now, a good way to avoid this kind of response is just slow down a bit and think things through, visualising a positive outcome for yourself. You will find this very calming and a practical way to train your mind and body to give you what you want.

Here is a technique to get you on the fast track to success : Simply take a long slow breath in through the nose, gently hold it for a count of four and then let the breath out as if sighing slowly.

Try it now . . . . . feel the difference it makes with just one breath. Now try two more and with each out breath say the word 'relax' to yourself. Notice how you can slow down, allow any thoughts to pass, imagine they are like clouds floating by on a windy summer's day.

Turn your attention to b-r-e-a-t-h-I-n-g ... In ... and... out.

Now how do you feel? How easy was that?

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Fitness

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Diet & Workouts

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hat would you consider to be your most precious possession? Your home? Car? Book collection?

What about ... your body? It is surely your most precious possession because without it, you wouldn't be here.

How well do you care for your body? Do you exercise every day, eat healthful foods, drink enough water, get adequate sleep? Don't worry, I'm not going to turn this into a big sermon, because I've been just as guilty of not giving my body the care and attention it deserves. A large majority of us are. We live in an age of high stress, fast pace, and abundant convenience foods. For those of us who only need to walk a few paces from our desk to the kitchen, the temptation for snacking is even greater. Who has time to exercise and prepare balanced meals?

However, it's important to realize that neglecting our physical well-being can profoundly affect us mentally and spiritually.

The Mind/Body/Spirit connection is strong.

If we neglect one area, the others will suffer also. The goal should be to achieve a nice, even balance between all three. I'm learning that it's not as hard as it seems. It just takes a little effort.

My biggest mistake over the past several years was believing that proper care of my body would take a massive amount of time.

"I'm too busy to exercise. I don't have time to cook decent meals, I'll just grab something quick. I have too much to do, so I can't get a full night's sleep." But by shunning my physical well-being, I found myself not able to be as productive and efficient in other areas.

I had little energy, I couldn't concentrate, and generally felt rotten all the time.

Caring for our bodies doesn't have to take a lot of time. In fact, by focusing more attention on my physical health lately, I would venture to say that I'm gaining time, because my focus and energy level are so much better, and I get a lot more done during the day. I also sleep better at night, another bonus!

You might be wondering just how much time and effort is required? Here are the things I've been doing for myself recently: Exercise - For me, that was the biggest

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obstacle because I tend to get lazy. ;-) Once I sit down at my desk, I'm glued to it all day.

If I don't exercise first thing in the morning, I will keep putting it off. So I started doing my workout immediately after I wake up. I spend about 30-60 minutes on aerobic activity (walking), and some light weight training. I had to push myself at first, but now that I'm getting into the habit I'm feeling stronger and even starting to look forward to my workouts every morning. If you tend to procrastinate about exercise like I did, try making it your first priority when you wake up, and then you have the rest of the day to do whatever else needs to be done.

Food - I have always been a "junk food junky."

It wasn't that I preferred that type of food, it just seemed more convenient. However, I finally realized that raw vegetables and fruit can be "fast foods" too! ;-) I also began eliminating sugar for the most part, and switched to whole grains instead of white, highly processed foods (like pasta, bread and rice). I try to eat more whole foods, because who needs all those chemicals they put in processed foods? Instead of snacking on some potato chips, why not have some nuts, seeds, fruit or vegetables? They don't take any longer to prepare.

Water - I also began drinking several glasses of water throughout the day, and immediately began to feel better. Did you know that the most common symptoms of dehydration are fatigue, lethargy, muscle weakness, headaches, dizziness and forgetfulness?

That sure described me, and it's no wonder, since I was drinking mostly coffee and soda pop! Upping my water intake made a huge difference in my energy level and mental focus. You don't have to drink gallons of water, just a few tall glasses a day should be an improvement.

Rest - I'm one of those people who really needs a full eight hours of sleep every night or I get cranky. Some people can get along on less sleep, but most of us are still getting less than our bodies truly need. You may think that getting less sleep will enable you to get more done, but think about it: if you don't get enough sleep, you will be dragging yourself through the day and have to concentrate harder on your work, because your mind just wants to rest. But if you devote a full eight

Physical Wellness: Our Most Precious Possession

hours (or however much you personally need) to sleep, you will feel much more energetic and focused during the day, and be able to accomplish just as much, if not more.

There, that doesn't sound so hard, does it? :-) It's really just a matter of creating new, healthier habits to replace the old habits.

Sure, exercise does take some time, but again, it can make such a huge difference in your energy level. Make time. We need to make an effort to care for our beautiful bodies, because we only get one! They truly are our most precious possession, and if we don't care for them, who else will?

Wishing you abundant health and wellness!

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How to keep in shape while on the road!

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Traveling Fitness

hether you travel for business or pleasure, being on the road usually leads to one thing: weight gain. From missed workouts to large restaurant meals, travel days often become high calorie days. Next time that you go on the road keep the following tips in mind, and come home leaner than when you left!

TIP #1: STICK WITH CIRCUITS

When you find yourself in a poorly equipped hotel exercise room, make the best of it. You are not going to be able to get in a normal workout like you would at your local health club, so you will have to make do with the available equipment. A great way of doing this is to workout in a circuit. Most hotel exercise rooms will have at least one piece of equipment for each body part, and they are usually as empty as a ghost town, so a circuit will work well. Do one set on each body part, and then hop on a bike or treadmill for 10 minutes. Repeat this two more times, and you will find yourself sweating up a storm.

TIP #2: BURN CALORIES EVERYDAY If your travels keep you too busy for a workout, or if your hotel does not have an exercise room, make a conscious effort to burn calories everyday. There are many different ways to fit some calorie burning into your day. Go on a brisk walk after your day’s activities. This is a great way to see a new city, and also a great way to burn off the rich dinner you just ate! Take the stairs instead of elevator in your hotel and any other buildings you visit. Go on a short jog in the mornings or evenings of your stay. If your hotel has a pool, swim a few laps each morning or evening.

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TIP#3: WATCH PORTION SIZE

Eating out is a must when traveling. Whether you are visiting 5 star restaurants or fast food diners, you are faced with the same problem: large portions. While the easiest thing to do with a large portioned meal is to simply eat it all, that isn’t the easiest on your waist!

When you order your meal ask the waiter or waitress to bring you a to-go box with your meal. This way you can take half of the meal and place it safely into the box before you even begin to eat. You will have no choice but to eat a healthy portion, and you have your next meal taken care of. If you would rather not carry around a to-go box then ask that your entrée be made into a smaller portion. If it is dinnertime ask for the lunch-sized entrée.

TIP #4: AVOID FRIED FOODS While fast food restaurants are definitely convenient, with their low prices and quick service, this convenience is not worth the inevitable weight gain brought on by the burgers and fries. When you travel, keep this in mind: avoid fried foods. While this is always good advice to follow, it is even more important to abide by while traveling.

While traveling you are most likely to be burning less calories each day than you would normally burn at home, and you are consuming more calories due to your schedule of eating out. You are walking a fine line, and eating fried foods would throw you right over the edge of weight gain. A gram of fat contains 9 calories as compared to the 4 calories that proteins and carbohydrates carry, so you can see that consuming fried foods will drastically increase your calorie intake. If I still haven’t convinced you to pass on the French fries, keep in mind that

heartburn and indigestion are never fun, but how about experiencing them on an airplane, bus, or train ride!

TIP #5: BODY WEIGHT ROUTINE When your hotel doesn’t have an exercise room, and you still want to get in some type of workout, try this body weight routine right in your hotel room: - 20 Jumping Jacks: you remember these from grade school! Start jumping!

- 20 Push Ups: Get on the floor, keep your back flat, and push!

- 20 Jumping Jacks - 20 Crunches: Keep your hands behind your head and breathe out as you crunch up.

- 20 Jumping Jacks - 20 Triceps Dip: Place your palms on the edge of a chair, bend at your elbows and push yourself back up!

- 20 Squats: Stand in place, with your knees shoulder width apart, squat down!

- 20 Jumping Jacks - 20 Lunges: Keep your hands on your waist, step forward keeping a 90 degree bend in your knee, and press yourself back up!

Next time your work or pleasure takes you away from home, keep these tips in mind and be pleasantly surprised with your results!

Have a great trip!

20

Crunches 20 Crunches: Keep your hands behind your head and breathe out as you crunch up.

20 Triceps Dip

20 Triceps Dip: Place your palms on the edge of a chair, bend at your elbows and push yourself back up!

20 Squats 20 Squats: Stand in place, with your knees shoulder width apart, squat down!

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Beauty Secrets

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skin care

Beauty

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t is pretty well known that different people get different results with the same skin care products. This can be caused by variations in body chemistry, but more often than not it’s because everyone applies skin care products differently.

Of course, if a particular product doesn’t give you the results you expect, it doesn’t always mean you are applying the product incorrectly. Unfortunately, many products just don't work as advertised, no matter what you do! To top that off, some products may work for some people but not for others even when used properly. Nevertheless, when a product doesn’t work, it may often be due to incorrect application.

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Products like skin creams, gels, or lotions are a mixture of chemicals that have a biological action, applied topically to the skin. So the effectiveness depends on whether the active ingredients work, and whether they are absorbed properly into your skin. Your skin’s temperature, hydration, environment and other factors will influence your skin's ability to absorb the active ingredients in a product.

To be sure that you get optimal effectiveness of you skin care products: • Cleanse skin before applying any products.

The best time to apply is right after you come out of a warm shower or bath because not only is your skin clean, but it is also moist and warm, so it will absorb whatever you apply much better. Do not wash with hot water because excessive heat accelerates aging.

Water should be comfortably warm but not hot. However, if you plan to apply anything oily that blocks the pores, splash cool water on yourself to close pores. Just pat dry with a towel. Also, use a charcoal shower filter to prevent exposure to the chlorine in the water.

You probably drink bottled or filtered water - but you can absorb more chlorine through your skin during a shower than you would get from an 8 oz. glass of water!

• When cleansing your skin, don't use regular soap or shampoo, they’re much too drying.

Use a good moisturizing soap, a skin cleanser, or plain warm (not hot) water.

• The top layer of skin is mostly made from dry, dead cells. When this layer becomes too thick, either from aging or poor skin care skin, the active ingredients of a skin care product have trouble penetrating.

Professional microdermabrasion safely removes that top layer of skin, revealing the healthier, younger-looking skin underneath and allowing skin care products to be better absorbed for greater effectiveness. In addition, microdermabrasion done regularly strengthens the skin by stimulating elastin and collagen production, which helps diminish wrinkles, fine lines, acne scars and many other blemishes.

• Use short, firm strokes to apply skin care products. Do not stretch the skin. Do not rub.

After applying, gently massage the products into your skin by tapping the area with your

fingers for 30 seconds or so.

• When using a professional microdermabrasion product at home, it is important to read the directions and follow them very carefully. Remember, professional microdermabrasion is usually applied with expensive machines and medically-trained professionals. You can save a lot by doing it yourself, but don’t be over-eager to get that 10-years-younger look. Apply the sponges gently the first time - let your skin adjust to the application. Add a little more time and pressure each application, about 2 weeks apart, up to a maximum of 3-5 minutes (depending on the sensitivity of your skin).

• If you have sensitive skin or allergies, always test the products you want to use first on a small patch of skin on your underarm (the soft skin on the bottom of your forearm).

DO YOU HAVE SENSITIVE SKIN Did you know sensitive skin is very common?

More than 40% of people say they have it.

Its causes include age, heredity, gender, and racial differences. These questions below can help you find out if your skin may be sensitive.

Of course, a trip to your dermatologist is the best way to find out!

1. Does your skin get extra dry after you wash it with soap?

2. Does your skin get extra oily and break out after you use particular types of moisturizers?

If you answered "Yes" to one or both of these questions, you may have sensitive skin.

3. Does your skin get red, itch, burn, or feel "tight" after coming into direct or indirect contact with perfumes and/or particular shampoos, shaving creams, detergents, dish soaps, hair sprays, cleaning products, or deodorants?

Irritants to sensitive skin include many household and personal products. The fragrances and dyes in just about every household product, and many personal care products, can cause irritation either from direct contact or even from deposits left on your clothes, towels, or bedding. If you have any of the classic signs and symptoms

of sensitive skin in Question 3, try to use hypoallergenic products without ingredients known to cause skin reactions.

4. Does your skin get red, itch, burn, or feel "tight" after extended exposure to sun, wind, heat, or cold?

Sensitive skin often reacts to extreme weather conditions. In fact, anything in the environment that damages your skin's natural protective barrier against water evaporation -- called sebum -- can irritate sensitive skin.

5. Do you have acne or psoriasis?

People with acne, psoriasis, or skin conditions like eczema often have sensitive skin. These conditions impair immune system functioning and/or destroy the skin's protective barrier. If you have of these conditions, you may have sensitive skin.

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Beauty Secrets

Summer’s Coming – How Does Your Face Look?

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trappy sandals with colorful toe nails, tan limbs, easy-breezy haircuts, aromatic suntan lotions and wildpatterned beachwear.

Ahhhh, summer!

There’s a lot of preparation that goes into getting ready for summer. Many people begin working out months in advance with a vengeance so they can sport toned, washboard abs, tighter thighs and hips and shapely arms. They carefully shop for the perfect outfits, shoes, bathing suits and revealing togs to compliment the newly sleek physique.

Getting ready for fun in the sun basically encompasses the region from the neck down to the toes and most people forget to include their faces in the regimen. Sure, they remember to slather on sun block, wear a hat and sunglasses, and are careful not to overexpose their bodies with too much sun but the fact remains that unattended faces can make one look older than their years.

An unattended face is droopy because skin care is not enough; there are jowls and pouches, thin unexpressive lips and usually a double chin or tired, lined eyes. Most people are unaware that exercise can work for the face just as it works for the body. Just like your body, your face has muscles under the skin and these facial muscles require exercise to keep the skin from dragging downward.

When the skin loses its resiliency the facial muscles no longer support the cheeks, lower mouth or forehead and a misshapen face develops over time. Even lips will lose fullness

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as the face loses volume.

How does one recapture a youthful visage?

Will creams, lotions and potions reverse sagging muscles and make the skin tighter?

Only if they would; we could all have toned tightened skin on every area of our body.

Just think about it…sagging underarms – no problem, let’s just slap on a little cream or rear-end looking a little droopy – where’s that magic potion? Alas, that’s not possible.

Surgery for the face and lips has become epidemic yet there are many men and women who would rather count on natural methods to help them look their best.

Nothing beats exercise. It forces oxygenated blood to the tissue, helps you look healthier and feel more alive. Imagine a younger looking face to match that new “ready for summer” body using an exercise routine that can be completed in just minutes a day. Not all exercise programs are created equal so for optimum results, choose one that offers isometric and resistance type movements.

In the face, the muscles are attached to bone on only one end; the other end inserts into another muscle or the skin. To achieve resistance the muscle and skin must be anchored. Only when the muscle is anchored can a contraction occur and when this happens, the muscle responds by tightening and repositioning; the face looks younger because the muscles, just below the skin, are in much better physical condition.

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Aromatherapy Essential Oils – An Inheritance Well Acclaimed

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he use of essential oils, which is derived from the pure essence of a plant, is not new. Though the term aromatherapy was coined only in the 1920s (by Gattefossé in 1928), people knew of aromatherapy essential oils from the prehistoric times.

Starting from the Chinese to Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Persian and Indian civilizations, each have added to the science of essential oils and to aromatherapy as a whole.

Research still continues in the field of aromatherapy essential oils, with new developments being made in the field. Aromatherapy and essential oils are no longer limited to cosmetic or aromatic uses only. Many of the essential oils have been proved to have medicinal and therapeutic benefits too. Take lavender oil for instance. French chemist Gattefossé would have been unaware of the properties of lavender oil to give instant relief without any scar in cases of burn, until he burnt his hand and accidentally put his hand in the jar full of the essence of lavender. Similarly, there are a large number of essential oils that have medicinal properties. The 'tulsi' plant or Indian basil, distinct through its strong aroma and taste, is considered "the elixir of life" since it is thought to bring longevity. The use of the plant’s extracts is made to treat illnesses like headaches, inflammation, heart disease, and malaria. The essential oils derived from ‘karpoora tulsi’ have found use in the manufacture of herbal toiletry.

Aromatherapy

Essential oils are derived from almost every part of the plant. Leaves, stems, flowers, roots, etc are distilled through steam or water to result into essential oils. Consequently, aromatherapy essential oils contain the true essence of the plant. In its purest form, a few drops of essential oil can give the same results that loads of that plant would have given. This is because essential oils are available in concentrated form.

essential oils can be used by people either through inhalation or by applying them on skin in a diluted form.

Though referred to as oil, essential oils in aromatherapy do not give that oily feeing.

Except for a few oils such as patchouli, orange and lemongrass, most oils are clear and seethrough.

Aromatherapy essential oils must be differentiated from the perfume or fragrance oils. While essential oils contain the purest essence of the plant, fragrance oils are made of artificially created

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substances as a whole or a part of it. Fragrance oils may cause allergies or other skin reaction because of the use of artificial substances; but the use of essential oils brings upon no such allergic reaction.

Aromatherapy essential oils can be used by people either through inhalation or by applying them on skin in a diluted form.

When essential oils are inhaled, they enter the bloodstream and lungs directly, thus producing an instant effect on the ailment.

Applying aromatherapy essential oils on the body is good for absorption. Since essential oils are available in a concentrated form, they need to be diluted using carrier oil. Sweet

almond oil, apricot kernel oil, grape seed oil, etc are blended with the essential oil; and the mixture is used on the body or the part that is afflicted.

One needs to be very careful while purchasing an essential oil. Though readily available, people are not well equipped to differentiate between the good quality and poor quality essential oil. The following checklist might be helpful to all those people who are on their way shopping for aromatherapy essential oils: • A vendor who allows you to check the essential oil is preferred more.

• If the bottle containing essential oils has

terms such as fragrance oils, nature identical oils; they are not essential oils.

• Never buy a bottle of essential oil that seems old. It might be adulterated or just might not produce the medicinal benefits.

• A clear glass bottle of essential oils allows light to come in, thus reducing its aroma therapeutic benefits. Avoid buying essential oils that are sold in clear glass bottles.

• Essential oils sold in plastic bottles too must be avoided as it dissolves plastic and becomes contaminated for use.

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A

cne is the bane of existence for nearly 17 million people who suffer from some form of acne.

Acne is not only embarrassing but also causes psychosocial effects such as: anxiety, depression, inferiority, insecurity, frustration and self-consciousness.

Acne can be in the form of blackheads, whiteheads, pimples or cysts. Can be on the face, neck, shoulders, upper back or chest.

The different definitions of acne are: Acne blemish: A flaw in the skin Acne pimple: A small, prominent, inflamed elevation of the skin Blackhead: A condition of characterized by a black tip.

the

skin

Whitehead: A condition of the skin characterized by a small, firm, whitish elevation of the skin Cysts: When the clogged pore is swollen, infected and forms a bump it’s called a “cyst” Those most susceptible are teenagers and adolescents but it also affects many adults. Although the exact cause of acne is still unknown… there are certain triggers that might possibly contribute to it such as bacteria, blocked pores, hormonal changes, excess oil and also genetics may play a large part in it.

One thing you can be sure of…contrary to popular belief, poor hygiene and food such as chocolate does not cause acne.

Severe cases of acne may cause pitted skin and scarring. If you have deep acne scars you may want to go for dermabrasion or dermaplaning to give your skin a smoother appearance. These can be used on small areas of the face.

There are a wide variety of products available for acne treatment anywhere from the mildest lotions to the severest prescriptive forms of treatment. A study comparing popular acne remedies recently discovered

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relatively inexpensive lotions are as effective as powerful prescription antibiotics.

You’ll find many pros and cons regarding all forms of treatment but few of the many treatments that have come about over the years have given any lasting effect. Some treatments have actually been very unhealthy and dangerous for the user.

One treatment - Accutane, may cause severe birth defects and also cause depression which has led the FDA to strengthen its restrictions on its use. These new restrictions require manufacturers of Accutane and its generic versions to keep track of the doctors who prescribe the drug, and also the pharmacies that sell the drug and the patients who use it.

Because it is a high-risk drug, Accutane should be reserved for cases of "severe recalcitrant nodular acne," according to the product's labeling. This type of acne is resistant to standard acne treatment, including oral antibiotics, and is characterized by many nodules or cysts--inflammatory lesions filled with pus and lodged deep within the skin.

These lesions can cause pain, permanent scarring, and negative psychological effects.

More common side effects of Accutane include lip inflammation and drying of the skin and mucous membranes, skin peeling on eyelids and dry nasal passages.

FDA's experts say it's a balancing act. The value of Accutane is clear, but when it comes to even one report of death--whether it's suicide, miscarriage, or some other cause-FDA must make choices that will best protect the public's health.

One alternative to lotions, medications and peels for acne is called a blue light laser which looks like a sun lamp and pointed toward the acne-infested area for a little over 15 minutes.

It’s warm but not uncomfortable and the eyes are protected from the light. The treatment is used twice a week for four weeks and costs slightly over $100. The light goes through the skin to kill bacteria.

Some pointers on skin care: Cleansing the skin once in the morning and once before bedtime is really all you need to

remove the dirt and dead skin cells that may clog the pores. Washing too often will dry the skin and cause irritation.

Squeezing the pimples does more harm than good causing more inflammation, redness and also leads to scarring.

When buying products such as cleansers, moisturizers, make-up, etc., make a habit of reading the labels and look for “oil free” or “non-comedogenic” on those you buy.

As you’ve probably experienced before…the sun is very good at drying up acne for a short time but it doesn’t last and will definitely lead to wrinkles. Make sure you have at least a 30 SPF sunscreen when in the sun Although food does not cause acne, it’s still a good idea to maintain a proper diet to give your skin all the nutrients that it needs to help maintain its healthy glow.

Fresh vegetables and fruits are a must along with complex carbohydrates such as whole grains and rice. And the old standby of drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day will keep the skin hydrated. A good way to get all the fruits and vegetables you need is to buy a really good juicer and drink several glasses a day.

A good probiotic multivitamin and antioxidants such as Green Tea will go a long way to keeping your skin healthy looking.

In order to completely eliminate acne there is still considerable knowledge yet unknown about the skin and what goes on underneath.

But one thing you can be sure of…many phases of research on the skin and its problems are going on all the time and will eventually lead to a more effective treatment and possibly a complete cure.

You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as it is printed as is and the bylines are included. URL’s must appear as hyperlinks. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.

ACNE

- Basic Understanding

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D

Whenit comes to Menopause You Are What You Eat

id you know that Japanese women tend to suffer hot flashes only about 1/3 as often as American women?

Or that those following a vegetarian diet also complain of hot flashes far less than the rest of us? Of course, you don’t have to give up the steaks just yet – but doctors and nutritional professionals suspect that the difference is largely due to the use of soy products in the diets of these women, and several women have now realized that by incorporating some soy in their diets, their symptoms of menopause have abated considerably.

come along with it. Put simply, your body isn’t burning calories in the same way it once was, so if you don’t change your diet – even if it’s already a healthy one – you’re bound to gain a few pounds around the waist.

In fact, altering your diet in small ways can have the greatest positive effect on your body as it transitions to menopause and beyond.

For instance, by staying away from hot drinks, you’re not giving your body reason to “heat up”and produce a hot flash. At the same time, reducing your caffeine intake (which often comes in the form of hot drinks, including coffee and tea) will naturally help you sleep better at night, which will keep your mood and mental state healthy.

We’ll tell you which foods to add to your diet if you’re suffering hot flashes, vaginal thinning, aches and pains, or emotional symptoms of menopause. In addition, of course, we’ll share the secrets of which vitamins and herbs have been proven to keep your mind sharp and your bones strong as you age through menopause and beyond.

Changing your diet now, simply by avoiding a few foods that are bound to make other symptoms worse, while increasing the foods high in certain vitamins while remaining low in calories, will help you to maintain your figure while giving your body the nutrients it needs to fight off some of the worst symptoms of menopause.

Lastly, replacing these drinks with water and juice will keep your bones and muscles well-lubricated, prevent osteoporosis from settling in, and temper your general aches and pains. We know it’s no easy task to give up coffee, but think of the endless benefits of this one relatively minor change to your diet.

For instance, foods high in potassium, including most fruits, will help you keep your mind sharp while promoting healthy water flushing throughout your body (which will reduce cramps and bloating), while keeping your muscles and bones lubricated and strong – including your needy joints and your thinning vaginal walls. In short, this is the time in your life when “an apple a day” couldn’t ring more true!

In fact, one of the most commonly complained about symptoms of menopause these days is the weight gain that seems to

Also, oily fish, including salmon and tuna, and vegetable oils, are often recommended by nutritionists for anyone wanting to keep their

minds sharp. But these oils are also useful in helping keep your muscles from drying, while helping your digestive system.

In fact, everything from Vitamins C and E to herbal remedies such as Dong Quai and Wild Yam Root are discussed in this book; remember, not only American women suffer menopause – you’re far from alone. Every womanintheworldgoesthroughmenopause sooner or later, and we all have our own ways of treating the symptoms unique to us.

We’ll explore the countless ways in which these small changes or additions to your diet will not only combat the unique symptoms you’re going through, but the ways in which you can identify these symptoms quickly to lead a healthy, long life far after menopause.

But let’s talk about soy again, briefly. It’s been in the news, and for good reason, but where do you start? Many of us would buy a chunk of tofu, which, let’s face it, can be tasteless, but it doesn’t end there, and again, you don’t need to move to Japan to figure out how to add it to your diet. You don’t need to give up eating cheeseburgers to enjoy the occasional veggie burger, but adding some soy to your diet has made the symptoms of menopause much more tolerable for millions of women.

If you’ve not eaten many soy products, don’t hold your nose just yet – in addition to helping your symptoms, you may find that you actually like it!

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arning: Side effects may include increased energy, better mood, mental clarity, renewed health, and incredible self-esteem.

Whether you’re struggling with that last stubborn 10-20 pounds or considering gastric bypass surgery, this article is for you! You can achieve your beautification goals naturally and easily with the simple advice found in this article.

The problems many of us have encountered in losing weight have not been because we didn’t understand the basic physics of eating less and exercising more. It is because, no matter how hard we try, we have not been able to follow through. Cravings get in the way, and the sweets and fatty fried junk foods become irresistible.

superfoods!

Superfoods contain vital nutrients and powerful antioxidants. The number one superfood, according to Dr. Nicholas Perricone, is the Acai berry, which is a little known fruit of the Amazon rainforest. Number two is garlic.

Another very powerful superfood is Yerba Maté, a South American plant beverage. Like Acai, it contains many vital nutrients and antioxidants – in fact, it contains pretty much everything you’d see in a daily multivitamin,

It becomes a vicious cycle, we eat junk and then we find we don’t have enough energy to exercise. By overeating and exercising less than we should, weight loss becomes very difficult. The first thing to do is address the issue of cravings - and not through some artificial appetite suppressant.

Cravings are often a sign. The body is telling you something is out of balance. Cravings can be a signal of the early stages of a vitamin deficiency. The body can compel you to overeat as it seeks vital nutrients it is lacking.

It’s ironic that we can eat so much and get so little nutrition while seeking to fill the gap by eating more lifeless, dead and nutrient depleted foods.

Ensuring that your body receives all the proper nutrition it needs makes weight loss far easier.

Getting the right nutrition with your diet can seem difficult. Your body needs a whole rainbow spectrum of nutrition, and you may only like red, orange and green.

Don’t despair - there is a quick and easy way to make sure you are getting all the nutrition your body needs to help eliminate your cravings. You need to eat and drink powerful

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less, and more healthily. You also find that you have a lot more energy. This in turn helps you to exercise!

Exercise regularly, incorporating stretching, aerobics, and strength training. There are many various combinations you can tailor for your needs, such as Yoga, Tae Bo, and Pilates, or a traditional gym routine. Having incorporated superfood nutrition you will be amazed at how much more you can do than before. You will also notice enhanced results of the exercise you do, as superfoods like Acai and Yerba Maté will also help to increase your metabolism.

Now your cellulite will start to disappear! The combination of eating less and exercising more plus the powerful antioxidants help your body to detoxify and flush out the junk stored in your fat cells. As you stop eating junk, lose weight and tone up, your cellulite will naturally disappear.

and then some more! Plant nutrients such as this are best ingested in their live natural state, making it a far superior source of nutrition than any vitamin supplement.

Yerba Maté has even been used as a food substitute due to its rich nutritional profile.

It helps to eliminate feelings of hunger and gives the sensation of having had a full meal.

Yerba Maté has been recognized for helping to lose weight.

Now that you are ingesting live superfoods such as Yerba Maté, garlic, and the potent Acai berry, you have addressed your body’s full spectrum of nutritional needs virtually effortlessly with a few simple foods. Your cravings are decreased and you are eating

While you’re losing weight, it’s very possible you will lose some fat from your bust! You’ll want to restore the fat - in the right places of course! Don’t resort to plastic surgery, you can save a lot of money, risk and danger by doing this yourself the natural way.

You may have heard of natural breast augmentation. It actually does work, as long as you are using the right product. Apply a powerful nutraceutical breast augmentation cream for 1-6 months. You can develop your breasts to the size you want them. Most women experience an increase of 1-2 cup sizes with the right product such as this: Follow these simple steps to meet your beautification goals and find yourself healthy, glowing, stronger and more beautiful than ever before, inside and out.

Simple Ways to Get Slim, Drop Cellulite and Increase Breast Size Without Surgery

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ith the return of warm weather in the spring, thoughts can never be too far behind of the approaching summer and the many wonderful outdoor activities that we’ll often associate with it and among our top favorite summertime activities will always be the trip to the beach. Warm blue skies, refreshing ocean breezes, hot sand, cool waves and the many attempts at constructing the perfect sand castle; you can swear you’re almost there just thinking of it. But that mental image just wouldn’t be complete without also including images of hard, bronze bodies in attractive swimsuits soaking up the sun. Let’s face it, attractive physiques will always be a top draw at the beach and the abs, or midsection, is the first thing that everyone notices.

But showing off beach body caliber abs certainly don’t come easy. Successful ab training is a combination of a healthy, lean diet, consistent cardio work, and a comprehensive abdominal training plan. While all of that may sound daunting, it is certainly within

Beach Body Abs

Cardio

your ability to attain a chiseled midsection that other beach goers will positively ogle at, and you certainly still have enough time to do so. This article will provide you with the steps you’ll need to take to help you look your beach-body best.

Diet The first thing you’re going to have to change will be your diet. It goes without saying that even if you had the best abs in the world, it will still look pretty ordinary if a layer of bodyfat covers it. Diet plays a crucial role in defining your midsection so some modifications will be required in order for your body to look it’s best. To begin with, get into the habit of using a diet log to keep track of your meals.

Everyone is less likely to cheat when they know they have to write down everything they’ve eaten each day. An elaborate journal isn’t necessary either; a simple notepad can work just fine. Also, begin switching to six small meals a day now instead of three larger ones to help rev up your metabolism as well as prevent the stretching of the stomach and the abdominal walls which occurs when one gorges themselves in food.

Next, you’ll want to start creating a slight caloric deficit each day to help burn away the bodyfat. It is recommended that you work on losing only a pound or two, a week, of bodyfat.

The weekly loss of any more weight than this, for the typical person, probably includes substantial amounts of water weight and muscle tissue and can wreck havoc on your metabolism. Remember, it’s the bodyfat that’s covering your abs that you’ll want to lose so a good rule of thumb is to cut back your daily energy requirements by only around 500 calories a day.

Now if you’re not sure what your daily energy requirements are for your current bodyweight (or the amount of calories you will have to consume each day to stay at your current weight), you can use this easyto-remember formula as a guide. To estimate your daily total caloric needs, multiply 24 times 1.0 (if you’re a man) or 0.9 (if you’re a woman) by each kilogram of bodyweight you weigh. Then multiply that result by 1.7 (for a moderately active man) or 1.6 (for a moderately active woman).

(Men) 1.7 x 24 x 1.0 x bodyweight (in kg) (Women) 1.6 x 24 x 0.9 x bodyweight (in kg) To determine how many kilograms you weigh, divide your bodyweight in pounds by 2.2. Remember though that this formula is only a guide. It is highly recommended that you use the formula as a starting point, and then pay close attention to your body in order to fine-tune your calories according to how your body responds to your efforts. Look at your body in a mirror, if it doesn’t appear (or feel) as if your body is losing any weight after a week or two, then reduce the amount of calories you ingest even more.

You’ll next want to start including cardio (aerobic exercises) into your weekly routine. There are few short-term options that can burn calories and strip away the bodyfat better than sessions of aerobic activities. It is no coincidence that even toplevel bodybuilders will steadily increase their cardio workouts as a contest approaches to help really bring out their muscle definition.

Begin by working out 3-4 times per week for 20 to 30 minutes at a time on a treadmill or a stationary exercise bike. Then work your way up to more intense sessions of at least moderate intensity for 45 minutes or longer by weeks 3 and 4. The last few weeks before you hit the beach, you’ll want to include interval training into your routine to really help blast away the last few pounds of bodyfat.

Exercise Spot-reducing your way to abdominal definition is a myth. It is impossible to localize fat loss over any one specific area of your body and is the reason why it is important for you to also watch your diet and include aerobic training if you truly wish to showcase some beach-body abs. But the inclusion of some solid abdominal training is still important for great abs. Strengthening the abdominal wall will tone and help reduce, if not prevent, any unnecessary sagging of the belly. Also, abdominal workouts will certainly develop the muscles of the ab (particularly the rectus abdominus and the external obliques) and enable them to easily become more visible, sharper and tight.

While there are literally hundreds of abdominal exercises to choose from, it is

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important that several considerations are first kept in mind before performing any of them. First, it is strongly recommended that you learn how to focus on feeling the contraction of your abs when exercising and really squeeze the muscle at the top of any rep. There are many individuals out there who lay claim to performing several hundred sit-ups per day, but it is the quality that counts here and not necessarily the quantity.

Become more efficient when performing your abdominal exercises and allow the muscle do the work and do not use the mechanical involvement of other bodyparts or even momentum to help swing the body in order to complete any reps. Additionally, make sure that you maintain continuous tension while performing your reps and never allow your body to rest at the bottom of a movement.

Finally, be sure to breathe in during the relaxation phase of your movements and exhale during the contraction phase of the reps.

Having now prepared yourself, choose three exercises to perform for your abs and complete 2 sets, of 15 – 20 reps on each exercise, three times a week. Once again, focus on squeezing the muscle at the top of the movement and go in a slow, deliberate manner during each repetition.

Recommended abdominal exercises for beginners during their first week would be crunches (with legs supported on a bench), seated twists, and knee-ups or lying leg raises. As the next few weeks progresses and your conditioning improves, you will need to increase the intensity factor for the abs to really shine. Begin by increasing the number of sets of each exercise from two to three and then add additional, more advanced,

movements to allow for up to five exercises for your abs. Recommended abdominal exercises during this stage could include reverse crunches, crunches on an incline board, vertical leg raises, medicine-ball twists and decline-bench twisting crunches. You literally have from hundreds of movements to choose from. During the last two weeks before you hit the beach, begin cutting back on the rest time between your sets and also start to include supersets of your exercises in which you complete one set of each exercise without stop.

While there are still other factors that could be included for consideration of your ab training, consistently eating a lean diet, performing cardio work and exercising your abs with sufficient intensity will always remain at its core. Put in the work on those three tenets of abdominal development and you’ll be sure to possess a beach-body that will look great in a bathing suit and absolutely turn heads this summer!

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Weddings -

That

Special

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tanding in front of all her loved ones, donning an elegant white gown and a radiant smile, the bride smiles at her groom, tears in her eyes, and says, “I do.� The audience feels a rush of excitement, thrilled to be a part of this magic moment.

Weddings are magical events.

Over the years, weddings have taken new twists. Veering away from tradition, many couples today choose alternative weddings that will create one-of-a-kind memories to last a lifetime. Numerous resources are available to help couples plan unique weddings, ranging from intimate at-home nuptials to destination ceremonies. Even destination weddings offer a broad range of options.

Today, beach weddings have become very popular. Wedding guests are able to join in the occasion while also enjoying a vacation of their own. Newlyweds stay on to honeymoon at the same spot where they tied the knot.

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Many resorts offer packages that give couples a more economical wedding option, as well as one that is unique, beautiful, and relaxing.

Other couples choose to plan their weddings in another country, to honor their heritage. A bride with an Irish background, for example, may choose to wed in her ancestors' homeland, complete with traditional bagpipers and Irish dancers. Weddings like this allow the couple to honor tradition while looking ahead to the future and adding a modern twist. Guests and couples alike can indulge in a return to their heritage, learning more about their culture and perhaps digging in to their families' roots.

Some still opt for weddings in Las Vegas.

Kitschy as it may be, there is a certain attraction to the little wedding chapels and Elvis impersonators. Certainly these weddings create stories that are worth telling for years to come.

The most important part of any wedding is the vow shared by the bride and groom.

Choosing to marry and sharing that moment with loved ones is the most important decision a couple can make. No matter what kind of celebration they choose, or where they decide to tie the knot, weddings are special occasions that are sure to touch the heart of everyone in attendance.

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o the engagement has finally come and you are ready to start the planning on your dream wedding.

Every girl has dreamed of the perfect wedding. Big Church, FancyWhite Gown, Men in Dinner Tuxedo's, Flowers everywhere, now society has this new idea. The Destination Wedding. Which do you choose, Traditional or New Age. Big blowout event or small intimate setting with close friends and family.

My wife and I are wedding coordinators that have coordinated and participated in both types of weddings. We have been the Bridesmaids and Groomsmen in the local society wedding. We have been the Bridesmaid and Groomsmen in weddings on the beach and by a mountain stream.

All of these adequately fit the individuals that had them. The couple in the mountains would have been miserable in a large Church wedding. Likewise the Couple in the large Church wedding would have had an inadequate feeling had they not hosted this lavish event. So what is really the difference.

The first thought is that the small wedding is cheaper. Don't be fooled by this at all.

Generally speaking this wedding will have family and friends being transported to a resort destination, causing the cost of accommodations and food to increase.

The wedding party is also there in the same location as the honeymoon site. So why use this option: *You don't want family an friends involved in the Ceremonies at all. *You want to have a close knit wedding and get to enjoy everyone involved in it. *You are looking for something that is simply different from the norm. *Mother-in-Laws are overbearing and will ruin the wedding. *Better site for the Honeymoon location.

So the Traditional Wedding is the route you want to go. Well be forewarned there are several advantages and disadvantages to this as well. The cost of the rehearsal dinner and the reception have to be calculated. The

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guest from out of town have to be put up in a local hotel. So why spend the expense. *The Family generally does not have to travel as far and are local. *Your traditional minister can perform the ceremony. *Your dreams of the Perfect White Church Wedding can be fulfilled. *Old friends and family acquaintances will be at the wedding. *You prefer short amounts of time to be spent with many different individuals.

No matter which you choose, make sure that you are well informed and have read sites such as http://www.bridalblog.info and http://www.travelblogger.info. These sites will provide insight into your coming decision and outline how others have dealt with this difficult decision. As I get older and purportedly wiser I wish my wife and I's Large Church Wedding would have been a South Pacific Destination wedding. Then I get out the old Wedding Photo Album and see all of the relatives who were at the wedding and are no longer with us and am glad that we had the Large Church Wedding.

Make sure to Consider all details and take time to make this decision. It will define you as a couple starting into your new lives together.

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hen little girls spend their math classes daydreaming of weddings (instead of winning the World Series -- not to say you can't do both), what do they dream of first?

The perfect wedding dress, of course: a gown in white satin with a bustle and sweeping train, the perfect embellishments, and the perfect shoes.

There are few occasions in our modern world where a woman finds herself in a position to wear a no-holds-barred ball gown, much less a crystal tiara, and all too many where she's called on to wear to a neutral suit or uninspiring "biz-caz" combo. No wonder that with so many brides, their wedding plans start with the dress.

Many of these brides are lucky. They may search high and low, braving chilly department stores and pushy bridal shops, but eventually they come face-to-face with The One. They know this is The One because they start crying, or their mother or friends all start crying at once. Suddenly the rest of the planning ... the theme, the tone, the right kind of venues ... it all springs to life.

Other brides aren't as fortunate. They've searched just as hard, working their way through shops across three or four states, but they haven't found The One. Instead, they've found three or four Contenders, all of which are serviceable and nice, but not earthshattering enough to tell them that now is definitely time to stop the searching and get on with the planning. These brides have it harder.

Even if you're the first kind of bride, buying the dress is such a momentous decision that you run a risk of falling into that wallet-skinning category known as the Two-Dress Bride. Here are some tips for picking the perfect dress and avoiding that awful fate.

1. Bring the entourage, but don't buy. It's fun and useful to bring your mother, friends or sisters on the dress-shopping expedition.

It gives you a buffer against an overbearing sales staff, and it's fun to see if your impressions of perfection are shared by your loved ones, not to mention how they'll love being part of such an important decision. But no matter how enthusiastic everyone gets over a certain dress, don't buy in the heat of the moment. Give yourself time to reconsider and buy with a cool head later, alone. The vast majority of dresses are non-returnable, so when you've bought it, you've bought it.

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2. Don't buy too early unless you must. Bridal gowns can take four to ten months to come from the manufacturer, but there's no reason to buy over a year ahead of time, unless your chosen style is going to be discontinued. Give yourself some time to sit on your decision.

Once you pick a gown, you'll see a hundred others nearly like it. You'll become a walking encyclopedia on that style of gown. All the better if you still have room to choose.

3. If you've bought "The One," stop shopping.

Any more window-shopping at this point will only lead you down the road toward the dreary land of Two-Dress Brides. What you need to do instead is remember that blissful feeling of having tried on The One. Go get The One out of the closet, put it on and stand in front of the mirror. You'll remember exactly why it's The One. 4. If you've bought "The One" and can't stop shopping, get a second opinion. Show your first and second choices to other brides. Be honest -- tell them you've already remortgaged your condo for the first dress, but you think this second dress might be It. They'll be truthful, too -- the first one was better. You'll feel reassured.

5. Don't tell yourself "I'll sell the old dress and choose a new one." This old saw of the Two-Dress Bride just won't work. You'll never get more than a fraction of what you paid for your first dress if you bought it new.

6. Don't be afraid to aim high -- no matter what your budget. Some brides knew from the start they wanted a designer label, but life just didn't cooperate by making them heiresses. Yet all is not lost if you're willing to shop courageously. At any given moment, a better-heeled bride is selling her once-used St. Pucchi or Ulla-Maija on eBay. She paid thousands upon thousands, but you, smart shopper, will pay half that or less. To take this road, you must shop earlier than other brides so you'll have a choice of gowns. Always pay with a credit card so you'll have recourse if the dress doesn't arrive in acceptable condition, and again, shop early so you can buy another if necessary. Shop courageously, but not recklessly.

7. Shop online, but never send a check. Bridal gown businesses sometimes have a way of disappearing overnight. No matter what the proprietor tells you, never make a purchase as large as a wedding gown without the chargeback protection of a credit card. If they say they can't take plastic, move on.

8 Tips For Picking The Perfect Wedding Dress

8. Don't hold out forever for The One. Some brides never find The One. What they do find is a few dresses they look beautiful in. If you're this bride, try starting your planning from the theme instead of the dress. You'll probably eventually get sick to death of dress shopping.

When that happens, "good enough" really will be good enough. Concentrate on other aspects of the wedding that mean a lot to you, like the venue, the food, or the inevitable adoration of your soon-to-be husband.

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Spas on the

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Seabourn Odyssey

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eabourn Odyssey is the first in a new-class of ships for Seabourn that accommodates just 450 guests in 225 luxury suites. Although, at 32,000 GRT, Seabourn Odyssey is more than triple the size of Seabourn Pride, Seabourn Spirit and Seabourn Legend, she was the smallest new ship being built by any major cruise line, and her guest capacity is just twice that of the smaller sisters, creating the highest spaceper-guest ratio in the industry. Seabourn Odyssey was built by the Italian company T. Mariotti S.p.A., located in Genoa, Italy and named in Venice in June of 2009. On that occasion, the guests on board for the maiden voyage were all honored as the ship’s godparents, and a plaque with their names was permanently mounted on a wall inside the ship. S

eabourn Odyssey was designed by the same architectural team, Petr Yran and Bjorn Storbraaten, who designed the original Seabourn ships.

Seabourn Odyssey’s 225 ocean-view suites are divided into 13 categories, with interior measurements from 295 to over 1,200 square feet. Ninety percent have private verandas, which add from 65 to over 350 square feet of additional private living space. Highlights in accommodations are the exceptional Wintergarden Suites, which have a private glassed-in Solarium with a soaking tub and a lounging bed. This suite also features a veranda that is bowed out, giving wonderful views long the side of the ship. The Signature Suites, located all the way forward on Deck 7, have over 900 square feet of inside space and a spectacular wrap-around veranda of 353 square feet. In addition to more larger suites, Seabourn Odyssey’s additional size is utilized to create more open deck space, and a variety of public rooms and dining venues The Spa at Seabourn (Deck 9 Aft) - The largest spa facility on any luxury cruise ship, with six treatment rooms, a thermal area featuring a large hydro-pool, dry float, sauna and steam rooms, a full-service salon, wellequipped gym and a motion studio featuring a Kinesis Wall and Thai massage area. Spa Terrace (Deck 10 Aft) - The upper level of The Spa at Seabourn contains a private Spa Villa and a breezy outdoor relaxation cabana for use by Spa patrons, as well as a small whirlpool spa. www.spafaery.com

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ungry for a dazzling at-sea experience that combines sleek swiftness, panoramic vistas, and an array of our best new dining options?

Look no further than the newly renovated Radiance of the Seas®. With acres of glass enclosing the nine-story central atrium, elevators facing the sea, and floor-to-ceiling windows throughout, you'll never be at a loss for an incredible view. Plus, we've just added eight new dining experiences, ranging from casual eats at Boardwalk Doghouse, to the family-style Italian fare at Giovanni's Table, to the sizzling skewers of Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse.

Other new features include a Royal Babies & TotsSM Nursery, VIP guest lounges, and an outdoor, poolside movie screen showing firstrun movies day and night. Whether you seek adventurous activities, relaxing moments, or fine fare, Radiance of the Seas has the features to please every taste. Tis’ the season for travel, but you can still keep those extra pounds from piling on while vacationing.

Royal Caribbean cruise ships, for example, are loaded with active options.

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In addition to using the fitness equipment on board, vacationers can spice up their workouts by body boarding on a surf simulator, rock climbing, roller skating, learning salsa and cycling to the latest hit music with Flywheel, a boutique indoor cycling class that is available on Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas.

Even if you aren’t able to integrate a lot of workouts into your schedule at this time of year, you can still keep the extra pounds from creeping on by keeping an eye on your caloric intake. It’s okay to indulge a little, as long as you keep it in moderation. Just remember that all those holiday cocktails can have as many calories as the pies and cookies that you’re enjoying.

If you’re spending the holidays with family and friends, it’s a good idea to enlist their support to help you stay on track with your fitness routine. Getting your loved ones together to play an informal soccer or football game before eating Thanksgiving dinner can be a fun way to get in some exercise Extending Royal Caribbean’s commitment to

providing guests the ultimate in both active, adventurous vacation options and pampering indulgence, Oasis of the Seas offers the largest spa at sea, the biggest fitness center, the longest jogging track, the greatest number of active and innovative sports options, the greatest number of pools and whirlpools, and more sun beds and pooldeck lounge chairs than any other cruise ship in the world. Kick back, feel the burn or be pampered like a pasha – it’s your choice.

Stretching the full length of Deck 15, the Pool and Sports Zone is a playground for guests of all ages, featuring four unique pools, ten whirlpools, a new H2O kids’ Aqua Park, an adults-only Solarium, a sports court, miniature golf, a thrilling zip-line and two FlowRider surfing simulators. The Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center soothes

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Dental Treatment

here are not many people who would admit to enjoying a visit to the dentist.

The trip often leads to considerable pain or at least discomfort. You are never really sure what is going to be involved and how much treatment you will need. You don’t know how much it is going to cost, unless you have dental insurance, in which case you don’t need to worry about this. But generally speaking, most people do not enjoy visiting their dentist.

In many ways we’re much like children.

While people tend to get over most of their childhood fears as they get older, dental treatment is one that seems to persist into adulthood. Partly we have our selves to blame. Many people put off visiting the dentist for years and only go once they are in considerable pain. They skip check ups if they have no complaints and postpone

the inevitable visit for as long as is humanly possible.

This means that by the time we do visit the dentist, which is a visit that is long overdue, we need so much work done and it costs so much money that it just serves to put us off going back again for as long as is possible.

This is what causes the entire problem.

Many of the worst aspects about visiting the dentist could be avoided by going back for regular checkups and keeping on top of problems. Dentists advise that they can prevent many common problems from ever occurring if they catch them quickly enough and what could become costly and painful surgery can be dealt with simply and all the hassle avoided. But this requires that they see your teeth fairly regularly so that they can avoid problems before they occur.

Most dentists offer you the chance to book your next check up months in advance. This means that when you show up for one, you book your next check up while you are at the dentist’s surgery. This means that you will never forget to make an appointment. Then the dentist will also send you a reminder when the appointment approaches so that you will not forget to attend. What could be simpler?

Regular check ups can help you to avoid expensive and painful surgery and many dental insurance plans will cover check ups as standard in the policy. Therefore, get insurance and start seeing your dentist frequently. Don’t put off the visit until its too late or you really will have something to fear from your dentist.

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What Causes

Bad Breath

Anyway?

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e have all suffered from an occasional case of bad breath. It's estimated that 50 to 65 percent of the population suffer from bad breath. A few unfortunate people suffer from chronic bad breath, seeming never to get rid of the foul odor that escapes every time they open their mouth. But what is the main cause of bad breath?

Like all living organisms, we have a variety of other organisms that live in or on us in a constant balance of life. In case of bad breath, the main cause is the bacteria that normally occur within your mouth; or more specifically the waste products these bacteria produce from their normal biological life.

Life of Bacteria in Your Mouth Your body is a host to billions of bacteria, and the majority of them are beneficial to you; there are bacteria in your stomach which aid food digestion, there are helpful bacteria on your skin which protect you against other harmful bacteria, and there are bacteria that just love the environment of your mouth. The last type is called anaerobic bacteria.

Anaerobic bacteria live best in conditions where there is no oxygen. There are plenty of places for anaerobic bacteria to live in your mouth; under the gum line, on the back of your tongue, between the teeth, and just about any place in your mouth that may be covered by a thin film. It is the waste products of the anaerobic bacteria that cause bad breath.

Again, a person's mouth is home to hundreds of different species of bacteria. There is a constant battle going on in your mouth at all times. A battle for living space between that cause bad breath and those that don't.

The precise balance between these types of bacteria, determines the freshness of your breath.

How Do They Cause Bad Breath?

Through normal living process, these bacteria produce waste products in your mouth. The 118

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most common of these are volatile sulfur compounds with very unpleasant odor.

These compounds are referred to as "volatile" because they readily evaporate when exposed to air under normal temperatures.

This volatility of these compounds can offend those around you very quickly.

While these volatile sulfur compounds are principal factor of bad breath cause, the anaerobic bacteria produce numerous other compounds that also have such offensive odors. They include: Cadaverine - creates the smell associated with corpses Putrescine - causes the odor of decaying meat Skatole - has the characteristic smell of human feces Isovaleric Acid - produces the smell of sweaty feet What Do Anaerobic Bacteria Eat? The waste products mentioned above are produced as anaerobic bacteria digest proteins. Therefore, anytime you eat a source of protein, the bacteria in your mouth get a meal too.

Even without an obvious source of protein, the anaerobic bacteria in your mouth can find a protein source anytime. There are many natural protein sources in your mouth, from dead skin cells to proteins found in saliva.

Conclusion While you can't do anything about the fact that bacteria live in your mouth, it is important to realize that the disturbed balance between anaerobic bacteria and other types is a key factor in the cause of bad breath. You should do everything you can to make the conditions of your mouth as unattractive to anaerobic bacteria as possible.

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oes this sound familiar to you? My dentist and hygienist mentioned that I had irritated gums as they cleaned my teeth. This is a symptom of gingivitis.

Gingivitis can be a stepping stone to major problems in the mouth and gum line. It can lead to periodontal disease, which is a much more serious problem with the potential for actual bone loss.

Halitosis (bad breath) could be related to a gingivitis infection as both are caused by bacteria. Red, swollen and/or bleeding gums characterize gingivitis. These symptoms are most evident upon flossing and sometimes from brushing.

Bacteria cause gingivitis. And bacteria are considered to be responsible for bad breath.

Sometimes, I could even see the bloodstains that the hygienist quietly wiped away with a towel. It was embarrassing enough to know that I wasn't controlling my gingivitis problem, but to know that she was actually trying not to make a big deal out of it was troubling.

I knew my dentist was concerned because she gave me a bottle of alcohol based mouthwash to try and mentioned that she wanted to see how I looked next time. I don't like using it; there is too much alcohol and the taste is not very pleasant. Alcohol may also dry the mucous membranes in the mouth.

The Problem Bacteria can stick to your teeth and secrete acid onto them contributing to cavity formation. They can also infect the gums, particularly around the gum line, causing gingivitis. This can manifest initially as bleeding and irritated gums.

Having a lot of uncontrolled bacteria multiplying in the mouth may also lead to bad breath, but there is a natural and normal amount of bacteria in the mouth, and you will never completely get rid of them all, nor would you want to.

Theory has it that it is actually the anaerobic bacteria that live in the tongue and throat that produce sulfur that in turn produce hard to get rid of bad breath. These anaerobes create VSCs or volatile sulfur compounds.

One type is the familiar rotten egg smell.

There are other odors coming from VSCs as well. These sulfur-producing bacteria may feed on certain foods, like coffee, alcohol and meats.

A gingivitis problem can offer a way for bacteria to easily enter your blood stream and that can lead to additional problems.

Systemic infections could come from this.

Gingivitis can be something that makes your gums bleed easily in a mild case or it can be the root of deep gum recession, leading to bone loss in the worse case scenarios.

(Periodontal disease) Loss of gum line can be discouraging. A friend of mind once described the process as, “getting long in the tooth". Sometimes, people experience this problem by brushing too hard. TIP: Using a soft bristled toothbrush with the type of motion that your hygienist recommends may help prevent eroded gum lines.

Treatment and Prevention Had you ever heard of under-the-gum cleanings? This could be part of the protocol your dentist might invoke, should you

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develop periodontal disease. If you know people that have had an under-the-gum cleaning; they may tell you that it is not very pleasant.

Your dentist can deal with this problem in a varietyofways.However,preventionprobably is the best option. Include good flossing and brushing habits - see your dentist for details.

And you could add a non-alcohol based mouthwash alternative to your regimen.

I'm currently using a special toothbrush that uses vibration to clean the teeth. This device does a better job than a regular toothbrush in keeping my teeth clean. It does take a little while to get used to because of the vibration.

It makes many, many vibrations per second.

This helps to give it such wonderful cleaning abilities.

Don't feel sad if you have excellent oral health habits but you still have bad breath. This is common and many people experience this same situation. Oral health products that don't contain sodium lauryl sulfates or artificial flavors that can still kill the bacteria that cause bad breath without using harsh alcohol or tough chemicals may be helpful.

I am not a dentist. This article is for information purposes only. This article is not meant for diagnosis, treatment or prevention nor is it meant to give advice. If you have or suspect you have gingivitis, periodontal disease or any other dental problems, visit your dentist for a consultation.

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How To Cure Bad Breath

alitosis is the medical term for bad breath. Many people suffer from it either temporarily or as a chronic problem. Common causes are odiferous foods, smoking, poor oral hygiene, sinus conditions and medical issues. There are many cures for this ailment that are simple to use. If problems persist, though, it is advisable to seek the authority of a dentist or medical professional to rule out any serious dental or medical issues.

Certain foods such as garlic and onions produce bad breath. This is not a serious condition and will resolve itself in little time. Also, smoking can produce bad breath. Smoking can contribute to more serious dental and gum issues but the odor associated with smoking is unavoidable. It is, of course, recommended that smokers quit but short of that, there is little prevention for smoker’s breath. For a temporary fix, brush your teeth, chew gum or use a mint.

How To Cure Bad Breath

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People with sinus conditions produce mucus that can be foul smelling. As a treatment for the sinus condition, a patient may be prescribed antihistamines which can cause dry mouth. If the mouth does not produce enough saliva to remain moist, this will cause bad breath. This is also why people have morning breath after sleeping for several hours allowing the mouth to dry out.

Brushing and drinking plenty of water will

help alleviate this.

There are several natural remedies found to help counteract the effects of bad breath.

Chewing cardamom seeds, sunflower seeds, mint leaves and parsley are known to deodorize. Gargling with a mixture of lemon juice and water also helps. Brushing with baking soda and adding it to water for gargling is a popular choice in home remedies. Drinking teas with spices such as cardamom, anise, cinnamon and fennel are all reported to help sweeten breath.

The best way to treat bad breath is to ensure proper dental care. Brushing and flossing regularly will help deter bacteria from forming on teeth and tongue. As food particles can get trapped between teeth, flossing is essential to ensure plaque does not accumulate. Regular trips to the dentist for professional cleaning are also advised. When brushing, ensure a good toothbrush is used and do not neglect the tongue. Bacteria can get trapped on the tongue as well so thoroughly brush it.

If bad breath is a persistent condition, seek consultation with a dentist. It may be a sign of a more serious dental issue or gum disease. If a dentist rules out dental problems as a cause, a referral to a medical doctor may be in order. Certain conditions such as liver and kidney diseases can contribute to bad breath.

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Detox the Right

Way

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t’s the trend everywhere I look, folks are talking detox. Stores are packed with detox products. Detox plans, detox diets, detox drinks, detox foods. I wonder why all of this detoxification?

It must be the detox season! With holidays right around the corner, experts say a detox diet is a good fix for those apple pie hangovers, as it reboots your system if you've been, well, less than healthy says doctor, dietician and author of The Doctor's Detox Diet, Christine Gerbstadt.

The popularity and rise in awareness about detoxifying is particularly due to our lifestyle today and due to the change in environment around us. It’s toxins everywhere, in the foods we eat, the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the household products we touch, and this increase in exposure to toxins have been linked to cancer, birth defects, and hormonal and fertility problems. “Every single cell is always detoxing,” explains Fitzgerald, a

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nutritionist in Santa Monica, California. “The question is how efficiently?”To give your liver and GI tract some much-needed support, reduce your exposure to chemicals, clean up your diet, and work in cleansing supplements and therapies.

Have you ever dreamed of using a juice fast to lose the extra calories you’ve put on for holiday excesses. You’re not alone. It’s recent trend even popular among celebrities who together spent more than 100 million dollars on cleansing and detoxifying products in an effort to lose weight, gain energy, or purify themselves of harmful toxins, according to market research firm Spins. The detox diet may even give you a psychological boost.

“Because you’re following a program, you can feel like you’re in control,” says Sandra Haber, PhD, a New York City psychologist who specializes in eating issues.

When your mind is drained, your body aches and your energy levels are close to zero, it’s

time for a body detox. Do you want a clearer skin, sharper mind, energy revitalized, and stronger immune system and feel healthy inside out? Ofcource yes right. These are things that you can enjoy by undergoing a detoxification program. Detoxification basically means blood cleansing through eliminating impurities from the blood in the liver, through kidneys, lungs, intestines, lymph and skin.

Taking your first steps through, you have to reduce toxins in your body. Try to cut down on the following: tobacco, caffeine, cut on saturated fats and refined sugars, these acts as toxins in your body and as a hindrance to your healing development. This not only applies to your diet, when you need a proper detoxification, you need to eliminate any chemical based product you use in everyday lifestyle such as the commercial beauty or grooming products, and find natural alternatives as substitute. “There’s

something to be said for limiting choices.

You’re giving your body a chance to rest, and that’s a good thing,” says Leslie J. Bonci, RD, director of sports nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Have you heard of the water fasting? It also used as part of detoxification, as water lets the digestive tract and organs to rest completely, by eliminating toxins in the body and allowing all of your energy to self-repair and strengthen damaged organs. Water fasting not only eliminates obstruction and aids in selfhealing, it is also revitalizing and motivating to make a fresh start. Don't kill yourself over guzzling a ton if you're not thirsty, but aim to drink about three to four quarts a day. It’s up to you to choose which detox method suits your lifestyle and preference, well it’s not just juice fasting that’s part of detox diet , there are much more. But juice fasting is the most popular one. Juice fasting applies to drinking only fresh fruits and vegetables

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such as carrot, spinach, celery, cabbage, apple, pineapple and cranberry , citrus fruits are less advised for detox. An effective way of discharging toxins, it also provides loads of nutrients as well as enzymes to lessen the intensity and strain of the detoxification process. Juice fasting has been an effective way to attain weight -loss. By juice fasting, a person gains self-confidence and feels light and clean. Duration of juice fasting is usually few days to a week. You need a physician’s or nutritionist’s advice and careful assessment for longer fasting.

Here are gentler and safer ways to detox your body that you can try out or incorporate different methods as part your routine. Well you must be surprised but it’s not just fasting that’s part of the detox process, a change in diet can do the trick. Whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables instead of packaged and fast foods that are high on fats and sugar can become part of your daily lifestyle in maintaining good health. A quicker and easier way to detox is sauna; it is widely used by many cultures as a regular part of detox. Forbes Riley, creator of fitness product SpinGym who you may also remember cohosting Jack LaLanne's juicer infomercial, is a loyal fan of detoxing. She suggests you use a sauna regularly. "There's nothing more detoxing than sweating it out," she says. It is a great method of removing chemicals buildups in fat cells. Saunas are usually combined with diet, exercise and nutritional

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supplements. Skin brushing is also a gentle way of detoxing as it removes old skin cells, stimulates the lymph system and draws out toxins through the skin. A dry skin brush made of soft vegetable bristles should be used. "Skin brushing and oil massages will help exfoliate the toxins from your skin and refresh circulation," says Christina Chodos, a certified health counselor and educator from Chicago, IL. Through breathing exercise, the bloodstream thoroughly oxygenates thus giving energy and improves the body’s physical process. Different positions lightly massage the internal organs and stimulate them to slowly discharge toxins.

These detox methods are just a guide to what it can do to improve your health. It is necessary to know why detox is important and understand the different ways on how to detox the body before you begin with the different programs. Detox is especially vital for healthy immune system to fight diseases like cancer, arthritis, diabetes and chronic fatigue. However, even if your diet is good, a spring or summer cleanse can revitalize your system and rid your body of harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites. When you make a positive change in your physical body you affect your psychological and spiritual wellbeing as well.

Dieting and fasting for a prolonged time can actually do the body harm as it depletes your body of essential nutrients, by slowing your metabolism, and re-circulates toxins

into your system, says Gaetano Morello, ND, a detox specialist in West Vancouver, British Columbia, and author of Whole Body Cleansing. “There’s no such thing as a quick fix,” says Patricia Fitzgerald, DOM, a homeopath and nutritionist in Santa Monica, California, and author of The Detox Solution.

“The safest detox is lifestyle.” By committing to a healthy diet, supporting your body’s natural detoxifying systems with food and supplements, and reducing your exposure to harmful chemicals, you’ll trim fat, boost energy, and lessen your body’s toxic burden.

It’s true that our body has the ability to detoxify itself of harmful toxins, but then we live in an environment and society that has made it more and more difficult for our bodies to detoxify efficiently. Whatever we ingest that the body cannot use nutritionally and is not excreted naturally will remain circulating in the blood and lymph systems, and longer term will be sequestered in the surrounding tissues. We therefore need to give our bodies some assistance in eliminating these harmful substances and that is where the many forms of detox diets and products come into play. Periodically implementing a healthy detox program helps to flush toxins that have accumulated in the body and aids the body in revitalizing and rejuvenating itself, which forms a significant part of overcoming long standing health problems and staying healthy.

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precision during application, but can be perfected through constant practice. A note to remember is to always let the liquid dry before you open your eyes after application - if not, the liquid may smear the top of your eyes and give you a raccoon look.

Eye liner pencil

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any people think they already know how to apply eyeliner, and by all rights, they do a good job. In actuality, there is a big difference between the way you might apply eyeliner and the way a professional make-up artist does. Use these easy-to-follow steps and you can apply eyeliner like a professional makeup artist: 1. Select your eyeliner An eyeliner must be applied near the base of your eyelashes. As there are varying products in the market such as cake eyeliner, liquid liner and pencil eyeliner, it is important to try each type so that you will know which type will best accentuate your own natural beauty. Also, to whatever type you prefer, practice the application so you can achieve a very fine line. Remember that it is not a pretty sight when you apply eyeliner in a very thick line. It will look harsh, at the same time loud, making your eyes as well as giving it a tired and heavy impression. Always bear in mind that a thin line is recommended - should you have any trouble applying it, a brush is helpful to smooth out the line and to blend it well.

Liquid eye liner.

Liquid eyeliners are recommended to be used and should only be used above the top of the eye lashes, whereas an eye shadow or an eye lining pencil is suggested to be used under the eyes lower lashes. This kind comes usually in a bottle with an application brush, almost similar to an ink. This requires great

The easiest to use, works just like colored pencil. As the tip of this liner is dry, it has a tendency of pulling your eyelids fragile tissues; stretching the eyelids when lining it could help a lot in achieving a smooth application. A note to remember, you should always sharpen the pencil before every application to eliminate any bacteria that has accumulated at the tip.

Permanent eyeliner This is can be created through cosmetic surgery. This procedure is known as micro pigmentation, a technique that adds a defined line to the lid which with a handheld device used to puncture the skin several times a minute with a very thin needle that pushes color pigments to the position that is desired.

2. Apply the eyeliner - Begin at the inner corner of your eye. Always be certain to use a light hand when applying your eyeliner, as the area around the eyes is very sensitive and delicate.

- Put on your eyeliner only after you have already applied an eye shadow. Doing it before an eye shadow application would only cover the eyeliner.

- To achieve a dramatic and intense look, a kohl pencil with a color can be applied above as well as below the lashes, and then followed with black or very dark gray liquid eyeliner at the top. This will give the impression of dark eye lashes and will stay on for the whole day.

A dark colored eye-liner will highlight the eyes form and outline as well as give them a deep look.

- While holding your head back facing the mirror, look down so that your eyelids will become tight making it easier in applying and controlling the liner. When necessary, smudge.

- The eyes will seem larger when you make a line with a pencil under your lower lashes - instead try a dark eye shadow applied with the help of a tiny makeup brush, to give an illusion of darker and fuller eye lashes. Below such line, you need to apply also a thin line with a lighter shade of eye shadow, preferably white, yellow or beige to brighten up your eye area.

- Pencil liners may be used on both above the top lashes as well as under the lower lashes. Liquid eye liners however, must only be applied on the top lid. Cake eyeliners are applied with water and may be put on to both the top and so too the bottom of the lid.

- If you have beautiful green eyes, try putting on a violet smoky pencil that will enhance your eyes, since basing from the color wheel, violet and green are opposite, so they will compliment each other.

- Refer to nature when you are in a process of deciding on a color. Green, beige and burnt orange are autumn colors.

- Others prefer using an eye liner not only for the eyes, but the lips as well. Should you decide on this, an eye lining pencil will be most suitable for the application. Make sure though, that you choose a certain shade of somewhat reddish brown or orangey-brown or a brownish plum, to compliment and flatter your lipstick.

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How To Use Make Up As A Fashion Accessory

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akeup can be one more accessory to your personal image and that’s why we are going to explain to you step by step the most flattering and easy trends so that this season you will be beautiful.

MAKEUP There are various flattering trends this season. On the one hand, there is the natural look with earthy and gold tones, and neutral tones for the eyes and transparent but shinny lips. On the other hand, there is the sexier look with darker tones for the eyes from navy blue to purple, and (don’t forget black), and dark sexy lips.

ADVICE: Choose a look that works for you and one that you feel most comfortable with and follow the advice that we give you below.

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EYES For a natural look, use browns and neutral tones.

ADVICE: Apply a golden tone on the upper eyelid to achieve the look and give it a touch of light. If you want your eyes to have a stronger look, use a dark brown pencil on the inner eye.

For a sexy look, use darker tones, the ones you like the most, from navy blue to bottle green. Or if you like, use grays or blacks.

ADVICE: Don’t forget to put the darker color on your eyelid putting a blended line next to the eye lashes and put makeup on the outer eye with a black pencil. Lighten the eyelid just under the eyebrow with a pearly or shinny white for a sexy arousing look.

ESSENTIAL: Everyone notices mascara so curl your eyelashes beforehand and use two cotes to give them volume.

CHEEKBONES Give your cheekbones a healthy look with soft rosy natural colors.

ADVICE: Blend blush well with a clean brush and loose powder on your cheekbones.

LIPS If you want a natural look, or you have put too much lipstick on, apply lip gloss for a juicy natural look.

FOUNDATION Give a touch of something pearlescent to your foundation and you’ll achieve a modern and flattering look.

ADVICE: Apply your foundation to the entire face. Once it has been absorbed in to the skin, wait a few minutes for it to absorb, apply a small amount of illuminating powder in the T zone, forehead, cheekbones and chin. Blend it well with a brush for a pearly but natural effect. The result, light satiny skin.

COVER UP Brighten your look by using a light cover up which is lighter than your skin tone over your foundation.

ADVICE: Blend it well around your eyes with your finger tip to take away any excess. And that’s it, a great look without bags and full of life.

ADVICE: Choose a lip gloss that also shines and protects your lips.

On the other hand, if you want to forget the natural look, try a passion red or a bright fushia. The result, sexy provocative, but natural lips.

ADVICE: Use a well-sharpened lip pencil that is very similar to your lipstick to outline your lips. Do this before applying lipstick so that the color will last longer and it will be easier to use darker tones.

THE FINAL TOUCH Wash your hair with a rinse similar to the natural color of your hair to make it brighter but without changing the color.

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Lipstick: Love The Look, Hate The Work!

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t was not near lunch yet and I was already reapplying my lipstick. Usually, this was a mindless routine task, but on this morning something snapped. I was all alone and thought to myself in annoyance, “I wish I could just tattoo my lips a natural color and be done with it.” The thought was completely foreign to me and I took a second to consider the possibility. “Interesting concept”, I thought and then I forgot about it. Tattoos of any kind were way out of my box and one on the lips seemed unthinkable.

Two days later, while casually thumbing through a magazine, I discovered there was such a thing as tattooed lipstick. It is called permanent makeup, cosmetic tattoo, dermal pigmentation or micro-pigmentation. Now, after years of freedom from applying lipstick, or practically any makeup, I find it unthinkable to be without my cosmetic tattoos.

Beauty Is Not Pain I expected a lot of pain when receiving permanent lip color. In fact, it took me five years to muster up the nerve to do it.

Finally, while doing extensive training with a permanent makeup practitioner, I decided to trust and put my face in her competent hands. I liked that she is an artist, as I am and her skills as a technician were being clearly and impressively demonstrated to me. It went surprisingly well. For the most part the topical anesthetic worked to block the discomfort, except for small twinges.

One especially sharp twinge of pain brought tears to my eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it came. There was no fumbling about, her hands moved efficiently and with an instinct garnered from experience. For an hour or two afterwards my lips felt hot, tender and huge, more than they looked. Nevertheless, I got up from the chair and immediately went to a fine restaurant with a friend, enjoyed myself and took care not to order spicy food. The cosmetic tattoo procedure was simple and caused no inconvenience.

Make Your Lips Look Their Best There are different options for permanent lip color. The first is a lip line; a single color in a crisp outline around the mouth. The second is a lip shaper; a lip line that is softly blended into the natural lip color. The third is full lip

color. The fourth is a combination of full lip color with a lip line or shaper in a slightly darker or different color than the fill. Most lip colors can be achieved, but a good eye and the effective application of basic color theory is essential to success. You will not get the brilliance of topical makeup because permanent makeup is viewed through a veil of skin. Lip balm or gloss will give permanent lip color a lipstick-like sheen. One with sunscreen is always recommended.

The Best Kept Secrets Permanent Lip Color

About

The first secret is augmentation. Cosmetic tattoos can create any number of effects on the face. When applying permanent lip color you make small, crisp and precise adjustments in shape that can create symmetry. You can also make lip curves more sensuous, adjust the balance between the upper and lower lip, make the mouth appear slightly larger or smaller, cover scars and even give the lips a subtle upturn. The second secret is based solely on my personal experience and that of some of my clients. It concerns age lines that radiate out around the mouth and tend to fill up with the lipstick you wear. Skillfully applied pigment into the edge of the lips, called the vermilion border, detracts from age lines and may stop or minimize lipstick from bleeding. Granted, it is not often that I apply lipstick, but when I do it stays put. A well-defined vermilion border is not only youthful, but I have been told consistently over the years that my age lines are not visible. I don’t believe people were just being nice. The lines are still there, but visually the lips themselves dominate.

Cosmetic Surgery Considerations What if you wish to address similar lip issues with medical cosmetic procedures? If you choose to get any kind of lip filler, then have permanent makeup done first so the lip shape is clearly established. If you already have lip filler, let it go away completely before having permanent makeup applied. If you wish to treat age lines around the lips, treat them first and then have permanent lip color added later. With these simple tips you can get the most out of your lips and look your best.

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Combact Obesity

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t is difficult in the world we live in to watch as so many children are literally overburdening their bodies at such young ages by being overweight. These children simply cannot run, jump, and play with the other children because their bodies simply will not allow them to do so. For these children, dieting is almost a necessity despite our best efforts to insulate them from the selfesteem issues that often accompany obesity.

If you have a child that is well outside the normal weight range for his or her age you are the one who must make the efforts and take the necessary steps to insure they shed those pounds in order to live a life that is as close to normal as possible. The first thing you need to do however is consult with your child's doctor about the best possible course of action that will also safeguard the health of your child.

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Incorporate healthy snacks into your families

As your child begins to take off the weight you should begin to notice a very profound difference in not only the way he or she carries his or herself but also in his or her interactions with others.

Your child will experience restored and renewed self-confidence as the pounds come off and the teasing at school stops.

Children

First of all, do not make food a punishment or a reward. Food is part of the problem with your children and you do not need to use it against them. Instead, introduce them to

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Have them take dance, take up a sport, or simply get out and run around the yard.

The worst thing you can do is to allow your children to become comatose television, computer, or video game zombies. Get them out and get them active. This helps in two ways. First of all, they aren't eating if they are outside playing and having a good time.

Second, they are burning calories as they play which is a huge bonus in the dieting process for your children.

Dieting for

Put quite frankly however, if you do not take the efforts to assist your child in shedding those pounds you are placing the health of your child at risk. We do not let our children play in the street, we don't let them run with knives, why on earth would we allow them to commit suicide by Twinkie? If you have a child that is overweight, the following tips should help you and them with their dieting.

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healthy alternatives. Do not keep the junk in the house and do not let them purchase lunch at school. Pack their lunches for school so that you know what they are eating. If you don't give them junk food they cannot have it when at home and you can work to insure that they can't get their hands on junk food when they leave the house.

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eating plan rather than junk food. Fresh fruit, cut up vegetables, nuts, and frozen yogurt are good healthy snacks for your kids. When in doubt consult the food pyramid but watch calories in the process.You want your children to eat a well balanced diet while eliminating junk food and sweets for the best result.

Cut out the juices and pop. This may be a huge ordeal in your house but the greatest gift you can offer your child is a deep and abiding appreciation for water. Water works to make their bellies feel full and keeps them hydrated for the added activities you should be introducing into their routines.

If you are at a complete loss as to how to help your child take the weight off there are camps that are designed specifically to deal with weight issues and building self-esteem in children ages 7-19. One of these camps may be just the answer you are looking for. Another thing to consider is to lead by example. If you don't eat the junk food, if you are active, and if you do not engage in emotional overeating your child will not be learning those behaviors from you or having them reinforced by you.

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In the United States alone, an astounding one fourth of the overall population of teenagers and children are found to be obese. But despite this rate, it is still alarmingly growing.

With parents and grandparents catering to their children’s unhealthy eating and bad idling habits, this is not surprising. But if you are concerned for your children’s future, you know this is a serious matter to be considered.

More than controlling what they eat or what they do, you need to consider weight control for children to treat the matter before it goes worse.

Obesity, when not treated properly and as early as possible, can be carried on to teen years, and eventually, to adult years.

Of course, when a person is obese, it is the abnormally fat figure which is always being ridiculed, bullied, and harassed at.

Unfortunately, the problem goes beyond the appearance and social distraction.

Obesity, as clinically discovered, can lead to some chronic diseases, such as heart failure and diabetes. It can even go worse, as these diseases can hit a person as early as in their childhood obese years.

So, instead of giving in to your children’s

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craving of sugar-loaded and fattening foods or unhealthy habits of being inactive most of the day, start looking out for the best weight control program for children. This is imperative if you don’t want to see your children suffering from chronic diseases and be plagued with expensive hospital treatments.

If you can’t simply get your obese child to eating the right or healthy foods, just think of the life and death matter, which is not a far possibility if not given the right treatment.

There are many approaches available for you to successfully lure your children to get treated, to eat healthily, and live normally, just like other healthy children. So, there is no big deal if you’re thinking how you can encourage your child.

When choosing weight control program for children, you need to be very careful. If you are thinking you can apply your kind of diet, it isn’t going to treat the obesity problem of your child. This is because children basically need different kinds of nutrition as you do.

Weight control programs for adults are different from weight control for children. It is therefore recommended that you consult

with the right persons, such as a pediatrician or nutritionist, before you submit your child to a specific weight control program.

The diet with which children are subjected to focuses on lowering weight gain while they are growing. It emphasizes the need of resorting to healthy eating habits as well as active lifestyle rather than just being in front of the television or computer sets all the time.

Now, when it comes to talking or encouraging your child into undergoing a specific weight control program, this not a difficult phase at all. What you need to do is to ensure you show your support and love for them. Make sure you are clear about how you are very much concerned over their health and future well-being.

Also, it is important that you guide them all throughout their childhood to teen years and even from teen to adult years. It is also a big factor to being successful in treating obesity problems if you can be a role model to them, from your eating habits, activeness, and healthy living ways. If you can increase family activities, then you even increase chances of being successful in this matter.

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The Italian Food Diet

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t seems recently that among health circles Italian food has gotten a bad rep.

With the advent of Atkins many former Italian food fans have steered clear of the cuisine because of all the pasta that is used.

However, this idea that pasta will make you fat is largely unfounded. A diet of Italian food, especially from the Mediterranean is actually very healthy and will keep you looking and feeling great as long as you know what Italian food to eat and how to prepare it.

A great example of the fact that Italian food will not make you fat is in Sophia Loren. She told the world in her book that she grew up on spaghetti and ate it constantly. She says that it is not the pasta that makes you fat; it's what you put on top of it. People who gain weight eating Italian food typically do so not because of the pasta, but because of creamy sauces like Alfredo sauce and because they eat in too large portions. Italian food from the Mediterranean doesn't rely on rich, thick sauces and uses olive oil instead of butter, making it very healthy.

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It all starts with the ingredients you keep. For good, healthy Italian food you want to make sure you stock the kitchen with quality pasta, olive oil, garlic, onions, lean meat, fish, and seafood. For seasoning you will want some herbs like basil, oregano, and parsley. You'll want to stay away from a lot of cheese and perhaps only get a little parmesan cheese to top your favorite Italian food dishes. The creamy and cheesy Italian food dishes are the ones you're going to want to stay away from to keep a healthy diet.

There are several different light Italian food meals that you can prepare with these simple ingredients. Here is one to start you off, an Italian food classic, pasta with tomato sauce.

You can use any type of pasta you want and you might want to try livening it up with variety. Italian food is not just spaghetti noodles. Boil the pasta in water with salt.

Make sure not to overcook the pasta. You want it to be firm, yet tender. The most common mistake made in making Italian food is making mushy pasta. For the sauce

simply chop up some garlic, an onion, and some tomatoes. Take a tablespoon of your quality olive oil and sautĂŠ both the garlic and onions until they are soft. Once that is done add the tomatoes and cook until all the ingredients are blended together well. To top it off add your favorite herbs such as parsley, oregano, or basil. Try different combinations of herbs, there is no definitive herbs for Italian food so experiment and give your sauce your own signature flavor.

Serve this sauce over your hot pasta and if you want put a little sprinkle of parmesan on it. This is a simple Italian food dish that stands on its own and you won't need to eat bread or anything else with it. This is a great example of how healthy Italian food is supposed to be, light and fresh.

Feel free to try different variations on this recipe. Italian food is full of a variety of pastas and recipes that can keep you satisfied and healthy as long as you stay away from the heavy sauces and creams.

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10 Foods For A Good

Night’s Sleep 8. Sweet potatoes- As sweet as it sounds, it lives upto its name when it comes to helping you find a sweet night rest. This sweet goodness is truly a sleeper’s dream food.

They contain potassium, a muscle relaxant and are enriched with sleep promoting complex carbohydrates, rich in fibre and high in vitamins and minerals.

1. Banana- Banana is a nutritious sleeping pill in a peal. Banana contains muscle relaxing nutrients like magnesium and potassium including active hormones known as tryptophan that helps in releasing the soothing melatonin and serotonin that makes you ready for a good night sleep. You can make a quick smoothie with banana, milk and add some crushed ice or slice it and add it to your dinner dessert.

2. Milk-Your mom was right about the warm glass of milk before bed time. It’s not an old tale anymore. Milk contains the amino acid tryptophan which metabolizes into serotonin and melatonin, the compounds that help promote relaxation and sleep. There is also this psychological linking to infancy, when a bottle of warm milk meant “relax, all is well”.

3. Honey -Trickle a little honey into your warm milk or herb tea. Honey stabilizes the blood sugar levels which release melatonin that slows nerve impulses to your brain. A

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little honey at bedtime signals your brain to turn off orexin, a neurotransmitter linked to alertness, as latest research specify.

5. Jasmine rice- This floral aromatic rice also known as “Thai fragrant rice” is the best kind of rice to enjoy before bedtime. It is a high glycemic index food which increases the ratio of tryptophan to other amino acids in the brain, which promotes the release of serenity boosting serotonin, a sleep inducing hormone. Jasmine rice is also a rich source of magnesium, a compound known for its ability to reduce stress due to its relaxing effect on the muscles and nervous system.

Magnesium also helps prevent restless leg syndrome and night terrors, both of which can affect sleep vastly.

6. Flaxseeds- When life’s events take a twist and make you feel a little doomed, sprinkle these healthy seeds on your dinner meal or bedtime snacks. It’s loaded with goodness such as omega-3 fatty acids and phytonutrients to plump up your good mood and helps you achieve a peaceful sleep.

7. Chamomile tea –Chamomile tea is a nighttime tea known for its soothing effects and its ability to relieve insomnia. Being a staple of bedtime tea blends, chamomile is the perfect natural antidote to calm mind and body. So, if you have been having sleepless and restless nights just have a warm cup of calming chamomile tea at bedtime and have that sound sleep you so richly deserve.

9. Oatmeal- Your bowl of oatmeal is not only to keep you active throughout the day, but also a great food for a good night’s sleep due to the fact that the carbohydrates cause a serotonin release in the body. Serotonin is a “feel-good”hormone that decreases levels of stress and guides your mind to be in a much calmer state.

10. Hummus- The chickpeas and sesame seeds used in making hummus is a great source of L-tryptophan, rich with folates and other B vitamins which produce melatonin.

If you find yourself waking up at night all hungry, then you should munch on this Middle Eastern goodness all through the day or hours before bedtime.

Eat Right and Sleep Tight

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good night’s sleep is the gateway to good health. Did you have a good night’s sleep yesterday? If yes, you may probably be having a good day today full of energy and vitality. More good news for the well-rested, you have greater immunity and you are protected from various health disorders, such as high blood pressure, diabetics including psychological disorders like depression and anxiety. For those who find it difficult to getting a well-deserved sleep, not to worry, we have tips and secrets for you on getting those 8-9 hours of peaceful sleep. The secret is right there in your kitchen.

Nature has bestowed us with sleep inducing wonder foods. Yes, here we a reveal - 10 types of food to have before bedtime. These foods help in relaxing tense muscles, calm your digestive system, and quiet your buzzing mind. Snoozing yet?

4.

Cherries- Those pretty little red things could help you fall asleep faster Cherries contain hormone and antioxidant melatonin, which regulates the sleep cycle in the human brain and help improve quality of sleep. So, make sure to get hold of a handful of cherries before bedtime, fresh, dried or sip a glass of cherry juice for a good night’s sleep (Enjoying the calorie loaded cherry pie wouldn’t do the deal!) www.spafaery.com

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Coffee Has Antioxidants That Are Good For The Body Getting eight hours of rest, a good diet and taking multivitamins are the best ways to maintain a healthy body. But did people know that drinking coffee is also beneficial because it has antioxidants?

This was discovered after researchers did further tests to check if there are any effects of drinking coffee aside from increased alertness. Studies conclude that taking two to three cups daily can prevent various diseases such as Parkinson's disease, depression and the prevention of cavities.

Another study shows that the antioxidants contained in coffee are more effective than those coming from fruits and vegetables. This is because not all of the nutrients here have done much to protect the individual from various diseases.

Aside from coffee, other substances that also contains caffeine, which can help boost the immune system, are tea and chocolate. Red wine or beer is also helpful but these must be consumed in moderation.

Green coffee beans for example have something inside called chlorogenic acid.

This is an antioxidant that helps regulate the digestive system and makes the body absorb oxygen much better than other liquids.

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Regular black coffee on the other hand has caffeic acid, melanoidins and N-methylpyridinium.

There are people who drink coffee with cream, milk or sugar. Even if one or all three are mixed with coffee, the level of antioxidants remains the same so people can still reap the benefits of drinking it.

So, the next time you go to a cafĂŠ and decide to get a drink, chances are coffee will be ordered instead of a cup of tea. You will just have to choose from the different variants now available which could be either hot or cold.

Studies have shown that there is nothing wrong with drinking more than three cups of coffee daily. Some people are able to do it while others can't. The best thing to do is know when enough is enough. After all, there is always tomorrow and it isn't that difficult to brew up a new batch. By engaging in other things that will benefit one's lifestyle, you will surely live until one is in 70's or 80's.

The only ones who shouldn't drink coffee are those who are pregnant, are suffering from heart disease or children who will become restless with the excess energy due to the caffeine.

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steaming cup of coffee in the morning is one of the best wake-up calls that a person can have.

It is so good that people can't even function without having one cup in the wee hours of the morning. Coffee can indeed be addicting. Some even drink five to 10 cups a day especially when they are at the office wherein coffee is one of the staples, whether in meetings or in simple brainstorming sessions.

But what is it in coffee that we just can’t go without? Is it just the taste that we just can’t get enough of or is there more?

Lifestyle at its best

Coffee drinking in the country has ceased to be just a drink. It has become a lifestyle. People who drink coffee and hang out in coffee houses are perceived to be the corporate types who enjoy high standards of living. Also, coffee houses in the country have also become more sophisticated, installing in their areas wifi connections, which people can use to surf the net for free.

Social aspect Coffee drinks have become the beers or the wines of the new generation. People get together and just talk over a cup of coffee. They hang out and just chat about anything under the sun. This is perhaps why coffeehouses have also become hang out places of people, even those who conduct meetings.

Stimulating ideas Coffee is the number one drink when people are brainstorming or just plain discussing about something.

This is because coffee can be really stimulating to the senses, thus aiding in mental work and creativity.

Calming the nerves Coffee is also a wonderful way to relax the senses.

Despite being a stimulant, coffee can actually soothe the senses because of the heat that it provides the body.

After meal habit People have also gained the habit of drinking coffee after every meal. Some believe that this is because coffee can aid in the digestion of food or help in letting the food flow freely into the body. Some drink coffee because it washes off the after taste of the foods that they eat.

Delicious With the great tasting flavors and mixes that has come up, who wouldn't want to drink coffee? There is the Cappuccino with its cream and milk or the coffee topped with cherries or strawberries. Gone are the days when you just drink your coffee black or just add some sugar to it. With so much variety, who can resist?

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What we love about coffee

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Acupuncture The Tale of the Needles

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m… What’s the deal with acupuncture? Can it really help you for better? Treatment with needles and no prescription drugs? And you even fall asleep on the treatment table with the needles in?"

"I’ve a very low threshold for pain. Will it hurt?"

"You barely feel the needles? Oh really?! How can that be?"

Acupuncturists have encountered these types of questions for thousands of years.

Yes it is not a latest field of science, it began in China and has been practiced for more than 5,000 years and do you know, it was stones, fish bones and bamboo that the first acupuncture specialists used for this treatment! Ouch! The thought of it hurts!

There is an imbalance in your life force otherwise known as Qi which causes certain illnesses, and this is the principle behind this concept. It's based on the theory that energy, called chi flows through and around your body along pathways, it is believed that this flows in 14 channels in the human body known as meridians which branch out to bodily organs and functions. If there is a blockage or obstruction in any of them, this is when you succumb to a disease or an illness. The imbalance in the Qi may go one way or the other because of Yin and Yang. The person can only be normal if there is harmony between the two which is what acupuncture is trying to achieve. This can only be restored by stimulating these acupuncture points so your Qi can be adjusted, balanced and harmonized.

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"I'm afraid of needles, except acupuncture needles” as said by Catherine O'Hara, Canadian-American actress and writer, it’s true that acupuncture needles really do not hurt. Modern-day acupuncture needles feature single-use, sterilized, stainless steel iterations, about as thin as cat’s hair. Unlike Western-style hypodermic needles, which flare out at the tip and cut the skin as they enter, acupuncture needles gently separate the skin. You may feel slight pressure, tingle or feel numb when a needle goes in, but it doesn't hurt!

But the good thing is it’s a sign that the energy flow, or chi, has been accessed. It’s not just the needles that are used as part of the treatments; practitioners also use friction, heat, impulses of electromagnetic energy and pressure to stimulate these points in order to balance the movement of energy in the body to reduce one’s health. An example of this is sonopuncture where an ultrasound device that transmits sound waves is applied to these points in the body. Some use a tuning fork and other vibration devices.

Acupressure is another example and here, the fingers are used to relive the pain. This can be used by itself or with other manual healing techniques. Impulses of electromagnetic energy are used because our bodies generate tiny but electrical discharges which influence the function, growth and maturity of certain types of cells. By inserting the needles in these areas, it stimulates and alters the neurotransmitters in the body thus making the patient feel better after treatment. This is also sometimes used for diagnosis and testing.

Acupuncture is extremely successful in the treatment of a multitude of conditions. Many

people try this is as a “last resort” to serious and complex medical problems and find cure in that. Acupuncture is also often used as a preventative medicine. Many people see their acupuncturist only 2-4 times a year for a "tune up" or "balancing" treatment. This can prevent disease and promote health, energy and vitality.

You might be surprised to know that besides the aforementioned colds, flu’s, allergies, and obviously pain, Acupuncture can effectively treat an enormous variety of conditions.

For the most part, if you can name it, I can treat it. Acupuncture works as an effective alternative and adjunct treatment modality to conventional techniques and medications for everything from acute illnesses to chronic conditions.

It keeps you in a state of wonder that poking needles wouldn’t cause pain but cease it altogether. Acupuncture is most commonly known to treat bodily pains such as muscular pains and arthritis. Based on the traditional Chinese saying,“Where there is no movement there is pain, where is movement, there is no pain,” stimulating acupoints influences the meridians, unblocks obstructions, and helps reestablish the regular flow of Qi through the meridians. There are many types of arthritis, and each have a different acupuncture procedure. Wondering what kind of pain can be treated? Any pain you could probably think about such as acute backaches, shoulder and neck aches, leg pains, trapped nerves, muscle related injuries after surgery, carpal tunnel syndrome, sports injuries, severe headaches and migraines, menstrual pains, tooth aches, abdominal pains, and rheumatic pains.

The benefit of Acupuncture in pain reduction is also widely accepted by allopathic doctors.

During the recovery stage after surgeries, opioids or pain controlling medicines are given to patients, but these have adverse side effects and can actually increase the length of recovery time after the surgical procedure.

"While the amount of opioids needed for patients who received acupuncture was much lower than those who did not have acupuncture, the most important outcome for the patient is the reduction of the side effects associated with opioids," said Tong Joo (T.J.) Gan, M.D., a Duke anesthesiologist who presented the results of the analysis at the annual scientific conference of the American Society for Anesthesiology in San Francisco. Gan recommends that acupuncture should be considered a viable option for pain control in surgery patients as it reduces the amount of potent painkillers needed by the patients and their potential side-effects.

Poking yourself with sharp objects might not seem like the most effective way to improve your sleep, right? But with acupuncture needles, it really works! Even during the treatment, you may fall asleep half way through; well it really acts like a sleeping pill without those side-effects. It works at the nerve levels, relaxing and soothing your senses. Acupuncture is thought to be a safer route for insomnia because it brings back your natural sleeping cycle through natural means and not through chemicals, which can turn into an addiction.

Dr. Wang Fuda, of Greenville Research Clinic in southern Taiwan advocates that acupuncture employed correctly can retrain the body's immune system to defeat a common flu to the life-threatening

cancer. It’s a simple idea and yet profound.

Forget endorphins. Forget improved blood circulation. Forget placebo. This is how acupuncture works—by strengthening our natural resistance to disease by increasing the production of the body’s so-called “natural killer cells,”one of the body’s primary defense mechanisms against organisms that make us sick, and treatments regulate the production and function of white blood cells directly linked to the fight against infections, allergic reactions, and even autoimmune disorders. Acupuncture treatments have a system-wide effect on optimizing and rebalancing the relationship between all of the complex, interconnected body systems including Digestive, Endocrine, Lymphatic, and Nervous Systems that work together to create our Immune System.

And it’s not just for physical health, have you ever thought that those little acupuncture needles poked into your body could improve your psychological well-being? Well, acupuncture is holistic treatment, which works best on all level of body and mind. It is widely recommended for symptoms of depression and anxiety such as irritability, insomnia, loss of appetite, loss of interest in social activity and in the depths of despair tendencies. Acupuncture is thought to relieve stress and improve flow of energy that may be causing the depressive symptoms. It is extremely safe, highly effective and a completely natural approach to regaining and maintaining health and well-being, mentally, physically and emotionally.

The World Health Organization (WHO), has recognized Acupuncture to be effective in

treating over 56 different conditions, the list continues to grow. There is no one treatment fits all concept, it is customized related to particular illness and the complexity of it.

The duration of treatments depends on the conditions whether it is chronic, acute or serious illness. For chronic illnesses, typically recommended is a series of ten appointments a week apart is recommended, with different needles used at each appointment. For acute illnesses, concentrated appointments closer together are usually recommended. For severe illnesses, every day appointments are recommended, and as symptoms improve it’s spaced out accordingly.

Commonly treated conditions include any acute or chronic pain, migraines, headaches, neuropathies or neuralgias such as sciatica, digestive disorders, anxiety, depression, high stress levels, infertility, menopause symptoms, respiratory disorders, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, High Blood Pressure or Cholesterol, vertigo, dizziness, even things like toothache and acne- and know this is just the tip of the iceberg.

As said by Author Bob Goddard, “There must be something in acupuncture-you never see a sick porcupine.”If you are encountering any of the ailments mentioned or any others, acupuncture may just be the remedy for you. Acupuncture does not treat the disease, it treats the individual. Acupuncture is harmless, has virtually no side-effects and is known to promote health and a sense of well-being. It is a healthy, chemical-free alternative to traditional forms of medical treatment.

Acupuncture

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oday, we live in an increasingly selfconscious world, one in which it is easy to become obsessed with how we look. Looking younger seems almost to be a national obsession.

Increasingly, wrinkles are regarded as unwanted facial characteristics. Newer and more potent treatments and drugs vie for our attention; claiming that they will reduce wrinkles and give us a more youthful appearance.

Why do most anti-aging treatments and surgeries focus on the face and neck as the area for enhancement? This is because usually the face and neck most clearly betrays the effect of passing time.

Being one of the most "exposed" parts of our body to the surrounding environment, the face reflects the ravages of time quite faithfully. Haven’t you noticed that you can very accurately estimate the age of a person merely by looking at their face?

Even babies are born with this skill – they can differentiate between the face of an adult and a child.

There are very clear biological and environmental factors behind the maturing of our faces and wrinkles. As a person grows older, the shape of their cranium actually changes.

The skin tends to become darker with the passage of years. Also, it loses its elasticity and becomes less flexible.

Not only that, it becomes rougher but also more leathery. Various blemishes and discolorations appear on the skin. Not only is an aging face betrayed by lines and wrinkles, it also plays host to pouches and folds.

The pores of our skin appear wider, bags appear under the eyes and the very skin appears to sag. These conditions can often result in a double chin.

Many consider the above conditions unsightly. The sight of facial wrinkles and sagging chins is enough to send some of

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Facial Wrinkles – Iron Out the Facts and Solutions

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wrinkles are caused by the breakdown of the collagen and elastin fibers

us rushing to the nearest plastic surgeon or botox treatment.

May be a better strategy should be to look into the reasons behind the appearance of wrinkles. Only then we can understand this process and attempt to actually reverse it.

Most experts will cite photo damage or sun damage as the primary reason behind wrinkles. This is because the sun’s rays can very easily penetrate the skin’s surface.

These rays can actually physically destroy the delicate tissues of our skin, leading to wrinkles.

Although sun tanning is a very fashionable activity, research indicates that this could lead to earlier and also deeper wrinkles.

You might think that tanning, burning, and peeling is the only damage the sun can cause.

These are, in fact, only the more apparent and superficial effects of sun damage.

-- The Deeper Ravages of the Sun -Sunrays can cause much damage to the deeper layers of the skin. This is because Ultra Violet rays (in sunlight) have different bandwidth. UV rays and can actually penetrate much deeper into our skin.

Darker skin tones tend to be much less vulnerable to skin burns. However, in the way they respond to wrinkles because of sun damage is not very different. Apart from wrinkles, the sun also causes dryness of skin and the manifestation of age spots – all signs of a skin struggling to survive the challenges of time.

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Studies show that most age related wrinkles start appearing around the age of 27. This also depends on a number of factors apart from the environment like...

– facial habits - genetic inheritance and - skin care regimens.

Biologically, wrinkles are caused by the breakdown of the collagen and elastin fibers.

These fibers lie beneath our skin and which give it its flexibility and firmness.

Ultra violet rays contribute to the damage of skin fibers. What follows is when stretched, our skin is no longer capable of "snapping" back. This helps lead to wrinkles.

Gravity is also an acknowledged culprit in this game. It constantly pulls our skin downwards and causes it to sag over a period of time.

This is especially visible on the face and neck and on our upper arms.

Cigarette smoking is another cause for early wrinkle formation. Scientists are not sure of the reason behind this, but studies have consistently shown that smokers are far more susceptible to wrinkle damage than nonsmokers.

This is even evidenced when both smokers and nonsmokers belonged to the same age group. In these test groups participants exposure to the sun had been similar and their complexion was of similar types. The smokers experienced more wrinkles in their skin. Scientists suppose that this might

happen because of the damage that the cigarette smoke causes to elastin.

Other factors which have been proposed to explain the formations of wrinkles like hormone loss as we age. Free radicals are said to attack our skin. Certain areas of our facial skin reflect age much earlier. Is the case especially in areas around our eyes and lips and our foreheads.

This is because our skin repeatedly folds around these regions. Our skin actually "remembers" our habitual expressions and over time. It gets permanently folded accordingly.

Botox injections have proven especially effective when these specific facial features have been targeted.

Some over the counter formulas are now available to help in the fight against the ravages of time. Rejuvinol™, available at www.BODeStore.com, may be one of these products. It is a unique nutrientrich moisturizer that nourishes, tones and rehydrates for firmer, more resilient skin.

Skin is protected from oxidation (aging), sun and environmental damage. It contains Hyaluronic Acid, a naturally occurring substance in the body, is one of the most effective moisturizing agents available.

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- Create a salon like atmosphere while doing a facial at home. Ideally they tie your hair in high ponytail or make you wear a band around head. Choose to do what ever you feel comfortable about.

- Start by splashing tepid water all over your face. Massage your face gently with water.

Repeat it twice or thrice and let your face air dry.

- While your face is still damp, massage vitamin E on your face. Let your face soak the oil for 5 minutes or so. Use a mild soap to remove the oil from your face.

Facial Mask At Home

Spending a bomb to buy a facial product with claims of having all natural ingredients for beautiful skin and having drastic results on its usage is very depressing for any beauty conscious woman. We see wide varieties of cosmetics available in supermarkets, department stores, health food stores as well as internet and TV. Not everybody has the same skin type.

What product works on your friend’s skin, might not work for you and vice versa. If you buy a product for your skin type, it could have adverse effect as there could be some chemical or ingredient which could cause a reaction on your skin. Moral of the story – “Not all cosmetic products work well for everyone’s skin”.

Cosmetics labeled as having “natural ingredients” do contain some amount of artificial chemicals or elements. With over priced cosmetics made from natural ingredients, many people have started preparing beauty products at home. Making a facial mask at home with all the ingredients available in the kitchen is quite easy and inexpensive.

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- Again splash your face with water at room temperate. Repeat it for 2 or 3 times. Avoid towel drying your face.

- Next make your facial mask. Blend 1 egg white or fresh Aloe Vera juice of same quantity, 2 tsp vegetable oil and 1 tsp pure apple juice in a clean bowl.

- Dip your hands in the facial mask and apply the mask to your skin. Start with your chin, move upwards and then outwards skipping the area around the eyes and lips.

- Now you have to just sit back and relax. Cover your eyes with wet cotton balls or cucumber pieces. The mask has to dry completely. An ideal time for a small nap.

- Mask takes anywhere from 20 – 30 minutes to dry. You feel your skin tightened when the mask is dry. Splash water all over face and gently remove the mask with light massage strokes on your face. Continue doing this till your face is cleared of the entire home made facial mask. Let your face air dry.

Use this home made facial mask once or twice a week or depending up on the time you have on hand. You will feel fresh and have much younger looking face all the time.

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I

t's amazing what juicing can do for your health. Doctors often recommend juicing diet to patients in adverse health conditions and they soon manage to get back on their feet after they started juicing.

This doesn't mean you should replace your doctor with juice, but a little juice can go a long way when it comes to your health. If you're looking to juice for a specific health benefit or a condition that you have, then you’re just on the right track for reaching optimal health.

Remember a time when juice was just juice?

Now it’s much more than that, as reported by the Wall Street Journal, it’s a status symbol and a fashion trend now. Thanks to celebrities who promote the benefits of juicing like Owen Wilson, Alicia Silverstone, Blake Lively, who endorses the products and other proponents which include Ryan Seacrest, who sips on a nutritious blend of collard greens, kale, broccoli, coconut water and green tea, even Gwyneth Paltrow has been known to follow a week-long juice diet.

But does this nutritious thirst-quenching trend truly promote health or is it just hype?

Let’s find out.

What do you think is the most important drink in our lives?...hmm well it’s not your energy drink loaded with unwanted calories, it simply is plain water. Water and juice have different functions in our life. As most of us know, we can go days without proper food, but without water it’s a straight no. Water is 156

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our Body’s Lifeblood. As the body can’t store water, we need fresh supplies every day to make up for losses from our body.

Water is needed to maintain the health and integrity of every cell in the body, keep the bloodstream fluid enough to flow through blood vessels, help eliminate the byproducts of the body’s metabolism, helps to flush out toxins, regulate body temperature through homeostasis, lubricate and cushion joints, carry nutrients and oxygen to the body’s cells, and many more processes in our body.

Drinking fresh water plays a major role in reducing the risk of certain diseases. Although water is important to our health, that alone wouldn’t give us the nutrient to lead a healthy life. A juice is a win-win situation where you get the advantage of drinking water along with the benefits of fruits and vegetables.

A diet containing lots of fruits and vegetables will supply about 4 cups of water per day.

Even with a diet high in fruits and vegetables, it is still necessary to drink an additional 6 to 8 cups of water per day to supply enough water to meet the body’s daily requirements.

So why not combine both in one? Juice can actually be considered a natural water source which provides the body with protein, carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that can be absorbed quickly and efficiently. Fresh juice also contains necessary enzymes, and pigments such as carotenes, chlorophyll, and flavonoids.

Plus, these drinks are automatically low in ingredients you want to avoid, like toxic fats,

added sugars and salt. For this, they receive an A+. These nutrients can help protect against cardiovascular disease, cancer and various inflammatory diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis. Valuable compounds called flavonoids and anthocyanin are abundant in a variety of fruits and vegetables and guard against oxidative cellular damage, which comes from everyday cellular maintenance and is exacerbated by exposure to chemicals and pollution.

Ready to give juicing a whirl? It's an easy way to get more fruits and veggies into your diet.

Virtually every health authority recommends that we get 6-8 servings of vegetables and fruits per day and very few of us actually get that. Many of us have relatively compromised intestines as a result of improper food choices over many years. This limits our body’s ability to absorb all the nutrients from the vegetables, whereas juicing tends to facilitate this absorption more efficiently.

“It is the shortcut to getting several servings of fruits and vegetables into one glass,” says Wendy Dickerman, dietician and clinical nutrition manager at Mercy Suburban Hospital in Pennsylvania, United States.

Vegetable and fruit juicing is also well suited for the fast moving lifestyle which we have in today’s world. It makes it possible for busy individuals to add more healing nutrients into their diets with minimal effort. Juicing is an easy way to virtually guarantee that you will reach your daily intake of vegetables and fruits.

Juice Up Your Life Juice It Up!

“If you’re not big into fruits and vegetables, it’s a good way to get them in," says nutritionist Jennifer Barr, RD, of Wilmington, DE. You should still eat fruits and vegetables, too, says Manuel Villacorta, RD, founder of Eating Free, a weight management program. Aim to eat two whole fruits and three to four vegetables a day. Choose them in different colors, so you get a good mix of vitamins and minerals.

Juicing fresh fruits and vegetables provides numerous nutritional advantages that are extremely important to overall health. In addition, diets containing a high percentage of raw foods are significantly associated with weight loss, improved blood sugar control, and lower blood pressure. Do you know your appetite finds a raw foods diet more filling?

Cooking can cause the loss of up to 97% of water-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Since uncooked foods such as juices contain more vitamins and other nutrients, they are more satisfying to the body, so it does not feel starved for nutrients. This means the metabolism will keep running efficiently and keep your weight loss efforts headed in the right direction To all those who struggle with attaining the right weight and being fit, don’t be startled next time when you climb on to the weight scale, juicing would definitely do the trick.

It’s a sure thing! Juicing kick-starts your body's digestive process and enables quick absorption of high-quality nutrients, which can result in increased energy, this one of the great advantages of achieving weight loss through improved nutrition. Fresh juices, combined with a well-balanced diet will provide you with the energy needed to burn more calories, fat, and provide you with the fuel you need for physical activity.

In order to keep your digestive system working smoothly, we need to include a rich source of fiber into your daily diet. You must know that, juicing does remove the fiber from these nutrient-dense foods. So be sure to include an appropriate amount of fiber-rich foods in your daily diet. You can add dissolvable fiber powder to your juices or supplement with a suitable number of fiber-rich solid foods (like prunes or pears) to compensate. Juicing should be a complement to a well-balanced healthy diet, not a substitute.

So juicing is not actually just a hype, it really is beneficial when followed as part of your wellbalanced diet and with a little planning and creativity, juicing could enhance your wellbalanced diet and add some zest. Happy juicing!

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Directory Guide / Spa & Wellbeing

CHI, The Spa, Shangri-La

The Spa, Address Downtown

Blending UK ingredients with French techniques, The Spa at the Shangri-La offers Peak and Off-peak prices, giving you the opportunity to save Dhs100 per treatment during quieter hours. The menu is a mix of signature rituals, facials and massages, with special treatments for couples, teen and men. you can also enjoy a range of 20-minutes‘add on’ services for Dhs195, such as a hand and arm massage.

A holistic approach to mind and body is reflected in our signature therapies. Inspired by the wisdom of ancient cultures, we employ the Oriental healing techniques of Thai, shiatsu and reflexology, as well as the massage traditions of Bali and Hawaii.

Treatments include luxuriant signature facials, purifying body wraps, intense body scrubs and intricate hand and foot care.

Shangri-La Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai.

Open: Daily 9am to 10pm Tel: (04) 3438888 Metro: Dubai Financial Centre Website: shangrila.com

Amara Spa, Park Hyatt The Amara concierge will customise your experience using the ancient healing philosophies of Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald and Diamond. These precious jewels, each with its own physical and spiritual benefits, combined with the finest products, Arabian teas and authentic delicacies, ensure a personalised experience.

13th floor, The Address Downtown Dubai Open: Daily 9am to 10pm Tel: (04) 436 8755 Metro: Dubai Financial Centre Website: www.theaddress.com

Amara Spa, Park Hyatt Dubai Open: Daily 9am to 10pm Tel: (04) 602 1661 Metro: Palm Jumeirah Website: www.hyatt.com

Sofitel Dubai One&Only Spa Acclaimed internationally as a rejuvenating destination spa, One&Only partnered with ESPA to create a centre of pampering excellence and wellbeing for the best treatments and massages in Dubai. A serene sanctuary with 12 private treatment suites, the spa offers a range of holistic and tailored experiences to help aid the relaxation of mind, body and soul.

One&Only Royal Mirage, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai.

Open: Daily 9am to 10pm Tel: (04) 3152140 Metro: Dubai Media City Website: oneandonlyroyalmirage.ae

Talise Ottoman Spa Behind vast carved turquoise doors within the luxurious Jumeirah Zabeel Saray Hotel, lies the palatial Talise Ottoman Spa. Winner of multiple awards including The World Travel Awards ‘UAE’s Leading Spa Resort’ in 2011 and 2012 and the ‘Best Spa’ category in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’Choice Awards 2013, Talise Ottoman Spa is an experience like no other. With 42 treatment rooms, eight hydrotherapy rooms, steam rooms, saunas, snow rooms, floating baths and two thalassotherapy pools, you’ll discover almost limitless ways to treat yourself.

Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Palm Jumeirah Dubai Open: Daily 9am to 9:30pm Tel: (04) 453 0456 Metro: Palm Jumeirah Website: www.jumeirah.com

Be thrilled by a sunny Polynesian island theme, with vertical gardens, fresh flowers and artworks bringing elegance to luminous interiors. Personal service makes every guest and visitor feel special. A cozy retreat from Dubai, the brand new resort sprawls on a long private beach on Palm Jumeirah’s East Crescent. Cruise, water-ski, sunbathe by the pool, arrange golf, rediscover well-being in So SPA. Families love the Kids Club.

Sofitel Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa Open: Daily 9am to 10pm Tel: (04) 4556677 Metro: Palm Jumeirah Website: www.sofitel.com

Directory Guide / Spa & Wellbeing

ShuiQi Spa and Fitness

Spa at Hilton Jumeirah Resort

ShuiQi Spa and Fitness is a memorable experience, awakening your senses, within awe-inspiringandserenewatersurroundings.

It is a tranquil place of serenity, opulence and pure indulgence. Set over two floors within the Royal Towers of Atlantis, the Spa provides a sublime range of treatments, bathing options, traditional and water therapies.

With his and her separate areas and sessions, every guest can find the ideal treatment or therapy.

In the right hands, wellness is an art. That’s our spa philosophy. Surrender yourself to the hands of our skilled team for an experience you’ll long remember. From invigorating body treatments to hydrating facials and indulgent massages, therapies are designed to leave you refreshed, renewed and revitalized. The spa is next door to the health club facilities that offer 400 sq. meters of strength and cardio equipment, and separate male and female steam rooms and saunas

Atlantis The Palm, Crescent Road The Palm, Dubai Open: Daily 10am to 10pm Tel: (04) 426 2000 Metro: Palm Jumeirah Website: www.atlantisthepalm.com

The Spa at Fairmont Dubai Find your energy at this tranquil Dubai spa hotel and spa retreat. Experience a range of unique Dubai spa experiences combined with proven methodology for relaxation and rejuvenation. The spa covers over 40,000 square feet and offers two distinct experiences; all offering luxury spa amenities in Dubai. One being the dedicated spa facility with a luxurious Romanesque feel throughout. It has separate male and female sections, both featuring an opulent Jacuzzi area with Turkish Hammam inspired steam rooms, invigorating ice shower, two relaxing footbaths and a total of eight private treatment and relaxation rooms.

Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Resort, Dubai Marina, Dubai Open: Daily 9am to 10pm Tel: (04) 318 2406 Metro: Dubai Marina Website: www.hilton.com

Fairmont Dubai , Sheikh Zayed Road Open: Daily 9am to 10pm Tel: (04) 332 5555 Metro: Trade Center Website: www.fairmont.com

Body Talk Wellness Centre Whether it was a tough day of sightseeing or a successful day of meetings, at The Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach in Dubai you don’t need any excuse to ease away stress or reward yourself with some pampering. And when you’ve finished, enjoy a restful night in one of our rooms. The spa offers a variety of treatments from deep tissue massages to facials and reflexology. A new addition to the spa services are beauty treatments including manicures, pedicures and waxing. It’s time for some you-time.

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts , Dubai Media City, Dubai Open: Daily 9am to 10pm Tel: (04) 367 19 27 Metro: Jumeirah Beach Website: www.moevenpick.com

Raffles Spa The luxury spa at The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC offers a sanctuary of pure indulgence for body, mind and spirit, offering holistic and customised treatments. Release tension and energy at the 24-hour fitness centre, with state-of-the-art equipment and access to a personal trainer, or take a dip in the indoor or rooftop outdoor swimming pools at our luxury Dubai spa hotel

Raffles Spa features exclusive rejuvenating treatments, inspired by Asian, Middle Eastern and European traditions.With seven soothing treatment rooms, including a couple’s suite with private whirlpool and an outside retreat, it is located in the Raffles Garden. Our philosophy is ‘observe the lotus’. It journeys from bud, through blossom, to the radiance of full bloom, creating beauty and purity at each stage - transforming and enlivening, appealing to every sense.

The Ritz-Carlton, Gate Village, DIFC, Dubai Open: Daily 8am to 10pm Tel: (04) 372 2222 Metro: Dubai International Financial Centre Website: www.ritzcarlton.com

Sheikh Zayed Road, Wafi, Dubai, Open: Daily 8am to 10pm Tel: (04) 314 9870 Metro: Dubai International Financial Centre Website: www.raffles.com

The Ritz-Carlton Spa

Directory Guide / Cuisine & Fine Dining

The Grand Imperium

ZHENG HE’S

The grand Imperium serves a wide range of French and international cuisines from breakfast until late. With crystal chandeliers, gilded columns and a terrace offering superb views of the sea, it’s a fabulous venue for any time of day, or occasion. The lavish buffet serves international and Gallic-inspired dishes for breakfast lunch and dinner complemented by an exquisite a la carte menu from AED 225 per person.

Zheng He’s restaurant is a five star Chinese restaurant in Dubai with a fresh twist. Modern, progressive and beyond compare in Dubai.

China’s most modern cuisine is expressed in beautifully prepared and presented dishes which simultaneously combine Western presentation with Chinese flavours - a style which is designed to constantly surprise.

Ground level, left wing, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray Dubai.

Open: Daily 12.30pm to 11pm Tel: (04) 453 0444 Metro: Palm Jumeirah Website: jumeirah.com

ZEST, One&Only The Palm Acclaimed internationally as a rejuvenating destination spa, One&Only partnered with ESPA to create a centre of pampering excellence and wellbeing for the best treatments and massages in Dubai. A serene sanctuary with 12 private treatment suites, the spa offers a range of holistic and tailored experiences to help aid the relaxation of mind, body and soul.

One&OnlyThe Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai.

Open: Daily 12:30pm to 11pm Tel: (04) 440 1030 Metro: Palm Jumeirah Website: oneandonlythepalm.com

Al Mahara, Burj Al Arab Rich, sumptuous flavours, unparalleled taste and texture, and a truly remarkable setting.

Al Mahara, ‘The Oyster Shell’ in Arabic, doesn’t just tantalise your palate; it’s a dining experience that will stimulate all your senses.

The stunning floor to ceiling aquarium inside the restaurant sets the scene for a meal where only the best will do. Sink into the soft seats and be mesmerised by the world of colourful sea life swimming beside your table, while our team of award-winning chefs prepare you something very special.

Beachside, Burj Al Arab Hotel, Dubai Open: Daily 7pm to 11:30pm Tel: (04) 3017600 Metro: Palm Jumeirah Website: www.jumeirah.com

Al Hadheerah A magical Arabian celebration awaits you as the sun sets on Al Hadheerah, amidst the enchanting desert dunes of Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa. Immerse yourself in Arabian culture within the walls of a traditional fort where you will witness a dazzling falconry display, camel caravan, horse show, Arabic singer and Tanoura dancer. Be entertained throughout the evening as mesmerising dancers weave their magic beneath the stars to the sounds of a live band.

Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai Open: Daily 7:30am to 11:30pm Tel: (04) 809 6194 Metro: Jumeirah Website: www.meydanhotels.com

Mina A’ Salam, Madinet Jumeirah, Dubai Open: Daily 7:00pm to 11:30pm Tel: (04) 366 6730 Metro: Burj Al Arab Website: www.jumeirah.com

NEOS The striking sky lounge is definitely a destination venue and a ‘must see’ for those looking for a heightened experience. Located on the 63rd floor, Neos offers stunning city views in an art deco yet contemporary setting. Watch the radiant lights of The Dubai Fountain as you groove to the resident DJ’s rhythmic mixes, and enjoy a superior experience in every way.

Downtown Dubai, Emaar Boulevard, Downtown Dubai Open: Daily 6pm to 2:30apm Tel: (04) 888 3444 Metro: Dubai Mall Website: www.theaddress.com

HABTOOR GRAND BEACH RESORT & SPA Book your stay in Dubai at the 5 star luxurious resort that offers .perfect vistas, where lush landscapes meet the warm Arabian Gulf Situated on the world renowned Jumeirah Beach, the Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa features 446 Rooms and Suites and offers a wealth of facilities and activities. Indulge your senses at any of the 17 themed restaurants and bars, relax by the pool, enjoy the beach and water .sports, then pamper yourself at Elixir Spa For reservations call +971 4 399 5000 or email grandjumeirah@habtoorhotels.com www.habtoorhotels.com