Assisted Living: Tips on How to Choose a Facility

It is easy to be fooled by fancy drapery or expensive furniture that may decorate a care facility. Even though a facility looks high class doesn't always mean the care provided is first class. The following are just a few simple guidelines to follow when selecting either a nursing home or an assisted living facility:



1.Talk with people in the community who are familiar with the facility you are looking at. Get their opinions and feedback.



2.In order to get the feel of the residents and their activity level, tour the facility during meals times, or right before or after a meal. Activity level is usually higher during these times. This will give you a general idea of the atmosphere and the quality of food being served. Great meals are one of the lasting enjoyments our seniors have.



3.Pay attention to the residents in the facility. Do they appear to be happy? Unhappy residents could indicate their needs are not being met properly. Do the caregivers know the residents by name? Is there adequate interaction between caregiver and resident?



4.If you have concerns about the facility, don't be afraid to ask the staff questions and voice any concerns you may have. Did you receive adequate answers? Was the staff professional? Ask the administrator about the staff turnover rate. If it's high, ask for the reasons why.



5.Examine all license and state or county inspection results for the facility. Each facility is required to display these items. A facility with little or no deficiencies is most likely a facility that wants to get the job done right the first time.



6.Research the facility using resources on the internet such as the Nursing Home Compare at www.medicare.gov or view license and enforcement action information with the appropriate state agency.



7.Trust your instinct. If you feel uncomfortable about a facility, there is a reason why. If a second unscheduled visit yields the same uneasy feeling, go with your gut feeling.



Overall, being familiar with a few simple guidelines will help make your selection process much easier. Selecting a care facility for a loved one is a very important decision. The care your loved one receives will ultimately affect their quality of life. In the end, if you cannot see yourself living in a certain facility you're visiting, then chances are you shouldn't place your loved one there either.





About the author:



Torey Farnsworth has over 12 years of experience working with seniors. Ms. Farnsworth's vast expertise encompasses a wide variety of senior issues ranging from adult care to elder law. Most recently, Torey served as Elder Law Director and Paralegal for a Phoenix based law firm where she provided assistance in a variety of areas including long term care planning, estate planning, ALTCS eligibility and Medicaid planning. Ms. Farnsworth is also a certified caregiver with the State of Arizona as well as a Certified Senior Advisor. Ms. Farnsworth has spent her career in senior care as her family owns and operates assisted living homes.

Ms. Farnsworth owns and operates a senior care placement business in Arizona called Horizon Senior Care Referral. Her placement services are free to seniors and their families. For information on placement services in Arizona, visit http://adultcarecentral.com/

Arthritis and Aromatherapy

Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints and is characterized by pain, stiffness, swelling, decreased range of movement and at a more serious stage deformity.
Aromatherapy is a holistic approach to health and wellness by means of aromatic, plant derived scents. It is very much a traditonal method as well as a science that encompasses the intuitive and creative aspects of preparing special purpose blends.

Aromatherapy blends for the treatment of arthritis are usually made from pure essential oils, but also from hydrosols and -- more recently -- phytols. For application to the skin they have to be mixed with vegetable oil, a cream base or a carrier lotion. Essential Oils must always be used diluted when applied to the skin. A dilution of 3% essential oils in 97% base is generally regarded as very effective and safe.

Since the reasons for the occurance of arthritis are still not completely established, it is difficult to find a cure for the disease. Arthritis could be genetic, it could have to do with bone density loss, it could also be a type of infection caused by toxins released in the body. Even more likely it is a combination of several factors. It is -- at this stage -- only possible to treat the pain and symptoms caused by arthritis but not it's underlying cause.

Aromatherapy is one form of arthritis treatment, using a variety of essential oils. They can be added to the bath, massaged into the skin, inhaled or applied as compresses. The right mixture of essential oils will help to relax, promote pain relief and alleviate fatigue. Essential oils can also provide psychological benefits like improving the mood and reducing anxiety.

Some of the more suitable arthritis oils are Lavender, Juniper, Thyme, Rosemary, Benzoe, Eucalyptus, Camomile, Pine Scotch, Camphor, Angelica Root, Ginger, Origanum, Black Pepper and Lemon.

One of the most effective ways to use aromatherapy for relieving pain and reducing inflammation are hot compresses:
1. Fill a medium size bowl with hot, but not scalding water.
2. Add 3 to 6 drops of essential oil.
3. Fold a piece of sterile cotton cloth and dip it into the bowl.
4. Squeeze out excess water, but not too much.
5. Place the wet, hot cloth onto the affected area until it has cooled down to body temperature.
6. Repeat steps 3 through 5 at least two to three times.
7. Wrap the treated area in a dry and warm towel or blanket and leave the patient to rest for a while.

Another good way to use aromatherapy for arthritis relieve is to rub diluted essential oils (see above for dilution) onto pulse points and affected areas during the day. Applying essential oils throughout the day can help to alleviate pain and tension. The essential oils on the skin are quickly absorbed and enter the bloodstream. This is an excellent form of arthritis relief and works also well as a preventative measure.

Aromatherapy is a natural, safe and economical option to deal with the pain and symptoms of arthritis. And above all, it has no negative side effects as so many of the conventional treatments do. In mild cases of arthritis, aromatherapy is often all that is needed to make a person comfortable.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. It cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment.

About the Author

Mireille Gautschi is a qualified Flower Essence Therapist and Herbalist who has many years experience with the developement of natural herbal remedies.
Her products can be found on the Hillside Herbal Products website www.hillsideherbal.com.au that also offers a very informative newsletter.

Bad Breath Cure That Works Fast In As Little As 12 Days

If you are one of the millions of sufferers of bad breath, halitosis or gingivitis then you already know the embarrassment and the frustration of trying to cover it up. How many times do you brush your teeth daily, pop breath mints or chew gum only to be frustrated with temporary results that may only last for minutes. But as hard as you try the underlying problem is still there 'stinky breath'.

Finding an effective bad breath cure has never been simpler now that Chris Gibson, a long time sufferer of halitosis has just released his updated book 'How I Banished My Bad Breath And Gum Disease For Life'. Whether you suffer from just bad breath, or any other periodontal diseases like gingivitis, bleeding and sensitive gums, recessed gums, canker sores or even pyorrhea 'How I Banished My Bad Breath and Gum Disease For Life' will help you cure these symptoms fast and for good. Bad breath could be gone in as fast as one day while other symptoms may take up to a week to subside or reverse. All this without expensive dental visits, taking dangerous prescription drugs, or using off-the-wall remedies. Visit http://tinyurl.com/dbt47 to learn more about what causes bad breath and how you have been deceived all these years

People across the Country who are using Chris Gibson's techniques are reporting fantastic results. Like Francis Bowers of Oregon, a long time sufferer of bad breath writes 'I am 49 now and have to tell you that I have not found a more comprehensive bad breath cure. Not even from my own dentist! This worked so well that I am telling everyone in my family to try it, because gum disease runs through the entire clan! Thank you so much'.

Curing your halitosis though comes down to one thing and that is proper education. By being informed on the current facts, myths, and remedies available you can finally take the steps to beating and curing your halitosis while improving your self-esteem dramatically.

Learn more about this bad breath cure http://tinyurl.com/dbt47

About the Author

Simon McKenzie is a freelance web designer and marketing consultant. http://tinyurl.com/dbt47

How Green Tea Can Help You To Lose Weight

Copyright 2005 Arina Nikitina

Green tea has been highly valued in Asia for centuries for it's medical properties. In the recent years green tea benefits caught the attention of western scientists. Alongside with confirming many of the green tea benefits scientists indicated that green tea can also help you lose weight.

During their research they've made an amazing discovery. Even though green tea did contain caffeine it have not change the energy expenditure nor it have significantly change a heart rate.

That led to a conclusion that green tea helps to lose weight naturally and safely. In this respect, green tea or green tea extract is different from most of the prescription drugs for obesity or herbal products like ephedra, which can raise heart rates and blood pressure, and are not recommended for many individuals sensitive to stimulants.

The secret of such influence on the body lays in high concentrations of catechin polyphenols. These compounds work with other chemicals to intensify levels of fat oxidation and thermogenesis, where heat is created in the body by burning fuels such as fat. Green tea causes carbohydrates to be released slowly.

This prevents sharp increases of insulin in your blood (insulin stimulates the transformation of fatty acids into fat molecules which are stored as fat droplets). As the result fat is burned faster without being locked in the fat sells. I want you to remember that even a small effect can go a long way when you are dealing with your metabolism. For example, just by drinking one cup of tea a day or by taking green tea extract in the form of supplement you will burn about an extra 78 calories. This adds up to over 28,000 calories in a year. Which is about 8 extra pounds of weight.

There is also clear evidence that green tea's polyphenols (EGCG) helps depressing leptin (a protein produced by fats that plays an important role in how the body manages fat storage through brain signals). Lower leptin levels decrease the appetite. It means that you will get that I'm full! felling faster and as a result consume less food.

It is quite certain that green tea is now holding promise in various areas of weight loss. Drink a cup of your favorite green tea every day and lose those extra pounds easier and faster. Good luck!





About the author:


Arina Nikitina is the owner of the website GreenTeaSecrets.com, where you'll find a lot of free information about green tea, learn how green tea can benefit to your health and how it can help you lose weight. Visit: http://www.greenteasecrets.com

Principles to Live By

All people hold certain core beliefs that influence the way they live. Whether or not they are able to articulate their beliefs in some pithy phrase like carpe diem or live free, they act and react to life's stimuli consistent with what they believe. Since beliefs or convictions are a function of thought, they can be changed. The Bible says, as a man thinketh, so is he. So how should a man think if he desires to live a passionate and balanced life, free from the unsteadiness of so many souls? Below, I list a few principles I have found helpful.

Joy can be found in a glass of water

Joy in life is tied to expectations. Why do some celebrities who appear to have it all sometimes kill themselves, whereas others whom have little of what is valued by most people live lives of remarkable joy? Very often, the answer to this question lies in where individuals expect to find joy. You see, to live successfully we must learn a hierarchy of joy. Joy in the Lord is superior, since God doesn't change. This is why people of faith are less likely to be shaken when the storms of life arrive. God doesn't get blown away in the high winds.

After joy in the Lord, learn to en-Joy people. Almost everyone has redeeming virtues - celebrate them. If you perceive that someone is loving, revel in their love; if they're funny, let them tickle your funny bone; if they're wise, feed on their wisdom. If they have a challenging personality, work on your patience; and if they push you the wrong way, practice flexibility. Benefit from what others have to offer; and share something of yourself. On the other hand, don't hesitate to avoid people who seem to lack all redeeming virtues; they will only vex your spirit.

Learn also that the joy in a thing, should be found only in its intended purpose. For example, while you may enjoy a luxury car for its luxuriousness, or its speed or other functionality, it is more dangerous to value it for the prestige it brings. The attributes of the car are somewhat inherent in the car, whereas prestige is tied up into how others react to your possession of the car. In any event, in most cases, a car, as all other things, should be valued primarily for that thing which makes it what it is. Thus, a car is for transportation, a home for shelter, clothes for covering, et cetera.

A final point on joy - if you are unable to find joy in your circumstance, change it. You have the power. Ponder this: joy can be found in a glass of water.

Problems are for solving - life is for living

We ought not to make our lives synonymous with the problems they may bring. We have no control over many of the circumstances we face in life; we do have control over our response to them. When faced with problems, we must purpose to continue to live as we would have without them, while we deal with them. If you would have laughed, but for your troubles, laugh; if you would have partied, but for your troubles, party; if you would have loved, but for your troubles, love. Don't make any changes in your life as a result of the problem, unless the change is part of the solution. Especially, don't make changes that only add to your troubles by deepening your depression.

There's nothing new under the sun

I know it's another clich, but it bears repeating. In the absence of joy or in the face of trouble, you should know that nothing you are experiencing or will experience is completely unique. The implication of this should be liberating. You are special, but your circumstances aren't. If it's help you need, there is someone out there who can empathize with you. If you require humility, know that others have accomplished the very same thing. If you need to forgive, consider that you're probably guilty of the same wrong or at least one similar.

Have you ever watched healthy infants? Each one of them has abundant passion for life. We all begin life that way. Over time, some of us lose our simplicity, and with it, our passion for life. That's because we develop beliefs alien to the wisdom we've been given by our Creator. The good news is that we can change our beliefs. Embrace the above principles and our passion for life should be restored, if lost; and preserved, if still present.

About The Author

Martin Remy is a senior editor at improve247.com. He lives passionately. Visit improve247.com for more helpful articles that help you improve your life.

Basic Meditation Exercises

(Authors Note: Before reading this you should see my other articles on Breathing and Full Body Awareness)
Now that you've begun to develop the ability to move energy around in your body there are some things that you can do with it. The following exercises range from pretty simple to pretty complicated, but as you develop your abilities you'll eventually find that you can do them all at once and effortlessly. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few years to develop this ability, so remember what I said about expectations.
Grounding
Grounding will always be an important skill, no matter how 'advanced' you become, so take the time to learn this now and to be able to do it effortlessly.
Stand in the 'Standing Stake pose described above. Go through the breathing and Full Body Awareness exercises. Visualize roots growing from your feet down through the core of the earth, just like a tree. In later meditations you can add some variety by seeing the roots flow down to a large crystal at the earth's core. Depending on the effect you want you can vary the crystals and access different energies, but that obviously beyond the scope of this exercise.
As you inhale feel the energy of the earth being drawn up through your roots and up through your body and out through the top of your head.
On your exhale, let that energy drop back down through your body and feel all the accumulated stress of your life flow out with it and back down through your roots and into the earth. Feel your muscles relax as the stress flows out. This is a good way to release all your stresses, fears, angers and feelings of inadequacy. Repeat this exercise for awhile, as many times as necessary to clean yourself out.
There's nothing wrong (and a lot of benefit) to stopping at this point and just doing these exercises that we've learned up to this point, until they become completely effortless. Whenever you feel yourself stressed or angry learn to take a moment and ground yourself and let those feelings just flow out.

Progressive Relaxation
Progressive Relaxation is easy to do and you can do it anywhere and anytime.
Assume your meditation position of choice (I like the half-lotus on a zafu) and go through all the exercises I've covered up to this point. Now just take a moment and feel the relaxed energy that you should have after grounding and releasing all your stress. Are you ready to get deeper into this feeling?
Feel the energy that flows up through your roots and into your feet. Now make 'fists' with your feet by curling your toes in as far as you can until it hurts, then relax. Now let that relaxed feeling flow from your toes back over your feet and feel them relax.
As you inhale draw that relaxed feeling up over your ankles and feel them relax completely. On the exhale let any residual stress flow back out and down through the earth.
On your next inhale draw that relaxed feeling back up over your calves, letting them relax after walking all day.
Then, draw that relaxed energy up over your thighs with the next inhale. They're the biggest muscles in the body, so let them relax and rest now.
As you inhale feel that relaxed feeling flow up over your hips and buttocks. Feel the stress bleed away. We store a lost of stress here, so take a moment and let this area relax.
Now draw that relaxed feeling up over your stomach and lower back. Feel the muscles in your back relax and feel your stomach move with your inhale.
Bring the energy up over your chest and the middle of your back. Feel your heart area expand with the relaxed energy and feel all the accumulated stress in between your shoulder blades release and flow out and back down with your exhale.
Draw the feeling of relaxation up over your shoulders and neck. Feel any residual tension flow out with your exhale.
Now let that relaxed energy flow up and over your head. Let the muscles of your face and those at the base of your skull relax.
Now just sit here and feel this relaxed body that you have. Remember this feeling as its how you should feel all the time. Tense muscles store energy, which means that your energy isn't flowing through you, but rather sticking in certain places in your body.
When your muscles are relaxed then your energy flows unimpeded leaving you feeling much lighter and more refreshed.

About the Author

---
Robert Morgen is a Reiki Master who currently holds a Black Belt in Hoshin Roshi Ryu and founded High Mountain Hoshin in Denver, CO.
He travels and teaches as much as possible and you can find out how to attend one of his Kundalini Awakening seminars at his website at;
http://www.windhavenco/events.html
His new book Personal Mastery: Develop your true internal power by awakening your kundalini will be released in June 2005.

Just Thinking

about thinking. Have you ever thought of that? Thinking about thinking I mean. How do we do that? We humans are absolutely amazing. Heck, I think I could even think about thinking about thinking. Wow! I wonder if nah, I'll let it go at that

But it is pretty amazing, isn't it? How we can do so many neat, creative things with our minds? We can think about anything we want to. Want to think about an elephant - see an elephant in your head? All we need to do is just let it happen. Hardly any effort at all. In fact, no effort at all when you get right down to it. We don't need to eat any special diet. We don't need to do warm-ups. We don't need to take classes on how to think about an elephant. If we've seen an elephant - real or in pictures - just once with our eyes, we can see it again in our head. Wow!

What else do you want to think about? OK guys and gals - go ahead. After all it's your thoughts in your heads. (Short pause for purposes of full enjoyment ) Neat, huh? And yeah, I DO know what you were thinking about

What else? Aw, come on - there must be something else you'd like to think about. Seriously, we can't think about that other stuff all the time. Why? Because we'd hurt ourselves, that's why. We'd be falling off the couch, walking into walls and crashing into other cars. Actually, it's good that our thinkers sort of go on automatic pilot sometimes. Like when we're actually trying to accomplish something like walking or driving. Or maybe eating. It's good that we don't have to think about breathing either. Most of us would forget to do it. Why? Well, probably because we would be thinking about that other stuff. Know what I mean?

What else? I know. How about going on a thinking vacation? Pick where you want to go. Well go there - in your head, I mean. Do whatever you want to do. See what you want to see. Be with whoever you want to be with. Would it work better if I moved that last sentence back to just before the Do whatever one? OK, help yourself. Better now? (Man, we're never going to move very far away from that other stuff, are we?)

What else? No, you don't need a pause here. You can go back to your personal thinking vacation later - in fact, any time you want. We'll just move on.

Here's a suggestion. Since this thinking stuff is pretty cool, why don't you make it a point to set aside some time for you every day to do just that? To just kick back and think. You can think about thinking if you want. Or you can think about your personal vacation. Or yeah, you can think about the other stuff too, if you want. Anything you want to think about. You might even try thinking about who you are and how you got to be where you are and what you'd like to accomplish as you cruise on down life's road. What the heck - give it a shot. You never know what you might come up with. Maybe it could turn out to be something really special. You just never know

Think about it

About The Author

Gene Simmons, through NuPathz.com, provides an easy reading self-help blog, articles, quotations, thoughts and links along with affordable self-help and self improvement books & materials - all designed to help folks find the road to a more enjoyable lifestyle, to pass on some of life's secrets for survival in a chaotic world & offer a few smiles along the way. It's a down-to-earth, simple approach to discovering a better life. You can visit Gene at http://www.nupathz.com/.

gene@nupathz.com

Are You The Driver Or The Passenger?

In your journey through life are you the driver or the passenger?
Let me be perfectly clear what I mean about this statement. In other words, do you take charge of your own life? Do you make the judgment and set the goals for what you want your life to be like? - Or - Do you let others influence you and follow in their footsteps?

This is a very important question you should be answering. After all it is your life you should be the one designing it and being happy with it. So many people seem to think they should feel guilty if they aren't always following someone else's plan. Does it really make sense to please others yet not please yourself? I sure don't think so. Now I do agree you may want to compensate to some degree to please others but not to the degree of being unhappy about the kind of life you lead.

It took me a few years to finally come to that conclusion when I was in my early forties. You see my Dad was the owner of a very successful family florist business. He wanted to eventually pass it on to me. In my earlier years that was an exciting thought but as I grew older I began to have my doubts.

I started working part time in the business at a very early age. That was usually during major holidays and some special functions. When I went to high school I was on the regular payroll and working as much as thirty hours a week. After two years of college I was drafted into the U.S.Army so I was out of the picture for two years. I spent a lot of time thinking during that time what I would do when I finally returned home.

On returning home, married and having a child on the way I had reservations whether I wanted to continue my career in the business. I recalled some of those times when we worked sixty hour six day weeks with no vacation time. I wasn't sure if I was ready to commit myself to that kind of schedule anymore. Besides that I had a family now that was going to be affected too.

Well the climax came one day a few weeks after I returned home from the service. I confronted my dad about the whole issue. He wasn't exactly pleased that I was demanding at least a half-day off a week and a two-week vacation every year. Eventually he relented and later I was even able to take a whole day off plus get a few other privileges too. I spent about another twenty years on this schedule but many times thinking, do I really want to do this anymore?

I finally reached this decision when I was forty-two years of age. I decided this business was no longer for me. My dad never really understood why I wanted to give it up even though I tried to explain why. I wasn't happy about the hours, the compensation, the stress and a host of other things usually demanded of a retail business.

The dream I had for becoming a commissioned sales representative kept popping up in my head over the years. I finally decided I was going to be the driver and no longer a passenger on my road through life. So it wasn't long before I got my first job as a sales rep. However it only lasted about eighteen months. I became dissatisfied with not only the company but the sales manager as well. I had already lined up a position with another company so I wasn't without a job for very long. I spent the next twenty years with them until my retirement.

During those years in sales I was the happiest I had ever been in my life. I earned more income during that time and was able to provide more things for my family too. Even though I traveled out of town every other week for about six years as a sales supervisor my wife was satisfied with that arrangement and so was I.

I've come to the conclusion that no matter what age you are make sure that you always decide what kind of life is right for you. In the last six years my wife and I have spent half the year in Florida and the other half in our primary home in Indiana. It was a big decision. During those times we are away from our children and grandchildren but we made that choice because we were tired of the winters in Indiana.
Once again we became the drivers instead of the passengers and made a choice of the type of life we wanted to lead. Only you should decide which kind of journey you will be taking through life and how you will arrive there. Take charge. Remember it's Your Life. Enjoy it to the fullest.
Copyright 2004 All Rights Reserved AbsolutelySenior.com

About the Author

Sonny Julius is a retired sales supervisor. He has published an ebook geared to senior citizens. The ebook Absolutely Senior is a guide for living the senior lifestyle. He also has a Free weekly newsletter and offers personal coaching.

Arthritis Symptoms May be Alleviated by Fruits and Vegetable

If you or someone you know suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, you know how painful and debilitating it can be. If you haven't walked a mile in those shoes, you can't imagine how frustrating it can be. Your doctor may say try this medication, try that. Don't do this, do that. But sometimes, to no avail. The disease is caused by a misguided immune system attack on the body's own joint tissue, which leads to swelling, pain, stiffness and in some cases deformity. Rheumatoid arthritis is more common among women than men.

Perhaps what you're eating, or more specifically what you're not eating can be causing some of your soreness. Recent findings suggest that a diet high in fruits, vegetables, legumes and certain oils aids in relieving symptoms in people with rheumatoid arthritis. After following a diet rich in fruits and veggies for three months, people with rheumatoid arthritis experienced a number of improvements not seen in people following a typical American diet high in processed foods. Some of the improvements shown include a decrease in pain, inflammation, disease activity and in the number of swollen joints. Further, previous research suggested that more olive oil and cooked vegetables help protect people from the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

The current results suggest that patients with (rheumatoid arthritis) can obtain better physical function and increase their vitality from eating a fruit, vegetables, legumes and some oils diet for three months, write Dr. Lars Skoldstam of Visby Hospital in Sweden and colleagues.

This plan is similar to that of people who live in the Mediterranean. They also tend to eat a lot of fruit, vegetables, and legumes, more fish and less red meat. Moreover, they drink a moderate amount of wine, and rely on olive oil as their main source of dietary fat. Earlier research has suggested that followers of this diet enjoy a wide range of benefits, such as a lower risk of heart disease, cancer and memory loss.

Additional studies have shown that citrus fruit and zinc may also cut rheumatoid arthritis risk. Citrus can be helpful because of the antioxidants they contain. Findings are not conclusive, yet promising.

In the study, the doctors found that women getting less than 40 micrograms of beta-cryptoxanthin, a component found in citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruit were at a somewhat elevated danger of developing rheumatoid arthritis than women who consumed more than that amount.

Although thus far it has only been proven that genetics is the culprit behind rheumatoid arthritis, if there have been some findings as to the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables, wouldn't it make sense for suffers to up their intake? It certainly can't hurt... and may actually help. Now please pass the broccoli with a side of grapefruit!

About the Author

Joe Serpico is webmaster at aa-fitness-guide.com. For much more information regarding exercise, health, nutrition, and fitness, visit http://www.aa-fitness-guide.com

Are You a Wussie Who Can't Get Laid?

Are you a Mr. Nice Guy?
Are you trying to convince her you are the man?
Are you sucking up and bowing down to your dream queen?
Are you following her around on shopping excursions like a little lost puppy dog?
I suppose you're buying her gifts too?
Do you tell her you love her on the second date?
Do you believe Elvis Preston King gets all his girls with his looks and his MONEY?
Did you buy her a new pair of pants and now she literally wears the pants around you?
Do you lie to yourself to the point that you have convinced yourself that you are a one-woman man?
Do you plan on hanging out with the King of SeductionElvis Preston King?
Did the king step all over your toes buddy?
Do you plan to keep romancing your girl the Wussie way and not look for help from the world's number 1 pick up artist?
From the answers you gave me to these questions my little Wuss buddy you are a Wussie who can't get laid unless you spend your life savings on just ONE girl!

Don't you think it's about time you hang out with Elvis Preston King the World's Number 1 King of Seduction. The man who picks up and seduces more sexy hot girls than any man or earth literally!

Elvis Preston King loverboybachelor@yahoo.com

About the Author

Elvis Preston King is the world's most renowned and respected playboy. His job is picking up and seducing classy young women globally for the gentleman conoseiur who realizes that there is more to life than just accumulating money and the same old same old boring wife. You can email him at loverboybachelor@yahoo.com or visit http://seniorplayboyclub.blogspot.com and http:www.msnusers.com/BachelorDreamTours

Are You Doing What You Love Each and Every Day?

It is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day stress of everyday life: deadlines to meet, schedules to keep, unexpected expenses, conflicts to resolve, illness of loved ones, to name a few. Amidst all this, it is easy to for me to lose sight of why I do what I do - my purpose for being. I discovered my passion and my purpose over seven years ago. It was the catalyst for starting my business, The Center for Balanced Living in 1996. It is what led me to my purpose which is to empower you to live out your dreams with ease and abundance. Sometimes I get caught up in the external factors and forget to focus on what is really important. It is then that I must remind myself why I am here. It is a grounding place for me.

I teach my clients to look to their life for their passions and purpose. That is certainly where mine came from and I have found it to be true for many others. A lot of different threads weave through my story, but the most obvious and first I can remember centered around my life while I was growing up, and most specifically my dad. I'd like to share that story with you now.

I always had the impression my dad was unhappy. Actually, miserable is more the way I would describe him. He was mostly unhappy about his jobs . . . all of them that I can remember. I vividly remember my dad coming home from work, with his shoulders hunched over and his head hanging low. He would walk right past a mosaic picture of horses pulling a carriage through the snow.

Looking exhausted and sad, he would sit down at the kitchen table and say to my mom, Charlie (that's what he called her), I can't take it anymore. I want to quit my job! And I can remember my mom, who was looking after our security and well-being in the best way she knew how, saying, Just hang in there Mac. Stick it out! We need the money! And I can remember thinking, 'Yeah! Hang in there! We need the money!' We didn't have much money in those days.

This story repeated itself year after year, as my dad persevered. The last two years of his career were literally a countdown to retirement at age 65. My dad retired at age 65. Two years later, he did some introspective thinking at the prompting of his daughter. At age 67, my dad declared himself an artist. I can still remember the moment he told me. My eyes got teary as I recalled the beautiful, mosaic picture on their living-room wall.

You see my dad made that mosaic picture, but I never saw him working on it. He created it before I was born. It was a beautiful mosaic, made of thousands of small hand-cut tiles. My dad had always been an artist but had suppressed that talent for most of his life while he strove to earn a living for his family. He worked in the garment industry in New York, and then the carpet industry in Florida. I often wonder what would have been possible if my dad had worked out a way to utilize his artistic abilities in his jobs. He had always been a good employee; he might have been a happy one too.

For a while my dad was happier than I had ever seen him. He carved wood etchings and gave them away as gifts. He traveled to places he had never seen. He also made more money in his investments than he did at his jobs. I am glad he had that short time period when he was happy. Unfortunately, it wasn't too long before my dad's health started to decline. Eventually, he lost patience and could no longer focus on his artwork. His health began to deteriorate and he passed away on September 9, 2003. He was 76 years old. My dad waited until he retired to do what he loved. It was a small window in the whole continuum of his life. That is why, more than ever, I strongly urge people to move forward now -- don't wait until you retire to do what you love. We all tend to live as if we have forever, but really, who knows our time allotment?

Are you doing what you love to do?

If not, what is one action step you can take today to move you forward?

Do you know your purpose in life? If so, take the time today to get re-grounded in it. If not, take the time to reflect on what you want to contribute in this lifetime. Consider hiring a coach to help you discover it.

Stacey Mayo, aka The Dream Queen, founded the Center for Balanced Living in 1995 as a vehicle to carry out her life's work. Since that time she has assisted thousands of people to live our their dreams with amazing results. She is a Master Certified Coach and author of Is Your Ladder Leaning Against the Wrong Wall? Her next book, I Can't Believe I Get Paid to Do This! will be out later this year. For more info and to receive a free assessment entitled Healthy Success, visit www.balancedliving.com

cbl@mindspring.com

Baroness Elisa to Honor Stonewall

Compass' fourth annual Stonewall Ball will be held on June 25 at 8pm at the Harriet Himmel Theater in CityPlace. The Stonewall Ball is one of the largest events in Palm Beach County that brings together the gay and lesbian community with their elected and appointed officials.

This year's event, themed Berlin 1932, will be preceded by an inaugural appreciation dinner at 6:30pm. The three-course dinner, which will take place on the second floor of the historic theater, will recognize Compass' long standing supporters.

Tickets to Stonewall Ball are $60 per person, or $150 for the Appreciation Dinner and Stonewall Ball package. For more information on Stonewall Ball, please contact Compass at 561-533-9699 or visit www.compassglcc.com.

Baroness Elisa (www.baronesselisa.com) will perform at this intimate event upon returning from Scandinavia where she's been performing for the past month. Baroness Elisa defines the best in cabaret theater and South Florida audiences are invited support the leading Gay and Lesbian organization, Compass,in both the Stonewall Ball and another spectacular charity fundraiser in Delray Beach at the Crest Theatre on Sunday, August 7th at 2pm.

Compass, Inc. (www.compassglcc.com), is the Palm Beach County gay and lesbian community center dedicated to promoting pride, diversity, and public awareness of, for, and by Palm Beach County's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) residents and visitors. Compass provides social services and support for gay youth and gay families. Compass also offers a clean, safe meeting space for a variety of national, state, and local organizations as well as social, service, support and athletic groups that meet the diverse interests of the county's LGBT people. Compass is the largest LGBT community center in the Southeast United States and is the seventh largest in the nation in budget size, staff size and diversity of funded programs.

Great musical theater songs the Baroness has chosen for this charity theatrical event are dramatically intense, touching, witty, ironic, and just plain charming. Baroness Elisa, who has performed on world stages throughout Europe and Australia, noted, It is an honor and privilege to perform for this noble and important cause.
The intimate three hundred seat Crest Theatre in Delray Beach provides a perfect theater venue where the Baroness Elisa's charisma and audience connection can thrive. The Crest Theatre is located at the historic Old School Square, 51 North Swinton Ave., in downtown Delray Beach.
Theater reviewers raved about the Baroness' show: The slender red-headed ingnue melts the hearts of audiences. She is in every sense of the word a beautiful woman, earthy, gentle, and comfortable with herself, and in touch with her audience. The Baroness is joined her talented musical director, husband, and Baron, Peter Gerolymatos on the piano.
Tickets are priced at $50 for the August 7th event and may be purchased on the internet through Ticketweb at www.ticketweb.com or by calling 866-468-7630.

Contact Information:
Daniel Rowe
866-468-7630
Drowe@baronesselisa.com

Crest Theatre Media Contact:
Melissa Carter
mcarter@oldschool.org
561-243-7922

About the Author

A New DVD Format War

Just when you thought it was safe to buy a nice new all-singing all dancing DVD player/recorder, along comes a new format war to add to an already confusing marketplace.

Once the original DVD standard settled down, DVD players quickly became one of the most successful consumer items of all time. The new format revitalised the home entertainment market, and hardware manufacturers benefited both directly and indirectly, as enthusiasts clamoured to buy bigger and better televisions and sound equipment to get the best from their new DVD players.

Then came recordable DVD, but the problem, as is so often the case, was that there were a number of different recording standards, all of them incompatible. It was just like Betamax versus VHS all over again. Now low-cost multi-format recorders supporting all the standards are hitting the streets, the recording problem is becoming less of an issue, and so one could be forgiven for thinking that's the end of the format wars.

But technology has a habit of advancing at a relentless pace, and now a new battle is set to commence. The hi-tech companies are fighting it out to establish the standard for next-generation high capacity DVDs. Higher capacities will allow for even better picture and sound quality than the existing standard, and will become more popular as high definition televisions really start to take off.

There are two competing high capacity DVD technologies, HD-DVD (High Definition DVD) and Blu-Ray. HD-DVD works by using multiple layers on a single disk, and its main advantage is its low production costs. Blu-Ray is technically superior - it uses blue laser light instead of the red light used by existing players. This blue light has a smaller wavelength, and so the pits that it creates on the surface of the DVD to encode the data, are smaller. Smaller pits means more pits in the same space, which means higher capacity. Blu-Ray can store more information than HD-DVD, but presently is more expensive to implement. When Blu-Ray is combined with the multi-layering technology behind the competing format, it will see capacities rise to as much as 200 Gigabytes. Existing DVDs hold only 4.7 Gigabytes.

The battle will most likely be won by the format that gets the most support from the big Hollywood studios - nobody is going to opt for a DVD standard with a small catalogue of titles. With Blu-Ray being backed by the likes of Hitachi, HP, and Sony (who own MGM studios), it would appear to have the edge. Hollywood however, is remaining non-committal, afraid of backing a losing horse. For now then at least, the formats are caught in something of a chicken-and-egg situation. As has been the case so many times in the past, only time will tell which format will come out on top.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Roger Faraway is the Technical Director at http://www.dvdgopher.co.uk - a popular site offering more than 25,000 DVD titles and a large selection of DVD hardware.

Aspartame Versus Stevia

~Aspartame Versus Stevia~

Aspartame

Aspartame was approved in the early 1980's under the brand name Equal, also known as Nutrasweet. It is a combination of the amino acids phenylalanine, aspartic acids and methanol, or wood alcohol. Too much of these components has been linked to brain damage in the fetus. Persons with PKU (phenylkelonuria), as well as pregnant women, and children under the age of seven, must avoid aspartame, and foods containing this ingredient.

Stevia

Stevia is found in the chrysanthemum family and grows in parts of South America as a shrub. It's been used by Native Indians in Paraguay and Brazil for centuries. Studies show that this plant is completely non-toxic. Although it is marketed in the United States as a food supplement, its primary use is a natural sugar substitute. Stevia has numerous phyto-nutrients in its raw state. The extract is more refined with fewer nutrients, but the overall conclusion is that Stevia is safe, effective and nutritional. Since refined sugars have no nutritional value, Stevia can be used instead. It is at least 10 to 15 times sweeter than ordinary table sugar, so only a small amount is needed. The extract is much more potent than in the raw state and can be at least 200 times sweeter than sugar, and should be used sparingly. It can be added to beverages as well as used in cooking and baking. And, because it does not raise blood sugar levels, may be used safely by diabetics. Although there have been no adverse affects, always check with your health care professional before consuming any product, or if you have any medical problems.

About the Author

Patricia is a Nutrition Consultant in the Los Angeles area, and has been writing articles on herbs, nutritition and alternative health for over ten years. Her articles are featured in several publications.

Are You Keeping Yourself From Your Next Dream Job?

8 out of 10 Americans want a new job (Society of HR Professionals, Dec. 2003). When people want to figure out their career situation, they are generally looking for something that is better or more, i.e., more passion, more of a challenge, more balance, or more money. Ironically, Ive found that most clients start the career planning with a limited sense of possibility.

Limitations come from:

* Lack of confidence (On one level I know I can start out on my own, but when it comes to doing it, I think I can't; so I don't!)
* Self imposed constraints (I have to be the one to get the health care for my family, so I must have a corporate job or I'm not happy but I can't make the time to do anything about it.)
* Unchallenged conclusions (It's irresponsible to consider taking time off that's like being a 20 year old again or I can't switch industries now; I have no experience so nobody will want to hire me.)
* Blinding fears (What if I make the wrong choice I've made too many mistakes already. I can't afford to choose wrong again.)


These statements are all interpretations what I call stories about facts that do exist for real in your life. For example, having no experience in a new industry is an objective fact; believing that it means you can't enter the new industry is a story. Your constraining self-talk seems like it reflects realistic ideas about everyday events.

But in fact, your stories have no materiality to them; they are just the product of neurons firing in your brain. Stories derive from deeply entrenched limiting beliefs.

If you are unable to move forward, it is usually because you are seeing your assumptions as rue or factual something you must work around without challenge. You are often unaware that you make your stories into facts. For example, I can't try to get a new job in the new industry now becomes an unchallenged truth for you. You limit your spectrum of possible next steps and hold back from pursuing possibilities that could be more satisfying to you.

Here's an example:

After a few discussions about how he could locate another bank job, a 40 year old male banker told me he has always wanted to work in the film industry. His frequent self talk had been I don't believe I could ever make it in the film industry, The only way my wife will feel safe is if I get our healthcare through my bank job, etc. He was confining his search to bank jobs, even though he was unhappy.

When he developed confidence to overcome his limiting ways of thinking, he transitioned to a film industry job for which he exudes passion. He saw that the reasons he had kept himself from this dream choice - for 15 years! - were all self imposed. He Got out of his own way.

Similarly, without this kind of process:

* An IT professional would have continued his 2 year procrastination and not started his own company.
* A languishing MBA grad would never have seized a desired job as hedge fund analyst.
* A female lawyer client would never have pursued a 3 month sabbatical to paint in Rome.


Unrealistic? That's what they thought at the beginning, too!

Heres another example:

In a delightful book called The Art of Possibility (by Roslyn and Ben Zander), there is a good example of how unchallenged stories determine ones reality. Two shoe salesmen are sent to Africa and send a telegram home to their companies. The first writes: No one in Africa wears shoes. Im coming home. The second writes: No one in Africa wears shoes. Score! Send over the sales team! Same facts different stories about the facts. Whos going to have a more successful career?


Where Might You Be Self Imposing Constraints On Your Career?

Career coaches help you figure out your skills and interests after you have an unblocked sense of these. But until you get out of your own way, a career counselor can only help you pursue the limits of your conscious possibilities. Avoid making next steps that keep you stuck in a rut or still dissatisfied. Get out of your own way first.


Managing your Negative Voice

When you are considering making a decision, notice all of the statements that get activated in response to your considerations it may even help to write them down.

Notice how many of these statements reflect assumptions youve made and then acted on as if they were objectively true. Notice how these stories about the facts constrain and demoralize you.

You do this hundreds of times a week, except that you dont realize it because you truly believe that the stories you tell are true, so why challenge them. Whether it has to do with your career search process or not, believe in yourself enough to check out your hunches, get factual confirmation, and find a creative way around the barriers you have imposed.


Action Steps

1) Track the kinds of stories that you seem to tell often these automatic stories are the filter through which you see the world.
2) Give yourself the exercise to have to tell 3 alternative stories before you can act.
3) Clearly articulate what you want for your life or for the situation; then choose the story that is in the service of your goals in life.



About the author:



Sharon Melnick, Ph.D. helps talented and successful people get
out of their own way. Sign up for her 5-week teleseminar that
helps you Get Rid of Your Negative Voice Forever
( http://www.sharonmelnick.com/index.htm)
Check out the life changes others have had using her proven
process to identify your blocks and unleash you from them.
Learn more about her offerings at her website,
http://www.sharonmelnick.com