6. th 2009 by admin.

By Anne Ream, Guest Writer

In our current society it is more expensive to be a woman than to be a man. Although some men recognize this, others don’t. I’m not sure why they don’t recognize this, that is their issue to think about.

For women, it’s fairly simple. The majority of women’s clothing (the more feminine type of clothing that most men prefer to see women wearing) is more expensive and does not last as long as men’s clothing. Much of the sportswear for men and women is similar in price and quality but many men prefer to see women wearing the more feminine clothing.

How do I know this? Men have told me about their preferences. Another preference men have told me they have is to be with women who wear makeup. Again, I was told this by many men who informed me they did not want to date certain women because those women did not wear makeup. Makeup is expensive. At least the better makeup is. And as most women know better makeup looks better. It’s easier to put on and it doesn’t hurt your skin the way cheap makeup does.

Another preference many men have is to be with women who have a certain type of body. And so, some women (those whose self-esteem is not yet strong enough to resist being with men who seem to need certain physical attributes in a woman) will go out of their way to have that body type. The least harmful concern seems to be hair type. Long hair is a strong magnet for men who base their attraction (I deliberately use the word “attraction” rather than the word “love”) on the physical attributes of a woman. Another is breast size. Many men criticize a woman’s breasts because they feel they are too small and some even criticize a woman whose breasts, they feel, are too large. This has led to the massive breast augmentation industry. I’ve known several women who have put themselves through this unnecessary operation. One even went through it several times eventually having the enlargement reduced because it was too big and uncomfortable. Breasts have two main purposes; to feed babies and to enhance a woman’s sexual pleasure. Size has very little to do with either one of these purposes. It’s really sad that many women have self-esteem is so low they allow themselves to be manipulated into these surgeries.

As I said in the middle of the last paragraph I’ve used the word “attraction” rather than the word “love” deliberately because attraction is not love. Attraction is simply that and can be the beginning of a relationship, or not. Real love involves work and maturity to help relationships continue through time, problems and challenges. Real love is about the soul of the person, it’s not about the body or shell around the person. It is very sad that women spend extreme amounts of money, effort and time trying to look a certain way for a relationship that might not be able to mature into a lasting love.

What can a woman do? First of all she needs to recognize that attraction will not automatically lead to love. This is a very important point and involves the question of whether or not a man might be addicted to certain physical attributes of some women.

Relationship addiction has nothing to do with love, either. The second thing a woman can do is make sure she is being true to her own value system when she decides whether or not to wear makeup, expensive feminine clothing and whether or not to have cosmetic surgery. Every woman (and man) is born a valuable human being and her value is not based on her appearance (nor is his). Every woman needs to recognize her value and strengths as she is, independent of a relationship. I have always found it interesting to note that many of the men who criticize women’s physical attributes the most are unable to talk about themselves. How can anyone be critical of others when they haven’t taken a good, deep look at themselves? If a woman finds that she is involved with a man who criticizes her appearance a lot, she probably needs to question why she is in the relationship.

Mature love requires that both people be able to evaluate themselves, daily. It requires that both parties think about their feelings and evaluate what those feelings are about. If those feelings are mostly about a physical attraction, the person who has them needs to question whether or not he/she will be able to ethically continue the relationship. Mature love might begin with physical attraction, however love cannot mature unless both parties involved are aware and accepting of the fact that physical attraction will fade. Things always do change! That is life!

About Anne Ream
Anne is a Board Certified Registered art therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor. Anne has been studying human development and relationships for over 45 years. She has been successfully working with families, in various capacities, for over 20 years. Her private practice is in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia PA. She specializes in helping people recover from various types of trauma, difficult changes and loss. Anne has an unusual ability to connect with children and adolescents, along with their parents. Parenting is the most important job we ever do, yet no one shows us how to do it or gives us the support we need. Anne has successfully coached many parents through a variety of critical stages in their children’s lives. Anne’s greatest joy is helping people understand themselves and each other.

Get more information at her Web site:   http://www.annescreativetherapy.com

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23. rd 2008 by admin.

By Jan Smith, Guest Writer

Once upon a time, a long time ago back in the 60’s, very short skirts became the fashion rage. Jean Shrimpton was hotly debated as to whether she should be allowed into Australia for the Melbourne cup because she was known as ‘the legs’ in short skirts. Naturally, Jean arrived amid much publicity.

Australians pretended shock horror and rage and Jean Shrimpton was not remotely disadvantaged by all the publicity. But for the average woman, very short skirts have many disadvantages.

Not least of which is our legs. Many women simply do not have shapely enough legs that can carry off the wearing of a very short skirt gracefully.

Legs have to be more than shapely they also have to be attractive. Nylon stockings make legs more attractive but this is where personal choice and beauty appreciation meets practicality.

Not only are our legs not elegant or sexy enough to show off in a very short skirt but our posture isn’t observed enough to NOT show off more than we intended. How many times have your eyes been drawn to the sudden hiking of a skirt thigh high? More times than many men would like their wives or partners to know about anyway, I’ll bet.

The sudden hiking of a skirt thigh high can be improved upon if the woman is wearing pantyhose nylon stockings. At least these look a bit sexier than the sudden appearance of fish-belly white thighs. But then again, I’m not a male so maybe I’m wrong on that.

But from this woman’s perspective, another of the disadvantages of wearing a very short skirt is the breeze factor. Don’t laugh, but getting a sudden gust of cold wind up bare legs is cold and disconcerting, to be polite.

Very short Skirts leave a lot of bare leg open to the elements and this is very disadvantageous as far as most women are concerned.

Ladies Stockings are more than a sensual garment. Some women are allergic to nylon. Do you know someone who is? For great up-to-the-minute styles visit Jan Smith’s web site at http://mumsdomain.com/womensstockings/

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19. th 2008 by admin.

 By Irina Wardas, Guest Writer

Do you remember an old saying about eating an apple a day to keep the doctors away? A lot of people underestimate the value of good old apples. The apple is one of the best whole fruits, a super food we must eat every day if we want to feel a.

Well, all whole fruits contain valuable minerals, vitamins, enzymes and fiber. You are wondering why apples?

1. Fiber.

Apples are rich in fiber pectin, which we, ladies, need a lot to have clear complexion, metabolic balance, low blood pressure. Pectin (soluble fiber) lowersnot only cholesterol but also body fats. How great is that?!! Apples improve indigestion, and also help with some digestive concerns (for example, if you have a diarrhea - have an apple; if you have a constipation-have an apple!).

2. Antioxidants.

Apple is full of antioxidants to fight free radicals (which, we know,can cause illnesses) and support our immune system, heart and brain.

3. Detox.

Apples and their juice are perfect detox/cleanse food which is beneficial for the liver. They cleanse intestinal tract with fiber which is also very helpful if you want to maintain a healthy weight or to loose extra pounds. The pectin in apples not only reduces cholesterol, but also removes toxic metals, such as lead and mercury, and the residues of radiation.

4. Energy booster.

It is also a perfect healthy snack and natural energy booster. Apples low blood sugar and make us happier and less stressful which benefit emotional depression. Nature gives us apples in the fall, when the nights get longer and seasonal depression might occur. Why is that?

But we have to remember that apples contain natural sugars, so we have to do some exercises to maintain the same weight if we decide to eat as many apples a day as we can.

And, unfortunately, apples contain the highest level of pesticides (along with peaches), and it means that we have to buy them organic (local only if you know the farmers and which fertilizer they use).

Let us remember about healing properties of apples and eat them with the seasons to feel and look fabulous.

To get your free copy of her eBook ” How to Feel and Look Fabulous One Step at a Time” go to her website: http://www.naturalcounselor.com

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9. th 2008 by admin.

Yeah, I know… we have talked about stress so many times that you’re probably sick of hearing about it. But seriously, how do you combat stress? We’re constantly reading the latest and greatest tips on stress relief and then say “that’s nice.” And then we go about our business and all of those good stress relieving tips fade as fast as a dream.

Well, here are some tips that you just have to try. These came to me via one of my favorite self help gurus… Elisabeth Kuhn. If you would like to check her blog out, you can find her link in my blog roll and at the end of this article. Here’s what she wrote to me in our last correspondence:

Dear Jamie,

Last time I talked to you about stress,
so let’s stay with that topic for another
round. I mentioned “breathe” as one remedy, and
I know that you may have rolled your eyes
at that.Yeah, sure, you may think.

I mean it though.  Breathing oxygenates
the body, and it helps relax that whole
chest area etc.

The interesting thing is that one of the
best remedies for stress is intense
exercise.

That seems a bit ironic, doesn’t it?
But it works.  Go for a run, or go to
the gym, or a hard swim, and when you’re
done, you may well have forgotten all
about the stress.

And guess what you were doing while you
were exercising?  You guessed it!

BREATHE

Coincidence?  I think not.

Also, the exercise helps process all those
fight and flight hormones that are flooding
your system when you get stressed. So that
helps as well.

Other things:

Thinking games!  And now don’t laugh, please.

Gratitude lists (I’m quite serious.
Stress doesn’t have a chance if you spend
some real quality time listing all the things
you’re grateful for).

You can also focus on the following question:

What do I want?

And project/think about what it is that you’d
like to happen in the situation.

That too helps get your mind off whatever is
stressing you and helps things go so much
more smoothly.

If you think a beer helps, you’re right.
But it’s not necessarily because of the
alcohol, though in certain doses that can
help as well.  But no, it’s the hops, a
plant that has a calming function.

In fact, you’ll find hops in sleeping pills.
Just take a look at your local health food
store!

Then, there’s that hot bath, with a nice
cup of green tea (with L-Theanine, another
calming substance, right built-in).

And don’t forget some lavender aromatherapy.

Hope this helps.  I’ll write about
an extremely powerful technique
next time.

All best,

Elisabeth

Well, there you have it. Some of the simplest advice I’ve had in a long time. And the funny thing is… she’s right. I never realized how little stress I have after a workout. Yeah, I know I feel good, but the bonus I never realized is the absence of stress. So, take her advice and try some of the tips. I’m sure you will be rewarded.

Best of luck,

Jamie @ the team

For more of Elisabeth’s great tips, visit her blog at http://myfavoriteselfhelpstuff.com or click her link on my blog roll. 

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15. th 2008 by admin.

G. Trainer,  Guest Writer

The minute we got out of bed this morning, millions of us will have stretched and yawned. Stretching in its most basic form is natural, enjoyable and instinctive. Even before getting out of bed, I would recommend doing some simple stretches before putting any weight on to your joints. Try stretching after a hot bath or shower in the morning when your muscles have warmed up or, if you prefer, at the end of the day when your muscles have been naturally warmed.

Why is stretching so important?

When we are young we are blessed with natural mobility and balance, and injuries recover quickly and easily. As we grow older we lose flexibility in our muscles, tendons and ligaments which directly correlates to aching and an increased risk of injury.

Women tend to be significantly more flexible than men, but as we age we all tend to lose flexibility, although it is often down to inactivity rather than the ageing process.

As little as ten minutes a day, three days a week, can improve circulation and posture, and help you manage stress - well-stretched muscles hold less tension. Stretching can decrease pain and soreness after exercise, also known as DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness).

One area where stretching is useful is in the prevention of back pain. Our back is the core of our skeletal and muscular system so it is important we maintain it.

The back moves in only six directions - it flexes forward, extends back, side bends right and left and rotates right and left. Therefore to stretch the back thoroughly we must stretch it every day in all six directions.

The difference between a stretch and a warm-up

Warming up raises muscle temperature - a vital factor for muscle elasticity. Stretching is most effective after a brief warmup such as walking, a light jog or cycling. This increases circulation, making the muscles more ‘elastic’ and less prone to injury.

Static stretching is the gradual movement through a muscle’s full range of movement until a resistance is felt and then the position is held.

When holding a stretch for up to half a minute a warm pulling sensation can be felt through the muscles being stretched. For example, bend forward, touch your toes, hold that position and feel a pulling in the lower back muscles and hamstrings that subsides once the stretch is released.

Should I cool down too?

Absolutely. Cooling down maximises the benefits of stretching and exercise, allowing the body gradually to adjust from an exertional state to a resting state.

Cooling down should involve a lower-intensity slow jog or walk for a minimum of five to ten minutes, followed by stretching. Stretch your muscles and let your heart rate slow down gradually. You can use the same warm-up stretches.

Cooling down helps remove lactic acid from the muscles and allows the heart to return to its resting rate. As you build up your muscular and aerobic capacity, your body will be able to handle higher levels of lactic acid and thus reduce any pain you might feel.

Take in fluids during and after exercise to keep your body hydrated. During exercise you sweat and breathe off huge amounts of fluid, which reduces blood volume and makes you tired. Anyone who exercises vigorously can increase their endurance by taking in fluids.

Heat and ice work wonders

Heat is used to boost circulation as a rich blood supply helps keep tissues nourished. Ice is the perfect anti-inflammatory.

Inflamed tissue produces a substance much like glue that binds the fibres together. Known as adhesions, they cause pain and restricted movement through the injured tissue.

Inflammation complicates and extends the time it takes for recovery. In modern sport treatment, ice is strapped to the affected area even before an athlete has been taken from the field of play.

Ice is best employed the instant the injury happens, and heat once it begins to improve.

More helpful tips at  www.bodyopathy.com 

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