Monday, 31 December 2007

10 inspirational quotes

It might take a little coffee or probably a few rounds of beer or any other booze you could get your hands on when it comes to relaxing after a hard day's work. Well, yeah I'm guilty about that one as well, unless I'm caught dead wearing a lampshade over my head after a few rounds of vodka… half-naked! Okay, bad example and I apologize to everyone reading this after getting nightmares about me in that state of drunken stupor.
Just don't ask how it happened, please.
But what's really interesting is that how do people go through the usual part of life when faced with vein-popping stress? I mean, the new age thing like Zen or yoga is one of the good things and it actually works. Is there room for the intellectual side of people who can actually smell the roses-in-a-can while on the move? It kind of had me thinking that there really must be something in this 'mind-over-matter' thing.
Humor is indeed the best medicine there is whenever you are. I mean anyone can pay good money to listen to a comedian just to make you wet your pants after laughing so hard. Despite of what's been happening, and to those who has gone though the ordeal, it's better to just laugh while facing the troubles with a clear mind than anger with a clouded vision. One of my favorite celebrities of all time may have to be Woody Allen. Now this is one guy who gives you the in-your-face bluntness that he pulls out with gusto, even without even trying. You can talk just about anything with a man, and he's bound to mock the subject and you'll end up laughing rather than being upset about it.
Woody Allen has this to say:
1. "Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons." It sounds good to me, I mean the practicality of all things does involve money but it doesn't have to take an arm and a leg to get it.
2. "I believe there is something out there watching us. Unfortunately, it's the government." 'Nuff said.
3. "There are worse things in life than death. Have you ever spent an evening with an insurance salesman?" This happens to be one of the classic ones. I mean the issue about life's little problems isn't all that bad, until 'he' shows up.
Sure, relationships can get complicated, or does have its complications that probably any author about relationships is bound to discover it soon. We follow what our heart desires, unless you're talking about the heart as in the heart that pump blood throughout your body.
4. "Love is the answer, but while you're waiting for the answer, sex raises some pretty interesting questions." And if you want more, just keep on asking!
5. "A fast word about oral contraception. I asked a girl to go to bed with me, she said 'no'." It sounds, 'practical', I think.
And when it comes to everyday life, he really knows how to make the best out of every possible scenario, and it doesn't involve a lawsuit if he strikes a nerve.
6. "Basically my wife was immature. I'd be at home in the bath and she'd come in and sink my boats." I never had a boat in my bathtub before. Just staring at it while soaking in hot water makes me seasick already.
7. "I am not afraid of death, I just don't want to be there when it happens." If it rains, it pours.
8. "I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose." It could get worse when you're guzzling on beer… or mouthwash, and it happened to me once!
9. "If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans." At least he doesn't smite us with lightning, and I'm thankful for that.
And despite of what may happen to all of us in the next ten, twenty, or even thirty years, I guess we all have to see things in a different kind of light and not just perspective. I can't seem to imagine life without any piece of wisdom that could guide us. Whether we're religious or not, it takes more courage to accept your fears and learn how to deal with them is all that matters when it comes to even just getting along.
And to sum things up, here is the last nugget of wisdom to go by… however, whenever, and wherever we may be.
10. "The talent for being happy is appreciating and liking what you have, instead of what you don't have."

Thursday, 20 December 2007

White Christmas Recipe

White Christmas
3 cups Rice Krispies (rice bubbles for the Aussies)
1 cup dessicated coconut
3/4 cup powdered milk
1/2 cup powdered sugar
60 g (2 oz) mixed candied fruit, chopped
60 g (2 oz) red and green candied cherries, chopped
1/4 cup raisins
125 g (4.5 oz) white vegetable shortening (Copha or Crisco)
125 g (4.5 oz) white chocolate chips

Brush a 9 x 13" pan with oil. Line base and sides with paper. Combine Rice Krispies, coconut, powdered milk, powdered sugar, and all fruit in a large bowl. Chop up the shortening, place with the chocolate in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Stir until mixture is melted and smooth. Combine chocolate and Rice Krispie mixture. Press into the prepared pan and refrigerate until set. Remove from the pan, allow to stand for 10 minutes. Cut into squares with a sharp knife.

Monday, 17 December 2007

Stress-Reducing Holiday Tips (Part 2)

5.) Don't Strive For "Perfection"
Nobody's perfect. And nothing can BE perfect, so don't expect that! Do what you can and be happy knowing that you did all you could to make it a wonderful holiday. Trying to create a "picture perfect" holiday gathering can really "sock it to you" in the stress department. Worrying about what you CANNOT do could lead to very problematic health issues. And you DON'T want that! The worst part of this is that it can all be avoided by thinking realistically about what CAN be done and not what you feel NEEDS to be accomplished. There is a significant difference between those two. Make a promise to yourself that you will only do what you can without placing too much pressure on yourself to get it all done. A good thing to keep in mind is that YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER ANYONE OTHER THAN YOURSELF. They will do what they do and that's the end of it! If you believe in your heart that you can in essence "teach an old dog new tricks", that is, to try and get a person that is set in their "ways" to behave differently for even 15 minutes, you are headed for heartache. Try not to let the actions of others within your circle of family or friends discourage you from having a great holiday season. People will be who they are and you should learn to let go of any personal expectations of how YOU want the holiday gatherings to be. It won't do anything but add to your own stress levels.

6.) Remember What Makes The Holiday Season Special For You And Maintain Focus
Always keep this thought in the back of your mind: "The Holidays Are A Time Of SHARING And TOGETHERNESS". Understand that this sentence may have a different meaning for each family member or friend depending on events that have occurred in holidays past. The most common reason for this stress inducer is thinking and remembrance. If something pleasant has occurred for someone, that's what they will tend to remember about the holiday seasons. If the person has experienced an incredible loss, then more than likely they will not be in a very celebratory mood. And you shouldn't expect them to be. Take some time to think about what that person might be feeling before you try and bombard them with "good tidings". But, don't let this discourage you of having a happy holiday though. If you have wonderful memories of togetherness, then bring those memories forward in a way that makes you comfortable without putting others out. Never force your happiness onto someone that has suffered a devastating loss. Allowing each individual to have their own version of how they celebrate, or not celebrate, the holidays can really reduce your stress levels.

7.) Do Some Realistic Planning
Never underestimate the value of a good plan! But, your plan needs to be one that is within your ability to complete. You should never set too many goals for yourself that you couldn't possibly get done in the course of two weeks time. That is, if your pressed for time, as many of us are. Every year, many people wait until the very last minute to get everything done all at once. This is not a good idea. What happens? You know you have a big shopping list to take care of, so you dash out the door quick as you can, get into the car, speed off into the night to get it all finished up before the stores close. Guess what? There are probably a hundred other folks doing the exact same thing you are at that very moment! Now, not only do you have to deal with trying to get those things on your shopping list, you're going to have to make your way through filled lanes of traffic, crowded stores, and lengthy check out waits. But, what if you spend all that time searching for a highly sought after item once you get to a specific shop, only to find that they are completely out of stock! Now you have to go try your luck at another location, or a completely different store altogether. You CAN avoid all this stress by creating a plan. Even if you only have 1 month left to finish your shopping, you could take an extra hour out of each day to pick up those items on your list before the mad holiday buying rush. The best way to have a good, "less stress" holiday plan is to start one right after the holidays are over! You can get great bargains through "after holiday" sales and take those items, cross them off your list, and put them up for safe-keeping until next year's holiday. Plus, there's NO RUSH to complete the tasks on your "to do" list since you have an entire year to get them done!

Stress-Reducing Holiday Tips

Every single person on the planet Earth has experienced their own events that cause different types of stress. No one is immune to this intense feeling. But, when the holiday season pops up, so does the level of stress that many experience.
If you have felt any of the following, it's probably safe to say that you are already dealing with some form of stress:

* You are overly cranky
* You find it difficult to get a good night's rest
* You are on a weight roller-coaster
* You find yourself more "on edge"
* You feel as if the world is crashing down on top of you

While many of these "symptoms" can be related to things other than stress, we will be addressing them here as if they are created by stress specifically and explain some things you can do to elevate some of it throughout the holiday gatherings, shopping sprees, and other unplanned surprises that are yet to come your way!


Stress-Reducing Tips To Help You Cope

1.) Stick To A Normal Schedule
This is important to ALL family members, not just you. Everyone needs to have a regular routine, especially children. We thrive on it. And children DEPEND on it! Diverting from your normal, every day scheduled tasks can add unnecessary stress to you and your family. So try to keep up with your set schedules of eating, sleeping, TV time, and of course play times. With the emotional excitement of the holidays, friends and family members coming for unannounced visits, and social "get togethers", it can be a bit more difficult to stick to your normal daily routines, but it isn't impossible if you have a solid support system (i.e. - a spouse, close family member, or valued friend that are willing to help you "stick with it"). Remember too that you can always make small adjustments to your normal routine to fit that day's schedule of "hectic" events, but it will make keeping to your schedule all the more difficult later on.

2.) Express Your Feelings
Let others know just how you are feeling by sharing it with them in a positive way. If things are bothering you, tell someone about it. But you should do it in a manner that doesn't put undue stress upon them! Having a family "chat session" about what they are feeling can not only strengthen the bonds between you, but also eleviate some of the normal stresses associated with the holidays. This, however, shouldn't be a "gripe session" though. Don't let your stressful feelings turn into anger that is outwardly expressed at the expense of a loved one's own feelings. There are more productive ways to channel your energetic feelings without being hurtful. Discussing what you are feeling instead of who you are feeling this towards can certainly help releave stress and figure out constructive ways that each of you can work together to solve any tensions or problems. Don't expect immediate results though. Things take time. But taking positive steps towards understanding through sharing your feelings is the right direction to head.

3.) Ask For Help
It's not as devastating as you might think :-) Actually, it's quite easy! If you
are having a tough time shouldering all the responsibilities that are upon you, just ask someone to help you with them. You could do this by dividing up different tasks that are on your holiday list of things to get done. Of course you'll want to be sure that whatever task you assign to a family member is "age appropriate". Meaning you don't want to give your 10 year old the job of hanging outdoor lights on the roof! So make sure that you delegate these responsibilities as they fit the laborer. If your particular need for help is more of an emotional nature, speak with someone you trust about what you are feeling. Remember, if you are still harboring ill feelings towards Aunt Fanny from 3 years ago, do your best not to bring up any names and just discuss what it is that is bothering you about that particular situation. Otherwise you could just make yourself feel even worse by piling on unnecessary guilt. If you find that you can't discuss these matters with a family member, take time and visit your family doctor. He/She may be able to offer you an outsider's view of what's going on, which can be quite helpful in looking at the situation in a different way. And, if the stressful feelings are causing a more serious problem, your doctor can help.

4.) Know Your Limits And Abide By Them
You should never "bite off more than you can chew". This applies to not only what you can get done during the holidays, but also what you can afford to spend. Don't over-extend yourself or your finances. Remember, the thing that people will remember most is that you were there with them, spending precious time to celebrate the joy of being together and not the physical gifts they received. YOU are worth more than a little "trinket". And that is what will create lasting memories for everyone! And, don't be too harsh on yourself for not getting that expensive video game for Johnny, or that collectible doll for Jane. Do what you can and nothing more. Don't place high expectations on yourself, and don't make promises you simply cannot keep. Limiting what you can realistically do will help reduce the stresses you put on yourself.

Time Saving Fitness Tips

For many people, time is a large factor when deciding to implement fitness into their lives. It is important for some to find fitness tips that will not cost them a lot in their time. This is especially true for people who work long hours and parents. The good news is that there are many time saving fitness tips available for people who find that the time that they have is often limited. In this article, we will look at a few of those time saving fitness tips.

The first time saving fitness tip that should be used when deciding to implement fitness into ones schedule is the ability to set goals. With any activity that you pursue, it is extremely important that you set aside some time to dedicate to setting goals for yourself. The goals that you set can be simple or complex, it is up to you. However, if you are limited in time and just starting out, your goals should be kept simple.

Once you have established your fitness goals, it is important that you then try to fit in a certain amount of time to dedicate to your goals each week. Many people decide that fitting in about 30 minutes a day to their workout is a great way to start. Other people opt for spending an hour over a couple of days each week. It is entirely up to you. It is not something that you have to set right off the bat, but you definitely have to squeeze in some time for it somewhere.

It is important for you to be educated on the type of fitness that you require and how to go about obtaining it. There are many free online resources for obtaining this information. You can also borrow books from your local library as well. There are many fitness and training videos on the market that may help you as well.

Once you start your fitness program, it is important to maintain some level of accountability to yourself. Practice makes perfect and you are sure to meet your goals if you stick to the program. It is important to stay motivated and disciplined. Many people try to find a support group to help them meet their fitness goals for this reason. It is easy to come up with excuses when you are only trying to convince yourself.

Regardless of what type of life that you lead and how much time that you have available, it is very important that you do not neglect your fitness and health. There are many simple exercises that do not require a lot of time that will benefit you. It is important that you know that before implementing any new fitness program into your life that you discuss your goals with your doctor. With you working closely with a medical professional, you will know exactly what you must do in order to achieve the fitness level that you require.

Wednesday, 12 December 2007

Feng Shui - What does it mean?

There are things in the universe that we simply cannot escape like taxes, death etc. But there is one more thing that guides our lives whether we believe it or not, whether we are black or white. We are all living in a world that has symbols and it dictates our lives whether we like it or not. It’s true when you think about it. Just look at the traffic signs all over the place left and right. But there are also the symbols that are non-visible. For example there are the meanings of words.

To us who lives in America or have the Occidental philosophy, the people from the Orient and all their mumbo jumbo seems a little farfetched for us.

Feng shui is basically a way to draw to you the positive energy there is in the universe. To help a person with that a series of symbols (signs) are employed. Because what we desire above all else in life (health, money, to be happy) these are the symbols that appear everywhere for those who practice Feng shui. So as you can see, we might have different cultures, but in the end, we all want the same things in life whether we’re Chinese or Canadians. So what is wrong with a little help?

Here are a few beliefs according to Feng shui followers:

People that want money try this popular method. They cut a red ribbon in 9 pieces and they attach three coins together. They are then attached to a doorknob. To those addicted to numerology it makes sense because 9 is the highest number in a series from 0 to 9.
For protection, the Chinese get Fu dogs (not real ones) and they place them on the stairs or in the entry. By protection we mean protection of the home not physical.

Have you ever been mesmerized by the soothing sound or the magnificent sight of a water fountain? Well, many others are. Europeans just go nuts over this item. They even put it in their homes sometimes. If you’re becoming an addict to Feng shui, get one if you want more cash coming your way.

Taking care of the environment is a must for the people that practices Feng shui. A few examples of this is cutting the grass, burning fallen leaves etc. It could be anything to make the landscape prettier. The Orientals will do every thing that we do (us Occidentals) but they believe that this will bring them good life forces or the chi.

If you want to have good luck then you can try the following: Get a fountain or a pond in your backyard with 9 fishes in it. There must be eight goldfish and one black fish. Gold will attract the good luck and the bad luck will be taken by the black fish.

This was only one of few possible things to improve your life. Feng shui is a way of life and it does look like other philosophy, but in the end, you will see that it’s not quite the same.

Sunday, 9 December 2007

Webmaster Forum With a Difference: WebTalkForums.com

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Web Talk Forums is owned and operated by experienced webmasters who have much to offer the webmaster community. They not only guide, assist, and advise, but they get to know their members, they treat everyone like an equal, learning right along with their members, improving their own skills, and having fun doing it. Web Talk Forums staff have experienced many other webmaster forums and have vowed not to be that way, they know what members like and dislike based on their own experiences.
Some of the highlights of Web Talk Forums are the fun features, such as the casino. Many webmasters have fun spending the forum "cash" they earn from posting and referring friends, in the casino and betting in the pools, you can also donate casino cash to other members who may have helped you in some way or just because. There’s also a stock market built right into the forum where you can bet on stocks using casino cash. It’s not real money, but it’s great fun and something to do during your breaks. There’s also an arcade for those of you who enjoy playing the games.
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