Trust is a Boundary

Trust is a boundary: yet not known to mankind. It has shaped our existence, but dwelled in our sight. To trust is to love without fear. Though the truth be told, trust is followed by jealousy; an unknown entity in the world of love. A fear held by all, but revealed by few. The world is not a perfect place. It holds heartache, disappointment and anguish. But the world of love can be a wonderful thing. With sorrow comes friendship. With pain comes passion. But at the base of them all lays trust: the beginning of all and the basis of life. Trust is the foundation that we must pursue in the face of love. For without it, it leaves us with nothing but fear.

Old age jokes

Beautiful women

Woman to Woman

Glorious food

Orange Juice for the Heart

Drinking your orange juice is a triple treat for your heart. Orange juice is a great source of vitamin C, potassium, and Folate that play key roles in helping to reduce heart disease risk factors. A cup of orange juice contains 124 milligrams of vitamin C, 75 micrograms of folate, and 496 milligrams of potassium.

Beautiful women

Beautiful South Africa

Glorious Food 4U

Make a difference

How small things can make a big difference to your day

It is the small things that matter, that can change the world. Here are 20 random small things that that can make the difference to your day:

1. Treat yourself with breakfast in bed. Make it yourself and then curl back into bed and enjoy it!

2. Cuddle someone in bed in the morning. The best is to cuddle someone you love but your pillow will do when you are alone. Sometimes it just feels good to hold someone or something in your arms.

3. Give a smile to a stranger; and you may get one back.

4. Watching children playing carefree and laughing is a reminder to be playful and joyful. Pass a park or a playground on the way home.

5. Watch out for a small gesture of kindness from someone who loves you. The cup of tea made by your husband — now that is love!

6. Blast your soul with soothing music, when you want it.

7. Have a picnic unexpectedly. Nothing invigorates a day like the feeling of sunlight on your face.

8. Five minutes of deep breathing.

9. Give someone an uncomfortably long hug today!

10. A small victory. Can you change that light bulb on your own?

11. A small change to your routine to make your day feel exciting.

12. Create an opportunity to be creative. Start a journal or a scrapbook, or get creative on a routine task at work to make it more exciting.

13. The moment after the rain stops. Everything smells clean, fresh, and revitalized.

14. A deep stretch. The benefits of loosening your muscles exceed enhanced relaxation.

15. A beautiful sunset or sunrise. Nothing is more inspirational that tuning into nature’s majesty.

16. Playing a game you loved as a child. Play hide-and-seek with a friend during teatime at work.

17. An extra half-hour of sleep. Hit the sack a little earlier one night and see how this changes your day.

18. A thoughtful question from a friend. When she asks, “What’s your favourite childhood memory?” she is trying to learn what makes you happy. How beautiful that she cares to know.

19. Fresh, organic food. Organic food has higher nutrient levels and lower pesticide residues—and it often tastes better than non-organic food.

20. A 5-minute massage. Ask your husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend to trade. Alternatively, if you are single, get a spa pedicure in one of those amazing massage chairs.

What does 'Christmas' means?

Buttermilk custard

Make some time!

You can improve the state of your health by simply including ten minutes of exercise a day!

According to US researchers, even women who only exercised 10 minutes a day saw significant improvements in quality of life – they had more energy, less anxiety and were simply happier.

The study is among the first to examine how exercise can improve the quality of life of postmenopausal women who were extremely out of shape but otherwise healthy, said Dr. Timothy Church of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

"This is by far the largest exercise trial which has ever looked at quality of life," Church said in a telephone interview. The results, which were presented at the American Heart Association's Conference on Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism in Colorado Springs, Colorado, update a 2007 study by Church and others in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

That study found women who exercised 10 to 30 minutes saw improvements in fitness. The latest findings look at other measures, such as mental health and social functioning.

The researchers studied 430 sedentary women past menopause with an average age of 57 who were assigned to one of three exercise groups: those who exercised 70 minutes a week; 135 minutes a week and 190 minutes a week.

A fourth group did not have an organised exercise program and served as a control group.

At the beginning of the study, the women were asked a host of questions about their health status, their physical health, including any pain or physical limitations, and their mental health, including whether they were nervous, depressed, peaceful or happy.

After six months, the researchers found women who participated in the highest exercise group saw the greatest improvements in most quality-of-life scales.

But even the women in the lowest exercise group saw significant improvements in general health, vitality, emotional health and social functioning.

"That's basically just 10 minutes of daily walking at a brisk pace," Church said of the low exercise group.

He said the women in the study only lost an average of 3 to 6 lbs (1.5 to 2.5 kg).

"These changes in quality of life were not driven by weight. These changes were driven by changes in activity," he said.

How alcohol affects women

Delicious recipes

Woman to Woman

Flirt safely

Flirting is fun and can lead to romance, but some people get a kick out of leading others on. Here are a few tips on how to flirt safely.

· Have fun! Flirt, get out there, enjoy yourself – but also control yourself. Use your flirting with tact.

· Be on guard for people who are trying to play you. Keep your eyes open and don't give too much of yourself away too soon.

· Use your flirting skills to get to know people, not as an end in themselves.

· Don’t be a toxic flirt, who’s addicted to leading people on. You’ll end up messing up other people, and yourself.

· Don’t flirt to get attention and flattery. Get your self-esteem from within yourself, not from people who don't know the real you.

· Never assume that playing games is the way to a man's heart. Don't try to make him jealous by flirting with other men, pretending you don't remember him when he calls or telling him you're busy for the next two weeks. A nice man will take these indicators as a snub and may decide not to ring you again.

Love quotes

OatmealHoney Scrubbing Cream

Creole Rice

Beautiful Women

Kindness

People remember striking physical beauty, but people appreciate kindness. Stress is one of the killers of kindness: when we feel pressured, we tend to pull away from others in a misguided attempt to save ourselves from more pain. In fact, this protective measure is exactly the opposite of what we need to do to reduce stress. When you reach out to people, it invariably makes you feel good. You do not read much about kindness these days, and it's a real shame, because it's one of the few things that really count.

Kindness can take so many forms; it's hard to know where to start in describing it. Sometimes being kind just means not pressing an advantage when you could. Letting someone in front of you at the supermarket is a small gift: so is taking a minute to talk to someone who is sad. Kindness is more than doing things for other people, though. When you are kind to someone, you are stretching a set of mental or spiritual muscles, growing your own capacity for compassion. It is a no-lose proposition.

The keys to beauty

Special potato salad

How to keep your relationship thriving

Why do some couples seem so head-over-heels? It's not that their lives are any easier or more perfect than yours-- but they do know how to keep the daily grind from eroding their relationship. Get some of what they have by incorporating these happy-couple strategies into your love life.

1. Fall in love all over again. Make a conscious decision to be in love. The more you act as if you are in love, the more you will feel like you are.

2. Remember the good times. Treat your partner like you did at the beginning of your relationship. Make a list of all the things you used to enjoy doing together and add any new fantasies to the list. Plan for them and make them happen.

3. Help your partner feel more loved and secure in your love so that he or she can open up to you and express feelings and ideas without fear of being attacked or judged. Compliment, praise, and give a hug. Small gestures make the grandest statements.

4. Don't make unilateral decisions. You're a team in many ways, so act like one. Check in and make decisions together about things large and small. Be willing to compromise.

5. Be present. Train your mind to stay in the moment -- not at work, thinking about the new colour you want to paint your kitchen, or how it's time to take the dog to the vet.

6. Pay attention to your physical appearance. Take the time to stay in shape and look good for each o

7. Boost your compatibility. Couples in crisis focus on all the ways they are different, whereas those who are in love zero in on their similarities and think their differences are cute. Build compatibility by taking turns planning activities to do together. If you don't like your partner's choice, don't complain; it's your turn next.

8. Do not place blame. Replace blame and criticism with solutions and tenderness. Problem-solve together -- sit close, hold hands; touch each other's face or hair. Be playful. When was the last time you laughed together? Rent a comedy movie to tickle your funny bone.

9. Plan for sex. Spontaneity is great but smart couples know that good sex doesn't just happen. Like everything else, it takes time and planning.

10. Fact-find -- don't mind-read. You may think you know but you can't assume. You may believe he should know, but that's not fair, either. Always clear up misinterpretations and misunderstandings to make sure they don't throw you both off course.

11. Fight fair -- and by appointment only. Schedule a limited time to discuss a problem and confine your comments to that issue only. It's easier to relax and feel free to enjoy each other when you know you won't be ambushed by a litany of complaints and criticisms.

12. Prepare for checkouts. Even in the closest marriage, everyone needs time alone. Don't take it personally and don't make each other feel guilty if you need to spiritually and emotionally regroup. Just be sure to tell each other when you are checking out (max, one day) -- and when you're checking back in.

Short jokes

Burnout

Crispy fishcakes

Spicy barbecue sauce

Christmas turkey

Anyone for steak tartare?

Interesting facts on this dish.

The medieval Tatar nomads of the Eurasian steppes tenderised slabs of beef by keeping them under their saddles. Before eating the meat raw, they added salt, pepper and onion juice – the original steak tartare.

In Germany this evolved into grilled Hamburg steak, a dish that emigrants took to the USA. In 1836 “hamburger steak” was on the world’s first printed menu, at Delmonico’s in New York. No one knows who thought of serving hamburgers in buns, but the dish was probably introduced at such fairs as the St Louis World’s Fair in 1904.

Devilled chicken

Here is something for the grey matter . . . .

Fynbos of the Western Cape, South Africa

Birthday Parties

It is a fairly well-known fact that in any group of 23 people, there is at least a 50-50 chance that two of them share a birthday.

In a group of 5, the chance that two have the same birthday is just under 3 in 100; for 15 it climbs to just over 1 in 4; and for 23 it is nearly 1 in 2.

The reason lies in a quirk of statistics. As the size of a group increases, the number of possible pairs increases as well – but at a faster rate. In group 5, there are 10 possible combinations of 2 people; in a group of 23 there are 253 possible pairs.

In his book Lady Luck. The mathematician Warren Weaver relates how this curios fact came up in conversation during a dinner party for a number of army officers during World War II.

 Most of Weaver’s fellow guests thought it incredible that the figure was just 23; they were certain it would have to be in the hundreds. When someone pointed out that there were 22 people seated around the table, he put the theory to the test.

In turn, each of the guests revealed his birth date, but no two turned out to be the same. Then the waitress spoke up. “Excuse me,” she said. “I am the 23^rd person in the room, and my birthday is May 17, just like the general’s over there.”

How to pot-roast pork in beer

Hang yourself with this one . . . .

Beautiful orchids

A prisoner on death row was visited by his jailer, who was known to be an honest man. “You will hang one day between Monday and Friday next week”, said the jailer, “but it will be on the day you least expect it.”

The condemned man thought over the jailer’s words and, after a while, his face brightened. He explained to the jailer that he had concluded that he was not to be hanged after all.

“I can’t be hanged on Friday”, he reasoned, “Because if I am still alive on Thursday, “I will certainly be expecting the noose on Friday.

“But I can’t be hanged on Thursday either.  First, I know it can’t be Friday. If I am still alive on Wednesday night, then Thursday will be the only day left. So I can’t be hanged on Thursday.

“The same is true for Wednesday, if they haven’t hanged me by Tuesday night.

“Then, by Monday night, there will be only Tuesday left, which means it cannot happen on Tuesday either. That leaves Monday, but because I now expect to be hanged on Monday, the execution cannot be held then, or your word will be broken. The truth is, you are playing a trick on me”.

The jailer look thoughtful, then said; “I can promise you that I am telling you the truth.”

Thursday dawned, and the indignant prisoner was dragged from his cell to the gallows. “You are a liar,” he shouted at the jailer.

“Not at all,” replied the jailer calmly. “You convinced yourself that you would not be hanged. As a result, any day we set for the hanging would be unexpected. Which is no more than what I said.”

Ten delicious ways to use eggs

Easy ways to reduce cholesterol

I published an interesting article on Helium: Easy ways to reduce cholesterol

Click here to read the article!

Enjoy it!!!!

Daniel de Villiers

The village barber

Life is full of contradictions and irreconcilable opposites – real twists of logic that challenge the brain. Here is such one . . . .

A man visits a village that has a single barber. The barber proudly tells the visitor that he shaves only those, and all those, in the village who do not shave themselves.

 The stranger leaves the village and next day wakes up preoccupied by a problem that perplexes him for the rest of his life. He has remembered that the barber himself was a clean-shaven man. Who, then, shaves the barber?

At first it seems clear that the barber shaves himself. But if he does, he breaks his own rule: That he shaves only the men in the village who do not shave themselves. But if someone else shaves him, the barber cannot shave all those who do not shave themselves.

Who shaves the barber?

Ten delicious ways to use eggs

The language of love

How to snack the right way

It is not unusual and wrong to eat snack between meals. The reason is that anyone can occasionally feel a real and urgent hunger between meals. As long as this snacking is in moderation and provided the right kind of snack is chosen.

Here are a few healthy options:

Exercising is not only for the young, the fit or the healthy. More and more seniors are exercising and keeping fit by participating in various activities like swimming, athletics, tennis, or any number of other informal exercise activities.

Here for the full article. A must read!! 

The Versatile Soya Bean

Soya is one of the world’s oldest crops and is used by millions of people throughout the world in many variations. Soya beans can be used green or dried. Green or immature soya beans are similar to green peas or lima beans in colour and flavour. They have a slightly crisp texture and are not mealy or soft. Dried soya beans are the mature form.

Soya beans are cooked whole and are processed to make diverse products such as soya bean oil, soya bean milk, soya bean curd, soya bean sprouts and soya bean flour:

Soya Bean Oil

When considering edible uses of soya beans, soya oil tops the list. Products that contain soya oil include prepared dressings, margarine, and salad and cooking oils. Soya oil has a bland taste and a high smoking point and therefore it is highly recommended for frying.

Soya Bean Milk

Because of the relatively high protein content of soya beans, soya milk can be favourably compared to cow’s milk and mother’s milk. It is available processed and is strongly recommended in some cases of milk allergies.

Soya Bean Curd

Also called ‘miso’, soya bean curd is prepared from soya bean milk by adding vinegar, lemon juice or calcium chloride. In some countries the curd is allowed to ferment naturally in a warm place – which results in a different soya bean curd called ‘tofu’. By itself the soya bean curd has no taste but it is used in soups, salads, omelettes, etc.

 Soya Bean Sprouts

Soya beans, like chickpeas and mung beans, can be used for sprouts, either grown at home or commercially. Sprouts can be blanched and kept refrigerated for use in soups, salads, vegetables and chicken casseroles.

Soya Bean Flour

Soya flour is the ground product obtained after the oil and the seed coat have been removed. The flour is used in baked foods such as doughnuts, bread, rolls and cakes.

Technological advances have made it possible for soya to stand tall next to all other major protein sources.

Exercise your brain

Astonishing facts about the human brain

The human brain is a monster of a computer. It outclasses the best of the best of human built computers as far as memory, capacity and speed is concerned. Unfortunately, it is also the “computer” that is the most underutilized and sometimes misused!

1. Weight of the human brain

The average weight of the human brain grows phenomenal between birth and adulthood. It can reach a final weight of about 1.4kg for men and 1.3 kg for women.

2. Brain size and intelligence

There is no correlation between brain size and intelligence. The brain of a man is usually slightly larger than that of a woman’s. Interesting enough, in both sexes the brain makes up a similar proportion of the total body weight.

3. Brain hemispheres

The human brain is divided into two hemispheres, each a mirror image of the other. The right hemisphere controls the muscles of and receives information from the left half of the body; the left hemisphere monitors and controls the right half of the body.

4. Left-handed vs. right-handed people

In right-handed people the left side of the brain is concerned with such skills as reading, writing and talking. The right hemisphere deals with artistic activity and the mechanisms of the imagination. In left-handed people the functions of the two hemispheres may be reversed.

5.  Feeling of pain

Pain from any injury or illness is always perceived by the brain. However, the brain itself is immune against pain as it contains none of the specialised receptor cells that sense pain in other parts of the body.

Go out and maximize the utilization of the best computer there will ever be!

The benefits and risks of a vegetarian diet

Daydreaming

Check out this article

Here is an article I published on Helium:

To be or not to be a vegetarian or vegan

Brain teaser – manhole covers

Why is it better to have round manhole covers than square ones?

Click here for the answer

Female energy, love and sensuality

How to grow a herb lawn

A stupid joke

Isn’t it strange that sometimes the most stupid joke is the one that genuine makes you laugh?

Here is such a one – it made me laugh, genuine laughing when I read it.

Enjoy!!

A salesman telephone a household, and a four-year-old answered.

Salesman: May I speak to your mother?

Child: She is not here.

Salesman: Well, is anyone else there?

Child: My sister

Salesman: O.K., fine. May I speak to her?

Child: I guess so.

There was a long silence on the other phone. Then;

Child: Hello?

Salesman: It’s you. I thought you were going to call your sister.

Child: I did. The trouble is: I can’t get her out of the playpen.

Perfume can make you sexy

Jenny Love

What are the advantages of a Home internet Business?

More and more people move to a home internet business. The reasons are numerous but the major three are:

·         The internet revolution took the world by storm – everyone wants to be part of this global phenomenon and the hype that is associated with it

·         Past and current recessions of the world economy have forced more and more people to seek alternative employment or for this matter, many were forced to work for themselves and subsequently the home based business received a huge impetus

·         Make no mistake; there is big money in the internet and internet based businesses

So, why is the home-based internet business so popular? Here are the 8 advantages of a home internet business:

1. An Internet based business can be launched quickly and cheaply in comparison with the traditional business or commercial venture.

2. It is easy to start your own website or blog and it is also easy to make the appearance thereof professional and personal.

3. The internet is very adaptable and therefore any lay-person can create a business that targets a tiny niche market.

4. Websites or blogs can be changed instantly when a new competitor joins the internet business fraternity or when new products become available. Under normal circumstances such amendments or upgrading won’t cost you a dime, on condition you can do it yourself.

5.  There is a vast amount of information and resources readily available on the internet for free or at relative low costs to help you plan your business.

6. There numerous sites with free software download which can enhance and support the operations of your business; this includes payment options via the internet which are normally also secure.

7.  An internet based business can market, sell and buy goods and services all on-line without a scrap of paper being used – the savings on overhead-costs are enormous.

8.  Technology allows your business to be mobile and open 24/7, whether it is at home, on holidays or during travel.

It is important to understand the internet phenomenon, even if you think that it is unlikely to feature in the planning or launch of your own business. Using the internet for a start-up business can give you a huge advantage over existing conventional competitors. It is also a proven fact that that there are very few businesses that cannot be effectively run and marketed on the internet.

An off beat story

Can you figure this out?

'This is an unusual paragraph. I'm curious as to just how quickly you can find out what is so unusual about it. It looks so ordinary and plain that you would think nothing was wrong with it. In fact, nothing is wrong with it! It is highly unusual though. Study it and think about it, but you still may not find anything odd. But if you work at it a bit, you might find out. Try to do so without any coaching.'

Click here for the answer

A tribute to John Love

Don’t Fly to High …..

Larry Walters was a truck driver, but his lifelong dream was to fly. When he graduated from high school, he joined the Air Force in hopes of becoming a pilot.

Unfortunately, poor eyesight disqualified him. So when he finally left the service, he had to satisfy himself with watching others fly the fighter jets that criss-crossed the skies over his backyard. As he sat there in his lawn chair, he dreamed about the magic of flying. Then one day, Larry Walters got an idea. He went down to the local army-navy surplus store and bought a tank of helium and forty-five weather balloons. These were not your brightly colored party balloons; these were heave-duty spheres measuring more than four feet across when fully inflated. Back in his yard, Larry used straps to attach the balloons to his lawn chair, the kind you might have in your own back yard. He anchored the chair to the bumper of his jeep and inflated the balloons with helium. Then he packed some sandwiches and drinks and loaded a BB gun, figuring he could pop a few of those balloons when it was time to return to earth. His preparations complete, Larry Walters sat in his chair and cut the anchoring cord. His plan was to lazily float back down to terra firma. But things didn't quite work out that way.

When Larry cut the cord, he didn't float lazily up; he shot up as if fired from a cannon! Nor did he go up a couple hundred feet. He climbed and climbed until he finally levelled off at eleven thousand feet! At that height, he could hardly risk deflating any of the balloons, lest he unbalance the load and really experience flying! So he stayed up there, sailing around for fourteen hours, totally at a loss as to how to get down. Eventually, Larry drifted into the approach corridor for Los Angeles International Airport. A Pan Am pilot radioed the tower about passing a guy in a lawn chair at eleven thousand feet with a gun in his lap. (Now there's a conversation I'd have enjoyed hearing!) LAX is right on the ocean, and you may know that at nightfall, the winds on the coast begin to change. So, as dusk fell, Larry began drifting out to sea. At that point, the Navy dispatched a helicopter to rescue him. But the rescue team had a hard time getting to him, because the draft from their propeller kept pushing his homemade contraption farther and farther away. Eventually they were able to hover over him and drop a rescue line with which they gradually hauled him back to earth. 

As soon as Larry hit the ground, he was arrested. But as he was being led away in handcuffs, a television reported called out, "Mr. Walters, why'd you do it?" Larry stopped, eyed the man, and then replied nonchalantly, "A man can't just sit around."

How antioxidants work

The woes of ignoring bills

In March 1992 a man living in Newtown near Boston Massachusetts received a bill for his as yet unused credit card stating that he owed $0.00. He ignored it and threw it away.

In April he received another and threw that one away too. The following month the credit card company sent him a very nasty note stating they were going to cancel his card if he didn't send them $0.00 by return of post. He called them, talked to them, they said it was a computer error and told him they'd take care of it.

The following month he decided that it was about time that he tried out the troublesome credit card figuring that if there were purchases on his account it would put an end to his ridiculous predicament. However, in the first store that he produced his credit card in payment for his purchases he found that his card had been cancelled. He called the credit card company who apologized for the computer error once again and said that they would take care of it.

The next day he got a bill for $0.00 stating that payment was now overdue. Assuming that having spoken to the credit card company only the previous day the latest bill was yet another mistake he ignored it, trusting that the company would be as good as their word and sort the problem out.

The next month he got a bill for $0.00 stating that he had 10 days to pay his account or the company would have to take steps to recover the debt. Finally giving in he thought he would play the company at their own game and mailed them a check for $0.00. The computer duly processed his account and returned a statement to the effect that he now owed the credit card company nothing at all.

A week later, the man's bank called him asking him what he was doing writing a check for $0.00. After a lengthy explanation the bank replied that the $0.00 check had caused their check processing software to fail. The bank could not now process ANY checks from ANY of their customers that day because the check for $0.00 was causing the computer to crash.

The following month the man received a letter from the credit card company claiming that his check had bounced and that he now owed them $0.00 and unless he sent a check by return of post they would be taking steps to recover the debt. 

The man, who had been considering buying his wife a computer for her birthday, bought her a typewriter instead.

Beautiful women

The letter game

There is a common English word that is nine letters long. Each time you remove a letter from it, it still remains an English word - from nine letters right down to a single letter. What is the original word, and what are the words that it becomes after removing one letter at a time?

Click here for the answer

Read this interesting article: The beauty properties of eggs

10 Ways to Improve Your Day in Just 5 Minutes

Five minutes. True, it's not a heck of a lot of time. But it's just long enough for you to do one thing -- and maybe that one thing that will turn your day around.

In our busy 24/7 universe, it often seems like there's not enough time to do everything you want in a day. But take five and try these 10 simple ways to lower stress and boost your mood and energy levels. They may just help you find the extra spark you need to meet the challenges of the day.

1. Make your bed. Starting off each day with this small ritual can help create a calm environment for you in your bedroom. Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project, writes that many people benefit from making this modest step part of their routines. By checking it off your to-do list first thing, you've got one less thing to worry about for the rest of the day.

2. Pack a snack. Before you head out the door in the morning, go into the kitchen and grab a fruit (like a banana, apple or grapes) or a healthy snack (like unsalted nuts or low-fat cheese). This way, when a case of the munchies strikes later in the afternoon, you won't be reaching for a bag of chips or a candy bar from the vending machine out of convenience. Besides, you know what they say about an apple a day.

3. Clear your desk. You may not be able to overhaul your closet in five minutes, but you can manage to tidy your desk at work. From stray papers to scattered coffee mugs, clutter can make you lose focus and curb productivity. Declutter your outer environment and you may feel lighter on the inside and more motivated to concentrate on the task at hand.

4. Pump up the music. Several studies have found that listening to music can help lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and boost mood. The right music has the power to change your attitude. So load up your MP3 player and create a special playlist that will make you smile -- whether you're working or working out.

5. Sniff a lemon. For a quick de-stressing trick, turn to an underrated sense -- your sense of smell. Japanese researchers found that linalool; a substance found in lemons, has anti-inflammatory properties and may reduce the flight-or-fight stress response. Other scents like basil, juniper, and lavender have also been found to lower stress. 

6. Stretch. You don't have to be a yogi to benefit from light stretching. Lift your arms above your head at your desk. Or better yet, stretch your legs by walking outside. Stretching can help improve your circulation and flexibility, and may help ease the tight muscles that accompany stress.

7. Meditate. Try meditation and deep breathing to relax and turn your mind off. You don't need any special equipment to practice meditation. Find a comfortable position in a chair or on the floor. Meditating on a daily basis, even just for a few minutes, has been shown to fight depression and ease stress.

8. Keep a gratitude diary. Take a minute every day to write downseveral things you're thankful for, whether they're big or small things. It's easy to vent about weather, traffic, or job woes, but complaining brings negative energy along with it. Being thankful for what you have can make you appreciate all the positives in your life.

9. Turn off your electronics. Just becausewe live in a wired world doesn't mean you need to stay connected every minute of every single day. Staring at computer screens and electronics all day long can zap your energy and encourage inactivity. So log off youremail, phones, and Internet (yes, social networking web sites count, too). This is especially important to allow you to unwind and relax before bed.

10. Prioritize. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you have multiple tasks crowding your mind. Make a list and finish your most dreaded duties first to avoid the anxiety caused by procrastination. Make a list and check off each task as you complete it. At the end of the day, a list of accomplishments is a great visual reminder of how productive you were.

By Jennifer Soong

Jennifer Soong is a freelance writer who frequently covers health, wellness, and lifestyle trends. Her work has appeared in the pages of Redbook, New York Daily News, Boston Magazine and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She lives in Decatur, Ga., with her husband and son.

10 Envelopes

A man told his son that he would give him $1000 if he could accomplish the following task. The father gave his son ten envelopes and a thousand dollars, all in one dollar bills. He told his son, "Place the money in the envelopes in such a manner that no matter what number of dollars I ask for, you can give me one or more of the envelopes, containing the exact amount I asked for without having to open any of the envelopes. If you can do this, you will keep the $1000."

When the father asked for a sum of money, the son was able to give him envelopes containing the exact amount of money asked for. How did the son distribute the money among the ten envelopes?

Click here for the answer

Plan your own wedding and save

Implement these simple cost-cutting tips and tricks to plan your OWN big day... like a pro!

1. Venue first

Book your venue before you do anything else. Before you plan your decor around a dozen long tables or extra-tall centrepieces, secure your venue so you can see exactly what will and won't work. (One year is not too far ahead to book.)

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Beautiful South Africa

Better Sex through a Healthy Lifestyle

 Anything that promotes whole body health can enhance optimal functioning in the bedroom. Like any other sophisticated machine, your body is at its best when none of its relevant aspects are ignored. To get your temple in prime operating condition, there are several aspects of body and soul to consider. 

One indisputable reason to keep the arteries clear and the blood flowing smoothly is that a strong heart steadily pumping blood has a direct relationship to the strength of blood flow throughout the body. In both men and women strong blood flow to the genitals increases sexual arousal and (in men) intensifies the vitality and endurance of erection. Clogged arteries and sluggish blood flow result in decreased blood to the genitals and diminished arousal for both genders. If the blood flow is weak, so will be the performance.

A Healthy Diet

Most Better Sex Diets focus on the health of your heart and includes a lot of fruit and vegetables, grains, legumes and moderate amounts of meat. In only 6 weeks the Better Sex Diet can reportedly increase your sexual vitality, potency and health, never-mind likely adding much-desired years to your (sex) life.

Popular myths have long included the power of aphrodisiacs over sexual prowess. Taking their name from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, since time immemorial men and women have been in search of foods, formulas and functions that have the power to stimulate sexual desire and enhance performance. In the epic tale of Casanova the legendary lover extraordinaire is believed to have eaten as many as 60 oysters each day. As much as he enjoyed oysters, however, Casanova always insisted that women were his true cuisine.

Today, medical science and the charting of chemical processes have
joined the more mystical knowledge about aphrodisiacs. In the case of oysters, not only are the sea-dwelling molluscs reminiscent of female genitalia, they are also rumoured to be powerful aphrodisiacs thanks to their high concentration of zinc, iron and dopamine. In more recent news, word has spread about the libidinal effects of grapes, blueberries, eggs, cereal and vanilla ice cream.

What all of these foods have in common, in addition to fuelling the
aphrodisiac rumour-mill, is the perceived effectiveness of particular vitamins and nutrients in stimulating various sexual boosts. For example, the vitamins in eggs can supposedly reduce performance anxiety and premature ejaculation, the calcium in vanilla ice cream evidently makes orgasms more powerful, and the folic acid in cereal keeps arteries clear, enhancing blood flow to the right places.

While it’s popularly thought that certain edibles can improve sexual health, nutritionists remind us that many of the legends were launched in an era when the human diet wasn’t as complete, and that too much of any particular vitamin or nutrient can have a negative effect on the body.

An Active Lifestyle

The importance of overall health for the promotion of sexual benefit
is also evident in the development and maintenance of hormone production. While it is true that estrogen determines the development and function of female sex organs, testosterone powers the sex drive in both men and women. When the senses encounter sexual stimuli they are passed to the limbic lobe of the brain, thought of as the body’s ‘pleasure centre’. The limbic lobe sends signals via the nervous system to the pelvic region. Blood vessels in the genitals are prompted to dilate, admitting a rush of blood that inflates both male and female erectile tissues and increases sexual excitement.

The tissues then close off to prevent the blood from flowing out of
the area. The result is erection and all the other signs of sexual exhilaration. Simultaneously, the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine are released, sending messages of pleasure and arousal throughout our bodies. This chemical cascade is responsible for healthy libido and sexual function and can be negatively affected by age, illness, stress or injury.

It is important to note that cardiovascular function is also improved by regular exercise. The promotion of a strong, repetitious heartbeat sends a surge of blood into your body’s intricate web of vessels and lowers the risk of plaque formation in artery walls. Beyond a strong cardiovascular system, experts agree that a balance of body, head and heart contribute to a healthy sex life.

Numerous studies link exercise to increased sexual function through
physiological enhancement in muscle strength, tone, endurance and body composition. "Adults who exercise regularly not only have increased levels of desire, but also enhanced ability to perform sexually and greater sexual satisfaction says Cedric Bryant, PhD, chief exercise physiologist for the American Council on Exercise.

The release of endorphins during and after exercise sessions are also known to ease depression and anxiety. Stress relief and increased self esteem result in elevated mood and increased confidence, and contribute to the natural invigoration necessary for increased libido and stamina. The benefits of physical fitness are also known to improve self-image and perceived desirability.

A study done by Harvard School of Public Health examined the exercise regimens of 31,000 male health care professionals. Of the participants, those who were sedentary were 30% more likely to experience erectile dysfunction than those who exercised regularly. The University of British Columbia recently undertook a study relating to women and exercise that found those who exercised for 20 minutes per day experienced greater sexual responses than those who did not.

Specialists suggest that it is important to sexual health not to over-do the workout. In the same way that too much of one vitamin can have negative consequences on the body, too much exercise can decrease testosterone levels in both sexes and diminish sexual appetite.

A Healthy Mind

If we believe, as suggested by therapists, that sex is first and foremost a psychological issue then we have to pay some attention to ourselves beyond diet and exercise. Doctors suggest that psychology is so powerful that pleasure is increased by removing the mental blocks that limit our ability to sense pleasure at its fullest.

The physiological human animal is an experiential and sensory beast; we are continuously aroused by ideas and images that stir our sexual imaginations. Just as partners for reading or recreation require a shared interest in specific books or sports, so do sexual partners need to have mutual interests? But the opportunity to indulge healthy sexual fantasies might be only a conversation away. By communicating your desires to your partner, and acting on the games that have been running around in your head, the shame or guilt attached to the ideas will likely vanish by letting them out of the mental cage, not to mention take on new life as you explore them with your partner.

The other side of a healthy mind has to do with being able to unwind from the mental fatigue caused by the stresses of life. Bouts of mental exhaustion, caused by a stressful work life, a heavy week of school, or one of life’s other trenches, can result in decreased sexual appetite and negative effects on self-esteem and confidence. In terms of managing mental stress levels, some techniques include: getting an adequate amount of sleep, soaking in a hot tub, meditation, yoga and just about any other pass time that allows us to get our mind off of the stresses of regular life.

Freelancer

Adore your mate

Love, care, attraction and affection are what come to our mind when we talk about a relationship. Well a relationship is much more than that. It is admiring and adoring your mate, adoring beyond the physical appearance.

A relationship is about two individuals coming together in union for an everlasting bond. It is accepting one another with all their positive and negative aspect. When you are in a relationship you should adore your mate for what he or she is. Adoring your mate is appreciating the complete persona of a particular person. A relationship is accepting a person for what they are, all the good and bad qualities. You have to accept the person for his or her flaws. That is a true relationship.


Most of the relationships in today’s world end in a separation due to lack of adjustment and acceptance for each other. Many couples are unable to cope up with the faults of their partners. They only admire them for their good qualities and reject them for their negative characteristics. Should it be the way, certainly not? We should remember that no person is perfect. If people are good at certain things and have some positive traits they also have negative qualities. We should learn to accept and acknowledge both the positive and negative points of our partners. This is true love. If you really love your mate you are going to love him or her for each and every quality he or she has.


Most of us come into a relationship when we get acquainted to a person’s positive attribute which is very normal. But it is in later years that we come to know about a person’s negative trait. It is here we need to understand that no person is perfect and should take that person as he or she is. None of us are perfect. You should keep in mind that you too have faults and are being accepted as you are. So why can’t you be the same.


If you feel it difficult to take in the bad part of your partner just keep in mind the good part about him or her. And it will become very easy for you to take in the unpleasant portion of the relationship.


Jenny Love

Tips to be desirable

Have Confidence: Nothing is more attractive to a man than a woman who is confident and feels comfortable and happy in her skin. A woman who feels good about herself is a woman most likely with a good head on her shoulders, rational, focused and has good direction in life. If a woman does not have confidence in herself, then a man feels and sees no reason to have confidence in either and he will not want to invest his time and effort in a woman he will have to baby sit emotionally all the time.

Dress Fashionably: Wearing the most expensive apparel is not the most important thing to a man, but it is important that a woman keep up with her appearances. A woman who dresses sharply comes off as a woman who is successful and who treats herself with love and respect and therefore a man will not want to do less for her either- he will love and respect you too. So be sure to keep yourself updated with fashion and keep yourself well groomed. This will not only draw men to you, but you will also feel good about yourself- which is the first priority before you please anyone else! And remember, dress sexy, but classy as well- and always leave something to the imagination.

Express Intellect - Being desirable to a man is not just about having a pretty face or shapely figure. A woman with intelligence is important to and a man wants to be with a woman who will have something to talk about and who will teach him new things, just as he will teach you new things. Everyone is unique and has their own personal talents and areas of higher intelligence than others- so be sure to express that side of yourself to prove that you do have the whole package- an attractive appearance along with other intellectual surprises. Share your hobbies, share things you have learned through your life experiences and show what he has been missing out on before he met you!

Be Sweet and Feminine - Okay, today women are more independent and career oriented, but that does not mean we should have to give up and forget our feminine roots. Women are delicate creatures after all- we are sweet and giving and it is important for a man to see these qualities in a woman. It is not weak to show a man that you are sweet and care taking- after all, this is the type of woman a man dreams coming home to- someone who will lovingly welcome him home with a sweet feminine smile and take care of him. Never lose your special feminine roots- show him your sweet and romantic side.

Tell him what you want - It is understandable that you want a man who will treat you beautifully without you having to give him directions- and you should never lower your standards when it comes to this. However, you also have to remember that men cannot read minds and let’s face- we women are emotionally unpredictable creatures and are not always easy to read. Men love it when a woman has the strength and confidence to tell him what she wants. Men want to please women, sp do not be afraid to open up and let him know what it is important to you.

Stay Glamorous - This does not mean that you should walk on eggshells and worry about your looks all the time. You should feel secure enough in your relationship to know that even when you are not made up, your man will still adore you and will not look at other women. However, this does not mean you should let yourself go and not care about the things that were once important to you. Relationship usually start going downhill when one or both partners stop caring about the little things, such as dressing up for each other, little romantic gestures and so on. So, remember the little things and always keep your self-confidence in tune by taking care of yourself- and your partner will automatically keep admiring you!

Like Your Body - Men love a woman who loves her body. A woman who walks around feeling good about her body and knowing that her body is beautiful is incredibly sexy to a man and make him curious and eager to get to know that woman. So be sure to build your physical confidence and focus on bringing out your best features. Nobody is prefect- everyone has flaws, but that does not mean that you should advertise your flaws. Get to know yourself and find your strong physical points and bring them out for the world to see and admire. If there are parts of your body that you believe could use some help, then do something about rather than complain. 

Jenny Love

Sensual Activities for Couples

 Finding a new love interest often fills us with an unmistakable feeling of bliss, often described as a fluttery feeling in one’s stomach. Ten years gone by and you’ve still got butterflies flitting about? No doubt you are in love!

To give your relationship a nice balance of passionate playtime, consider varying your romantic routine from time to time. Every couple engages in a different style of sexual behaviour, but turning things down a notch in the lust department and heating them up on a sensual level can truly re-ignite the spark that initially drew you together.

No matter if your romance has survived the test of time or if it is merely beginning its path down love lane, take the time to pamper your partner, and enjoy some pampering yourself! Consider these options for a romantic, passion-filled evening, and modify them to suit your relationship’s style and your and your partner’s needs.

Spend an evening preparing a romantic dinner together. Set some melodic music to play gently in the background as you prepare food together and indulge in a glass of wine. Relax and take pleasure in the culmination of your combined efforts. Linger at the table until the last drop of wine has kissed your lips and stare deeply into each other’s eyes. Challenge your mate to hold your gaze simply by the intensity caught within your eyes. Share a slice of dessert on the same plate and take the time to feed each other the delicious delight. As your meal concludes, kick off your shoes and hold each other close as you begin to slow dance in the living room.

Treat each other to aromatherapy and full-body massages with essential oils. First decide if you would like to wear your bathing suits, your undergarments, a towel, or less. Select a location such as a comfortable bed, a lounge chair or a nice clean spot on the floor, stretched across a soft blanket. You may choose to play gentle background music or sounds such as ocean or brook soundtracks, or those featuring the wind, rainforests, etc. Be sure to select an aromatic essential oil to massage into your sweetheart’s skin for a soothing and sensual experience.

Take turns pampering each other and stimulating one another’s muscles by firmly massaging the back, neck, shoulders, arms and even the hands to start. Pay special attention to the lower back, as this area experiences a lot of stress from general daily activities and from being on the job. Work your magic on your partner from head to toe, focusing more energy on the muscles that seem tighter or those that have been neglected. The backs of one’s legs should benefit significantly if massaged properly. You may wish to consult a book on different types of massage before engaging in the full-body massage.

Indulge in a hot bubble bath for two, complete with wine and sweet treats, candlelight and the spark between the two of you. Select a fragrant bubble bath that appeals to both your senses and drift away in a relaxing pool of warm, sudsy water. Gently caress each other’s backs and enjoy the peace and solitude surrounding you. Sip wine or hot tea, indulge in chocolates or small dessert pastries and revel in your stolen moments together. While the dim flicker of the candle sets the mood, the two of you can unwind in the comfort of a warm bath, wrapped in each other’s arms. If you are not yet at the point in your relationship where you feel comfortable taking a bath together, consider a dip in a hot tub under the stars at a bed and breakfast or fancy hotel. Go out for a night on the town in a bustling city and settle down for the evening by relaxing in the lodge’s sauna, swimming pool and whirlpool tub.

No matter what you do with your sweetheart during your passionate evening together, remember to pay special attention to his or her senses. Breathe sweet nothings into an unsuspecting ear, gently brush your fingertips across the arm while talking, trace a trail of soft, sweet kisses across the neck.

Let your heart dictate your every move and enjoy true love in all its bliss!

By Kathryn M. D'Imperio

Sexual Effects of Alcohol on Women that You Should Know

Many studies are being conducted on the potential dangers and sexual effects of alcohol on women. This article emphasizes on the sexual effects of alcohol on women.

Alcohol differently affects men and women, and affects badly. When we try to look closely on the sexual effects of alcohol on women, we find very discouraging information that raises our concern since drinking is becoming more common in women now, even before the sensual activities. Many studies are being conducted on the potential dangers and other sexual effects of alcohol on women. 

Sexual effects of alcohol on women become apparent when we realize how an alcoholic woman suffers from alcohol. The commonly noted effects of alcohol on women's sexuality can be seen as the ability to achieve orgasm decreases, she will respond little to sexual stimulation, and her overall sexual response and satisfaction lower considerably. While being under the influence of alcohol, women experience vaginal dryness that makes lovemaking painful. At the same time, it is also noted that some women respond well in bed with moderate intake of alcohol.  

Why the sexual effects of alcohol on women are positive in some cases is something that has no conclusive answer so far. Studies are underway as why many women get the negative effects of alcohol on their sexual life and overall performance, and why some women report feeling good in bed after consuming alcohol. One thing is for sure that exposure to alcohol during pregnancy creates problems for the new-born that include birth defects, mental retardation, and neurodevelopment issues. This study was revealed by the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, USA. 

Women under the influence of alcohol pay less attention to safety measures while engaging in sensual activities. They can even involve with those people who have the potential to transmit any sexually transmitted disease. At the same time, they can fail to take precautions against pregnancy.    Moreover, it is also studied that heavy female drinkers typically have greater number of sexual partners that itself invites more risks of sexually transmitted diseases. 

Whatever is said about the sexual effects of alcohol on women, no one can deny the fact that women who are heavy drinkers subject themselves to many long-term complications that include loss of libido, lowering of arousal level, failure to achieve orgasm, increasing risk of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases, etc.  

Regardless of the fact that light alcohol consumption can lead to some increase in libido and enjoyment, the negative effects and potential dangers of alcohol are more severe for women. The decision lies with the women whether to drink or give up the habit. Moreover, chronic alcohol abuse also leads to many health problems, financial difficulties, social troubles, weak family ties, etc.

Dr Andrew Napier