FOR WOMEN ONLY SITE

PREVENTING CLOGS

It's true! Regularly running hot water down your sink drains, helps to prevent clogs!

9 TIPS FOR EATING HEALTHIER FAST FOODS

Unfortunately, occasionally, we all must be forced to survive off of fast food. Whether or not it's a regular choice, here are some tips to help you do it a little healthier!

1.) Avoid fried foods. Opt instead to eat baked or broiled.

2.) If you find yourself unable to avoid fried food, remove the breading. This is where most of the fat is absorbed.

3.) When you order pizza, get the toppings with mushrooms, onions, or peppers, instead of pepperoni and sausage.

4.) Do NOT order mayonnaise laced salad dressings.Try it with fruits and vegetables.

5.) On your salad- NO bacon bits, croutons, rich salad dressings, or fried noodles.

6.) Avoid or use sparingly high sodium condiments

7.) No soft drinks or milk shakes! Instead, order low-fat milk, fruit juice or just a healthy glass of water!

8.) For your coffee and teas, use low fat, or non-dairy creamers.

9.) This one is a no-brainer, but we've got to throw it in anyway. Avoid high fat, calorie rich pastries and desserts. They give you no nutritional value whatsoever. Only calories and fat.

HOW TO EAT LESS WITHOUT STARVING

It's almost that time of year again. Since we all hate dieting, but we all try to do the New Year's resolution- uh-hmm, "thing"- this list may prove to be more effective than kidding ourselves into another year of dieting torment.

1.) Use smaller plates, so that your portions look bigger.

2.) Eat smaller amounts of food more often.

3.) Chew slowly.

4.) If you need a snack- wait 10 minutes before doing so. The urge may pass.

5.) Wear tighter clothes. Man, does that one work!

6.) Drink lots of water everyday. This will suppress your appetite.

7.) Never skip breakfast.

8.) Never starve yourself all day for a big dinner night. You will be more inclined to overeat.

DISHWASHERS- TO GEL OR NOT TO GEL?

Have you ever noticed when preparing to wash a load of dishes that your detergent sometimes spills out before you get the chance to use it? Have you ever noticed when it's finished cycling that there are "left over" amounts in your container? Problem solved! Gels are the way to go! Gels also remove lipstick stains from cups better than powders do.

The powders, however, one up the gels in the overall cleaning of dried on foods! They also prevent spotting better than gels. So, it's up to you to decide which is the better pro or con!

THE TRUTH ABOUT DISINFECTANTS

It really just is NOT possible to properly disinfect your home as manufacturers claim with chemical disinfectants. For any medical problem arising that requires germ killing- consult with your doctor!

CLEANING TIP- DRYERS

Clean your dryer's lint screen after each use! This maintains high drying efficiency and will help to prevent excessive heat build-up, which can result in a fire hazard. Also, vacuum any visible lint build up in other parts of the dryer.....

Dana, the force to be reckoned with.....

We decided to do a feature story on Dana, because she is a woman of inspiration. Read on and we believe you will agree!


 Dana is a woman that you'd never want to mess with, but you'd never know it just from looking at her kind face. As a teenager taking college classes, Dana discovered the Martial Art form of Shorin Ryu. Dana found the class a bit restrictive in the sense that you couldn't talk or ask questions. She also found it rigid and repetitive. What she did like, however, was the fact that it gave her discipline. She loved the forms that came with learning this new art. And, let's face it- it's just plain cool for a woman to be able to defend herself without fear.
After an eight year hiatus from studying Martial Arts, Dana was helping out with a local silent auction, where she currently resides. One of the auction items was for bidding on a partial fee towards a Martial Arts school. Dana bid on the item and won it. Already having a college loan to pay for, as well as her husbands school loan, Dana made up the difference by assisting and helping out at her new Martial Arts school. After one year of assisting, Dana worked her way up to becoming an instructor for all of the kids programs. She enjoyed this immensely, and found it especially rewarding.
From her white belt to attaining her black belt, 1st degree that is- the process took her approximately four years. She now holds a 1st degree black belt in Hapkido.
"Aside from the exercise benefit, Hapkido or the whole Martial Arts experience has given me a confidence boost. I am more aware of my surroundings, without being nervous or paranoid about it", Dana says. Dana goes on, "Martial Arts is intellectually challenging, it's never boring. You never feel as if you 'arrive' because there is always a goal to work toward. I'm grateful that I've never been put into a position where I've had to use it though. Women in general are brought up believing that they always have to be polite. It's actually okay to not feel obligated to be polite to someone who may be in a position to cause you harm. It's okay to be vocal about standing your ground. Everyone has to discover what form of Martial Arts works for them. I happen to enjoy Hapkido because you have to stay with it or you will lose your skill level."

Dana breaking boards

SIGNS THAT YOU MAY BE WITH A BAD DUDE, PART 2

While anyone can become irritated at being ignored by the wait staff, or receiving horribly cooked food there are some key things to watch out for when dining with your date.
1.) Is he unreasonably rude to the wait staff?
2.) Is he impatient?
3.) Does he seem to think he's the "king" that has walked through the door and sat on his throne?
4.) Does he seem ridiculously dissatisfied at the smallest of things?

Hint. That's not normal. We are all human and you never know when your waiter is experiencing family problems, divorce, single parent challenges, illness in the family, teenage issues, etc. Give a little room for human error. If Mr. "holier than thou" is that way with a stranger, he will be even worse in a permanent relationship when it comes to you.
Get out while the food is still hot......

PART 1- SIGNS YOU MAY BE WITH A BAD DUDE

  Riding in a car with a new date, or the man you have been dating is a tale-tell sign of what lies beneath that exterior. Watch for trouble if he gets road rage, especially over small incidents. If someone accidentally cuts him off in traffic, or pulls out in front of him and he reacts like a raging maniac-WATCH OUT! If he is this way to them, how will he be with you in private in an established relationship?

No one on earth can make you feel badly about yourself if you don't give them permission to do so.......

NEEDY FRIENDS

  Are you the needy friend who knows no boundaries? When you do talk to your best girlfriends, is the entire talk centered around the most important person in the world- "YOU"? Are you an emotional wrecking ball? Have people begun to dread seeing you coming? Dread your phone call?

Do you realize that you are pushing people away from you by being this way?

Get hold of yourself. While all women need a best girlfriend that they can turn to in times of trouble, control yourself. Realize that you are not the only one with problems and stress. Make time for those that you demand so much from. Stop being a demanding, whining brat.

Just because no one has been fortunate enough to realize what a gold mine you are, doesn't mean that you shine any less

~T.D. Jakes

As women, why don't we put into practice the love and support of each other, rather than the back-biting, two faced gossip?

FRAXEL- A PRE-EMPTIVE STRIKE BEFORE FACE LIFTS!

  Fraxel involves the latest technology in laser skin treatment. Fraxel purposely manipulates that skin into repairing itself. It reaches below the skin's surface. Treatment can be used for wrinkles around the eyes, brown spots, acne and more. It can also be used on the neck, chest and hands, which is a huge leap forward for women experiencing problems with these areas. Prior to this technology, ways to treat some of these areas has been largely unavailable. To learn more about this great opportunity to avoid or post-pone surgical face-lifts, go to: www.Fraxel.com

 

INSPIRATIONAL DIET/FITNESS SERIES~ AIDA RULL, 3 YEARS AGO!

  Aida Rull, just three years ago.

ONE HOT MAMA~ FROM FRUMPY TO FIT

  Check your pulse. Not just from a health perspective, but if you aren't inspired by this woman, there is something wrong. In person, Aida makes you take a second look at her well toned body. When we learned about her amazing transformation, we really sat up and took notice!

Aida, had birthed 5 children and has become a fitness and diet expert. She has amassed a list of accreditations along the way. She is a member of the following organizations:

American Fitness Professionals and Associates, Certified Personal Trainer and Children's Fitness Specialist, National Board of Fitness Examiners.

After looking through some recent photos just three years ago, she didn't recognize the woman looking back at her. She ate large bowls of ice cream nightly. She assaulted local buffets. After deciding she wanted something different and better, she began her amazing transformation. She is exactly the reason we have tapped her to begin a series on diet, health and fitness.

Aida will bring you informative and excellent topics of discussion. You also may ask questions or make comments in the comments section posted below each entry. Please check back as often as possible to read about Aida's exciting articles!

POPULARITY AND LUNCHTIME- ETIQUETTE SERIES

  While we doubt that you'd want to look this relaxed in your work or office environment, we're going to present you with some key tips to getting along with others. The first will deal with the general office/work setting, the last one with lunchtime socializing.

Work Environment:  Most work places are on a first name basis with all employees. If this is the case and you walk around calling everyone by their last names, you may appear too stuffy. Learn how to relate to everyone in your work environment on a personal level. Charm is a gift. It's also a gift that can and should be learned. Your ability to get your work finished should be equal to your priority for getting along with everyone. Rest assured, your bosses and their secretaries will notice. This will be a quality that can take you far in promotions and other opportunities. You must command respect and be liked at the same time.

Greetings with co-workers, in passing, vary depending on the region in which you live. Some may be non-existent to formal. Others may even be on a personal level with such conversations as: how is your mother doing, your kids, etc. Being friendly, but professional is a must in the work place.

Lunchtime- This one can be tricky and you should adopt a balance for this one. Lots of people use this time of the day to run errands, have quiet, down-time, or to attend to personal needs. This should not be the case everyday. If you don't spend some degree of time with your co-workers, you will appear snobbish. Hanging out at lunchtime promotes camradarie. It also lightens the load by forming alliances. Maybe you need an extra hand here and there, and forming these bonds can be of great help to you in the future.

Next in line on the etiquette series, we will deal with gossip.

ETIQUETTE SERIES

  Beginning Friday, January 16th, we are going to be bringing you a series on Etiquette tips. Initially, these will deal with the work environment. Keep checking back for these helpful ideas. Great for job interviews, career, dating or socializing!