How to Avoid Getting Ripped Off for Auto Repairs

Victoria Rumsey felt as if she was being taken for a ride. The brake warning light on her 2000 Volkswagen Jetta was on, so when she was getting her oil changed at the dealership, she asked the shop to look into it. She was told she needed a new suspension, brake pads and rotors. Rumsey didn't want to put a lot of money into the car, so she told the shop to skip the suspension. Then she got a call from the dealership's used-car division telling her that the service department mentioned she might be in the market for a car because hers was not drivable. Rumsey called the shop and found out that a broken knuckle (part of the steering assembly) would add $2,000 to the tab, and she couldn't drive the car without the fix. She decided to have the car towed from the dealership and ask a friend to do the repairs. The cost of parts: less than $150. "I felt as though I was being misled because I was a woman and didn't know too much about cars," she says

Nine in ten women believe they are treated differently at auto-repair shops than men are, according to a national study by the Car Care Council, an association that encourages consumer education. Even I, the car writer at Kiplinger's, have been the target of repair-shop gender politics. Take our advice on taking control -- but keep in mind, anyone can get ripped off. These rules aren't just for ladies.


Get a clue.


You can diagnose what's wrong before you hit the shop by using the CarMD tool ($99; www.carmd.com). Just plug the hand-held device into your car (every model after 1996 has a standard connection port) and it reads the car's computer codes. You can then plug it into your computer for a full report of what problem the codes indicate, the most likely fix, and what labor and parts for the repair cost in your area. The report also lists recalls for your vehicle and summaries of technical service bulletins (recall notices are also available at www.nhtsa.gov).  See More





As a woman I can relate to this story as I have been in a similar situation. After reading this article I looked into this product and purchased it.  I felt it important to share this knowledge with other woman to help them save money and not be taken advance of again. Now, I am empowered with the knowledge of what condition my car is in before I go to the auto mechanic. This product is worth the one time price, to saving me hundred to thousands on unnecessary repairs.

Do Some Job Interview Practice To Make Sure You Get That Job

The key to securing any job is selling yourself in the interview process. The interview is the prospective employer's first and usually only impression of the job applicant prior to an offer of a job being made. Anyone can have a second party proofread their application or resume but when it comes to the interview the applicant is all on their own. One of the best ways to prepare for a job interview is to take part in some job interview practice.



Job interview practice can help ease nervousness and tension when the time of the actual interview arrives. Preparing for difficult questions, making sure to be dressed for success and having a self assured confidence can set a job applicant apart from applicants who go into an interview "cold turkey". It is quite apparent to practiced interviewers whether someone has bothered to do any preperation or not.



It's always a good idea to get a second or even third opinion of things. Job interview practice can help the applicant get a better idea of how they come across in an interview situation, from the quality of their responses to the impression they create in their appearance. The applicant may not see the small details that an interviewer may pick up on and take into account when assessing the suitability of the candidate, so it's best if it is something that can be pointed out before the day of the interview and improved on if necessary. 


Practicing answers such as' What do you feel you can contribute to this company' or 'what would you say your greatest weakness is' can help the applicant come across as confident and self assured. If the applicant has thought out the answers to questions such as these, the answer can be given in a self assured manner without hesitation. The mock interviewer may be able to introduce questions that the candidate has never even thought about preparing for. Being prepared is the best way to prepare for an actual job interview and the best way to do that is with job interview practice



So to reiterate, a job applicant's best chance of securing the position is to give a great interview. A great interview involves being prepared, confident and being dressed for success. It is a statistical fact that those who prepare for a job interview by getting some job interview practice have more success than those who don't. It truly can make the difference between being offered the position or not.

Why Should I Read To My Baby?

Firstly, I think that it is essential to start with the premise that the most important task of parenting isn't teaching your baby to read. You may think that by 'teaching' your baby to read, she will have an "advantage" over other children when she starts school and will thus go on to be a super achiever with a successful career!

No, your most essential task as a new parent (beyond making sure that your baby is fed, clothed and housed!) is to ensure that your baby experiences a healthy and secure attachment with her parents and/or caregiver. This gives babies much deeper "advantages" in life than whether they learn to read early, which include greater confidence and self-esteem, less anxiety, better relationships with childhood peers and healthier relationships as adults.

So what has this got to do with reading to my baby?

Reading to your baby provides her with endless opportunities to bond with you while enjoying the sound of your voice and the warmth of your cuddle. Books provide vital one-on-one time for you and your baby, sending her the message that you value interacting with her and want to be with her. Reading with your baby is a solid, important and wonderful thing to do. Explicitly teaching her to read is unnecessary and research shows that it can in fact be detrimental.

Babies thrive on being held and spoken to. From the first months of her life, your baby will be comforted and soothed by hearing your voice, so the books you choose should be books that you enjoy reading. Cuddle your baby as you read; she won't understand what you are reading, but she will recognize the sounds and rhythm of language and to feel that cuddling with you and reading books is a comforting and enjoyable thing to do.

Are there any benefits beyond bonding?

Yes, there are other benefits to reading which can help your baby to develop a life-long love of reading. Through the sound of your voice and the warmth of your body, your baby will come to think of reading as a pleasurable activity.

On an 'educational' level, books provide the perfect opportunity for babies and toddlers to learn about speech patterns, phonics and how to make sounds. Every time you read to your baby, you reinforce basic reading concepts, such as turning pages and following text from left to right. There are numerous studies which confirm that reading to babies not only supports speech and language development, but overall intelligence as well. When you read to your baby, you set the stage for a life-long love of reading.

What books should I read to my baby?

Newborns see things best from about 15-20cm away — or the distance from your face to your baby's while you're holding her. So it's best to select books with high-contrast images (black-and-white illustrations) and patterns, for example stripes, dots, and checkers.

The best books for babies emphasize rhythm, rhyme and repetition, such as nursery rhymes and books with patterned language. Books for babies usually have minimal text and have pictures of other people, especially other babies as they recognize facial features and expressions. Your baby will also enjoy seeing familiar objects like cars and toys, or people doing things that they have had some experience with in their daily routine, such as getting dressed or taking bath.

When reading to your baby, it is important to understand that you are doing two things; helping with language acquisition - which is definitely an important developmental task - and bonding with your baby. You are not teaching them to read, which is a neurological and cognitive task, and one which is not developmentally appropriate for a baby or toddler's brain.

Don't get "stressed" about what and when you read to your baby or if other parents are doing it more often or 'better', the most fundamental task is to create a healthy and secure attachment with her, and reading with her is just one of the many and varied ways that you can achieve this.

------------------------

Bernice Kidd is the Founder and Managing Director of online children's bookshop http://2littlegirls.co.za/ and direct-selling company 2littlegirls@home. Both companies are based in South Africa. Bernice is passionate about encouraging a love of reading in young children and aims to provide guidance for parents when choosing the books that will help to instill a life-long love of books.

Be Yourself - Free Yourself To Dance With Life!

"You were born an original. Don't die a copy." - John Mason.



That's what John Mason says, and of course he is right.



I mean, do you know anybody, any parent, any friend, any colleague, who would advise you otherwise? Of course you don't! Of course you have to be yourself, how could you be anybody else?



But hang on there! It's not that easy. There are pressures on you, me and everyone to not be ourselves...



* How about "getting on" in life?



* How about keeping your head down and out of the firing line at work?



* Or how about joining in with all the other kids at school - even though you hate what they do - just so you don't lose any 'popularity'?



Yep, being yourself is not easy! It has consequences that are far reaching and even a little uncomfortable at times.



So John Mason's right, but we need a bit of help here, if we are to succeed in being who we truly are.



"The challenge is to be yourself in a world that's trying to get you to be like everyone else."



Hmm, I'm not sure who said this - think it's anonymous - but I have it framed in a picture in my bedroom.



Y'know, I love these words! But they do sound a bit defensive, don't you think? As if everyone is out there trying to change us. And that isn't true. No, the real challenge is to understand that people are frightened of being themselves, and thus are frightened of others when they try to be themselves. It reminds them of their fear, y'see. And nobody likes being reminded of their fears. And we always, always (instinctively!) "shoot the messenger", don't we!



So our friends and family like it if we like the same things as they do. And if we think the same thoughts as they do, too. Life is just 'easier' that way, isn't it?



Another truth about life - and you're not gonna like this, I'm sure - is that, deep down, we all pretty much believe that life would be so much easier if people were just a bit more 'reasonable', a bit more like us!



So, being yourself - it's obviously the thing to aim for, but it's certainly not easy.



Still...



"It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for something you are not." -- Andre Gide



Hmm, yes I do think Andre is onto something here.



So what are the rewards for truly being yourself?



Well, simply put, it's like walking in the direction you're facing.



It's like riding a bike downhill with your feet off the pedals ("wheeeh!"), rather than having to pedal uphill.



It's like, well it's like going with the flow, really...



"Learn to... be what you are, and learn to resign with a good grace all that you are not." -- Henri Frederic Amiel



Hmm, if that isn't a definition of flow then I don't know what is. And in case you're not familiar with the word 'flow', it also means 'dance' and 'laugh', and it definitely means 'life'.



For life is all about flow. Flow up. Flow down. But keep moving, keep flowing.



Learn to be who you are. And accept who you are not. And love both.



Okay, we're nearly done on this light-hearted journey of discovering the importance of being yourself. So let me finish my article with my all all-time favourite inspirational quote. It's a quotation from Galileo Galilei, and Galileo said this:



"You can't teach anybody anything, only make them realize the answers are already inside them."



I really do believe what Galileo is saying here.



He's saying that we have all the power we need, we just need to recognise that fact. He's saying that our life is for our taking. He's saying that we need to trust ourselves more.



And I think if we do this, if I do this, then our lives (my life) WILL be the original it was always intended to be.



Yes, we will fill our lives with mistakes that many others won't make.



And, yes, we can learn from others - we can always learn from others.



But, as Galileo advises, we really must teach ourselves.



And then, armed with this true self-belief, we truly will be able to free ourselves and dance with life.



That's what I say, anyway.



Thanks for reading.



Enjoy being yourself.



Enjoy the dance...

---

And if you like these inspirational quotes (and my explanations of what they can mean to us all) then you'll love my Weekly Wonder newsletter. Subscribe here, and get a free inspirational quotes ebook - http://www.selfhelpcollective.com/newsletter.html




Source: http://www.submityourarticle.com/



Permalink: http://www.submityourarticle.com/a.php?a=132265

Credit Repair Efforts That Count

Opening Fresh Revolving Accounts



The number one most effective credit repair strategy for anyone that has been through a period of bad credit is opening fresh revolving accounts. Nothing can rocket your scores upward, faster and farther, than a couple of new credit cards. Why does this work so well? It seems that FICO is ready and willing to reward those who prove that they are capable of a successful reentry into the world of credit. Of course you need to manage those new accounts properly. Example: Take your tax return and open up a secured credit card account, this will present a good opportunity for you to build a new payment history. Another example is to take that tax return deposit it in the bank and take out a loan on it make timely payments on it and then pay it in full. Both these will add an enormous boost to your score.



Managing Your Balance to Limit Ratios



Once you have your new accounts open you must resolve to manage them in a meticulous manner. And this involves more than just making your payments on time, although that too is critical. As urgent is the way you manage your balance to limit ratio. This is the relationship between your balance and your account limit as they are reported to the credit bureaus. For credit repair purposes you should try to use less than 20 percent of the available limit.



Becoming an Authorized User



Another phenomenal credit repair technique that is capable of producing dramatic credit score improvement is the tried and true method of becoming an authorized user on a credit card that belongs to a friend or family member that has excellent credit. The key to success, and the factor that will determine how much of a score boost you get, lies in three criteria: the age of the donor account, the payment history, and the way that the donor manages their balance. The best accounts will be older than three years, have never had a late payment, and have a consistently low balance.



Stomping Out Bogus Collections



A phenomenon that has grown into a virtual plague in recent years, and one that can be effectively contained by credit repair, is the prevalence of inaccurate collection accounts. These accounts may include debts that were previously paid or settled but have somehow come back to life and often referred to as zombie debt or zombie collections, debts that belong to another person, and even those resulting from identity theft. These can be challenged and removed through credit bureau disputes and debt validation under the FDCPA.



Scrubbing Errors



And let us not forget the most traditional, reliable, crowd-pleasing mainstay of credit repair, the credit report clean up. This amounts to sending letters to the credit bureaus to challenge all of the derogatory information that you believe to be inaccurate. Credit reporting errors are massively common, and for many people a few months of disputes can cause a near complete credit report transformation. Patience may be called for, as the bureaus can be stubborn and may put up unfounded resistance, but stand your ground, repeat your efforts as needed and you will be amazed at the results.



Consulting an Expert



When it comes right down to it, you may be best off hiring a credit repair service to guide you through the credit maze, and to manage the more mundane day-to-day tasks involved in the process, like sending and resending the dispute letters to the bureaus. Credit improvement can be critical to your financial well-being and must be done properly. If you find yourself confused or at a loss just reach out for help.View your Credit Score, Your Auto Score, Insurance Score, Employment Score and Your Future Score



Copyright © 2010.

---

Knowing your Score can help you reach financial goals sooner. 7-Day Free Trial. FreeCreditScore.com





Source: http://www.submityourarticle.com/



Permalink: http://www.submityourarticle.com/a.php?a=128572

A Loving Plea

As the holidays grow near we all know that this time of year brings an increase in crime, drinking and driving.  We all like to enjoy the holiday season although some of us enjoy more than others, I emplore those who are party goers to be careful in your actions. And friends of those that may party just a little too much be a friend and be their designated driver.  There is always an increase of death around the holidays with majority of them being by car accidents.  Just recently here in Philadelphia there was a five car pile up on the expressway and just this morning in my neighborhood a young man stole a mini van and crashed damaging to other vehicles.  

Now, the turned over vehicle was stolen from a nearby neighbor, there were three victims in this situation, the woman who car was stolen and the two owners of the vehicles the stolen car hit. Now the driver of the stolen car got away and as far as it is known unharmed. Now this could have be a very deadly situation had there been people on the street 5:30 am today when this vehicle came barriering around the corner.  Was the young man under the influence or was he stealing the van for a joy ride no matter, three lives were change and three peoples holidays will be affected. The young man ran and left the seen of the accident, all those who witness the young man get out of the vehicle and run only one person got involved and gave a police statement. 

Let's avoid the dangers that come with drinking and driving, lets respect the rules of the road and each other.  Stop running stop signs, stop riding above the speed limit, use your turn signals, don't drink if you do not have anyone to drive you home.  No amount of partying is worth the guilt you will have to live with if you take a life.  As a victim of someone else lack of respect for the rules of the road, I am blessed to still be among you.  Be mindful of the life you may take from someone else, be thoughtful of the children that me be in someone elses car.  Let's be our brothers and sisters keeper!

The Life you save maybe your own!

Enjoy your holiday and let everyone enjoy theirs!



The Practice of Patience

Copyright © 2010 `


In today's fast paced world of instant gratification, people want results... and they want them yesterday! If we want to watch a certain TV show, we just pull it up on Hulu or YouTube. If we need directions to a store we would like to visit, we can just open a mapping application on our smart phones to search for the store, and voila - we'll have the address, phone number, and directions using GPS from our current location. The pictures we take on our digital cameras can be reviewed just seconds after taken. Fast food provides us with our desired snack at almost any time of day, after driving only 20 feet from the microphone to the window. Want to purchase a song you just have to have at 10:00pm? Just visit iTunes to download all your desired music, DVDs and more right to your home computer at the click of a button.



With all the immediate gratification that we've become accustomed to, it's no wonder we have trouble with patience. Patience... practically a foreign word to many of us, this virtue has become almost lost amidst the clamor and clutter filling the spaces in the culture that we live in. According to Wikipedia (an instant-gratification online encyclopedia), patience is defined as, "the state of endurance under difficult circumstances, which can mean persevering in the face of delay or provocation without acting on annoyance/anger in a negative way; or exhibiting forbearance when under strain, especially when faced with longer-term difficulties." Patience is comparable to the characteristics of someone who is steadfast, who endures without giving in to negativity. Sounds like a tall order, doesn't it? But how much more would your soul be satisfied if you could master the art of patience?



Consider for a moment the true, deeply satisfying feeling you might enjoy if you took the road less traveled and practiced the art of patience. By working towards becoming a person who is willing to wait for God's blessings in your life (whether it's a job, a husband, a wife, a diagnosis or a cure), you would be able to enjoy true inner peace in the midst of adversity. Rather than being imprisoned by "what if" thoughts related to your desires for the outcome, your mind could be set free to focus instead on the present moment. You could enjoy the journey that you are on along the way instead of only investing your heart in the destination you are so desperately seeking. Life's guarantee is that there will constantly be change. So many circumstances are out of our control. When we have done everything we can to positively affect our current situation, the point at which we surrender our hearts to trusting God with the outcome is the moment we can begin to enter into a place of peace.



The reason I'm calling this "the Practice of Patience" is that I believe it's a skill that we must learn to master, while simultaneously unlearning the expectation for immediate results that the world has conditioned us to desire, and even crave. Begin the first step of your practice by closely monitoring your thoughts. Are you consumed by thoughts of your desired outcome? Acknowledge your anxiety and then engage in dialogue with God about your desire to trust and surrender your will in the situation. Gently guide your mind and heart towards a perspective of satisfaction with the present day you are in. Write down the blessings that you are grateful for each day to begin appreciating the gifts you're being given as you wait in patience for the results you desire.

---

Dawn McIntyre, Professional Spiritual Intuitive, is an expert in leading men and women into higher states of expansion and beauty consciousness. Join her on the Boldly Beautiful exclusive member's community at http://www.boldlybeautiful.com/ for daily interaction and guidance in manifesting your beautiful life, from the inside out.



Source: http://www.submityourarticle.com/



Permalink: http://www.submityourarticle.com/a.php?a=130412

How To Make Up After A Bad Fight - Best Advice For Struggling Couples

Ever wondered how to make up after a bad fight?

Your heart feels like a lead weight in your chest. You've just had a terrible fight with your partner and you want to know how to make up after this fight and get rid of that sick feeling inside.


The first thing to do is take a good look at what happened. What was your fight really about?

Sure, on the surface it might seem like you're fighting over a lack of money or maybe one of you lost a job recently and around the holidays this can cause couples fighting to escalate.

But maybe there's something else even more deep seated - something that stems from painful childhood memories or a remark that triggered a painful memory from a previous relationship gone bad?


HOW TO MAKE UP AFTER A BAD FIGHT - TRY TO TALK THINGS OUT

See if you can talk it out - find and pinpoint the root cause of your fight.

Doing this can bring out more understanding and compassion for each other.

Example: Feeling abandoned or neglected.

This is often a root cause for many a relationship meltdown.

Another example - do you feel inadequate in some way? Or your partner does? Having feelings of inadequacy can lead to frustration and low self-esteem.

Yet another example is feeling left out or taken for granted in some way. Do you include each other enough...in each other's lives?

Think about it, if one of you is really feeling this way - this could definitely be a root cause and needs to be brought out in the open and discussed in a loving and caring way.

Get real and get it out in the open. If you or your partner are feeling any of these feelings for more than just a little while, chances are good you'll be repeating the same argument later on.
If you can do this, you greatly improve your chances of making up after a bad fight.

MAKING UP AFTER A BAD FIGHT - TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FIGHT!

Take responsibility for your part in the argument. Are you guilty of losing your temper? Are you afraid of losing control?

Whether we realize it or not, we humans tend to want to manipulate situations and the people closest to us to get the problem or fight resolved rather than facing things head on.

Admit to your part in the fight without blaming yourself or your boyfriend/girlfriend. Then you might be able to start communicating more clearly and create a new beginning.


HOW TO MAKE UP AFTER A BAD FIGHT - A LITTLE HUMILITY GOES A LONG WAY


When you find a way to apologize for the fight or breakup (even if you don't believe you started the ball rolling) chances are your partner will want to meet you half way and apologize also.

Let your loved one know that you never meant for things to get so out of hand.

Let them know you really want to avoid bad fights in the future.

MAKING UP AFTER A BAD FIGHT - DON'T HOLD BACK


Don't hold back when it comes to talking things out. Being bitter or hurtful isn't going to solve anything...just like holding a grudge that never gets spoken.


Holding grudges can make you sick.


The last thing you want is to hold back and not communicate your real feelings...including the fact that you were angry and why.

It's important to get it out...but it's the way that you do it that will make all of the difference.


Chances are, your partner has some things to tell you that you might not want to hear or deal with. The best way forward though, is to deal with your issues because you don't want to grow further apart.

It's time to hone your listening skills...really listen to what the other person is saying and do your best to understand where they're coming from.


Bottom line - if either one of you is still unhappy after patching things up...if there are issues left unspoken or unresolved...it's not going to be good for your relationship in the long run.


HOW TO MAKE UP AFTER A BAD FIGHT - DON'T WAIT TOO LONG

This is a crucial point. If you wait too long to get back together after a bad fight it's only going to be harder as more time goes on.

Don't feel like your relationship is doomed because you had a bad fight or a few of them in the past.

Just about every couple has fights now and again - these are growing pains and are bound to happen.

The best advice is to learn from each fight that you have. What's the big takeaway? Did you have a communication break through?

Did you get closer afterward? What can you promise for each other?


MAKING UP AFTER A BAD FIGHT - IT TAKES TWO


Bottom line is a relationship is a two way street. When you're with a partner, you have more than just your own feelings to consider.


Remember that as a couple, when your feelings are hurt - it hurts your partner...and when your partner's feelings are hurt - it hurts you.


Don't allow a bad fight to come between you permanently...especially if your love is real. Your love is more important than any argument or misunderstanding.


When you put your love first, any reasons for fighting become secondary.


With the stresses that our modern lifestyles bring, it's easy to get stressed and end up taking it out on the people closest to us.


Be mature, compassionate and be a good listener when you come together for the first time after a fight.


When you do this, making up after a bad fight will be that much easier. You'll both discover you're on your way to a happier more fulfilled relationship - when you can figure out the main issues and tackle them together.

Facebook Layouts and Facebook Backgrounds

Using alternative Facebook layouts can jazz up your Facebook Profile or Wall, and there are many of these online for to choose free of charge. Be careful in your selection, though because not all are free and you could find yourself faced with a bill.



There are large numbers of different designs of Facebook layouts available, ranging from animal themes, thru nature to music, abstract and science themes. Which you choose is up to you. The way they work is very simple: you simply log on to the site involved, choose your theme and download the activation software. Then all you need do is to choose your theme and then click to activate.



Hey presto! Next time you open your Facebook page you will find your theme already uploaded and already making your Facebook page a lot less boring than it was before. If you already have Facebook running when you activate the Facebook layout then either click 'refresh' or reload Facebook. If you can't see a refresh button, right click with the cursor anywhere on your Facebook page and look for 'refresh'.



The same procedure also works for Facebook backgrounds.



If you use Firefox, and have some Firefox windows running, you will likely be asked to close these before the activation button will operate. Once all your Firefox windows have been closed, simply click on 'Activate' and the Facebook layout you have downloaded will be applied to your Facebook page.



There is nothing else that you have to do. You can download a number of different layouts and change them whenever you feel like it simply by activating the new styles. The old one will be deactivated and the new Facebook layout will take its place. You may decide to use a nature theme one day and then change to a sci-fi theme of stars and space ships the next. If you like animals you could have a dog sitting up at each side of your Facebook page or a pair of cats or even penguins.



You can literally use a new design each day to project your mood or your personality. This is a great way achieving this. Such visual changes to your Facebook Profile makes your page stand out, and projects you as an independent soul that can project their own personality on their Facebook page. It is purely a psychological change but it can make a heck of a difference to your kids when they show off their new Facebook layouts to their friends. They will love you for it.



Not only that, but if you are using Facebook in your business as a promotional tool, it will be much more powerful if your page stands out from the rest through your imaginative use of Facebook layouts and Facebook backgrounds. You can even design your own - it is fairly simple to do so, again by means of templates, and then you will truly have a unique Facebook page or Profile that will enable you stand out from the crowd.

---

Further information on changing your Facebook layouts is available from Facebook Layout where you will also find information on Facebook Login to help you get into your Facebook account when you have problems logging in.



















Source: http://www.submityourarticle.com/



Permalink: http://www.submityourarticle.com/a.php?a=129316

Stress Relief - How Can Exercise Help You

Something that we have heard and known for the majority of our lives is that we need to exercise. Some of us may need this in order to lose some weight while others may have health issues that can be corrected to a certain extent with exercise, such as high blood pressure or high cholestorol. Believe it or not, however, if you are having problems with stress in your life, and the majority of us are, exercise is one of the things that can really help you to reduce that stress. How does it do this? Let me answer.


There are actually several different ways exercise can assist you in getting rid of your stress. The easiest to identify are the endorphins that are released into your body whenever you exercise regularly. These chemicals help your body to feel good, both physically and mentally. As a matter of fact, some people exercise regularly, simply to get the effects of the endorphins and the mental calming that comes over them as a result. In order for you to experience this for yourself, you need to exercise at a high level for a minimum of 20 minutes. Your body will then be flooded with these feel-good hormones and you will see your stress reduced immediately.


Another way that exercise can help with your stress levels is because exercise helps to balance the body to a certain extent and balance is what many of us are missing in our lives. If you exercise every day, or at a minimum of five days a week, you're going to not only look better, you are going to feel better. This is something that will be recognized easily, both mentally and physically. Make sure that you are getting the proper amount of exercise and your entire life will be in balance as a result.



Of course, we also may have a bit of stress because of the way that we look, especially if we are carrying around additional weight. The unfortunate thing is, it can be very difficult to lose this weight but if we are exercising, it will be much easier. When we start to feel better about ourselves and the way that we look, we will also feel as if we are able to take on the world. Since many of us are walking around with the world on our shoulders, it helps to be able to lift the load.

---

Stress kills. When it doesn't - it smothers your life! If you read the article above you owe it to yourself to see one of the most successful forms of stress reduction. CLICK HERE.





Source: http://www.submityourarticle.com/



Permalink: http://www.submityourarticle.com/a.php?a=128691

Stress Therapy - 3 Things That Will Instantly Reduce It

How would you like to be able to get rid of your stress instantly and easily ? Here is a bit of stress therapy talking about a few things that you can do which will help you to be able to achieve a peaceful mental attitude that will really lower your stress levels and help you cope with the day as it comes to you. Of course, these are not going to be permanent solutions to the problems that you are facing but they will be able to help you to sort those problems out and to deal with them, one at a time.



The first thing that you can do to reduce your stress levels is to meditate regularly. I find that meditating in the morning for a half hour can really help me to get ready for the day and to deal with it successfully. If you don't have the benefit of time in order to meditate in this way, you might also find that simply meditating for a few minutes periodically throughout the day will also help to reduce your stress as well. All you really need to do is to close your eyes and go to some place in your mind that is peaceful. That peace will stick with you and help you to cope with any stressful situations you are facing.



Something else that I like to do regularly is to laugh a little bit. This is not always something that is going to be convenient for us to do, especially if we are in the middle of work but if we can find a way to let out the stress through laughter, it can work to almost instantly reduce your stress levels. I like to keep comedy CDs in my car so that I can listen to them on the way home from work. This helps to reduce my stress and keeps me from taking the stress from my work into my home environment.



One final thing that you can do which helps to reduce stress instantly is to use acupressure. The two acupressure points that help to reduce your stress are located directly between the eyes, in a soft spot above the nose and an additional soft spot on the crown of the head. By applying light pressure to these two regions for 30 seconds, you will help to restore a flow of energy in the body that will reduce your stress instantly.

---

Stress kills. When it doesn't - it smothers your life! If you read the article above you owe it to yourself to see one of the most successful forms of stress reduction. CLICK HERE.





Source: http://www.submityourarticle.com/



Permalink: http://www.submityourarticle.com/a.php?a=128817

Diet Programs And Meals - The L. A. Shape Diet

The L.A. Shape Diet was created by Doctor David Heber. This diet is based on eating lots of fiber, fruits, and vegetables. You will evaluate your own need for proteins. You'll drink a mixture of soy milk or skim milk with fruit, and nutritional powder including protein. Each of the two steps lasts seven days. In the first step the drink replaces two daily meals, and in the second step it replaces one daily meal. Here are some of the principles.




The L.A. Shape Diet is quite different for women and men. Dr. Heber recommends that women consume 100 grams (approximately 3 ounces) of protein a day as follows: 30 grams at breakfast and supper provided by the protein drink, 25 grams in the mid-afternoon snack, and the rest at dinner from fish or poultry. The recommendation for men is 150 grams of protein a day as follows: 35 grams at breakfast, 20 to 30 grams in the mid-afternoon snack, and 50 to 75 grams at supper. The morning and supper protein drinks are different. If you are hungry you can add protein powder to the drinks. You prepare the drink by mixing soy or skim milk, protein powder, fruit, and ice. Protein powder is available in various flavors. The diet includes a detailed list of snacks and food per day during each of the phases. During the second phase the menu differs for women and for men. Drink a lot of water or green tea. Eat fruits and vegetables according to their colors. Fight against stress, which often incites people to eat when they aren't hungry. This diet places a lot of emphasis on physical activity.



An advantage of the L.A. Shape Diet is that the menu is fixed; you won't spend time deciding what to prepare. A separate program for men and women may be more effective than a single one destined to meet the dietary needs of both sexes. On the other hand, it's not easy to prepare the protein drink. You may find it inconvenient to drink a lot of liquid in the morning. Furthermore the program lasts only 14 days and provides no transition or stabilization phase.


Here are two sample menus:


Menu 1 (Week 2, day 3 for women)


Breakfast: Protein drink or 7 egg whites. A slice of whole wheat bread. 1 fruit.


Lunch: Protein drink or avocado, vegetable, and turkey salad.


The mid-afternoon snack is a cup of red fruit.


Supper: Soy chili. Green salad. A red apple.


Menu 2 (Week 2, day 3 for men)


Breakfast: Protein drink or 7 egg whites. A slice or two of whole wheat bread. 1 cup of mixed vegetables.


Lunch: Protein drink or avocado, vegetable, and turkey salad. A slice of whole wheat bread. A slice of cantaloupe.



The mid-afternoon snack is soy pudding.


Supper: Soy chili. Green salad. A red apple.


Some of the information in this article comes from a fascinating new book, La Bible des Regimes, written by Jenny de Jonquieres and published by Amerik Media. Her book describes more than 80 diets and weight reduction programs. Each diet is presented with 5 menu plans, a detailed discussion of its advantages and disadvantages, and lots more. La Bible des Regimes is presently available only in French.


Here is a great website with resources, information, videos for advice and support visit The Diet Solution Program, Click Here!

---

Levi Reiss authored or co-authored ten computer and Internet books, but would rather drink fine French wine with friends. He teaches classes in computers at an Ontario French-language community college. Visit his Italian travel, wine, and food website www.travelitalytravel.com and his global wine website http://www.theworldwidewine.com/featuring a weekly review of $10 wines and new sections writing about and tasting organic and kosher wines.



Source: http://www.submityourarticle.com/


Permalink: http://www.submityourarticle.com/a.php?a=128138

5 Essential Screening Tests Every Woman Should Have

Nowadays women are quite alert about the kind of diseases they can get. They are now getting some tests done to prevent diseases. Any late detection can cause death and serious implications.


Cholesterol is a factor which has been perturbing women for many years. Women who have higher levels of bad cholesterol in their diets can get heart disease. So, the incidence of this disease can be found by doing a lipid profile.


Even women are quite prone to type 2 diabetes. This disease happens in obese women. In fact, the blood glucose can be measured after two hours have elapsed since breakfast had been consumed. Now, the vulnerability to this disease decides the frequency of the tests. Frequency of the tests can be as high as 2 years after the age of 45 if the woman is fit. But, this frequency can be higher when the woman is not fit and has disease running in the family.

Osteoporosis is an ailment that affects a large number of women. This ailment makes the bones of a woman quite weak. It happens due to bone loss. This bone loss happens in any woman after the occurrence of menopause. So, the right test which can help in the detection of this ailment is Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry. When the ailment osteoporosis is detected, it can help in avoiding any kind of bone fractures caused due to it. I fact, all kinds of women whose ages are more than 65 years, should opt for this test. This test should also be done by women who are not 65 yet if they have such disease in the family.

Colorectal cancer can also happen in a woman. So, colonoscopy can be done to find the occurrence of this ailment. This ailment can be detected by using both the camera and a tube which is poked inside the rectum. The screening tests for this ailment can be done after a woman has turned 50 years old. Another kind of test which can be used to reveal this ailment is sigmoidoscopy which only involves checking the downwards colon section.

Glaucoma can also have serious affects for women. This ailment can also cause blindness when optic nerve is completely destroyed. People who are more than 50 years old can get this disease. It can also happen when there is a legacy of this disease. Even consumption of steroids can cause it. It's important that women who are fit should have done the tests after every two years. For people, who are between 40 to 54 years of age should have the tests conducted after one or 3 years. The frequency of tests can be more when the age of the woman is between fifty five to 64. The frequency can be as high as 6 months to 1 year for women who are aged more than 65.

Single Parents and Money Management-Tips for Balancing A One Income Household

In this day and age, the concept of single parenting is no longer new and doesn't raise many eyebrows. What does raise the eyebrows, however, is the prospect of raising children in a one income household without losing all your hair or gnashing your teeth. In order to make less money go farther, it is imperative that the single parent remain vigilant over the family's spending and saving habits. In order to get it all done it is also very likely that it will be necessary to enlist the help of the entire family. With a lot of planning and some discipline, it can be done.



If you are a single parent, then you must formulate and stick to a strict monthly budget in order to ensure that your family's needs are met in a way that does not do your family a financial injustice in the future. Take a look at your expenditures and set aside money each month for each and every necessary item. In order to save for bigger ticket items, look for ways to trim your budget in non-essential areas such as entertainment. You don't have to eliminate entertainment altogether. Instead, look for low cost or free ways to entertain yourself and your family. For example, trips to the library and the park don't cost a thing and create happy memories. Maybe rent a video for a $1.00 from the movie boxes in the local supermarket or simply reading books together opening up their imagination and creativity.


Another important habit of the successful single parent is to clip, organize and use coupons for most, if not all, purchases. Check weekly advertisements before going shopping each week and look for ways to use your coupons. In order to make your coupons more effective, get a coupon organizer and arrange your coupons by type and expiration date. Take your coupons with you every time you leave the house. That way, you will never run into the situation of paying full price because you need the item now even though you have a coupon at home.



It is important that a single parent explain to their kids about proper money management. It may be tough saying no to some things because you just can't afford them, but in the end, kids need your time and attention more than they need stuff. If you teach your kids that money is a tool and also teach them how to use the tool properly, then the upshot of single parenthood might just become kids who become fiscally fit grownups. Who knows, they might even appreciate you for it!

---

Jackie writes for Cash Choice UK who are a faxless payday loans company. They believe that a
faxless payday loan
should only be used intelligently to bridge a financial gap from time to time. http://www.cashchoiceuk.co.uk



Source: http://www.submityourarticle.com/



Permalink: http://www.submityourarticle.com/a.php?a=123860

Anxiety And Panic Attack Treatment - Is Overcoming Shyness And Social Anxiety Possible?

The regular shyness is innate to every person. This is how we were made and there's nothing we can do to eliminate this bodily response. What we can do is to control and overcome it. This can be done by the sheer force of will, determination, and distraction. 


However, people who have extreme shyness often deal with it by succumbing to their private world. 


For some people, being exposed to situations that trigger their shyness, like social functions and gatherings, may become a source of anxiety, and that anxiety can lead to panic attacks. How do you prevent that? Simple! Just find some effective ways for really overcoming shyness—it's all about will.



You're not the center of attention. The issue with shy people is their concerns of embarrassing themselves in front of a crowd. When in social gatherings and you're surrounded by people you don't know, it's important to keep in mind that they have their own businesses and reasons why they are there. They did not turn up because of you, except if you're the host. They most certainly didn't attend to watch your every move and hope that you trip or cause a huge commotion in your corner. In fact, a pack of men grouped in front of you may not even notice that you're there. Realizing that this is true can ease up some of the anxiety of extremely shy people and may even qualify itself as an anxiety and panic attack treatment.


Read:  The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook


Remember that there are other people worse than you in the room. It's a big world and you have high chances of finding someone who suck at socialization harder than you. Sure, that statement is a bit too much on the ugly side but it's true. A large number of people suffer from extreme shyness. Some of them cope with it, others can't. You're not the worst and you can still do something about your case. Having this kind of mindset can increase your confidence. By doing this, you can liberate yourself from a good part of your shyness and some of the anxiety brewing inside whenever attending social gatherings. It can prove to be a useful anxiety and panic attack treatment in the long run, not just something that helped you rid yourself from your shyness.



The person beside you is probably thinking the same as you are. Yes. He or she is shy too. Here's how you do it: stop thinking about yourself. Think that that person is feeling the same way as you are, even worse. Try to introduce yourself. Do it the very first chance you get because the longer you wait, the harder it becomes. Because that particular person is shier than you are (at least that's how you should think), take the initiative to ask the questions so you can start a conversation. Make sure you place complements whenever you think is apt and do listen sincerely with what the person is saying. When you do this, the conversation becomes natural and continuous. Furthermore, you will do that person and yourself a favor by building an atmosphere that can make its way to become an anxiety and panic attack treatment.



If these methods do not work for you, it is probably time that you get additional help and support in overcoming shyness. Perhaps medications will do the job but if you're too skeptical with them, natural treatments are available in the form of programs or courses written in books, e-books and recorded in audio and visual CD. Such a program offers easy to follow methods to cope with such problems. You don't have to relive your past or undergo expensive therapies with it. It will teach you new information on how to solve your problem. It's very straightforward and this is the perfect natural anxiety and panic attack treatment.

tp://andersd.hopfeed.com/script/hopfeed.js" type="text/javascript">

Source: http://www.submityourarticle.com/



Permalink: http://www.submityourarticle.com/a.php?a=126677

Long-Term Weight Loss Success Tips

One thing that a lot of people might want to change is the way they look. If you would like to lose some weight but you have not been able to succeed in the past, there are a few easy things that you can do. The first step to getting the body that you have always wanted is to simply eat less food. Another thing that you need to do is to develop a regular workout routine. Consistency will be the key to your success. If you have not been able to lose weight in the past, you'll see that a few minor changes will be all the help that you need.



One major mistake that a lot of people do is they simply over eat. They do not realize that it can take about 20 minutes for your body to tell you that it is full. This means that you'll not realize that you ar full until about 20 minutes after you actually are. This causes people to over eat all of the time. You do not have to stuff yourself each meal. If you can simply consume less food, that will be the first step towards your weight loss goals. You do not have to make dramatic lifestyle changes and you don't have to starve yourself. This is one reason why a lot of people gain weight. They do not realize that only eating a little bit less food each meal will make a big impact way for a while.


Another thing that you should do in order to get the body that you desire is to develop a regular workout routine. A regular workout routine is a lot easier if you're having fun while working out. One great suggestion is to add a portable music player to your workouts. A portable music player will allow you to have more fun while working out because you'll be able to listen to your favorite songs. Most people do not even realize that this is an option because this technology has not been around for long. It was not all that long ago that you could not even listen to music while you ran. Portable music players are a great investment if it will help you to get out the door on a more regular basis.


If you have tried many things in the past to get in shape, you'll see that making these minor adjustments can be all the difference. You do not have to make dramatic lifestyle changes in order to get the body that you have always wanted. You can simply eat less food and workout on a more regular basis. Walking for an hour a day will begin the process of getting back in shape and speeding up your metabolism. Once you make this apart of your everyday routine it will greatly benefit your mood as well as your weight, it does matter whether you walk earlier in the morning, afternoon or early evening. Your body will begin to progress at a natural rate and this progression will be a lot healthier than crash dieting. Start slow and make subtle changes to your diet, like cutting back on the junk food, soda and incorporate more water in your diet.  Increase your fruit and vegatable intake and decrease your bread and pasta intake.  Eat meals in smaller proportions and spread them out throughout the day with a few healthy snack.  Instead of the potatoe chips eat apple slices as an alternative.  These changes will not only help your weight and your health but also your wallet. If you are a smoker or drinker cutting back will help you lose weight quicker. It can be hard to keep up the consisitency, so to help you stay motivated find a partner or partners that are on the same plight you are guaranteed success, with the right team you can always win. You do not have to go out and work out rigorously right off the bat either. Consistency will allow your body to progress at a healthier rate. In order to keep the weight off for good, you'll want to begin to develop better habits. Working out regularly and eating the right amount of food will be the key to your long-term success.

---

Source: http://www.submityourarticle.com/



Permalink: http://www.submityourarticle.com/a.php?a=125464

Self Improvement Starts with Making Decisions

Copyright © 2010


There is a great gap between hoping and wishing for a change to occur in your life, and aggressively pursuing the decision to initiate change in your life.


You remember your New Year resolutions? These are not decisions, they are the products of wishful thinking. People who indulge in wishful thinking will probably not succeed in initiating change in their life. They believe that if the wishes come true they will become happier but the chances that that will happen are quite small. The odds are about as great as winning the lottery.

Decisions are quite different. A person who makes a decision is fed up with his current conditions and is willing to take steps to actively get what he or she wants. He or she is ready to do his homework, maybe consult a professional, create a plan of action, and then proceed to undertake extensive and consistent steps to make changes. Decisions require 100% of our commitment. We also have to be ready to make follow-up steps regardless of the demands on us.

Our current status in life is based on decisions we pursued in the past, or maybe the lack of it. Some people flit about from lackluster decision to bad decision or perhaps even dodge making decisions altogether. Such people find their lives have turned out not to their satisfaction but should realize that they could get the best out of their lives if they only chose to make the decision to change. It all starts with one decision.

For those who start changing their lives positively and reap greater success and happiness, they can rely on coaching programs, seminars, audio programs and self-improvement books to help them through the process of change for example this great program the Super Mind Evolution Program Click Here!
Also another great program The Self Confidence Creator Click Here!

The people who maintain control over their minds and their emotions are the ones who are the most fulfilled in this life. Such people have a conditioned response to make decisions - after they have decided, they do not reconsider their decision. Such people are always looking for ways to improve themselves and are aware that regardless how good they think they are, there is always room for improvement. Such people know that happiness and fulfillment is based on their consistent growth and contribution based on self-improvement ideas.




There is power behind a truly committed decision. This is a key self-improvement idea. But most of us find it hard to stick to a decision since life is a struggle to change our lives and steer our ship to the harbor we are looking for.

Take control of your decisions so you can take control of your actions. A truly committed decision allows you to devote your energies to the outcome in your mind that you are devoted to.

---

Free 21 day prosperity course and a web site with self improvement books and courses also offering some free books. http://www-self-improvement-books.com/



Source: http://www.submityourarticle.com/



Permalink: http://www.submityourarticle.com/a.php?a=125408

4 Awesome Ideas For Finding Inspiration

I love how inspiration can come into my mind when I least expect it.


On the other hand, I dislike how I have to struggle to find inspiration when I need it. Finding inspiration may be easy for others, but if you find yourself constantly looking for it, then maybe it's time you searched for it instead of waiting for it to come find you.



Here's how:



1. P.E.P. People, Experiences, Places



These are my top 4 sources of inspiration, and these include but are not limited to:



Nature



Art (galleries, photos, sculpture, etc.) and writings (books, blogs, journals, magazines, etc.)



Music and science



Life impact, underdog stories



Meeting new people, seeing new places and basking in life's experiences are the greatest sources of inspiration. It doesn't always have to be some grand experience, nor a fabulous cross country trip or a famous person. You can get the most extraordinary stories from ordinary people and things, right?



2. Solitude



While sharing your experience with others can also help you find more inspiration, so does solitude. Alone, you can focus your mind and body, which can allow you to tune in to your surroundings, your thoughts and your life.



What I really love about solitude is, it lets you notice some of the things that you would have missed if stuck in a busy, noisy environment. Finding inspiration may just come when you're relaxing your mind and sharpening your senses and solitude is a place where we can find time for reflection and deep thinking.



3. Role Models



We all have role models.



What does your role model do that make you look up to him or her so much? Is it their excellent ideas, how they handle a situation, the steps they take to overcome hardship, their ability to lead and complete great things?



Make sure your role models align with the areas in your life that you are passionate about, because it's important to determine whether they are the source of inspiration that is most important to you right now. Are they truly impacting you with inspiration that matters to you and not just because of their social influence?



4. Experience sharing



Finding inspiration becomes a lot easier when you are actually talking about it doing that and talking with other people. I believe that looking for inspiration can be a lot easier when other people bring those stories to you directly in conversation.



Simply sharing one inspiring story with a friend can spark them to think of their own inspiring messages too. It builds a stronger relationship where you can continue to share the inspiration and drive each other to find more. Actually, sharing stories of meaning and value are also a best way to learn new things and inspiration as well!