A Whiff of What's in Store for Him

Sniff Sniff...

* Best remembered
"Whether she remembers depends on you" is the promise of Paco Rabanne pour home. With its Mediterranean head notes contrasted against a woody floral scent, it will definitely give her some fond memories.

* Size matters
Good things come in small packages.
Case in point: Hugo, in limited-edition mini bottles. It's all about being a leader rather than a follower, emphasising the personality of the fragrance itself. Sure to go down a storm with the fellas!

* Mountain dew
To celebrate 50 years since man's conquer of the world's highest peak, Creed scents introduces Himalaya, a fresh, woody and spicy fragrance. Featured in singer Ashanti's music video Rain On Me, it's fast becoming a favourite amongst celebrity circles.

* Pocket pack
For the man who's always on te go, there is Lolita Lempicka au Masculin Pocket Spray. Like a lighter, it fits perfectly into his pocker and is refillable, too! The scent is a perfect blend of elegance, vivacity, roughness and mustery to arouse emotions and evoke passion.

* Assuredly masculine
Lanvin Vetyver is a scent that captures both the modern day and classic elegance of a man, subtly mirroring its wearer's masculinity whilst exuding an assured and relaxed personality.

Cold or a Flu

With reports like that of the Fujian flu virus sweeping across Europe and the US, parents today need to be more alert. Although the terms "cold" and "flu" are sometimes used interchangeably, it's vital that we understand the difference.

SYMPTOMS	COLD	FLU
Fever	Rare	Characteristic, high (102-104F); lasts 3-4 days
Headache	Rare	Prominent
General aches, pains	Slight	Common, often severe
Fatigue, weakness	Quite mild	Can last 2-3 weeks
Extreme exhaustion	Never	Early and prominent
Stuffy nose	Common	Sometimes
Sneezing	Common	Sometimes
Chest discomfort, cough	Mild to moderate hacking cough	Common, can become severe
Complications	Sinus congestion or earache	Bronchitis, pneumonia; can be life-threatening

From The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, USA

Did You Know?

* Like the common cold, the flu or influenza is caused by a virus. Thus antibiotics don't work against it.

* There are many antiviral medications that can be used to treat the flu and may help your child to get better a few days faster. But in general, they're only effective if started within one or two days of the onset of your child's symptoms.

* Although symptoms are usually mild to moderate in most people, they can be more severe in the elderly or very young children, even causing deaths each year (mostly in the elderly).

* You can get the flu if you're around someone with the flu and he coughs or sneezes, and the germs enter your body through your mouth or nose. You can also get it if you touch something, such as a doorknob or faucet, that has been touched and contaminated by someone with the flu, and then touch your own mouth or nose.

* Washing your hands with any kind of soap gets rid of germs, as the soap and water washes them off your hands, even if it isn't killing them.

* When sneezing or coughing, covering your nose and mouth with your elbow instead of your hand can help prevent spreading the flu to others -- as can washing your hands after blowing your nose.

10 Ways to Keep Love Blooming Over Time

Relationships are dynamic… Couples who expect their passion to last forever, or their intimacy to remain unchallenged, are in for a disappointed

The trick is to build a more deeply-rooted love in the face of a host of obstacles. Here are 10 ways to keep love blooming over time:

1) Don’t expect perfection
Expecting perfection is one of the surest ways to doom a love relationship. When we’re caught in the throes of passionate, head-over-heels love, we tend to idealize our loved one. But when that love begins to transform itself into a more stable form, we can suddenly become aware of the many shortcomings in our partner that we had overlooked before.

2) Be flexible
The fine art of compromise is an important part of keeping love alive. People who mistake rigidity (and an insistence on always being right) for strength are usually not people who are well-loved.

3) Don’t substitute love for personal identity
The strongest, most durable relationships are usually those in which two individuals retain and foster their own individuality. Don’t try to engulf your lover; if you let your own identity become subsumed by your relationship, chances are the relationship will be diminished.

4) Pursue personal interests
The love you share with your partner may be a great source of strength, stability and support, but if you allow your personal life to fade away, you lose an important source of vitality and an opportunity to fulfill needs that may not be met in your love relationship.

5) Remember romance
When it comes to romance, it’s usually the little things that count most – calling to say “I Love You”, bringing flowers home unexpectedly, tucking a handwritten love letter in a partner’s suitcase before a business trip.

6) Be sensitive to your partner’s feelings
This is not an admonition for you to become a serious mind reader. Pay attention to what your lover is saying, either in words or in non-verbal communication. Don’t belittle your partner’s feelings just because they’re not the same ones you have or because you don’t understand them.

7) Don’t let anger undermine your interaction
Although it’s possible to prevent some misunderstandings from escalating into anger if you’re able to talk about your feelings openly in a non-accusatory manner, it isn’t always possible to keep anger out of your life. When it occurs, bring it out in the open and search for ways to diffuse it.

Learning to say “I’m sorry” is one of the simplest ways. You can also restore equilibrium to a situation in other ways, without having to give in to your partner unilaterally. When anger distorts the feelings of both of you, you can agree to table the issue until a time when you’re able to discuss it more rationally. (Letting a little time pass is one of the simplest ways of defusing anger.) Or you can turn to others – good friends, professional counselors – for help.

8) Be a considerate sex partner
Most people seem to think good sex is a matter of performance. Actually, good sex is more often a matter of being attuned to your partner’s feelings and preferences. Often, it is as much related to knowing exactly what to do.

Here are three examples of sensitivity to your partner’s sexual needs:
* If your partner is fighting a cold or has had a bad day at the office, this is not a good time to try out your sensual massage oil and the new technique you’ve just read about for improving your orgasmic potential.
* If you are really feeling sexually tense and your partner agrees to a “quickie” to help you out, don’t try to make it into a marathon lovemaking session. That your partner may not need sex in the same way as you at this time is not the sign of a problem.
* Be careful about saying no to sex too often; you run the risk of triggering a sense of rejection that is preventable if you simple make yourself available, even when sex is not top priority on your list for the day.

9) Don’t take your partner for granted
Complacency is one of the deadliest enemies of love. Not paying attention to your partner is certainly one way of taking him for granted, but other subtle forms also exist. Condescension is one of the most insidious attitudes that can undermine love. Neglect – as in forgetting to call your partner when you promised to or showing up an hour and a half late for a dinner date, or generally being unreliable – is also a sign that there is trouble in paradise.

10) Maintaining love doesn’t happen automatically
Many people are astounded to discover that love doesn’t sustain itself effortlessly. In order to make love work, you have to work at loving. This requires time and energy. Unless you give of yourself in love, you’re unlikely to get much in return.

Love – A Work in Progress
Although why we fall in love with each other is often a puzzle, what we can be sure of is that the first of passionate, romantic love don’t burn forever. Over time, passionate love usually evolves into a different, more stable and mature form of relating. This second stage of a love relationship is often called “compassionate” love – which, unfortunately, can sound about as rewarding as an old pair of shoes!

In truth, a new, more deeply-rooted love frequently emerges; one in which passion is replaced by mutuality, enhanced intimacy and a broader repertoire of problems, job issues and other issues - can slowly work to erode a couple's relationship, both sexual and otherwise, unless partners take care to prevent it.

Affair-Proof Your Marriage

Bathe Him
Which man doesn’t like to be pampered? Massage him as you soap him up – you’ll bond in the shower.

Fun Times
Marriage, children, money and chores leave little time for fun. When your husband thinks of you, you want him to think not responsibility and burden, but fun. Make time for and plan fun activities. Try a thrilling new sport together. Go somewhere he’s always wanted to go. Avoid ruts and routine.

Think Praise and Pleasure
Do you complain frequently? Do you and your husband often quarrel? If your answer’s yes, thoughts of you might be associated with pain, not pleasure. For every time you criticize your husband, there should be four instances where you compliment and encourage him. If you make him feel bad about himself, he’ll seek happiness elsewhere. Make him associate you with pleasure. It can be emotional, physical or spiritual pleasure, like praying together or saving the Earth.

Adventure Together
Bad times can be better weathered when you know something wonderful is going to happen. Plan a trip you’ve dreamed about. Collect brochures, start saving.

Listen!
Does he wish you would paint your nails, or stop cleaning so much? Those tiny complaints can mean a lot. Draw him out. Find out what he wants or needs.

Deeper Purpose
Find a mission. Do you want to raise children, help a charity or save the Earth? Get involved in projects that will make your marriage more meaningful.

Doll Up
Face it. How you look does matter. Don’t let yourself go after you’ve nabbed your man.

Also read: Win Him Back From The Other Woman

Win Him Back From The Other Woman

Your man’s been fooling around, but you still want him back. What can you do?

70% of couples stay married despite an affair.
80% of affairs are started by men.

It’s not just him, it’s you too. When your man strays, it’s a symptom of a deeper problem in your marriage and you’re responsible too, says Dr. Emily Brown, marriage Centre in the United States.

Think about what went wrong. “An affair happened because somehow you weren’t taking care of business as a couple. Ask yourself where you got off track with each other,” she advises.

Consumed with rage or reeling from shock, most women don’t realize it’s not just him who needs to change.

Sure-win Tactics
* Be patient – Believe it or not, a good way to win him back is to be tolerant. Show you still care through little acts like preparing his favourite food. Even if he doesn’t feel guilty, it’ll make him remember why you got together in the first place.
* Quit obsessing about the affair – Why did he do that? He’s answered the question 50 times and you’re still asking it. You’re using the obsessive questioning to stay away from your own pain.
* Let him know how much it hurts – Talk about what the pain feels like inside, like ‘I feel my gut is torn up. I’m scared to trust.’ He’s got to listen to that. What if he doesn’t want to listen? Then ask yourself if you really want him back.
* Focus on yourself – Men are strange – the more you seem in control, the more desirable you are to him. Says Dr Brown: “The betrayed spouse may be so distraught that she’ll do anything to keep him and he may find that very unattractive. If she gets real and takes better care of herself, insists on being treated decently, that may make him take notice.”

The biggest fights are over:
1. Money
2. Bad habits
3. Parenting styles
4. Intimacy problems

Road To Recovery
From the minute they discover the affair, most women go from shock to anger and then to obsessive anger (“I want to know all the details” phase).

And not many move on. A lot people get stuck in the obsessive anger stage. Things just get uglier and uglier and then they do the same thing all over again in the next relationship. You need to calm down, understand your emotions and talk about the pain. This is where professional advice can help.

The affair wouldn’t have occurred if they knew how to prevent it. Since they didn’t know how to prevent it, they are not going to know how to heal from it without some help. Best friends are not a good idea because they’ll take sides, she recommends.

If you’re able to move beyond your obsessive anger, then there’s a real chance of your marriage surviving. That’s a real turning point when they can start talking to each other about the affair.

But there’s no quick fix to a broken marriage. For the marriage to work, both must put in hard work to rebuild the foundation. This means getting underneath the surface to fix the real bugs in your relationship. The real affair’s not the issue. It’s a symptom. And it’s going to take time. Post affair, most marriages take one to two years to get back on track.

Also read: Affair-Proof Your Marriage

Don’t Worry – Dealing With Anxiety

You can worry too much. And there is a way to stop doing it. Read on and discover how you can turn that frown upside down

* Most of us are experts at worrying – anything from global warming to whether the kids are eating properly. But while worrying may seem like a natural response to uncertainty, for some it is a debilitating and chronic mental disorder known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), or the worry illness.

According to the most recent report from the 1999 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, over 3 per cent of the adult population had been diagnosed with GAD, and researches estimate that between 3 and 10 per cent of us will be afflicted in out lifetime.

However, not all worrying is considered a problem. “Normal worrying is thinking about a problem when it arises,” says Dr Lisa Lampe, a leading Australian researcher of anxiety disorders and author of Take Control of Your Worry: Managing Generalized Anxiety Disorder. “You worry but it doesn’t actually take over your life.”

On the flipside, people with GAD experience excessive and inappropriate worry. Dr Lampe says some of her patients spend 60 to 80 per cent of their waking hours in a worries state. Most will also experience unpleasant physical symptoms such as fatigue and insomnia. Why? It seems worry triggers our “fight or flight” instinct, a survival mechanism that helps us cope with stressful or threatening situations through the increased production of the hormones adrenaline and cortisol. But excessive worry sends the body false “fight or flight” alarms, and if the resulting hormones remain at high levels in your body, you are unable to relax.

Worry affects everyone, with women slightly more likely to suffer excessive worry than men. However, researchers believe GAD may be genetic – many suffers say they’ve been prone to worry since childhood or have a parent with the same propensity.

“Interestingly, people tend to know when they worry too much, “says Fr Lampe. “They come to be because they’re always worried about the future and can’t enjoy the present.”

This is because many excessive worries tend to assume the worst-case scenarios, and will go so far as to avoid situations that trigger particular anxieties. For instance, someone afraid of saying the wrong thing may avoid social events. Others can be overly concerned about catastrophes: “What if the disaster on the news happens to me or my family?”

Even minor events can set worriers off on a chain of what Dr Lampe calls the “What-ifs”. A concern about money may lead them to think, “If I don’t pay that bill I’ll be made bankrupt and my children will go hungry.”

We all think the worst sometimes, but perhaps we’d be a lot happier if we took deep breaths every now and again and concentrated on the brighter side of life.

WARNING SIGNS
1. Do you spend too much of your time worrying?
2. Do you think of yourself as a worrier?
3. Do you feel you can’t control your worry?
4. Do you feel your worry is out of proportion with your problems?
5. Does your worrying bother you or stop you from enjoying your life?
6. Does your worry leave you constantly drained or affect your sleep?

Treating Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
“The good news,” says Dr Lampe, “is that GAD is treatable.” But a 1999 Australian survey found almost two-thirds of people diagnosed weren’t being adequately treated. And many have become dependent on alcohol and tranquillisers, which only compounds their problems.

Professional treatment is a much better alternative. Talk therapy is usually the first course of action, with anti-depressants being prescribed for some. But don’t expect to be lying on a couch and delving into the past. Most doctors advocate cognitive behavious therapy, an approach that teaches people anxiety management techniques (meditation, exercise, etc) to help change through patterns and break their worry habit.

By Marigie Borschke

Freezing Food's Rules

Follow basic storage rules, organize a little and the freezer can be your best friend

* The Humble Freezer is one of the world’s great inventions. A place to keep the marked-down meat you bought but don’t need just yet, and to store pre-made meals so you can take a night off from the kitchen now and then.

A freezer operates most efficiently when full (though not overloaded). Ideally, it should have a temperature of -18 C. If your freezer is a compartment within the fridge, however, the temperature will be higher and food won’t keep as long. Check the inside of your freezer for storage recommendations, since freezing times can also vary between models.

Label food with the contents and date, and keep a list of what’s in the freezer so you know what needs to be eaten up at a glance.

Storage Tips

1. When shopping, leave the frozen-food aisle until last, then transport the food to your freezer at home as soon as possible. Leave food in its original packaging unless you are freezing smaller portions.

2. The advantage of freezing in small amounts is that food freezes quickly, so the ice crystals that form in it will be smaller (and the food will maintain a better texture when thawed). Also, small containers don’t leave much space around the food so there will be less crystallization. Plus, there’s no need to defrost more food than necessary.

3. Wrap individual portions of fresh food, such as meat, tightly in plastic wrap and make sure there are no air pockets. Place in a freezer bag and label.

4. When freezing casseroles, stews or other such meals, try to make sure the meat is covered in the sauce to prevent it drying out.

5. Never refreeze partially or completely defrosted food, as dangerous levels of bacteria may develop.

	Ice-cream Sausages Seafood Muffins, rolls and bread Pre-made vegetable and meat soups Minced meat Casseroles and stews
	Pork Butter and margarine Cakes (other than fruit cake) Firm cheeses, such as cheddar
	Beef Chicken Lamb Vegetables Fruit Hard cheeses, such as parmesan

By Chrissy Freer

Arms Race - Toned Arms

This season’s sexy halter styles demand toned arms. Here’s our guide to getting yours in dare-to-bare condition

Blame it on Jennifer Garner, Hollywood actress of Alias fame. These days, women won’t put up with getting dingly-dangly “auntie arms”. No way! We want arms that are toned to perfection. Plus we want a firm back, as it helps create a slimmer, more elegant posture, in or out of clothes.

With this guide, you can get both, as these simple yet effective exercises can even be done at home.

* Tricep Dips - Jennifer Garner’s trainer claims this is the secret to the Alias star’s arms. To begin, sit on a chair with hands on front of the seat and fingers over the edge. Move your bottom forward, off the chair, supporting your weight on your hands. With your back straight, lower your body, bending your arms to a 90-degree angle. Before your bottom touches the floor, push your body back up and straighten arms. Do three sets of 15 to 20 reps.

* Lateral Raise – Do this for beautifully sculpted shoulders. Holding a dumbbell or free weifhts in each hand (you can also use two large cants), stand with your feet hip-width apart. Hold weights with your arms at your sides (your inner arms should be next to your body). Lift arms out to shoulder level and slowly back down. Do three sets of 15 to 20 reps.

* Bicep Curls and Tricep Curls – Start using 2 kg or 2.5 kg weights and try for four to six sets of 12 to 15 reps. To do bicep curls, stand with your feet hip-width apart holding the weights by your sides. Keep elbows close to you sides all the time. Now lift, bending your elbows, and bring weights to just below shoulder height. Slowly lower weights back down and repeat. For tricep curls, bend over from your waist and raise your elbow behind you, straightening your arm. Keep elbow close to your body. This exercise is best if you do it one arm at a time. Do three sets of 15 to 20 reps on each side.

* Reverse Flys – Hold weights with palms facing each other in front of your body. Slowly lift arms out to the side, squeezing shoulder blades together. Release and bring weights back to original position. Do three sets of 15 to 20 reps.

* Seated Row – Sit on the floor with legs straight. Raise arms to shoulder height with weights in hand. Bend elbows and squeeze your back as you bring your elbows towards your stomach. Keep your elbows close to your sides. Do three sets of 15 to 20 reps.

Arm Yourself with the Facts
- There are no short cuts to firmer arms. Even liposuction can’t help. French cosmetic surgeon, Dr Jean Louis Sebagh, says, “The skin is too thin in that area. You have to improve the muscles as they hold the skin up. If you’re lazy, no one can help.”
- It takes up to three months for your body to show results from exercise.
- Besides weighlifting for toning, do cardiovascular exercises to burn calories and fat, so you can see the sleek muscles.
- Eat small, balanced meals throughout the day to keep you metabolism going.

Kiss Stress Goodbye

Get your energy levels soaring with these super tips!

You’re so stressed, you’ve been snapping at everyone. Some days, you find yourself gritting your teeth in anger all day or wanting to scream your head off in frustration! Other days, you’re so exhausted, you feel like you can’t take another step. If your face now wears a perpetual frown and worry lines your forehead, it’s time for some serious stress-busting.

1) Be Assertive
Don’t let others walk all over you. Be honest about what you think and feel. So next time your boss asks you to run errands during lunch, tell her you won’t be able to do your job well unless you have a nutritious lunch and a breath from work.

2) Icy Pleasures
Is the heat making you sluggish? Bring temperatures down by rubbing cubes of green tea all over your body. The feel of cold liquid, trickling down your back will instantly spring you back to life. Green tea’s antioxidants are good for the skin. To double the fun, do it with your hubby!

3) Go on a Natural Hike
Slather on some sunscreen lotion, put on your boots and get yourself down to the nearest hill, nature trail, or forest. Just feeling the delicious warmth of the sun on your skin and being amidst natural will instantly calm frazzled nerves.

4) Buy Yourself Flowers
So, who says you have to wait for a man to get you some blooming beauties? You can get some flowers for your desk at work – even a single red rose in a bud vase does miracles for your mood!

5) Get into the Groove
Melt stress away trough dancing – this super-charged activity is so much fun, you won’t even feel like you’re exercising! Latin dances like the tango and salsa go a step further by getting you in touch with your deepest emotions, so you’ll find yourself swaying to the sensual rhythms like you never knew you could.

6) Strut Your Stuff
Do you know why models always get noticed? Because of their walk! So, stand up straight, pull your shoulders back and stride confidently out of your home. Imagine yourself as having the perfect body and don’t let any negative thought stray into your head. Flash your dazzling smile at all the people you normally deal with and everyone will be buzzing about you.

7) Take a Day Off!
Sure you’re good, but your office won’t tall apart in your absence. So, plan a day just for yourself: Start with a game of tennis, then go for a massage cum pedicure. Call up an old girlfriend you haven’t seen in ages and make a lunch date with her. Get that book you’ve been meaning to. Catch the latest movie – it’s easier to get tickets while everyone is at work – then make all your colleagues green by telling them how awesome the movie was when you get back to work!

8) Cross-train
If you’re treadmill junkie or a stationary bike die-hard, it may be time to shake up your workout. Fitness experts say that you burn more calories and tone different parts of your body if you actually cross-train. SO, what that means for the gymaholic is that you would see more results if you spent 10 minutes on the bike, 20 on the treadmill and 15 on the elliptical stepper. For those of you who prefer running in the park, alternate your workout with a swim or a game of tennis or squash.

9) Anytime Tension-reliever
a – Standing tall, lift your head up and back so that you stretch your neck. Slowly turn it to the right and then to the left. Dip your head and return to looking straight ahead.
b – Slowly rotate your head in a clockwise and then anti-clockwise direction.
c – Take your shoulders back as far as they will go. Lift your left shoulder and relax it down again. Now swap and lift and relax your right shoulder.
d – Swing your right arm slowly in a full circular movement to free the shoulder. Swing your left arm in the same way.
e – Raise and relax both shoulders. Repeat ten times.
f – Put your right hand over your right shoulder and touch your left shoulder blade. Repeat with your left hand to your right shoulder.

10) Express Yourself
Pent-up emotions are a hotbed for stress. So, at the end of the day, when you’re alone in your car or home, let it all out: Scream at the top of your lungs. Hit pillows. Wave your arms around. Cry. When you experience an emotion and don’t want to let it out at the exact moment that you’re feeling it, give yourself the gift of expressing it later on. It clears your mind and body of emotional residue and will release the tension that accumulates from trying to hold it in.

Facts – 5 Food Myths Most Women Succumb To

Pulpy Fruits Are Fattening
It’s often thought that fruits like banana, chickoo and mango are high in calories and so, should be avoided. In reality, the calorific value for a banana is higher than that of a citrus fruit like orange only because of the difference in moisture content, but a banana is more nutrient dense than an orange. Even if you consume three to four pulpy fruits a day, you will not gain weight. Remember that they should be eaten as mid meals and not with or immediately after a main meal. This is because when fruits are eaten with cooked foods they tend to ferment in your stomach and do not get digested. Eat a cooked meal, half-an-hour after eating fruits and eat fruits 2 ½ hrs after a coked meal.

Nuts and Dry Fruits Should Not Be Eaten Regularly
A daily intake of a handful of nuts and dry fruits is a must. Even though nuts are high in calories and have a considerable fat content, they contain the so-called ‘good fatty acids’. Which are required for optimum health. It takes two cups of groundnuts to get a tsp of oil, but most of us would skip the nuts and feel comfortable consume two or three tsp of cooking oil daily. The best combination would be a mixture of almonds, walnuts, raisins, figs and apricot.

Drinking Hot water Helps You Lose Weight
Drinking hot water mixed with lime and honey, first thing in the morning helps you lose weight, right? Wrong! The only benefit this could have is to improve you bowel movements and thereby clear your system. The temperature of the water does not affect the fat content in the body and you can get rid of your fat deposits only by burning calories during a workout.

Skip a Meal to Compensate For a Meal Eaten Out
When there is a long fasting period between any two meals your metabolic rate slows down and your body burns fewer calories. So, instead of skipping a meal, eat less to make up for a binge. Always eat small, frequent, low cal meals to keep your metabolic rate high and use up the extra calories consumed.

A Multivitamin a Day Keeps All Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies Away
False! A multivitamin should not be used as a shortcut to avoid eating fruits and raw vegetables (in salads). If you do not suffer from any symptomatic disease and if your micronutrient requirement does not exceed that of healthy individuals then natural foods are the best sources of vitamins and minerals. A multivitamin does not contain the fibre and phytochemicals present in these living foods.

9 Secret About Your Man – He May not Know Himself!

Wondering why your hubby can’t let go of the remote control? Researches have surprisingly answers..

Researches have discovered subtle differences between men and women, caused by evolution needs.

“We sometimes expects men to act like us, then feel angry when they don’t,” says marriage counselor Joy Lundberg. “But once you understand why men do things, your man will seem less mystifying.” Here are nine secrets about him to help you get along better:

1) Men like talking side-by-side, not face-to-face
That’s why he often looks at something else when you’re looking right at him, Lundberg explains. “Women like to look at people they’re talking to, but it makes men nervous.” So to chat with your man, talk when you’re on a walk or in the car, advises brain and personality expert, Dr. Pierce J Howard.

2) His thumb is 20 times stronger
That’s because men spent thousands of years wielding weapons. So, now you know why your husband is so skilled at using – and hogging – the remote control!

3) Men speak about 12,000 words a day, women speak 25,000
The part of the brain that connects the right hemisphere (controls feeling) with the left (controls language) is 40 percent smaller in men. It’s like dial-up versus broadband internet.

4) Men take longer to get the words out
Because of the smaller “highway” between their right and left brains, it can take men 40 percent longer to formulate their thoughts. So, Lundberg suggests that you let your husband finish speaking first. “That way, he’ll become much more talkative!” she says.

5) Men are warmer
Sure, he is being chivalrous when he offers you his jacket when you’re cold. But, he may not be making that big a sacrifice. Men burn calories faster and feel warmer. So that’s why he turns the air-con up while you huddle under the duvet!

6) Men have trouble saying “I’m sorry”
Studies show that this is due to higher testosterone levels and cultural conditioning, says Dr Howard. But a new study says a man who’s sorry about something will avoid your eyes – a sign he knows he was wrong. So, your hubby may be apologizing in his own way, Lundberg points out.

7) Men move on quickly
Men are quicker to rebound from emotional upsets. As Dr Howard says, “Males must quickly forget scary encounters with bears so they can go out to hunt dinner. But a female protecting young needs a long memory about the bears.”

8) Men have a one-track mind
Unlike women, whose dual-brained approach makes us suited to the multi-tasking that’s an essential part of caring for kids, men are mentally geared to focus on just one task at a time.

9) He needs his space!
Men need more elbow room than women do for emotional comfort. So, when your husband sits in the chair across the room, not on the sofa with you. He’s not being unfriendly. It’s just natural!

Easy Ways To Save Your Smile

Effective healthy mouth tips that’ll have you grinning from ear to ear!

A beautiful smile is a great asset. That’s why it’s crucial to take care of your pearly whites now – or you may not have them later! Use these strategies to keep your mouth clean, fresh and in the pink.

1) Say Ahhhh
Check your mouth every few months. Some changes in the mouth indicate oral diseases and, in rare cases, cancer. So, watch out for a persistent sore, red or white patches, a lump in the mouth or jawbone, difficulties moving your tongue or swallowing, and numbness in the mouth or lips.

All you need are a good torch (which someone can hold for you), a wall mirror and a dental mirror available at pharmacies. Start with the outer and inner lips, then the top, sides and bottom of the tongue. Pull out your cheeks and examine both sides. If there’s something that doesn’t go away after 10 days, see your dentist.

2) Banish Bad Breath
Bad breath occurs when bacteria around the teeth, on the tongue, and in the gastrointestinal system produce a range of pungent chemicals – from a mild malodour which results from not brushing properly the night before, to full-blown halitosis which can become a social handicap. To check if your breath is up to scratch, use a cotton ball to swipe the back of your tongue. It if smells bad, it’s time to take action.

Proper brushing and tongue cleaning with a scraper or brush are vital for good oral hygiene. Oral rinses help only when brushing is done properly.

3) Soothe Ulcers
Oral ulcers usually develop after you’ve accidentally bitten into your lip or inner cheek and heal within a week. Apthous ulcers or canker sores caused by stress, viruses, diet or hormonal changes take up to two weeks. But if an ulcer persists for over a month, is solitary, 1 cm or larger, and has hard, rolled up margins, see a dental surgeon or doctor.

4) Brush Right
Brushing properly twice a day is better than doing it poorly four or five times a day. Place a soft-bristled toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the teeth and gums. Gently move the brush back and forth several times using circular strokes. Start from the outside surfaces of your teeth, from the front to the back. Proceed to the inside and then the biting surfaces. Brushing should take about three minutes.

5) Remember The F Word
Flossing removes food debris lodged in the small gaps between teeth that brushing can’t reach. Floss at least once a day after your last meal. If food stays lodged in the gums, bacteria will feed off it and you’ll have decaying teeth and potential jawbone loss. Experts believe bacteria from gum infections enter the bloodstream and cause white blood cells (which fight infections) to create a build-up of fatty deposits and clots in the arteries.

Turn Your Child’s Bath Time into Fun Time

Splash Time!

Not all kids like bathing. Sometimes, you have to literally drag your little one, or pick him like a gunny bag and transport him to the bathroom. So bathing time for kids can mean weight lifting exercises for some mummies out there! Still, read these tips and use them to make bath time a great experience – every time. Collect your child’s bathing paraphernalia – favorite soap, fruity shampoo, colorful towel – and get set to go splashy.

It goes (almost) without saying that you should never leave your child unsupervised around water.

Measure It Out
Measuring cups are fun for pouring and filling in the bathroom. Bring your extra set into the bathroom – they can be great happy learning tools for your child. Kids can stack and pour to their heart’s content and ever learn to wet their own hair. This will also help your kid overcome her fear of water. And use the opportunity to teach your kid about measures.

Sing Out Loud
There are no critics in the bathroom. So sing to your hearts’ content. Bath time favourites include ‘Rubber ducky’, splash splash-splish splash’ or the all-time favourite ‘This little piggy’ while you wash your child’s toes.

Go Fish
If you have plastic fish toys, put them in the water and give your child a big measuring cup so that he can use it to capture his fish. Watch how fast your child can catch a fish. If you have many fish of different colors, play fish store and request your special fish and watch him chase it around the bucket or tub. Sure fun!

Dolly Bath
Is your little girl always wanting to give her dolls a bath? She can too! From her repertoire of dollies, choose one that will not suffer for being washed. Show her how to shampoo and rinse the doll’s hair – and here’s the trick, wash hers while she works on her dolly. No more shrieks and tears.

Get Spongy
Cut animal shapes from new sponge in the shape or alligators, seahorses, and fish – all the popular water critters you can thing of – then fabric paint them. Once these are dried, put them in your kid’s bath and allow her to play with them. You can also make shoebox aquarium and populate it with the sponge animals and fish!

Soap Story
Soap can actually raise the bathing fun quotient. The special soaps now available in the market are great on kid’s skin, usually glycerin-based, and come with family scents like strawberry and orange.

Look Before You Bathe
Keep some safety tips in mind before your child’s splash time:
* Use a good quality bath mat to help prevent slips and falls.
* Run the water first, test it to make sure it’s not too hot or cold and then allow your little one to splash about.
* Never allow your child to run the hot tap.
* Be sure the bottom of the tub or bucket is clean and free of old soap residue.
* Place bathing materials within reach so you don’t have to leave your child unattended.

Smart Money - Million Dollar Baby

You may not believe this, but being a millionaire is easier than you think. Investing smartly and having the discipline not to raid your piggy bank could help you turn this dream into reality.

Invest a penny a day and you are sure to make a million after few decades. But are you ready for such a long wait? Gear up to go from rags to riches and erect your financial fortress. So, enhance your earning, cut back on your expenses and perk up your cash flow!

“If you want to become a millionaire faster, invest more money or find ways to make your money grow at higher rates of return,” says a chartered accountant.

There are other tips to help you become a million-dollar babe:
* Reduce your expenditure, save more and then invest!
* Decide the amount you will need at retirement and calculate how much you need to invest monthly now to get there. Deciding how to allocate your investment goals and on your appetite to take risk. The higher the risk, the greater the returns. On the one hand, taking too much risk may make you a millionaire, on the other hand, it may wipe out all your savings. So you have to be very careful about investing.
* Minimize the risk by diversifying the portfolio. Spread your money across many different kinds of investments, such as stocks, bonds, and short-term investments.
* Diversified portfolios tend to provide less volatile returns over the long term and can help minimize downside risk. So, never invest your hand earned money into one sector. Remember, diversification is the key.


* Mutual funds can give you the advantage of the funds’ diversified portfolios and professional management. However, investing in just one mutual fund may not be enough. You may want to combine several different funds that complement each other. Balanced or growth-and-income mutual funds should be considered. Such funds typically consist of dividend-paying stocks and high-quality bonds.
* In addition to balancing your overall portfolio, it is very important to diversify within each investment asset class. In the case of fixed income, bond funds or money market funds, for short term needs, invest in multiple individual securities that can provide asset class diversification.

By diversifying within an asset class, you can mitigate your risk and in this case you are less likely to be affected by the performance of any single investment.

The Right Plunge
Add those extra zeros pay cheque by venturing out and scrutinizing the market’s potential. Keep track of market movements and shift to other securities of a sector which is performing well or better at that moment. So, has the time for you to take a financial risk come?
- Once you know the business inside out, no one can over take you for a side.
- Before taking any decision to move out of the existing set-up to do something new, ask yourself what the earning potential of this new opportunity is, what the risks involved are and how long it will take to reach that level. Make a complete evaluation of all existing opportunities and check whether there is a long term potential in the opportunity or not.
- Scrutinize the market and check what sells.

Braveheart
In any short of moneymaker effort, whether it is starting a business or buying shares, there is a firm relationship between risk and reward. Most would-be millionaires take substantial risks in their pursuit of wealth – and the risks pay off. But, if you are a little reluctant about taking too much risk, invest in provident funds, pension funds and national saving certificates. These will give you returns as well as manage the risk factor.
- No pain. No gain. Successful people in this world have taken a risk at some point in their career; it’s essential. However, the risk does not always have to be a ‘do or die’ scenario. What you have to remember is you win some, you lose some.
- Make it a point to scrutinize the market before taking the plunge.
- Take good risks when you are sure of quality and when you have already experimented in a small way.

Surf Well
Grab every opportunity to position yourself as an expert and establish your credibility by considering others’ expertise. Learn to put up with competition in the market.
- Never miss an opportunity to invest, however small it may seem – you never know what can grow.
- Look at opportunities to invest in land in areas that are currently not so developed, but with potential. Real estate prices tend to rise quite high once development begins and these can provide very good results.
- Encourage questions from your clients. They could be a great opportunity for you to explore what they want from you. The prospective customers take time to ask questions when they have a high level of interest in your product or service. Make yourself more visible in the market by taking part in exhibitions which will give your business more exposure and create awareness through talk shows.

Smart Deal
Invest your money the right way. Pay yourself first by saving and renew your bank deposits frequently. If in a business, learn to source money and keep tracing the reliable networks. If you want to become a millionaire faster, then invest more money or find ways to make money grow at higher rates of return.
- High-risk investments can bring quick gains, but can also wipe you out. There should be a balance of safe investments with guaranteed returns for the short and long term. Some can also be allocated to higher risk for faster gains.
- Define your objectives clearly, based on your financial needs. Spread your risk across different avenues of investment like property, insurance, stock market, mutual funds, deposits, etc. maintain a good balance between investments that give high returns and those that are very safe.
- Investment in property is useful because it’s a permanent asset. Property rates are always rising. Investing in property could help you maximize your income tax returns.

Penny ’wise’
In the mystifying lingo of millionaires don’t forget to cut your costs to improve your cash flow. Making a million is not like a child’s dreams of flying. So apart from being pragmatic and hard working with an enterprising spirit, also learn to draw your purse strings tight.
- Lop off credit card usage and telephone bills and avoid fines on delayed payments of various bills”
- Maintaining a budget plan of your expenses ensures you spend less than your earnings. Prioritizing your major purchases also helps.”
- Avoid frivolous stocking up of material. Sometimes it becomes outdated or gets damaged due to unforeseen circumstances.”

Stress – The New Epidemic

Feeling stressed out?
The most influential anti-stress weapon you have at your disposal, is your mind..

These days stress seems to be the major reason why anybody gets ill, as well as being the universal excuse for bad behaviour. Now, everything in our lives is somehow, ‘stress related’.

Unfortunately, stress is real and comes in many forms. It’s often obvious, but other times, hard to recognize. Long term stress is sinister for everybody. New research links it with heart problems, ulcers, cancer, diabetic, arthritis, asthma, PMT and fertility difficulties. In almost all cases, stress is very damaging to your heart. It wreaks havoc by disrupting your body’s immune system, making you vulnerable to all sorts of illness and disease.

Stress is directly related to worrying. People with the highest amount of worry have two and a half times the risk of having a heart attack, compared to those with the lowest amount of worry. Stress is often work related. An over demanding job, an unrewarding job, or the loss of a job, can all contribute to stress. For women, stress frequently occurs when trying to juggle a career, look after a family and care for a spouse, all at the same time. Moving or traveling is stressful. Illnesses, whether physical or emotional are stressful for the body and so are certain medications, especially steroids.

However, usually it’s just the tedious, frustrating, day to day hassles and irritations that make up the bulk of stressful times. Things like late flights, traffic jams, engaged telephone lines, queues at supermarkets, internet failures, motorway driving, or simply not having enough hours in the day.

Too much stress leaves you depressed, bad tempered and physically exhausted. It can create numerous symptoms including insomnia, headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, overeating, resentment and the inability to concentrate or perform at usual levels. Stress also makes you more likely to munch your way through a whole packet of biscuits, to light one cigarette after another, or to completely finish a bottle of wine when you only intended to have one glass.

Exactly the same hormones are released so you continually ‘wound up’ and prepared for an emergency. This response isn’t needed, yet you can’t relax. And having adrenaline and cortisone constantly sloshing around in your bloodstream is bad news for your long term health.

However, there is a solution. Happily, by becoming more stress resilient, you can reduce the risk of future illness and premature death.

A five pronged approach is best. Not surprisingly, good nutrition, getting enough sleep, taking regular exercise, stopping smoking and learning some coping skills slow down the damaging stress related processes.

The more you can control the stress response, the better. The fitter you are, the lower your rise of cortisol under stressful conditions. In fact, exercise helps the body use up excess stress-induced hormones. Meanwhile, stopping smoking reduces your stress load immediately.

Probably the most influential anti-stress weapon you have at your disposal, is your mind. How you react, and bounce back from stressful events is all important. Coping skills can be learned and fortunately, there are several proven strategies available.

Knowing a simple technique for relaxation and using it for ten minutes a day will work wonders. When you relax, your blood pressure is lowered and you slow down your heart beat, breathing rate and metabolism. These factors reduce stress and improve overall health.

There are many different relaxation options including yoga, meditation, mental imagery, massage, biofeedback, autogenic therapy or just plain deep breathing. Make some regular time for yourself every day and don’t spend it working or catching up on chores.

Try a hobby, reading a good book, listening to music or talking to a pet or plant. Use what works best for you but get smart and take time to manage your stress load. Avoid becoming just another ‘stress-related’ statistic in the new epidemic.

Get Out & Play to Rev Up Your Workout

Burn Without The Sweat

Swimming provides a great cardiovascular workout without stressing the joints. To maximize your workout, personal trainer Irving Henson advises that you first focus on proper swim technique: “Breath in when you have your head above water and breathe out while you are under water. This way, you don’t lose out on valuable oxygen.”

He adds, “Seventy per cent of successful swimming comes from reduced ‘drag’: only 30 per cent from hand movement. So keep your body as horizontal as possible and wear a swim cap.”

To burn more calories – and have more fun – Irving suggests:
* Adding Resistance – Buoyant ankle cuffs keep your feet afloat, making it harder to paddle. Or, don flippers – they make you move faster, but your legs work harder.
* Internal Training – Swim 10 laps with buoyancy cuffs, then do 10 without. Or, do leg extensions or tricep dips in the water after every lap.
* Building Speed – Swim as many lengths as you can within a certain time, say 20 laps in 20 minutes. The goal is to gradually increase the number of laps you do in the same amount of time.

Lean, Mean Cycling Machine

Cycling gets the heart pumping and sculpts your butt and thighs. Whether you enjoy cycling outdoors or on a stationary bike, make the most of your workout with these simple tips from


Fitness Consultant and aerobic instructor, Bong Asuncion:
* Add Intensity – Increase the revolutions per minute (rpm), cycle uphill, vary speed intervals or change seating positions.
* Workout Plan – Bong suggests this eight-week plan to pump up your ride:

- Weeks 1 & 2 (Twice or thrice a week)
Start a 20-minute routine to let your body adjust to the activity and build endurance. Gradually increase to a 30-minute routine.
- Weeks 3 & 4 (Twice or Thrice a week)
Go for interval training, adding sprints and hills. Alternate one- to two-minute spins with three minutes of paced pedaling. With paced pedaling, you cycle at an intensity that’s high enough to reach your minimum target workout zone (65 per cent). Spin pedaling is similar to sprinting and you should reach the competitive part of your target workout zone (80 per cent). Here’s how to calculate your target heart rate zone:
Maximum Heart Rate (MHR) = 220 – age
Resting Heart Rate (RHR) = Count your pulse for 15 seconds x 15
Target Heart Rate Zone (THR) = (MHR – RHR) x (0.65 to 0.8)
- Weeks 5 &6 (Three to four times a week)
Continue interval training with longer sprints and aim for three- to five-minute spins followed by two-minute paved pedal speed.
- Weeks 7 & 8 (Four to five times a week)
Increase the distance covered within your 30-minute routine.

Walk Your Way Trim

A brisk power walk improves your heart and lung capacity, and tones your body, says Karen Sia, Amore Fitness Corporate Fitness Executive. If you’re already putting in 30 minutes, three to four times a week, great! But to pump up that walk, Karen suggests:
* Arm Work – Punch or swing your arms overhead activity. Do each arm movement for about five minute brisk walks.
* Interval Training – Alternate squats, hops, high-intensity lunges or shuffles with five-minute brisk walks. On a treadmill, select an uphill cross training programme.
* Pace Quickener – If your workout is 30 minutes, time your outward journey at 15 minutes. On your return, aim to reduce the time by walking faster. Karen stresses the importance of stretching: “A good five-minute warm-up before stretching is better than stretching with cold muscles.”

Fire Up Your Body

We’ve all heard about the multiple benefits of yoga. Yoga principal teacher Joan Seow Harakuma stresses the importance of proper hands-on guidance. “The right teacher will be able to show you the right way to move the body, the right methods to do the poses. If done incorrectly, one can easily injure the body.”

* Heat Generators – There are several forms of yoga, like Ashtanga, lyengar and Vinyasa, all part of Hatha yoga. These methods all have different approaches and asana (pose) work. Joan adds, “Assuming one knows the correct methods and poses, it’s possible to link th e poses. By doing so, there’ll be changes to the body, such as creating more heat in the body. Vinyasa and Ashtanga are examples of yoga styles that flow from one pose to another. “These styles help the body “generate heat” – they'll improve blood circulation and strengthen the body.
* Power Poses – For a more intense session, look for a class that incorporates inversions. Adds Joan, “when done correctly, these poses revitalize one’s body system by reversing the effects of gravity and flooding the vital organs and brain with nourishment.” Examples of inverted poses are the Bridge, Plough and Shoulder Stand poses.

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