Unique Benefits of Planting a Garden

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Unique Benefits of Planting a Garden

Our garden along with our kitchen can make a difference in our lives. What we eat defines us. It's for that reason to consider the most important things that can improve the way we look and the way we feel. There are many vegetables and fruits out there with secret properties that will help us to feel better when consumed. We can make better choices knowing the benefits of these fruits and vegetables.

It feels so good to just go to the garden and pick what you need from there instead of running to the pharmacy. I try to have a lot of plants in my garden. Sometimes we have them and we don't even know the benefits that they have. They're hiding in our backyard in plain sight.

There are numerous varieties of plants with amazing benefits but I will only mention a few.

Tomatoes are packed and full of beneficial nutrients and antioxidants and are a rich source of vitamins A and C and folic acid. The tomatoes are associated with the benefits of the cure for cancer combating the formation of free radicals, diabetes and heart diseases. Also, they have folic acids that help with depression. Whether you refer to a tomato as a fruit or a vegetable, a tomato is a nutrient food that most people should be eating.

Water spinach is another one that has essential nutrients like vitamins A and C as well as a high concentration of beta-carotene. Due to its healing and detoxifying properties, it helps in providing relief in case of skin itching or insect bites. Just add salt to water spinach and grind it into powder. Dab it on the sore spot and wrap it for immediate relief. Another property of this plant or should I say vegetable is that it acts as a sedative for people who have insomnia or sleeping difficulties. Water spinach also is effective in treating ulcers, menstrual pains, toothache, launched urination, nosebleed etc.

Aloe vera there so many benefits in aloe vera that this plant is a must have in our garden. It's excellent in skin conditions like burns, eczema, and is also a quick pain reliever. It has numerous nutrients, one of which is vitamin B12. Aloe Vera can also be used as a body cleanser (blend the crystal inside with the pineapple). I dont want to forget to mention that its great for digestion. Vital to the growth process and healthy function of our body. The benefits are so many that I encourage you to keep it close. Even in a pot in your kitchen you can grow a beautiful Aloe Vera plant.

Watermelon seeds are good sources of magnesium with 100 grams of seeds providing 139 percent of the recommended daily requirement. Magnesium is vital for normal heart functioning, contain lycopene which is good for your face and also helps in improving male fertility. It is also effective in recovering health after illness and sharpening your memory. It can even be used as a tea for treating diabetes, boiling a handful of watermelon seeds in 1-liter water for 45 minutes while keeping the pot covered.

Ginger this is another terrific plant full of benefits for our good health, usually called the traveler medicine because it helps with most indigestion problems, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. It will also help with menstrual cramps, bloating and much more. Keep this one in your garden.

Sage one of the must have good for digestion, ulcers, sore throat, improving memory and one more thing; that I know keep most women at the edge. It is known to have properties to reduces menopausal sweats. Sage is also good for menstrual irregularity. So let say goodbye to those menstrual cramps and night sweats with a sage tea.

Therefore lets plant more beneficial plants in our garden. To find relief to so many daily health issues. Just give our mother earth the opportunity to work for you and used your garden to make it possible. l am a lover of nature, I think that all these plants can and will make a difference in our life. I strongly believe that using these natural remedies for common illnesses we can reduce the need for chemical remedies with dangerous side effects.

Top Interior Designers in Pune

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Top Interior Designers in Pune

Room is the place a huge amount of creativity can be showed up. Display day, contemporary, agreeable, upscale, and lavishness are a couple of decisions that can change your room into a dream arrive. In arranging a room, space is never a restriction. With more imaginative contemplations, space whether it is pretty much nothing or huge, space can be utilized enough. Is it genuine that you are a film, book or music dear? Room can be arranged by the individual interests of the people from the family. Tyke's room should be given more noteworthiness and with numerous subject based plans available, kids will love to unwind the whole day in their room. Pulling off solid tints, fair palettes, ordinary significance, impeccable light installations, divider designs that are thought pursuing, cool, clean, and direct blueprints are a couple of decisions to design space for that perfect appearance. Kitchen Ageless kitchen cabinet contemplations with completed, solid or fair tints, finished organizers, common look pantries, drifting pantries are a segment of the latest examples in pantry considerations. Extreme, sturdy, less help materials for edges and floors are other inside plotting considerations for a kitchen. To make life pleasant and get refinement and style appearance of kitchen, revamp thing designs are created and sent by capable inside organizers. A blend of handiness without bartering feel is a basic factor to be considered before arranging a kitchen.
Latrine notwithstanding the way that restrooms are extensively updated to overhaul the value, space may be a prerequisite. Along these lines innovative space saving intends to empty muddles are used to pass on elegance to restroom. Easy to keep up, strong, space saving things are used to plot restroom. Come full circle lighting with right estimation of shades can change the whole look of a washroom. Extra standard designs in installations, clean lines, joining of geometric layouts and illustrations, invigorating shower and washbasin can change the customary look of washroom into rich one. Family room This is the room where family becomes acquainted with each other and we get guests. So it is fundamental to give most outrageous care in laying out the space for an exceptional appearance. The best arranging considerations will be given by within planners to suit your essentials and necessities. Eppitomegroop provides office interior designers in pune for home & office interior design projects. Get a quick quotation for your project.
Underscore dividers, furniture, window trimmings, hurl cushions, paints, backgrounds, divider imaginative manifestations, rooftops, floors, tints, surfaces, lightings, mirrors, embellishments, and rugs are a segment of the points of view that are considered in receiving area plots. An immaculate style and blend of all these will redesign the whole outlook of the room and one can readily show off their parlor. For pleasing and agreeable receiving areas there are different decisions open. Eppitomegroop are the top interior designers in Pune providing total interior designers in Pune for residential and corporate Sector. Virtual Designs Available here.

Top Four Mini Bar Fridges for Your Hotel Room

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Top Four Mini Bar Fridges for Your Hotel Room

Mini Bar Fridges are designed to chill and hold beverages for a few people, which make them perfect for using in hotel rooms and other places like the conference rooms etc. These appliances are small in size but their function same as the other commercial refrigerators. There is an extensive range of mini bar appliances available in the market. There are different types based on the type of cooling system it has or the size or design.

There are so many different models to choose according to your need. Most of the models of hotel room fridges have the same features, but there are models, which are equipped with certain features, which make them better than the other models. Each day a new technology is being developed which ensures the efficiency of these fridges.

All of the top and famous refrigeration manufacturers offer the mini bar fridges. The extensive range of the appliance can sometimes make it very difficult to choose the right refrigerator. It can difficult to choose when there are so many good options available.

Here are some of the excellent mini bar fridges available in the market to choose from.

Interlevin MB35 Mini Bar refrigerator:

This is a mini bar appliance which has the capacity of 35 liters and it is considered a perfect appliance for the hotel rooms, boardrooms etc. It is a silent appliance which is one of the most important features of the appliance. It also has some space in the door for storing small wine bottles and also beer cans. It is equipped with LED interior light. It has adjustable shelves which can be split into two halves. The feet of the appliance are also adjustable. The dimensions of the appliance are Height 485 mm Width 385 mm Depth 455 mm. The temperature range of the appliance is 0 C to +8 C. it uses R600a as a refrigerant. It has an off cycle defrosting system.

Polar CE322:

This mini bar, the refrigerator has the ability to be built-in or to be freestanding appliances. The refrigerator has an ABS interior, which can be cleaned easily. The door of the appliance is reversible and it also has the lock feature. The reversible door is excellent for maintenance and the lock provides security for the beverages. The appliance is also equipped with two shelves and two door racks. This provides multitude storage options. The maximum ambient temperature of the appliance is 29 C. it has the ability to hold 30 liters at a time. The dimensions of the appliance are 530 (H) x 400 (W) x 415 (D) mm. It has a single door and the door is solid. The appliance has a black finish and the insulation thickness of the cooler is 40 mm. The chiller has the temperature range of 0 C to +8 C. The weight of the appliance is 13 kg and it has fitted plugs. It has silent refrigeration which makes it perfect for hotel rooms and conference rooms.

Tefcold TM32:

This is a silent running refrigeration system. This makes it an excellent option for the hotel bedrooms and the boardrooms. It features the LED interior lights which are only turned on when the door is opened. It has the lock feature as well. It is equipped with adjustable feet and adjustable shelves. This is a built-in appliance and it can be placed in a cabinet with proper optional fixing kit and the ventilation holes are a must. The internal dimensions of the appliance are 400 x 316 x 215 mm (H x W x D), the external dimensions are 500 x 402 x 406 mm (H x W x D) while the packed dimensions are 530 x 450 x 460 mm (H x W x D). The capacity of the fridge is 31 liters and it has a temperature range of +5 C to +12 C. The refrigerant used in the appliance is NH3 and it requires a refrigerant charge of 70. It has one shelf and needs a power supply of 13 Amp. The maximum ambient temperature of the cooler is 25 C at 60 % RH. The electricity consumption of the chiller is 0.75 kWh/24h. It has an external finish of black and graphite while the internal finish is grey. The door of the fridge is hinged and the net weight of the appliance is 13.5 kg.

Tefcold TM52G:

This is one of the TM range glass door mini bar appliances and it is very popular for using in the hotel rooms, boardroom etc. It is equipped with a silent running refrigeration system which does not make any sound and stays silent. There is internal LED lighting present in this appliance as well, which helps in illuminating the interior of the fridge. The shelves of the fridge are adjustable and the feet are also adjustable. The mini refrigerator has low energy consumption, which makes it highly cost effective. It can be integrated into the cabinet, but the ventilation holes should be present so that the appliance can function properly. The fridge has a temperature range of +5 C to +12 C. the refrigerant used by the appliance is NH3. There are two adjustable shelves. The internal finish of the appliance is grey while the external finish is black or graphite. The power supply of the fridge should be 13 Amp. The maximum ambient temperature of the fridge is 25 C at 60 % RH. The door of the fridge is reversible and it has the capacity to hold 51 liters. The weight of the fridge is 19 kg.

These entire mini bar fridges are excellent options to be used. They are equipped with all of the best and efficient features. They are cost effective and they have good and stylish designs so they are easy on the eyes too.

Tips On Shopping For Bamboo Or Grass Window Shades

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Tips On Shopping For Bamboo Or Grass Window Shades

Bamboo or grass window shades, like bamboo flooring, have grown in popularity in recent years and given the many benefits associated with them, it's not surprising.

Bamboo shades are a little like Clint Eastwood was in his younger days; tough, durable and they've got the look! Even better, they are an affordable alternative to more expensive traditional blinds and offer the versatility of being suitable for indoor or outdoor purposes.

Bamboo Roman Shades

These are a top mounted roll up shade. In fact, they can present both a modern or earthy look to a home and are available in many different patterns. When raised, roman shades fold up in a graceful style making them attractive even when they are not "in full sail." For cleaning purposes, running over them with a vacuum will usually do however, there is also scope to light clean with a sponge.

Bamboo Shades Fact

While exterior bamboo shades are becoming more and more popular because of their weather resistance, other components which go into making up the shade structure may not be so resistant to the elements. Parts such as pulleys and chords may be prone to deteriorate quickly if exposed to harsh conditions for long periods of time.

Shopping For Bamboo Or Grass Window Shades

The internet has opened up the opportunity to shop online in many areas of business and window shades are no different. Particularly bamboo given it's easy to handle and light nature which makes shipping a cost effective process.

There are some important points to remember when shopping for bamboo shades. Color can be tricky because of the nature and texture of the product. What you see on your computer screen may vary a lot from seeing the actual product live. Many manufacturers advise customers to order samples first before making any major decision.

You are also not limited to what is being advertised. Manufacturers can make to order or simply, if you know what you what but can't find it, then describe what you are trying to achieve and you'll be guided into choosing the appropriate style and color.

Raising Your Bamboo Or Grass Window Shades

People are often concerned about the raising of blinds and this is understandable given they can be a little messy. With bamboo shades however, raising comes in a variety of methods. Roman bamboo shades are raised in a fold up style every 6-8 inches.

Roll up was the most common method. It was simple, effective and there was usually little margin for error for messing it up. However, safety issues were raised regarding the looping of the chords and you'll need to check with the manufacturer on the availability of roll up blinds.

Things to Decide Before Choosing a Kitchen Cabinet Design

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Things to Decide Before Choosing a Kitchen Cabinet Design

While thinking about the finished basement ideas of the homes, kitchen cabinets are the first thing that comes into mind. The appearance of the kitchen can be fulfilled only through the designs and themes of the cabinets. There are several designs of kitchen cabinets were available to choose for. Also there are numerous options are there to fulfill your needs on installing a new one or updating your old type.

Kitchen cabinets were not only for storage purposes. The style of the kitchen is defined through the cabinets that play an important role on increasing the face value of the homes. The style and designs of the cabinets includes variety of materials such as wooden doors, knobs and finishing options. The price of the cabinets differed according to the types whether it was a semi custom cabinet or full custom cabinet. When it comes to the storage drawers, there were two types. Rolling out drawers and tilting drawers. Cabinets with automatic closing and made up of stainless steel were also available.

As there are several types and designs available through the custom cabinet makers you do not have to worry whether the color and the shape of the kitchen room is suitable for the design you choose. Solid wood cabinets were the one which are recommended widely because of its best quality and its style. Wooden cabinets are made up of few types woods. Once after deciding upon the type of the wood you wish to make your cabinet then you can decide whether it should be frameless or framed.

Mostly all of us are not capable of purchasing costlier woods for making the cabinets. Therefore as an alternative for these costlier woods, pre painted cabinets were designed that are suitable for your kitchen style and color. The paints come in multiple colors and are over coated with varnish in order to protect the finishing. For instance you can check out the custom kitchen cabinets Novi MI. According to the themes of the homes the cabinets were also available. For instance you can get a vintage style cabinet if your home is also a vintage styled one.

Once the outer appearance of the cabinet is decided then you can look after the inner appearances and the available features. Some cabinets come with drawers and bins for storage purposes. The bins were separated by a silverware divider or by a wooden one. Sliding racks also available in which you can easily find the stored can foods and other ingredients. Types such as custom built in cabinets Plymouth Michigan and kitchen cabinet designs Northville is not only for kitchen purposes. Even you can make it as your television cabinet or library thing.

While having huge varieties and types of the cabinets available including kitchen and bath West Bloomfield, choosing one according to your wish and your budget is not so easiest thing. To decide upon one, first you have to determine what type of cabinet you need and whether it suits your requirements. Then you have to be sure it comes within your budget. Once you get all this done then definitely you will get a fulfilled kitchen that accompanies the overall beauty of your home.

The Most Impressive Metal Roofs

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The Most Impressive Metal Roofs

Metal roofing systems can be fabricated in a factory and delivered directly to a job ready for installation or you can have the panels made right on the job so you can cut and shape each piece precisely and as you desire.

The natural properties of a metal roof are very impressive. Metal panels are durable and long lasting as well as virtually maintenance free. They offer tons of remodeling benefits like the ability to be installed over almost any type of existing roof system and the wide array of color options and styles that can be used to match any home style.

Standing seam metal roofs have become popular in parts of the country that present harsh weather conditions such as the Deep South, where conditions are hot and humid for many months of the year. They are also admired by northerners because of their ability to withstand heavy snow and wind loads.

Some of the other advantages of significant value are the fire resistant properties and the universal styling that enables blending to almost any home's design. Metal roofs offer what many believe to be the perfect styles for upscale homes as well as homes of lesser value, such as mobile homes. The most popular of any style is the standing seam metal roof, which has been used throughout the world on almost every type of home imaginable.

A standing seam roof is constructed of many interlocking panels that run vertically from the roof's ridge (the top of the roof) to the eave. The interlocking seam where two panels join together is raised above the roof's flat surface, allowing water to run off without seeping between panels.

Standing seam roofs come in many shapes and sizes. In some instances, the vertical panels are cut to length at a factory and delivered to the job site. Metal panels can also be made at the job using portable metal fabrication equipment. Other options include standing seam "shingles" that arrive prepackaged (typically in three to five-foot lengths) and are installed in a staggered pattern for visual effect.

Two types of methods are commonly used to secure the panels to the roof sheathing. Hidden fasteners are secured to the raised portion of each panel, and subsequently covered by the next adjoining panel during installation. The second (and less costly) method utilizes exposed fasteners that are driven through each metal panel into the roof sheathing.

Now we can discuss how standing seam metal roofs are constructed. Let's assume the metal roof panels are going to be formed on the jobsite instead of in a metal fabricators shop or factory.

The metal roof panels are made individually to accommodate the required length. This reduces jobsite waste, as short and long panels can be cut to the appropriate length. To form the interlocking panes, a metal fabrication machine called a brake is used to shape metal into various designs.

A sharp-toothed hydraulic shear cuts each panel to the appropriate length without damaging the panel ends. Although some hand trimming is involved, the panels are formed and cut to length and ready to install in just a few minutes.

The guide to styling your dining room with dining furniture

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The guide to styling your dining room with dining furniture

Have you shifted into your new apartment but thinking what are you going to do with the empty dining space? Well, the blank space is super exciting but decorating it with a right number of dining room furniture can be a tedious task. It is that nervousness we can only imagine a student feels while writing the exams or a model experiences upon walking on the ramp for the first time. But there is no need to worry. This is because of all the rooms, an excellent dining room with required dining furniture can set the overall look of the house.

Dining room furniture sets are the pieces which affect the mood and visual size of the room. They are the pieces which come in wide variety of designs, styles, colours and sizes and can also be placed in the backyard of the house. From lightweight plastic to durable wooden, traditional to contemporary, all dining room sets are available online to provide a pleasing appearance to the room. Modern dining room furniture always makes an occasional dinner a memorable one. So consider the below-mentioned guide to style your dining space with enticing and functional dining furniture.

1. Invest in classic dining table: Since the dining table takes the largest room space and it is the best piece to get started, so invest in the piece which is of great use and help create a flow in the room. A round dining table is best for small space as it occupies less space and can also accommodate extra people when needed. One can also go for extendable or foldable dining tables to save space. When it comes to the finish, choose the one that is simple and classic.
2. Be practical: If you are going to invest in a big dining cabinet furniture, make sure it can keep all your crockeries, table cloths, mats, etc. Always choose the dining room furniture online which are practical and versatile. If you are going for wooden dining cabinet, then don't be afraid to pair it with upholstered dining chair. This contrast will liven up the dining room.
3. Add personal touches: There are so many online dining furniture websites which allow customising the product according to your requirement. So bring out the creative person hidden inside you and get your dining room furniture personalised in the best possible way.
4. Mix and match your dining chairs: If you like casual, informal dining seating then decorates your dining area with different style dining chairs. You can play with benches, wing chairs, upholstered chairs for a more communal feel. Outside of the bedroom, the dining room is the most used area of the home so it should be comfortable and stylish.
5. Don't overdo it: We know that you are excited and just want to furnish your dining area with attractive and inviting dining room furniture, but hold up a second. Don't buy things in bulk. This may result in the overcrowded and tame dining area. Always consider the space available to have a welcoming and beautiful environment.
6. Add an unexpected twist: If you want your dining space to be a stylish punch then always consider adding things that are unique. Like you can add a kitchen trolley cum cabinet, a lounge chair for extra seating, etc.

Gone are the days when every house had a simple dining table and chair set as a dining furniture in the room. Today, a dining room can be style with some modern dining room furniture. The dining furniture is a distinctive and unique style furniture pieces that when arranged properly in the room will provide a beautiful and comfortable look. They are pieces which act as focal point in the house. There are large varieties of dining furniture available online in India but before placing them in dining room keep in mind that all have different features and functions.

Decorating a dining room with beautiful and charming dining furniture might sound simple and easy, but before placing them keep in mind the space available and what' s need to be added. This is because all the dining furniture pieces come in different sizes, designs and materials.So research well about all the factors before reaching to any decision of buying and placing dining furniture.

The Business of Your Health

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The Business of Your Health

"What would happen if everybody ate lots and lots of fresh organic food that was minimally processed? I think we'd have an epidemic of health."
-Andrew W. Saul, Ph.D.

Many years ago, I worked in the retail industry. It was wintertime and cold season was upon usand on that particular year, colds were rampant. I don't mean the blow your nose a few times a day cold. Many people were forced to stay in bed for several days, while feeling miserable and then even when they managed to get out of bed, the cold lingered on...and on...and on...for about three weeks. Throughout the mall, people had watery eyes, congestion and achy bodies, not to mention all the red faces that were floating around from all the Kleenex they had been using. It was like Rudolph donated his nose to the entire shopping center.

Considering it was December, which was by far our busiest time of year, I wanted my staff to avoid getting sick. So, not being a doctor I was not able to prescribe anything, but I suggested that we all drink Odwalla C Monster every day. At the time, the containers they came in were larger than they are today, and each bottle had 2,000% of the daily recommended dose of Vitamin C. I enthusiastically added, "Plus, it tastes good!" Yep, I sounded like a quintessential television ad, but guess what? Not one of us got sick that month.

So, we all know that Vitamin C is good, but what about other kinds of foods. I read how the actor Dirk Benedict cured himself of cancer, not by inducing carcinogens (otherwise known as chemotherapy) into his body, but rather by changing his lifestyle. He moved back to Montana, connecting to his roots and began his natural treatment of a macrobiotic diet. Over thirty years have passed and he is genuinely cured from his cancer.

Andrew W. Saul discusses in the film FoodMatters that ample amounts of Niacin have been documented to cure both mild and chronic depression. Yet, do very many people know about this? I certainly didn't and considering how many antidepressant prescriptions are filled every year, I will take an educated guess that most of us are equally in the dark on that one.

We all know the adage, "You are what you eat." When we eat fast-food every day, we feel and look horrible. When we eat in harmony with our bodies and with Nature, we feel and look fabulous. Food effects how every organ in the body operates, and no matter how we treat it, it will respond accordingly.

It truly astounds me that nutritional therapy is against the law in many countries, including our own. Let's face it, those from the medical and pharmaceutical profession have been saying for years, not to take too many vitamins as they can be harmfuland they would be right. It would be harmful for their pocketbooks. In fact, according to the documentary FoodMatters, only 6% of the allopathic medical practitioners (called doctors) are knowledgeable about the value of nutrition and generally speaking, the nutrients that are found in our foods. Why would they? Pharmaceutical companies fund medical schools and the physicians get perks from these companies each time they prescribe certain drugs. To put it succinctly, it's a money game.

Raise your hand if you know at least one person that has a kitchen cabinet and all the medicine cabinets in the house filled with medication. OK, you didn't really have to raise your hand, but I bet all of us know someone if not many people that have fallen prey to this brainwashing that has been going on for decades by the conventional medical and pharmaceutical companies. I was a professional organizer for years and it flabbergasted me at the percentage of people that fell under this categorynearly all of them.

I am not saying that the conventional medical field is all bad. We sometimes need medication as a short-term solution for our ailments. However, for long-term usage this is not only impractical, it is expensive and it is continuously putting toxins in our bodies. A more practical solution to our health is to consume a primarily organic diet, filled with super-foods and generous portions of fruits and vegetables. When we enable our own body to do its thing properly and with ease, we tend to have much more health-full lives.

Don't let anyone tell you that you do not have the medical training to figure out what is best for you. We all have the ability to listen to what our own needs are and when we listen to our intuition, we can feel what healing needs to take place. In other words, if we take control of our destiny, by not only doing the research to find out what is best for us, but also by taking responsibility and following through in the process of changing our lifestyles, so that we can be in alignment with Nature, we find a much more fulfilling life is here for us. Isn't our goal to live happy and health-full lives? It certainly is for me and this is my wish for all of us.

Thank you for reading about my Organic Bliss!

If you would like to read this and other articles such as this one, please visit my "Blogs" page on my site at http://lisatunney.com/

**Some of the information in this post is from the documentary FoodMatters. For more information, please do watch it. It is not only practical, it has some eye-opening ideas in it. It can be streamed on Netflix.

The 3 Secrets to Getting And STAYING Organized

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The 3 Secrets to Getting  And STAYING  Organized

When it comes to organizing, routine does matter!

Organizing is about so much more than developing the right systems to meet your needs or buying the latest organizing gizmo. While those things are undoubtedly important, the most critical factor of whether your organizing projects will be successful is how well you integrate organizing into your life. Here are a few tips to build new routines around organizing:

Start small. The biggest organizing mistake that people make is to set unrealistic expectations for how much time and effort organizing takes. The tendency for many people is to say, this weekend, Im going to organize the whole house or Im going to purge my 20-year paper backlog today. Projects like these are big, and need to be broken down into smaller mini-projects that are more easily completed. Take these larger projects apart, and youll see there are smaller tasks within them for instance, organizing just one kitchen cabinet, or purging just one part of one file drawer. Its far better to start with a small project that you can make immediate, visible progress on, instead of a large, nebulous, undefined project. Start doing smaller projects regularly and youre guaranteed to see continual progress.

Do a little each day. Organizing doesnt have to be a quarterly or annual event in fact, it is a lot better to build organizing into your life on a daily or weekly basis. If you can devote fifteen minutes a day toward clearing clutter, youll help ensure that those areas you so carefully organized will stay clutter-free. For most people, its easier (and more enjoyable) to spend a few minutes a day on organizing, rather than blocking out an hour or two once a week. Organizing wont become such a chore, and youll be reinforcing the habit that living without clutter is a priority for you.

Remember, organizing is a process. Organizing is not a do-it-once task; rather, it can be helpful to think of it more as a lifestyle change. There may be a big push to complete a particular project, but its the maintenance that happens afterward that helps ensure success and that maintenance is all about your habits. Ive worked with lots of clients, and the ones who are most successful realize that while certain projects might have defined completion parameters, there is no end point for being organized. Its a skill you can develop and grow throughout your life.

Getting your office or home organized is one of the best investments you can make in yourself and your space. Youve spent time and resources to get organized, and by using some of these tips, youll be able to stay organized for the long term.

Teens and Inhalant Addiction and K2 Spice

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Teens and Inhalant Addiction and  K2 Spice

The first time I heard about using empty whipped cream dispensers to get high was a long time ago. I was living at my parents house after I had finished medical school in France. I had done my thesis as quickly as possible, in the fall. My residency was projected to start July first. I promised my parents I would do what I could to earn my keep. I sold kitchen cabinet fronts over the telephone, got involved in a chorus production of Pirates of Penzance, and substitute taught for awhile.

As a substitute teacher in suburban Boston I was taught everything from senior hygiene to 9th grade algebra. A principal saw me teach 9th grade algebra and told me the heck with the credentials the way I put across factoring quadratics was good enough for him to take me on permanently. I was leading the class in yelling, singing, and dancing everybody factor. And they were.

I told him I was going Cincinnati to start a surgical residency. He stared at me in disbelief. I told him I had more important news for him.

Most of my ninth grade algebra class was addicted to whipped cream dispensers. A couple of the kids were working at an ice cream place across the street from the school. They were enjoying the aerosol dispensers of whipped cream far more when there was no whipped cream left inside. This was a sacrilege to a butterscotch sundae lover such as me. And I knew even then this was not a totally harmless addiction at least not for long.

I suggested to the principal that the kids needed to be educated about it. He giggled a bit, barely managed to say thank you, and sauntered away. Forever.

I have since learned these are called Whip-Its, and I have heard of no adult doing them untilDemi Moore? Clinging to her lost youth, they said.

Freon addiction is a form of inhalant abuse. It seems that the high that is associated with these substances is mostly from nitrous oxide which is believed to be relatively safe. I mean, this is the laughing gas that people get at the dentist. The cases that are most worrisome involve refrigerants, from refrigerators and air conditioners, which presumably have lots of the stuff.

Needless to say, huffing various substances can be a deadly addiction.

Back when I was a resident, we saw young kids huff things like acetone and turpentine and the like. I remember people got started with airplane glue. It had been scary enough when I was little that my Mother-of-Blessed-Memory limited the time my brother and I spent with the gluing process when putting models together. These substances were highly addictive and young people died from liver failure. It was sad and horrible.

If you look around online, there is plenty of information directed at parents of teens who are supposed to learn how to detect inhalant abuse in their illustrious offspring.

At any rate, it has also been said that in addition to Whip-Its, Demi Moore was also doing K2 Spice. Most of the pages about it on the internet are about how to get it. It is some kind of incense, sometimes touted as natural, sometimes synthetic, and sometimes as a substitute for marijuana.

Bunches of research and analyses, mostly performed in Germany, have shown that compounds such as K2 Spice that claim to be all natural contain other nasty stuff. Not only do they lack the natural substances projected, but may have all kinds of synthetic cannabinoids that often include controlled substances, prescriptions, and stuff of all sorts. I can tell you for sure there is no real documentation or studies of effects.

Originally, it seems the idea was to choose substances that would fly under the radar so that only legal substances would be involved.

About a year ago, our friends at the DEA did an emergency ban, but I do not know its present state.

If you poke around online, its pretty easy to find descriptions of what the drug can do. The original idea seems to have given way to something pretty out of control.

I am continuously impressed by what people try to take to get high. I am negatively impressed by the self-destructive nature of some of our entertainers.

I do not want to visit this world, if I can help it. And I can. Chemical substances are not the best feel good route, nor are they a defense for aging. There are healthier ways to achieve these ends. I wish the principal at that high school so many years back would have told those kids that. And maybe somebody should tell Demi Moore, too.

Take part in the Rich History of Persian Area Rugs

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Take part in the Rich History of Persian Area Rugs

Who would have thought that a country like Iran would be synonymous with rugs? For centuries, Iran also known as Persia is known in the world for making beautiful and good quality rugs. Iranians have perfected the art of weaving Persian rugs by hand from the time it was first introduced to them 529 BC. Hand-woven rugs are known to play a big part in the art and culture of Iran. Today, the stature of authentic Persian area rugs is ever so high. It is still considered as one of the most artistic craft of its class. And with the popularity it has in a wide range of audiences, Persian area rugs are considered a big part of a beautiful home dcor.

Persian rugs have a very rich history. The art of weaving is said to be a passed on skill from the Achaemenians to the Persians when Cyrus the Great invaded the region. In 1949, an excavation in Siberia brought about the discovery of Pazyryk carpet. With radiocarbon testing, the age of the said artifact has been established, dating back to the 5th century BC. This revealed that as early as that time, sophisticated techniques were used to produce beautiful woven rugs. Well-known men in history used Persian rugs to decorate their private chambers. Ghazan Khan, a Mongol leader who also ruled Iran, once upon a time, ordered the use of the best Persian rugs for the mosque he built in Tabriz. Even Adolf Hitler is believed to have used a reproduced 'Ardavil' rug in his Berlin, Germany office. The 'Ardavil' is a carpet known to be the oldest Persian rug that survived during the Islamic Period.

The techniques for making Persian rugs continued to change over the years. Before, a Persian rug us made by hand using single loop knots called the Persian knots. Currently, most hand-woven rugs from Iran already used double loop knots that are similar to the Anatolian technique. This makes the rug more durable. The wool or cotton fibers that were used to make Persian rugs used to be colored using organic dyes. This provides the vibrant colors that make up the art we see from antique Persian rugs. But since the invention of commercial, artificial dyes, organic dyes were not used as often as before. Artificial dyes are more convenient to use and are also more accessible for Iranian weavers. The use of machines in rug production has also been popularized, making Persian area rugs cheaper and more widely used.

Today, most people use Persian area rugs as an accent to their rooms. Persian area rugs give life and color to a plain and dull room. The techniques of creating these wonderful rugs have evolved throughout the years but the beauty of Persian rugs is still the same. So get your own Persian area rug now and take part in its wonderful history.

Sore Throat Remedies

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Sore Throat Remedies

Ok, you have been to the doctor and you have received your medicine but you still need to locate remedies for strep throat that you can use pending the medicine do its thing. There is an ample supply of options available for you in helping you deal with this painful situation. Remedies for strep throat can be located right in your kitchen cabinet and most are easy to use.

Salt water is a super home remedy for helping ease the burning feeling in your throat. There is not anything more soothing than a good salt-water rinse when you have this situation. I have to admit that this is my preferred of the natural remedies for strep throat. This simple mixture is comprised of, you guessed it, water and salt. That is all there is to it.

You have to ensure that the water is tepid enough to break up the salt completely. In addition, you want to gargle on a regular basis. This is a home remedy for strep throat that goes largely unnoticed, but it is one of the most effective. You can feel the relief right away when you gargle with salt water. This is a reliable sore throat remedy when you have any discomfort in this area.

Moisture is important in the healing process. Many of the remedies for strep throat involve water in some form. This includes a nice, hot, steamy shower to moisten your throat. You could also do well with a humidifier as well. Saline solution is also great for addressing dry nasal passages. Salt water is a great natural strep throat remedy that does wonders.

Since you are using water to gargle, you might as well put some aside for drinking. Infections are flushed from your system quicker if you have a sufficient intake of fluids. Drinking an abundance of liquids is not one of the most appealing remedies for strep throat because the idea of swallowing is painful in itself. Try drinking right after you gargle to ease the discomfort.

Your body heals much quicker if you give it time to rest. Take a day to spend dozing on and off while watching some television. Get up to gargle and drink some fluids. These simple sore throat remedies will do wonders for your recovery.

Remember that these remedies for strep throat are useful in helping you get better sooner, but this condition is serious and you should seek medical attention right away. In addition, remember to follow your doctors advice.

Simple Upgrades 4 Tips For Modernizing Your Home On A Budget

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Simple Upgrades 4 Tips For Modernizing Your Home On A Budget

Your home is starting to look very dated, and you want a new, fresh modern look inside those walls. You probably cannot afford to replace everything at once, but making the following changes will have you well on your way to a much more contemporary residence. The best elements to add to your new decorating scheme could include:

Art
One of the simplest and easiest methods of modernizing your home it to change your artwork. Take down all of those ornate frames, classic scenes, and ancestral family photos. Replace them with simple modern art. This doesn't have to be expensive. Just attend local art fairs and select prints that you personally like and that will fit in with the decor scheme you have in mind. Artsy or unusual photography is also a great route to follow when you need new pieces for your walls. If you cannot find exactly what you want, attend an art class and make your own with the colors and shades that you have envisioned on your walls.

Color
Change your wall colors to a shade that is a great backdrop for all of your new additions to your decorating scheme. Paint over all of those off-white walls and replace the color with a more vibrant shade of pale gold, light aqua, or pear green. Add some accent walls of deep red, rustic brown, dark teal, or even navy blue for even more flair. You can actually take a large modern painting that you have purchased and choose your color scheme from that piece of art. Ask a representative at places like Koontz Hardware for assistance in picking out the very best selections in paint and paint accessories.

Furniture
If your sofas look just like the ones at your grandmother's house, it is time to go shopping. Look for sleek lines, simplicity, and simple fabrics or leather. Unusual pieces that are both eye appealing and comfortable are the perfect choices. Sectionals for the living room are available in many modern styles.

Lighting
Light fixtures are another aspect of your residence that can give your home a more modern look and appeal. Go for geometric shapes or pure simplicity when choosing a new chandelier or other ceiling fixture. Don't forget to replace all of those classic ceiling fans with more modern styles.

There are also many other simple methods of adding the modern element to your residence. Steps such as replacing all of your throw rugs, kitchen cabinet hardware, and curtains and drapes will also go far in helping you achieve the look you desire.

As is evident, the path to modernizing your home does not have to be a huge expense. The integration of these four elements will have you well on your way to cleaner lines and a contemporary feel in your living quarters. Keep on seeking new and vibrant ways of making your home more appealing and reflective of your personality and unique decorating scheme.

Simple and Fabulous Birthday Cake Recipe

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Simple and Fabulous Birthday Cake Recipe

Are you planning to give your loved one a special gift that is not like the usually items you find in stores? If you are in need of a birthday gift idea that has a personal touch, you should try making a cake for that someone special in your life. Baking a cake does not require you to be a professional cook. In fact, you can make a fabulous sweet treat even if you have no background on baking. You can find several recipes that come with easy cooking procedures that will let you have a convenient time as you prepare the cake.

For a nice birthday cake, you have the option to make it appear simple (like an all-white cake) or something colorful. If you choose to bake a white cake, you can add decorations such as flowers, polka dots and so much more. You can definitely add a personal touch to the cake and simply be creative in decorating the cake.

Here is a birthday cake recipe that you might find quite very simple to make. It comes with ordinary ingredients that might already be available in your kitchen cabinet. You will also have an easy time following the procedure, as these are quite easy to understand.

Quick and Easy Birthday Cake
If you are pressed for time to make a great cake for your friend or any other loved one, this cake recipe is a must-try. You can make this recipe for a total of 50 minutes (10 minutes of preparation and 40 minutes of cooking time). Here are the ingredients that you will need for this birthday cake recipe.

Low-fat butter, 1 stick
White sugar, 2 to 3 cups
Vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon
Large eggs, 3 pieces
Baking powder, 2 teaspoons
Flour (all-purpose), 3 cups
Skim milk, 1 cup
Salt to taste, 1 pinch

Cooking Procedure:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Afterward, grease the round cake pan and add a little flour on it. Set aside, and start preparing the batter. In a large bowl, combine the butter and the sugar. Whisk well until the two ingredients result to a smooth and fluffy texture. Next, add the vanilla and continue to beat well. Break the eggs, while separating the white portion. Slowly blend the egg yolks to the creamed mixture. After adding each egg, whisk well to come up with a thoroughly blended mixture.

In another bowl, blend the all-purpose flour and the baking powder. Sift half of the flour and pour it to the butter mixture. Then, add more flour and the milk, pouring these two ingredients alternately into the bowl with the other ingredients. Whisk the mixture vigorously until you find some air bubbles are starting to form. Add in the egg white, and drizzle salt into the mixture.

When the mixture is smooth, transfer it into the prepared baking pans. Bake the batter for about 35 minutes into the preheated oven. Then, let the cake cool for at least 10 minutes before allowing it to cool completely on a wire rack.

This recipe for a white birthday cake is definitely easy to prepare. You can add decorative items to the cake such as candy sprinkles or chocolate bits, which you can purchase at any store in the neighborhood.

Setting up Your Backyard for the Summer

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Setting up Your Backyard for the Summer

Summer is one of the most wonderful times of the year. Barbecues, swimming and relaxing are just around the corner and it is time for you to start preparing for the hot season. In order for the summer months to be filled with enjoyment, you need to have everything ready in your backyard beforehand. Now is the time to clear out your shed of all your backyard summer equipment and set up for the season ahead. There are a multitude of ways to prepare for the summer. A few of these tips are listed below:

Effectively Situate Your Outdoor Furniture

Whether you have a deck, patio, porch or other area where you place your outdoor furniture in the summer, you will need to properly position it in order to make your backyard aesthetically pleasing. There are numerous layouts you can choose from and they will depend on the purpose of your furniture. For example, if you have lounge chairs, you will want to position them diagonally on your patio or deck to make them look present without not taking up all of your usable space. If you have chairs and a table for eating outdoors, you will want to place them in the center of your usable space. As well as situating your furniture, you always want to make sure to keep your furniture clean so you and your guests can utilize them comfortably. 

Plant a Garden

An incredible part of having a backyard is that you can create the feeling of being in an area filled with nature. A wonderful way to make this feeling truly come to life is by planting a garden. You should find an open spot in your backyard and dig in order to make room for your seeds. You can make a vegetable garden, a flower garden or anything else in order to make your backyard look stunning.If you feel up to it and want to undertake this project on your own, that is wonderful, but if you feel you are incapable of doing so, you can always hire a professional to help you out. If you do not have space for a garden in your backyard, that is not a problem. You can work on your already existing lawn, trees and plants to beautify your backyard.

Purchase Home Dcor Items

Along with setting up furniture and planting, having home dcor items in your backyard will surely spruce it up. Purchasing items such as tiki torches, wind chimes or even a fire pit will definitely bolster your backyards aesthetic appeal. Not only will these types of items make your backyard look incredible, but they will add a calming atmosphere as well. If you are interested in in meditation and Asian culture, building a meditation garden with statuettes can be a wonderful way to decorate. These items and others will turn your backyard from a part of your house into a place that feels like home. You can buy these items at local stores or online from a myriad of vendors. Home dcor decorations are fun to shop for and will allow you to embrace your creative side.

Final Thoughts

With summer quickly approaching, you should be thinking about how you are going to set up your backyard. Positioning furniture, planting a garden and purchasing home dcor items are just a few great suggestions that will allow you to arrange your backyard. There are a myriad of other ways you can spruce up your backyard for the summer as well and by following the above tips, you will be setting up your backyard in no time.

Sensible Clutter-Busting Ideas You Can Implement Right Away

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Sensible Clutter-Busting Ideas You Can Implement Right Away

Do you find yourself picking things up from all over on your way to answer the doorbell? Are you forever looking for important papers, the first-aid kit, or the nail file? Is there a possibility a first-time visitor might have a problem distinguishing your bedroom from your storeroom?

If you answered Yes to all three questions, you have a problem. Youre human, but youre probably descended from the animal family Sciuridae which are inveterate collectors: squirrels. But dont worry, this is something that can be corrected, all you need is iron will. Here are sensible clutter-busting tips you can implement right away.

Tip 1 Resolve to Kick the Habit
Cluttering is a habit, and like any bad habit, it demands that the one who wants to be rid of it first acknowledge that he has a problem. Only from such an admission can a resolution to kick the habit emerge.

Tip 2 Break the Problem Down Into Manageable Parts
Taking on the entire house is a bit like Don Quixote taking on the windmillsyoure bound to fail. What you might do is to break the problem down by room, or by sections of a room, whatever works for you. If you cant open a kitchen cabinet without fearing everything inside will tumble down, the kitchen cabinets might be a good place to start.

Tip 3 Resist the Urge to Right Away Conclude That What You Need is More Storage Space
Banish the thought. Treat it like you would the Ebola virus. Your problem is having too much of the wrong things. Period. Try to focus.

Tip 4 Before You Start, Resolve to Be Cold and Clinical
Take a swig if thatd help, but before you start, realize that many of the things dearest to you will have to go.

Tip 5 Sort. Start With the Easy Ones First
Sort your things into different groups: Discard, Donate, Keep: Re-purpose / Re-use / Recycle. At several points, you might need to refer back to Step 4. Take another swig if that would help.

Tip 6 Discard
Start discarding. Old newspapers. magazines, bills, junk mail, legit mail, and even books will have to go. One rule-of-thumb might be If its paper, but its not the title to your house, discard it. The kids playthings, art materials, schoolwork, and even prize-winning projects will have to go too. Broken down computer monitors, CPUs, keyboards, AVRs, UPSs, TV picture tubes, stereo sets, the golf set which has since then been replaced with a new one, old lawn mower, old tires all these have to go, sorry.

Tip 7 Donate
These actually form part of Discard, but seem good enough for use by others. Set them aside to be donated. For the well-off, this might include tons of used clothes, an old car, enough kitchen utensils to srve the U.S. Army.

Tip 8 Keep
This group includes things which can be re-purposed, re-used, or recycled. For instance, you might have a wall removed to make way for metal wall grilles which would connect one room with another. You might want to keep the discount oil painting on canvas which used to grace that wall. Or, if the metal wall grilles replaced old ones, you might consider using the old metal wall grilles in some other part of your house.

Seize Your Day With the Latest Wedding Ideas

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Seize Your Day With the Latest Wedding Ideas

A person goes through different stages in his entire life which help you to grow and learn as a human being. One such auspicious stage is your wedding day. The day marks your entry into an entirely different world wherein two people unite with each other and promise to share love, affection, respect and all the responsibilities together.  It is one of the most important days in the life of two people who are going to share an eternal bond forever, and thus everyone wishes to make this day memorable.

To seize their valuable day and make it a mesmerizing experience, lots of couples are ditching the old methods. However adopting the new ways does not mean throwing away the essence of your culture and tradition. Here are some of the trendiest wedding ideas through the help of which you can make your marriage a perfect event along with enjoying all the rituals in the latest manner.

Experimenting with clothes and jewelry

A couple is the main highlight of the wedding. Their attire must be something which could attract the eyes and hearts of every guest present to witness the occasion.  A lot of people are now experimenting with their clothes and jewelry which they would be carrying on their wedding day. Be it any culture, people now prefer to choose contrasting colors for both bride and groom. They try to carry the outfits of same colors with little difference in the embroidery works. The brides have come along a long way, and now, they prefer to wear lightweight jewelry with simple makeup to enhance their natural features.

Destination weddings

Earlier, it was just a marriage hall or open lawn, booked by the elders under which all the rituals of a wedding would happen. But as the couples started to look after different ideas, many cities have begun providing the services of a destination wedding at affordable prices. A destination wedding is a theme based wedding under which a particular place is selected, and all the guests are supposed to dress as per the tradition of that particular location. Different locations not only make your day remarkable but also provide a feeling of satisfaction. Moreover, you and your guests get a chance to spend quality time with the whole big fat family at an amazing place.

Simplicity is the beauty

Couples are leaving no stones unturned when it comes to their wedding day. However, it is a famous saying that beauty lies in simplicity. Therefore a lot of couples are trying to keep the oversell decorations of the place to be straightforward and attractive. Using flowers and decorative items of 2 or 3 contrasting colors enhance the charm of the site, whereas using multiple hues would not do that. Even the brides are choosing simple ornaments and dresses, allowing their flawless beauty to be visible.

A lightweight dish with the taste of your culture

Tasty food is one of the main reasons which could make the event a grand success. The center of attraction in every reception or wedding is the food which you serve. The menu must contain a wide variety of food as per your culture. However, you must keep a perfect balance of every food item in the menu. The ratio of the main course with starters and desserts should be accurate. Always mix the authentic taste of your rich cultural food with the contemporary dishes.

A professional wedding photographer

All your efforts on your special day will be of no use if you do not hire a skilled wedding photographer. The trained professionals in this field are coming up with fascinating ideas and techniques and capture your candid moments perfectly. Many couples are even selecting the pre and post wedding shoots which help them to seize every moment and make their day remarkable.

Reprogramming Your Negative Thinking, Beliefs & Behaviors (Part 2)

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Reprogramming Your Negative Thinking, Beliefs & Behaviors (Part 2)

In Part 1 I discussed the first step in the process of reprogramming your negative thinking, beliefs and behaviors - develop awareness.

Before you can ever hope to make positive changes in your life, you need to know just what's going on with your thinking and how you're contributing to the situations you're struggling with.

In this article I'm going to discuss the second step - deny, dispute and repudiate.

Before we get started I'd just like to take a moment to let you know why I think this second step so important.

In case you haven't realized it yet, negative thinking, beliefs and behaviors are poisonous to your ability to live a happy and successful life.

I know you may be thinking "duh," but I really want you to become much more conscious of just what's truly going on "behind the scenes."

You really are the producer, director, and actor in this production we call life.

In the end it's up to you to take control and start directing the content of your mind, and this 3 step process I'm sharing with you is a powerful way for you to begin.

So...

Let's start by defining what I mean by deny, dispute, and repudiate.

To deny means to refuse to accept as true or valid.

To dispute means to engage in argument (in this case with yourself).

And to repudiate means to disown as untrue, unauthorized, or unworthy of acceptance.

Think of these as 3 potential defenses against your negative patterns of thinking, belief and behavior.

Okay, so how do you put these "defenses" to use in your own life?

If you continue to work on raising your level of awareness, as I described in Part 2, you'll eventually get to the place where you can consistently catch yourself indulging in negative thinking, beliefs and behaviors.

This is the point where the 3 defenses come into play.

You simply begin to deny, dispute, and repudiate the disempowering thought you're entertaining and most likely dwelling on.

For example, let's suppose that one of the things you'd like to manifest in your life is a new job that you actually enjoy. As you begin to watch your thinking and raise your awareness, you notice that you continually say things to yourself like:

- "Who am I kidding, I'm never going to be able to get out of this current job."

- "What a pipedream."

- "I might as well face the facts that I'm stuck in this crumby job for the rest of my life."

- "I'm not smart enough (or good enough, or deserving enough, etc.) to get a more enjoyable job."

- "It doesn't matter what I do, I never get what I want anyway."

Since your thinking has a "cause and effect" relationship to what shows up in our life, you're never going to get a new job with this type of thought process! All you're likely to get are feelings of frustration, resentment, and unhappiness.

This type of thinking is a great example of focusing on what you don't want. And if you continue entertaining these types of negative thoughts, your mind will actually go to work to make the very thing you don't want happen! It's a bizarre sort of self-fulfilling prophecy.

Thus, when you're stuck in this type of thinking pattern it's time to deny, dispute and repudiate.

You might instead consider saying to yourself something like:

- "That's not true."

- "Maybe that's been true in the past, but this time it's going to be different."

- "I refuse to accept that thought anymore."

- "Next!"

You can also play around with breaking the pattern by visualizing in your mind one of the following:

- Seeing yourself as a child going into a kitchen cabinet and pulling out household chemicals. Think of the chemicals as your thoughts. What would you say to the child?

- Picturing a Stop Sign or Stop Light

Okay, let's recap...

The second step in the process of reprogramming your negative thinking, beliefs and behaviors is to learn to consistently deny, dispute and repudiate any negative thoughts you catch yourself entertaining.

This does take some practice, so be patient and remember, at this stage you're simply trying to interrupt the negative thinking pattern that you've become aware of.

In Part 3 I'll discuss what to do once you've begun to deny, dispute and repudiate your negative thinking, beliefs, and behaviors.

Replacement Kitchen Cabinet Doors

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Replacement Kitchen Cabinet Doors

Introduction

No kitchen is complete without a complete network of cabinets. Cabinets are the most important furniture of your kitchen as it helps you to store all your food items, appliances, kitchen utensils and so much more. It is the perfect organizer for your kitchen and thus when you are planning to give your kitchen a fresh new look make sure you do something about your kitchen cabinet doors. However, when you are planning for a renovation you would need to think about a few factors that would make your job easier. You need to think about a budget, your time and what to renovate.

Renovate the kitchen keeping the cabinets intact

Renovating your kitchen does not mean that you would need to bring down the whole kitchen along with the cabinets. Generally cabinets do not get destroyed so much if you do not have problems like moulds and damps. That is why the best way to get a quick renovation is by using replacement kitchen cabinet doors. Yes, replacements doors for kitchen cabinets are available in the market. Now you can just buy these readymade doors and fix them on the cabinet face. It is as easy as it sounds. You can also get these doors made to order and fix them. This way you would not need to strip of the whole kitchen and get a brand new look in a few days time.   

Make your kitchen look spacious with replacement doors

One of the best things about using replacement doors for kitchen is that they are available in various sizes, material, colors, textures and finishes. So you have a plenty of options to choose from. Now we all need a spacious kitchen because that is one place in our entire house where we spend time cooking, baking, eating and even reading with a cup of coffee. So making your kitchen spacious is an important thing in your agenda. While renovating with replacement kitchen doors you can use light colors such as white, light yellow, off white leafy green or combination of these colors. Adjusting the lights along with these colors will make your kitchen look a lot bigger than what it is in its present condition.    

Replacing and refacing is not the same thing

A lot of people assume that refacing the kitchen cabinet doors is same as replacing. However these two methods are quite different from each other. Replacement of doors involves new doors while refacing of a cabinet door is done by changing the laminates or color of the door. It is always recommended to use replacement doors rather than refacing it. Ready to assemble doors are best of replacements. However you may also use customized doors made from wood, veneer or laminates.

The financial side of replacing kitchen cabinet doors

One of the best things about using replacement kitchen cabinet doors is that it helps you save a lot of money. Yes it is one of the most cost effective ways to give your kitchen a new look. Firstly it does not let you change the entire cabinet system in your kitchen. All you need to do is buy ready to assemble or RTA doors especially made for kitchen cabinets and just fix them on to the cabinets. You wont need any technician to do it for you. If you have a basic knowledge of wood crafting then you will be able to fix these doors in no time. These RTA doors come with instruction manual which you can follow to assemble and fix. Veneer doors come quite cheap and they are quite long lasting too. 

Conclusion

Renovation can be truly successful when you have a creative mind. It is just not a big budget that can help you have a fantastic kitchen, but a creative mind and some intelligent decision that can revolutionize kitchen renovating ideas. The best thing is you may not need any help from a professional. So when you are using replacement kitchen cabinet doors you are choosing the smartest way to give your kitchen a whole new look. You can do so much just by replacing the doors and have a kitchen that is cozy, airy, bright and spacious. All you need is a good plan and the best guide to replace the kitchen doors.

Relationship Codependency Everything You Need to Know

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Relationship Codependency Everything You Need to Know

Excerpted from the April 21,2011 episode of my radio show, A Fine Time for Healing

Roughly 100 million Americans suffer the effects of codependency today. Relationship codependency is often referred to as the White Knight syndrome, because the codependent tends to be a rescuer.

Codependency is a commonly and loosely used term that we often hear, but many of us do not know exactly what it means. Within the context of addiction there are three types of codependency; the enablers, the persecutors, and the victims. Throughout a codependents relationship with the focus of their addiction, they will play all three parts, whether simultaneously or separately. I tell my own story about codependency in my memoir, Finely: My Story of Hope, Love, and Destiny.

So what is codependency? Codependency in general is the relationship that exists between everyone and everything. In order to live emotionally healthy lives, we all must have relationships. The type of codependency I am discussing today is the kind of relationships one seeks out and engages in for reasons that are emotionally unhealthy.

Codependency can be and usually is a debilitating addiction. It is in essence toxic love. Its like the time I had accidentally found a syringe that my husband, who by the way became my ex-husband and has since died, had hidden in a kitchen cabinet. Because he had led me to believe he was clean and sober, the shock of seeing that needle sent me spiraling into panic. Frenzied after Id fervently obsessed for hours (because he hadnt been home when I had found the earth shattering evidence) I confronted him, brandishing the evidence in my hand as he walked through the front door. He remained unflappably calm and gave me his usual lame excuse, Im not using. I just craved the feeling of the needle, but only shot up water. I wanted to believe him (to not believe him would have destroyed my world), but the evidence spoke for itself. Any way I looked at it, the thought of him sticking a needle in his vein was sickening and disturbing. Though I was devastated by the betrayal and overcome with my own pain, I immediately shifted into codependent modeI told myself that I was much stronger than he was. Id be okayit was him I had to worry about. I told myself that Id just have to try harder to keep him happy and I believed that if I loved him more and proved my devotion, he wouldnt use again.

At the time, that all made perfect sense to me. Thats what I mean when I talk about a toxic relationship. A codependent person has a psychological addiction to painful, frustrating, and unequal relationships. Codependents will often put others needs before their own while ignoring or discounting their own feelings, their own desires, and their own needs. They are rescuers; the codependent person is drawn to those who lack stability and/or act irresponsibly in a particular area of their life, because they have a compulsive need to help, nurture and/or control others. They are always looking for the potential in others, rather than accepting others as they truly are. The codependent person becomes addicted to hope that the other person will change, beyond all evidence or rationale. They will often focus on these types of relationships as a way to avoid dealing with the problems in their lives.

Now that we have a better understanding of what codependency is, how does someone develop this disorder? The emotional disorder of codependency begins in childhood and develops over a period of several years. Often as a child they had been subjected to dysfunctional family dynamics such as repeated anger, extreme rigidity, violence, manipulation, and/or abuse in the home. These detrimental assaults often occurred in secrecy and behind closed doors. The unpredictable behavior of the parents, and the constant chaos and turmoil made the child feel unsafe and their world feel unstable. It was high drama, crisis living all the time. As a result, the child may repress their feelings, not develop healthy coping skills. As a child, they had discovered that their compliancy and over pleasing were effective in placating their parents or guardians. They were always performing; that was how they coped, but it soon became a pattern of behavior. In another scenario, there may have been a parent in the family with substance abuse or other addictions. The emotionally developing child may have found his or her self in an inappropriate caretaking role. Whatever the case, in time, that childs self-esteem became entirely dependent on the unpredictable and ever changing moods of their parents or guardians. A child in this case never develops a clear sense of who they are as individuals. And because of unhealthy family relationships, the child never learns healthy emotional boundaries between themselves and others. They find that as adults they are dependent on others to tell them who they are. Children take these distorted survival strategies into adulthood. This kind of upbringing plays a vital part in what that person believes they are deserving of in life as an adult.

I mentioned the term emotional boundaries, but what exactly are they?

Emotional boundaries are the appropriate and protective borders that exist between us and others. They give us the confidence to set the bar to how we expect others to treat us. I had never heard the term boundaries used in this context until I was in so much emotional pain that I went for professional therapy. When my therapist first explained that all the emotional turmoil I was suffering stemmed from boundary issues, I was totally confused. Over time it began to make sense. It was not an easy thing to change, but in the end my life changed in wonderful ways I could never have imagined.

When a child grows up in a healthy family, they are helped and encouraged by their parents to individuate, to develop a separate self-concept, to be a unique individual within their family. We learn about our boundaries by the way we are treated as children. When our boundaries are healthy, we recognize the difference between intimacy and enmeshment. We have defined ideas of how we expect others to treat us. The more developed and defined our boundaries are, the clearer our sense of self is. When our boundaries are healthy and flexible, we are able to use our discretion about what feels right and what doesnt. If our boundaries are too rigid, we may withhold closeness to others, will not express our feelings or let our emotions show. We may project the appearance that we are overly self-sufficient. When our boundaries are too loose, our life is one of chaos and drama. We give too much of ourselves to others and feel overly responsible for their lives. We say yes when we really want to say no. We are overly empathetic, absorb the feelings of others. We do not want our emotional walls to be too high or too low. We want them to fluctuate appropriately.

So how do those on the outside looking in recognize codependency in someone else?

Some of the nicest people we will ever meet are codependent. They are great friends to have because they are understanding, helpful, and likeable. They strive to please everyone in their life because they believe that others only like them when they do. At first glance they appear to be happy, but that is merely a facade.

The mantra for the codependent is Love Conquers All. They may go from relationship to relationship thinking, If he or she would only change, this would be the perfect relationship, the one Ive always dreamed of. But it never is. In relationship addiction, the codependent feels like they have to be in a relationship in order to feel good about his or her self. They may use their sexuality as a way to feel accepted. The codependent person will deny and rationalize away the obvious, believing that if they love their partner enough, that person will change. They may make excuses for others by saying things like, He is really trying to change. She didnt mean to hurt me. He really does love me. She had a painful past and is doing the best she can do. When I was in my codependent relationship with an addict, I said all of those wordsand believed them.

Over time, the codependent becomes emotionally dependent on their significant other, and obsessed with their partners needs and problems. They may become overly empathetic; obsessed with the pain and suffering of their partner and feeling the need to sacrifice themselves. When they fail to make their partner happy or change their partners self-defeating behaviors after all their efforts, the codependent blames his or her self for not trying hard enough or not loving that person enough. The codependent person then tries even harder to fix the problem. It is a downward spiral. Many co-dependents have what is called a cross-addiction; in addition to their obsession with another, they may also abuse drugs, alcohol, shopping or food themselves.

To hear the rest of this transcript, please listen to this episode on my blog talk radio show A Fine Time for Healing http://tinyurl.com/3lgto6f

Reading Tarot Cards

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Reading Tarot Cards

There are many types of fortune-telling cards, but not all of them are Tarot. Although researchers have tried for years to pinpoint the true origin of the Tarot, they are still unsure who created the first deck. However it is suggested that the tarot originated in Northern Italy in the 15th Century. Written records say the tarot was regularly used to play a card game similar to Bridge. The game was popular throughout much of Europe for centuries and is still played today, particularly in France. If you have ever been to Spain and picked up a pack of playing cards, you will find a similar resemblance to tarot cards.

They are primarily meant to be used for enlightenment and aiding the reader or questioner (this is the person asking for advice from the tarot) to raise their unconscious so as to bring into play the most important aspects they need to be aware of at the time of the reading/consultation.

Relationship between tarot and ordinary playing cards

Current Historical Understanding: Playing cards came to Europe from Islam, probably via Muslim Spain, about 50 years before the development of tarot. They appeared quite suddenly in many different European cities between 1375 and 1378. European playing cards were an adaptation of the Islamic cards. These early cards had suits of cups, swords, coins, and polo sticks (seen by Europeans as staves), and courts consisting of a king and two male underlings. The tarot adds the Fool, the trumps, and a set of queens to this system. Some time before 1480, the French introduced cards with the now-familiar suits of hearts, clubs, spades, and diamonds. The earlier suits are still preserved in the tarot and in Italian and Spanish playing cards.
The Joker originated in the United States around 1857, used as a wild card in poker and as the highest trump in Euchre. It appears to have no direct relationship to the Fool of the tarot.

Why use the Tarot?
The Tarot are best suited for learning about oneself, and ones reactions to lifes seemingly never ending struggles, to increase self awareness, and possibly to obtain a new point of view of life itself. They can help to clarify past events, understand why the events took place, and possibly give some insight into how to avoid making the same mistakes again, or even how to make the good events happen again. The cards can also predict possible future events. Sometimes, just knowing ahead of time an event may occur, is enough to change the persons path and future outcome. The tarot cards were not meant to be feared or evil; but it is human nature to fear the unknown or the unexplained. Today, tarot readers have made themselves available almost everywhere in the United States as well as other countries, and are helping millions of people everyday to cope with lifes uncertainties. Who are we to discount something that benefits so many people so often?

Outdoor Fireplace Designs - How to Plan

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Outdoor Fireplace Designs - How to Plan

There is nothing cozier than curling up on a chilly night in front of your fireplace with the person you love. Fireplaces are one of the most romantic interior designs you could hope for, and it's hard to imagine a person that couldn't be drawn by its crackling warmth and the promise of a lover's touch.

But have you ever thought of adding a fireplace to the outside of your home? If not, you should. They can be just as romantic and effective.

If you're looking for how to plan your outdoor fireplace design, here are a few things to remember, so that, with the next change of weather, you'll be ready with a fireplace you can be proud of, just when you need it most.

First of all, there are two basic fireplaces you'll wish to consider for your backyard: the built-in fireplace and the portable fire pit. You'll have to decide which you prefer. The permanent fireplace is most preferred in larger backyards. Once you've decided how you want to proceed, research different looks. There is a lot of information available online. You may even know someone who can give you ideas. Recommended suggestions:

Outdoor Fireplace Designs Sure to Hold Up

Stone, rock, and brick, are all great choices. Whether you decide on marble, limestone, slate, granite, brick, or river rock, these solid materials will give your outdoor fireplace design a classic look that is sure to impress the neighbors.

These materials are sturdy enough to battle the weather and are not all that difficult to clean. Careful, thoughsome choices are more expensive than others. Rock tends to blow away stone in the cost department, so investigate prices as much as you do your potential designs.

Special Considerations

Once you've picked out your materials, decide on any special considerations:

* To mantel or not to mantel?
* Will it be a corner fireplace or no?
* What about the hearth?

Look at what others have done before you. Choose what will suit your tastes and what will not. You may even wish to draw it up on paper before breaking ground. Once the details are worked out, it's time to build. Are you paying to have it done, or do you wish to save a few dollars and try it out yourself?

Whatever your choice, keep this in mind: Location is important.

Make sure your outdoor fireplace is in a position that will not cause any fire hazards with grass or garden. A stray spark can be very destructive if given the opportunity. Plan effectively!

Secondly, make sure it is a safe distance for guests. It's a good idea to stay about three feet away for the fire, but you'll want to make sure you and your guests can enjoy its warmth and each other's company at the same time.

Last but not least, make sure the materials you purchase are rated for fire safety standards as applicable. Make safety first and enjoyment a close second!

Organic Solutions For Face Epidermis Issues Are Right In Your Kitchen

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Organic Solutions For Face Epidermis Issues Are Right In Your Kitchen

Mother Nature produces some of the best epidermis solutions in existence. Look no further than your own backyard and kitchen cabinet for some of the best home made DIY herbs for experience epidermis problems. Let your skin's organic overall tone, flexibility and glow shine through without the use of harsh chemicals or irritants to cure epidermis ailments.

Facial Cover up Recipes to Slough Dull Dry Skin

Real, organic home made experience epidermis masks repair, moisturize and renew the epidermis using inexpensive everyday items. For a experience exfoliant that unclogs epidermis and enters pores, add one tbsp of maize flour to one egg white. Egg whites have fantastic tightening agents while maize flour picks up excess surface oils. Mix both ingredients together and rub over the experience for a gentle exfoliant.

For a natural yogurt remedy, mix a few oz. of plain unsweetened natural yogurt with one tbsp of freshly squeezed orange juice and sweetie. Dairy enzymes restore flexibility and nourish, while freshly squeezed orange juice functions as a organic astringent. Honies is a organic moisturizing epidermis softener.

Acne

Acne is a prevalent issue not only in teenagers, but adults as well. For issue epidermis like whiteheads, pimples and breakouts, home made solutions can both decrease areas without scarring damage and overall decrease swelling. Pepper mint contains menthol which is a superb herbal pimples treatments. Smash some peppermint simply leaves with a mortar and pestle and implement both simply leaves and squeezed juice to the experience for several minutes.

To fade areas without scarring damage and overall decrease swelling, grind nutmeg (a known-anti-inflammatory) and milk (which functions as a relaxing agent) and leave on location for several hours.

To control frequent flareups, create a home made mask made of nutmeg, nutmeg and sweetie and mix into a insert. Cinnamon will exfoliate, while nutmeg will cure the pimples flareups. The addition of sweetie will help calm the epidermis.

Garlic can be an outstanding strategy to cystic pimples. Beans has powerful proven and folkloric healing properties. Smash a beans and add it to half a cup of tepid to warm water. Amalgamate into a insert and implement to epidermis.

Eczema

Eczema can be a painful and irritating epidermis disease. Thankfully there are many relaxing DIY solutions to cure meals and reduce itchy red blisters. Natural vitamin E applied to the place will situation and reduce itching. Jojoba oil also offers relief. A popular and skin-soothing meals remedy is a daily oats shower, which is extremely relaxing as well as nourishing. Simply pour one packet of oats into tepid water and relax in a shower.

Rosacea

Millions suffer from this typical epidermis disease. Green tea, emu oil, natural aloe-vera, rose and licorice are all useful for banishing experience swelling. Flaxseed oil helps red flushed swelling as well. For a topical rosacea therapy, make a insert of oats, chamomile and olive oil to soothe sensitive epidermis. Therapy is also a known rosacea therapy. Oral the apple company cider white vinegar rinse can help decrease rosacea symptoms.

Nine tips for a dealing with the quickening pace of 2015

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Nine tips for a dealing with the quickening pace of 2015

Are you too tired too stressed too everything?

Are you filipendulous (hanging by a thread)?

Do you frequently want to curl into a fetal position from overwhelm?

Welcome to 2015, where the pace will be quicker. Y-e-s, quicker, so, hold on, lovies. Here are a few tips to help you through the quickening:

1. BE FLEXIBLE

Think metaphoric surfboarder here.bend your knees, breathe, relax, and enjoy the ride. You might want to remember this mantra: LET IT IN. LET IT BE. LET IT GO. The more flexibility you have, the easier it is to handle the incoming without taking serious body blows.

2. BE MINDFUL

We dont want our lives to whiz right by us. We want our moments to be meaningful, experiential, and life-giving. We dont want our monkey-minds to send us off on mental (and, often, concomitant emotional) road trips.

Mindfulness keeps us in the present moment -- the now, where our life is happening. Mindfulness helps us entrain our minds and focus. We become more aware and have less robotic behaviors like unwittingly finishing the bag of popcorn that we were eating on auto-pilot.

Given we are all walking a path of consciousness, dont we want to be mindful, awake, and aware?

3. KEEP FORWARD MOMENTUM

We are living, breathing co-creators and needed here, at this moment in history, now. It is not the time to stop our creative endeavors and the small, large, and individual ways in which we put on our handprint on the world.
Heres a great example:

Anne Porter (1911-2011) kept writing poetry in her 80s and 90s. She said, "You can't sing anymore, you can't dance anymore, you can't drive anymore -- but you can still write. Mrs. Porters first volume of poetry, published when she was 83, was named a National Book Award finalist and she was includedalong with T.S. Eliot, Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, and Robert Frost in the Oxford Book of American Poetry.

For Mrs. Porter, aging included using a walker, wearing glasses, and a fair share of senior moments; one of which was the discovery of a ticket in her purse that said, Keep This Ticket. Mrs. Porter had no clue about the ticket, but it did inspire the following poem:

Keep This Ticket

I keep it carefully
Because I'm old
Which means
I'll soon be leaving
For another country
Where possibly
Some blinding-bright
Enormous angel
Will stop me
At the border
And ask
To see my ticket.

4. SHARE YOUR TEST

Elie Wiesel said, Whoever survives a Test must tell the story! That is his duty!

Rooted in indigenous wisdom and practices, the power of telling our stories is one of the best things about our human experience. We are not alone and we can learn from one another what it means to survive, conquer, cope, overcome, deal with, walk through, and change.

The medicine pouch in Native American tradition is filled with an individuals symbols of having claimed their power over the physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual life-and-death challenges we all face as we walk the Beauty Path.

Sharing your test is good medicine.

5. RADICAL SELF-CARE

We are an ecosystem unto ourselves with mind, body, and spirit connections. The more loving we are to ourselves by self-talk, habits, and awareness, the stronger we feel. You know how to do ityou have done it for others, this time do it for you.

Jungian analyst and cantadora, Clarissa Pinkola Estes says, Nurture is like psychic Wheaties. I like that. So, lets take the time to regularly nurture and care for ourselves as we would a loved one.

We need to practice radical self-care because our energies are being upgraded; our experiences are more complicated and complex; and we need all the juice we can garner to be our best selves.

6. TRUST

Can you trust yourself? Your intuition? Your relationship with whatever face or name you give Spirit? What stands in your way of trusting? Are you able to let go of complete control and trust?

You cant go very far in an ever-changing, quickening world if you are unable to trust. Trust requires discernment and faith.

What to do?
Repair the wounds of your personal history.
Keep your word to yourself and others.
Identify who you can trust in your life to help you stay safe and sane.
Trust others to walk their own path without your supervision, i.e. dont step into their karma.
Surrender into your relationship with the divine.

7. TAKE A PAGE FROM POPEYE

Remember the cartoons of spinach-eating Popeye the sailor-man? Popeye had a saying, I am what I am. This is excellent advice for us to accept our own unique selves.

In other words, be your authentic self in all of your multidimensionality. There is no need to be shy or hiding your light under the basket. Now, more than ever, it is essential to whip off your shell and show your Wonder Woman and Super Man self. The world needs exactly what you have to offer.

8. CREATE YOUR OWN SUPPORT TEAM.

We, humans are social beings. Social science teaches us that substantive social connections impact the quality of our lives as well as our happiness and stress levels. We need each other. We all need to feel connected and know that there are those special someones who have our backs, will tell us the truth, who know our history and love us anyway.

It is important during these fast-moving times to know you have a circle of support. Take time to create, acknowledge, and value the family of your heart, your trusted friends, your personal advisory board, and your own kitchen cabinet.

9. SHOW YOUR LIGHT

It is time to share our light, to open up our energy fields, to unfold into our own magnificence, and to help our planet evolve.

This from the ever-wonderful Sue Monk Kidd from her book, When The Heart Waits: Spiritual Direction for Lifes Sacred Questions says it all:

When my daughter was small she got the dubious part of the Bethlehem star in a Christmas play.

After her first rehearsal she burst through the door with her costume, a five-pointed star lined in shiny gold tinsel designed to drape over her like a sandwich board.

What exactly will you be doing in the play? I asked her.
I just stand there and shine, she said.

In other words, it is time for us to polish our souls and sparkle, sparkle, sparkle.