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Some people seem to be lucky. They are always in the right place at the right time. Positive opportunities forever seem to come their way. Are they simply lucky or do they have a different approach to life ? Making the decision and choosing to live a better life gives us the power to improve our lives.

Being receptive to life elevates the quality of life we live. Using all our senses is important. Sound, smell, taste, sight and touch are often taken for granted. But when we meet someone who is impaired in some way we see how heightened their other senses have become to compensate for the deficit.We become more aware of the value of adding colour, texture, fragrance, music and different flavours to our lives. The more we use our senses the more engaged in life we become.

Appreciation for what we have is important. Hearing another person's bad news, hearing of disasters are unfortunate ways of us becoming more appreciative of our own good fortune. Taking the time to value friends, family, where we live and work, our quality of life, the freedoms that we have are ways to remind ourself of our good fortune and motivate us to live more fully. - Respond rather than react. When we are involved in a difficult situation it is important to pay attention, listen and gain all the facts. This enables us to appreciate another person's point of view before we react and maybe say something inappropriate. We exercise more control in our choices and behaviour.

Take better care of ourselves. Value our good health and invest in it by paying attention to a healthy, balanced diet, exercise, the importance of taking breaks and becoming aware of our stress levels. Having quiet time where we turn everything off on occasion is a valuable way to de-stress. Turning off the phone, computer, TV and just being silent is healthy from time to time. Spending some time in nature is a good way to unwind. Finding a work/life balance is important.

Be aware of negative self talk. We are often harsher with ourselves than we would ever be to another person. Berating ourselves for an accident or a mistake is unnecessary. Would we be so tough on someone else ? Being a little kinder and more appreciative of ourselves and the pressures we are under often makes for an improved state of mind.

Choose to do something that is really enjoyable. Busy people often struggle to find enough time for family, friends and other obligations, but having some 'me' time is also important in life. Even if it is a thirty minute swim, a leisurely bath or taking a walk on the beach doing something for yourself is important. When we decide to take control of our choices and establish positive ways to look after ourselves we become happier, healthier and more relaxed. The people around us benefit from this.

Susan Leigh, Counsellor and Hypnotherapist, http://www.lifestyletherapy.net/

About This Author

She started the practice in 1988 with her husband Frederick, and after being widowed at the age of 39, took over the practice full time.
Prior to working as a Counsellor, Susan worked for many years with a blue chip company and has experienced the stresses of balancing a corporate and personal life. Now she balances writing regularly for many organisations, is a regular contributor to BBC radio and has a thriving Counselling and Hypnotherapy practice. She works with individuals, helping them cope better with the pressures of daily life, works with couples to provide relationship counselling and improve communications, and in business to provide support to staff members and teams. She has had a lot of success working with clients with unexplained infertility in women and also with managing pain in childbirth. Many of her clients have successfully gone on to become pregnant and have a positive experience of giving birth. For more information see www.lifestyletherapy.net
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Every mother has said, "Eat your vegetables," to her child at some point. As it turns out, mother always knows best. A poor diet, be it too little, too much or the wrong balance of food, can increase our children’s risks of many diseases and illnesses that can become debilitating and life-threatening. A new small study suggests that obese teenagers are at an increased risk for inflammation, insulin resistance (a precursor to diabetes), and oxidative stress (which can lead to blood vessel damage). These metabolic abnormalities suggest that the process of developing heart disease has already started in these children, making it critical for them to make definitive lifestyle and diet changes.

The researchers in the study compared the diets of 33 young obese people (aged 11 to 19 years) to 19 people in the same age group who were of normal weight.) Unsurprisingly, teens in both groups weren't getting proper nutrition because they didn't eat enough fruits, vegetables, fiber and dairy products, but the obese teens in particular consumed less dairy and fewer servings of fruit. Potassium and vitamins A, C and D -- which are found in fortified dairy products and deeply colored fruits and vegetables -- were all found to be lacking in the diets of the obese children.

Another recent study published in the Nov. 2010 online edition of Circulation suggests that children who eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may be able to help ward off atherosclerosis in adulthood, a precursor of heart disease. Kids who eat produce nearly every day develop more flexible arteries. Having arteries that resemble bendy straws is a good thing; stiff arteries make your heart work harder and blockages are more likely.

These studies provide insight into the early development of vascular disease and have important implications for prevention efforts in children.

If your kids are about as interested in broccoli and apples as in math homework (in other words, NOT), these parent-tested strategies can boost their produce quotient without a food fight:

--Eat them yourself. When parents eat their veggies, kids do, too. They're hard-wired to mimic what you do -- monkey-see-monkey-do still works.

--Keep on offering them. Pack red pepper strips or broccoli in lunches. Add sliced kiwi or a mango. If they come home untouched, don't flip out. Just do it again and again. It can take 10 to 15 "introductions" for a youngster to try and like a new food.

--Invite a friend of your child's over who likes veggies -- your guy may model his behavior.

--Don't force the issue. High-pressure tactics make dinnertime a downer, and can turn your child off to the Brussels sprouts you've finally learned to love.

If you are an avid food shopper, you may have noticed that the selection of sweeteners in the baking aisle seems to have multiplied in leaps and bounds. These sweeteners tend to have exotic-sounding names, each claiming to be tastier, healthier, or more environmentally-friendly than plain old table sugar. But are they really any better? Whether you choose natural, artificial or conventional sweeteners is up to you, but this article gives you the scoop on the most common types of “natural” sweeteners to help you decide. Regardless of the type of sweetener you choose, be sure to keep in mind that published recommendations say to limit added sugars from all sources to no more than 10%-15% of total calorie intake, which is 120 calories (7.5 tsp) of sugar for a 1,200-calorie diet.

Sugarcane Sweeteners
Making what we know as table sugar from sugarcane can range from a relatively simple to a multistep process, and the final result varies depending on the specific steps in the process. The sweeteners listed below are made with fewer steps on the processing chain meaning less environmental impact and more of the vitamins and minerals.
• Blackstrap molasses is the dark liquid byproduct from the third boiling of sugar cane syrup and is the most nutritious molasses, containing calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron. Just 2 teaspoons of blackstrap molasses will sweetly provide you with 13.3% of the daily recommended value for iron, 11.8% of the daily recommended value for calcium, and 9.7% of the daily recommended value for potassium.
• Evaporated cane juice can be used just like sugar for sweetening foods and beverages as well as in cooking. It may also be known by a variety of other names including dried cane juice, crystallized cane juice, milled cane sugar, and in Europe as "unrefined sugar". Evaporated cane juice contains some trace nutrients (that regular sugar does not), including vitamin B2 (riboflavin). Evaporated cane juice is available in a variety of forms that vary in texture and flavor:
o Milled Cane: small grained crystals.
o Demerara: coarser grained, slightly sticky crystals.
o Muscovado: very fine crystal sugar.

Non-Sugarcane Sweeteners
Here is the scoop on some of the most common natural sweeteners that are not made from sugarcane.

• Agave nectar is produced from the juice of the core of the agave, a plant native to Mexico. It contains trace amounts of iron, calcium, potassium and magnesium, but has a higher calorie count than sugar (60 calories per tbsp vs 46 calories per tbsp, respectively). The fructose content of agave syrup is much higher than that of high fructose corn syrup, which is of concern since some research has linked high fructose intake to weight gain (especially around the abdominal area), high triglycerides, heart disease and insulin resistance. Despite this, it has a low glycemic index because of its low glucose content, which means it won't cause a spike in your blood sugar levels the way sugar does.

• Brown rice syrup- When combined with sprouted rice or barley, cooked brown rice yields this sweet liquid that contains about 13 calories per teaspoon and is less sweet than sugar. The syrup breaks down relatively slowly, providing more of a time-release energy flow than sugar does and contains some magnesium, manganese, and zinc.

• Date Sugar- Though it's called "date sugar," this sweetener is not a form of sugar. It's actually an extract taken from dehydrated dates. It contains some essential minerals such as iron, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc and selenium.

• Honey, made by bees from the nectar of flowers, is a ready-made sweetener that contains traces of nutrients. Some research suggests that consumption of honey raises blood levels of protective antioxidant compounds in humans. However, when raw honey is extensively processed and heated, the benefits of certain phytonutrients are largely eliminated. Please Note-Do not feed honey-containing products or use honey as a flavoring for infants under one year of age; honey may contain Clostridium botulinum spores and toxins that can cause infant botulism, a life-threatening paralytic disease. Honey is safe for children older than 12 months and adults.

• Maple syrup comes from the sap of maple trees, which is filtered and boiled down to an extremely sweet syrup. It contains fewer calories and a higher concentration of minerals (like manganese and zinc) than honey. "Maple-flavored syrups" are imitations of real maple syrup. To easily tell the difference, read the ingredients list on the nutrition label. True maple syrup contains nothing but “maple syrup.” Imitation syrups are primarily made of high fructose corn syrup, sugar, and/or artificial sweeteners.

Remember, even sweeteners touted as natural or nutritious, like the ones discussed, don’t typically add a significant source of vitamins or minerals to your diet. However, there’s nothing wrong with the sweetness that a little sugar or other natural sweeteners add to life, so long as it’s done in moderation.

About This Author

Joanna Dolgoff, M.D. is a Pediatrician, Child Obesity Expert, and Author of Red Light, Green Light, Eat Right (Rodale, 2009). Dr. Dolgoff’s child and adolescent weight loss program (http://www.DrDolgoff.com) has been featured on WABC News, WNBC News, Fox 5 Morning Show, My9 News, and WPIX News. She has also filmed pieces with The Today Show and Extra, is an official blogger for the Huffington Post, and is the official doctor for Camp Shane, the nation’s largest weight loss camp. Children from 45 different states are losing weight with Dr. Dolgoff’s online weight loss program (http://www.DrDolgoff.com).
Dr. Dolgoff attended Princeton University and the NYU School of Medicine and completed her Pediatric Residency at the Columbia Presbyterian Children’s Hospital of New York. She is a Board-Certified Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a former certified fitness instructor. Dr. Dolgoff resides in Roslyn, NY with her husband and two children, ages 4 and 7.

Did you know that our skin is our first line of defense against infections, germs and pollutants? Or that more than half of our lifetime UV exposure occurs before we’re 20?

Eucerin has teamed up with blogger and published author, Sara Kate Gillingham-Ryan, to launch the Skin First Movement which demonstrates ways and encourages women to treat skin care as part of their overall health care.

"Your skin is a reflection of your internal health.

Sleep, exercise and eating a balanced diet are important to ensure your skin looks and feels its best—but so is a good daily skincare regimen. Skin is our body’s protective shield, so its health affects our overall health. And when our skin is healthy and radiant, we feel confident, and it shows.

That’s why we’ve made healthy skin our mission for over 100 years. With high quality, clinically proven products that can repair and help maintain the health of your skin, we’re the brand trusted by dermatologists and pharmacists around the world.

Make healthy skin a priority by learning about your skin type, skin concern, or about the elements beyond your skin that can affect your skin health. Find skincare products that are appropriate for a particular condition and your skin’s daily needs. And learn how elements beyond your skin can affect your overall skin health." Eucerinus.com

Eucerine offers a line of dermatologist recommended skin care products designed for every skin type. Their moisturizers calm, soothe and repair even the most delicate or damaged skin. Eucerine's newest product, Daily Skin Balance Skin-Fortifying Body Lotion protects your skin from a variety of external elements, like pollution and climate change which can damage skin over time. This lotion is soothing and also has a pleasant light scent. You can purchase Eucerine's Daily Skin Balance Body lotion at your favorite drug store for about $9.99 for the 13.5 fl oz body lotion and $5.59 for the 2.7 fl oz hand crème.

Eucerin has also partnered with LIVE! Regis And Kelly’s Run Across America with Ultramarathon Man Dean Karnazes! The Eucerin Skin First Express is traveling alongside to promote a skin savvy nation and the importance of overall skin health. The Eucerin Skin First Express includes stations to take the Skin FIRST Pledge, FREE samples, full product displays, a dermatologist and a video station to record skin wisdoms and tips. We encourage Healthy Moms Magazine readers to visit the Eucerin Facebook page, take the skin First Pledge and receive free samples as a thank you from Eucerin.

*Disclosure: I received a 13.5 oz bottle of Eucerin Daily Skin Balance Skin-Fortifying Body Lotion from Eucerin in exchange for this review. All opinions are accurate and 100% mine.



About This Author

Cascia Talbert is a busy blogger, publisher, freelance writer, online merchant and mother of five children, (one of whom is gifted) living in The Pacific Northwest. With a B.A. in history and law and a passion for writing and staying healthy, she started The Healthy Moms Magazine in 2007. The Healthy Moms Magazine is currently ranked the top health blog for moms and features several health expert writers and mom bloggers. Ms. Talbert believes that if mothers are well educated on health issues and how to stay healthy, they can pass that information down to their children and reverse the childhood obesity statistics in the U.S.

Ms. Talbert is a featured health blogger at Wellsphere.com and her articles can also be found on ezinearticles.com. She also runs the Healthy Moms Social Network on Ning, manages Mom's Natural Health and Wellness Shop, is a Coach for Beachbody and is on the Social Media Advisory Board for America's Wellness Challenge.


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Are you pregnant or know someone who is? If so then we have a deal for you! Mom's Natural Health and Wellness Shop is closing out our remaining Earth Mama Angel Baby inventory. We need to sell these items fast in order to bring our customers more top quality natural health, wellness and beauty products.

"Earth Mama Angel Baby® manufactures a complete line of safe, zero toxin herbal products that support the common discomforts of the entire process of birth, from pregnancy through labor, postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, baby care and even the loss of a baby." Earth Mama Angel Baby.com

These products are perfect for eBay stores that sell infant care items, pregnancy related products or health and beauty aids. We guarantee that you will be able to resell these for far more than our Buy it Now price.

This wholesale lot includes:

Earth Mama Natural Stretch Oil 4 oz
Angel Baby Lotion 4 oz x2
Monthly Comfort Tea
No More Milk Tea
Peaceful Mama Tea
Third Trimester Tea
Heartburn Tea
Angel Baby Shampoo and Body Wash 5.3 oz
Earth Mama Body Butter 4 oz
Happy Mama Spray 4 oz
and
New Mama Bottom Spray 4

You can snatch all of this up for only $65.00. But you better hurry! We only have one lot and this is the lowest price you can find for these all natural products for pregnant women and babies.

Because these are wholesale closeout items all sales are final and we will not accept any returns. If you have any questions our complete contact information is found on our website. Use search term "Mom's Natural Health and Wellness Shop."

Visit our listing on Ebay for complete details.




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Every parent believes that their children are smart but how can you tell if your child is just above average or truly gifted. Deciding the meaning of the term, "gifted" has always been controversial. Most parents and teachers have their own definition of gifted which can lead to problems when gifted children reach school age. That is why it is important for parents to understand how to recognize the early signs of giftedness in their children.

Parents are the first educators in a young child's life. If you are aware that your child is exceptional then you can encourage and nurture his abilities. Below are some early signs of giftedness put together by Inderbir Kaur Sandhu, Ph.D, from Brainy-Child.com.

Birth – 2 years
The following checklist is a rough indication of what you may want to look out for after your child is born up to 2 years of age.

* Ability of recognize carers early (within a few months after birth)
* Early expressions (e.g. smiling)
* Unusual alertness
* Interest in books (turning pages of books before 1 year of age and paying attention when read to within 6 months)
* Interest in computers
* Unusually active and high levels of energy (but not hyperactive)
* Playing with shape sorters by about 11 months.
* Ability to form two word phrases by 14 months
* Ability to understand instructions by 18 months
* Ability to say and understand many words before 18 months
* Could stay still and enjoy a TV programs (e.g., Sesame Street) by the age of 1
* Has favorite TV shows/VCD/DVDs by age 1
* Appears to require less sleep (yet not sleepy or irritable due to lack of sleep)
* Recognition of letters/alphabets by age 2
* Recognition and rote counting of numbers 1 – 10 or higher by age 2
* Recognition of colors by age 2
* Recognition of first word by age 2
* Interest in puzzles by age 2
* Has long attention span in interest areas by age 2
* Ability to form at least 3 word sentence by age 2
* Interest in time by age 2

2 – 4 years

The following includes all/most skills in the checklist above.

* Early and extensive language development and vocabulary, forms grammatically correct sentences as compared to peers
* Interest in computers (not video games)
* Ability to solve a 20-piece puzzle by age 3
* Has a vivid imagination (includes having imaginary friends)
* Extraordinary feats of memory
* Extreme curiosity and asks many questions
* Specific talent (if any), such as artistic ability or an unusual facility for numbers - becomes more apparent by age 4
* Ability to memorize and recall facts easily
* Early development of a sense of humor
* Ability to do one-to-one counting for small quantities by age 3
* Recognition of simple signs and own written name by age 3
* Ability to write letters, numbers, words, and their names between 3 and 4 years
* Ability to read easy readers by age 4
* Rather independent on the computer by age 4
* Demonstration of musical aptitude just after 2
* Ability to do simple addition and subtraction by age 4
* High degrees of mathematical understanding by age 4

If the above sounds a lot like your child you can help him succeed in school by exposing him to educational activities at home. When your child shows an interest in something you can turn that interest into a fun and rewarding experience that encourages learning. For example, if your son likes dinosaurs take him to a dinosaur museum, check out books on dinosaurs at your local library or play with dinosaur toys with your child.

Reading with your gifted child is also very important. Make sure you read to her every single day. Your home library should cover a variety of different topics to encourage learning. Expose your child to as much as you can to broaden his interest.

If your child is not in school yet you may be concerned about what might happen to her when she reaches kindergarten and beyond. Your local school district may not have a program designed for gifted children. Your three year old may already be reading books and doing first grade mathematics, however keeping him with his peers will be highly beneficial socially when he reaches age five. Getting involved with an advocacy group such as The National Association for Gifted Children
will help you encourage gifted education programs in your school district.

Below are some other resources you may find helpful if you have a gifted child.

Parent's Guide to Gifted Children by James T. Webb, Edward R. Amend, Janet L. Gore
This is the first book that parents of gifted children should read. Raising a gifted child is both a joy and a challenge, yet parents of gifted children have few resources for reliable parenting information. The four authors of this award-winning book, who have decades of professional experience with gifted children and their families, provide practical guidance in areas such as: characteristics of gifted children; peer relations; sibling issues; motivation & underachievement; discipline issues; intensity & stress; depression & unhappiness; educational planning; parenting concerns; finding professional help; and much, much more.

Information for parents of gifted children.

Do you believe your child is gifted? What have you done to encourage his abilities and giftedness? Does your school district have a program for advanced learners? Giftedness should be encouraged and embraced. Children shouldn't have to be stuck at a level below their abilities just because the teacher wants her students to "catch up" before moving on to another topic. Encourage your child's unique abilities through educational activities in your home. Afterall, you are his first teacher.


About This Author

Cascia Talbert is a busy blogger, publisher, freelance writer, online merchant and mother of five children, (one of whom is gifted) living in The Pacific Northwest. With a B.A. in history and law and a passion for writing and staying healthy, she started The Healthy Moms Magazine in 2007. The Healthy Moms Magazine is currently ranked the top health blog for moms and features several health expert writers and mom bloggers. Ms. Talbert believes that if mothers are well educated on health issues and how to stay healthy, they can pass that information down to their children and reverse the childhood obesity statistics in the U.S.

Ms. Talbert is a featured health blogger at Wellsphere.com and her articles can also be found on ezinearticles.com. She also runs the Healthy Moms Social Network on Ning, manages Mom's Natural Health and Wellness Shop, is a Coach for Beachbody and is on the Social Media Advisory Board for America's Wellness Challenge.

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When we are new to a situation we can feel awkward. There can be a sense that everyone else has their own established friends and groups. We are the new kid on the block, trying rather clumsily to make some inroads into the various groups. It can feel daunting at first, but perseverance is the key, that and not trying too hard.

- New friends can be difficult to find. My brother and his wife are excellent at the art of making new friends. They have relocated regularly due to his job and immediately join any local groups they can find. Whether they be charity or volunteering they introduce themselves to local organisers and immediately enrol. Organisations like the National Trust, Rotary, the Townswomens' Guild have all benefited from their efforts to become useful members of their new community, and it has always been a successful gesture. They have made good friends and connections everywhere they have lived.

- Work can be a stressful environment as a new person. There's always the feeling that everyone knows everyone else and is familiar with the routines and protocol of the place. Smiling, being friendly but not pushy can ensure that people make the effort to be friends and are keen to help, which is always a relief. As time progresses it can be a positive move to enquire how others feel about an evening out. Maybe suggest a sports evening like ten-pin bowling or an interesting, popular show or even a theme night at a local restaurant. That way you can introduce yourself to the other employees and be seen as friendly and prepared to make an effort. That's always a good combination.

- Being newly single can feel daunting at first. Not everyone wants to start dating again straight away. It can be important to have some time to experience being single and heal from the previous relationship. But gradually it can be pleasant to start mixing with other single people again. A softer approach can be to join groups rather than enrol in one-to-one dating clubs. Some groups are at venues where people pay at the door and circulate. Others involve a sit down meal where everyone eats and chats to the other people at the event. Everyone is there to meet other interesting people and have a pleasant time so introducing yourself can be a perfectly acceptable thing to do at these events.

- Groups and clubs, places where people go regularly are excellent places and opportunities for introducing yourself and making a connection. New friends, potential, lovers can be met regularly over a period of time. Starting out by smiling, sharing pleasantries, then asking lightweight questions about their day can be a gradual way of building rapport and interest with other people. Gyms, book clubs, bridge societies, discussion groups, various classes are all places where people commit to going regularly. Seeing someone with whom you feel a connection can be the perfect scenario to introduce yourself and build on that.

I always say that if you go halfway to meet someone they will usually respond to the gesture. Introducing yourself to someone new is the first step towards starting a new relationship. It's about making the first connection with a potential new friend, colleague or lover.

Susan Leigh, Counsellor and Hypnotherapist,
www.lifestyletherapy.net

About This Author

She started the practice in 1988 with her husband Frederick, and after being widowed at the age of 39, took over the practice full time.
Prior to working as a Counsellor, Susan worked for many years with a blue chip company and has experienced the stresses of balancing a corporate and personal life. Now she balances writing regularly for many organisations, is a regular contributor to BBC radio and has a thriving Counselling and Hypnotherapy practice. She works with individuals, helping them cope better with the pressures of daily life, works with couples to provide relationship counselling and improve communications, and in business to provide support to staff members and teams. She has had a lot of success working with clients with unexplained infertility in women and also with managing pain in childbirth. Many of her clients have successfully gone on to become pregnant and have a positive experience of giving birth. For more information see www.lifestyletherapy.net






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Now that warmer weather is just around the corner it is time for outdoor recreational activities like running, jogging or spending time at your favorite public park. When you are away from home with your friends or alone you want to feel safe and secure. The statistics of violence against women in the United States are alarming.

According to the Washington State Department of Health (http://www.doh.wa.gov),

" (national data) * One in three women has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime.
(Source: Sexual Assault Experiences and Perceptions of Community Response to Sexual Assault, 2001)
* One out of every six American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime.
(Source: Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)
* On average, more than three women a day are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in the United States.
(Source: Family Violence Prevention Fund)
* Every nine seconds, a woman is beaten in the United States.
(Source: American Institute on Domestic Violence 2001)
* Women ages 20-34 endure the highest rates of domestic violence.
(Source: American Institute on Domestic Violence 2001)
* Only about one in five domestic violence victims with physical injuries seek professional medical treatment.
(Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics)
* Sexual violence starts very early in life. More than half of all rapes of women (54%) occur before age 18; 22% of these rapes occur before age 12.
(Source: Tjaden and Thoennes, 2000)
* Intimate partner violence is the leading cause of injury to women. It affects 1-3 million women a year in the U.S., making it more common than muggings, stranger rapes and car accidents combined.
(Source: Frisso JA et al., 1996. Tjaden P, Thoennes N, 1998)
* Domestic crime against adults accounts for almost 15% of total crime costs: over $67 billion per year.
(Source: Victim Cost and Consequences: A New Look. National Institute of Justice Research Report, Jan. 1996)"

These figures can and should change if more women are educated on self defense and arm themselves with a personal safety alarm. Ila Security has created a brand new line of stylish personal safety accessories designed to empower women so they can feel comfortable and confident while away from home or home alone.

"ila Security was launched in 2008, a joint collaboration with global communications agency BBH, whose clients include Audi, British Airways and Lynx/Axe. Its creation addresses what was a significant gap in the global market in the area of stylish female safety and personal security accessories.

A 2010 YouGov/Glamour magazine survey reveals that 68% of women are seriously concerned about their personal safety – and the same women also want to look stylish and fashionable. In response to this need, ila Security provides a must-have range of accessories that are chic, feminine and versatile." www.ilasecurity.com

The Healthy Moms Magazine believes that safety is important. Health and safety go hand in hand. As moms we want to stay healthy and live to watch our children grow up. We should also protect ourselves from dangerous acts of violence. Our children need us.

As your life gets busier you may find yourself alone and in an uncomfortable situation. Maybe your job requires you to travel to an unfamiliar city or you need to run errands after dark. An Ila personal safety alarm will help you feel confident and in control. They have a wide selection of stylish alarms designed for travel, home or working out.










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The Healthy Moms Magazine and Mom's Natural Health and Wellness Shop is excited to be participating in The Ultimate Blog Party 2011 hosted by 5 Minutes For Mom.com. The blog party takes place on April 1-8 and is a great opportunity for bloggers to network, connect and win great prizes.

This year we are donating a Derma e skin care package valued at $30.00. Derma e is one of the best all natural skin care companies. We are very proud to carry their line of award winning products. Derma e natural skin care products are available to purchase at Moms Natural Health and Wellness Shop. You can also purchase them at our Amazon.com store.

This year we are donating

Derma e Retinol (Vitamin A) and Green Tea Advanced Wrinkle Treatment Creme

Valued $12.50 Mom's Natural Health and Wellness Shop

Derma e Vitamin A and Green Tea Creme

2 oz/56 g

Retinol (Vitamin A) is one of the most effective natural exfoliants used for skin cell renewal. It will help diminish the appearance of fine lines, crow's feet, and wrinkles. Blended with Green Tea, a powerful antioxidant , this product is especially beneficial for sun or environmentally damaged skin. Green Tea is also both anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial. derma e®'s premium Vitamin A anti-wrinkle moisturizer is blended with synergistic skin nutrients, and contains an impressive 20,000 I.U. of Retinyl Palmitate per 100 grams for maximum cell renewal action. Daily application of this unique blend will leave the skin more refined and will diminish the visibility of skin irregularities.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Glyceryl Stearate, Organic Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract*, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate.

And

Vanilla Bean Cleansing Mousse, Age-Defying Facial Cleanser

Valued $16.28 Mom's Natural Health and Wellness Shop




Vanilla Bean Cleansing Mousse

This silky-rich lathering mousse is fortified with age-defying antioxidants like Pycnogenol and Green Tea to help nourish as you cleanse. Rich in sea kelp and herbs to lift impurities for vibrant, clean, smooth skin.


Gently lather cleanser in moistened hands, then massage over face and neck, and rinse thoroughly with water. Use morning and evening. Follow with derma e Vanilla Bean Revitalizing Toner and your favorite derma e moisturizer.


No animal testing.
Ingredients

Water (aqua), Cetearyl Alcohol and Polysorbate 60, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Glycol Stearate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamikopropylamine Oxide, Allantoin, Panthenol, Organic Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract*, Organic Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract*, Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail) Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus (Lemon Grass) Extract, Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract*, Pinus Pinaster (Pycnogenol) Bark Extract, Glycerin, Macrocystis Pyrifera (Sea Kelp) Extract, Citric Acid, Vanilla Plantifolia Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin.

*Certified organic by Quality Assurance International, USDA or guaranteed organic certification agency.


The total value of this prize package is approximately $30.00. Please visit Five Minutes For Mom.com to enter to win. We also invite all Healthy Moms Magazine Readers to participate in The Ultimate Blog Party 2011.

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The Healthy Moms Magazine is honored to be featured once again on RN Central.com. In 2009 we were listed as number one in a list of 100 top health blog for moms. Now in 2011 we are listed number 36 in a list of 50 outstanding blogs for moms looking for ways to lose that post-pregnancy weight.

You can read the complete list by following the link below.

RN Central : 50 Inspiring Blogs for Your Post-Pregnancy Weight Loss

Thank you again, RN Central for this honor!


About This Author

Cascia Talbert is a busy blogger, publisher, freelance writer, online merchant and mother of five children, living in The Pacific Northwest. With a B.A. in history and law and a passion for writing and staying healthy, she started The Healthy Moms Magazine in 2007. The Healthy Moms Magazine is currently ranked the top health blog for moms and features several health expert writers and mom bloggers. Ms. Talbert believes that if mothers are well educated on health issues and how to stay healthy, they can pass that information down to their children and reverse the childhood obesity statistics in the U.S.

Ms. Talbert is a featured health blogger at Wellsphere.com and her articles can also be found on ezinearticles.com. She also runs the Healthy Moms Social Network on Ning, manages Mom's Natural Health and Wellness Shop, is a Coach for Beachbody and is on the Social Media Advisory Board for America's Wellness Challenge.



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The top natural health and wellness guide, Prescription for Nutritional Healing, is now updated with the latest information on drug-free remedies. Every family should have this book in their home library. The original book published in 1983 and written by expert nutritionist Phyllis A. Balch, and registered dietitian Stacey Bell, was one of a kind. Prescription for Nutritional Healing was the only reference on how to stay healthy by maintaining a healthy diet and taking nutritional supplements.

This up to date natural health and wellness reference guide, now in it's fifth edition covers a variety of topics including:

• The basics of good nutrition
• How to balance vitamins and minerals so that the body can properly absorb both
• How to determine the best way to treat 250 problems from abscesses to wrinkles-using herbs, nutrition, and supplements
• Where to get the facts on other complementary therapies, like ayurveda, biofeedback, chiropractic care and more.
  

The disorder section in Prescription for Nutritional Healing is especially helpful for busy moms. This section covers a number of different illnesses and medical issues that are common among children along with detailed explanations and ways moms can take care of the issue naturally. The common disorders covered in Prescription for Nutritional Healing include:

• Acne
• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Allergies
• Bee Stings
• Chicken Pox
• Common Cold
• Depression
• Food Poisoning
• Headaches
• Pregnancy Related Problems
• Sore Throat
• Spider Bites
• Stress and many other common health conditions families face.

Part Three explains a variety of remedies and therapies and their health benefits. These range from aromatherapy, to homeopathy, meditation and yoga.

If you are searching for a comprehensive guide on natural health and healing, Prescription for Nutritional Healing is the perfect resource for your library. Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 5th Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements is available to purchase online at www.prescriptionfornutritionalhealing.net.

*Disclosure: I received a copy of Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 5th Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements in exchange for this review from Penguin Group (USA) Inc. in exchange for this review. All opinions are accurate and 100% mine.


About This Author

Cascia Talbert is a busy blogger, publisher, freelance writer, online merchant and mother of five children, living in The Pacific Northwest. With a B.A. in history and law and a passion for writing and staying healthy, she started The Healthy Moms Magazine in 2007. The Healthy Moms Magazine is currently ranked the top health blog for moms and features several health expert writers and mom bloggers. Ms. Talbert believes that if mothers are well educated on health issues and how to stay healthy, they can pass that information down to their children and reverse the childhood obesity statistics in the U.S.

Ms. Talbert is a featured health blogger at Wellsphere.com and her articles can also be found on ezinearticles.com. She also runs the Healthy Moms Social Network on Ning, manages Mom's Natural Health and Wellness Shop, is a Coach for Beachbody and is on the Social Media Advisory Board for America's Wellness Challenge.







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In my Bible study, I love to read about Joshua. He so courageously led the Israelites after the death of his mentor, Moses. He lived a long life for God, fighting many battles and setting a good example for God's people. Near the end of his 110 years, he gathered the people together for a farewell address. He reiterated much of what God had done for them over the years, then he issued this challenge:

"Choose you this day whom you will serve!"

He knew that it wasn't an issue of if they would serve but who. He also knew that although God had done so much for them; in their humanity and innate sinfulness, they wouldn't necessarily choose Him. So he gave them the options available:

1. The gods of the Past
The passage actually reads, "the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the (River)." Too often, we make idols out of the mistakes that our parents made or become a servant to the abuses or bad habits of our past. Instead of letting these things shape us and help us to mature, we say things like:

"I'll never change. I'll always be this way."
"This is the way I was raised. I can't live any other way."
"I behave this way because of the way I was treated when I was younger."
"I can't live a Godly life because I have done too many bad things."

If you say things like these, or believe them, you are serving the gods of the Past.


2. The gods of the Present
Another choice Joshua gave them was "the gods...in whose land ye dwell". In case you hadn't noticed, our culture isn't often very God-friendly. There are many things competing for our devotion and service. Even good things like careers and homes can be things we idolize or serve. Shopping for the latest fashion can be more important to us than finding God's purpose for our life. We can look to Hollywood to tell us how to live instead of God's Word. If this is the way you live, you are serving the gods of the Present.

3. The God of the Future
As Christians, we know that God has created a home in Heaven for us if we give our lives to Him. However, do we really comprehend that He holds the whole future in His hands? He already knows what is going to happen and nothing will happen without His consent.

Let's bring this down to where we live:

If you are serving a god of the past, remember, God was there. He saw what happened to you, what you did, the hurts and the bad choices. But He loves you and is calling you out of that past; no matter how bad or good it may have been, to a bright, healthy future with Him!

If you are serving a god of the present, know that God is here, right now. Yet, He knows that fads are fleeting and they won't satisfy for the long term. Many of them may even be harmful to a vibrant life with Him. He is calling you to look ahead and follow him wherever he leads!

The people of Israel accepted Joshua's ultimatum and made their choice:

"The Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey."

For the sake of a joy-filled life of purpose, health and peace; I hope you make the same choice.

About This Author


Jennifer Self is a disciple of Jesus Christ who loves following His plan for her life as a wife to the most wonderful man in the world and mama to four little blessings. Her days are filled with spending time with her man, homeschooling, preparing reasonably healthy meals and keeping the dust bunnies and the clutter monster at bay with a little blogging mixed in. After her family has been taken care of, she dabbles in her other passions of reading, health and music. She blogs about her life, her Heavenly Father, marriage, parenting and home at www.joyeverafter.blogspot.com.



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