Archive for April, 2008

How To Make An Organic Moisturizer

Monday, April 28th, 2008

By Louise Forrest Organic Skin Care must include moisturizers. Although it is handy to purchase these in a ready to use form, you may want to try some of the following homemade moisturizers for a luxurious change on occasion. You will find that they leave your skin feeling like a million bucks. If cost is a concern, check prices online before choosing a certain recipe. Keep in mind that the more essential oil that the recipe calls for, the more expensive it is to make. In places that the essential oil is more for light fragrance than for necessity to the recipe, it is marked as ‘optional.’ Any essential oils marked this way can be omitted or changed to a scent that you prefer. For those not marked optional, you need them for the recipe to work like it should. By packaging the moisturizers in small Mason jars, you leave yourself open to decorate and give as gifts in a pinch. Place a bit of colorful fabric over the flat lid to the jar, screw the ring on, wrap a color coordinated ribbon around the ring and add a personal tag and you have a ready to give, organic skin care gift from the heart. Just be sure that you are willing to share the recipe or they may drive you crazy wanting more! Quick and Simple Moisturizer: Jojoba Oil is great for any skin type and absorbs easily. Apply a small amount to your freshly cleaned face before you dry it. The water on your face is very important to the use of this oil as a moisturizer. For added enjoyment, mix a drop of your favorite organic essential oil to the jojoba just before application. For anti-aging help, use one teaspoon of jojoba and a dab of active royal jelly (found in refrigerated in health food stores); keep your royal jelly refrigerated or it becomes inactive and no good to you. Anti-aging Dry Skin Moisturizer 4 ounces shea butter 2 ounces organic olive oil 2 teaspoons organic vitamin E oil, 5000 IU 1 teaspoon active royal jelly (refrigerated section of health food stores) 6 drops organic lavender essential oil Mix all ingredients on high until smooth and creamy. Store refrigerated in an airtight container. It is necessary to make small amounts of this at a time and keep refrigerated because of the active royal jelly. This is an awesome ingredient for its healing properties and well worth the effort. Super Simple Moisturizer With only 2 necessary ingredients, this one is a breeze. Mix 1/4 cup pure aloe vera gel (directly from plant) and 2 tablespoons organic vegetable glycerin. This amount is for use over the entire body. Use immediately because aloe vera gel begins to lose potency immediately. For added effects, you can add 3 or 4 drops of your favorite essential oil or you can add 1/2 teaspoon of active royal jelly for anti aging effects. Active royal jelly must be kept refrigerated to remain active and can be found in refrigerated sections of health food stores. Dry Skin Moisturizing Cream This moisturizer has the healing qualities of aloe vera, the anti-oxidant qualities of Vitamin E, and a variety of oils specifically chosen to infuse dry, tired skin with moisture and a renewed radiance. 1/3 cup aloe vera gel (taken directly from plant) 1/4 cup beeswax (liquefied) 1/3 cup coconut oil 3 drops grape seed extract 6 drops of organic lavender essential oil (optional) 3/4 cup organic olive oil 1/4 tsp vitamin E (5000 IU) 2/3 cup water (distilled) Combine olive oil, coconut oil, and beeswax and melt in a large, microwave safe bowl then pour in blender and let cool until it is about as thick as a milkshake. While the above is cooling, combine your water, aloe, essential oil, vitamin E, and grape seed extract in a large liquid measuring cup, pour this into blender when the other mixture has cooled enough. Blend until smooth and creamy. If you are lucky enough to have a heavy duty kitchen mixer (the kind that is on its own stand with its own bowls), you may find that it works better for you because the mixture does become very heavy. Store refrigerated in small Mason jars. Keep YOURSELF looking great with these great Skin Care secrets from http://www.NaturalElements.co.uk In seconds you can access over 36 beauty topics that will keep you looking younger and more radiant.Help your skin with a variety of Organic Skin Care products at Natural Elements Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Louise_Forrest http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Make-An-Organic-Moisturizer&id=440996 how to clean up credit report what long-term effect does debt consolidation have on credit bad credit computer finaning safe deposit box bad credit

Bad Credit Mortgages Make You A Homeowner Irrespective Of Your Credit Past

Saturday, April 26th, 2008

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Amanda_Pane]Amanda Pane Statistics show that house prices have reached a record high this year; and to believe the forecasts by property experts, prices will continue to hike. Considering the status quo, it is obvious that buying a house in the near future would be nearly impossible, especially for people with limited income and insufficient savings. Bad credit mortgage loans step in to facilitate all those who wish to become homeowners but are restrained because of inadequate funds. The best thing about bad credit mortgages is that they are an option open to all. People can avail bad credit mortgages to become homeowners irrespective of their bad credit past. You may acquire a bad credit record if you have been involved in County Court Judgements, Individual Voluntary Arrangements, missed payments, bankruptcy, arrears or default. Lenders are usually unconvinced to offer loans to people with bad credit history, as they are unsure if the borrower would or would not repay the amount. [http://www.bad-credit-mortgage-choice.co.uk/Bad-credit-mortgage.htmltarget=_blank]Bad credit mortgages are a kind of secured loans usually secured against the house that you buy with the loan amount. These types of loans have, to some extent; higher rates of interest, because of your poor credit history. The repayment duration and the terms and conditions laid are usually lender specific and may vary significantly. The point to be pondered is that bad credit mortgages have higher interest rates than most other types of loans. That is why it is advised to survey the market well in advance, so that you may look for various bad credit mortgage packages on offer and compare and choose the one that gels well with your requirements. About The Author The author is a business writer specializing in finance and credit products and has written authoritative articles on the finance industry. He has done his masters in Business Administration and is currently assisting Bad-Credit-Mortgage-Choice as a finance specialist. For more information please visit: http://www.bad-credit-mortgage-choice.co.uk Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amanda_Pane http://EzineArticles.com/?Bad-Credit-Mortgages-Make-You-A-Homeowner-Irrespective-Of-Your-Credit-Past&id=276891 opt out credit reporting women bad credit free credit score123 bad credit car loan hermiston

24 Tips for Successful Weight Loss

Thursday, April 24th, 2008

By Heather Diodati Want to look fit and trim for next summer’s season or for that wedding? Here are some healthy, handy tips on how to lose weight. 1. Never skip any meals, particularly breakfast. The first meal of the day triggers your metabolism to start the fat burning process. 2. Six mini meals throughout your day helps keep your metabolism from slowing down. 3. Fiber-rich foods such as whole grains, helps fill you up and aids digestion. 4. Learn to eat slowly, even if others around you are fast eaters. It takes a full twenty minutes before your brain receives the signal from your stomach that youre full. 5. Be sure to keep a food diary. This really helps you adhere to your eating plan. Just knowing that you have to record that piece of chocolate cake in your diary may help prevent you from eating it or at least to eat only half! Nutridiary has an excellent Free food and exercise log. 6. Get into some form-fitting workout clothes for your before photo. Take a photo from the front, side and back. A few successful months later, wearing the same clothing, take the same pictures youll be pleased when you see the results and this will also motivate you to continue. 7. Drinking a minimum of eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day helps your metabolism burn fat. 8. Hot and spicy foods have also been shown to rev up your metabolism. 9. When invited to a friends house for a meal, always mention your special diet so as not to offend anyone when you show up with some of your own food. 10. When dining out, order a salad to eat before your meal. This will fill you up so youll eat less of the main meal. But be sure to ask for a low calorie salad dressing and ask for it on the side so you can regulate how much dressing to add to your salad. If they do not have anything low calorie, ask for oil and vinegar, again on the side. Be careful with the oil use a teaspoon or tablespoon to measure it onto your salad. 11. Increase your activity do activities you enjoy to prevent boredom. 12. Make a list of reasons why you want to lose weight and refer to it often. Tape it up on the fridge to remind you! 13. Pre-package weighed or measured snacks. 14. Going away? Bring your before photos with you. Keep them in an easily viewed spot to help motivate you to not lose touch with your eating plan during your vacation. 15. Calculate your BMI or body mass index which measures the proportion of fat in your body. Check your results to see the proper BMI for your health. Use this handy Body Mass Index Chart to find out if youre carrying around too much fat in relation to your body weight. The fat is measured using the BMI or Body Mass Index. 16. Just because it claims to be low fat or fat free, that doesnt mean calorie free! Check those labels! 17. Weigh yourself in the morning unclothed, only once a week. Track your progress in your diet log (see #15 above). 18. Eat your meals on a smaller plate to fool your subconscious! 19. Drink plenty of water while eating to fill you up and help with digestion. 20. Keep your before photo on your fridge. 21. Set several mini goals for yourself. Be sure to write them down and keep them handy. Reward yourself with a non-food reward at the end of successful completion of each goal. 22. Get lots of rest. Being tired lowers your resistance. 23. When eating out, cut your meal in half and pour a lot of salt onto this portion to discourage you from finishing off your plate, or ask that it be packaged right away for you in a doggy bag to be taken home after your meal. 24. In the mood for dessert? Try low fat graham crackers. They are whole grain and a couple of them with a hot mug of tea will help curb your craving for sweets. Want more of Heather Diodatis articles and how-tos? Visit http://www.whimsies-online.com/freecontent.htm. By the way, you are free to use these articles on your websites and ezines provided you include the authors bylines. A courtesy copy or an email mentioning where the article was published would be much appreciated! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Heather_Diodati http://EzineArticles.com/?24-Tips-for-Successful-Weight-Loss&id=261916 md bad credit lending bad credit car dealerships two entities that may review your credit report free credit report equifax

The Cubicle: Your Home Away From Home?

Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008

By Leon Chaddock Is your cubicle your home away from home? For many, everything that they need is there. Of course, you have your phone, your computer and your paperwork. But, you probably have all sorts of other things as well. Photos are throughout the walls. Your hot drink and your cold drinks are there. You will find that many people have their doodle pads within reach as well. But, really, the cubicle is a sad place. You can brighten them up a little. One excellent way to improve employee satisfaction is to provide them with a comfortable place to work, even if that is only a cubicle. But, make them convenient, comfortable and spacious. Sure, you dont have a lot of room but that little extra bit is likely to help your employees to feel more in an office than a box. You can add shelving units, desks and computers to the space, but again, make sure that things are easy to use and within reach. You should allow them to have a place to put notes and pictures of those at home. You can easily do this with a corkboard of sorts or even by using padded cubicles. Why should you bother? Of course you are thinking that this is a waste of money. But, for many businesses, having a comfortable place to work in will allow your employees to work better. Efficiency is quite important in all aspects of business. And, this is no hidden secret that happy employees provide better, more efficient workloads. So, go ahead and splurge here. Are you thinking that you do not know just what you can use to make your employees work area better? There are a number of websites online that can help you not only make better work environments for your employees, but that can help you do it as well. In fact, many will provide the products that you need and the labor to do it at a very reasonable rate. Give in a little and reap the rewards by providing great cubicles for your employees. For more information please see http://www.cubicle-deals.co.uk Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Leon_Chaddock http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Cubicle:–Your-Home-Away-From-Home?&id=91692 get a home loan with bad credit credit score average bad credit auto dealers wisconsin bad credit personal loans no collateral no cosigner

Got Food Serving Smarts?

Sunday, April 20th, 2008

By Harriet Hodgson Breakfast, lunch, and dinner - more Americans are eating out these days. It’s nice to be able to sit back, relax, and not have to worry about fixing a meal. But food portions have increased steadily since the 1950s and many of us are eating too much. In the 1950s a serving of French fries was 2.4 ounces, according to www.mealsmatter.org. Today, a serving of French fries is 7.1 ounces or more. The food industry, responding to market demands, produced glasses as big as pitchers and plates as big as platters. Today, huge servings are so common we think they are “normal.” While many restaurants are giving us a good deal on food, it’s a bad deal when it comes to your health. Vanderbilt University wellness experts, on their Health Plus Website, say many Americans could be “innocently overeating,” and wonder why they’re gaining weight. An “Action on Obesity” conference report, published in the April 2005 issue of “Mayo Clinic Proceedings,” cites some causes of weight gain: increased portion size, dining out at restaurants, and consuming energy-dense foods, such as snacks and carbonated drinks. Eating out is okay if we keep serving sizes in mind. What’s the difference between a portion and a serving? A portion is the amount you choose to eat, including return trips to the buffet table. A serving is a measured amount based on food pyramid groups. According to MayoClinic.com, we may be “overlooking an important part of a healthy diet - serving sizes.” And the serving sizes we need to eat in order to maintain a healthy weight may be smaller than we think. Calculating serving sizes is a learned skill, according to Mayo Clinic, and you need measuring cups, spoons, and a food scale to do it. You’re not going to bring these things to a restaurant, so what’s the solution? Mayo Clinic says you can compare serving sizes to objects: 3 ounces of meat, fowl or fish = a deck of cards; 1 cup of vegetables = size of your fist; 1 apple = a baseball; 1/2 cup pasta = one ice cream scoop; 1 1/2 ounces of cheese - two dominoes; 1 cup dry cereal - a large handful Can you continue to eat out and keep a healthy weight? Yes, if you follow these tips. 1. STUDY MENU OPTIONS. Ask your server if you can make any substitutions, such as veggies for French fries, and low-calorie salad dressings. Ask for vinegar and oil if low-calorie dressings are unavailable. 2. CHOOSE LOW CALORIE FOODS. These foods include grilled chicken, steamed vegetables, fresh fruit, and salad with dressing on the side. Choose whole grain bread and eat one serving (a slice or roll) only. 3. ORDER SUGAR-FREE DRINKS. In a brochure called “How Much Are You Eating?” the USDA says we should moderate our intake of sugar. One sugar sweetened carbonated beverage may contain 10 teaspoons of sugar. Instead of sugar sweetened drinks order plain water or unsweetened iced tea. 4. CHECK SERVING SIZES. Before you take one bite of food calculate the serving sizes on your plate. Eat half your meal (or less) if the servings are too large. Take the rest of your food home for another day. 5. EAT VEGGIES AND FRUIT FIRST. Many restaurants are serving meat, chicken, and fish portions that would feed two or more. Eating low-energy-dense foods (low-calorie foods that fill you up)will make it easier to eat one serving of protein. 6. EAT SLOWLY. It takes a while for the mind to realize you are full. Eating slowly and chewing your food well gives your mind time to process this fact. You’ll also enjoy your food more. Stop eating the minute you feel full. 7. CHOOSE FRUIT FOR DESSERT. If fresh fruit is on the menu, choose it for dessert and ask the server to hold the whipped cream. After eating a huge meal you may wish to skip dessert. You also have the option of taking dessert home, cutting it into smaller servings, and freezing it. Keep these tips in mind whenever you go to a restaurant. Share these tips with family members and friends. Your food serving smarts will help you to have a healthy and long life. Copyright 2005 by Harriet Hodgson. To learn more about her work go to http://www.harriethodgson.com. Harriet Hodgson has been a nonfiction writer for 27 years and is a member of the Association of Health Care Journalists. Her 24th book, “Smiling Through Your Tears: Anticipating Grief,” written with Mayo Clinic psychiatrist Dr. Lois Krahn, is available from http://www.amazon.com. A five-star review of the book is also posted on Amazon. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Harriet_Hodgson http://EzineArticles.com/?Got-Food-Serving-Smarts?&id=88063 debt consolidation loan online quick credit repair no bad credit engagement rings with bad credit cards

Depression Suicide

Saturday, April 19th, 2008

By Milos Pesic While it is true that most people who are suffering from depression do not kill themselves, when the condition is left untreated it could increase the risk of possible suicide. Individuals with depression suicide often have thoughts about death, or more particularly, about dying, whether or not they intend to act on these thoughts. Moreover, it is not the severely depressed people who are more prone to suicide attempts, but those who have recovered enough energy to harm themselves. In any case, depression suicide is a serious issue that should be addressed as soon as possible. However, depression suicide is only one among the many symptoms of a condition known as clinical depression. And often, these suicidal tendencies manifest themselves only in moderate to severe cases, and very rarely in the extremely severe when the individual has no energy to act on the thought. The good news, however, is that depression suicide is perfectly treatable. There are in fact many treatment options available and most cases of depression suicide have shown positive response to proper treatment. What are the Risk Factors? Depression suicide is a complex condition involving many risk factors. These may vary with age, gender and ethnic group. In addition, the factors may also change over time and may frequently occur in combination. According to current research, 90 percent of people who kill themselves are suffering from depression suicide or another diagnosed mental or substance abuse disorder. Another study showed a relationship between diminished levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin and the risk of depression suicide. It was found that patients with depression suicide, impulsive disorders, and a history of violent suicide attempts have reduced levels of serotonin. Postmortem brains of suicide victims also display the same telltale signs of diminished serotonin levels. Adverse life events, when combined with strong risk factors, may also increase the risk of suicide. Some of the common risk factors for depression suicide include: * One or more diagnosable mental or substance abuse disorders. The latter includes alcoholism or drug addiction while the former includes major depression. * Impulsivity * Adverse life events, such as death of a loved one, divorce, domestic abuse, etc. * Family history of mental or substance abuse disorder, or a family history of depression suicide * Prior suicide attempt * Firearm in the home * Incarceration * Exposure to suicidal behavior of others, including family, peers, or in the news or fiction stories What You Can Do If you know of anyone or one of your friends talks to you about suicide, be alert. Contrary to what some people may believe, it is not true that people who talk about suicide will not attempt it. There are many reasons why suicidal people may make such comments and one of them may be that they are subconsciously crying out for help. You should answer that call. Milos Pesic is a successful webmaster and owner of popular and comprehensive Overcome Depression blog. For more articles and resources on Depression related topics, visit his blog at: =>http://overcome-depression.blogspot.com/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Milos_Pesic http://EzineArticles.com/?Depression-Suicide&id=327109 pharmacy for phentermine phentermine pills online purchase phentermine phentermine with no prescription required

How to Use a Footbath with Herbs

Wednesday, April 16th, 2008

By Rudy Silva Recently I read a book by William L. Fischer called Hidden Secrets of Super Perfect Health at Any Age, Book II, 1986. In chapter 10, The F-M Circulizer System, he discusses the use of an herbal footbath. After reading this chapter, I understood the importance of using herbs in a footbath to improve your health. Its a simple concept yet this is the first time I have read about this idea.This book was written in 1986 and Fischer claims this herbal footbath has been in use overseas since 1946! When you use a footbath and heat the water, the veins in your feet start to dilate. Over a period of 20-30 minute, the warm water affects your entire vascular system and you get an improved circulation of blood throughout your body. By adding herbs to hot water, the minerals from the herbs enter the soles of your feet and move into you blood stream. What this means is that you can introduce into your blood stream a variety of herbal chemicals into your body using the footbath. During the your footbath, these herbal chemical will be quickly circulated throughout your body and get used where there is a deficiency. The herbal footbath can result in improved health provided you pick the herbs that are beneficial to your health. You can start by adding herbs that are high in minerals. Most people are deficient in alkaline minerals and have an acid body. Adding minerals into your body is a definite plus. Heres how to prepare and use an herbal footbath. * Buy these four herbs that are high in minerals alfalfa herb, parsley, horsetail herb, kelp herb. Buy 1-2 oz of each. This might cost you $10.00 or less * Mix all 4 herbs * Prepare an herbal infusion by boiling 2 - 3 cups of water. After boiling pull the water off the hot plate. Add 2 tablespoons of the mixed herbs. Let this mixture sit for 20 minutes. The longer you let this mixture sit the stronger the infusion will be. * After 20 minutes, start your footbath and press the heat button * Strain the herbal infusion using a strainer and a cloth so that no herbal particles are included in the tea infusion * Add the infusion into the footbath * Place you feet into the footbath for 20 30 minutes. Use the footbath every other day for 30 days before going to bed. Then take a 7-day rest before you use another herbal mixture. If you want to treat a specific ailment, find the herbal mixture and use it in your footbath. Use it every other day for 30 days. I have been using the footbath with herbs rich in minerals for 3 weeks and heres what I noticed. * Improved sleep * Less pain in my shoulder joint * More energy *Eyes see clearer longer though out the day * Warmer hands and feet The footbath spa that Im using is the Homedics model JetSpaUltra. I like this unit because it has a jet stream action and bubbling. It has a button for heat and a rotator to do manicuring. I dont use the manicuring but you might. My daughter of 8 years likes play with these rotating items. And, it is easy to fill and clean. Rudy Silva has a degree in Physics and is a Natural Nutritionist. He is the author of Constipation, Acne, Hemorrhoid, and Fatty Acid ebooks. He writes a newsletter called Natural Remedies Thatwork.com For more information on his writings go to http://www.stop-constipation.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rudy_Silva http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Use-a-Footbath-with-Herbs&id=21302 phentermine adipex no prescription phentermine 37.5 diet pills order phentermine diet pills cheap phentermine overnight delivery

Color Contact Lenses - Do They Work on Dark Eyes?

Monday, April 14th, 2008

By Tanya Turner Do you want to change dark eye color to something different, but you are unsure if color contacts will work for your eyes? If you have brown eyes and tried color contact lenses several years ago, you were probably disappointed. Color contacts of the previous generation ether gave your eye color only a very slight change or your eyes looked blue but completely unnatural. Creating color lenses that would truly transform brown eyes into sky blue or emerald green is a very difficult task, but modern color contact lenses can do it. The trick is to select the lenses that would work for you. There are two types of color contacts - enhancement color contacts and opaque color lenses. Enhancers usually come in different shades of blue, green and gray and are designed to make your natural eye color look brighter. They are translucent and create a natural-looking effect. Unfortunately, enhancement color contacts work only for light eyes. Over brown eyes, enhancers would be either completely invisible or create only a very light tint that was not enough to change your color. Opaque color contacts, on the other side, are specially designed for brown eyes. As the name suggests, they aren’t transparent; only the center of the lens is clear, so you can still see. Opaque lenses aren’t solid color, of course: they simulate the natural pattern of a human eye. However, not all opaque color contacts do a good job of recreating a natural pattern. Here, I will highlight the brands that create a vivid, but natural-looking, effect. Freshlook Colorblends by Ciba Vision looks very realistic, because the base color for each lens is actually a mix of three different shades - just as it usually is in the human iris. The lens is lighter toward the middle and darker at the edge, with a pattern imprinted on it. The color created is vivid, but dark, so Freshlook Colorblends won’t make your eyes appear light. Freshlook Colorblends are monthly disposable color lenses. In my opinion, Amethyst and True Sapphire are their best colors. Acuvue 2 Colors Opaques also create a beautiful, realistic effect. Like all Acuvue contacts, Acuvue 2 Colors is a comfortable lens. The lenses are designed to be replaced every two weeks - this is what the “2″ in the name means. Acuvue 2 Colors is manufactured by Johnson ‘ Johnson. Illusions, also by Ciba Vision, can transform your brown eyes into light blue or green. The effect they create is truly amazing. One drawback of Illusions, though, is that they are traditional, annual replacement contact lenses, which means that they are thicker and not as comfortable as Freshlook or Acuvue. Problems opaque color contact lenses can create. One problem is that a lens can slip a little on your eye, so part of your brown iris is visible. Most people, however, don’t worry about it, because the brown is visible only under close scrutiny; otherwise, it blends with the black of your pupil. Another problem is that opaque color lens might affect your vision. As you know, pupils get larger or smaller, depending on the lighting conditions - it is smallest under a bright light and largest in the dark. Since the clear part of color contact lens isn’t adjustable, in low light situations, part of your pupil will be covered by the opaque lens and your vision will be decreased. It doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to see in the dark, just not as well as you would see if you weren’t wearing your contacts. For this reason, driving at night while wearing your color contacts isn’t recommended - at least, not until you know for sure how they affect your eyes. If you wonder how you will look with different eye colors, give color contacts a try. Eyes are the focal point of your look, and you would be amazed how different you appear with eyes of a different color. Tanya Turner is a contact lens expert and a founder of http://www.1-contact-lenses-consumer-guide.com/, where you can find unbiased information about eye health, all types of contact lenses and comparison of color contact lenses Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tanya_Turner http://EzineArticles.com/?Color-Contact-Lenses—Do-They-Work-on-Dark-Eyes?&id=46500 phenteramine diet pills cheap phentermine free shipping pharmacy order phentermine buy phentermine without a prescription

Gingerbread Men Garlands

Friday, April 11th, 2008

By Rondi Davis The smell of ginger and cinnamon conjures up memories of helping my grandmother prepare for Christmas. Any age child will enjoy making gingerbread men. While my eldest daughter helped to string the garland, younger children will enjoy counting and sorting the gingerbread men. We hung these fragrant garlands as a nostalgic tribute to Christmases past. Ingredients 1/4 cup shortening 1/2 cup dark brown sugar 1/2 cup dark molasses 1/4 cup water 4 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon ginger 1/2 teaspoon salt Small gingerbread man cookie cutter Twelve yards of 1/4-inch satin ribbon A child’s embroidery needle Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 3500. 2. In a large mixing bowl, blend the shortening and the sugar. 3. Beat in the molasses and the water. 4. Add the flour, cloves, cinnamon, ginger, and salt. Mix well. 5. Separate the dough into two balls and refrigerate for one hour. 6. On a floured board, roll each ball out to 1/4-inch thickness. With a small cookie cutter, press out the gingerbread men and place them on a greased cookie sheet. To make quarter-inch holes for stringing the garland, use the eraser end of a new pencil. These holes will later shrink during baking. Press two holes into the chest of each gingerbread man. 7. Bake at 3500 for eight to ten minutes. 8. Cut the satin ribbon into twelve pieces, each one-yard in length. Tie a knot two-inches from the end of each piece. Thread the other end through a child’s embroidery needle. 9. When the gingerbread men have cooled, let the children group them into piles of ten. Thread them, one at a time, onto the ribbon. The hands of the gingerbread men should almost touch. After stringing the tenth man, tie a knot in the ribbon. Do not be discouraged if a few gingerbread men break. Toss the broken pieces together with a few sprigs of pine for a Christmas potpourri. You have permission to reprint this article electronically or in print, free of charge, provided that each article is: 1. Printed in its full form with no changes 2. Includes an active link 3. A courtesy copy of your publication is sent to the above contact 4. And the following byline appears at the bottom of each article: About the Author: Rondi Hillstrom Davis is the co-author of the award-winning book Together: Creating Family Traditions. To check out her website that’s jam packed with family ideas, visit http://www.togetherparenting.com About the Authors Janell Oakes and Rondi Davis are co-authors of the award winning book, Together: Creating Family Traditions. They want to give you the most important gift you can give your family. You can be a part of an irresistible offer available for one day only. http://www.TogetherCreatingFamilyTraditions.com Theyve asked several of their friends to join in making available hundreds of dollars of complimentary gifts as a special present to you. http://www.TogetherCreatingFamilyTraditions.com We don’t want you to miss out on this amazing 24 hour offer. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rondi_Davis http://EzineArticles.com/?Gingerbread-Men-Garlands&id=98896 buy phentermine without perscription pharmacy for phentermine phentermine 37.5 diet pills where to buy phentermine without a prescription

Over The Counter Drugs: How To Safely Choose The Right Medication

Thursday, April 10th, 2008

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ian_Mason] Ian Mason What Medication Can Cure Me? 1. Am I expecting a cure? Some medications relieve symptoms that is, they stop the itching, pain, redness, etc but do not actually get to the source of the illness. Some illnesses, like the common cold, cant be treated/cured, so looking for an OTC drug may be a waste of time; getting rest and drinking fluids may be a better way to spend your afternoon! Other things, like yeast infections, can be treated by over the counter medications; if the infection is making you uncomfortable as well as needing treatment, make sure that you pick a product that gives you both symptomatic relief and treatment. Is It Safe For Your Child? 2. Is it for your child? If so make sure that youre getting a drug that can be given to children. Some drugs that help adults can be dangerous for children; others need to be given at a special dosage. Read the fine print on the box before buying for your child. What About Interactions With Other Drugs? 3. What else am I taking? If youre on any other medications, whether over-the-counter or prescription, stop by the pharmacists desk before heading to the check-out counter. She can check to make sure that the drugs you are taking dont change the effect of the drugs you are taking. Wait… Shouldn’t My Illness Be Over Already? 4. Should my illness have ended by now? If you think you have something that has a natural lifecycle - that is, something like a cold that should end on its own - but you dont feel better after that time is up, you may have misdiagnosed your illness. If youre having to take pain-reliever nonstop to keep functioning, your body is trying to tell you something and you should listen. What feels like a cold might be bronchitis; that achy foot may require orthotics, not aspirin. Long Term Medication Use 5. Is it a chronic problem? If youre having to take over-the-counter medications over a long period of time to prevent symptoms, it is time for your health care practitioner to find out what the underlying cause is. Even something as simple as scaly skin may be a warning sign that youre developing diabetes. And some relatively harmless medications can have serious long-term consequences; for example, some over the counter pain medications can cause stomach bleeding if you take them for a long time. If youre taking an OTC medication constantly to reduce long-term discomfort, talk to your health care provider to make sure that a) youre not missing something important and b) that if its a chronic problem, youre taking medication that your body can handle chronically. Compare Ingredients 6. Whats the active ingredient? If the same active ingredient is found in both the name brand and the generic, chances are they will have the same effect. Pregnant Or Breast Feeding? 7. If youre pregnant or nursing, check with your physician before taking ANY medication, including OTC drugs and alternative products (such as herbal remedies). Some drugs can cross the placenta or through the milk glands, giving your fetus or baby a whopping dose of medication. While the medication might be fine for you, it may not be fine for your baby. Watch Out For Alcohol 8. Does the medication contain alcohol? If it does, its probably going to make you sleepy, it will probably make you feel dehydrated, and adding more alcohol on top of it can be dangerous. Double-Doses: Be Careful! 9. Am I doubling up? If youre taking more than one over-the-counter medication, make sure that they dont have the same ingredients; if they do, you might be doubling the recommended dose of that medication and setting yourself up for unpleasant side effects. This is a particular problem when you take something that combats multiple symptoms of an illness (like flu medications that relieve pain, fever, stuffy nose, and sore throat) - often they contain multiple active ingredients, one of which may overlap with another medication (like a pain killer) that youre taking Side Effects And Allergies 10. Check the label for side effects and symptoms of allergic reaction. If side effects include drowsiness and you drive a truck or care for several active toddlers, this medication might not be right for you. Similarly, if you start running a fever or develop a rash, having read the label ahead of time will help you know if you need to stop the medication and call a doctor to avert a full-blown allergic attack. Copyright (C) Shoppe.MD and Ian Mason, 2004-2005 Ian Mason, owner of Shoppe.MD, your source for [http://www.shoppe.md] Online Prescription Medications, drug information and support forums. Ian is a fat-to-fit student of health, weight loss, exercise, and several martial arts; maintaining several websites in an effort to help provide up-to-date and helpful information for other who share his interests in health of body and mind. Article Source: [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ian_Mason ] http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ian_Mason [http://ezinearticles.com/?Over-The-Counter-Drugs:-How-To-Safely-Choose-The-Right-Medication&id=18992 ] http://EzineArticles.com/?Over-The-Counter-Drugs:-How-To-Safely-Choose-The-Right-Medication&id=18992 cheap phentermine without perscription cheap phentermine mastercard buy phentermine without doctor phentermine diet pills without prescription