Teenage-hood is often a testing time for both child and parent. For the child, it is a time of discoveries, making decisions for the first time and trying to figure out what the future may hold.

For the parent, it can be a period of putting up with your child’s constantly changing behavior, angst and sometimes detached moods, hoping that he or she makes the right decisions that will carry them through into being responsible adults.

It is a constant battle for both parent and child to see things eye-to-eye. Your teenager may complain that you will never understand what is happening, while you wonder what there is to understand when he or she is always locked up in the room, with a ‘Keep Out’ sign displayed on the door.

Before you barge down that door and demand to know what is going on, you must remember this: your teenager is simply going through the nuances of adolescent life. It may seem like a long time ago, but you were once a teenager as well. And if you put yourself in that position, understanding what your teenager is going through may become something you can relate to.

The Challenges Of Youth

There are many challenges confronting youths today - peer pressure, finding a place or a group to fit in with, trying to figure out what the future may hold, dealing with issues such as sexuality, drugs, alcohol and more.

Because of the many influences impacting on their lives - family, friends, peer groups, the media and society - teenagers may find themselves in a state of constant confusion, while trying to decide what it right and what is wrong.

Caught between childhood and adulthood, an individual’s adolescent years are a time for self-discovery. However, without proper guidance or exposure, the teenager may find himself or herself making the wrong decisions.

Trying to understand the different challenges your teenager is going through is the first step to a healthy parent-child relationship. Once this is achieved, your child will trust you and be comfortable enough to come to you with any problems without feeling like he or she is being judged.

Talk to your child as an adult, instead of being quick to cast blame or ridicule. That way, your teenager will not feel undermined and will be more confident in making the right decisions.

Peer Pressure

One of the main challenges confronting a teenager is peer pressure. Teenagers often find themselves in a situation where they feel pressured to do things they may not want to do. But because of their eagerness, and need, to belong, they may succumb to the pressure and do things that are sometimes totally out of character.

Peer pressure comes in many forms. Some may seem innocent enough - like styling their hair in a certain manner - while others may fringe on more serious moral issues, such as lying to parents or trying out drugs.

Why would your child give in to peer pressure? The reason is simple - they want to be liked and they want to fit in. Some may do it because they are worried about being teased if they don’t, while others are simply curious to try something new. Knowing that “everyone is doing it” will influence your child to try something new, even if it means going against his or her better judgment.

How do you talk to your teenager who is facing an enormous amount of pressure? Advise him or her to choose friends wisely. Choosing friends who don’t use drugs, skip class, smoke or shoplift will help your child steer away from unwanted activities. Teach your child to pick friends who exert healthy peer pressure, such as doing better in class and volunteering for charities. Also, be in tune with what is going on in your child’s life. That way, you can pick up immediately if something is amiss.

Dealing With Self Confidence

When growing up, an adolescent will go through many changes - experiencing growing pains, watching the body transform and being exposed to the different things that they never did as a care-free child. With so many things happening, it is easy to feel uncertain and a little lost.

Many teenagers suffer from a lack of self-confidence. This could result in being shy, but when taken to extremes, it could manifest itself in indulging in a showcase of attention-seeking behaviors such as eating disorders, inappropriate dressing, breaking social norms of behavior, even crime.

One way to help your teenager build self-confidence is to explain that everyone is different - and that it’s nothing to be ashamed of. There is little that can be done to change physical appearance, but accepting this fact will often make a person feel happier about themselves.

Also, encourage a healthy lifestyle for your teen. Stock up your kitchen with healthy snacks and fruits. Introduce a healthy physical activity the entire family can enjoy. That way, you encourage your child to think positively and adopt habits and activities that are constructive.

Exploring Sex And Sexuality

The last thing your teenager will want to talk to you about is sex and sexuality, but it is also perhaps the biggest thing that he or she could be pondering.

Embracing adulthood means finding out about one’s sexuality. Growing up, a teenager will find his or her body going through different things. They will also start to hear about sex and will naturally be curious about the whole deal.

Not getting the right information and education can prove to be dangerous for teenagers when it comes to sex. Being uninformed can lead to many major problems - not respecting the body, STDs, teenage pregnancy and more. But because of the sensitivity surrounding the issue, teenagers are often shy to approach their parents for the proper information about sex.

The best way to deal with this issue? Be as open about sex as possible with your teenager. Treat him or her as an adult when the subject is raised. Skirting around the issue will only cause your child to want to find out more, leading to even more curiosity. Always be open and let your child know that he or she can come to you anytime a question of sex arises. After all, don’t you want your child to learn about sex from you instead of from friends or even pornographic materials?

Drugs And Alcohol

We often hear stories of teenagers who are heavily involved in drugs and alcohol. The endings of these stories are often ugly, but the truth is that it is something that is happening quite regularly among teenagers.

Being a teenager means experimenting. Whether it is a new fashion trend, new music or new activity, your teenager is constantly going to want to try new things. Because they are so readily available, you can be sure your teenager will come face-to-face some day with drugs and alcohol - and there will be friends who will pressure them to indulge. If the situation is not checked early, you and your teenager may end up with major problems.

One of the best ways to prevent this is to be constantly involved in your child’s life, but never to the point of being restrictive. Educate your child about the dangers of substance abuse and teach them to make informed decisions. Banning your child from doing any and everything will lead to her or him wanting to try it even more.

Leading A Healthy Lifestyle

It is common for parents to be frustrated at their teenager, who seems to do nothing but lie in bed, spend hours on the phone and Internet, going out until late at night or just hanging around shopping malls doing absolutely nothing at all. Being productive seems to be an activity that does not exist in a teenager’s routine.

Many parents worry about their children’s sedentary lifestyle, but nagging them about it is not going to help. Try a different approach instead: tempt your child into activities that may excite him or her. If your child loves reading, plan monthly trips to the bookstore to pick out reading materials. You can also sign up your teen for workshops and courses - drama, speech, language, music, etc. Not only will you help fill their time constructively, it is also a great way to meet new people, pick up new skills and build character.

The best thing to do when trying to understand your teenager is to appreciate that he or she is simply going through a time in life when exploring and trying out different things is the norm.

While you cannot stop being a parent, you can try to be one who is supportive and, most importantly, a friend to your teenager.

Here are some ideas to make the transition just a little easier.

Before You Return To Work

Decide when you want to return to work
Discuss with your employer how much time you can take for maternity leave. You might not have the luxury of deciding whether or not to return to work, but you can take as much time as you’re allowed.

Find dependable child care
Leaving your newborn in someone else’s care can be very stressful. Finding a reliable child-care provider whom you trust will ease your worries considerably. Your child-care options range from individual in-home care to a creche. Give yourself time to find the best facilities in your area.

Talk to your boss
Discuss your duties and schedule so you’ll know what’s expected of you when you return. Ask about flexible hours or working from home on occasion.

Once You’re Back At Work

Manage your time well
Balancing family and work responsibilities demands good time management and organizational skills. You need to plan a system to make sure everything gets done. If you are overwhelmed with demands, allow the less important ones to slide.

Stay connected
Find ways to stay connected with your baby when you’re away. Make regular phone calls to see how your baby’s doing or keep photos on your desk.

Plan ahead
There may be times when your baby falls ill or the child-care center is closed. Plan ahead for such emergencies. Check with your employer beforehand about taking time off when your child is sick. Talk with a family member or close friend in advance about filling in if you can’t take your baby to the care center.

Feeling guilty or sad is normal
You might find yourself struggling with guilt. Or you might be sad that you can’t spend as much time as you’d like with your baby. Talking to your spouse, friends or other mothers in similar circumstances can help. If your sadness or guilt is overwhelming, speak to your doctor.

Get help
Don’t try to do everything yourself. Accept help from your partner, family members and friends. Seek out other working mothers who can offer support as you make the transition back to work.

Take time for yourself
It may seem difficult, but you need to take some time off for yourself. Get a relative, friend or your neighbor to baby-sit and spend time doing things you enjoy. If you feel less stressed, you’ll be able to better enjoy your baby.

Get as much rest as possible
Fatigue goes hand in hand with being a new parent. Try going to bed early one night each week to catch up on sleep. Cut down on unnecessary commitments. Set aside time on weekends to take a nap while your baby is sleeping. The better rested you are, the easier it will be to handle the everyday problems that crop up.

The responsibilities of a loving mother never end, and you will accept them willingly. Whether it is looking out for your child’s best interests or simply being there for support, a mother’s love is unconditional.

Responsibility Of A Mother

Perhaps the most important role you will have as a mother is being a provider - of a good home, proper nutrition, and physical and emotional support. It may seem like a never-ending chore, but most woman take to motherhood like second nature the minute they are declared ‘Mommy’.

If you are a first-time mom and the responsibilities seem overly taxing, don’t despair. You can always form support groups with other mums to share useful tips to child-caring. Also, make sure you include your partner in taking care of the baby. After all, it is a family you built together. If anything, it should be a time you learn about yourself as well as your baby. Take it all in positive strides, even when it seems like your newborn is getting out of hand. And if all else fails, there is always good, old mom to call in case of emergencies!

Discipline Your Child

You’re probably tired of hearing this and are actually contemplating letting junior do whatever his friend’s mum lets her kid do. But the minute you give in is also the minute you give up on teaching your child discipline. While you do not want to be a parent who holds the reins too tightly, you do not want to be one who is overly lax with rules. The last thing you need is not having control over your child and having him or her walk all over you.

Talk to them and tell them why rules are important. Tell your child why certain things are off-limits, instead of just saying ‘NO!’ with no reason. And no matter how hard it may seem, you must follow the rules you have set. If you change the rules all the time, your child will not take you seriously.

Child Safety

One of the most important things a mother wants to ensure is the safety of her child. A safe environment is something you must provide your child. With the flood of news these days about murders, rapes, snatch thefts, etc, it is easy to see why you are tempted to just shut the doors and keep your family inside. But this, you know, is just not realistic. So what is a mother to do?

Teach your child the importance of safety and staying away from situations that could result in harm. You should teach your child how to evaluate a given situation to determine whether it is one that will result in danger. Teach your child basic safety rules - not to talk to strangers, stay away from harmful materials like fire, knives, to be alert and to always tell an adult when he or she feels scared or uneasy in certain situations.

However, drilling in these rules will not help if you do not explain why it is important to adhere to them. The better you explain and reason with your children, the easier it is for them to make up their own minds and rules the next time they are faced with a potentially dangerous situation.

Dealing With Teenagers

One minute your five-year-old is happily singing nursery rhymes, next she is a 14-year-old prancing in short skirts and belly-baring tops. What happened to the sweet little thing who is now a sulking pre-teen who thinks everyone is out to make life miserable for her?

Dealing with teenagers is one of the biggest challenges for a parent. You never know what is going through their minds, they don’t come jumping telling you everything like they did before, they start going out with people you’ve never heard of, listen to music that makes you cringe, wear clothes you don’t approve of, stay cooped up in the room most of the time and, worst of all, seem to think you are out to get them. At this stage, we don’t blame you if you think your child is really from another planet!

You’ve seen how celebrities are portrayed on TV. You’ve read all about their racy lives and their partying habits. What’s worst is that these celebrities are barely out of their teens! And when your pre-teen idolizes these celebrities and tries to mimic their lifestyles without realizing the repercussions, you know you have a major headache at hand. But because celebrities and the media play a major part in today’s society, it is not something you can shield from your children’s lives. Magazines are easily attainable, TV programs run all day and the Internet is easily accessible, all this making it that much easier to be influenced by the glamorous lifestyles of the rich and famous. So how do you relate to your teenager then?

Perhaps a good start would be patience. Don’t immediately slip into defensive mode when disciplining your child. Treating your teenager like he or she is still 10 is also a mistake. You must realize (and come to terms with the fact) that your child is growing up and able to make decisions. Because of this, you must start treating your child like an adult, talking and reasoning as you would with your peers.

Yet even as they are growing up, teenagers still require a fair amount of guidance. Let them seek that guidance from you. Instead of being unapproachable, always tell your teenager children that you have their best interests at heart. Talk to them constantly about their friends, what’s going on in their lives. Don’t talk down to them; instead, try to see things from their point of view and try to understand what they are going through. Being a teenager is never easy - after all, you were there once, too!

Mother’s Support

Your child has gone from an infant to a young adulthood - yet you can’t help but still worry about him or her. After all, a mother’s love or worry does not cease as the child grows older.

However, as tempted as you may be to still want to control your child’s life, stop. Your role as a protective mother should end and develop into one of support instead. Rest assure that you have taught your children enough for them to make their own decisions, and even if some decisions are wrong, they will be able to make other decisions to set things straight.

If you find your children in dire need of help, but too proud to come to you, go to them instead. Stop the nagging and the blaming; instead, listen and try to offer your viewpoint so that she or he will be able to have more information to make sound decisions.

Allow your children to enjoy the rest of their lives as individuals, but provide the support they need in times of difficulty. And even if you think ‘Mother knows best’, you don’t have to keep telling your children this. Eventually, they will find it out for themselves!

So, the heart needs tender attention and maintenance. Empower yourself by understanding the heart anatomy and knowing how your heart works.

The average heart beats 72 times per minute. In the course of a day, it beats over 100,000 times. In one year, the heart beats almost 38 million times. By the time you are 70, it would have beaten about 2.5 billion times.

Anatomy Of The Heart

The heart is a hollow, cone shaped muscle located between the lungs behind the breastbone. Two thirds of the heart is located to the left of the body’s mid-line and one third is to the right.

Each chamber is equipped with a one way valve. This prevents blood from flowing back. When the heart beats, the action is called systole. This action pumps the blood out of the heart. The heart then relaxes, this is called diastole. This action allows the heart to be filled with blood again.

The right and left sides of the heart have separate functions.

The right side collects oxygen-poor blood from the body via the vena cava and pumps it to the lungs via pulmonary artery, where it picks up oxygen and releases carbon dioxide.

The left side of the heart collects oxygen-rich blood from the lungs via the pulmonary vein and pumps it through the body via the aorta so that the cells in the body have the oxygen they need to function properly.

To better understand how the heart works, watch this excellent Heart Anatomy video.

Get Organized

Organizing everything before you start speeds up the task. When you know where everything is, you don’t waste time running around looking for them.

1. Carry all cleaning supplies in a tackle box, pail or organizer big enough and with pockets deep enough to take all necessary tools and cleaning implements.

2. Keep your big supplies such as broom, dustpan, mop and cleansers in one area, such as a closet by the kitchen sink.

3. Use the best cleaning products and tools. Efficiently cuts cleaning time. Put on your apron, focus, do not get sidetracked, and work at a moderate pace.

4. If you need water for a particular chore, such as mopping the floor, make sure you do it when water supply is strong.

5. If you want to conduct a little furniture rearranging, do it on weekend when your husband or teenage kids can help. It is difficult and time consuming to move the refrigerator by yourself just to sweep under or behind it.

6. Invest in a cordless phone to stow in your apron while cleaning. You won’t need to rush back and forth just to answer the phone every time it rings.

Clean Up

You’re all set to start cleaning. Be more efficient with these simple tips.

7. Deal with little jobs before they turn into big ones. Vacuum crumbs and wipe up spills before the dirt sets in, when it will take longer to remove.

8. Divide big jobs into small manageable jobs. Instead of waiting until the busy holiday periods to clean all your good China, wash them by batch periodically.

9. Do not clean things that are not dirty. Hidden vertical surfaces do not get dirty as fast as exposed vertical or horizontal surfaces. When cleaning the refrigerator case, just clean what’s dirty, like handle and door (it’s probably full of food smudges from sticky little hands). Do not pull out the whole refrigerator and clean the sides every time. Make that a monthly task.

10. Do as little possible whenever possible. Wipe off dirt and hand prints from the wall, don’t clean the whole wall. Deal with the spots on your rug, don’t shampoo the entire rug.

11. When cleaning a room, start from the door and work your way around until you end up where you started.

12. Clean from top to bottom. Start by sweeping the ceiling for cobwebs. If you sweep the floor first, dirt from the ceiling will fall and you will have to sweep the floor once again.

13. When cleaning glass panes or tiles, use both hands, one hand to spray the cleaning solution, and the other to wipe the surface clean.

14. Enlist the help of your husband and kids on weekends. Small kids can wipe your unbreakable items while your hubby assists you with the heavier tasks.

15. Vacuum carpets, floors and upholstery every week. When dirt is given a chance to sit around, it will work its way into carpets and upholstery. You can get good rugs and carpet from Rugman. These hand knotted rugs are naturally stain resistant, free of any chemicals, and can stand up to the most hectic of lifestyles.

16. When vacuuming, use an extension cord 50 feet long to plug your vacuum cleaner in so you don’t have to plug and unplug it in each room.

17. Put a small unbreakable items in a mesh bag and wash them in the dishwasher, or soak them in soapy water and rinse them in running water.

Prevention First

As with everything, prevention is best. Cut cleaning time significantly by preventing dirt from coming in or piling up.

18. Pare down. The less you have, the less you have to clean. Get rid of everything you don’t love or need. Those small items are the ultimate dust collectors.

19. Invest in a good air cleaner, it will help reduce the dust and you’ll have a fresh and cleaner air. You will be surprised how much longer your floors and carpets will stay clean.

20. Don’t wait until empty jars pile up inside your refrigerator. As soon as a bottle is emptied or the food expires, throw it out. You will have fewer things to deal with when it’s time to give the inside of your refrigerator a good cleaning.

Most of the times we all too caught up with our frustrations from the past and bearing too many grudges that we can’t seem to let go of these negative feelings with ease. Hanging onto the past seems to be common human habit and this has caused a great deal of emotional baggage to be lugged around causing even graver damage to the body, mind and soul.

Believe it or not, the damage that an uncleansed mind can cause to the body and soul is enormous and one that should not be taken lightly. A confused and angry mind can cause the body to suffer from nervous disorders as well as cause the immune system to be unstable. It even has the potential of causing diseases like cardiovascular impairment, nervous and digestion disorders as well as impairment of the mind.

It is notable fact that the concept of letting go, is hard for some of us and yet, one of the key elements in maintaining safe grounds for healthy development of body, mind and soul is absolute release. Again, this is a factor that is hard for many to do yet, it is the only way that we allow ourselves to move on to bigger things and to shedding of issues that are totally unwanted and heavy to bear.

Deal with your needs before you rest or retire at home. Leave all preoccupations behind and allow yourself the time to recharge for the next episode in your life. Do not dwell too long in one aspect of your life, forgetting to pay as much attention to the newer developments that are taking place in your surroundings.

Sometimes though, dealing with a problem may not be as easy as we may see it to be. Problems like dealing with a divorce maybe or even becoming redundant at work are not easy matters to deal with emotionally.

In times like these, there is dire need for emotional detoxification. Emotional detoxification often leads to personal rejuvenation and reinvention. The time and energy spent on suppressing the volume of emotional upsurge is now redirected to dealing with positive and creative avenues of the problem.

Don’t beat yourself up just because you haven’t met your deadline for a certain job to finish or even postponed in important assignment just because you feel tired and miserable.

Learning to let go and allowing things to take care of themselves is something many do not believe in. How can things take care of themselves if we didn’t have a hand in it, is the common thought in the minds of many. But things have a way of working out on their own. It is simply a process that automatically takes place to make way for another scenario or episode to take center stage. It is the process of evolution. And like everything else, the law of evolution is an ongoing one - taking its won time and speed for change to take place.

The best preparation for letting go of old pain is to assign a concentrated period of time to deal with it. Remember you cannot sweep away a lifetime of toxicity in a weekend, but you can certainly get the process started. So take some time off to your first step forward to recognizing your inner turmoil and bringing out the new you.

1. Take A Look Inside

Always remember that when you are too busy looking at the faults of others, you are forgotten your own faults. Try and refrain from being judgmental about everything and everybody. Often times we cannot be in control of all the situations and dramas in our lives, so let things be. Turn away or look inside yourself to find release. Stop reacting and accept responsibility for your emotions. Cleanse your thoughts and tell yourself that sometimes bad times can happen to anybody and you are no different. Take it as a turning point in your life, one which will provide you the lessons you need to develop as a human being and to evolve from here.

2. Recognize Your Feelings

Try and not bury your feelings that you are unable to access your current situation. Let your feelings pour out. Talk to a friend or write a long letter to yourself telling yourself about how you feel today and what are the things you plan to do to eradicate the feelings which are pulling you down.

3. Beware Of Your Body

Deal with the energy of your emotions before it takes effect into other things. Observe your body and what it’s going through every time you feel pressured. This way the next time, you would be able to better handle your pressure or frustrations even before it gets full blown. So, the next time, you feel a twitching in your jaw muscle or have shallow breathing because of a certain condition that causes you to get excited, you know that these are signals that are telling you about the pressure rising inside.

4. Make Space

Take time off doing what you really want to do. This could mean just lying around and listening to music or even meditating. Or just indulge in juices and a fruit platter or even make a wholesome meal that you’ve been wanting to make for ages. This allows you to recognize what it is that you have been putting aside and creating consciousness on your emotional fulfillment.

5. Putting Pen To Paper

Write down all factors in your life that are troubling you. And deal with them one by one. But be honest about your feelings. Cry if you must over a hurt that is still hurting, or even walk away from a bit from an issue that is still bugging you. But come back to deal with it after much thought and give it a new perspective. Be true to yourself and let go of all issues and trials that are eating into your lifestyle one leaf at a time.

6. Think Of A Technique That Is Going To Help You Let Go

Everyone has his or her own technique of dealing with emotional unrest. Some put their worries in a bubble and blow it away, whilst others may throw a rock into the ocean, to denote throwing away the emotion, or visualize your pains away. Whatever techniques you choose, be sure to stick to that technique and concentrate on the emotions and feelings which are creating the toxicity in your body, all desolving into nothingness. If you cannot do this alone, do not be ashamed of your feelings and share them with a friend who is going to empathize with you and help you solve your problems.

7. Pat Yourself In The Back

Occasionally we forget to reward ourselves for efforts that we have achieved or even celebrate our own successes. Take time to be good to yourself and treat yourself to a meal or a new wardrobe or pamper yourself with a spa treatment or even go for a movie, just by yourself. Go shopping, read a book and spend hours just by yourself. Remember that this is your moment with yourself and so make the best of it.

Always try to be your own healer and when the storms of your life are rising, choose to be like the blade of the grass and bend as low as you can till the storm subsides. Remember that when you fight the flow of the storm, it will consume you. In the same way, when your emotions are rising high, recognize what is bugging you and allow for the emotions to pass.

A cup of herbal tea is actually a cup of herbal infusion or in other names it is also called as tisane.

Similar but yet very different in ingredients, herbal tea are also brewed in boiling water. These herbal infusions are called as such because it is made from anything other than the tea leaves of the camellia sinensis tea bush plant.

The concoctions of the tisanes can be from a vast mixtures of ingredients like dried leaves, seeds, grasses, nuts, barks, fruits, flowers or other botanicals that gives these blend of ingredients their taste and their benefits that either comes through research or from an array of folk.

Of all the herbal tea flavors, the most popular is the Chamomile tea. Known for its medicinal properties throughout the history, it is naturally caffeine-free with a light distinctive apple-like scent and a mildly pleasant sweet taste.

On a long and stressful day, a chamomile tea is a wonderful way for calming and soothing your senses. To enjoy, there is no need to add sugar since it has a gently sweet taste and with a little added honey it is also a very enjoying drink.

As it helps to relieve tension by drinking the Chamomile tea, it is also a traditional remedy that can helps headaches, digestive problems like heartburn or nausea and also for comforting women’s menstrual issues.

Chamomile tea can be enjoyed anytime as it is very easy to brew by just pouring a hot water over it to get a nice, aromatic cup of drink. But it is very important not to use boiling water as it can destroy the herb’s therapeutic properties the Chamomile tea has. Some prefers using loose dried Chamomile where two teaspoons is added to an individual tea infuser and later the infuser is added to the cup and the heated water is poured in later to the cup. It is left to steep in for about five minutes and will be ready to drink after. Depends on choices and in order to hold in more healthful properties that may be steamed during the steeping process, some people prefer covering their cup while brewing the tea.

A timeless favorite, Chamomile tea can either be brewed on its own or as a blend. It can be enjoyed with other herbs such as peppermint, spearmint, lemon grass or rosehips and is also very delicious and refreshing.

A wide abundance of tea choices can be made available from tea houses and retailers. Years of experiments have been made to suit the likes of today. These flavored teas can be found in a mixed variety of blends and wonderful combinations. There’s tangy pomegranate and mixed berry tea, Sencha green tea blended with the zing of Acai berries, white tea with pomegranate, a blend of China Black and Ceylon teas with the essence of mango and there’s this tantalizing delicious combination of blueberries and cream tea fusion. Thus more and more choices of flavored tea are emerging out of the market, making its place on the market shelves to cater the taste buds of everyone.

You will need:

• sea salt
• sweet almond oil
• pure essential oils of sandalwood, rose, lavender, neroli and ylang ylang
• small bathside candles or floating candles and a glass bowl
• bottled water or freshly squeezed fruit juice
• organic whole milk
• dried or fresh rose petals and lavender flowers
• natural sponge
• 2 large bath towels and 1 hand towel
• plastic sheet
• thick blanket and 2 hot water bottles
• single cotton sheet
• herbal tea
• burner (optional)
• natural bristle brush
• cushions

Lavender Salt Scrub Recipe

• 2 tbsp sea salt
• 2 tbsp sweet almond oil
• 8 drops pure lavender essential oil

Place the sea salt in a bowl and stir in the sweet almond oil and lavender essential oil.

Tranquility Massage Oil Recipe

• 1 tbsp sweet almond oil
• 4 drops pure sandalwood essential oil
• 4 drops pure lavender essential oil

Pour the almond oil into a small glass or china bowl, add the essential oils and mix

Inner Peace Bath Milk Recipe

• 2 tbsp organic whole milk
• 4 drops pure neroli essential oil
• 4 drops pure rose essential oil
• 4 drops pure ylang ylang essential oil

Mix the essential oils with the milk and pour into the bath.

1. Body Scrub - 10 minutes

Start with an all over exfoliating treatment to get rid of flaky cells and prepare your skin for absorbing essential oils during the bath soak. On a psychological level, this symbolizes shedding the old and making way for the new. It’s a bit messy, so do it in the shower or sitting on the side of the bath. Scoop a little Lavender Sea Salt or any other homemade exfoliants in your hand and massage it over your body, especially on rough areas. Sponge off with warm water, or shower.

2. Bath Soak - 20 minutes

Turn on the taps, light candles and place a glass of spring water or juice beside the bath. When nearly full, add the Inner Peace Bath Milk and a handful of rose petals and lavender flowers. Step in and lie down so the water gently laps around your face. While soaking, recall any stressful events of the week, then visualize them drifting away. Soak for 20 minutes and sip your drink. Wrap yourself in a warm, fluffy towel and towel dry your hair.

3. Head And Foot Massage - 20 minutes

Pour a little Tranquility Massage Oil into your hand and massage it into the scalp. Start at the temples and around the hairline, then work over the crown, back of the head and neck. Wrap your hair in a towel and wash your hands. Now stroke a little oil over your face. Combine circling and stroking movements with light finger pressure on the temples and around the eyes. Use quick, scissoring movements over the forehead and little squeezes along the jaw line with the thumb and finger. For the final 10 minutes massage your feet or have a footbath.

4. Body Heat Wrap - 20 minutes

Like a mini sauna, this wrap encourages your body to throw off waste products and melts away tension. Lay a plastic sheet, then a thick blanket, on your bed or sofa and place two filled hot water bottles within easy reach. Soak the cotton sheet in warm water, wring it out and lay it over the blanket. Now lie down on top of the sheet and wrap it around you as best as you can (or ask your friend to tuck you in). Place one hot water bottle by your feet, the other on your tummy, and pull the blanket over you. After 20 minutes, peel back the layers and slip into a robe or loose clothing.

5. Tea Break - 10 minutes

Make a herbal tea, sweeten it with honey if you prefer and sip a cup or two.

6. Clearing Your Mind - 20 minutes

Put a few drops of sandalwood essential oil in a burner or cup of boiling water. Sit on the floor using cushions to make yourself comfortable. Position a candle or bowl of floating candles just in front of you. Let your gaze be drawn to the flickering flames. Watch them until they appear hazy and then slowly close your eyes. Try to keep the image in your mind’s eye. If your thoughts start to wander, open your eyes slightly, reconnect and begin again.

7. Stretching Out - 10 minutes

This will release any residual tension in your muscles.

• Stand with your arms raised over your head. Breathe in and go up on tip toes, reaching straight up. Hold for 10 seconds, breathe out and release.
• Now loosely clasp your hands behind your back. Breathe in and bend forwards, drawing your hands up to the ceiling. Hold for 10 seconds, breathe out and release.
• Sit on the floor, legs stretched out in front, feet together. Breathe in and bend forwards to grasp your feet, letting your head fall to your knees. Hold for 10 seconds, breathe out and come up.

8. Body Brushing - 5 minutes

This will boost your circulation to leave your skin feeling refreshed and tingling. Begin by brushing up the arms. Next brush down the neck, across the shoulders and down the chest. Using a small, circular strokes, circle around the stomach (up the right side and down the left) and brush down your back. Finally brush from the feet up the legs to the hips and over the buttocks.

9. Hot And Cold Showering - 5 minutes

Finally, take a long warm shower and wash your hair. Switch briefly to cold water for about 20 seconds to invigorate mind and body, then back to warm water for a further 1 to 2 minutes. Finish with a burst of cold, and dry yourself briskly with a towel.

Enjoy your weekend!

With the advent of Christianity in the Roman Empire, the much revered vegetarian practice in these prehistoric cities came completely to a halt. Nonetheless, monks in medieval Europe were still recorded to have banned the consumption of meat for Spartan reasons, although fish was never forbidden from the practice.

Although the practice of vegetarianism re-emerged in Europe during the Renaissance, it only became a more widespread practice in the early 20th century. As the popularity of the vegetarian practice grew with time, more and more modern reasons arose for the purpose of the practice. Today, the practice of vegetarianism is not strictly a religious or spiritual affair but more of an environmental and economic concern.

Statistics show that the largest number of vegetarians are found in India where they are approximated to make up more than 70% of the world’s vegetarians. Their purposes and reasons behind the vegetarian practice is still closely connected to the interest of non-violence as well as the concept of living in harmony with all living creatures on the planet.

Simply said, vegetarianism is a diet that includes all forms of vegetables with the exclusion of animal flesh or slaughter by products. Today, the most common to have been posed to the vegetarian is “Isn’t eating plants equal to violence, where a plant is killed for consumption?” The answer lies specifically in the geographical conditions that the vegetarian practice stemmed from.

Typically, there were 2 classes of vegetarians:

• Vegetarians that practiced total vegetarianism. These vegetarians were born in the mainland.
• Vegetarians that practiced vegetarianism with the inclusion of fish. These vegetarians belonged to the fishermen colony.

Thus, their manner of practice of vegetarianism became the custom of these sectors of people and soon became a way of life.

By Indian standards, the practice of vegetarianism was one of convenience as well as a part of the religious requirements in the villages of olden India. Most of the people of that time were considered poor and were unable to afford the luxuries of meat, their cows fed their families milk and ploughed their land which gave them the ability to support their young. They gave reverence to their animals for they were used for work to support the hungry. Also, the temple clergymen in the olden times were of the opinion that to reach the highest levels of peace and harmony, there must not be any killing or consumption of products that is a result of the killing.

Hence, they were taught to grow their own foods, where upon harvest, the roots of the plants remained underneath the earth for the sake of future growth, whilst leafy vegetables were cut off from the top, leaving their roots below to sprout more leaves. Thus, the plants were never destroyed, allowing the process of growth and transformation to take on a continuous cycle. To the people of this time, the concept of uprooting plants were akin to destroying the earth, which the Hindus call ‘Mother’, as the earth would have to break open for the process of uprooting. This was the essence of vegetarianism by the Indian beliefs.

Having considered the factors in which the classic vegetarian of the olden times practiced their cause, the question of killing never arose as the life of one was not used to feed the life of another.

Modern day vegetarians do not have the ability to grow their own vegetables as there are common space constraints in the housing areas that they live in. Today, unless the vegetarian has his own land and space to plant his vegetables, he consumes vegetables that have been uprooted for the sake of commercial gains.

There are a wide variety of vegetarians today of which the practice is still not quite understood by the practitioner himself. Although not many vegetarians know the classes they belong to, a huge number of people are beginning to embark on the vegetarian path only because they think it is the right thing to do.

Being a vegetarian is about being conscious about what you do with your food and why you choose to be a vegetarian. Is it a lifestyle change that you are seeking or is it your way of contributing to the peace around you? Or is it because you feel so much more intuitive with a vegetarian diet or is it simply a diet that fulfills you? Whatever the reason, more and more types of vegetarian practices are being born from the need to satisfy the groups of people worldwide to apply the vegetarian concept of living.

Ovo-Lacto Vegetarians - vegetarians who will consume any kinds of food but not any kind of meat. This kind of diet also allows for the consumption of eggs, honey and dairy products.

Lacto Vegetarians - vegetarians who will not consume any kind of meat and eggs but will consume honey and dairy products.

Ovo Vegetarians - vegetarians who will not consume any kinds of meat and dairy but will consume eggs and honey.

Vegans - the classic vegetarians who will not consume any kind of meat, eggs, dairy products or honey.

Macrobiotics - vegetarians who eat nuts, legumes, whole grains and fish.

Raw Vegans - vegetarians who limit themselves to unprocessed food that has not been heated to above 46°C (115°F). Their diet mainly consists of raw vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, raw eggs, unheated dairy products and sushi.

Fruitarianism - a diet of only fruits, nuts, seeds and other plant matter that can be gathered without harming the plant.

Pescetarians - those who refrain from consuming meat but will take in shellfish, seafood and fish.

Pollo Vegetarians - vegetarians who are in a sense only half vegetarian, they allow chicken and fish but not red meat.

Flexitarians - who refrain from meat if the specific beast was raised or slaughtered cruelly.

Freeganists - who eat all kinds of meat unless the environment was damaged or humans or animals were exploited while the meat was being prepared.

Embarking on the Vegetarian Path

With all the varieties of food available, being a vegetarian is indeed a difficult path to follow. In fact, vegetarian restaurants are not as common as the odd stall that offers all the mouth watering non-vegetarian dishes.

Strict discipline and the willpower to overcome the temptation of these wide arrays of food is your personal choice of wanting to be a vegetarian. Whatever your reasons may embark on the path is firmly your belief that this is what you really want for yourself.

Start slow and progress further into your journey. Remember that it should not be a difficult journey from the beginning, for if it is difficult for you to maintain, this kind of diet was not meant for you. Choose the kind of vegetarian diet that will be initially be easy for you to follow so that you can ultimately become a vegan. But if your lifestyle does not permit you the privilege of reaching a vegan diet, choose any other vegetarian diet that will complement your lifestyle.

Why Practice Vegetarian

Over and above the core reason of non-violence, there are many more positive reasons as to why the vegetarian diet should be your choice diet and they are:

• vegetarian diet is a cleaner diet
• vegetarian diet enhances bodily functions
• vegetarian diet increases mental concentration
• vegetarian diet provides the calm you need
• vegetarian diet aids with the faster digestion of food
• vegetarian diet can complement any kind of medication you consume
• vegetarian diet makes the body lighter
• vegetarian diet helps clear the skin
• vegetarian diet aids with easier toxin release from the body
• you become more tolerant and forgiving
• you tend to eat less
• you become conscious of what you’re putting into your body
• you take control of your life by choosing to refrain from temptations

It is common knowledge that man was born vegetarian. By simply following the growth process of the human child from birth to a year old, you will notice that a child is never fed any form of meat or fish. This is because the human digestive system is unable to work efficiently with the consumption of meat, more so when it is a system as premature as that of a child’s.

It can be seen that the vegetarian diet has been proven to be a scientific diet that is able to rival any condition that the body may be exposed to. So go ahead and give it a try.

Perhaps our modern junk food mentality can be apportioned some of the blame. We live in a throw-away-society where the media isn’t exactly a good role model either. Countless television programs show film-casts getting up and walking away from their plates of half eaten foods. The American way of living has also had a marked affect on our eating habits. Huge portions of fatty foods and less fresh vegetables have become very common in our diets. Thus should we be surprised that our children find it hard to finish their meals?

Some people would argue that the suppliers and manufacturers have a hand in the problem of society wasting food. Every thing  has a ’sell by’ and ‘use by’ date. However, sometimes there is a bit of a buffer built into the products and some of these products or foods will keep well post expiry. As a society evolving from generations before, we’ve survived quite well without a ‘use by date’.

Poor planning and a busy lifestyle will also lead to a great deal of wastage. How many of us can admit to having made an impulse to buy, then several days later having to throw it out anyway?

Back in the days when the saying ‘waste not, want not’ actually meant something, one had to plan what to buy, cook and how to creatively use up leftovers, nothing was thrown out or wasted. Food especially, was at the highest priority of not being thrown out because it was a sin to throw away food. Even more so, the hard labor that was included in getting the food on our tables and the hard work that was involved in preparing the food were all labors of love that needed to be appreciated at all cost. This is a factor that modern children do not pay much attention to, leave alone have any idea whether there is an issue to make out of. Also in real life, food is an essential fixture of culture, society and socialization and comes with a complete set of customs, history and nuances.

Healthy Eating

Healthy eating is an opportunity to expand your range of choices by trying a variety of foods especially vegetables, grains or fruits that you don’t normally eat. A healthy diet doesn’t have to mean eating foods that are bland or unappealing. Healthy eating and being physically active are keys to a healthy lifestyle. You may reduce the risk of many chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and certain cancers, and increase your chances of living longer.

Benefits of Healthy Diet 

A healthy diet is one of the most important ways you can maintain an active lifestyle and protect yourself against health problems. Healthy eating increases energy, improves the way your body functions, strengthens your immune system and thwarts weight gain.  A healthy diet helps you to:

• meet your nutritional needs. A varied, balanced diet provides the nutrients you need to avoid nutritional deficiencies. Non nutrients such as fiber are also necessary for a healthy diet.
• prevent and treat certain diseases. Healthy eating can prevent the risk of developing certain diseases such as cancer and heart diseases. It is also helpful in treating diabetes and high blood pressure. Following a special diet can reduce symptoms, and may help you better manage an illness or condition.
• enjoy life. Food is the mainstay of many social and cultural events. Not only does it provide nutrition, it helps facilitate connections between people. Cooking fresh, healthy meals can also be an enjoyable way to spend time, either on your own or with others.
• feel energetic and manage your weight. A healthy diet can help you feel better, provide you with more energy, and help you fight stress.

Basic Healthy Eating Guidlines

Don’t skip meals

Plan your daily meals and snacks. For healthy eating, if your weight is normal, enjoy three meals and two additional snacks in you’re hungry in between meal times.

Learn simple ways to prepare food

Healthy eating doesn’t have to mean complicated eating. Keep meal preparation easy, eat more raw foods such as salad and vegetable juices, and focus on the pleasure of eating healthy food rather than the calories.

Avoid eating too much sugar

If you feel tired in the afternoon, reach for fruits, veggies or a high protein snack rather than sweets, which actually rob your body of energy.

Listen to your body

Stop eating when you feel full. This will help you remain alert, relaxed and feeling your best.

Healthy Food To Stock Up On

Children, especially younger ones, will eat mostly what is available at home. That is why it is important to control the supply lines - the foods that you serve for meals and have on hand for snacks.

Be a role model. By having your children see you reaching out for uncooked foods like salads, raw vegetables and fruits.

Employ fruits and vegetables into the daily routine, aiming for the goal of 5 servings a day.

Make it easy for your child to choose healthy snacks by keeping your home stocked up only with health foods, fruits and vegetables. For snacking, always keep standby some muesli bars or unsalted sunflower seeds or even yogurt, peanut butter or wholegrain crackers and cheese.

Serve lean meats and other good sources of protein such as eggs and nuts.

Choose wholegrain breads and cereal so your child gets more fiber.

Limit fat intake by avoiding deep fried foods and choosing healthier cooking methods such as broiling, grilling, roasting and steaming.

Limit fast food and other low nutrient snacks such as chips and candy. But don’t completely ban favorite snacks from your home. Instead, make them once-in-a-while foods, so your child doesn’t feel deprived.

Get children involved in the food planning. Most kids will enjoy making the decision about what to make for dinner. Talk to them about making choices and planning a balanced meal. Some children may even want to help shop for ingredients and prepare the meal. At the store, help your child look at food labels to begin understanding nutritional values.

In the kitchen, select age appropriate tasks so your child can play a part without getting injured or feeling overwhelmed. And at the end of the meal, don’t forget to praise the chef. School lunches can be another learning lesson for kids. More importantly, if you can get them thinking about what they eat for lunch, you may be able to help them make positive changes. A good place to start may be at the grocery store, where you can shop together for healthy packed food.

There’s another important reason why kids should be involved, it can help prepare them to make good decisions on their own about the foods they want to eat. That’s not to say that your child will suddenly want a salad instead of French fries, but the meal time habits you help create now can lead to a lifetime of healthier choices.

By keeping your child familiar with the process involved in preparing healthy food, it’ll make them appreciate the food more and eventually stop wasting it.