Go Green, Easy and simple!

Current and are found everywhere campaigning and movement environmental socialization (go green). But not everyone believes this movement can be easily implemented. Assume that the average environmental movement can not be implemented easily and drain a lot of expenses as the purchase and use of products that can be recycled. For ordinary people, carry out activities to go green as if they were separated from the daily life style that goes from childhood to adulthood. However, they can not detect this kind of thinking because the application will almost certainly "green" and save the environment can improve the lives of others, children and grandchildren and of course your own. There are some green tips that can be applied is, in their immediate environment at home:

Maximize the window

window function to regulate the movement of air and light can maximize the electrical energy saving air conditioning / AC (air conditioning). For example, in the dry season can be as often as possible to open the windows to keep air flowing smoothly and bright home. In contrast to the rainy season, you can close the window to reduce the chill. To reduce glare from sunlight and heat to eliminate cold temperature in the room (especially the air conditioning), clever use of glass facade. By using this type of glass, the air temperature in the surrounding environment will slowly begin to decrease.

Soil organic

Materials for floor tile was not only, but you can also use natural ingredients. If during this, the soil at home more often using tiles or wood, so this time you can build a bamboo floor. In addition to its printing close to nature, bamboo floors are also strong, the fight against termites, safe from the poison and may grow back within 3-5 years in order to reduce the destruction of forests due logging.

Bulb neon lamp

To reduce the electric charge in the home, from now on use a small fluorescent lamps (fluorescent bulbs). In many shops, the lights of this type are sold as energy efficient lighting because it can save energy up to 75 percent of normal fluorescent lamps. This lamp can burn very quickly and hum. In addition, some broadcasts fluorescent bulbs emit so much support from the green zone in the home.

The selective use of water heaters

Limit the use of the water heater and only use when necessary. Because often without realizing it, will stay on even though the water heater is not much for swimming. Many are in homes, water heaters (especially gas) have been heating the water continuously and save up to 40-80 gallons (200-400 liters of water). Better use of solar water heaters save energy and the environment.

Roof of the house directly from the sun


Living in a tropical country that allows the sun shines all year, you can use to help the lighting of the house. You can use solar panels to the roof of the house. Technology for solar panels is called an amorphous silicon thin-film triple-junction. How does the solar panel is derived from solar cells in the form of tiles and then installed like tile. This source of energy such as electricity will reduce dependence on electricity. While helping you save on your electric bill. The base of the pot will become a factor that can reduce heat in the kitchen due to the use of induction cook top.

Use induction heaters

Other energy-saving options of gas and oil that is using an induction cooker. This range is earlier than usual. In contrast to the stove in general, this little stove and so thin that it will be very small if placed in the kitchen. That is, the induction stove working mode of energy transfer to the pan and then converted into heat energy. Then the bottom of the pot is going to change to an element that can significantly reduce the heat in the kitchen next to the stove.

Circuit breakers

Undoubtedly, the use of lights and other electronics in the home are often exaggerated because the laziness of users off. It uses an automatic switch that can turn off and turn on the light itself. For example, you can set the time and at any time on the porch light and air conditioners, water heaters, and so on. The way these switches work by looking for signs of human presence in the room and combines the technology of infrared and ultrasonic signals.

Why Women Fail in Business

By: Lakeisha B McKnight

Feminists may argue the fact, but it really is undeniable that women fail far more in businesses and leadership than men. Why is this so? There are several factors actually so let's tackle them one by one.

Feminine Principle

Women are, by nature, nurturing beings. This means that they are very sensitive to and nurturing of their surroundings. That doesn't only extend to human beings but to the workplace as well. Their responsive nature allows them to keep track of all changes in the workplace be it bickering among employees, unpleasant workplace conditions and the like. Because of their nature, they immediately react to implement changes and care for those afflicted. It is this good characteristic, however, that sometimes lead to their downfall.

How? This makes them slaves to their environment. Whenever there are changes that are deemed needed, their responsive and adaptive nature will take over which sometimes dissuades them from focusing on the important things.

Female Traits

In an article on Forbes, female traits were linked to succeeding and failing businesses. The study showed that the dominantly female traits of fearfulness, passiveness and nervousness were closely linked to failing businesses. Why is this so? While these traits may exist in both men and women, it is usually destructive when combined with the emotional intelligence of women. The combination of these can result in poorly drawn action plans and initiatives which halt productivity and bring the business to its downfall. Coincidentally, the study listed the male attributes of dominance, assertiveness and decisiveness as key management traits.

Treading Into Unknown Waters

Men and women also differ in their goal orientations. Take into account the advent of the internet. At that time, women engineering and science graduate numbers well overwhelmed that of men. However, it was still the men who pioneered and took advantage of the internet. Based on past research, women actually do better when taking over or operating existing businesses. Should they decide to venture into new things, history tells us it doesn't always bode well. Instead, women are more apt in fields that already exist. Why? Going back to the nurturing traits of women, they always have an end-goal in mind. Why should I put up this business? So I can put my kids to school... so I can save up for the family's future... so I can earn more money. That's usually how it goes with women. Men, on the other hand, have different goals. They'd put up a business to support a different one. They'd setup businesses to impart and preserve knowledge. They'd even put up a business just to offer their services to the world. Don't get me wrong though. Men do think about money but it's more or less on the lines of making a profit to keep the business sustainable.
It is this difference in goal orientation that distinguishes how men and women manage their business.

Ladies, you can learn a lot more about purpose and passion by reading my book.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Lakeisha_B_McKnight/2095640

 

 

Memories and Emotions can Colour our Awareness

By: George Lockett

 Memories of past events in our life can have associated with them deep emotional charge. This can cause these memories to keep repeating themselves over and over again throughout our life.

Sometimes the pattern is triggered by our environment and sometimes by a person or situation. Once triggered, the memory of the event plays out, with all the deep emotional charge of the original event.

The first step to solving this pattern of behavior is to become aware of the process. If you find your mood swinging for no apparent reason it may be that one of these past memories is playing out at a subconscious level.

By focusing on what is happening, you are bring it back into the conscious mind and questioning the validity of the experience and emotions you are experiencing.

Through forgiveness we can release the energies, which are stuck in this pattern of experience and behaviour. Through forgiveness we release the emotional charge and this can be both for the other person and yourself or associated with an event.

These memory patterns can keep playing out over long periods of time and create shadows, which stop us seeing the true reality of a situation. As we move into the new energy more of these patterns of behaviour are coming up to the surface of the mind to be released.

As we release each one, we become a little more aware of the true reality around us. We become a little more centered within ourselves and aware of what is happening now and receive genuine information from our senses.

This growth in our awareness and expansion of our feelings and emotions allows us to grow in self knowledge. It gives us the freedom to choose our mood first and come from our own heart center and radiate love to those around us.

We stop reacting to life and start to create the life we would love to experience and grow into. We empower ourselves to see life as it truly is and enjoy it in the moment, without carrying all the baggage of past events with us. We become a master of ourselves and therefore master the way we see and experience the world in which we live.

We are growing on the path to mastery and enjoying living life in an evolutionary way. This growth is happening now on an individual level. Soon we will see it happening in our communities and on the level of government and will grow into a new awareness in the world of the oneness of life.

5 Profitable Home Based Business Ideas

By: Kent Thompson


The idea of a successful home based business can be your reality after you've determined that you have these qualties:
1) The ability to work alone
2) The ability to generate lots of ideas
3) And the patience to learn

After you've done your research on how to start your own home based business, you should be ready to be a home based business owner.

Here are 5 kinds of home based business ideas worth thinking about:
1) Open your own home based business as a bodywork/massage therapist:
Check out the yellow pages and find out where you can learn to do massages. Sign-up and take the course, and then set up shop in some small corner in your home. You can make customers come by appointment only. The better you are, the higher the pay.

2) Desktop publishing home based business: Have you done the companys posters, banners and streamers? Do you love making business cards and newsletters on your computer? Put a sign out and announce that youre open for business.

3) Computer tutor home based business: You can teach young children, mothers and seniors whod like to be email savvy. Its all in the marketing of your home based business. For another fee, you can teach them the workings of the internet.

4) Pet sitter, baby sitter, or house sitter. Ask friends and family to refer you to mutual friends who need services of this nature. Youll do invaluable service and youre having fun. Whether your idea of fun is playing with and feeding animals, listening to the grandparents talk of their past, or watching the baby sleep, you'll really enjoy this home based business.

5) Technical writer home based business. Enroll at any of the reputable online institutes to learn the basics of technical writing. With a reliable pc and internet connection, you can earn a lot.
All these home based businesses are money-making ventures. But you've got to have a passion for your work and a willingness to innovate. You need to think ahead and plan. When you put your passion, commitment and dedication into it, you will reap the rewards of a home based business owner year after year.

Reference: http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/resources/article.php?mcid=1&scid=12&aid=1534

Natural Beauty Care

By: Ellen Biddle

Everybody longs for that healthy glow, for sparkling eyes and shiny hair that bounces with every step. Millions of dollars are spent every year in beauty products to make skin that much clearer, wrinkles that less visible and lips pout that much more. And while there are cosmetics that do work, you shouldn't underestimate the value of natural beauty products. Remedies that are available with nature. They're easy to find, won't put a hole in your pocket, and don't have a trace of any harmful chemicals. Read on to see what gifts from nature can make you your most beautiful self.

For your hair (www.ultimate-cosmetics.com/beauty/hair-care.htm)

Lemon juice:
Lemon juice when used on your hair is an effective treatment for dandruff. Its citrus property cleanses the hair. Squeeze a lemon onto your hair and massage into the scalp, and then wash it out using water and your preferred shampoo.

Coconut Oil:
Coconut oil is used in several parts of the world as an aid to beautiful hair. It has enriching vitamins and nutrients that help your hair to grow long and lustrous. In addition, it also combats dandruff.
Massage into the scalp before washing hair. If possible, do so a night before, so the oil can soak in overnight.

Vinegar:
Vinegar is great to add some bounce and vitality into dull and lifeless hair. Mix a little vinegar into warm water, and then rinse your hair with the solution. You hair will look revitalized.

For your skin

Water:
The important of water cannot be stated enough. It is one of the most important contributors to beautiful skin. It flushes out toxins and battles breakouts. A person should drink at least eight glasses of water per day. Warm showers are also very beneficial to the skin. When your skin is well hydrated, it looks young and healthy.

Roses:
They're more than just pretty flowers! Rosewater is extremely good for the skin. It purifies the skin, and leaves it wonderfully scented. Combined with hazel, it is especially good for oily skin.
Turmeric Powder:
If you want your skin to naturally get fairer and more radiant, you could try turmeric. Just mix a piece of turmeric with curd and apply it onto your skin. Leave the paste on for about ten to fifteen minutes, and then wash off using cold water.

For your body:

Fruits:
Fruits are one of the best gifts that nature can give you. Most of them are low in calories, and can give you a whole lot of energy. In fact, almost all diets have fruits as an essential part of them.

Spinach:
Spinach leaves are very, very healthy. There's a reason why Popeye enjoyed spinach so much! It helps to make your body stronger, and more resistant to illnesses and ailments.

Makeup and Skin Care

 By: Tania Jain

'Make up and skin care' is generally regarded as women's forte. Men seldom indulge in 'Make up and skin care'. Many men do care for their skin but make up is really alien to most men. Treating make up and skin care as different topics wouldn't make sense; after all, make up will work only if the skin is healthy. So how do you exercise make up and skin care, together? Here are some tips for make up and skin care:

1. Always have skin care on mind, whether you are buying products for make up or actually applying them onto your skin after you have bought them. So what you are buying is a 'make up and skin care' product, not just a make up product. Check the ingredients to see if it contains things that you might be allergic to. Also check if it contains high concentration chemicals that can harm your skin.

2. 'Make up and skin care' is also about testing the products before using them. So, apply the make up on a small patch of skin e.g. earlobes and check how your skin reacts to it.

3. Keep track of expiry date on your make up products and never use them beyond the expiry date. In fact some products (e.g. vitamin C based products), if not stored properly, get spoilt much earlier than the expiry date.

4. Cleanliness is an important part of make up and skin care procedure. Sharpen your eye-liners regularly and keep all your makeup equipment clean at all times. You might fix a date, each month, for overhauling of your equipment. As part of cleanliness, your make up and skin care procedure should also include keeping your hair clean at all times.

5. Nail care is another important aspect of make up and skin care. Use a good quality nail polish and always keep your nails clean. Once you are done with cleaning and polishing your nails, you should rub in cuticle oil at the edges of the nail.

6. If you have deep-set eyes, you should use a liquid eye liner instead of a pencil one. This will prevent smudging at the deep edges of your eye-lid.

7. If you have a skin disorder e.g. acne, you should not apply heavy or chemical based make up. Consult your dermatologist if you are not sure about the make up products that you can use while you have acne or other skin disorder. Never try to squeeze pimples/ acne. Remember that make up and skin care should not conflict each other.

8. Use a mild make up remover (instead of just washing it away).

9. Another important 'make up and skin care' procedure is the following golden rule: "Never sleep with your make up on"

10. While applying a deodorant, make sure that you maintain the recommended distance between the nozzle and your skin (as mentioned on the deodorant pack).

So, make up and skin care should always go hand in hand. Do not try to treat make up and skin care differently.

Diets Don't Work

Any doctor worth their salt will tell you diets don't work. Plain and simple. Surprised?

Well you might be. You can't get away from all the talk about South Beach, Atkins, Low Carb, Zone ... you name it, they're talking about it. It's on TV, in magazines... everywhere you look.

And of course there are the pills, drugs and other expensive methods to lose weight. While they may be appropriate in certain cases, by and large they aren't necessary. Some can actually be dangerous to your health.

What does work, what's been proven to work time and time again is something very simple... a lifestyle change. You may not want to hear it, but it's true. You can't eat thousands of calories, rich desserts, sugary
snacks, excess fat and tons of carbs, get little or no activity and expect to lose weight with a pill!
You'll be surprised to know that you don't need to stop eating or have to exercise for hours every day to lose weight. Just a few simple lifestyle changes added daily can turn your life around quickly. You will start to lose weight within days and feel better as well.

Here are 4 tips you can use to get started today:

- Drink water.
Drinking lots of water is probably the single most important thing you can do for your health. Water delivers nutrients throughout your body, flushes toxins out of your system and aids in digestion. When you get up in the morning, start with a full glass of water before you start your day (add a littlelemon if you like). Then get at least 10-12 additional glasses of water in throughout the day.

- Eat slowly.
Chew your food 10-12 times before swallowing. Your saliva starts the digestion process, and if you don't chew enough, your stomach has to work twice as hard and many times you don't get much out of the foods you eat -- except maybe some indigestion :).

- Split your entree.
When eating out, split your entree with your dining companion. Most restaurants now serve portions that are
up to 8 times the recommended serving size. Supplement with a salad, soup or vegetable to complete your meal.

- Avoid sodas.
Did you know that an average soda has 14 teaspoons of sugar? Not only are these empty calories and carbs that take you on a blood sugar roller coaster and adds pounds, the sugar also can also cripple your immune system for up to 5 hours leaving your body working overtime and open to infections, viruses and the effects of stress.

Drinking one soda a day alone can pack on 16 lbs of unwanted weight! Skip that soda and watch the weight go away. Additionally, recent studies have linked increased soda consumption with certain cancers and a loss of essential minerals from our bodies.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4771

Five Tips for Easy Weight Loss!

Weight loss is a hot topic among people today, especially considering the fact that more than half of us are overweight. As we get older we often get busier, and before we know it, find ourselves in the prime of our lives and packing a few extra pounds. With so little extra time in our lives it is impractical to join the latest diet fad or commit to sweating in the gym for hours at a time. Are we all destined to grow outward with each passing year, or is there a simple way for us to reclaim our healthy figures? If you struggle with your own battle of the bulge read on for five sure-fire ways to drop a few of those unwanted pounds, and more importantly learn how you can prevent packing them in the first place!

TIP #1: Burn it in the AM.
What is the first thing you do when you wake each morning? Hit the snooze button for an extra ten minutes of sleep? What if I told you that taking those ten minutes to strap on your sneakers and walk briskly around the block would result in weight loss? It has been proven that aerobic activity done on an empty stomach forces your body to recruit energy from storage. This energy is stored in the form of fat on various parts of your body. Starting tomorrow take ten minutes out of your morning to walk briskly around the block before breakfast. Do not sprint or try to walk as quickly as possible, simply walk at a pace that you could comfortably hold a conversation. This seemingly small activity, when done consistently, will produce surprising weight loss results!

TIP #2 Forget Your Late Night Snack.
I know I am not the only one who enjoys eating a snack after dinner! Although comfort food seems to taste better right before bed, it is also more prone to stick with us when eaten late at night. It has been proven that not eating three hours before bed reduces fat storage throughout the night. If you go to bed at 10pm, finish eating for the day no later than 7pm. Once you have made this a habit you will be ecstatic over the long term weight loss!

TIP #3 Kiss that Frappuccino Goodbye.
What tastes better than a frothy, venti frappuccino smothered in whip cream and chocolate syrup? While blended coffee beverages have rapidly gained popularity with the masses, their caloric tallies have been all but ignored. Whether you are an avid Starbucker, or only wander in for an occasional treat, it is important to know the truth about what you are drinking. The average Venti sized frappuccino weighs in at 530 calories. This staggering number equals 2.5 bagels, or one third of the recommended daily calories for an average woman. Not only is this an extreme amount of calories to be consumed in a beverage but the calories come purely from sugar, which is easily stored as fat. Next time you are in line at the coffee shop and find yourself eyeing a sugary beverage, redirect your attention to the tea selection, or stick with an old fashioned cup of coffee.

TIP #4 Fuel Your Fire.
Have you ever tended a campfire? You probably remember continuously adding sticks and branches to keep the fire from running out of fuel. Your body's metabolism is similar in its need for constant fuel. Eating a small meal every three hours is a great way to keep your metabolism high all day long. When your metabolism is high you burn more calories throughout the day and are less likely to store fat. Rather than eating 2 or 3 large meals a day, and allowing your 'fire' to go out, giving way to hunger pains, try eating a small meal every three hours and be amazed at your weight loss results.

TIP #5 Curb Your Carbs
I'm sure sometime in the past year you have found yourself subjected to the testimony of a converted 'low-carb' enthusiast. While these people may look great it is definitely not the right diet for everyone. Extreme fatigue, crankiness and downright impracticality are what make this diet a tough cookie to swallow. Cutting one or two carb-filled items out of your daily diet can make a huge difference in meeting weight loss goals. While I wouldn't recommend throwing out your bread basket entirely, consciously cutting carb-filled items out of your daily food intake is a great idea. If you normally have a sandwich for lunch make it open-faced, thus cutting out half of the bread. If you enjoy eating pasta for dinner reduce your pasta portion and add extra vegetables. These minor changes to your daily diet will prove themselves priceless when you step onto the scale!

It is you against the bulge, and now that you are armed with these 5 tips for easy weight loss, I am confident that you are going to win! Keep in mind that consistency is the key. The more effort that you put into implementing these 5 tips into your daily lifestyle, the quicker the unwanted pounds will disappear!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5428

Prevention and Treatment for Acne Scars

While it may sound elementary, the first place to start with acne scar treatment is prevention.
Most people cannot predict when they will have an acne outbreak or how severe that outbreak will be. If you suffer from acne outbreaks, having a good preventive treatment regiment is a proactive way to keep acne minimized, reducing the risk of scarring in the first place. It is as washing your hands to help prevent spreading germs.

Among all of the factors that can contribute to acne outbreaks, heredity is part of the mix. Additionally, heredity plays a factor in the amount of scarring you will receive from acne, or in other words, your ability to heal.

Almost all acne sufferers will develop some form of scarring, from mild to severe. The earlier in life that acne treatment is initiated, the more likely scarring will be minimized.

Acne scarring is the end result of the body's healing process. The decrease of elastic fibers in the skin combined with thickened collagen groups that grow excessively contribute to scar tissue.

There are two types of scar:
Hypertropic Scars are the thick and discolored scars that show above the normal surface of the skin.
Keloid scars are discolored scars at the skin level or below and grow outward from the initial injury similar to a stretch mark.

There are several treatment options available to help reduce or eliminate the visible signs of scarring from acne.

Topical Solutions - Several topical solutions are available. These ointments are applied to the damaged area and are designed to hydrate the skin and remove dead skin cells, which allows for skin cell rejuvenation and replenishment, reducing or eliminating the appearance of scars.

Silicone Sheets - Modern research has shown that silicone is an effective treatment in scar removal. While the science of how it works is not completely understood, several companies manufacture silicone sheets and silicone based treatments that are designed to minimize or eliminate the appearance of acne scars.

Microdermabrasion - In microdermabrasion, a dermatologist uses a hand held buffing wheel and a special abrasive cream to remove the surface layer of the skin. When the new skin grows in, it is healthier and has more elasticity than the old skin, reducing or eliminating the visible signs of scarring.

Chemical Peels - A chemical peel uses a chemical solution of Phenol, Trichloroacetic Acid, and Alphahydroxy acids to remove the outer layers of damaged skin. Similar to microdermabraision and laser resurfacing, new skin cells replace the removed damaged cells, reducing or eliminating the visible signs of scarring.

Laser Resurfacing - Performed by a qualified cosmetic surgeon, a concentrated laser beam is targeted on the treatment area. As the laser energy penetrates the skin, it vaporizes the water and the surface layer of skin, leaving the deeper layers untouched. Laser resurfacing also helps to restore the elasticity of the skin by shortening the collagen fibers that are contained in the skin layers, reducing or eliminating the visible signs of scarring.

Always be sure to consult a dermatologist before undergoing and treatment for scarring. However, all of these treatments have been proven to be effective, so once you find the right one, it is just a matter of time before the scarring is reduced or eliminated!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/24110

Herbal Therapy for Acne Treatment

Because prevention is the best way to protect your skin from the scarring associated with severe acne, many dermatologists recommend that controlling problematic acne through diet, regular cleansing procedures, and herbal remedies, is the most effective way to combat the tendencies of skin that is prone to acne and acne-related scarring.

Treatments that accentuate the regulation of daily habits having to do with diet, physical exercise, mood control, and other activities, are known as holistic treatments. Holistic treatments often include herbal therapies.

Herbalists recommend the following herbal remedies for acne and scarring:

o Black currant seed oil taken in 500-milligram capsules three times a day for three months or until acne is diminished.
o Evening primrose oil taken in 500-milligram capsules three times a day for three months or until acne is diminished.
o Teas made from a combination of echinacea, tea tree oil, goldenseal, nettles, or calendula.
o Teas made from lavender or chamomile, to help reduce acne-causing stress.
o Chinese herbs such as cnidium seed and honeysuckle flower.
o Teas made from cumin, coriander, and fennel, steeped for 10 minutes in hot water and consumed three times a day after meals.

Some alternative medicine practitioners recommend using diet as a way to combat acne and acne-related scarring. These practitioners believe that diets high in beta-carotene help to reduce the factors that contribute to severe acne. Orange and yellow foods such as carrots, pumpkin, and cantaloupe are loaded with beta-carotene and should be a regular part of the diet of anyone suffering from acne and scarring.

Another dietary recommendation for acne-sufferers is to consume many bland foods such as oatmeal, rice, brown grains, and applesauce. These foods should be eaten instead of spicy foods and fried foods, which are believed by some practitioners to stimulate the hormones and glands that aggravate acne conditions.
A daily practice of yoga is commonly recommended as a way to increase the flow of blood to the face. This helps to flush acne-causing toxins and to provide your facial skin with natural nutrients that help to decrease the formation of acne and to heal scar tissue.

People who suffer from acne should also take care to perform some simple daily rituals that can help to reduce the occurrence of acne and scarring.

Dermatologists and alternative medicine practitioners suggest that acne-sufferers should wash the area twice daily with mild soap. Washing should be gentle. Scrubbing or grating the skin will only aggravate the condition and lead to scarring.

Hair should be washed thoroughly and regularly and should be kept away from the face and shoulders.
Acne sufferers should also avoid shaving as much as possible. When shaving, take care not to run the blade over blemishes. Always use a new blade so as not to spread infection.

Avoid wearing make-up and facial cosmetics. If you must, take care to use make-up that is hypoallergenic.
In order to prevent scarring, do not pop or squeeze pimples. Popping and squeezing pimples is tempting, but can easily cause infection and the development of unwanted scar tissue.

While many of these holistic therapies can be easily performed at home, it is a good idea to speak with your dermatologist or alternative medicine practitioner about the best holistic measures to take as a way to help with acne and acne-related scarring.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/26202

A Simple Little Holiday Plan

The Thanksgiving leftovers have all been eaten and the gift-buying season has shifted into high gear. Remain calm and prepare yourself for the most jam-packed month in the calendar year. There are a small percentage of you who may actually have completed your to-do list long before everyone else. (If this is you, then kick back and relax.) The rest of you needn't despair! Just read on for the essential steps in holiday preparation.
The key to preparing yourself for all the craziness is a well thought out plan. Believe it or not, the simple act of putting it down on paper can give you some peace. I am not sure why seeing my obligations and tasks in black and white are more calming than letting them race through my mind, but it really works.

During December, the holiday plan that I depend on is divided into four separate sections or categories. They are:
- Cards
- Gifts
- Social/Community Obligations
- Decorating
(Keep an extra copy of your gift list in the car, because you never know where your daily travels will take you.)

Holiday Cards

This year, if you have not already, transfer all of your names and addresses from your address book to a word processing file so you can easily print labels. My recommendation is to use clear labels, because they go with any choice of envelope color. Tip: if you are mailing over-sized envelopes, go to the post office early to have a sample weighed so you can purchase the necessary postage. (Don't forget about adding those new friends and purging the ones that drive you crazy. I especially like to purge those who can only talk about themselves and their stuff, how boring!!)

Presents, presents, and more presents
Make a list of all the people that are going to be the recipients of your hard work. To minimize some effort, consider different options. If individuals are in the same household, consider a group gift. If you have children to buy for and their parents don't have any suggestions (because Tommy and Susie have every possible toy out there), offer to pay for a special activity or a couple of lessons of their choice. Last year my parents picked up riding lessons for our daughter and it was a great gift for all. Our daughter loved it, my husband did not have to open his wallet, and I did not have house more "stuff".

Social and Community Obligations
'Tis the season to be merry and party - but my suggestion is not to overdo it. Our daily routines are so overscheduled anyway that the extra commitments can make it difficult to juggle everything. Attend the parties and social gatherings that are truly important to you and politely decline the rest. (Sorry, but this does not apply to family functions!). The season is too short and busy to spend an evening watching the clock.
Community or charitable contributions are important during the holiday season. There are many people in your community that are less fortunate, so as a family or as an individual make some extra time for those in need. There are many local organizations that would be happy to guide you as to what is needed. I believe this is a wonderful opportunity for people to make a difference and experience the true holiday spirit.

Indoor/Outdoor Decorating
Last, but not least, make two separate plans for attacking decorating: one for indoors and the other for outdoors; and remember this does not need to be accomplished in one day. My husband and I allow significant downtime between the two tasks. Decorating should be a fun family event and if you get stressed out and exhausted the enjoyment will disappear.

Pick a theme for your outdoor display: all out, Clark Griswold-style or a more elegant approach, such as a simple wreath with a spotlight on your front door. Anything goes, so make it a reflection of how you and your family celebrate the holidays. Have fun with the indoor decorating and remember to take a quick inventory of what you have so there is no duplication. Light a fire and put on your favorite CD and let the decorating begin.

Good luck, relax, check those lists twice and remember what the season is really about.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6010

Make a Golden Christmas Tree

Several Years ago while I was shopping for Christmas I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw the holiday arrangements at the department store I was in.

I was dazzled by the sight, golden branches wrapped in twinkling white lights. The idea was so simple but yet absolutely beautiful.

Within a moment I decided I would re-create it at home. Once home, I took a walk in the woods to gather the necessary branches and the other materials were easily found at my local craft store.

I created three trees that year and placed them on my front porch; two smaller ones on the left side of the door and a larger one to the right. The effect was just what I had hoped for~ a golden glow that welcomed family and friends into my home for the holidays.

Materials Needed for One Tree:
Large tree branch that "looks" like a small tree
Gold spray paint
Gold fabric
Gold cording
Soil
String of white lights
Plastic garbage bag
1. Find a large tree branch that when held on its end, looks like a small tree.
2. Fill a garbage bag with soil, enough to support the weight of the branch when inserted. Insert the branch and pack the soil around it so it stands upright. Tie the bag securely around bottom of branch. Shape the bag of soil so it looks like the root ball when you buy a new tree from the nursery.
*Note-it will be heavy so work fairly close to where you want your final project so you don't have too far to move it.
3. Spray entire tree with gold spray paint and let it dry.
4. Wrap "root ball" in gold fabric and secure with gold cording.
5. String with white lights.
Since creating my golden Christmas trees I have seen a similar project where the tree was spray painted white and the "root ball" was covered with colorful holiday fabric. Either way, it makes a festive holiday display. Enjoy the holidays!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6214

The Holiday Season

The Holiday Season. Does time seem to compress, or is it just me? There's so much going on -- the end of autumn, the beginning of winter, and all the holidays that follow. As a child it was an exciting time of year. As an adult, it seems filled with more shopping, baking, parties, and other events than I can squeeze into the available time.

In Aikido, the martial art that I practice and teach, we have something called "randori," an exercise in which the student stands alone on the practice mat and as many as five opponents attack simultaneously.
Sometimes the holidays feel like this -- which task, event, or relationship do I take on first?

The first secret of randori is to handle one attack at a time. I can't let myself become overwhelmed by the enormity of what's out there. I must stay fully present with what's right in front of me. It's hard to do, but it saves time, energy, and wear and tear!

Secret #2 is to engage the attack. Though it sounds counterintuitive, welcoming the attack puts me in charge of it. I decide what I want to handle first and move toward it.

Planning a family dinner, finding places to stay for the relatives, shopping for holiday gifts, getting the budget report done on time, AND hiring a new administrative assistant -- each task by itself might be doable, even enjoyable, but taken together they seem overwhelming. How to stay balanced and effective?

In the midst of life's multiple, simultaneous events:
Know that each can be an attack or a gift -- it's up to you.
Engage one task at a time.

Every time you experience the pressure of "How can I possibly do it all?" -- stop and BE where you are, and give your relaxed presence to the task at hand.

Gradually you'll feel in charge of the only things you can be in charge of -- yourself and the present moment.
Happy Holidays!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6758

Your Inner Beauty

The business of beauty is thriving everywhere. Women are spending much of their time and money on buying beauty products. Even in the third world countries, women living below the poverty line, buy cheap and substandard beauty products, which give more harm to their skin than good.

It's the fundamental right of every woman to look beautiful. Every woman wants to listen the sweet words "you are beautiful". But the beauty of a woman is far from her looks or figure. Physical beauty is only one aspect while a beautiful charming personality is a complete blend of many fine characteristics such as good manners, etiquette, behavior, smile, intelligence, sense of humor, social and family values etc., all make a woman look beautiful and attractive.

Didn't you know that there is a marked difference between a carefully hand woven expensive Persian carpet and a cheap machine made carpet. Both of these cannot be equated. A beautiful woman is like an elegant hand-knotted Persian carpet. Each and every silky, colorful thread of her character, nicely woven into her personality, gives a woman an everlasting beauty and attraction.

Looks are very important indeed but the characteristics of a person are much more important. Besides taking care of your physical beauty, why not think of improving your inner beauty. The beauty which everyone admires is becoming a rare commodity these days. While on your way to a beauty parlor keep on thinking ways of improving your inner beauty.

Take care of yourself and take care of your inner beauty. No doubt you are a beautiful person.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

Happiness

Everyone in the world would be want to have the word, the word that makes us like the perfect and had everything. But what portion of your happy? Is Happiness measured from a portion? Who let the happiness portion? and when will you get the portion your happiness?

In my opinion, the portion Happiness is there as you walk with the time, because if you are not given a portion, when are you going to learn to be someone who faithfully waited and learned to be a good stand with all the problems?

Because I am a woman with a sense of feeling high, I was in the wrong position interpret the word "Happy!" What do you think about the HAPPY? escape from the problem, or having everything that you dreamed of?

From the article before this one, I feel very HAPPY and I thought it would stay forever, but after a few days, I feel this just as a distraction like snack in my  life. Since the events of yesterday happy is not being always present in my live, just like a rainbow that appeared only a few time and not forever.

The Power Of Being A Woman

 I will share interesting article below from Allie Och,

The American Poet Ralph Waldo Emerson once said: "What lies behind us and what lies before us, are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." Little did he know that his quote would sum up the past, present and future of women. He also didn't know that women would emerge as powerful pillars of society. It wasn't until the 20th century that American women were allowed to vote and it took even longer until they could say no to sex in their marriages. What lies behind us is the history of women, who paved the way to liberation.

What lies before us is the most meaningful time ever for women. What lies within us is the power to continue this feminine revolution. The once considered submissive female gender is rising to the top. Today women have assumed the roles of CEOs, litigation lawyers and senators. Women earn four out of every 10 law degrees and almost that many medical degrees. They have become activists against violence and proponents of human rights. Their worth has become defined by their accomplishments and ability to make a difference.

Today women seek validation as complete human beings. Along the way they have learned to master remote controls, change tires and file income tax returns. They know how to shop for bargains and still splurge on Godiva chocolates. They cry over romantic movies and get a thrill from the X-files. They are touched by the sight of babies and outraged at violence. When making love they like to be on the top, in charge of their own fulfillment.

Yet, taxis still stop for us, men still open the doors for us and firefighters will rescue us first. We don't have to pay when we go on dates. We can go after what we want without being afraid to ask for help. We can say what we mean, without being mean when we say it. We can walk in the shoes of others, without losing direction. Best of all, we know how to solve our problems by simply eating chocolate.

There are more fashion stores for women than there are for men. Entire cosmetic departments, loaded with stuff to make us look and smell pretty, are created just for us. Our underwear, enriched with lace and rhinestones, is fortified with silicone inserts and airlifts. It doesn't get any better than that. Our options and power are endless and here is some data to support that:
· By 2010, women are expected to control $1 trillion, or 60 percent, of the country's wealth - BusinessWeek and Gallup.
· Women purchase or influence the purchase of 80 percent of all consumer goods.
This is just the beginning! On a competence level we have what it takes to grab the world by the tail. Women are natural at multi-tasking. They talk on the phone, while cooking dinner, shave their legs while applying eye-makeup and run a corporation while managing a household. Women have compassion like no other species and never tire of listening to problems. They have the courage to find solutions when others give up. Equipped with great intuition they know right from wrong without consulting an expert.

Women are great communicators connecting easily with people. They are resilient in the face of adversity and are networking pros reaching out for support. Instead of hoarding information, women freely share with others. They are emotionally tuned-in and have the gift of expressing it.

Women have the courage to be honest and outspoken. When dealing with stress, women can have a pedicure or go shopping. Best of all, women don't need to compete with men to be successful. They can stand on their own, or be united to reach goals. Femininity is personal power and at no other time in history has society been so touched by the power of women.

While many women may still be judged by the shape of their legs, corporations are zooming in on feminine traits. With a new female leadership style emerging, women are hired into positions of power because of their skills and femininity. Obviously, many companies believe that the best man for the job is still a woman. Society has finally concluded that the lack of female energy is the reason for most problems in our world.

Women have what it takes to create a more peaceful world of human equality. Our time has come to capitalize on our feminine traits and the warmth of our hearts to rock the world. No matter what background, religion or race we come from, we don't need to look outside for validation. Our strength lies within. The world needs us. It needs our courage to forge ahead, our intuition to discern, our passion for humanity and our wisdom to see the big picture. Women must stand united in their feminine spirit to bring about global changes. There is nothing quite like women with a purpose, who rise to the occasion.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Allie_Ochs/1849