13 Ultimate Benefits of Hand Reflexology You Don’t Want to Miss

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What is Exactly is Hand Reflexology?

Hand reflexology can be defined as a form of therapy which approaches the patient holistically. This means that as opposed to other forms of therapy, reflexology tends to focus on the whole person rather than on organs or systems. Most other disciplines focus on one part of the body when something goes wrong. For instance, if you have a headache the doctor will focus on your central nervous system since this is where the problem is manifesting.

Hand reflexology is a massage technique in which pressure is applied to various reflex points on the hands to facilciate holistic aspects of health and wellness. Within hand reflexology, as the with the other forms of reflexology, many aspects of an individual are considered. This includes spiritual issues, mental issues, emotional and physical problems. By approaching the patient this way, reflexology ensures that everything about the patient is taken care of, instead of just one thing.

Hand reflexology has a unique capacity to relieve stress buildup. Beyond the specific results that have been reported-relief from migraines, constipation, colds/flu symptoms, back/neck pain, digestive problems-Reflexology creates an overall calm that seems to envelop the body, allowing the body and mind to decompress and release energy flow. As a result, the body experiences greater stamina and energy, enhanced productivity and creativity, and emotional equilibrium. Clients with chronic problems such as allergies, chemical dependencies, and weight management issues also report significant improvement.

There are many benefits of band reflexology, it is a natural form of therapy that can help your body heal by targeting specific points in your body that are weak. There are many benefits that can be gained from learning about the reflex points in your body and how to use them to improve your health.

Who Uses Reflexology?

Reflexology is easy to learn and yet so powerful. It has become so popular in recent years that surgeons and other doctors, chiropodists, dentists, nurses, midwives, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and massage therapists use it as a complementary modality. To illustrate how it can be used in conjunction with medical practices, imagine the following situation: a pregnant woman has had a birth. Although some of the pain you experience can be treated with modern pharmaceutical products, you still suffer from pain and discomfort in the lower back and neck. To help relieve neck / back pain, reflexology is performed on the hands / feet, specifically on the inner edges, a very non-invasive treatment for an internal problem.

There are no needles and nothing needs to be exposed other than her hand/feet. In just one hour, she feels a renewed sense of calm and her neck/back pain has subsided, allowing her to focus on the miracle of childbirth! In addition, many interested lay people choose to learn Reflexology to help reduce stress in their everyday lives, or in the lives of friends and family members.

Hand Reflexology Charts and Points

There are reflexology points that are found both in the palm of the hand and on the back of the hand. These reflexology zone can be massaged in a specific way to influence the correlation points in your body. In fact, you can boost your vital organs so that they can heal and improve naturally by applying certain techniques of manual reflexology. There are hand reflexology charts available today that make this process easy to learn. Those charts show which points in the hands affect specific areas in the body, so that you can refer to the chart to treat certain ailments and conditions that you may be experiencing. It takes time and practice to effectively treat a condition by using hand reflexology, but you will become more experienced over time. A sample reflexology chart is shown below.

Benefit #1: Safe and Non-invasive

One of the biggest benefits of hand reflexology is that it is a very safe procedure and it is non-invasive. There are no uncomfortable treatments that you have to go through. If you are interested in learning hand reflexology, make sure to study the proper techniques that should be used on the reflexology points. Also, you need to learn which reflexology points affect the different areas of the body so that you can treat the specific conditions that needs attention. There are more benefits associated with hand reflexology today. The video game consoles, computers and other electronic handheld devices that we use on a daily basis make our hands be used extensively. Hand reflexology is useful for overworked hands, it not only relaxes the hands but also the whole body.

Benefit #2: Promotes Brain and Heart Health Through Stress Reduction

If you are looking for a way to interrupt the stress patterns in your body, you should use hand reflexology. The corresponding body parts relax when the pressure sensors are stimulated by hand reflexology zone massage. This relaxation spreads throughout the body as it moves through the nervous syste. Medical studies have found that reflexology have beneficial effects on the brain and heart. Many people are not as aware of hand reflexology as they are with foot reflexology, but both processes work in a similar way. Because hands are more accessible and we are used to working with hands, they are also easier for many people to work with.

Benefit #3: Increases the effectiveness of Baroreceptor Reflex

In the body, hand reflexology increases the effectiveness of baroreceptor reflex. This particular “reflex” in the body has many different roles and responsibilities. First, it is one of the main components when it comes to the human body. For example, it is one of the main elements of the natural homeostasis, or “balance” in the body. Regulation of blood pressure and similar areas is increased when the baroreceptor reflex in the body is activated by the application of hand reflexology.

Benefit #4: Improves Blood Flow

Individuals that suffer from the effects of irregular blood flow in the body, and related complications have been found to benefit in tremendous ways when it comes to having hand reflexology conducted on them. Effectiveness in blood flow is necessary when it comes to organs throughout the body receiving the nutrients that are required for proper functioning, healthy cell maintenance and production, as well as an increase to the natural strength and ability of the immune system’s ability to fight against infectious agents and complications that the body may be exposed to.

Benefit #5: Aids in Treating Sleep Disorders

It is believed that this procedure allows an individual who suffers from sleep disorders such as insomnia, to achieve a state of relaxation that will allow them to overcome the complications associated with this condition. In addition to this, those that suffer from extreme levels of fatigue such as those that are present in the case of chronic fatigue syndrome, lupus, and fibromyalgia may benefit from this technique in that it can assist the body in overcoming the feelings of fatigue and rest only when it is necessary for the healthy functioning of the mind and body.

Benefit #9: Allieviates Anxiety

Most individuals that suffer from the effects of unhealthy stress, high levels of anxiety, and even complications with depression can benefit from the relaxing techniques that are associated with hand reflexology. It is believed that the physiological benefits of increased blood flow and regulation, optimizing oxygen levels in the body, and the soothing feelings associated with the application of this procedure holds the cure for those who experience mental disruptions and complications such as anxiety, depression, and similar conditions.

Benefit #10: Releases Toxins

Hand reflexology helps the body to release toxins and pollutants that have built up over the years. It is important to help your body detoxify from these toxins, because allowing them to stay may cause a reduction in health. Also, hand reflexology techniques allow your body to release the negative feelings that are held within.

Benefit #11: Helps Maintain Energy Balances

Hand Reflexology helps the body to maintain energy balances by opening any blockages within the body. There are many things in life that may cause energy blockages, but they can easily be removed within a few reflexology sessions. It opens the lines of circulation, and helps the body to perform at it’s optimal level.

Benefit #12: Treat Various Ailments

Hand Reflexology has been found to be effective in treating the following ailments: migraines; sinus issues; PMS; menopause; allergies; fertility Problems and even arthritis.

Hand Reflexology can be used on the young and old alike. Children will see a benefit in using refelexology over conventional medical treatments in areas like ear infections, colic, bed-wetting and even constipation. Research shows that if hand reflexology is used on children with cerebral palsy then there is an increased growth rate over children who did not receive the therapy treatment.

Reflexologists, although benefiting many people with various illness’s, can not be used as a substitute for diagnosing or even curing diseases as they lack medical training in these matters. If there are lots of toxins in your body, then the immune system is is unable to function efficiently, making you more likely to become sick. What hand reflexology can do is bring the body to a state where it is able to heal itself.

Benefit #13: Reduces Side Effects of Pregnancy

Another interesting fact is that hand reflexology has also aided women with pregnancy complaints such as:

Stress & Anxiety, Constipation, Headaches, Swollen Ankles, Backache, Nausea, Digestive problems and Fatigue.

It has also been shown in one study that women who had had at least 10 sessions of hand reflexology has reduced labor times and less complications that those women in the study who has received any treatment.

Reflexology vs. Massage Therapy

Reflexology is technically a sub-specialty of massage therapy. The idea, plain and simple, is that there are different parts of the hands, feet, and ears that correspond to different parts of the body and that by manipulating these areas without lotion, one can effect a change in the body elsewhere. When reflexology is used on the ear, it is a form of altered auricular therapy. It is derived from acupuncture.

Reflexology has been in use for the last 4,000 years or so. Used by the Chinese, Japanese, and Egyptians, reflexology was only discovered by the West in the 19th century. It’s not a newfangled science or religion and been around in some form since 2,000 B.C. Reflexology is used to reduce the stress levels in the body because the feet and the hands hold a great deal of stress. By relieving the stress in those areas, homeostasis can be restored to a body that was once reigned by chaotic tension. It can also help those that are suffering from arthritis, hormone problems, and sports injuries. As mentioned before women that are pregnant should also use reflexology.

One of the best things about reflexology is that it is not painful. It is a complement to standard medical care, but it should not be used as a replacement for medical care. Reflexology can also be done very flexibly wherever you go. Most insurance providers also pay for it because it is used as after operations and for palliative care. Most sessions last from 30 minutes to an hour. A person should feel relaxed after a session.

Performing Hand Reflexology

Everyone can learn the art of hand reflexology. It is a simple process of breaking the stress patterns created by the combination of motion, pressure and strain. When practicing hand reflexology, be careful not to overwork. If you feel pain or discomfort following a reflexology treatment, you should wait a few days for your hands to be calm. You can even learn the hand’s reflexology techniques and use them in yourself. If you ever need a few moments to calm down or feel stressed, these techniques are ideal.

It is a simple process of finding a reliable source of information and learning the techniques. Many resources provide step-by-step treatments that are used, and also charts to show which parts of your hands correspond to the areas of your body. Many people like to apply pressure through the use of massage tools. There are wooden tools that can be rolled between the hands to stimulate pressure points that can be quite effective.

Conclusion

There are a number of hand reflexology benefits. While this article only shared 13, there are many more. These benefits are both physiological and psychological. If you are looking for alternative methods of increasing the overall effectiveness of the mind as well as the body, then hand reflexology may be the right option for you! This is a proven and attractive means of optimizing the health without the use of chemical based medicines and expensive health care procedures.

Keeping Quiet to Save Your Dreams

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Melinda

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As women, better yet as people, we all have hopes and dreams. I for one, am overflowing with ideas and aspirations. A while ago, when I would get an idea, my first impulse is to run and tell someone. I would tell my friends and family and sometimes, they would not share my same enthusiasm and that would cause me to question my idea and become much less motivated and excited about it. Overtime, I realized that some ideas, dreams and ambitions, just should not be shared right off… or only shared with certain people. Here’s why…

Now it’s not that your friends and loved ones aren’t excited about your idea because many times they are. However, sometimes they have limiting beliefs and assumptions in their own minds which they immediately apply to the ideas or dream you share with them. It’s not their fault. It may be a condition of their surrounds, it may be past failures, and it may even be their expectations for their own lives. You know in all honesty, if you are currently working at a retail store as a cashier, or if you are a stay at home mom, or if you are working an administrative job making $45,000 per year, and you all of a sudden have an idea that you are going to go to law school to be an attorney that fights for women’s rights, or an idea to create an app which would make navigating a grocery store easier…that’s a significant turnaround from what people currently see in your life. Because of this, questions, doubts and limiting beliefs immediately arise and the excitement you have for your idea…well…they just don’t have it.

This can be very de-motivating and dejecting. They aren’t trying to hurt you or stifle your dreams, because I am sure they want the very best for you. However in an indirect manner, that’s what they’re doing. This is why it’s better, sometimes to just keep your dreams to yourself for a while or be very selective about who you share them with.

Think of your dreams as precious new born baby. When you first have a child, they are delicate and you are particular about who holds them, who’s around them, and who handles them. You shield them and protect them a bit more intensely at the beginning of their life because they are much more vulnerable to being hurt or damaged. Your new dreams and ideas are the same. New ideas need time to grow and time to be nurtured by you before other people can handle them. For instance, when my 10-month old son was born, my eight-year old daughter was dying to hold him. I could not allow her to hold him right off because he was too fragile and small and she may drop him or handle him incorrectly. In her little heart, I know she loved her little brother and would not purposefully hurt him; however, he was just too “new” for her to handle.

So, before you share your dreams and ambitions, think about those who you share them with. Ask yourself, “Can this person handle my dreams?” “Do they have big dreams?” Telling someone you want to start a new company, go back to school for a radical career change, or just see the world, is too much for some people to handle and if you are the type that needs a cheerleader, or if you already have doubts, this could prove to be destructive for your dreams.

To sum it up ladies, be selective and possibly maybe even initially quite about your dreams. I must be honest and say that somethings, I have only shared with God. Actually he knows what I am thinking anyway, but some of my biggest dreams, I haven’t told anyone. I am just quietly working towards them and when people see the fruits of my labor, then I will begin to reveal my big plans.

Do you have any big dreams? If you do, share them in the comments below. I will be your cheerleader!

Till next time…

Melinda

Workout Clothes for the “Not So Skinny” Woman

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Melinda

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Hey ladies, did you know the average size of a woman in the U.S. is 16? A study performed by the Journal of Fashion, in 2016, found that contrary to popular belief, the average size of a woman in the US is 16. For some of you this is good news, and for some of you its bad news. Bad news for those of us who are bigger than that size and perhaps good news for those of us that are smaller than that size.

Let me say this first, for whatever size you may be, if you are healthy and happy with the way that you look, then more power to you girl! But if you want to lose weight, because mentally then you aren’t happy about your size or a medical professional has told you that you need to lose weight, then you need to change it. We all have different body type, genetic compositions, and so forth, so saying all women need to be size X, is not feasible.

No matter what size you are, you need to be happy and love yourself first. Now, with that being said, because the average size of a woman is 16, why in the world are all of the fitness outfits and clothes advertised by Nike, Under Armour, Adidas, etc shown on women who are a size 0, 2 or 4? Here’s a little logic, if the average size woman is about a 16, and most women, if they aren’t a size 6 or less or trying to lose weight in some capacity, then why advertise “workout gear” with itty bitty chicks? I mean, I work out, quite a bit, and let me tell you, most of the women in gym, are not a size 0, 2, or 4? And the ladies working out, are the ones buying workout clothes. So, in my opinion, if these companies want to make more money, be realistic and advertise clothing suitable for somewhat “thick” ladies. Let me explain what I mean…

Here you have a woman wearing a sports bra with matching spandex pants? Who’s wearing this to gym? Most of you are not! Heck, most of you aren’t even wearing this in your private bedroom to get busy with your husband? This is what I’m talking about, the average woman is looking at this like, that is cute, but this is a future goal. And with that, she moves on to find something else.

So, for all you thicker ladies, or ladies who may not be thick but have had some babies and even though your stomach may not be big, the stretched skin is there, here are a few pieces of workout clothing that will suit you. Because, you want to be comfortable in the gym and not pulling and fixing things when your parts start bouncing around.

Sports Bras

First you need a good sports bra. If you were blessed with larger tiggle bitties, then here are some excellent sports bras. Remember, good sports bras aren’t cheap and you want to make sure you have good support for your “ladies.” Working out with those things bouncing around all in your face is pain. So make the investment!

So here’s the deal, if you are wearing a C cup or larger, here are some good bras for you girly. If you like one of the bras, click on it and you will be taken to Amazon so that you can scoop it up.

Tops

Okay, so after you select a bra to hold your girls down, you need a top that won’t “expose the rolls” or show the extra skin on your tummy. But you do want to look a little sexy and maybe show a little skin. I say that because if you are working out in a gym, and you catch a glimpse of yourself, you want to say “Dang girl, you lookin’ kinda good today.” So, for that reason, you don’t want a big t-shirt, but you also don’t want tight spandex that will roll up every time you lift your arms. You don’t want clothes you will have to fight with and make behave. That is why you need a loose fitting racerback tank or some type of loose fit non-spandex tank top. I say, non-spandex, because spandex tends to ride up and it will show some of your rolls. I mean, we all struggle with or have struggled with that back fat!

Okay so here you go, my suggestions for workout tops for the average woman.

So now that you have the most important parts, you are good to go. As far as pants and bottoms go, even if you have some cellulite dents as long as your shirt is long enough, you should be okay. Any type of spandex will be fine, but please make sure your shirt is long enough. As I stated, you don’t want to be in a fighting match with your clothes, pulling and adjusting them, and trying to fight and destroy the fat on your body.

So that’s all for now ladies. I hope this post helps you all, first, feel better about where you are, and secondly, give you an idea of how to dress for your workouts so that you will be comfortable physically, and mentally and to have a little bit of sexy going on. No- big t-shirts, and no tight spandex shirts for now. Once you smooth everything out, then you can expand your gym attire.

Till next time…

Melinda

7 Low Carb Smoothie Recipes to Fight Fat with a “Sweet Twist”

By

Melinda

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With so many fad diets on the market, a girl can get really confused. The tricky part with selecting a diet is that, many of them do actually help you lose weight. Just as there is more than one way to skin a cat, there is more than one way to lose your muffin top and thunder thigh . However, the one thing that is consistent in most of the popular diets of today is one simple fact…REDUCED SUGAR. Research as shown that sugar makes you fat. When I say sugar, I am not referring to only cookies, cupcakes, and other sweet desserts, of course those do make you gain weight. I am; however, referring to carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are sugar and consuming significant amounts will lead to weight gain. The DASH Diet (voted America’s Best Diet by US & News World Report), the Paleo Diet, low carb diet, Atkins, etc., all are low sugar diets. Low sugar means low carbohydrates. If you are looking to lose weight, you cannot go wrong with any low carb, low sugar diet. They work like a charm!

Now that you know which type of diets/ eating regimes are best, I would like to give you 7 awesome low carb smoothie recipes. Smoothies are great because they are ultra-convenient! They are also an easy way to consume vegetables. Many of us are busy working women and moms and we just don’t have time to prepare veggies every day for ourselves and our families. Smoothies are excellent for solving this problem. Also, smoothies are lower calorie meal replacements. Substituting a low carb smoothie for your typical eggs and bacon breakfast or your bran muffin (I hope you aren’t eating bran muffins for breakfast if you are looking to lose weight), is a great way to give your weight loss an early morning boost.

Use the recipes below as a starting point to begin to inject smoothies into your weight loss meal planning. As you become more familiar with how to make the best smoothies relative to your preference and the foods you enjoy, you can create your own low carb smoothie recipes.

Strawberry Goodness
½ cup cottage cheese low-fat
¼ cup cream cheese
½ cup strawberries
¼ cup Soy Milk, unsweetened
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup ice cubes

Instructions:
1. Mix ingredients in a blender. Pulse them until you achieve a smooth texture.
2. If it becomes too thick, add more ice cubes and pulse the ingredients again. Adjust to the desired consistency.
3. Pour in a glass and enjoy.

Longevity Juice
10 leaves romaine lettuce
1 cup cantaloupe, sliced
1 cup strawberries
Stevia, to taste
6 ice cubes

Instructions:
1. Freeze strawberries first.
2. Mix romaine lettuce, cantaloupe, frozen strawberries and ice cubes together in a blender. Blend until smooth.
3. Adjust sweetness by adding Stevia.
4. Pour in a glass and enjoy.

Berry Good For You
½ cup raspberries
½ cup strawberries
½ cup blackberries
1 cup almond milk
Ice cubes

Instructions:
1. In a blender, mix raspberries, strawberries and blackberries together. Add milk and blend until they become smooth in texture.
2. Adjust the consistency of the smoothie by adding some ice cubes and blending them together with the rest of the ingredients.
3. Pour in a glass and enjoy.

Protein Power
1 cup coconut milk, unsweetened
1 serving whey protein
½ cup strawberries
¼ cup walnut, chopped
Vanilla extract, to taste
Stevia, to taste
Ice cubes

Instructions:
1. Mix coconut milk, whey protein, strawberries, walnut and vanilla extract in a blender.
2. Blend everything until you achieve a smooth texture.
3. Adjust taste by adding Stevia.
4. Transfer to a glass. Garnish with walnuts and add ice cubes for a refreshing effect.
5. Serve and enjoy!

French Toast Smoothie
½ cup cottage cheese, non-fat
3-4 tablespoons protein powder, vanilla-flavored
1 teaspoon maple extract
½ teaspoon cinnamon
Nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice, to taste
Stevia, to taste
½-1 cup water
5-10 Ice cubes

Instructions:
1. Mix cottage cheese, protein powder, maple extract, cinnamon, water and ice cubes in a blender.
2. Blend everything together until they become smooth. If the mixture is too thick, add more water and ice cubes. Blend again.
3. Pour in a glass, serve and enjoy while cold.

Loco for Coco
½ cup coconut cream
¼ cup heavy cream
½ cup coconut milk
¼ cup berry mix
1 teaspoon Stevia

Instructions:
1. Mix coconut cream, heavy cream, coconut milk and berries in a blender. Blend together until smooth.
2. Adjust taste by adding Stevia. Blend again.
3. Pour in a glass, serve cold and enjoy!

If you have always wanted to taste a “Chocolate Man,” try this smoothie.

Sweet Creamy Chocolate Man
1 cup almond milk
1/8 banana
3 dates or 1 tablespoon honey
½ avocado
2 tablespoons raw cacao
2 tablespoons almond butter
1½ teaspoon golden flaxseed
½ cup ice, crushed

Instructions:
1. Remove pit of avocado and scoop out flesh from skin.
2. In a blender, add avocado flesh with almond milk, banana, dates, cacao, almond butter, flaxseed and ice.
3. Blend everything together thoroughly until you have a smooth texture.
4. Pour in a glass, serve cold and enjoy.

There you have 7 easy low carb smoothie recipes to give your weight loss a boost. Try them out and let me know what you think. Also, if you have other delicious low carb smoothie recipes you would like to share, please leave them in the comments section.

Till next time…
Melinda

2 Ways to Get a Man to Do What You Want

By

Melinda

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If you have dated or been married to a man for longer than 6 months, then you know that they are master procrastinators. I attached the time period of 6 months, because from day 1 to about month 6, the relationship is still new and fresh. During this time, you and he are on cloud nine, going on out every weekend and eating each other up. However at about month 6, things change. He may still want to make you happy, but his readiness and responsiveness to do what you want him to do wanes. It is then that you have to ask for things to be done not once, but 2 or 3 times. As the relationship progresses, that 2 or 3 times, morphs into 5 or 6 times over the course of many weeks. It is at that point, you long for a way to get this man to do what you want. Well search no more ladies! Here are a couple of ways you can try to kill his procrastination disease and to get him to do what you want him to do.
Ride the Testosterone Roller Coaster
Most of us who have ever woken up beside a man, know about the morning hard-on. You know, it’s the thing that normally greets you before he does! The reason for this is the testosterone roller coaster. If you are smart, you can ride this roller coaster to get what you want. First of all, in the morning, your man’s testosterone levels are high. Now although you may not be in the mood, he certainly is. Therefore this is the perfect time to give him a morning quickie. This will lay the ground work, to getting what you want.

Now that you have given him a little morning lovin’ his day will certainly start off better. Wait until the afternoon around 2:00 PM or so to ask him to do anything or have a meaningful conversation. If there are projects you want done around the house, now is the time to ask. By this time, his testosterone levels are on the way down and he will be much less aggressive and more open. Also, the morning love making session you all had is still somewhat fresh on his mind.

Around 6PM or so, the testosterone roller coaster has come to the end. This is the valley before the next morning peak. Now is the time to get the “Yes” answers. Anything you just want a simple answer of “Yes” to, should be presented now. This is the time his testosterone levels are the lowest for the day and he is less confrontational and most willing to just go with the flow. You could even prime him with a small massage before you present the question or request. However, be advised that a massage may cause an unexpected peak in on this testosterone roller coaster and you will most certainly have to give him some lovin’ to get your “Yes.”

One thing you must remember ladies is that for this technique to be effective, you must not do it every day. Ride the testosterone roller coaster when you want something special. Don’t ride it to get the dishes washed or the trash taken out. Ride it to get the bathroom remodeled, the garage organized or perhaps to get a new wedding ring, or for a trip to the Virgin Islands. Also, keep in mind for more extensive involved tasks; you may have to ride the roller coaster a couple of times per week. Just be persistent girl and your hard work will pay off!

Sad Sally
If you try the riding the testosterone roller coaster and things don’t work out, try the sad Sally technique. This will only work on a many that truly loves you and wants you to be happy. Now if you have asked your man over and over again to do something and he just continues to procrastinate or won’t give in, just start asking sad all of sudden. Wait until things are going well and he thinks everything is great. Then, one day just come home and be sad. Continue this for a day or so, and most men, if they love you, will ask what’s wrong. When he asks, what’s wrong, simply reply with a very sad face, “Nothing, I just have a lot of stuff on my mind.” Then walk away.

Now that you have laid the ground work in his mind, that something is bothering you, he will be curious as to what it is. His mind will begin to wonder if it’s him, or a host of other things. As you continue to be “sad Sally,” he will become nicer and more accommodating because he wants you to be happy. It is at that point, you slide in your requests. He will be more likely to give you exactly what you want due to his desire to pull you out of your sadness and get back to your old “happy” ways. You may even want to try to be so sad that you are “not in the mood.” That will really motivate him to try to make you happy again. To some this may sound terrible, and it is unfair to manipulate the men that love us; however, in the end, everyone will be happier! Happy Wife…Happy Life!

I would recommend trying to ride the testosterone roller coaster first. It is the more honest less manipulative approach. However, if the testosterone roller coaster leads you to a dead end, try sad Sally to get you over the hump! 😉
What do you ladies think? How do you get your man to SWIFTLY do what you ask? Let me know.
Till Next Time…
Melinda

How to Build Self-Confidence: 7 Easy Ways to Start Now

By

Melinda

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As women, we are some of the most beautiful smart beings on this planet, but yet we don’t know it. Some of us lack self-confidence so much so that it is debilitating and literally paralyzing our mentality from believing anything positive about ourselves. We don’t believe we are good enough to get that promotion at work, or go back to school to finish a degree or obtain a more advanced one. We don’t believe that we can lead a group of people or be a phenomenal fabulous woman. Well, ladies I’m here to tell you that you can. Building self-confidence is a process. It isn’t something that will happen overnight; however, there are things you can right now to begin that building process. Here are seven things you can do right now to start building your new house of self-confidence.

1. Increase Your Knowledge

Knowledge is power. If you are powerful you will be more confident. Education is one of the keys to having solid confidence and belief in yourself. Education comes in many forms and through many mediums. The obvious sources of education are college or some other type of post-secondary formal education. However, in addition to those, there are many other ways to become educated and gain more knowledge. Knowledge can be obtained in a physical or virtual classroom, in a video you watch on YouTube , by listening iTunes podcast, in a book, or even a conversation. Knowledge is all around us and is so readily available. If you would simply open your eyes and reach out for it, you can obtain it and simultaneously empower yourself and build the foundation of your house of self-confidence.

2. Speak Positively

We are own worse critics. We speak so many negative things out of our very own mouths about ourselves each day. Little do we know by doing this we are committing self-confidence suicide. Some of you have had rough lives and have been verbally abused. You’ve been told they are not smart enough, too fat, too skinny, unqualified, or not pretty enough. After hearing these negative words over and over, they become engrained in the mind and are subconsciously accepted as being true. You then begin to speak negative words yourself and tell yourself “I’m too fat”…”I’m just not smart enough”…”I’ll never be successful.” If self-confidence is your desire, you absolutely have to stop speaking negative words about yourself. You must replace all of the negative thoughts about your abilities, appearance, and overall worth, with positive words to uplift yourself. Just because someone said something about you doesn’t mean it’s true nor do you have to accept it as being true. Stop accepting and receiving negative comments. You cannot stop people from saying negative derogatory things about you. However, you can control what you say about yourself. So speak positively. Love yourself. What do you say about people you love? Would you tell your child “You’re not good enough” or “You’re not pretty enough”? Of course not! Learn to love yourself and speak to yourself as someone you love.

3. Dress Better
Now ladies we all have that one outfit, or that one dress, that when we put it on, we know we have it going on. When we put on that outfit, we feel better about ourselves and we have a little extra swag. It’s amazing what clothes will do for your confidence. I’m not advocating going out and spending loads of money to make yourself feel better. That’s not wise. However, try to begin accumulating nice clothes or outfits that make you feel like “a bad chic.”

4. Exercise

Exercise is another way to build yourself confidence. As you become more fit and strong your self-esteem will begin to soar. I am a personal trainer and have trained many clients over the years. I watch people get stronger as their workouts progress and as their physical strength improves, their mental toughness and self-confidence does as well. There is something extremely empowering about physical strength and fitness. This is why I am an advocate for women participating in some type of weight lifting or strength training. Physical strength translates into mental strength and boosts your self-confidence.

5. Improve Posture

A super simple way to quickly boost your self-confidence is to improve your posture. Pull your shoulders back, raise your head, and stand tall. The simple act of standing up straight and sticking your chest out just a bit gives you a quick shot of confidence. Try it! Look, if you are lacking self-confidence now, by standing up straight, you will be perceived as others as having confidence even if you don’t. I say…fake it till you make it baby!

6. Make Eye Contact and Smile

Making eye contact and simply smiling when you address someone will boost your confidence. When you make eye contact with a person you instantly exude confidence. Adding a smile will help to diminish some of the shyness you may feel.

7. Take Risks

Taking risks is something we all shy away from because we are either afraid of failing or just feel we are not capable of what the risky situation requires. If you want to build your self-confidence, you have to take risks. Taking risks not only pushes you beyond your limits, it helps you to grow. Failure is not always bad. As you continue to take risk, risky situations and decisions won’t be so uncomfortable for you because they will be something you experience often. As you take risks, you will develop the mindset that, if something bad does happen or I do fail, then it’s not the end of the world. You believe that you will live to fight another day. You develop a survivor mentality and will not easily be swayed or shaken. So, take risks. Of course you should weigh them before you take them; however, taking risks will give your self-confidence the final boost to help take your success in whatever you do, to the next level.

There you have it, seven ways to boost your confidence. As you can see, none of these techniques to build your confidence were dependent upon anyone except you. Don’t let other people dictate your confidence level. Increase your knowledge. Hold your head high, exercise, and dress for success. Say positive things about yourself and look other people squarely in the eyes because you are just as worthy as they are. Take risks. Push yourself to develop and be a resilient woman. Do this and your self-confidence will go to a whole new level.

Till next time…
Melinda

Why Do Men Cheat?

By

Melinda

0

We’ve all been there. We have all felt the pain of a cheater. Before I met my wonderful husband, I too felt the pain of a no-good man. Don’t get me wrong, I am not a feminist and I absolutely have the need for a man (my husband) in my life. But let’s face it, there are some dawgs (no dogs but dawgs) out there, that will break your heart into pieces. All men aren’t dawgs but a large majority of them are. I love you fellas…but it’s true. So why? Why do men cheat? Why do they feel the need and the desire to venture outside of their own relationship? I believe there are two reasons: they are selfish and we push them to. I will explain my thoughts below. If you feel the need to comment and would like to share your thoughts, feel free to do so in the comment section.

He’s Selfish

I’ll start with selfishness. When a man cheats, he is only considering his own feelings and desires. His commitment to the woman in his life, and even his children if he is married and living at home, don’t matter. Fulfilling his own desire is what, at the time or during the time he is cheating, matters most to him. He doesn’t consider that his infidelity is could be catastrophic not only to his relationship with his wife/woman, but also to his children. So here’s the deal ladies…if you are in a relationship with a man that has cheated over and over again, then I’m sorry girl, but he doesn’t love you. True love is selfless. True love will make that man, even though he may be temporarily tempted, turn away from infidelity and remain committed to you.

You Brought It On

Another reason men cheat is because of us…women! Now, I have nothing but love for you ladies, but I have to be honest, if we got our stuff together, there would be a lot less men cheating. First, most of us, at some point, have held sex back from our man because we are angry or upset about something. I do understand. For us women, sex is an emotional as well as a physical act and if our emotions are not with it, then our bodies sometimes aren’t as well. So I get it. I can understand a day or two, maybe even a week or two, but holding out any longer than that is opening up the door for potential infidelity in your relationship. Using sex as a punishment tool or a vehicle of control can lead to problems. Now let’s face it, naturally a man’s sexual desire is stronger than ours in most cases. Did you get the “natural” part? That means that his body, regardless of why you’re upset, still wants sex. This is why men sometimes wake up with hard-ons. They are asleep, but their bodies are ready for sex. When you fail to fulfill that natural need they have over time, you open up the door for their eyes, minds, and interest to wander. I’m not saying that their natural desire gives them a license cheat, but what I am saying is that, if you want your man to remain true, you had better get over it, roll over, and keep his attention. And when you are finished…resume your silent treatment!  No I’m just joking. Work it out and move on!

The bottom line is that at times, sometimes we are victims of cheating because of the selfishness of the men we are with and other times because of our stubbornness. Whichever the case, cheating always hurts and if there is anything within your power that you can do to elude the pain and hurt of cheating. Then by all means…just do it!

Let me know what you think. I know many of you will disagree with me. Tell me why. Why do believe men cheat?

Till next time…

Melinda

The Benefits Weight Loss Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

By

Melinda

1

Slim Down Slowly but Surely with Apple Cider Vinegar

Losing weight and feeling great will be an easy goal to achieve when you go natural. While there are many diet techniques that can establish quick weight loss, the best way is to go slow and steady. This will give your body ample time to adjust its system as pounds are shed and a better possibility of not gaining them again. Being patient always pays off and going natural has great benefits for your body.

Benefits of Using Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar, or ACV, is great for weight loss. While it does not contain many vitamins and minerals, it is still a healthy alternative because of the following reasons:
It has very low calorie content, just 3 calories in one tablespoon
It also contains amino acids, antioxidants and potassium
It is high in acetic acid and is a powerful antimicrobial, preventing bacteria from reaching destructive levels
It has potent biological components that can lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin function
It helps increase the feeling of fullness, hence reduces calorie intake during meals
It helps trim blood triglycerides and prevent LDL cholesterol from oxidation
It may also help prevent cancer

How ACV Works in Reducing Weight

Apple cider vinegar contains pectin which induces satiety. When one feels full and satisfied, he finds no need to eat more. This reduces calorie intake, even when indulging in high-carbohydrate meals.

The acids in ACV also help in protein digestion which aids in hormone synthesis. The hormones are instrumental in breaking down fat cells. Hence, by increasing acid in the stomach, one is ultimately targeting the fat cells. The apple cider vinegar reduces the length of time the fat remains in the body as it stimulates digestion. If taken before meals, it sustains body metabolism and is especially effective at night while you are resting

Using apple cider vinegar in food preparation and cooking helps release the iron in the food. Iron carries oxygen to cells which increases energy consumption and aids in burning unnecessary fats. As it also lowers insulin levels, weight gain is prevented.

Ironically, even if it is a weight loss ingredient, apple cider vinegar does not diminish your interest for food. Quite the contrary, it stimulates your taste buds and makes you come back for more. This makes you appreciate the taste of food you would not normally like but are otherwise healthy such as vegetables, fruits and whole grains. When you get filled and nourished with healthy food, you would not be tempted to indulge in fatty and salty food that increase your body fat and belly bulges.

How to Use ACV

To prepare the ACV concoction, add one to two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to one glass of water. Drink this three times a day before meals.

To get used to the taste, you may start with using a ratio of one teaspoon ACV to a glass of water. Increase it gradually. You may also add honey to enhance the taste, but only in very small amounts.

Best ACV to Use

Organic and unfiltered apple cider vinegar contains enzymes and good bacteria that have potent biological effects. This comes because of the process of fermentation: apples are crushed and are fermented, converting the fruit sugars and alcohol to acetic acid. That acetic acid is responsible for all the health benefits of the organic apple cider vinegar.

On the other hand, non-organic ACV undergoes pasteurization. This process makes the vinegar look more appealing but kills the health properties and enzymes. So if you are looking at using ACV in your diet plan, choose organic.

The good thing about natural or organic stuff is that consumption can be safe. You do not have to worry about annoying or even fatal side effects. The benefits and effects of using ACV may not be noticeable immediately but this does not minimize its value. Apple cider vinegar can be incorporated in your meals easily and this increases your chance of effectively losing weight on a daily basis.

Till next time…
Melinda

6 Essential Weight Loss Supplements for Women

By

Melinda

0

As women, we are hormonally challenged at times…meaning our bodies go a little crazy and don’t always respond as we desire them too. Our hormones are sometimes like rain on a parade. You have a great weight loss and exercise plan. You don’t cheat and exercise religiously and nothing happens. There is nothing more demotivating than to have eaten right all week, pushed yourself to exercise, and step on the “evil” scale to see that nothing has changed. You think to yourself… “why am I doing this… what’s the point? I’m just going to go back to my old habits. I’m always going to be fat?” Not so fast girl! Wait a minute; I may be able to help you. Your hormones are probably out of whack and raining on your weight loss parade. With the right supplementation, you can start shedding some pounds and turn things around. Below are 6 different dietary supplements, you need to add to your weight loss plan to help rebalance your hormones.
Magnesium
Magnesium calms your nervous system and helps to prevent raised cortisol levels. Cortisol is a stress hormone. Cortisol is a main contributor of belly fat. Magnesium gives you better healthy insulin sensitivity which means less sugar cravings. Healthy insulin sensitivity is also beneficial for weight loss and bone health. Magnesium also helps promote better sleep. Sleep is essential for hormone production. During sleep we have a surge of anabolic hormones which are essential for muscle building and fat loss.

Vitamin D3
Increasing your vitamin D consumption can help reduce nagging belly fat. All cells in the body require vitamin D to function properly. Special receptors for vitamin D signal to your body whether or not it should burn fat or store it. Also, receptors in your brain utilize D to control hunger and cravings. One other benefit of vitamin D is that it helps your body to absorb calcium which an important weight loss nutrient.

Probiotic
Your intestines or gut flora contain over 400 bacterial species. Some of these bacteria can contribute to excess weight and obesity related issues. However, some of the bacteria are healthy and supports overall health. Probiotics are healthy living organisms that help to maintain healthy gut flora. Most people have a higher amount of unhealthy gut flora as opposed to healthy, especially those who eat a high amount of processed foods. It was found in a study conducted at the Université Laval in Quebec, Canada that taking a probiotic could help to reset the healthy balance of gut flora and increase weight loss. The researchers conducted a 12-week study comparing groups of women who took a daily probiotic and a group that did not. The group that took a daily probiotic loss an average of 10 pounds, while the non-probiotic group only loss an average of 5.5 pounds. Not only did the probiotic group lose more weight, they had lower levels of gut bacteria contributing to obesity and obesity related diseases.

Chromium
Chromium is essential for having a healthy metabolism. If you are an apple-shaped women, meaning most of your weight is in your belly and upper body, you could be insulin resistant. Insulin resistance is when the body resists burning sugar and stores it as fat. Insulin resistance is a prime culprit in increased belly fat. Chromium could help to improve blood sugar levels and improve insulin balance.

Maca
Maca is a tuber also known as Peruvian Ginseng and it is a wonder supplement! Overtime, maca has gained a reputation for helping balance hormones and reversing hypothyroidism. By aiding in thyroid function, maca can help to improve your metabolism. It is also an endocrine adaptogen. This means it contains nutrients to support normal hormone production. It helps to increase fertility because of its high nutrient value of potassium, iron, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and zinc. As women, we are constantly stressed (can I get an “AMEN”!). Maca is great for reducing stress hormones and adrenal fatigue. It has been also found to reduce PMS and hot flashes. So for all of you ladies that have not yet gone through menopause, it will help you to be less crank and irritable and for you ladies that may be going through “the change”, it can help to reduce those “intimate summers.”
Maca, can be consumed in a powder or capsule form. Capsules are a bit more expensive; however, they are more convenient. Should you chose to consume maca in a powder form; it can easily be added to coffee, healthy juice blends, or breakfast cereals such as oatmeal.

Whey Protein Powder
Most women do not eat enough protein. We typically aren’t huge meat consumers like men. Whey protein powders are an easy way for women to intake a healthy amount of protein, without having to eat a significant amount of meat.
Whey protein powders contain the essential amino acids for a healthy diet. They helps to boost your immune system by increasing antioxidants essential for removing toxins from the body.
Whey protein also helps support the metabolism and satisfy cravings. In addition to that, because protein helps you to feel full longer, consuming whey protein is any easy way to curve your appetite.
Whey protein powder and be made into a protein shake using water or a blend of water, coconut milk, or almond milk.

There you have 6 supplements that can support weight loss in women and balance hormones. The key to sustained weight loss is having healthy hormones. You cannot expect your body to burn fat or respond to any exercise or diet regimen if your hormones are out of whack. Set yourself up to succeed by taking supplements that support BOTH weight loss and healthy hormone function. For us ladies, the two go hand-in-hand. Imbalanced hormones equate to no weight loss. Take care of your body and it will give you the results you are looking for.
Till next time…
Melinda
P.S. Here are some supplements I recommend.

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How Low Fat Diets Halt Weight Loss and Kill Libido

By

Melinda

0

Have you recently started a low fat diet and noticed a reduction in your sex drive or stalled weight loss? Low fat diets can wreak havoc on your libido and halt weight loss. Your quest to shed pounds is doing just the opposite and killing your libido as well. You may not believe it, but is certainly true and has been validated by several scientific studies. Eating fats, healthy fats that is, are essential to having a healthy sex drive and sustained weight loss. You cannot enjoy a full sex life, nor have a sexy body, until your diet contains all the essential nutrients in sufficient amounts…including fat.

Considering fats a hindrance in the way to a perfectly shaped body is a fallacy that we have all been sucked into at some point. However, when it comes to fats; the logic is a bit counter-intuitive. Having no fat in your diet will do more harm than good to your body as it pertains to your libido and weight loss.

Hormonal factors are one of the most significant factors as it pertains to your sex drive. Sex hormones play a pivotal role in altering the intensity of libido. Testosterone is the main sex hormone that controls the libido in both sexes. But in women estrogen hormones level are also involved in triggering the sex drive. The higher the levels of these sex hormones, the stronger will be the sex drive. These sex hormones are secreted by testis in males and ovaries in females.

These sex hormones are nothing else but the derivatives of fats and cholesterol molecules. Fats are actually used in the synthesis of sex hormones. No fats mean your body won’t be able to synthesize the sex hormones. So eliminating fats in your diet will eventually diminish your sex drive.

Being weight conscious is good for health but strict dieting or fat restriction is not the solution. In addition to depriving your sex hormones of the nutrients they need to function properly, low fat diets impede your weight loss efforts. Many foods that have very low or no dietary fat contain higher amounts of carbohydrates. After you eat a high carb meal, your insulin spikes and your blood sugar drops. This triggers hunger and makes you crave more carbs. Dietary fats tend to satisfy you longer an equal amount of carbohydrate calories. For this reason higher carb diets (typical low fat diets), can lead to slow gradual weight gain because of the increase in appetite.

Dietary fat is essential for a healthy sex drive and sustained weight loss. What’s magic number of fat grams to be consumed…it all depends on you. You need to listen to your body. This is the case when entering any type of diet plan whether it is low fat, low carb, etc. Your body is much smarter than you are. It will let you know if your new and great detox, cleanse, or diet protocol is not working out by not functioning properly. By improper function I mean, weight gain, mood swings, libido loss, fatigue, etc. Also, most diets that completely look to eliminate one complete source of macro nutrients, fats, for example, should be taken under advisement.

Let me know what you think. Have you been on a low fat diet and loss your libido or failed to lose any weight?
Till next time…
Melinda

What is Exactly is Hand Reflexology?

Who Uses Reflexology?

Hand Reflexology Charts and Points

Benefit #1: Safe and Non-invasive

Benefit #2: Promotes Brain and Heart Health Through Stress Reduction

Benefit #3: Increases the effectiveness of Baroreceptor Reflex

Benefit #4: Improves Blood Flow

Benefit #5: Aids in Treating Sleep Disorders

Benefit #9: Allieviates Anxiety

Benefit #10: Releases Toxins

Benefit #11: Helps Maintain Energy Balances

Benefit #12: Treat Various Ailments

Benefit #13: Reduces Side Effects of Pregnancy

Reflexology vs. Massage Therapy

Performing Hand Reflexology

Conclusion

Sports Bras

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