How to

Creating Daily Affirmations

admin — Thu, 17 May 2007 21:44:37 +0000

Affirmations can help us to achieve our wildest dreams, and they are especially effective when they can be read out loud. Creating affirmations for ourselves is not difficult, and when used on a daily basis they have tremendous power. Yet not many people actually use them.

Why? Many people feel silly saying things to themselves out loud – especially if the affirmations are read out in front of a mirror – but once you understand the power they can have over your life, you may change your mind and decide that feeling a little silly is a small price to pay for achieving our biggest goals.

To create a daily affirmation, you must first think about something you want very much to have in your life. It may be something tangible – a new car, a new job, perhaps a new home – or it may be a quality, such as having more self confidence, or to be more patient with others.

Whatever your affirmation will be about, you should take care to word it in a positive manner – and as if it already exists. So for example, let’s suppose you would like to be more self confident. Your affirmation might go something like this:

“I am a confident, outgoing, bubbly person. I am happy in a crowd, and equally happy meeting new people. I am never nervous to go out on my own. I can hold a good conversation with anyone, and I always enjoy the company I am with.”

Ideally you should say this out loud at least twice a day – and preferably while standing in front of a mirror. You will feel self conscious to begin with, but it’s the quickest and easiest way to start using the power of affirmations to bring about whatever it is you want in your life.

by Allison Whitehead

Going Green: How You Can Live More Eco-Friendly

admin — Thu, 17 May 2007 21:42:57 +0000

You might not be an environmentalist or ready to join Greenpeace, but every one of us could stand to be a little greener. It isn’t that difficult to make some small changes in our lives that can have a big impact on the environment. Things you may not have even thought about can make a big difference in the world.

For example, when you go shopping, do you think about the packaging of the brands that you are using? Plastic is a material that doesn’t break down, even after thousands of years. Every day, tons of plastic waste is tossed into dumps, so the more we can reuse and recycle, the better. Look for the little triple arrow symbol on the bottom of your plastic containers to see which ones are made from recycled goods and try to support the companies that offer recycling.

Also, you can aim to lessen the environmental impact of your garbage by choosing products that come with a minimum amount of plastic. Some items such as crackers come in individual packets within a larger packet, meaning you are using two different packages. This is really a waste and if you don’t actually need to use the individual packets, opt for a box of crackers instead, with less packaging.

Simply recycling everyday packages can have a major impact on the environment as well. Your cans and bottles are all recyclable. In many areas of the country now, you can simply put all your recyclable items in a blue recycling box and it will be picked up from the curb. Or you could turn your cans and bottles in for a cash refund at a recycling center.

What do you do with your old magazines? Throw them out? They could be used again! Instead of burning them or filling up a trashbag, why not set up a magazine swap and trade magazines with neighbors or friends? If you don’t want to go through the trouble, you could also donate the magazines to your local library where they will be enjoyed by a number of people before being thrown out, which is far better.

Another easy way to make things easier on the environment is to reuse your containers. Yogurt, ice cream and cottage cheese tubs are all perfect for storing leftovers or small toys and craft items. Just wash them out thoroughly before using. This eliminates the need to buy Tupperware or other expensive plastic containers and gives these food containers a second life before being passed on to the dump.

Going green only requires minor changes. There’s no necessity to become a rabid evangelist for the cause, but if you want to try and live a little more eco-friendly, you can do it without going crazy.

How to Be a Healthy Vegetarian

admin — Tue, 15 May 2007 19:39:42 +0000

By: Erika Gendron

Becoming a vegetarian is a difficult thing to do; it’s hard to go from being a carnivore to the veggie life. It’s getting a little easier now you can buy; mock meats, soy dairy products; even fake fish at almost any grocery store. More restaurants are starting to cater to the vegetarian community, places like Denny’s, The Hard Rock Café, Ruby Tuesdays and TGI Fridays all have veggie burgers on their menus. You can buy frozen meatless beef patties all the way to soy Buffalo wings. Finding the foods isn’t the problem; it’s being able to stay healthy doing it. Here are some steps to make sure you know what you’re eating, and how to do it without hurting your body.

1. Try easing your way into your new diet. Cook your favorite meals, but instead of using meat try substituting with mock meats or vegetables. For example when you make spaghetti, instead of using ground beef put crumbled veggie burger or ground meatless beef. Don’t jump right into vegetarianism; you might rob your body of vitamins and essentials proteins. Add a lot of vegetables to your diet, dark leafy greens are a high source or fiber and proteins. Like with all diets it’s good to avoid a lot of junk food and drink a lot of water. Variety in your diet is important for being a healthy vegetarian. Eat lots of; fruits, vegetables, nuts seeds, and whole grain products. Be creative and mix it up.

2. Reading labels is a big part of being a vegetarian especially those who try and avoid anything with animal products. There are things to watch out for like, gelatin which is in Jell-O, and is made from animal: skin, hooves and bones. Also lard which is pig fat. You should always read labels, just to know what you’re putting into your body.

3. Vegetarians are very likely to become anemic if they don’t eat right, from the lack of iron which you would normally get from red meat. Foods that contain a good source of iron are; dried beans, spinach, chard, and dried fruit. To help your body absorb for iron eat foods containing vitamin C. Foods like oranges, tomatoes, fruit juices and broccoli are all a great source of vitamin C. Another important vitamin is calcium, which is needed for bone and joint health. It’s especially important for teenagers and kids that are still growing. Try eating broccoli, tofu enriched with calcium, and/or low fat milk or fortified soy milk.

4. But there are a lot of healthy upsides to a cruelty free diet:
· Vegetarians live on average six to ten years longer than meat eaters.
· Reduced risk of types of cancer, and heart disease ( 50% higher risk for meat eaters)
· Less chance of becoming obese (though most mock meats have less fat than the real thing- they are not fat free. So if you’re looking to lose weight make sure to look out for that)
· Vegans (vegetarians who eat no dairy or eggs) are less likely to develop acne.
It’s also always good to exercise, even just light exercise, take your dog for a walk or do stretches. Keeping your body active is one of the best things you can do for yourself.
Sometimes, with the hustle and bustle of life it’s hard to give yourself the kind of care you deserve. If you’re a busy person and don’t have time eat like you should, I suggest meal replacement shakes. They are enriched with tons of vitamins and great for your body. When you’re on the go take carrot and celery sticks with you and sank on those. Peanut butter, rice cakes, popcorn and juice bars are all fast easy snacks that are good for you.
Becoming a vegetarian might be a hard transition, but it’s worth it to protect animals and their rights. I strongly believe in the idea that the more vegetarians there are the fewer animals killed. It’s not only a great gift for animals, the environment; it’s great for you and your body.

How to Attract Ruby Throated Hummingbirds to Your Backyard

admin — Tue, 15 May 2007 19:37:29 +0000

By Diana Prichard

Weighing between just six and eight grams and measuring on average just three inches long, the tiny but beautiful Ruby-throated Hummingbird is one of the most awe inspiring creatures of the bird world. Their iridescent green back and white belly and breast makes for a stunning combination and a perfect backdrop for the male’s bright ruby throat. With their tiny wings beating at up to 75 times per second they can fly at speeds of 60 miles per hour, and at just half the size of a jelly bean their eggs are the smallest of all birds. All of this makes it no wonder they cause such awe when visiting backyard gardens, but they don’t have to be just occasional visitors. With a little effort and the right components your backyard can become a regular feeding ground for these tiny miracles.
Flowers rich in nectar are an instinctive attraction to Hummingbirds. To create appeal in your yard try planting gardens comprised primarily of nectar rich flowers. Some good choices for a Hummingbird garden include; Bee Balm, Bleeding Bush, Canna Lilies, Dahlia, Impatiens, and Sweet William. You can also consider adding bushes such as Azalea and Beauty bush to the mix, or even trees like; Apple, Crabapple, and Hawthorn. Attractive vines include; Honeysuckle, Trumpet Vine, and Morning Glory.
Once you’ve established nectar rich gardens consider adding nectar feeders nearby to maximize attraction. A nectar feeder is most often red in color however some clear varieties are also available. Red feeders will aid in initially attracting Hummingbirds to a yard that may be lacking in color, but will often fade after prolonged exposure to the sun. However while a clear feeder will look newer longer you may need to add a few drops of food coloring to your nectar initially, slowly reducing the amount over a course of weeks until you return to the nectars natural clear color. Pre-made nectar is available but you can also prepare your own at home. To make nectar combine 4 parts water with 1 part cane sugar, boil for 1 – 2 minutes and let cool. Remember your feeders will need cleaning every 2 -3 days to remove nectar build up. To avoid the need to purchase feeders yearly it is important to remember that your feeder is an investment. While it may be tempting to purchase one of the less expensive models in the store you should consider the ability of the feeder to hold up in the elements it will be exposed to.
Along with the Hummingbirds you will attract a few nectar loving insects as well. To discourage ants from using the feeder purchase an ant trap and attach it to the bottom of the base. Bees can often be distracted by applying Avon Skin-so-soft around the feeding ports of the feeder with a cotton swab prior to hanging.
Once you’ve established your gardens and feeders you will delight in the rewards of your work as you watch these beauties make your backyard home and return year after year.

How to Lose The Fight Before It’s Even Started

admin — Tue, 15 May 2007 19:35:19 +0000

The first thing any self-defense instructor will tell you is that the fight is always won in your head…before the physical confrontation even begins.

What is meant by this is that if you don’t have the correct attitude, knowledge, and confidence, you will lose more often than you’ll win.

This is true of any aspect of life, not just self-defense. However, the point is really brought home when it’s you versus the bad guy who wants to hurt you. Think about it this way: the person attacking you wouldn’t be doing so if that person didn’t believe that he stands a good chance of overcoming you. You don’t purposefully get into situations where you’re sure to lose and, likely, neither does he.

Somehow, your attacker must know he’s got the upper hand. Why?

Your body language is your subliminal indicator of your overall attitude and confidence level. Most people instinctively tune into others’ body language and know the general attitude and intentions of the person they’re looking at. This is why you get “gut feelings” about people when you first see or meet them. An attacker will tune into this just like anyone else. If he senses weakness, he’ll take advantage.

This doesn’t mean you should be defensive and mean all of the time. It just means you should feel confident about yourself and give a bearing of self-assuredness. The less confident you are, the more often you project fear and the more likely you are to be a victim.

If a confrontation does occur, you should have an attitude of security in your confidence. You get this through preparedness and training. When the attack comes, if you automatically know what to do and how to react, you’ll be confident in your movements and reactions. This will help to change the upper-hand to your favor. Most attackers, when confronted with a prepared and trained reaction will immediately acknowledge defeat and strive to get away from the situation.

Preparedness and training aren’t that difficult to achieve. Once you have them, you will gain confidence and therefore own the three ingredients necessary to successfully avoid and deter aggressive attacks.

For example, a woman friend of mine carries a kubotan and pepper spray with her at all times, especially when she goes out jogging. Part of her warm up routine before going out to run is to make punches and gouges with the kubotan as she brings her heart rate up. She then begins to stretch to loosen her muscles for the run. During this stretching, she makes movements of “presentation” with her pepper spray bottle. These little things, done each day she goes out jogging, prepare her for an encounter that could mean life-or-death for her. Yet her practice of them takes up no more time than her already-scheduled workout.

This practice gives her confidence in herself, which in turn means she gives off the wrong body language signals to potential attackers and is probably decreasing her chances of being a victim.

To ignore your own security and safety is to beat yourself senseless and hand the win over to your attacker before the attack has even begun. Ignoring your own safety is like hanging a sign around your neck begging to become a victim.

Don’t beat yourself senseless before you’ve even started. Learn to defend yourself and your loved ones and gain the confidence and knowledge you need to avoid the confrontation with an attacker or criminal before it ever happens.

by Aaron Turpen of http://www.awwSecurity.com
Aaron is the proprietor of AWWSecurity.com, which sells realistic self-defense and security products for the real world. Visit http://www.awwSecurity.com and learn how you can protect yourself and your loved ones today.

How to Grow Your Own Free Victory Garden

admin — Tue, 15 May 2007 19:27:42 +0000

By: Jennifer Erix

The country is at war, the economy is in question and many people have little in the way of spending cash. No, I am not talking about current events, I am speaking of the 1930’s. This is the decade that was sandwiched between the failing of the stock market and World War II. We often call it, the Great Depression. There was, however, some happiness.

That time in our history saw huge gains in homemade, backyard, needed to survive garden called “Victory Gardens”. With little money and a war on, it was very hard to find even a simple tomato at the market. Add to that the patriotic message sent out that stated that for every vegetable you grow for yourself, you were freeing up resources and food for our troops. It was a strong message and Americans took on the challenge. But it was not without problems.

People were getting sick from lack of vitamins. However, with no work and the Midwest in the midst of a drought, seed money was hard to come by. Not only were Victory Gardens a great way to insure that your family would have fresh vegetables throughout the year, it also meant a small source of income when jobs were hard to come by. How did they do it? The gardens were practically free! You can make your own victory garden. And yes, for practically free!

Let’s cut to the chase. Visit your local grocery store’s produce section. There are tons of vegetable seeds, right in front of you. Hint, they are IN the vegetables! Yes! You can actually grow items from the seeds they bare! Buy one item of what ever you wish to grow. Take it home and harvest the seeds. Plant them and viola! You have started your garden! And, you will never have to buy seeds again, as you can harvest new seeds from the plants you grow. Getting the seeds out properly is the key.

Not all seeds were created equal. And not all vegetables require seeds to grow. So let’s start with something simple. The potato. However you choose to spell it, there is a wealth of potential energy and food in one single potato. Anyone who has cleaned out their pantry and found that monster potato in the back corner, with spuds and roots all over can testify that potatoes will grow!

Find a potato that has green spuds. Spuds are the little green bumps on the skin of the potato that look like roots, simply because they are roots. Both red, small or “New” potatoes and the “Baker” regular brown potatoes will do just about the same. Take one home. Do not leave it in the clear plastic baggie. Make sure it remains dry and cool. The best place is it in a clean dark dry cabinet. Within a few days you will notice the spuds begin to bloom. Once you have a good 1-2 inches on the new roots, plant it.

What about other vegetables? Beans are seeds. Need more pinto beans? Plant a few of them. See what happens! How about tomatoes? Yes, they have seeds in them. Just be warned, if you get the seeds from the tomatoes you buy from the store, you ay get hybrids. Plus there are special considerations with the different plants. Such as in the case with tomatoes, where you will need small poles for the tomato plant vine to grow up on. And let’s not leave out peppers, peanuts and squash! They all have seeds and can be planted.

You only investment is the original plant. And with some good care, you can create your own Victory Garden. You will have fresh vegetables at nearly no cost!

Jennifer Erix is a freelance writer from Houston, Texas

How to increase your child’s reading success

admin — Tue, 15 May 2007 19:23:54 +0000

Do you have a personal computer ? If so, you can put your computer to use to help your child learn how to read. For your preschooler that is just beginning to read, you can use computer software to enhance his or her reading success. You can purchase “Phonics Excelerator” for ages 4 - 8 years old at your local computer store such as COMPUSA. It is Windows and Mac compatible and it sales for $10 at COMPUSA on the computer discount isle. You get 2 CDs 1 for vowels and the other for consonant sounds and it includes blends and interactive stories and games that your child will enjoy. If you can not find this specific software look for another phonics based that allow them to hear the vowel and consonant sounds and learn the phonic rules for reading.

I would recommend starting with 15 minutes for 3 days a week. Begin with Disc 1 vowel sounds for the first 2 weeks and then gradually introduce Disc 2 consonant sounds. Follow you child’s lead on this one, so repeat the sections that he or she wants or likes the most. Allow your child to have some control.

The goal is to get him or her to remember a few sounds and words at a time not too much at once… repetition is good for learning and recall. Also continue to read the early reader books with your child since the more he or she sees the sounds and words the more they are learning. You can purchase early reader books like “Road to Reading” level 1 by Golden Books at your local book stores like Borders and Barnes and Nobles. Or you can probably find early reader books or picture books at the library as well.

Computer enhanced learning can strengthen and build upon your child’s
reading skills.

My children have achieved reading success using phonics based computer assisted software for years, they both now LOVE to read. After 3 - 4 weeks of consistency you should see some real results and your child will feel Great about his or her achievement !

How to Find a Good Mechanic

admin — Tue, 15 May 2007 19:21:46 +0000

By
Sandy Mitchell

Your car is a major investment. Even the most basic car today costs upwards of $15,000 dollars. How do you find someone with whom to trust this investment when you need car repairs? Thousands of auto mechanics vie for your business, but how can you find one that’s most qualified to work on your model of car? Consider the following suggestions:

Plan Ahead
Don’t wait until your car won’t start to look for a mechanic. Not only are your choices more limited when you are stranded on the side of the road, but your judgment may be clouded by your need to get your car running. Start shopping for a mechanic when you move into an area, just as you would shop for a dry cleaner, dentist, or florist.

Get References
Don’t be afraid to ask for references and to check them. Is the shop listed with the Better Business Bureau? Call and get their feedback. Ask also for individual customers and call them. Ask whether the shop’s mechanics are certified by the National Institute for Automobile Service Excellence (ASE) or if the shop is accredited by the American Automobile Association (AAA). Don’t be afraid to ask friends, family, or co-workers for a recommendation, especially those with cars similar to yours. Often, this is the best way to find a mechanic.

Don’t Rule Out the Dealer
Dealership service bays sometimes get a reputation for being the mechanics of last resort. That is often unfair. Not only do dealerships have access to all of the latest information on and parts for their particular cars, they are able to offer compensation packages that attract the most qualified workers. Dealerships will also, often, give you a longer warranty on your repair work than can an independent shop.

One size Doesn’t Fit All
Do you drive a foreign car? A sports car? A hybrid car? If so, it makes sense to find a mechanic that has experience with your type of car. Not all cars are the same anymore. Ask what special training the mechanic has had to work on your type of car.

Get it in Writing
As with any major purchase, get a written estimate with a detailed explanation of the work proposed. Ask also about any warranty that might apply to the work you’re having done. Six months is great; 90 days is good; 30 days may be suspect. Find out whether the warranty includes both parts and labor. If you are unsure if the price is fair, take the estimate to another mechanic for a second opinion. He may even offer to beat the bid in order to get your business. Unfortunately, many drivers, desperate to get their car back just leave the car with any mechanic and say, “fix it.” I know; I’ve done it myself.

Trust Your Instincts
Take a look around the shop. A little grease is to be expected. It is an auto shop, but is there dust all over the tools? Are things just thrown in a pile? Is the waiting area a little grungy? Are you greeted promptly and with a smile? All these things will give you an idea about how the owners and the workers feel about their business.

Convenience
Lastly, consider convenience. Is the mechanic on a bus line or within walking distance to your home or office? Are they open hours that make it easy for you to drop off and pick up your car without taking time off work or inconveniencing friends and family? Does the repair shop accept your preferred credit card? Do they have a car rental outlet so you can get a loaner car while yours is being worked on? Though none of these points may be “deal breakers,” they are certainly things to keep in mind and, if applicable, will support your choice of a mechanic.

How To Ace a Job Interview

admin — Tue, 15 May 2007 19:20:06 +0000

Job interviews don’t have to be stressful. If you keep a few things in mind before, during, and after your interview you’ll make a great impression.

Before the Interview

First impressions are everything in a job interview, and you want to look your best. Invest in a high-quality interview suit and make sure that your overall appearance is clean and well groomed. Stay away from flashy jewelry, heavy perfume and anything else that would distract the interviewers.

If your career field requires work samples or credentials, make sure that your portfolio will also make a good impression. Invest in a leather binder and professional printing on high-quality paper.

While you don’t want to sound rehearsed at a job interview, you also don’t want to fumble for answers, so practice is essential. If you’ve interviewed for other positions recently, think of questions that were difficult to answer. Look for sample job interview questions online and in career preparation books. Create a list of potential questions and think of a few points that you could talk about in response to each one. While you can do this in writing or in your head, the best practice is to go through a mock interview with a friend or mentor so that you can practice your presentation and the overall impression you make.

Another important part of interview preparation is research. At the very least, you should visit the company website to understand the company’s mission, projects and organizational structure. You can also read the company’s annual report and look for it in the news. You’ll not only get a better feel for the place you may someday work, you’ll be ready to ask relevant and insightful questions during your job interview.

During the Interview

When you arrive, consider every moment you spend in the office a part of the job interview. If you have to wait, be patient. Be friendly, and treat any employees you meet with respect. You want to leave a good impression with everyone, not just your interviewers.

Answer every interview question thoroughly, using specific examples of actions and results, but also be concise. Stay on topic and keep all comments professional.

Watch your body language during the interview. Don’t slouch and don’t fidget.

When the interviewers ask if you have any questions, make sure that you do. Sometimes questions will occur to you naturally as you go through a job interview, but if not, this is where your research will come in handy.

Finally, relax. While it’s easier said than done, if you’re relaxed, you’ll give your interviewers the impression that you work well under pressure, and you may even find yourself enjoying the experience.

After the Interview

Send a thank-you note as soon as possible after your job interview. In addition to thanking your interviewers for their time, this is also your last chance to sell yourself as the perfect candidate for the job. Summarize your experience and qualifications and leave them with one final positive impression.

How to make it as a Freelance Writer

admin — Tue, 15 May 2007 19:17:47 +0000

If you’ve read an article anything like this before you’ve probably heard this already. In fact you’ve probably heard it so many times you mentally close your eyes, stick your fingers and your ears and start to hum every time you get close to hearing it again. But it’s true, so here you go; you have to write.

Well, no kidding, if you want to be a freelance writer then your probably love to write so why would that be a problem? The problem is that there’s a big difference between having a dozen unfinished pieces on your hard drive and sitting around waiting for someone to email you and request your services, and having a completed, polished portfolio showcasing your style and abilities. The latter will sell your work – the former won’t. Nobody will know you’re a good writer unless you put your stuff out there and make it worth reading. If you’re an unpublished writer with little experience in the writing game your portfolio will be the one thing you have to convince people to hire you.

The second most important step has to be market research. If you don’t know your market then you can continue to produce well-written, engaging copy until the cows come home; if it doesn’t suit a buyer and/or that buyer hasn’t seen it you’ll still be sitting on a pile of unpublished gems in five years time.

Think about what you want to write about and start reading the kind of publications you want to be published in. This is the best way to familiarise yourself with the style of the publication and you’ll unconsciously start to adopt a similar approach within your work. Once you know what sort of things a certainly magazine or newspaper likes to publish you’ll know which pieces you should send them and how to tailor each piece to appeal to particular publications.

Your next stop is to make contact. There are great resources out there for writers which list the relevant contacts within publications (Barry Turner’s “The Writer’s Handbook” is my own favourite) but in the absence of this a simple phone call is best. Ask for the name of the commissioning editor or the features editor or, if the receptionist is particularly helpful explain to them what you’re pitching and ask who would be the best person to send it to. Being friendly can take you a long way.

When you send a query to an editor you must remember that they probably receive hundreds of similar queries every day. Keep it short and to the point and they’ll be grateful. Your query letter should be carefully checked for spelling and grammatical errors which are unlikely to impress. The more interesting and well-written your query is, the more likely an editor is to take an interest, but even the most engaging of query letters should not run longer than a few paragraphs.

Finally you should remember to keep at it. Rejection is an inevitable part of the freelancer’s life. You will be rejected often and sometimes with little explanation. You may see your work picked apart and criticised, or find yourself simply unworthy of a simple response. These things hurt, but the clever freelancer learns from them. Never stop writing and never stop sending out your work. Perseverance is more important than ability; eventually you’ll get it right and when you do the experience of seeing your name in print makes everything that came before it worthwhile.

By Kate Emery, Freelance Writer