Boost Testosterone and Estrogen

Regular sexual activity boosts testosterone and estrogen levels in both men and women. Besides boosting your libido testosterone fortifies bones and muscles. Some physicians suggest that testosterone keeps hearts healthy and good cholesterol high. Testosterone is what makes the sex drive in men and women more aggressive. It makes you want to have sex, pursue sex, initiate sex and perhaps dominate the lovemaking. Testosterone seems to motivate both men and women to strongly desire specific genital sex and release by orgasm. Because men have so much testosterone, they seem obsessed with genitals, intercourse and ejaculation, but appear to care less for romance and foreplay-touching, hugging, cuddling, eye gazing, etc.

Sex increases women’s estrogen levels keeping vaginal tissues more supple and also protecting against heart disease. It is estrogen that makes a woman sexually receptive and responsive to a man’s approach. It is estrogen that makes her want to be touched and feel romantic, it is testosterone that makes her want to be penetrated. Estrogen makes a woman soft-breasts develop in response to estrogen. Estrogen is a powerful influence on how a woman smells. It influences the degree to which she projects softness, openness, and interest in sexual touching.

Men’s bodies also produce estrogen. In fact testosterone can be converted into estrogen in the man’s body. Some estrogen helps a man to develop the softer, more nurturing feminine sides of their personalities. As men age, the testosterone/estrogen balance begins to shift, with testosterone decreasing and estrogen increasing, and this is one reason why so many men seem to mellow out as they get older.

Jenny Love

How to detect fraud and corruption under employees

In some instances fraud and corruption under employees, whether in the Private or Public Sector, have become endemic.

In some segments of the retail industry it is estimated that shoplifting by employees cost them more than shoplifting by members of the public. It is also a known fact that some of the big retail stores even hire store-detectives just to look after staff and their shenanigans.

But even the small businesses encounter the same problems with employees but unfortunately they cannot afford the same extremes the big industries can to counter fraud and corruption.

They can only minimize the risk with strong anti-fraud and anti-corruption control and vigilance and the following is some tips in assistance to this phenomenon:

1. Sudden change in life-style: A sudden change in life-style is the most telling symptom of fraud or corruption. It is easy to measure the life-style an employee is enjoying with his remuneration and other perks. Evidence to look out for may be fancy, expensive cars; luxury equipment and furniture; holidays in exotic, expensive destinations; etc.

2. Sudden workaholic: Be sure that something is wrong when the person who normally takes all his vacation leave suddenly turns into a workaholic who now refuses to take leave or to be absent from work for a longish period. Statistics show that a huge amount of fraud and corruption is normally detected when dishonest employees area way from work for some periods. First of all they are not there to cover up their misdoings and secondly normally a reliever has to be appointed who is the ideal candidate to unearth illegal activities of colleagues.

3. Identify the complainants: It is a fact that an employee who constantly complain about his meagre remuneration would be the first to take from the employer what they think is their right to take to make up for financial short-falls. It is those who would even in court on a charge of theft try to justify it. Remember, those type of employees are also the targets for unscrupulous rivals to sabotage the competition financially for a price.

4. Identify the compulsive gambler: The compulsive gambler always believe that he will win big one or the other time. Therefore it is easy to take the employer’s money with the believe that they will be able to pay back when the big win is there. Statistics also show this nearly never happens.

5. Watch out for close relationships with suppliers: Unscrupulous suppliers are always there to entice dishonest employees to inflate prices or steering tenders and contracts their way in exchange for kickbacks, free holidays, expensive gifts etc. Be careful, even unscrupulous clients can do the same for illegal marked-down specials.

The main thing is, be alert and try to be one step ahead of dishonest employees.

Hendrik DB de Villiers

You and cellulite

What is Pandora’s Box?

“Do not open Pandora’s Box”, or “to open Pandora’s Box is not good for you” has become a general cliché for something bad or even evil.

According to Greek myth, Pandora was the first woman. She was send to the rebellious Titans on earth by Zeus as a punishment for mankind.

She was given a box to take with her, with instructions not to open it. Because she was curious she disobeyed, opened the box and all the evils of the world flew out.

‘Pandora’s Box’ became the symbol and saying for any action whose consequences is dangerously unpredictable.

Jenny Love

How to Grow a Herb Lawn

As a keen gardener there is nothing more tranquil than a neatly kept or manicured lawn. I personally attend to my lawn which is of average size and can keep me quite busy during summer time. But the result and joy and pride are indescribable.

Unfortunately, due to the climate of the region where I am living the only real lawn that is suitable for my garden is Kikuyu grass. However, I have done some reading about different types of grass for a lawn and it is interesting that you can also grow a herb lawn.

There are especially three types of herbs that are mostly suitable for a lawn:

1. Camomile makes an excellent lawn but the variety Anthemis nobilis should be used. The reason is that it is a hardy type of plant that can be kept green and lively in hot weather. It is also hardy enough for the normal wear and tear any lawn should endure; meaning walking on it and even picnicking on it. Unfortunately it is not hardy enough for practicing sports on it. It is best for sandy soil but will grow in other types of soil too, except for clay soil.

2. Thyme is also suitable for lawn and here it is the variety Thymes serpyllum. This is the smallest and hardiest of the thyme family but it makes a nice fragrant carpet rather than a strong lawn to walk or picnic on. It is therefore only for the show and it is best to grow in a special corner of your garden with no traffic. It must be kept well watered and weeded.

3. The third herb that is suitable for a lawn is pennyroyal (Mentha requieni). Like the first part of its scientific name hints, it is one of the smallest of the mint family and like thyme, it is not that strong enough to bear much traffic but it can give you much joy and beauty.

The nitty-gritty of this type of lawn is that it is more for the aesthetic than a work-horse.

Hendrik DB de Villiers

Actions Are More Attractive Than Words

One of the most common mistakes that men make, that can literally kill attraction in women, is bragging:

"I am intelligent."

"I am smart."

"I am rich."

"I am honest."

"I am trustworthy."

"I am successful."

"I have a great sense of humour."

"I work out a lot."

"I like to play hard and work hard."

Avoid making such claims. You will probably come across as arrogant, and turn women off quicker than bad breath.

Instead, if you want to communicate certain good qualities of yours, do it INDIRECTLY. Do something that would make a woman infer that you have those great qualities:

- Instead of saying that you are funny -- tell her a joke.

- Instead of saying that you are smart -- share your view or opinion on some controversial political or philosophical issue.

- Instead of saying that you like to work hard and play hard -- take her out for a run/hike or to play tennis.

- Instead of telling her that you like classical music -- put your favourite CD on for her in your car or at your place.

Actions speak louder than words and they are sure more attractive to women than words.

Keep this in mind and you will get much further with the women you meet and like.

HDV

Rat race getting to you?

You're tired of the pavements, the car fumes and seeing that same old corner house in need of paint, right? Maybe it's time to take a hike. But make sure you make it back home all in one piece. The International Red Cross offers some suggestions.

Take action:

Review the equipment, supplies and skills that you'll need for your outing; consider the kinds of emergencies you may encounter and plan for them; make sure that you're in proper physical condition for your adventure; it's best to hike or camp with at least three other persons - if someone becomes injured or sick, one person can stay with the victim while the others can go for help; leave a copy of your itinerary with someone - it should include details about your vehicle, a list of equipment you have with you, and your scheduled date of return.

Acknowledgement: Health24.com

Fact File on Rooibos Tea

Rooibos tea is indigenous to South Africa. The plant from which rooibos tea is harvested is a leguminous shrub with needle-like leaves; native to the mountain slopes of the Western Cape.

Marketing of rooibos tea on a small scale started in about 1900. Seed selection and improved cultivation and processing began in the 1920’s and about 30 years later the industry was exporting to Australia, New Zeeland, Europe, the UK, Canada and the USA.

Rooibos tea is caffeine-free and contains some ascorbic acid and some minerals. In addition, it contains sufficient fluoride to have some value in combatting tooth decay. The low-tannin content of rooibos tea makes the addition of milk unnecessary. The tea also does not inhibit iron absorption as conventional tea does.

How to brew your tea

When brewing rooibos tea, only use boiling water. Try to maintain this temperature (boiling) until the tea is ready to be served. Ideally you should have a teapot which absorbs and radiates very little heat – a glass teapot is the most suitable for this purpose. Rinse the pot with boiling water before you add the tea bags or leaves. Pour the boiling water on to the bag or leaves and leave it on the stove to keep hot while steeping.

Rooibos tea can be enjoyed anytime with or without sugar, hot milk or lemon.

You can even marinate meat with it!

Although rooibos tea is traditionally consumed as a hot drink it can be just as refreshing and appetising served cold.

Try it yourself!

By Hendrik DB de Villiers