Womens Issues

2011-12-16T12:17:00.003-08:00

The numerous physical and mental ailments that befall a woman make up most of the women issues with breast cancer, diabetes and reproductive and birth control issues to name a few. Off these issues some of the most critical and the frequent ones have been briefly explained in the following paragraphs.
Without doubt one of the top most issues is that of mental health and its respective issues such as anxiety, apprehension, mental ailments in addition to self annihilation are at the very top. There are several psychiatric issues that are more prevalent amongst the women in contrast to men. In fact according to research depression claims twice the number of women as opposed to men and the level of severity is also advanced. And it is believed by medical practitioners that the level of stress is a major contributor to the overall transformation in the brain, which in return has the power to affect the overall mental health.
Another major issue is that of heart diseases. This issue is mainly directed towards the symptoms, their avoidance and possible cures for this malady. It also covers the ratio of women affected by it in comparison to men.
When discussing issues of the fairer sex the condition of menopause can not be ignored. It takes place a year after the menstruation cycle has come to an end. The The mood fluctuations that are very common are also dealt with in this issue along with the possible hormone therapies.
Another issue facing the women is that of thinning hair and baldness. Although this issue is more often associated with men but women are not completely free from it. Although they do not go completely bald like the men but more than half the women fall victim to this ailment at some point in their life.

The Christian Life & Women's Issues

2011-12-16T12:17:00.001-08:00

As an effect of sin, humans are deeply driven toward autonomy, preferring to live independent of God's authority instead of within the shelter of his divine sovereignty. This is the temptation to which Eve would surrender. Instead of a life dependent on God, she evaluated on the basis of her self-appointed authority that the fruit of the forbidden tree was beautiful and an acceptable source for knowledge and sustenance. God was no longer necessary in her new view of the world because she chose instead to believe the twisted words of the serpent, that she could "be like God" (Gen 3:5). She quickly dismissed the distinction between herself, the created, and the Creator.
When faced with difficult life circumstances, we are called to submit to God's wisdom and authority and recognize our own insufficiency. It is true that scripture does not provide explicit answers for each and every situation, so while God's normative method of self-disclosure is not through audible voice, studying God's word is necessary to develop a biblical worldview that will enable godly reflection in the absence of obvious solutions. Trusting God in the midst of any degree of crisis is probably one of the the greatest challenges to living the Christian life.
Popular culture argues, on the other hand, that God, if he even exists, is irrelevant to just about everything. Religion, and specifically evangelical Christianity, is regarded as bigoted and narrow-minded, outside the scope of logic and reason. Christian truth claims are viewed as merely private values, but the "promise" of scientific progress and "hope" through human reason-with little room for ethical reflection-are believed to be neutral sources of information, and therefore, the source of truth for everyone. This way of thinking is dominant in the area of women's issues and is wielding great influence on the lives of women inside and outside of the church.
When biblical and theological reflection on women's issues is tolerated, it is usually through a theology of liberation known as feminist theology. This theology seeks primarily to free women from the oppression of what they describe as patriarchalism, referring to male headship or authority that demands unquestioned female submission. In this context, feminist theology argues that women are not really free due to an imbalance of power. This experience then becomes the interpretive grid to understand revelation, rather than revelation interpreting experience
Locating the meaning of scripture in one's own experience is the equivalent of dethroning God, taking his seat, and wearing his crown. It is an approach that fails to recognize God's authority over his entire creation, the exact problem Eve encountered as she replaced the revealed word of God with her own rationalizations. Our experiences can only describe how we live, they certainly do not prescribe how to live. Yet, this is not a matter of cold hard facts about the nature of God. God is the source of all that is true, he transcends all that is in the earth, yet he cares deeply about it and is closer than it may seem. Scripture reveals that our experiences do matter to God, he cares deeply about the problems we face and solutions we find.
At the core of "women's issues" is a long list of topics that matter to women. The list includes access to abortion, conception and contraception, careers, gender equity in the workplace, end-of-life health care, domestic violence and human trafficking. All issues of great significance to the every day lives of women, yet for the most part, not a part of the evangelical discussion within the walls of the church. Of course, there is a strong Christian voice in defense of the unborn and for the moral status of the embryo-and this voice needs to continue its bold proclamation. As well, there is an appropriate voice reacting against the ideology of secular feminism, a voice that rightly shows how this worldview fails women spiritually and in all other practical ways. What has been lacking, however, is a proactive voice intentionally educating women on these and related issues, a voice that teaches women to think through complicated life issues from a Christian worldview. Organizations like the National Organization for Women, the Feminist Majority, and NARAL have been declared by the dominant culture to be the source for addressing women's issues and equipping women to live triumphantly in this "patriarchal" society. The Christian community is quick to provide a response to these organizations and issues, but little education has been directed to the women in the pew, women of all ages, ethnicities and economic levels who have been or are potentially swayed by the seductive gospel of unfettered "women's rights."
It is erroneous to believe that with the assurance of salvation comes the instant ability to effectively reason through issues and achieve resolutions that are pleasing to God. The status of "born again" is not a guarantee that a young woman won't consider an abortion, because the dominant culture may have convinced her that the embryo is not really her child or that this is not actually a spiritual issue. A financially-strapped college student may have little knowledge of what is involved in selling her eggs, as an act of good-will to an infertile couple or for research purposes. She may not understand that this egg, when fertilized, is her biological child. What she has been told by the college "women's center" is that the egg is nothing more than tissue and a fertilized egg (an embryo) is nothing more than a "clump of cells." To top all that off, she probably has not been fully informed about the health risks in undergoing such a procedure.
A young married couple in the congregation may struggle with infertility and is willing to pursue the use of reproductive technologies to solve their heart-wrenching crisis. After three years of treatment, they may have 2 children, but four more children are in cryopreservation at the fertility clinic because the most economical route for their family was to have many embryos fertilized at one time. Still, there are other women who are entering into the Christian community, ashamed to talk to anyone about the abusive relationship they are in, fearing judgment, blame, and ridicule.
Right or wrong, women in the church are no less immune to the ideas of culture than are women outside of the church. When they hear "women's issues" or "women's rights," their attention is easily drawn toward these prominent voices as their message has completely saturated the culture we live in. There is no natural inclination toward a voice in the church, because that voice is difficult to locate. The fact is, women's issues are, indeed, women's issues, and the church is in a strategic and unique position to address them.
A Barna research study has recently reported that 60% of all who attend church are women, and around 25% of those attend church without their husbands. One reaction to this study was to point out the obvious, that few men are coming to church. Why? The church has been "feminized." The music, the paint, the activities-they simply aren't masculine enough, so men are staying home. As a result, some have decided that the solution is to de-feminize the church. Plan manly hunting trips, sports activities, and offer more of the older hymns that are obviously more masculine than the praise songs.
The motivation to have more men as members of the body of Christ is right and good, yet strangely, misguided. Please allow me to explain. God is pleased by the fact that so many women are attending church, giving freely of themselves financially, engaged in ministry activity, and so on. Women are present and eager to hear what the Lord has to teach them and how to apply it to their lives.
Young women, who are the next generation of mothers and leaders of all types, are there too, but often not very comfortable with the women's ministry of their mothers and grandmothers. Granted, few women's ministries are addressing "women's issues" proactively, but the young women are entering into youth group and college groups with little contextual opportunity to inquire or learn about these issues that will play a significant role in their lives far into the future. The church has a real opportunity to challenges the ideas of a culture fixated on being a god unto themselves by reaching the women the culture seeks to influence. That 60% of the church is comprised of women should be regarded as a call to a particular ministry; we can see positively that the glass is half full!
As women continue to be the primary caregivers of children and parents while also being a witness to great technological advancement, time must be invested in developing women to reflect on all of life through the lenses of faith. Grandmothers who believe that their grandchildren would have been better off aborted rather than going through the foster care system before arriving at her doorstep is not representative of a consistently applied Christian ethic, and yet this is the reality of a real woman who has professed faith in Christ for many years.
The desire for love, companionship, or children can drive any woman to solutions that do not necessarily cohere with godly wisdom, especially when the voices that he been assisting her in thinking about these issues have primarily belonged to secular feminism. The feminist movement in the early 20th century began with the noble pursuit to obtain for women the right to vote and to gain a substantive voice in society. Little of this noble effort remains in secular feminism, known today chiefly for its fight for unfettered reproductive freedoms. Secular feminism has been a lone voice for women in academics and in popular culture for the better part of the last 100 years. In a real sense, they have been women mentoring other women. For women in the church, now is the time to speak godly wisdom into issues that all women face. As a matter of discipleship and evangelism, we have an opportunity to show how dependence on God is not only the path to true wisdom, but also to righteousness.

How to Enjoy a Healthy Menopause

2011-11-16T12:17:00.000-08:00

Most women today will live more than a third of their lives in their postmenopausal years; 80% to 90% of American Women will experience uncomfortable symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings, and possibly a heightened risk of heart disease and osteoporosis during menopause. The majority of these women will experience the dreaded sweats up to two years and a few will endure them up to five years or more.
Fortunately, there are now many ways to minimize the ill effects of menopause.
LIFESTYLE CHANGES
Undoubtedly, there are three very important ingredients for health before, during and after menopause are:
1). Proper Diet. Diet can do a great deal to prevent age-related ailments like heart disease, cancer and osteoporosis; Proper, meaning mostly fruits, vegetables, grains, and minimal fat, salt and sugar. If your eating habits are not perfect, and who's are? Take a daily multivitamin.
To reduce your risk of osteoporosis, start taking a calcium supplement in your early thirties, then increase your consumption of calcium to 1,500 mg a day when you start menopause. And be sure to get at least 400 international units of vitamin D from dairy products, vitamin supplements and/or sun exposure. The skin makes vitamin D when exposed to the sun.
2). Vitamin D boosts the body's absorption of calcium. One cup of milk contains about 300 mg of calcium and 100 IU of vitamin D.
3). Exercise. Besides staving off heart disease and osteoporosis, regular workouts improve mood and overall well-being. Try: Aerobic activities like walking, dancing, running and cross-country skiing if you live in a place where it snows or you are able and willing to travel to where it does. Also combine along with weight lifting. Try to fit in at least three 20 minute sessions a week. Develop Good Habits and Get Rid of Bad Ones. Hot flashes can often be controlled by stopping smoking, limiting your intake of alcohol, caffeine and spicy foods.
Alternatives to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) If you choose not to go on hormone replacement therapy due to the side effects of it, there are other options for relieving problems associated with menopause.
Alendronate (Fosamax), When approved by the FDA, this drug was the first no hormone remedy for osteoporosis. In two large studies, Alendronate was given in conjunction with daily calcium supplements. Results: Bone density increased by 8% at the hip and spine. The rate of fractures fell by 63%.
Calcitonin-Salmon (Miacalcin). This nasal spray is another option for osteoporosis. It is good for women who are more than five years past menopause and who have low bone mass. Two year studies have proven that the drug quickly increases bone mineral density in the spine, more slowly in the forearm or hip. For maximum effectiveness, it must be taken with at least 1,000 mg calcium and 400 IU of vitamin D a day.
Progestin. If your only problem is hot flashes, oral Progestin (without estrogen) may help. But it will not help other menopause symptoms, and it may boost your risk of heart disease.
Relaxation. Biofeedback, deep breathing, yoga and meditation can all be used to reduce the intensity of hot flashes. Vaginal Lubricants. If you experience vaginal discomfort during intercourse, Replens or K-Y Jelly can help. Also helpful: Having sex on a regular basis.
A Treatment with Promise. The combination of twice-daily slow release fluoride tablet and 400 mg of calcium has been shown to reduce spinal fractures by 70% among women suffering from osteoporosis, and build bone mass in the hip and spine at the rate of 2% to 6% a year.
UNPROVEN REMEDIES Some doctors believe that mega doses of vitamins E and C reduce menopause symptoms and cut the risk of heart disease and cancer. Vitamin E may also relieve hot flashes and vaginal dryness. However, their role in treating menopause symptoms remains unproven, especially when taken in supplement form. Doctors do not recommend them.

Women Easily Burn More Calories - Slim Thighs, Burn Fat

2011-10-16T12:18:00.000-07:00

As a woman I know that you are already pressed for time so you need to be able to make the best use of the time that you do have, so here's a few fitness tips that will help you to easily burn more calories & fat in less time.
With these tips you will be able to: burn more calories, burn more fat, slim your thighs, and do it all in little to no extra time.
How To Easily Burn More Calories (Women)
Tip #1: Eat some sort of protein at every meal & at snack time. The most important diet change that you can make is to add a bit of protein at every meal. Protein has so many benefits. It takes 30% of its calories to digest, it allows you to feel fuller faster, and supports an increased metabolism.
Tip #2: Try a Tex-Mex diet. To stay on that same note, decreasing the amount of processed carbs is just as important. A Tex-Mex diet is naturally higher in protein and lower in carbs, but is extremely tasty. You always feel satiated. It replaces bread for tortillas and wraps or it doesn't use any bread. You get flavorful meats, and most all meals have some sort of protein and fresh veggies.
Tip #3: Never sit. At least 3 days a week, try to never sit down. I know that this may seem impossible to do, and you will have to sit at some point, but the idea is to get you thinking that way. Just the thought of not sitting down all day seems tiring doesn't it (that's because you are working your muscles & burning more calories naturally all day long).
For example: when you take a phone call stand up and stay standing or at the kids soccer game stand and walk the field for the entire game. Also try to mix in a few exercises throughout the day. Do some body weight squats while you wait for the shower to warm up, or a few pushups (or lunges) during commercial of your favorite show, or always take the stairs and park in the back of the parking lot at the store or work.
Now that you know how to easily burn more calories, you can get in the shape that you want without wasting anytime. You can get those slim thighs, trim the fat, and tone up in time for any occasion.

If you think that it's to difficult to imagine getting rid of your cellulite, think again. It really is not. There is a formula and exact steps that you must take to help you though.

Natural Gender Selection Vs High Tech Gender Selection

2011-10-14T12:22:00.001-07:00

Many people long to have a baby of a certain gender. Though it's not often talked about in modern culture, it's quite common. Most people would like a chance to parent both genders. Some people would prefer to have sons, and others would prefer to have daughters. There are different methods of gender selection available today. Some of these require medical intervention and are called "high tech" gender selection. Others are natural methods that can be done without a laboratory.

High-Tech Gender Selection

There are a couple of different types of high-tech selection. Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis, or PGD, is the only 100% certain way to choose your baby's gender.

PGD is used to diagnose many things within an early embryo -- it can be used to check the health of the newly fertilized baby, look for certain genetic or inheritable diseases, and to determine the sex of the baby.

When PGD is used for sex selection, called "family balancing," embryos of the desired gender are evaluated for health. The healthiest ones are selected and placed back into the mother's uterus.

PGD brings with it disadvantages. Firstly, it's extremely expensive. It's also limited to couples who want to use it for family balancing -- a family that only wants girls or only wants boys will not be able to use it. In general it can't be used for a first child, either.

Many people have trouble with PGD because it creates embryos of both sexes -- and the opposite sex embryos are simply discarded or frozen. This creates ethical and moral problems for many families who don't want to create embryos only to discard them.

As with many assisted reproductive technologies, the chance of multiples increases with PGD.

Another high-tech procedure is called Microsort. This procedure sorts sperm in a laboratory so that a sperm sample contains mostly sperm carrying chromosomes for the desired sex. This procedure has a high success rate, though it's not 100% guaranteed. The success rate for girls is higher than for boys. Microsort can be used with IUI procedures or the more costly IVF procedures.

Microsort is still subject to government testing and hasn't gotten 100% approval. As with PGD it tends to be limited to certain families. Most families admitted to the trials are trying to avoid having a child with a sex-linked genetic condition.

Natural Gender Selection

There are far more theories on natural sex selection than I can possibly cover in this article. For simplicity's sake I will group them all under the "natural" heading.

Natural methods are not 100% guaranteed. Rather than assuring you you'll get the sex you desire, you're able to "sway the odds" using methods that science has shown may influence the sex of your child.

Scientific studies in humans and animals do show that we can influence the sex of our children. Various things like diet, body pH, and possibly the timing of intercourse can all have an influence. Hormones within both the father and the mother also seem to have an influence on the sex of a child.

Many families feel more comfortable with natural gender selection because they can influence things in favor of the gender they desire without undergoing any costly medical procedures. There are also no excess embryos left after assisted reproductive procedures. These families also sometimes feel that if they get the opposite of what they were hoping for that it was meant to be that way.

Natural sex selection has the obvious disadvantage of not being a 100% guarantee. Supplements to change the environment in favor of one sex may also be expensive. Some mothers also find the diet and exercise regimes for a certain sex to be challenging.

Anybody can use natural selection techniques, however, making this method far more accessible to most families.

By the way, do you want to learn more about how to choose the gender of your baby, naturally, using techniques that are safe and effective for you and your baby?

Herbal Tips For Breast Enlargement

2011-10-14T12:22:00.000-07:00

Believe it or not but breasts are one asset we cannot live without. Women go to any extent to keep them healthy and in shape. A pair of breasts which becomes droopy or loose affects whole personality of a woman and makes her look old and unattractive to the opposite sex.

It is well-known that surgical enhancement of breasts can have grave side effects and even increase chances of getting breast cancer. For women with small breasts size there is hope in the ayurvedic system of medicine.

There are certain herbs like fennel seeds and saw palmetto which are highly effective in enhancing breasts size and health and when coupled with some yogic aasanas like surya namaskara and stabdhasana a woman can get fuller and firmer breasts.

Fenugreek which is commonly found in kitchens is also a very effective remedy for breast enhancement as it contains estrogen and prolactin which are essential for overall women health and natural development. Regular consumption of fenugreek can give your breasts a better shape and fullness.

Ginger is also a very effective herbal remedy for breast enhancement because it helps increased circulation of blood. It is commonly added to your daily food but it is recommended to consume it fresh and raw daily to keep firmness in your breasts. Enhanced circulation of blood increases the fat content in the breasts thereby making them bigger in size.

Saw palmetto which is used worldwide as a remedy for treating an enlarged prostate is also helpful in making breasts fuller by reducing the testosterone levels in th female body hence making breast enhancement possible.

Herbal Supplements
You might be thinking how can one reap the benefits of these herbs to their full capacity but there is no need to worry because there are ayurvedic herbal supplements available in the market which are made from these herbs and their regular intake will over a period of time help you in increasing your breasts size.

Added Instructions
If you have decided to take herbal supplements you should also consider making some changes in your daily lifestyle like indulge in fitness training, eat healthy food and abstain from raw or junk food and avoid addictions like alcohol and smoking as they tend to reduce the efficacy of herbal medicines and also cause health concerns.

Mrs. Claus - Was Mrs. Claus an Early Feminist Icon?

2011-09-25T14:49:00.001-07:00

Was Mrs. Claus an early feminist icon?

The wife of Santa Claus first entered pop culture consciousness in 1889. That's the year "America the Beautiful" author Katharine Lee Bates created and introduced her in the poem Goody Santa Claus on a Sleigh Ride*.

Although modern-day depictions of Mrs. Claus show us a contented stay-at-home wife, Bates' Goody Claus is anything but. Instead, the original wife of Santa pushes the envelope on women's rights and presses for acknowledgment of her hard work and significant role in making Christmas possible.

An Unexpected Feminist

The first-person narrative -- told from Goody Claus' perspective -- centers on her clever and persistent attempts to prove that the gender roles her husband insists on are arbitrary. Throughout the poem, she gradually convinces us that she can do many things just as well as he does, and some things even better.

From the opening line, Goody Santa Claus makes her desires clear. She tells her husband that she wants to accompany him on his annual sleigh ride:

Santa, must I tease in vain, dear? Let me go and hold the reindeer,
While you clamber down the chimneys. Don't look savage as a Turk!
Why should you have all the glory of the joyous Christmas story,
And poor little Goody Santa Claus have nothing but the work?

Despite his apparent unwillingness to have her come along (as we gather from his "savage" look), Goody Claus pleads her case through the first ten stanzas of the poem. She chides him, "You just sit here and grow chubby off the goodies in my cubby," and points out that though he's a woodsman, she's actually the one who tends the fir trees that -- instead of bearing pine cones -- produce the "toys and trinkets" that fill Santa's gift bags each year. Since Santa's lazy and too busy toasting his toes by the fire, he never steps outside to witness how carefully she nurtures the trees to reap the harvest of gifts; but as she indicates, someone else knows how hard she works:

Yet ask young Jack Frost, our neighbor, who but Goody has the labor,
Feeding roots with milk and honey that the bonbons may be sweet!
Who but Goody knows the reason why the playthings bloom in season
And the ripened toys and trinkets rattle gaily to her feet!

As we learn, Christmas isn't the only holiday Goody Claus has a hand in. She's also responsible for the most prominent elements of two other major holidays. In asking Santa for a ride in the sleigh, she reminds him of her efforts year round:

Santa, wouldn't it be pleasant to surprise me with a present?
And this ride behind the reindeer is the boon your Goody begs;
Think how hard my extra work is, tending the Thanksgiving turkeys
And our flocks of rainbow chickens — those that lay the Easter eggs.

In the next two lines, Mrs. Santa Claus reveals herself as a staunch believer in women's rights as she argues against the commonly-held belief that women should stay at home:

Home to womankind is suited? Nonsense, Goodman! Let our fruited Orchards answer for the value of a woman out-of-doors.

When he finally agrees, she goes along and holds the reindeer on the roof while he makes his down-the-chimney runs. But once again she pushes the envelope when she makes another request of her husband:

Bend your cold ear, Sweetheart Santa, down to catch my whisper faint:
Would it be so very shocking if your Goody filled a stocking
Just for once? Oh, dear! Forgive me. Frowns do not become a Saint.

He scowls and they continue on, but she keeps pressing for her chance, even as they near the end of their long winter flight:

Now the pack is fairly rifled, and poor Santa's well-nigh stifled;
Yet you would not let your Goody fill a single baby-sock;
Yes, I know the task takes brain, Dear. I can only hold the reindeer,
And so see me climb down chimney — it would give your nerves a shock.

As she wryly notes, Santa doesn't believe a woman's capable of doing a man's job.

But at the last house, when Santa finds a stocking too riddled with holes to hold the last small gift, he finally relents when his wife offers a solution:

But I'll mend that sock so nearly it shall hold your gifts completely.
Take the reins and let me show you what a woman's wit can do.

Using an icicle for a needle and a moonbeam for thread, she darns the stocking, tucks in an extra box of paints, and kisses this last recipient goodnight.

An Unconventional Victorian

Why has this charming portrait of a feminist-leaning Mrs. Santa Claus been lost to time? Why was this smart feisty helpmate and strong-willed spouse later supplanted by a pudgy, acquiescent, non-descript version? Could it be because Goody Santa Claus was ahead of her time?

In many ways, Goody Santa Claus reflects the sentiments of her creator, author and poet Katharine Lee Bates. Born in Falmouth Massachusetts in 1859, Bates made a name for herself writing children's poetry yet her interests were far broader. She also penned poems featuring anti-war and women's issues themes.

According to Mary Sicchio, archivist of the Falmouth Historical Society, "Bates definitely pushed for the rights of women. She wasn't docile at all. She was feisty and a lot more worldly than people would expect of a Victorian woman."

A Strong Woman "For All Times"

The world Bates lived in was a world that would not have been comfortable with a strong female figure like Goody Claus. Back in 1889, a woman who proved that she could do anything a man could do might have been seen as a threat or an oddball. It would be another 30 years before Congress would pass the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote.

Yet Bates created a character that touches women today just as effectively as it did 120 years ago by asking the age old question, "Why can't a woman be given the chance to do the same work as a man?"

In a season dominated by iconic male figures, Goody Santa Claus reminds us not to settle for the status quo. With wit, cleverness, and determination, she made a place for herself in a traditionally 'male profession' and in the end proved her worth. Like her creator Katharine Lee Bates, "she was a woman of her times and for all times. "

A Few Suggestions In Avoiding Yeast Infection

2011-09-16T12:18:00.000-07:00

Yeast is a type of fungus that, upon coming to contact with your body and finding favorable conditions, grows quite easily. In fact yeast can grow anywhere on the body, even on the genitals. In such cases where the yeast infection has spread to the bloodstream, the disease becomes moderately fatal. So, it is very important that one try to avoid such a disease to prevent any possible complications. After all, it is said that prevention is better than the cure.
So, let's delve right into it. This article is going to show you a few tips in protecting yourself from a yeast infection.

Keeping yourself clean: Being clean is the biggest deterrent to a fungal infection, and yeast is no different. By showering and washing, you can reduce or eliminate the favorable conditions for the fungus to settle and grow in, thus nipping the evil right in the bud before it has a chance to grow. Following good hygiene habits can go a long way in reducing your infection chances.
Keeping your environment clean: It is imperative that you also keep your own environment clean along with your body. Fungi grow in moist and humid environment and to avoid giving them that comfortable atmosphere to come in, you should keep the area around yourself clean.
Having a good diet: This is important in keeping your immune system in a tip-top shape. A healthy and strong immune system can stop an infection right in it's tracks. In fact, the fatal infections of yeast we talked about earlier? They occur because of a suppressed immune system. So, having a healthy diet can not only reduce the chances and the actual drudgery of a yeast infection, but it might also save your life. So, load up on nutrient rich foods to give yourself a healthy and fighting immune system.
Staying away from the infectious environment: You can avoid a lot of hassle if you just stay away from the sort of environment, that has a high probability of giving you infection. Let's say, a swamp. But if you are an adventurous type and really must go there, then make sure your body is well covered to avoid possible contamination.

So, combine all these things into one and you have a great shot of avoiding this illness, or of lowering your risk, at least. Note that in case you do get ill, don't just rely on some home remedies or hope that it will get better on it's own. If that is the case, don't wait any longer and get yourself checked out by a doctor. As written before, server progression of a fungal infection can result in a fatality. Stay safe.

Learn How To Make The Vagina Tight - The Damaging Effects of Not Having a Tight Vagina

2011-08-16T12:20:00.001-07:00

As a woman gets older- and after childbearing- the vagina has a tendency to become loose. Needless to say, this has some very negative effects on a person, physically and emotionally.

As women, we have a strong need to feel good and confident about our bodies. When your vagina is no longer tight, you lose sensation during sex, your partner's experience isn't nearly as good, and getting/giving an orgasm can become difficult. This takes a major toll on you emotionally, and when you're not feeling good about yourself, that negative energy often times rubs off on your relationships and causes problems between you and your partner.

In addition, aging and growing older can be a major stress to many women. Not having a tight vagina and the resulting effects feed into those fears of aging. It's like a vicious cycle of frustration and dissatisfaction feeding into insecurity and fears of no longer being desirable.

But none of this has to happen! You can learn how to make the vagina tight just like it was before you had kids, and when you were in your youthful 20s. You just need the right information and exercises.

Need I list the massive amounts of benefits you'll receive when you make your vagina tight again? You'll feel more healthful and vigorous in the bedroom, your orgasms will drastically improve-- and they will come much easier, and your partner's sexual experience will be far more pleasurable. These positive effects create a new positive and healthy cycle that continually feeds into and propagates itself.

You see, when you're sex life is good for you and your partner, that feeling of mutual satisfaction brings more peace and harmony into your relationship; you'll both be less on edge and more likely to meet stressful situations from a more balanced place.

So, sex- while it isn't the only thing that makes a relationship good and stable- does have a major effect on you and your partner's well-being. When you sex life isn't good, that can either be a symptom of a problem or a cause of new problems.

Now, there's a serious of steps you can take to make the vagina tight and youthful. These exercises will actually make sex better for you than it ever has been in the past, and better for your partner! Kegel exercises are the most effective way to get those love muscles tightened up. In a nutshell, you contract your pelvic muscles - and you know you're doing it right when your vagina actually closes up a bit. Doing reps of these will quickly make the vagina tight and strong. There's a bit more involved but that's a start. Read my bio to learn more..

Self-Care: It's Good for Your Health

2011-08-16T12:20:00.000-07:00

Does this sound familiar: you make time to take care of everyone else but you "don't have time" to do something nice for yourself? Occasionally you might manage to eat a balanced meal or workout. Guess what: self-care is as important to your health as nutrition and exercise.

Since being healthy means functioning at your best in all areas of life, it's important to do things to improve mental, emotional, social and spiritual well-being in addition to physical wellness. One way to do this is to choose activities that help you manage stress and feel balanced. Practicing self-care accomplishes this and more. Consciously tending to your personal needs creates wholeness, the essence of health.

Being healthy means more than flat abs and normal cholesterol levels. It also includes healthy thoughts, uplifting emotions, and a supportive life philosophy. Nourishing social circumstances-like reliable friends, a loving family, economic stability, and meaningful activities-also play a key role in living an optimally healthy life.

True self-care by definition fosters optimal health. Tending to your personal needs promotes wholeness by giving your mind, body, and spirit what they need or yearn. That's self-care.

Acts of self-care can lead to improved health by 1) doing things that promote health or 2) avoiding things that harm health. For example, eliminating risky activities like distracted driving or tobacco use can boost health and longevity. Similarly, adding healthy activities like meditation or exercise can also improve health and well-being. Both types of choices are self-care.

Self-care also boosts wellness by helping to manage stress. Some experts estimate that stress precipitates up to 85% of health issues. That's not surprising if you consider that many types of stress exist.

Most people talk about distress-the unfavorable or negative interpretation of a real or perceived event. Perhaps that's because distress usually leads to periods of intense emotions like anger or fear. Positive situations, however, can also create stress. This is called eustress. It occurs in situations that inspire or motivate people into action. Falling in love or starting a new business might fall into this category. Both types of stress create demands that require your body to adapt.

Certain acts of self-care can help your body and mind adapt to stressors in a healthy manner. For example, relaxation techniques like diaphragmatic breathing, yoga, or music therapy help calm the nervous system. Mind-Body medicine experts believe this occurs by causing the body to release relaxation hormones.

Positive coping strategies, also acts of self-care, help alleviate stress by creating a healthy perception about potentially stressful situations. For example, reframing your perspective about an experience can help you view it as an opportunity rather than a threat. Another coping method, journal writing, can transform feelings of overwhelm and confusion into peace and clarity.

Self-care also decreases stress when it's used to create greater personal balance. Choosing to do more of what nourishes you and less of what depletes you creates a sense of balance, confidence, and competence. Doing this for yourself is practicing self-care.

Self-care can fit into any schedule. Even if you don't have the time or financial resources to spend a month alone on a private island, you can still take a few moments to connect with who you really are. Close your eyes and take a deep, conscious breath once an hour. Put on your favorite music and dance like no one is watching. Look in the mirror and complement yourself. Honor yourself every day. You deserve it!

Self-Care and Balanced Living for Beginners: It Is Possible!

2011-08-16T12:19:00.000-07:00

Does any of this sound familiar? You feel tired, overextended and out of balance. You want to feel healthier and more peaceful but aren't sure what to do, where to start, or how to add one more thing to your schedule. Maybe you've been taking care of everyone else and you're ready to put yourself on your "To Do" list. On top of it all, you feel a little drained, so any new activity has to be really easy.
If you've been too busy to commiserate with your girlfriends lately, let me tell you: you're not alone. In spite of all the time-saving gadgets we have, most people are busier than ever. With so many things calling for their attention some people don't even think it's possible to have a balanced life. They just think they have to become better jugglers.
Not true! Having a balanced life is possible. You have to address the right things, however, in order to achieve it. Just like getting weeds out of your garden, you have to get to the root of what's pulling you out of balance.
Though there may be common themes from person to person every life is unique. One size doesn't fit all when it comes to creating a balanced life. You have to take inventory of your life and give yourself whatever is missing from your equation. Identifying what you need and making sure you get it is self-care.
Self-care takes many forms. It could look like better time management, a day at the spa, going to bed a little earlier, or even setting boundaries with a pushy neighbor. It depends on what you need.
Your needs might change over time. One week you could feel calm and in control and the next you might feel like you're running on a treadmill set way too fast. That's the tricky part about creating balance. It's a practice, not a destination. Just like balancing on one foot, you might get steady and comfortable for a while but you'll probably waver and need to readjust at some point.
This is especially true if something in your environment changes. Imagine if the wind starts to blow or the lights go out while you're balancing on one foot. You'd probably have to readjust to keep balanced. Creating a balanced life is the same. That's why paying attention to your self-care needs and making them a priority is so important. You can't control what life throws at you but you can determine how you'll respond.
If you've been neglecting your needs for a while, or feel too tired to think about anything new, you might need a little assistance to figure out what they are. Reading good self-care articles or attending a webinar might be a nice place to start. A good webinar has the added benefit of coming to you in the comfort of your own home or office. No travel required. It's easy and convenient.